Podiatrist Recommended John Fluevog Women's Shoes

Podiatrist Recommended
John Fluevog Women's Shoes 

Supervog

Akira

Todne

Flame

Capellan

Find

Advisor

Virtue

Luxon

Zenobia

These John Fluvog shoes are a great choice for anyone looking for comfortable yet fashionable footwear. I would recommend that you go to a Fluevog store to try on the shoes if at all possible. If you order online, I recommend that you read the reviews because it will give you tips on getting the best sizing.  

To review, for any shoe to be good enough for your feet it must meet 4 criteria:

First, the most important thing to remember is that any shoe that you wear must have a thick, rigid and non-flexible sole. 
The concept is counterintuitive but the idea is that if you have a painful joint then the last thing that you want to do is wear flexible shoes that force motion through joints that can’t handle it. When it comes to the foot, less motion equals less pain, inflammation and joint damage. A sturdy sole with no motion will also stop or slow the progression of bunions, hammertoes, stress fractures, and osteoarthritis. 

Second, it is important that it has a soft, wide toe box, which will put less pressure on toes, which helps to prevent corns, ingrown toenails and will even decrease the risk of developing toenail fungus. 

Third, all shoes that you wear should have rearfoot control because shoes without rearfoot control force you to scrunch down your toes to stay in the shoe, which promotes hammertoes and mechanical strain on your tendons and ligaments, which can cause tired leg syndrome.

The fourth thing is to wear shoes that will accommodate a custom-molded orthotic or an excellent over-the-counter insert for better arch support, which will help with preventing knee, hip and even lower back pain. If your dress orthotics don't work in your dress shoes or heels then don't wear them as trying to force them into a dress shoe can cause problems such as discomfort, calluses, and crowding of toes. Of the four criteria listed here, having arch support is the least important of the four.

These shoes are not recommended for patients with:
*Diabetes 
*Peripheral Neuropathy (nerve damage)
*Peripheral Arterial Disease (poor circulation)
*History of foot ulcerations
*Charcot Foot


If you are unsure if any of these shoes will work for your foot condition, please refer to your local podiatrist. 

I hope this was helpful!

Dr. Cathleen A. McCarthy

:)

Updated List! Top 20 Comfortable Women's Dress Shoes - Podiatry Recommended

Updated List!

Top 20 Comfort Women's Dress Shoes
 

Any shoes on my list meet three of the four criteria that a shoe must have to be comfortable: a thick rigid and supportive sole, a wide toebox and rearfoot control. The fourth criteria is arch support and although many of these shoes do have decent arch support, I am less stringent on this criteria because you can get custom molded dress orthotics from your Podiatrist that fit into most dress shoes.

My list is not in any order but I would like to reiterate that what shoe feels comfortable on you is very specific to the biomechanical structure of your feet as well as any previous foot injuries that you have experienced. Anyone with forefoot issues (especially Hallux Limitus/Rigidus, which is limited range of motion of the 1st toe joint) should steer away from the heels. I do include a number of higher heels on this list because many women can wear them comfortably and I've tried to choose high heel shoes that are significantly more protective of the feet, which will slow the progression of foot deformities and allow for more comfort - as opposed to wearing a less supportive and poorly constructed high heel. 

Enjoy!

NAOT PLEASURE

I love the look of this shoe! Naot shoes tend to be amazingly comfortable as they have padded heel cups and an anatomical cork and latex footbed that conforms to your foot. The Naot Pleasure is a great shoe for anyone who wears a narrow to medium fit. A hidden metal shank in the sole gives the shoe more stability and less motion, which leads to more comfort, less mechanical strain, less chance of injury and 'wear and tear' on joints. This shoe is not recommended for anyone with severe Hallux Limitus/Rigidus, which is limited range of motion of the first toe joint. If you have any severe forefoot issues this may not be the right shoe for you. It is a great shoe for anyone with heel pain and mild Achilles Tendonitis. 

NAOT SELECT

This is a similar shoe to the Naot Pleasure (above) and also has a hidden metal shank for more comfort and support as well as the anatomic cork and latex foot bed. This shoe also works well for anyone with a narrow to medium fit. 

NAOT DESIGN

For anyone who can't tolerate heels, this is a fabulous flat dress shoe that offers support, comfort and style. It has a removable footbed so that you can replace it with your custom-molded orthotic if needed. For those of you that don't have custom-molded orthotics, the insert is high quality and molds to the foot. This is an excellent shoe for anyone with forefoot issues such as: Hallux Limitus/Rigidus (decreased or no motion of the 1st toe joint), Bunions, Hammertoes, Corns & Calluses, Morton's Neuroma, Osteoarthritis, Heel pain and metatarsalgia.  

TSUBO ASMIK

I love Tsubo! They make high quality, stylish shoes that offer all- day comfort. The thick, rigid sole offers wonderful protection for the foot joints and I particularly love the great midfoot and rearfoot control. Once again, if you have any severe forefoot issues that limit you on heel height this may not work for you. 

TSUBO ACREA

Several years ago, the Tsubo Acrea was one of my go-to shoes for all-day comfort at work. It has the thick, rigid sole that is crucial to foot comfort as well as midfoot and rearfoot control. Because the rearfoot strap on this shoe moves, I wasn't able to wear my custom-molded dress orthotics in this shoe but I found that I was comfortable with the arch support the shoe provided. Again, this is not a good shoe for anyone who can't tolerate high heels or who has severe forefoot issues such as Hallux Limitus/Rigidus (limited range of motion of the 1st toe joint).

TSUBO BARTO
 

Because this is a wedge, you get the height for fashion but not the high angle that causes increased pressure on the forefoot structures. The thick, rigid sole is excellent for protecting the foot and the forefoot, midfoot and rearfoot control is wide, soft and supportive. 

ALEGRIA PALOMA & ABBI

Assuming that you don't have a severely deformed foot, I'd like to meet the woman who isn't comfortable in these shoes! The Alegria Paloma and Abbi have an amazingly comfortable and protective sole as well as a soft insert with excellent arch support. They come in a wide variety of colors and designs from conservative to quirky. 

An extra-wide toebox is perfect for anyone who has painful bunions, hammertoes, corns & calluses, Morton's Neuroma, Metatarsalgia, Hallux Limitus/Rigidus, Osteoarthritis, Degenerative Joint Disease and many other forefoot issues. If you are recovering from a Lisfranc's fracture or sprain, this is a great shoe to ease into after you have healed and are returning to proper shoes. It's also excellent for anyone with heel pain as well as knee, hip and lower back issues. 

GENTLE SOULS - UP AT DAWN

 

Gentle Souls is a brand that recently caught my attention for their high quality shoes that offer women style and comfort. Although this shoe has a 3 inch heel height, the front platform is 3/4 inch resulting in a true heel height of 2-1/4 inches. I particularly like the wide soft toebox. Depending on how high your arch is, this shoe can also accommodate most custom-molded dress inserts. 

DONALD PLIMER - IDEAL 5

  

Expensive but well worth the money! What sets this shoe apart is the stretch elastic upper that is perfect for any painful protuberances such as bunions, hammertoes, corns, bone spurs and tender toes. It has a rigid sole and excellent (but soft) forefoot, midfoot and rearfoot control. 

WOLKY CLOGGY

This is a great shoe. 

It's almost the perfect shoe. 

The only drawback to this shoe is the open back makes it less than ideal for walking outdoors in rainy or snowy climates. It has a thick, rigid sole with excellent arch support for more comfort and protection. The wide toebox is exceptional for anyone with Bunions, Hammertoes, Morton's Neuroma, Metatarsalgia, Hallux Limitus/Rigidus, Degenerative Joint Disease, Osteoarthritis, Capsulitis, and Tailor's Bunions. 

This Shoe is Recommended for Patients with:

*Hallux Limitus/Rigidus (limited range of motion of the 1st toe joint)

*Osteoarthritis

* Degenerative Joint Disease

*Bunions

*Tailor's Bunions

*Hammertoes

*Morton's Neuroma

*Capsulitis

*Plantar Fasciits (Heel Pain)

*Metatarsalgia

*Tendonitis

*Achilles Tendonitis

*Mild Over-Pronators

*Knee, Hip and Lower Back Pain

*Sinus Tarsi Syndrome

*Mechanical Strain

 WOLKY DAZZLE

The Wolky Dazzle is not as good as the Cloggy but it is a comfortable shoe for anyone who knows they can wear heels. Once again, I love the wide, soft toebox and the extra biomechanical control that the midfoot and rearfoot strap offers. The material is a soft suede upper with an adjustable strap for a better fit. The contoured footbed offers support and cushion while the wedge sole is made of shock absorbing materials. 

WOLKY BLOSSOM

Okay, not the prettiest shoe ever to grace planet earth but, guess what, the Wolky Blossom is ridiculously comfortable! This is the winter version of the Wolky Jewel, which is an excellent sandal that I recommend to many of my patients. Wolky shoes are expensive but I always remind my patients that shoes are an investment. They will pay off (many times over) in less foot, knee, hip and lower back pain. 

EARTHIES SYRIANA

I love the look of the Earthies Syriana! They have the thick, rigid and therefore protective sole. The criss-crossing midfoot and rearfoot strapping gives added biomechanical control of the foot and ankle. The forefoot area runs a bit narrower than I would like to see but otherwise, this is a comfortable and stylish shoe for anyone who knows they can wear heels. 


 

EARTHIES SHIPLEY

This adorable vintage looking shoe is perfect for anyone who knows they can comfortably wear a heel. It offers excellent midfoot and rearfoot control and the sole is rigid for more comfort and stability. One of the many reasons I like the Earthies shoes is that they offer good arch support within the shoe but, this shoe in particular, may be able to accommodate a custom-molded dress orthotic from your Podiatrist. If you get molded for dress orthotics, I recommend you take your favorite dress shoes so that your Podiatrist can make the prescription that will perfectly fit that shoe.

EARTHIES BRISTOL

The Earthies Bristol is another dress shoe with exceptional forefoot, midfoot and rearfoot control. The bow is removable and the interior offers good arch support. The wedge in the front offers more protection and comfort for the forefoot. 

DANSKO REENY

The Dansko Brand is not for everyone because it offers hard-core biomechanical control that is sometimes 'too much' for some patients. If you have any 'protuberances' or 'bumps' on your feet, you may have trouble finding a comfortable fit because the typical Dansko has very little give. 

That being said, Dansko shoes are fabulous! All of them have thick, rigid soles that are super-protective of the foot. If you work on your feet all day, especially on concrete or retail flooring - this may be the perfect shoe for you. When it comes to Dansko, I highly recommend that you go to the store to try them on. You are either going to love them or hate them. If you love them, make sure you only get the ones that have rearfoot strapping. 

Dansko shoes are notoriously heavy shoes so I do not recommend these for anyone who has muscular weakness, easily fatigued legs, drop foot, the elderly, or balance issues. 

DANSKO NORI

Please see the review above for general information on Dansko shoes. The Dansko Nori is an exceptionally comfortable shoe for most people. This will not be a good choice for anyone with a high arch or an exostosis (i.e. bump or bone spur) on the top of their midfoot because this shoe will cause too much pressure on that area. 

DANSKO PROFESSIONAL

This is my current go-to shoe for work. The best Dansko ever and the one that got me through my residency and all those hours on my feet on unforgiving hospital floors! For more information on this shoe, please go to the search box in the upper right hand corner as I did a more in depth review on this shoe several months ago. 

DANSKO HARLOW

The Dansko Harlow is an excellent choice for someone who needs a lower heel than the Nori or the Reeny. It also is an excellent choice for someone who can't wear some of the other styles because of excessively high arches or bone spurring on the top of the midfoot area. The design of this shoe doesn't place any pressure on that area unlike some of the other Dansko styles.

This shoe is perfect for anyone who has metatarsalgia and mild Hallux Limitus (limited range of motion of the 1st toe joint).

JOHN FLUEVOG - GRACIAS

 

My shoe list is never complete until I included a John Fluevog! I adore John Fluevog shoes. This is an example of a lower heeled Fluevog shoe that offers comfort and style. They are pricey but, if you've ever indulged in purchasing a pair, you'll see why they are worth the money. I love the wide toebox and I love the look of the heel. If you have ankle instability or suffer with severe over-pronation, this is not the shoe for you. 


 I hope this was helpful!


Now the secret is out - this is how a true Podiatry shoe geek spends the Thanksgiving holiday...!


Dr. Cathleen A. McCarthy

:)

******

Check out my first novel which was written under my pen name C. Mack Lewis. It's available on Kindle or you can get a free Kindle app and download it to your iPad. 

Thank you for your support!

http://www.amazon.com/Gunning-For-Angels-Mack-Lewis-ebook/dp/B00I84NSE0

 

 

John Fluevog's Galileo...

John Fluevog's Galileo

It's a gorgeous Saturday in Arizona and my wonderful husband just booked us for our annual vacation which means - once again, I can't buy these shoes! 

I'm not complaining, I promise. In the big scheme of things, these shoes are fabulous and I would love, love, love them - but - I want vacation MORE...

And that is saying something because these shoes are fabulous...

The forefoot platform is 1.25" high while the heel is 4" high so that  you get the height while only submitting your foot to a 2.75" heel height. The rigid sole will be very comfortable assuming that you have enough motion across the toe joints to accommodate placing your foot at that angle. Patients who know they can't wear heels will, of course, not be able to tolerate this shoe. 

The Galileo has wonderful forefoot, midfoot and rearfoot control with my only concern being a possible problem with a slightly tapered toebox which could put pressure on the toes or any forefoot deformities like bunions, Tailor's bunions or moderate to severe hammertoes. 

This shoe can most likely be worn by patients with:

*Mild Heel Pain (to tolerance)

*Mild Hammertoes  

*Mild Achilles Tendonitis

This shoe is NOT recommended for patients with:

*Foot or Ankle Pain

*Hallux Limitus (Limited Range of Motion Across the 1st Toe Joint)

*Osteoarthritis or Degenerative Joint Disease of ANY of the toes joints

*Limited range of motion across ANY of the toe joints

*Moderate to Severe Hammertoes 

*Moderate to Severe Bunions

*Moderate to Severe Tendonitis

*Moderate to Severe Haglund's Deformity 

*Ankle Instability

*Moderate to Severe Hypermobility

*Knee, Hip or Lower Back Pain

*Moderate to Severe Morton's Neuroma

*Moderate to Severe Metatarsalgia

Basically, if you know that you can comfortably wear a 2.75" heel and if you know you don't have any forefoot issues that will cause the toebox to "rub" on any "lumps or bumps" (i.e. Hammertoes, Bunions, Tailor's Bunions, ect), this should be a very comfortable wedge for you.

At the $301 pricetag, I'll be fondly thinking of you wearing these fabulous shoes on your own wonderful adventures while I repeat over and over to myself, "This will pay for my vacation airfare..." 

Although, does my hubby really need cable t.v. ...?

Hmmm...

Have a wonderful day!

Dr Cathleen A McCarthy

:)

Top 20 Comfortable Women's Dress Shoes - Podiatrist Reecommended

Top 20 Comfortable Women's Shoes! 


I can't tell you how happy and proud I am to finally have my first top twenty women's dress shoe list! These are not in any particular order - just my top 20 picks. I hope you enjoy it and I would love to hear any feedback or comments.


**A word of caution! If you have what is called Hallux Limitus or Hallux Rigidus (limited motion at the big toe joint), osteoarthritis of the 1st toe joint, forefoot problems or hypermobility (ligament laxity) - the higher heels will not work for you. I recommend that if this is the case, you need to go for the lower heeled shoes or flat dress shoes.
Just remember - it ain't the shoe that makes you, it's the attitude that you bring!

John Fluevog's Hi Together / Benatar 

$269

I own this shoe and I adore this shoe! Although it was pricey, it was one of the best shoe investments I've ever made. For more specific information, please see my review on John Fluevog shoe's on this blog. 

Tsubo Acrea

$110

I also own this shoe and by some freak of nature I purchased it at Ross for $12! How that happened I don't know but I can wear this shoe all day long in complete comfort. It will not accommodate a dress orthotic but I found I did not need one with this shoe. 

Tsubo Lagella 

$140

I don't own this shoe but it is on my wish list! Stylish and very comfortable. Don't consider this shoe if you have pain and limited range of motion at the first toe joint. 

Taryn Rose Flavor Slingback 

$95

Thank you Taryn Rose! She designed a gorgeous dressy shoe that is also comfortable. Not for patients with pain at the first toe joint. 

Jambu Sweden 

$99

This is a super comfortable shoe that many of my patients love! It works wonderfully for anyone with plantar fascitiis (heel pain), metatarsalgia, tendonitis, and mild to moderate forefoot problems. It's great for wearing all day on concrete surfaces. 

FLY London Yaz Wedge Pump

$140

What's not to love? It's a funky cool, wear all day long shoe that will work for just about any foot type. If bunions are a problem, this is an easy shoe to take to a cobbler and have them stretch the area over the bunion for even more comfort. If bunions are an issue, consider a dress orthotic with this shoe as arch control will help prevent the progression of the bunion. 

Dansko Tori Pump

$85

I don't think it's possible to have a "best of" list without featuring a Dansko shoe! This is a great dress shoe with a rigid protective sole, decently wide forefoot are and good midfoot and rearfoot control. In my experience, Dansko shoes do not work for women who:

*Have wide feet

*Have any excessive or prominent "bumps" on their feet

*Moderate to Severe Bunions

Except for the above named situation, a great dress shoe!

Tusbo Asmik 

$120

Roses are red, violets are blue, Tsubo, I love you...

Really, I love this shoe. Anyone who works all day on hard surfaces (take note teachers!) will love this shoe. It is extremely protective and comfortable as well as stylish. This shoe will work for women with mild to moderate Hallux Limitus (limited motion at the 1st toe joint), metatarsalgia, plantar fascitiis (heel pain), Achilles Tendonitis, mild to moderate tendonitis, mild bunions and hammertoes and mild to moderate forefoot problems such as capsulitis. This shoe will not work for patients with moderate to severe Morton's Neuroma's, bunions or hammertoes as they will need a wider toebox. 

Jambu Allure Mary Jane Pumps

$78

All of the Jambu shoes are great but I particularly like this one as it also has the rigid protective sole and a wide, soft toebox. 

FLY London's Yakin Slingback Slingback

$170

Lovely shoe! This shoe will work well for women with metatarsalgia, mild plantar fasciitis (heel pain) and mild bunions and hammertoes. 

Alegria Feliz 

$99

This shoe is excellent and will work wonderfully for women who suffer with 80% of foot pathologies including: bunions, hammertoes, Tailor's bunions, Plantar Fasciitis (heel pain), osteoarthritis, Hallux Limitus/Rigidus (limited range of motion of the 1st toe joint), Morton's Neuroma's, metatarsalgia, painful toes, tired leg syndrome, Rheumatoid Arthritis patients, capsulitis, and Tendonitis. This shoe may not work as well for patients with Achilles Tendonitis as they need a slightly higher heel to relieve the tension on the Achilles.  

John Fluevog Prepare Guide

$285

Expensive, yes. Comfortable, very. Once again, John Fluevog's shoes are exceptionally comfortable and make with the highest quality of workmanship. This shoe is going to work for almost every foot problem someone might suffer with including metatarsalgia, heel pain, tendonitis, Achilles tendonitis and mild to moderate bunions, hammertoes and Tailor's bunions. 

Earthies Monaco

$149

This shoe is casually elegant and comfortable enough to wear all day. I particularly like the rigid sole covered with the soft insole. 

Taryn Rose Gussy Platform 

$40 - $130

This is a lovely shoe that works well for women who can wear a higher heel. The fabric is slightly stretchy and soft which puts less pressure on bunions. If you have any pain or limited motion across the first toe joint, this is not the shoe for you. 

J-41 Hybrid Wedge 

$85

This shoe is great for anyone suffering with heel pain, metatarsalgia, Achilles Tendonitis, mild to moderate bunions and hammertoes and mild Morton's Neuroma's. This shoe will work well for any patients who work on hard surfaces for long hours. 

Sanita Ninka Adjustable Strap Sandal 

$120

Although this is more a sandal, I am including it because, well, I do live in Arizona and this would look nice with a summer dress. I love the color and it is uber-comfortable. 

Earthie Veria 

$128

I confess, I'm pushing it a bit on this one! It could have better rearfoot control but I'm putting it in my list because it meets all other criteria for what constitutes a good dress shoe. Plus, it's pretty...

This is not a good shoe for you if you have moderate to severe rearfoot problems such as ankle osteoarthritis or any ankle or knee instability. If this is the case, you need more rearfoot control!

Tsubo Ina Pump 

$50

Love the shoe, love the price. All roads lead back to Tsubo. This is one shoe company that has it right - combining comfort with asthetics. Me like. 

Crocs Farrah Wedge Sandal

$20-$50

I have to save some love for the Croc Wedge Sandal! This is comfortable - it's actually quite amazing how comfortable plastic can be. Don't knock it till you try it...

Wolky Cloggy

$159

For the final shoe, I wanted to pick something that would work for virtually anyone! This is a great shoe, extremely comfortable and well made. If your feet hurt, this is almost a sure bet! 

In conclusion, 

there are a few things to remember...

If your feet hurt and no matter what shoe you try doesn't work and your feet are still killing you - you need to see a Podiatrist! 

You may be walking around on stress fractures which usually presents itself as a dull, constant ache that gets worse with more walking and hurts most at the end of the day. I see this situation every day! 

Also, if you are diabetic or have nerve damage (neuropathy) or have Charcot foot - you need to be extremely careful about what type of shoes you wear. If this is the case, please consult your Podiatrist. 

I hope this list was helpful! 

Sincerely,

Dr Cathleen A. McCarthy 

*******

Check out my first novel, which was written under my pen name C. Mack Lewis. It's available on Kindle or you can download a free Kindle app and read it on your iPad. 

Thank you so much for your support!

http://www.amazon.com/Gunning-For-Angels-Mack-Lewis-ebook/dp/B00I84NSE0