Comfortable Dress Shoes - what to look for...

A general overview of what you're looking for in a comfortable dress shoe...

1. You need a thick rigid sole to limit motion across the forefoot and midfoot.

2. Depending on your foot type, you can wear heels - the trick is to wear a wedge heel so that there is no motion across the bottom of the foot. If you have a condition called Hallux Limitus (meaning limited range of motion across the big toe joint) you will be limited on the heel height or  you may not be able to tolerate a heel at all. 

3. No pointy toes!! Look for a dress shoe with a square-toe box because the "cockroach killer" pointy-toe shoe's are a little bunion factories. If you have more serious forefoot problems like bunions and hammertoes, you can get shoes that have an "extra-depth toe-box" or has a soft, stretchable material across the forefoot area. 

4. Very important - try to get a dress shoe that gives you some form of rearfoot control - whether it be with a strap or an enclosed heel. If you are not biomechanically controlling the rearfoot - you are forcing your tendons, muscles, joints as well as your knee, hips and lower back to work harder to stabilize your feet.  

5. Arch control. Sometimes this is hard to find in dress shoes but they are out there. If the dress shoe has a removable insole, you can often put in a over-the-counter or custom-molded insert. Sometimes the dress shoe already has arch support in the shoe. 

Special Note: It is a common fallacy to think that your foot needs freedom and motion. Your foot actually needs rigid biomechanical control. If you are walking barefoot or wearing flip-flops or a flexible/flimsy shoe - you will have more motion across your joints, which will cause more inflammation, pain, wear-and-tear (osteoarthritis and degenerative joint disease) that will not only put you at risk for foot problems but also knee, hip, and lower back pain. 

Remember, no matter what the shoe, this is what most patients will benefit from a dress shoe with:

1. Thick, rigid sole.

2. Firm arch support.

3. Wide toe-box.

4. Rearfoot control (strap or enclosed back).  

There are always some exceptions to the rules. For instance, older patients or patients with certain neurological diseases need to have a lighter shoe. Also, Dansko shoes, which are excellent for people who have to work on hard surfaces for long hours, typically do not work as well for patients who have "bumps" on their feet such as bunions, Tailor's bunions and extremely high arches. 

I hope this is helpful! 

I would love to hear any thoughts, feedback or comments...

Sincerely,

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 

*******

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Comfortable Hiking Boots - Podiatrist Recommended

My husband, who is an avid hiker, has been raving about the "Arizona Hiking Shack" for several years. He has been after me to stop in but, to be honest, I was always a little intimidated because it looks like a serious "guy-ish" hiking place and I was a little shy, which -- was stupid! I finally stopped in and they were so helpful, nice and friendly that I feel rather silly ever being shy about it and I definitely will be going back!  

The Arizona Hiking Shack has been in business since 1972 and call themselves "Boot Fit Specialists" and the owner was kind enough to educate me on his two most popular hiking boots. I was very impressed with both of them and I think that the Five-Ten is going to be my next hiking boot!

FIVE TEN "CAMP FOUR"

The Five Ten "Camp Four" is an excellent women's hiking shoe with a thick, rigid protective sole, a wide toebox and wonderful rearfoot control. The insert can be removed for a Custom-Molded Orthotic to add more biomechanical control of the arch. 

**2014 Addnedum: This article was written in 2011. I would still recommend the older model of the 5-10 Camp Four (as seen above), but this older version of the hiking shoe can only be purchased online. The new, updated 2014 model has a more flexible sole and is not nearly as good. I do not recommend the 2014 5-10 Camp Four. 

This Hiking Boot is Recommended For:

* Mild to Severe Metatarsalgia

* Mild to Moderate Bunions and Hammertoes

* Hallux Limitus/Rigidus (Decreased range of motion of the 1st toe     Joint) 

* Mild to Moderate Tendonitis

* Mild to Moderate Hypermobility

* Morton's Neuroma

* Capsulitis

* Mild to Moderate Osteoarthritis and Degenerative Joint Disease

* Rheumatoid Arthritis (I recommend an Accommodative Insert to allow for more cushioning) 

* Plantar Fasciitis (Heel Pain)

* Mild to Moderate Achilles Tendonitis (I recommend a Heel Cup to slightly elevate the rearfoot to put less tension on the Achilles Tendon where it inserts into the calcaneal bone - you can place this on top of an insert/orthotic or you can place this on top of the insert that is in the shoe - whichever is more comfortable to you!) 

* Knee, Hip and Lower Back Pain 

* Fibromyalgia

* Chronic Pain Patients 

* Patients healing from Foot Fractures who need a protective shoe as they ease back into hiking activities 

This Boot is NOT Recommended for:

* Diabetic Patients with history of Ulcers (They need Extra-Depth Shoes with Accommodative Inserts. Many people don't realize this but Medicare has a wonderful program where they pay to get their Diabetic patients into one pair of extra-depth shoes and three sets of accommodative inserts every calendar year. See your local Podiatrist to see if they participate in the program!)

* Charcot Patients (They typically need Custom-Molded Shoes) 

* Patients with leg weakness and fatigue as the shoe may be too heavy. 

* Moderate to Severe Ankle Instability (although the boot will work for patients with this condition if they have a proper brace or Ankle-Foot Orthosis).

* Drop Foot

* Moderate to Severe Neuropathy (Nerve Damage) 

VASQUE "BREEZE"

I am equally impressed with this excellent boot which comes in women and men sizes. It also has a thick rigid sole that is very protective of the foot as well as a wide toebox, excellent rearfoot control and the added benefit of ankle control. 

This Boot is Recommended For:

* All of the same things as the Five-Ten "Camp Four"

* Plus:

* Mild to Severe Hypermobility or Instability of the Ankle Joint

* Patients with a history of an ankle fracture or sprain

* Ankle Osteoarthritis 

This Boot is NOT Recommended For:

* All of the same as above. 

* Anyone with leg fatigue or the elderly (too heavy!)

**If you live in Phoenix, I highly recommend a visit to the "Arizona Hiking Shack" - they were awesome and very helpful!

Arizona Hiking Shack

www.hikingshack.com

Have a great day!

Dr Cathleen A McCarthy

:)

Comfortable Women's Shoe - The Alegria.

THE ALEGRIA CLASSIC




THE ALEGRIA PALOMA


The Alegria shoe is amazingly comfortable!


Both shoes feature a wonderfully supportive and rigid sole that has a  cushioned insole and decent arch support. The wide toebox  allows for a roomy, comfortable forefoot area that takes pressure off of bunions, hammertoes and painful corns. This shoe is exceptional for any patients who have osteoarthritis of the forefoot or midfoot areas as well as any patients who deal with any type of chronic low grade pain in their feet. 


Of the two shoes, the superior shoe is the Alegria Classic because it has better rearfoot control which allows for more biomechanical control and therefore should provide more comfort and protection. 


This is one of the rare occasions that I can recommend a shoe that lacks true rearfoot control and the reason is that the Alegria Paloma's strapping controls the forefoot, midfoot and the sub-talar joint which is the joint which translates the forces from the leg into the foot during gait. The Alegria Classic is superior because it controls the forefoot, midfoot, sub-talar joint and the motion of the calcaneus (rearfoot).


I have some patients who prefer the Alegria Paloma because it is easier to slip on and off, they claim they have "claustrophobic feet" and prefer not to wear enclosed shoes or they have a prominent bump on the back of their heel making it painful to wear shoes with an enclosed back. 


The Alegria Classic is Recommended for Patients with:
*Heel Pain
*Mild to Moderate Bunions 
*Mild to Moderate Hammertoes
*Morton's Neuroma
*Metatarsalgia
*Tailor's Bunions
*Corns and Calluses
*Fibromyalgia
*Rhumatoid Arthritis
*Osteoarthritis
*Hallux Limitus/Rigidus (Limited range of motion of the 1st toe joint)
*Midfoot Pain
*Tendonitis
*Knee, Hip and Lower Back Pain
*Hypermobility


The Alegria Paloma is recommended for Patients with:
*"Claustrophobic feet" 
*Patients who have trouble bending to put on shoes and need a slide-on shoe
*Moderate to Severe Haglaund's Deformity (Bump on the back of the heel)


The Alegria Classic and Paloma are NOT Recommended for Patients with:
*Achilles Tendonitis (these patients still need a thick and rigid sole shoe but the back of the shoe needs to be higher than the front to slightly elevate the rearfoot to decrease tension on the Achilles tendon).
*Neuropathic Diabetics (these patients need Extra-Depth Shoes with Accommodative Orthotics)
*Diabetic Patients with history of Ulcers
*Charcot Foot (these patients typically need custom-molded shoes with Accommodative Orthotics)
*Patients who need to wear an Ankle-Foot Orthosis (they need an extra depth walking shoe).


Rating: 9 (On a scale of one to ten with ten being the best). 


Cost: $109




Overall an excellent shoe! 




Have a great day!
Dr. Cathleen A. McCarthy

Comfortable Walking Shoe

KURU WALKING SHOE...
The Company Claims: 
"World's Most Anatomical Active Footwear"


I was contacted by the Kuru Company and asked if I was interested in reviewing their women's walking shoe and they sent me the Women's Insight Walking Shoe (Not the one pictured above but very similar) which I have been wearing for the past several weeks. 


This is a VERY comfortable shoe. In my opinion, this is a funky cool shoe whose comfort and style sneak up on you...


When I first saw it I was a little put off by the aesthetics as I thought it looked a bit clunky but after wearing it and experiencing their comfort - I grew more and more fond of their looks. I wore them several days with the insert that comes with the shoe and was quite taken with their excellent arch support - much better than what is in the typical walking shoe. When I added my Custom-Molded Orthotic the shoe was even more comfortable but, even without a CMO, the arch support in the shoe is very effective. It has a firm arch with cushioning in strategic areas for added comfort. The sole is rigid and has a wide base and, my favorite feature, there are two lateral panels for added support of the midfoot (not on the shoe pictured above) which is beneficial for anyone who has tendonitis issues (specifically PT and Peroneal Tendonitis) and pain with lateral motion of the midfoot or rearfoot. The toebox is exceptionally wide which is perfect for anyone with mild to moderate bunions, hammertoes or a Morton's Neuroma. 


The shoe can accommodate an over-the-counter ankle brace and a lighter AFO (Ankle Foot Orthosis - custom-molded brace) although a true extra-depth shoe would work better for the heavier AFO's. 


Overall, I can highly recommend this shoe!


This Shoe is Recommended For Patients with:
*Mild to Moderate (and Maybe Severe) Bunions and Hammertoes. 
*Mild to Moderate (and Maybe Severe) Morton's Neuroma. 
*Posterior Tibialis Tendonitis.
*Peroneal Tendonitis.
*Mild to Moderate Plantar Fasciitis (Heel Pain)
*Mild to Moderate (Possibly Severe) Osteoarthritis. 
*Painful Toenails.
*Mild to Moderate Calluses.
*Mild to Moderate Ankle Instability. 




This Shoe May Not Be Effective for Patients with:
*Achilles Tendonitis - due to the fact that the shoe is pretty flat and patients with A.T. need a shoe with a slightly elevated rearfoot and more cushioning and shock absorption.  


This shoe is NOT Recommended for Patients with:
*Diabetic Foot Ulcers.
*Neuropathic Ulcers.
*Charcot Foot.




Shoe Rating: 9 on a scale of one to ten with ten being the best. 


Cost: $109.97


Great Shoe!
Dr. Cathleen A. McCarthy 

Podiatrist Recommended: Top Five Walking Shoes.

Dr. McCarthy's Top Picks for Walking Shoes... 

FIFTH PLACE:

THE SKETCHER SHAPE-UP:

The Sketcher Shape-Up

I love the Sketcher Shape-Up! As the fifth shoe on my list, I am going to be brutally frank and tell you why I like this shoe - when I have patients who desperately need the MBT but can't afford it's $250 price tag - I send them to purchase the Sketcher Shape-Up which I describe as the "less expensive version of the MBT." I know that is not the most flattering picture I can paint of this shoe but I will say that I am extremely grateful that it exists! 


The Sketcher Shape-Up is a great walking shoe for a wide variety of foot ailments as well as knee, hip and lower back pain. In particular, it works well for patients with heel pain, metatarsalgia, osteoarthritis, and forefoot issues such as capsulitis, bunions, and painful calluses. It is also great for anyone who works on their feet all day on concrete floors. It has great shock absorption and is super-protective of the foot so that is will help prevent injuries, prevent wear-and-tear of the joints and prevent progression of many foot pathologies that you might already have developed (i.e. bunions and hammertoes). I recommend that you wear a custom-molded orthotic or an excellent over-the-counter insert for arch support with this shoe. 


Cost: $65-100

FOURTH PLACE: New Balance 845

NEW BALANCE 845

The New Balance 845 is also an excellent walking shoe - the thing that sets it apart is that it has a Roll-Bar Technology which offers optimal protection for the foot during gait. It has a wide toebox and excellent rearfoot control which make it an ideal shoe for patients who suffer with a variety of foot complaints including bunions, hammertoes, heel pain, osteoarthritis, metatarsalgia - just to mention a few. 


I've found this shoe online for as little as $35 at 6pm.com.

THIRD PLACE: New Balance 927 

NEW BALANCE 927

I call this shoe "Old Faithful" because it never fails. With the exception of patients with severe foot deformities, this is a great walking shoe that offers a rigid, protective sole, a wide soft toe-box and excellent rearfoot control. It has Rollbar Technology which offers motion control for maximum stability. It also has cushioning in the heel for increased shock absorption and overall, it is a relatively light shoe.  


This is a great shoe for diabetic patients as it is considered an "extra-depth shoe" that offers extra room in the toe area to help prevent the development of corns, calluses, blisters and ulcers. If you are diabetic or have neuropathy (nerve damage), I would recommend adding an accommodative insert made of plastizote as an insole. Plastizote has been proven to decrease friction that can lead to blisters, calluses and ulcers. You can usually purchase an over-the-counter version of this insert from a Podiatrist or online and if you are a Medicare patient, the cost of the shoe and the inserts should be covered by Medicare if you get them through a Podiatrist's office that participates in the extra-depth shoe program. 


Cost: $80

SECOND PLACE:  MBT

MBT

I own this shoe also and whenever my lower back hurts, I immediately put these on and, for me, it's instant relief. I also recommend this shoe for anyone who works long hours on hard floor surfaces. Many of my patients who are postal employees, teachers or are in retail have benefited from this shoe. I recommend wearing a custom-molded orthotic or at least an excellent over-the-counter insert for proper arch support to maximize it's benefits. I also recommend this shoe for patients with heel pain, forefoot pain such as metatarsalgia, osteoarthritis, hallux limitus/rigidus (limited motion at the 1st toe joint) and knee, hip and lower back pain.   

There are some limitations to this shoe and that is the only reason I have rated it as a runner up to first place. This shoe is not appropriate for patients with Achilles Tendonitis, balance issues or nerve damage. It is a very strong and heavy shoe and is not for everyone - especially not for the elderly.  I recommend that if you are trying this shoe for the first time that you do not purchase it online - find a store where you can try out the shoe. If you do purchase the shoe, do a slow break-in period of wearing it one hour the first day, two hours the second day, three hours the third day, ect - until you are able to wear it for a full day. If you get into this shoe too quickly and too aggressively, you may experience some knee, hip and lower back discomfort. 

Please see my blog article featuring the MBT for more information.


Cost: $190-250 

And the winner is...

FIRST PLACE: The Spira Classic...

SPIRA CLASSIC 

The Spira Classic is my personal favorite! It has a rigid sole with hidden "Wave Spring Technology" that stores and disperses energy at every step. The sole is thick and protective while having hidden springs that give excellent shock absorption and returns energy during gait. It can be optimized by adding a custom-molded insert and is appropriate shoe-gear for a wide variety of patients and foot pathologies. I also like that is is relatively light while remaining strong and supportive. Plus, I like the way it looks - it's form meets function. 

Please see my blog report on this shoe for more information and a full review.


Cost: $60-140

***

I hope you enjoyed my list! Please remember that I have presented a thumb-nail sketch of each shoe and for a more in-depth review of these shoes, please refer to my blog articles. Please remember that if you are experiencing pain in your foot or ankle that is not resolving with proper shoegear - go see your Podiatrist! As I always tell my patients, "The quicker you come in, the quicker we can fix it and you can get back to living your life."

Sincerely,

Dr. Cathleen A. McCarthy