topic Re: Clark's bendable shoes are not good for people with foot problems in Shoes

Clark's bendable shoes are not good for people with foot problems

needsmorecowbell — Sat, 01 Feb 2014 04:49:19 GMT

I have developed foot pain due to fallen arches. I also seem to have developed plantar facitis in one foot. I finally saw a podiatrist after suffering for months. He has recommended orthotic inserts and told me to avoid heels, flip-flops and bare feet. He also said it was important to get shoes that were supportive in the arch and that did not bend at the arch. He said to test shoes first before buying..if they bend at the arch don't get them. He said the bend should be up at the bottom of the toes.

I always thought clarks are so good for the feet, but apparently not, as they famously bend at the arch. i own several clark shoes. I will continue to wear them, but with the insoles for added support.

Re: Clark's bendable shoes are not good for people with foot problems

MargieRJ — Sat, 01 Feb 2014 05:03:20 GMT

I thought they did bend at the toe region.

Anyway, the Vionic with Orthaheel Technology shoes are probably better suited for this. I have also had plantar fasciitis issues and gone through cortisone shots, night braces, exercises and more to relieve the pain. The right shoes have helped. I also rarely go barefoot.

I do now have several Vionic shoes and slippers. Once you get used to them they will feel great and offer excellent support. I also wear Merrell's and New Balance shoes and sneakers, often with an added arch support.

Re: Clark's bendable shoes are not good for people with foot problems

needsmorecowbell — Sat, 01 Feb 2014 05:17:24 GMT

Thank-you for the information. I am planning on looking into the vionic orthoheels. I was actually considering getting the slippers today. Boy I always took my feet for granted..this foot pain is life changing . I am getting so depressed about it, as I have always been an active person. But I will press on and look for solutions.

Re: Clark's bendable shoes are not good for people with foot problems

needsmorecowbell — Sat, 01 Feb 2014 05:22:17 GMT

I just retested a pair of clarks I own to make sure I was right about the bending. They are made for people who are on their feet all day and were about 120 dollars at QVC. And yes they bend in the middle. I got these because of my foot problems.

Re: Clark's bendable shoes are not good for people with foot problems

Desertdi — Sat, 01 Feb 2014 06:18:48 GMT

They are also heavy

Re: Clark's bendable shoes are not good for people with foot problems

jubilant — Sat, 01 Feb 2014 12:59:37 GMT

I have worn Clark shoes for years. I really liked their "springer" heel shoes they used to have. I can't wear the bendables to walk in or shop for hours. I do really like my maryjanes with the sneaker heels though. They are called "Wave". Best shoes I have ever had for wearing all day or being on your feet. My back feels better when I wear them, too. I did have to pay over a hundred dollars for them several years ago but they have worn so well and with a little polish still look great!

Re: Clark's bendable shoes are not good for people with foot problems

violann — Sat, 01 Feb 2014 16:22:12 GMT

Clark's bendable shoes are not good for certain people with specific foot problems and are excellent for other people with different specific problems. Similarly, Vionic Orthaheel shoes are excellent for some feet and terrible for others. No matter what the advertising says, you have to do the research!

Re: Clark's bendable shoes are not good for people with foot problems

qvcaddition — Sat, 01 Feb 2014 17:02:17 GMT

I have your problem, was told the same by a podiatrist, got the inserts. I wear the bendable without the inserts and walk 5 miles a,day in them. No pain in knees or joints. I have the expensive inserts in my regular walking shoes and still had pain. I swear by Clarks and must have twenty five pairs of their assort. Labels. Love the MaryJanes. A couple of days ago, they showed cute pumps, now heels, that is another story.

My ortho inserts were 200 for first and 150 for 2nd. The first they made a mills of my feet, so the 2nd were cheaper. This was done at my HIM about ten years ago. Custom made that is why so expensive. This was before I started buying Clark's.

Re: Clark's bendable shoes are not good for people with foot problems

Yardlie — Sat, 01 Feb 2014 17:06:28 GMT

I just purchased a pair of Clark's Bendable ankle boots, and they are the most uncomfortable boots I have ever worn...no padding in the foot bed and too cramped in the toe box. They are going back. I ordered a pair of Soft Walks in their place.

Re: Clark's bendable shoes are not good for people with foot problems

jubilant — Sun, 02 Feb 2014 02:46:42 GMT

On 2/1/2014 violann said: Clark's bendable shoes are not good for certain people with specific foot problems and are excellent for other people with different specific problems. Similarly, Vionic Orthaheel shoes are excellent for some feet and terrible for others. No matter what the advertising says, you have to do the research!

I think you are so right! It pays to research your own specific problems. Mine is more back and heels and one hour standing on a cement floor at an antique shop can tell me whether or not my shoes are working for me.

Re: Clark's bendable shoes are not good for people with foot problems

toril — Mon, 03 Feb 2014 18:24:29 GMT

I do think this is specific to the person and need. My feet are always comfortable in Clarks and I have not had any issues.

Re: Clark's bendable shoes are not good for people with foot problems

chrystaltree — Mon, 03 Feb 2014 18:35:39 GMT

Please. No one ever said that Clarks shoes were medical orthopedic shoes. There's a difference between a comfortable shoe with support and an orthopedic shoe.

Re: Clark's bendable shoes are not good for people with foot problems

151949 — Tue, 04 Feb 2014 20:46:28 GMT

Once you get custom orthodics you can wear any shoe they fit into because they support your arch. I have bad problems with pronation (despite orthotics) because I have arthritis in my ankle. I love Clark's shoes because they do support my foot. I have Clarks sandals on right now. However,I am aware that down the road this ankle will either need braced or a a fusion surgery - i have already been there with the other ankle.

Re: Clark's bendable shoes are not good for people with foot problems

needsmorecowbell — Tue, 04 Feb 2014 21:23:36 GMT

On 2/3/2014 chrystaltree said:
Please. No one ever said that Clarks shoes were medical orthopedic shoes. There's a difference between a comfortable shoe with support and an orthopedic shoe.

I guess I should have made myself more clear. First of all I would like to say that Clarks are a good well made comfortable shoe. The company has been around for 100 years and I hope they are around 100 more.. great shoe ..great company.

I know these are not made for people with foot problems, and they are not intended to be corrective in any way. I was referring to the fact that these can exacerbate an existing foot issue due to the flexibility which is characteristic of this shoe. My podiatrist said that it was important to get a more ridged foot bed.

The reason that I posted this was to spare someone else the expense of buying shoes that might intensify their foot problems. I bought the clarks unstructured shoes when my feet were hurting, thinking that would help. They were over 137.00 with shipping and tax. These did not have a neutral effect, they actually made my problems worse.

Re: Clark's bendable shoes are not good for people with foot problems

Silkeej — Tue, 04 Feb 2014 22:10:26 GMT

I share some of your foot problems and wear Birkenstocks and Orthaheel slippers and shoes that I purchase at 6pm.com with lower prices and free shipping you might want to check them out , just be sure you order your correct size as they do not do exchanges and so if you are not satisfied you need to send it back for credit and reorder.

Re: Clark's bendable shoes are not good for people with foot problems

needsmorecowbell — Wed, 05 Feb 2014 02:41:58 GMT

On 2/4/2014 happy housewife said: Once you get custom orthodics you can wear any shoe they fit into because they support your arch. I have bad problems with pronation (despite orthotics) because I have arthritis in my ankle. I love Clark's shoes because they do support my foot. I have Clarks sandals on right now. However,I am aware that down the road this ankle will either need braced or a a fusion surgery - i have already been there with the other ankle.

Yes thats true I am looking forward to getting them. They are being custom made for me. I own at least 15 pairs of Clark shoes. They have been my "go To " show for a while. I hope they wont be too tight with the inserts. I am sorry to hear about your problems with your ankles.

Re: Clark's bendable shoes are not good for people with foot problems

needsmorecowbell — Wed, 05 Feb 2014 02:44:27 GMT

On 2/4/2014 Craftie said:
I share some of your foot problems and wear Birkenstocks and Orthaheel slippers and shoes that I purchase at 6pm.com with lower prices and free shipping you might want to check them out , just be sure you order your correct size as they do not do exchanges and so if you are not satisfied you need to send it back for credit and reorder.

Thank-you very much for the info Craftie. I checked out the website and they have great prices. I am definately going to try the vionic orthaheels for the summer. I cant imagine not wearing sandals , especially since I am in Ga. Many months of hot weather.

Re: Clark's bendable shoes are not good for people with foot problems

needsmorecowbell — Wed, 05 Feb 2014 02:45:50 GMT

On 2/1/2014 violann said: Clark's bendable shoes are not good for certain people with specific foot problems and are excellent for other people with different specific problems. Similarly, Vionic Orthaheel shoes are excellent for some feet and terrible for others. No matter what the advertising says, you have to do the research!

Yes..lesson learned. I should have done some research.

Re: Clark's bendable shoes are not good for people with foot problems

bonnielu — Wed, 05 Feb 2014 02:46:42 GMT

Interesting, my podiatrist told me just the opposite.

I wear Clarks during the day, mostly Mary-Janes. At night dancing two or three hours at a time still wearing Clarks my foot problems seem to disappear.

Re: Clark's bendable shoes are not good for people with foot problems

NycVixen — Sat, 01 Mar 2014 23:16:11 GMT

Dear OP,

I personally recommend you get fitflops for your plantar fasciitis. Around 2007-8 I bought two pairs of d'orsay flats that I mistakenly bought my regualr size but they ran large. For the next month or more I wore them without realizing that since they were too loose, my feet would flex inward to hold on to the shoes.

I developed plantar fasciitis little by little as I wore the shoes until one day when walking home I could hardly walk due to the pain. I saw a podiatrist for weeks afterward and it was so bad that he had to inject both my feet with cortisone. That was the longest needle I have ever seen. It was so painful.

Long story short, I have not seen the podiatrist ever since I began to wear fitflops. I use them as my house slippers since I developed my feet issues and bought a pair of fitflop ugg like boots for the winter. I no longer suffer from plantar fasciitis. Only after I began wearing fitflops did the bouts with plantar fasciitis cease.

Now, I just use fitflops in the house but not as my usual footwear and my issue was resolved. I think once you have plantar fasciitis your feet are never the same; they are sensitive. So there are times when I can wear a shoe for a while and feel it act up a little bit, but nothing close to what I had at first. My feet just signal that they need a break.

What is important is that fitflops strengthen your feet muscles and even your legs as you wear them. My podiatrist said I had to do exercises every day for my feet to accomplish this but fitflops do this with just wearing the shoes. My feet became stronger over time and I was able to wear heels and most shoes within about one year after I received the injections.

To date, I can wear any type shoe as long as I wear the fitflops inside the house.

Wish you the best. I know how painful it can be!!