Shoes

[homedecor1]

This brand was recommended me today by the nurse in the doctors office as Vionics are no longer working (the arch is off).

Your opinions please?  These are expensive like vionics and I don't want to waste more $$$.

Thank you!

[OneHappyHiker]

@homedecor1 I have experience with both brands and will tell you what I experienced. On a trip one year while doing loads of beach walking, I developed plantar fascitis in my left foot.  Ouch.  I purchased a regular OTC night boot that kept my foot in one position (flexed/straight) so it wouldn't shorten the tendon by allowing my foot to "point" during the night. After about a couple of weeks of that boot at night, my foot definitely was healing nicely. My husband had that once before so we both knew what worked for him. So I wanted to be sure I kept my feet in more of a "recovery" mode after working out, hiking, beach walking, regular walking on pavement, etc. and looked into what shoes would help me accomplish that.

My next door neighbor (an avid long-distance runner) recommended Oofos to me because of the "recovery" aspect to them. I went to a local biking/athletic-type store to buy a pair. I loved them immediately as there was no break-in time. I purchased a pair of sandals (thong) because it was summer, and basically wore them around the house as slippers and out and about when I could get away with that casual sandal. I wanted as much support and recovery as I could get. Plus my feet felt great wearing them and after!

I also have Vionics but their arch support is not at all like Oofos' arch support. I feel Vionics broke down after awhile and no longer offered the support I needed. I felt Oofos brand kept giving me the proper support. That's the difference I noticed.

Two things I would highly recommend: 

#1 - Find a place where you can try them on to get your proper size. I wear a 7.5. I purchased an 8 because the sandals only came in whole sizes. I felt the front dragged on the ground too much because it was .5 longer than needed. I was able to cut that area away with a pair of scissors into a nicely-rounded front. No one guessed I cut them. They worked perfectly after that. Plus they are waterproof - a win for my beach walking.

For my second pair I purchased a 7 thinking I would be able to wear them without cutting. Nope. It seemed like the arch was in the wrong place. So back to the 8 for me with a bit of cutting again. I do wish those sandals came in 1/2 sizes.

#2- Make sure you try on the shoe/sandals and see if you like the rocker motion. It's not very accentuated, but it is noticeable. You get used to it after awhile.  The sandals I own have that rocker thing going on. It propels you forward as it soothes your arches.  There is a load of padding when striking the ground, and I never felt any discomfort at all, but rather relieft. The padding is wonderful. The arch support is noticeable.

Now if you don't have a store and you are a half size, make sure you can return them if they don't fit. Having proper arch support placement is key to keeping your arches up where they should be.

Hope this helps! Good luck!

[homedecor1]

@OneHappyHiker 

Thank you for the very detailed response (exactly what I wanted).

The podiatrist nurse recommended them.  I'm having a slight flare up of plantar faciatiatis (sp) with slight heel spur.  I do not want shot in my heel again OUCH...

Ill look for a store here and go in vs buying online.

Thank you again🙂

[debfau]

@homedecor1 

I just bought a pair of these thong sandals at DSW this past weekend, so I haven't worn them yet - they are made of all rubber and when I tried them out in the store noticed they have lots of padding for footbed and good arch.

They had several different styles some had the thong part in metallic ($75), but the ones I got were plain all over color in mauve, it also came in blue & black ($60).

As someone else said you need to try them on, as the style I got was a unisex so I was able to get M4 - W6, but when I tried the other style, it felt like I needed more the W7 would fit better.

[OneHappyHiker]

@homedecor1 Glad I could help! I also see @debfau was able to purchase them from DSW! Regarding your flare-up of the plantar fasciitis... the bedtime boot my husband and I used worked really well. When you are asleep or off your feet for long periods of time, the plantar fascia retracts as your foot rests in a slightly pointed position. When you take that initial step after being off your feet, it stretches out the tendon and you notice that pain almost immediately. My husband had it so bad he was brought down to his knees!

Anyway, google how to heal it. There are great exercises you can do to stretch. Even something as easy as rolling your foot over something like a water bottle, a cylinder shape, really helps to massage that area so well. They have so many suggestions now that you might look into. It really helps heal it quickly and keep it nice and stretched out.

Here's what we used for sleep. It was about $25 at Walgreens at the time:

I hope you heal up quickly. That is so painful!

[homedecor1]

@OneHappyHiker 

I learn so many things here should just come here for what's "ailing" me ...more info here (from you & others) than 4 podiatrist follow up appts.

Never mentioned the sleep boot -- I'll check our Walgreens.  I notice it more when I'm too lazy to put my sneaks on and slip on my thong style Vionics. (which certainly don't have the arch support as my ones from years ago when QVC started selling them).  They also breakdown quicker -- I've noticed in my newer pairs.

We don't have DSW @debfau but we have specialty shoe store so I'm gonna call to see if they carry them. Thank you! 

[amyb]

I have a pair of Oofos flip flops, the one that's their iconic basic with the cushy thick footbed that comes in all colors. I paid about $65.00, 4 years ago.

Still in great condition, though I mostly wear them to the beach. I wear my Spencos for daily running around.

I am thinking of getting another pair to wear just around the house, as my bf does his. Foot doc says not to walk barefoot around.

I love them. Very comfortable, cushy but sturdy, they just feel great! Really like walking on supportive clouds.

Depending if you are using them for the beach, if I bought again I'd buy a deeper color...I have light aqua, bf has navy...his stay cleaner than mine. Mine I have to take a kitchen spray every so often and scrub clean...no biggie, but I'd buy navy like his next.

Just fyi, I'm a 6 1/2 medium, flat foot...I find the arch support very comfortable.

Good luck!

[estaw2000]

OOFOS are wonderful! My granddaughter who's a runner introduced me to them. I have the thongs & the slides. I got mine from oofos.com & they had free returns! 

[goldensrbest]

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@homedecor1 wrote:

This brand was recommended me today by the nurse in the doctors office as Vionics are no longer working (the arch is off).

Your opinions please?  These are expensive like vionics and I don't want to waste more $$$.

Thank you!

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Did you buy ,i also am looking at some , how did you find the size,and comfort?

[homedecor1]

@goldensrbest 

not yet.  I want to buy locally to try on and since I've been sick haven't gotten to the store (it's about hour away).  Don't want the hassle of returning.

i've also been looking at Spenco brand which someone recommended.  My feet are a total mess which I blame on my Vionics breakdown so quickly as not in the Vionics I bought years ago.