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sparkysrevenge
2009-02-09 08:19 am UTC (link)

I'm not super tiny (7, or 7 1/2 in heels), but I have DUCK FEET and high arches. Narrow heel with really wide toes = a pain in the ass. I couldn't wear the average "prom shoe" when I went to prom, because they are NOT designed for people with high arches. Forget wearing slides.

I feel for you, though. My aunt was a size 5, and she got my dress-shoe hand-me-downs when I was a kid. (I was a size 2 in kids)

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	rodo 2009-02-09 10:52 am UTC (link)
	I know the problem. It was worse when I was a child, but year of having to wear shoes that are too narrow somehow forced them to grow in ways that I am sure are not healthy. And my feet hurt for at least two weeks whenever I get new shoes because they never ever fit. I did wear average prom footwear as well - I can't recommend it. One of my feet ended up bleeding. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

sparkysrevenge
2009-02-10 01:17 am UTC (link)

I've managed to find a pair of heels from Target (4 1/2 inch heels!) that fit pretty well and don't give me blisters. I've noticed I have to go with sling-back or backless shoes, because normal shoes tend to rub my ankle in places it's not comfortable. I lucked out by managing to find some clear lucite flip-flops for prom night. They weren't comfortable in the sole of my foot, but at least I didn't have blisters!

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	julesnoctambule 2009-02-09 07:46 pm UTC (link)
	I'm an 8 3/4 with wedge-shape and mega-high arches. Zappos.com FTW! (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	sparkysrevenge 2009-02-10 01:22 am UTC (link)
	I like a lot of the shoes at Zappos, but most of the ones that seem ideal for me are insanely expensive. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

julesnoctambule
2009-02-10 01:27 am UTC (link)

Between my ridiculously high arches and two bad knees, I've resigned myself to spending at least around $100 on a single pair of shoes and I hate it, but I have to say the nicer brands leave my feet feeling so much better at the end of the day! I spent five hours standing on concrete in a pair of Clarks heels not long ago and felt just fine afterward. Also, they seem to wear well as opposed to how cheaper shoes do. I own fewer pairs of shoes than I used to, but they serve me well. Not many people love a bargain more than I do, but I have to accept that I only have one pair of feet to last me!

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sparkysrevenge
2009-02-10 01:41 am UTC (link)

Ironically, my most comfortable pair of heels is a $17 backless pair from Target. They hit a little hard on the heel, but if I were to wear an insole, they would feel pretty comfortable. It curves properly, unlike the vast majority of heels.

I love Birkenstock clogs and (good) Birkenstock knock-offs. I used to wear some Birks when I broke my toe (as my foot got so swollen, I couldn't comfortably wear normal shoes for a month), and damn, were they some of the most comfortable shoes I've ever worn.

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	julesnoctambule 2009-02-10 01:47 am UTC (link)
	I've heard good things about Birks, but I can't wear flats without foot pain and arch pain; I guess I just need to be at an angle! It strikes people as impossible but a 2"-3" stacked-sole heel is the most comfortable for me. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

sparkysrevenge
2009-02-10 01:58 am UTC (link)

I love my Aldo booties, but they have no support whatsoever.

3-4 inch feels the most comfortable for me, unless my toes are being shoved at a certain angle, then it HURTS. I spend the vast majority of my time when it's warm wearing my Adidas flip-flops. They've only got about an inch raise at the arch (and I'd like higher, but not a lot you can do when your arches are that high), but sooooo comfy.

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cat_mcdougall
2009-02-09 08:32 pm UTC (link)

Narrow heel with really wide toes = a pain in the ass.

Those are my son's feet. Plus, he has really weak/loose ankles. Meaning he needs things with ankle support.

... Which, apparently, they don't make in small kids' sizes. (My son's only 8, and is undersized, he wears like a 12 in toddler sizes) Shoe shopping for him is painful. His twin sister always goes to her aunt's house for the day, because she doesn't want to go to fifty different stores looking for shoes.

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sparkysrevenge
2009-02-09 09:54 pm UTC (link)

I got my dad's feet, which really don't make it any easier when he got older. He has to buy specialty dress shoes. It wasn't fun for me as a kid, either, because little girls' dress shoes tend to be very straight and narrow. I think what we'd do is get a size bigger, and put those little ankle pads in the back.

Something I find particularly comfortable are the Birkenstock (or Birkenstock knock-offs at American Eagle) clogs. I know you probably don't want to get your kid backless shoes, but when he gets a little older, it's an idea. Most normal shoes are a little too big in the heel, so I spend the vast majority of my time in flip-flops, otherwise the too-big heel will scrape me and cause discomfort. (I also live in an area that stays 70 degrees on a regular basis, so I can get away with wearing flip-flops and clogs.)

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	sparkysrevenge 2009-02-09 10:00 pm UTC (link)
	Oh, and I have to add that I have weak ankles, too. Strengthening your calf muscles help a lot. Of course, if I walk all day, my ankles get swollen, so I have to wear something like a pair of high-top Chucks or wrap an ace bandage around my ankles to keep them in line. (Reply to this)(Parent)

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