She's got feet like mountain peaks
February 2, 2011 11:20 AM Subscribe
Foot-filter: My feet are... tall? High-boned? Help me find a term for this, and maybe even some boots.
For as long as I can recall, the bone that forms a "bump" on the top of my foot, mid-way between my ankle and my big toe, has been somewhat high. Or taller than most folks. It looks like either the navicular or cuneiform bone.
Tennis shoes and going barefoot give me no problems. I don't feel any pain when I walk or do high-impact sports. I do feel pain from tightness when I wear boots or heels that are made of a material that just doesn't give.
1) What is this called, so I can better describe it to doctors or the guy selling me shoes? You are not my orthopedist or podiatrist or shoe salesman.
2) I'm a girl and I need boots for cold and/or rainy weather. I have yet to find boots with a large enough second derivative to accommodate my foot. What materials (leather?) or brands would you recommend?
For as long as I can recall, the bone that forms a "bump" on the top of my foot, mid-way between my ankle and my big toe, has been somewhat high. Or taller than most folks. It looks like either the navicular or cuneiform bone.
Tennis shoes and going barefoot give me no problems. I don't feel any pain when I walk or do high-impact sports. I do feel pain from tightness when I wear boots or heels that are made of a material that just doesn't give.
1) What is this called, so I can better describe it to doctors or the guy selling me shoes? You are not my orthopedist or podiatrist or shoe salesman.
2) I'm a girl and I need boots for cold and/or rainy weather. I have yet to find boots with a large enough second derivative to accommodate my foot. What materials (leather?) or brands would you recommend?
Yes, it's a high instep, at least in shoe parlance. Unless you can find specialist footwear (or have it made), your best option may be to stick to footwear that has laces or elastic which can be loosened to accomodate your instep comfortably.
posted by le morte de bea arthur at 11:33 AM on February 2, 2011
posted by le morte de bea arthur at 11:33 AM on February 2, 2011
I have somewhat similar feet - I've been pretty pleased with Target's flats, actually, and I am right now wearing a pair of Steve Madden boots that are exceptionally comfortable. Good luck!
posted by troika at 11:52 AM on February 2, 2011
posted by troika at 11:52 AM on February 2, 2011
High instep. Lace-up boots are your friend here, as are boots made of neoprene.
posted by Sidhedevil at 12:19 PM on February 2, 2011
posted by Sidhedevil at 12:19 PM on February 2, 2011
Best answer: nthing high instep. I have this problem as well. Lace-up boots are great, as are suede boots, as suede tends to stretch a bit more than regular leather. Lest you think suede is bad in rainy or winter weather, I have a pair of suede boots that were described as "weatherproof", and have worked great for me in NY winters.
posted by bedhead at 12:24 PM on February 2, 2011
posted by bedhead at 12:24 PM on February 2, 2011
High instep is also known as Pes Cavus or high arch
posted by 2bucksplus at 12:48 PM on February 2, 2011 [3 favorites]
posted by 2bucksplus at 12:48 PM on February 2, 2011 [3 favorites]
Best answer: I have the same problem. I find that I just have to try on boots until I find a comfortable pair. For me it all depends on where the boot bends when I walk. I don't find lace up boots to be any more comfortable than slip-ons if they don't bend in the right spot.
Shoe salesmen will give you a lot of bs about insoles and breaking the boots in but I find if they don't bend in the right spot so they are comfortable right away they will never be comfortable ever.
posted by interplanetjanet at 1:03 PM on February 2, 2011 [1 favorite]
Shoe salesmen will give you a lot of bs about insoles and breaking the boots in but I find if they don't bend in the right spot so they are comfortable right away they will never be comfortable ever.
posted by interplanetjanet at 1:03 PM on February 2, 2011 [1 favorite]
I also have a high instep. I have a hard time fitting into strappy sandals and even some Mary Jane styles with a strap. As interplanetjanet says, it's really "try everything on" territory. Some manufacturers will work for you, some won't; Anne Klein boots fit me well, anything by Steve Madden (pumps, sandals, boots, etc) hurts like hell.
posted by catlet at 1:20 PM on February 2, 2011
posted by catlet at 1:20 PM on February 2, 2011
High instep is not the same thing as a high arch - high instep is what you have, on the top of your foot. High arch is on the bottom of the foot.
posted by BoscosMom at 1:26 PM on February 2, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by BoscosMom at 1:26 PM on February 2, 2011 [1 favorite]
Whatever you do, don't let people talk you into those Danskos clogs. Oh god, they are sheer hell for a high instep. Clogs in general, really. (YMMV)
posted by sarahsynonymous at 2:17 PM on February 2, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by sarahsynonymous at 2:17 PM on February 2, 2011 [1 favorite]
Hey, I have a high-volume foot and I love my Dansko clogs! Only for standing, though, not so much for walking.
My strategy (especially for athletic shoes, which is where I have the most trouble) is, as suggested above, to try EVERYTHING on, and don't settle for shoes that almost kind of fit. Last time I bought hiking boots I tried on every pair of boots available at local stores (like, seriously, 15-20 styles), then ended up ordering and returning something like 10 pairs of boots from L.L. Bean before I found the ones I kept (which are no longer available on their website... crap, I knew I should have bought two pairs).
posted by mskyle at 2:46 PM on February 2, 2011
My strategy (especially for athletic shoes, which is where I have the most trouble) is, as suggested above, to try EVERYTHING on, and don't settle for shoes that almost kind of fit. Last time I bought hiking boots I tried on every pair of boots available at local stores (like, seriously, 15-20 styles), then ended up ordering and returning something like 10 pairs of boots from L.L. Bean before I found the ones I kept (which are no longer available on their website... crap, I knew I should have bought two pairs).
posted by mskyle at 2:46 PM on February 2, 2011
My podiatrist called this exostosis. I have a noticeable bony bump on the top of each foot. I mostly wear Chuck Taylors year-round, because even the softest Mary Janes hit right at that point where the bone is and they chafe like mad.
posted by vickyverky at 4:22 PM on February 2, 2011
posted by vickyverky at 4:22 PM on February 2, 2011
I've done pretty well with Aldo boots, and I have a crazy high instep.
posted by 8dot3 at 4:52 PM on February 2, 2011
posted by 8dot3 at 4:52 PM on February 2, 2011
I have a high arch/instep. Dansko clogs do cut my foot. Keen is pretty good though. You need to try on a lot of different brands. Some are made for fat flat feet, some for arched feet.
posted by fifilaru at 5:32 PM on February 2, 2011
posted by fifilaru at 5:32 PM on February 2, 2011
High instep.
I generally do best in shoes with a lower vamp. But thiat is hard in boots.
posted by SLC Mom at 5:42 PM on February 2, 2011
I generally do best in shoes with a lower vamp. But thiat is hard in boots.
posted by SLC Mom at 5:42 PM on February 2, 2011
Response by poster: Wonderful, everyone! I'm so glad I checked here before shopping.
interplanetjanet, massive thanks - I'd wondered if I just "toughed it out" if a shoe would eventually conform. You have saved me from loads of self-flagellation.
Off to find some waterproof suede / neoprene-topped / Anne Klein / Aldo / Keen / Chuck Taylor boots, to fit my high instep / exostosis / high-volume / surfer bump feet.
Thanks mefi!
posted by nicodine at 7:11 PM on February 2, 2011
interplanetjanet, massive thanks - I'd wondered if I just "toughed it out" if a shoe would eventually conform. You have saved me from loads of self-flagellation.
Off to find some waterproof suede / neoprene-topped / Anne Klein / Aldo / Keen / Chuck Taylor boots, to fit my high instep / exostosis / high-volume / surfer bump feet.
Thanks mefi!
posted by nicodine at 7:11 PM on February 2, 2011
I'm size 11 with a high instep and my boots have come from Torrid and Payless. At Payless I buy the wide width ones.
posted by bubsy012 at 6:27 PM on February 3, 2011
posted by bubsy012 at 6:27 PM on February 3, 2011
I have high arches and I've had good luck with shoes from Foot Smart--they have lots of shoes for people with all kinds of foot problems, including high arches/insteps.
posted by WorkingMyWayHome at 9:33 PM on February 3, 2011
posted by WorkingMyWayHome at 9:33 PM on February 3, 2011
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I also have this problem!
posted by oh really at 11:22 AM on February 2, 2011 [2 favorites]