How to protect high arched feet around the house?

April 2, 2011 5:11 AM

What might someone with high arches and developing forefoot pain wear around the house?

I've been sick and don't wear shoes very often these days. With high arches, my going around in socks has led to sesamoid pain in my left foot that is much relieved by arch support. Insoles aren't working very well in the slippers I've tried--too much movement--so I wonder how others have approached this issue. I'd prefer something without laces, if possible.

posted by Mertonian to Health & Fitness (17 answers total)

My mother wears Birkenstocks around the house after her doctor told her to stop going barefoot.
posted by MadamM at 5:26 AM on April 2, 2011

I have high arches and plantar fasciitis and when I can't bear to put on proper shoes around the house I find Crocs work pretty well.
posted by hydropsyche at 6:06 AM on April 2, 2011 [1 favorite]

I had a lot of plantar fasciitis pain last summer, and I strongly recommend taping your feet in the morning, after your shower and (of course) before any socks. Here's an example, although I often just wound the tape around the foot and back. Whatever else you wear, it's a level of base support that's almost a relief in itself.
posted by Countess Elena at 6:13 AM on April 2, 2011

I have also been going barefoot around the house way too much, and I find that a pair of shoes like soccer slides help me a lot. Mine have the nubbly foot bed, though, not the smooth foot bed.
posted by Medieval Maven at 6:29 AM on April 2, 2011

I have high arches and love to go barefoot - ouch! I wear these thick-soled Reef flip flops around the house year-round, which help a lot.
posted by AlisonM at 7:54 AM on April 2, 2011

I have high arches, and many years ago somehow shattered one of my sesamoid bones (no idea) in my right foot. I had surgery to remove the pieces, but what I ended up with is I now have 2 neuromas in the ball of my right foot. Suffice it to say, going barefoot in my wood floor apartment is not fun :) I've done pretty well with these Nike Comfort flip flops, even though I'm not usually good with flip flops. And although there isn't a ton of arch support, there's some there, and the memory foam foot bed cushions the ball of my foot, which is the main thing that I need.
posted by witchstone at 8:25 AM on April 2, 2011

I save taping for special occasions, but my foot doc said taping provides more support than even custom orthotics when done right (but who wants to tape up to wander around the house?). Having the same problem and will be watching this thread with interest!
posted by susanbeeswax at 8:59 AM on April 2, 2011

Do you have custom orthotics? I find that plain ol' Dansko clogs with my orthotics in are so easy to slip on and off that I can treat them basically like slippers (except I don't like wearing shoes in general, would rather be barefoot). Someone upthread recommended Crocs, which are super comfy and better approximate the feeling of being barefoot, but I find they make my previously-broken sesamoid ache if I wear them all day without my orthotics.
posted by librarina at 9:39 AM on April 2, 2011

Here's another vote for Birkenstocks. I've been wearing them all day, every day, for decades, and my very archy feet are very happy. They used to hurt a lot when I was young and spry and fashion-conscious. The Birks are lethally ugly, but I got over caring about that.
posted by Corvid at 1:00 PM on April 2, 2011

Response by poster: No custom orthotics. The problem only just started and I've read that Spenco's arch supports are often better than the customs. I forgot about Birks, will give those a try. I think of Crocs as plastic and have never liked that against skin somehow, but I'm an old broad with many biases. This thread is showing me that I have many good alternatives already in my closet, including the Nike slides I used at the pool.
posted by Mertonian at 2:15 PM on April 2, 2011

When I am not wearing my official prescribed shoes with orthotics, I wear these "athleisure" slip on shoes that I got at Target. Mostly I take off my official shoes while lounging around the house, then I need a quick slip-on that I can wear to get the mail or make dinner.
posted by CathyG at 3:44 PM on April 2, 2011

For those who tape, how the heck do you keep the tape dry in the shower, or do you retape each time you shower?
posted by crankylex at 6:22 PM on April 2, 2011

I have high arches and was having a lot of forefoot pain a few summers ago. My physiotherapist also recommended footwear around the house. I went with these Mephisto sandals, which were a bit on the expensive side but completely worth it. I found them much more comfortable than Birkenstocks.
posted by flying kumquat at 8:25 PM on April 2, 2011

I wear crocs. I think the are called crocs silver. They have a higher arch support and are comfy.
posted by nimsey lou at 8:50 PM on April 2, 2011

When I tape, I plastic bag my foot for the shower then carefully wash the exposed skin after/before or I take a bath and just hang that foot over the edge. Or if I've done the taping myself (my doc is still much better at it than me), I'm more likely to just retape, if I need to.
posted by susanbeeswax at 10:25 PM on April 2, 2011

Re: taping. Just got diagnosed with plantar fascitis in my arch and the podiatrist taped my foot (ah, sweet relief). She told me it would last anywhere from 2-7 days, even getting it wet in the shower. I'm on my 10th day and it's finally to the point where it's ready to come off.
posted by sarajane at 8:29 AM on April 3, 2011

For the Birkenstocks, they now have a soft footbed available in a lot of their styles, which might be more comfortable for you than the regular footbed. Worth a try!
posted by sumiami at 9:01 PM on April 3, 2011