Flat, wide athletic shoes for women

August 25, 2023 6:48 PM

My wife needs flat (Not running shoes) shoes for persistent peroneal tendinitis. She also has a high arch and needs wides. Athletic shoes, ideally, but any port in a storm.

Cushionair slides are close, but they are awkwardly wide. She has worn Brooks for years; they are close but the higher heel isn't helping.

She is miserable all of the time. 🙁

Her podiatrist is new to her and we're fighting with crummy BCBS to get another MRI.

Thanks for any suggestions of shoe brands.

posted by wenestvedt to Health & Fitness (14 answers total)

This may seem counterintuitive, but I’d recommend she go to a running store and ask them for help finding the perfect flat shoe. That’s how my spouse found comfortable, wide shoes that meet his chronic pain needs. The sales person was very interested in assessing whether a flatter shoe or raised heel would be more comfortable for him.
posted by theotherdurassister at 7:14 PM on August 25, 2023 [6 favorites]

You might want to browse Barking Dog Shoes. Perhaps something like these Taos sneakers?
posted by kbuxton at 7:43 PM on August 25, 2023 [1 favorite]

It may be worth looking at the Footsmart.com website. They offer shoes for a wide range of challenging foot conditions. I can relate and wish her luck.
posted by Sublimity at 7:51 PM on August 25, 2023

Seconding Altras. She may like Xero shoes as well. Once I started shopping for zero drop shoes, my facebook feed fills up w ads for them
posted by toodleydoodley at 7:52 PM on August 25, 2023 [2 favorites]

Check out the Topo Magnifly.
posted by metasarah at 8:03 PM on August 25, 2023 [1 favorite]

Seconding a good running store for this, I've never had one think it was weird when I was there for an athletic shoe that wasn't primarily for running. Especially since she has a good sense of what brands almost work and why they don't, and they'll also be able to actually see her and watch her gait, this is how I found my last couple of standby shoe brands.
posted by jameaterblues at 8:39 PM on August 25, 2023 [2 favorites]

I had this, it’s excruciating - my sympathies to your wife. PT takes forever, I mean forever, to heal. Rest is really best for it, with time in a walking boot. I would get a shoe for the opposite foot that’s level with the walking boot.
posted by cotton dress sock at 10:19 PM on August 25, 2023 [1 favorite]

Merrall Jungle Mocs are super supportive and come in wide. I've had various foot problems, including my perineal tendon (please excuse autocorrect there) and they really are a relief.
posted by Dashy at 3:47 AM on August 26, 2023 [1 favorite]

I have inflammatory arthritis. Feet are mostly joints, so I share her pain. Keens and Tevas often offer wide sizes. They are very flexible, which is a requirement for me, and have good cushioning. I wear Keens water sandals all summer, Merrell slipons or similar in winter. Keens has less than convenient returns policy, so I but from local shops or online.

Is there physical therapy for feet, cause I'd try that.
posted by theora55 at 9:47 AM on August 26, 2023 [2 favorites]

Asics
posted by AnyUsernameWillDo at 1:11 PM on August 26, 2023 [1 favorite]

I had the same tendinitis in 2021, and my podiatrist recommended Birkenstocks. I already had a pair I wore sometimes, but made Birks my official house shoe and gave up flip flops. It made a big difference for me. After about ten months of PT and avoiding barefoot walking, my tendinitis finally resolved. Good luck to your wife!
posted by little mouth at 4:56 PM on August 26, 2023 [1 favorite]

Nthing Altras. I have high arches and a wide forefoot and have struggled a lot with Achilles tendinitis and metatarsalgia (so not quite the same thing) and Altras work for me. They’re zero-drop (I think they’re all zero-drop, but it’s worth checking) and they have a lovely spacious toebox even in the non-wide width. Various levels of cushioning are available.

They’re less “supportive” (squishier) than Brooks, so depending on what else your wife needs besides flat and wide that might be an issue for her.
posted by mskyle at 5:44 AM on August 27, 2023 [1 favorite]

Vivobarefoot is my recommendation. The mens are wider than the womens. Note that they are flat inside and out (zero drop heel and flat footbed).

Feelgrounds and MukiShoes are great as well, but less athletic. Feelgrounds makes the best flat winter boot I've ever found.

She may also find this book useful.

I would not recommend Xero, which are mentioned above. They're the worst flat shoe I've ever worn and their warranty is terrible.
posted by dobbs at 6:59 AM on August 27, 2023 [1 favorite]

Is there physical therapy for feet, cause I'd try that.

Yes, sort of. Their are exercises. After just one hour in-person session, and a few weeks of exercises, Cecily from Yoga Detour cured me of my Plantar Fasciitis.
posted by dobbs at 9:08 AM on August 27, 2023 [1 favorite]