Walking shoes

silenthunterstudios

silenthunterstudios

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Feb 2, 2005
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I've been rocking a couple pairs of Merrells over the years, through REI. I am a porker, and a diabetic, and have swelling legs and feet. When I get up in the morning, my feet are normal, they look like water balloons when I go to bed. On top of the diabetes is neuropathy. They can get pretty painful. So, my Merrell walking shoes are pretty loose, not fall off your foot loose, but loose. I also have a right foot that rolls my shoes to the right. I don't know if it's my gait, my foot, what have you. My current pair isn't too bad, but I like a snug shoe, not too tight but so that it doesn't feel like it's falling off your foot with every step. I walk about a mile every night, and have been using the Merrels since mid November, except for my Merrel boots in the snow. Merrell MOAB ventilator cross training shoes. Other than that, they have some hi top hiking boots in wide, and a few other brands like Salomon that come in my size 13 wide. I have a pair of the 13 wide MOAB Ventilator hiking boots, and they can get a little tight, I don't think I need extra wide shoes though. I just bought a pair of MOAB Rover mocs in 13 wide, and they are a little too big, even when my feet get bad. I know that my size will wear out most shoes, I like Merrells but am open to other brands. The air cushion combined with the Vibram soles are a good combo on easy access trails at the local trail, and on the old country roads in my neighborhood. I'm looking for something that will last about a year or so, it would be great if I could get them at REI, but anywhere will work too. I found New Balance shoes with a wide sole, wider than the toe of the shoe, but didn't try them on. Good grip is a must, but I'm only walking on blacktop or gravel. I'm looking for a new pair of hiking boots, but want to focus on walking shoes right now.

So, looking for something in 13 wide, with sole support, waterproof etc is great but not necessary. This is something that will only be used for walking.

Thanks in advance.
 
I suffer from neuropathy in both feet and I bought these Propet camp walkers from Amazon. They are available in a variety of widths and styles. I could not take a 7 mile hike without them.

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^ They are eligible for reimbursement from some insurance companies for people with diabetes.
 
Would recommend that you look at Keen. I have struggled with finding a work boot that is comfortable for me - my feet are pretty wide. I have tried alot of different brands and purchased a pair of Keens about 3 years ago. They are the most comfortable boots I have worn and in trying on some of their shoes, they are as well. They make a number of different styles and I am not sure that they are all as comfortable as the style I have, but I am really impressed. The ones I purchased have a very ergonomic foot bed - they are comfortable from day one.
 
I have 11EEEE feet, and I'm also a porker. I am not diabetic, but have chronic foot problems (gout, broke both feet, tendonitis, etc.). I've been on crutches and in a wheelchair over my feet more than I care to think about.

I like New Balance sneakers. The all leather walkers kind. They come in wide widths and also they have a great deal of foot "volume" so they can accommodate swelling feet. I'm not sure whether your Merrells are step in or lace up. I don't like to bend over and tie my shoes, but they are better for dealing with feet that swell, because you can tie them snugly in the morning, and then retie a little more loosely in the afternoon if you have to. I'm actually wearing a pair of the merrell suede step ins right now and I love them but my feet feel better at the end of the day with my New Balance lace ups or my Aetrex casual shoes.
 
just a question, how much have you experimented with using compression socks through the day? would it help to keep the swelling down over the day so you don't have quite the drastic change in foot size. they will change to some degree, but it might help.
 
I have been sold on New Balance walkers for years now for everything other than hiking, but I am not a porker. I do tend to wear my right foot to the right side which is the dominant reason I get the wide widths as I ruin a new pair in a few months otherwise (right foot is wider than left foot). If you went by a Red Wing store to get measured on their machine, you might get some insight into the wearing to the right side issue. I have no suggestions as to shoe comfort as your foot swells during the day.
 
I have to vote for Keen here. I use orange colored insoles sold at REI. These boots get worn daily and have been far and away the most comfortable footwear I've ever owned. They don't bottom out after a week and the factory guarantee is great (a friend had a problem with his, sent in a picture, got new boots a few days later free of charge). From stairs to fire roads, mall floors, and grass my Keens do it all. I've had them for 1.5 years and they keep on trucking!
 
Don't know about your size but Lowa makes a nice shoe/boot and you might try a pair of superfeet orthotics.
 
I, too suffer from neuropathy due to nerve damage from a back injury. I have duck feet, at 8 1/2 EEEE

For the last year I've been wearing Brooks Beast on my feet. Gel soles, and great support. At times it feels like strapping pillows to your feet, but there's a big downside: They only last about a year, and they're expensive at around $140/pair. I'd love to find something else that works better, but I've been through dozens of $100+ shoes in an effort to find something comfortable. I have something that works, but it costs me dearly.

If I could find something else, that would be great.
 
I alternate between the high-end New Balance walkers and Brooks Beasts. My feet are now officially spoiled!
 
I have had great luck with both New Balance and Merrell. In the New Balance I go with the all terrain models, and they work well in a wide variety of terrain and suface. The Merrells are better for more rocky and rugged terrain. I have a problem getting walking shoes to work for me because of an old service injury that broke up my right foot and ankle. I need the support, but also need flexibility of the running shoe type. I can't wear the hard boots like Danners on that right foot.

For bad weather when I need a bit more resistance to rain and snow, I've had pretty good luck with the lightweight Magnum boots. A bit of Nikwax and they stand up to wet snow well.
 
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