Footnotes: The Official Blog of Footwear etc.

Category Archives: Orthotics

Support for those Sheepskin Boots!

During these cold wintery months, loads of people love to get sheepskin boots for the holidays. I don’t blame them, I love the warmth and coziness of sheepskin. My feet, however, balk when there’s no arch support in my shoes. That’s why I love the insoles and orthotics from Superfeet and Lynco.  If you’ve got good quality sheepskin boots, you can swap out the insoles they came with and insert one of these products.

Superfeet makes the Unisex Wooly White Insole. They are a fantastic addition to any sheepskin boot, slipper, rain boot, or even regular shoes that have removable insoles. These insoles can help align the body and decrease foot pain. The firm footbed really provides terrific support, and the merino wool top cover helps keep your feet comfortable and dry.

Lynco makes the L900 Sheepskin orthotic. They contain a shearling fiber top cover that provides wonderful shock absorption and cushioning. Available for both men and women, this orthotic helps stabilize your feet and are specifically designed for medium and high arches.

You don’t have to suffer from poor arch support with sheepskin boots. Try the Superfeet Wooly White or Lynco L900 Sheepskin Orthotic. Have some cozy support in your boots this season!

 

The Ultimate in Luxurious Walking Shoes: Finn Comfort!

All too frequently I hear people say that they don’t WANT a walking shoe that looks like an athletic shoe, they want a walking shoe that they could wear to work, or out on the town, or anywhere! They want shoes that look nice, but would be perfect for travel and sightseeing. Such shoes do exist, and they are made by Finn Comfort.

Finn Comfort shoes provide outstanding orthopedic support, and are made from the finest materials available. Handcrafted in Bavaria, these shoes are specifically designed as luxury walking shoes for the sophisticated consumer. They are also specifically suited for orthotics. The comfort and support that these shoes offer is unparalleled. I’m anxious to take these on vacation! Some of my favorite designs are:

The Phuket, in Chili Selena leather. Gorgeous thong-style with an orthopedic firm footbed produces an incredible shoe for the summer. The hook and loop strap ensures a secure fit, the leather lining is soft and comfortable, and the PU outsole absorbs shock and reduces joint and muscle fatigue. All this in a handcrafted shoe…what a way to pamper your feet!

The Stanford, in Black Napa leather, is a beautiful slide with Mary Jane details. There is a hook and loop strap over the top of the foot to ensure a custom fit, and the footbed cradles your heel, provides arch support, and is hand washable! The polyurethane outsole provides great shock absorption and lets you feel like you can walk forever! Stylish, comfortable, and easy to wear!

The most comfortable shoe I have ever tried on, hands down, is the Tofino. I particularly like the Cigar Sprite leather version. It has phenomenal support, softness, shock absorption, and it fit my foot beautifully. I can wear this with dressy slacks or casual clothes, and can walk for miles in these shoes with comfort. I like the soft leather upper, and love the fact that the footbed is hand washable (as it is in all Finn Comfort shoes). This is truly a classic shoe that you can get a lot of wear out of, for many situations.

Finn Comfort excels in making your feet feel like they’re in the lap of luxury as you walk. Try out some classic elegance today!

Got Plantar Fasciitis?

One of the ailments we hear about the most is Plantar Fasciitis. It can hit you completely out of the blue; one morning you can just wake up with tremendous heel pain. Pain can occur at any time of the day, but it tends to be most prevalent when you first wake up – even before your feet hit the floor! Plantar Fasciitis can be caused by inadequate arch support, obesity, stress on the feet due to walking and standing, and even running. Inflammation of the Plantar Fascia sheath (which runs from the heel to to the toes) can be debilitating! This is a very common problem, and Footwear etc. carries a lot of products that address this issue.

Toning shoes like MBTs, Skechers, and Sano by Mephisto are extremely helpful in terms of keeping the plantar fascia stretched as you walk. This can alleviate the pain in your heel and arch, and can dramatically improve your quality of life. Other types of shoes that are helpful include rocker sole shoes, including Dansko, Aravon, Alegria, and FitFlop. Shoes with outstanding support (thus protecting the arch and having deep heel cups for comfort) include Orthaheel/Dr. Andrew Weil, Mephisto, and Naot. You’ve got lots of choices of styles to choose from.

 A specific product that many doctors recommend is the Strassburg Sock. This sock keeps the foot flexed, so that the plantar fascia can remain in a stretched position. The ideal time to wear this product is at night, so that pain can be alleviated first thing in the morning. Some users even report that the Strassburg Sock helps them heal faster!

The Strassburg Sock is essentially a tube sock with adjustable straps that keep your foot in a neutral (or slightly flexed) position. It’s easy to use, and over time can actually help strengthen the arch of your foot. An especially nice feature is that the Strassburg Sock does not lock your ankle in any one position so that you can move the joint around as your comfort level requires you to.

Another product that many find helpful in alleviating symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis is the Pedag Holiday ¾ Insole. Pedag products are endorsed by the American Podiatric Medical Association, so you can feel confident that they’re good for your feet. This particular insole is thin enough to fit into most shoes, yet has a firm longitudinal arch. The soft heel cushion relieves pressure on the heel, soft pads support the metatarsal area, and the overall design helps relieve pronation and flattening of the foot. This product is highly recommended for those with Plantar Fascia since it provides excellent support and helps keep your feet in alignment. Definitely worth a try to see if it helps you!

You don’t have to suffer from Plantar Fasciitis. Consider these products to help you get back on your feet again – without pain!

Keeping Your Body Realigned with Orthaheel/Dr. Andrew Weil Shoes

As I took my car in for a realignment recently, I realized that keeping our bodies realigned isn’t something we tend to pay attention to until there’s a problem! Why we are so attuned to the stuff around us rather than our own well being will forever be a mystery to me, but I digress….so many of us have pain caused by basic alignment issues. As we compensate for biomechanical problems, we can end up with all sorts of join pain in our feet, knees, ankles, etc. All too often we wear shoes that we think look great but don’t actually provide the support and alignment we really need to be healthy. That’s where Orthaheel and Dr. Andrew Weil shoes save the day!

The premise of these shoes is to ensure that your feet are properly supported so that they can function optimally. Orthaheel and Dr. Andrew Weil shoes are designed with orthotic properties to help reduce pronation, stabilize the heel, absorb shock, and reduce stress on the joints.

Orthaheel makes a bunch of models in a variety of styles that are truly kind to your feet. Dr. Andrew Weil, an internationally-recognized pioneer in the health and wellness field, endorses Orthaheel products and actually came up with his own line of Orthaheel-made shoes as well.

Within the Orthaheel and Dr. Andrew Weil lines, there are so many different styles to choose from, you can definitely find a comfortable shoe for every situation. I do have to say that the flip flops are absolutely THE most comfortable I have ever worn. They have all the perks of traditional flip flops, with outstanding support. I could walk for hours in them! And you can even get slippers with all that support. Phenomenal!

I also really love the Orthaheel walkers. They’ve got full-grain leather uppers, with mesh to allow breathability. They offer all of the fabulous properties of Orthaheel shoes, and even have a mid-foot stabilizer to control the motion of your feet as you walk. The removable orthotic even has an antibacterial top cloth to help control foot odor! These shoes make walking easy!

Help keep your body aligned properly with Orthaheel and Dr. Andrew Weil shoes. You’ll really feel the difference!

Reebok EasyTone and RunTone – Toning Shoes for Every Situation

I’m thrilled with all of the new toning shoes that are becoming available. But I wasn’t sure whether to get something specific to running, or specific to walking. Enter the Reebok EasyTone and RunTone models; each is specifically designed for its own purpose!

 The EasyTone utilizes moving air technology in order to create a feeling of micro instability (like walking on sand). If you look at the sole, you’ll see two large pads. Your body weight and the motion you use as you walk create the air movement in those pads. It feels a little squishy, which is fun! But the best part is that you can feel your leg muscles working differently than they would in conventional athletic shoes. I could definitely feel my hamstrings and glutes working harder. That HAS to pay off.

The RunTone is considered a “cousin” of the EasyTone. It also uses moving air technology, but the sole looks and feels different. Where the EasyTone has two big pads of air, the RunTone has many small pads. This helps with the additional shock that you create as you run, and helps protect your feet and legs. You can feel the spring in your step as you run!

Another great feature of both the EasyTone and the RunTone is the SmoothFit seamless design. You won’t have to worry about any irritation from rubbing against seams. Also, both shoes can accommodate orthotics,. So even if your feet have special needs, these still work for you. Add to that the breathable mesh designs for each, and you have cool comfort for both walking and running!

The EasyTone comes in a variety of colors, including black, light blue, and white with various accent colors. The RunTone comes in black, or silver with green trim. Both models are very stylish and fun to wear.

So whether you are walking or running, there’s a shoe just for your needs. Try out Reebok’s EasyTone and RunTone. You’ll be toned before you know it!

MBT Shoes Save the Day!

Every day we receive emails and phone calls from happy (real) customers who LOVE their MBT Shoes!  Hearing these stories make us happy.  We wanted to share the happiness and some of our favorite recent stories with all of our customers.  If you have a story you want to share, please email or call us!

Cindy from Illinois wrote… I just bought my 7th pair of MBTs.  I can not tell you how much it has improved my circulation, balance, back, hip and leg pain.  And my butt is my best feature after a year of wearing MBT Shoes!  It’s just plain gone!!  I wore them the first day with no problems and can’t do without a pair of them everyday since.  I shop, play, walk and work in them and I love them!!  The only problem is it spoils you for any other shoe.  I recommend MBT shoes to everyone – any age.  I get asked if they are those new “other brand” and I say, proudly, “No, these are the original MBTs.  The others can not compare and are note made with the technology that MBT has patented.”  No other is more comfortable or a great exercise than MBTs.  I love my new sandals!  Footwear etc. people are outstanding.  Thanks MBT!!

Irwin from New Jersey wrote… MBT Shoes reduced my leg and back pain significantly, particularly while walking.  I had been suffering for years despite orthotics, swedish clogs and various other shoe concoctions.  I tried a pair from Footwear etc. and am now ordering my second.

Kathy from California wrote… My husband loves his MBT Shoes.  The shoes are supportive as he recently had knee replacement surgery and can comfortably walk as the shoes absorb impact.

George from Missouri wrote… I have been so satisfied with my 15 pairs of MBT Shoes.  I had a spinal fusion 8 years ago.  MBT Shoes improved my posture, improved the weakness in my lower back, legs and core.

Kimberly from Florida wrote… I am a huge fan of MBT Sandals to walk the 3 Day.  I got these sandals on sale and very quickly.  I will be buying another pair later this summer for sure and will start my shopping here.

Thanks again to these happy customers for sharing their success stories with us.  Keep them coming!

Shop Women’s MBT Shoes.

Shop Men’s MBT Shoes.

Watch the MBT Introduction Video.

Insoles 101!

Chronic foot pain is among the most annoying pain there is. It can just stop you dead in your tracks. Forget about hiking, even normal daily activities can be painful. I learned this the hard way over time; dealing with recurring stress fractures in one foot, and of late plantar fasciitis have each taken a toll. It’s a Catch 22 situation: I want to exercise for the myriad of medical benefits it will give me, but how do you do that when your feet hurt? (Don’t suggest swimming, that’s not a viable option for me.)

 Enter the insole. How can a pad in your shoe make walking so much more tolerable? And what’s the difference between an insole, and an orthotic?

 An orthotic is an insert in your shoe that is made to fit your foot. You can get custom orthotics from podiatrists. There are also generic orthotics available in shoe stores that can fit approximately 90% of the population. They are designed to give arch support, depending on whether you have high arches, or low arches. Some orthotics can be heated to mold to your foot. Custom orthotics can be very expensive, generic orthotics less so but usually more expensive than insoles.

 An insole is an insert in your shoe that can address a variety of issues, and are used for a variety of purposes. Some insoles are great if you are going to be running, some are applicable for walking, some work for generic everyday use, etc. There are unisex insoles, insoles for wide feet, insoles for dress shoes, insoles with greater metatarsal support, insoles that help keep you from overpronating, etc., etc. With all these choices, how do you choose what’s right for YOUR foot?

 First, foremost, and always: TRY THEM ON. Don’t blindly accept what friends tell you, try out the insoles in your own shoes. No two pairs of feet are alike, there are always subtle differences in what seemingly similar feet need. Explain your foot issues to a podiatrist, and get recommendations from the doctor. You can also talk to the folks at Footwear etc.; they know a lot about the different properties of insoles and orthotics and can make knowledgeable suggestions of things to try out. Footwear etc. works with local doctors and uses their recommendations for products to carry.

Spenco Insoles and Orthotics If you’re looking to add cushioning to your shoes, consider Spenco products. Spenco orthotics and insoles are very economical, and a great choice if you think you need a little extra support. The orthotic arch supports are designed to help control the position of your feet as well as stabilize them and provide cushioning. If you have heel pain, the gel heel cushions and heel cups provide stability as well as superior cushioning. Women can benefit from the Q-Factor Insole, as it can help improve body alignment and balance specifically for them!Aetrex Lynco Insoles

Lynco Aetrex insoles are specially designed for casual, dress, and sports, and even specifically for golf shoes. These orthotics are great if you need additional adjustments in the metatarsal area, or a cupped heel for stability. They also have orthotics with posts to control abnormal positioning and movement of the foot, and to adjust your gait for overpronation. Lynco Aetrex even has sheepskin orthotics, for a really luxurious feeling! 

Superfeet InsolesSuperfeet insoles are excellent for shock absorption. There are styles appropriate for all types of footwear, even dress shoes. People with wide feet can be relieved to find that Superfeet carries several models specifically designed for wide widths. Several models are designed as unisex insoles, some are specifically made for the different needs of men’s feet vs. women’s. They are appropriate for all sorts of uses; there’s even a yellow model designed for track shoes, or hockey/ice skates, or even western boots! 

I was absolutely amazed to discover how much of a difference Superfeet insoles made for my feet. I tried on both the unisex green insoles (the most supportive/rigid) and the pink (for women, useful for walking and running), and I could feel a difference immediately. I never realized how much pressure the insoles could relieve by realigning how I stand and providing additional arch support. The deep heel cups also helped my sore heels feel better.

So don’t put up with unnecessary foot pain – try out some insoles and see what a difference it makes. It can change your life!

Lynco Orthotics – #1 Insoles for Foot Pain

Aetrex Lynco L900

Do you own a pair of shoes that you just absolutely adore even if they’re not the most comfortable? I own a pair of boots that I just can’t let go. Many the miles they have traveled with me – from the hilltops of Barcelona to the streets of San Francisco. But with my high arch, I don’t quite get the support that I need and it has taken a toll on my poor feet. What does one do? Enter Lynco Orthotics by Aetrex to the rescue! Slip these bad boys in your shoes, and you will experience IMMEDIATE relief. No need to spend hundreds on doctor prescribed insoles – I found Lynco Insoles provide unmatched support and balance at an affordable price! The Lynco L900 Shearling Orthotics were perfect for my boots!

These extraordinary insoles feature a shearling fiber top cover that provides luxurious cushioning and shock absorption. The insoles are Cupped, which cushions and stabilizes the rearfoot and are recommended for those with medium and high arch feet like myself. This particular style comes with a Neutral forefoot option, for those who do not need metatarsal support. However, if you have ball-of-foot pain, then you should go with the Lynco L905 or Lynco 925 (which come in a Posted rearfoot option for those with flat or low arch feet).

What’s also great about these insoles is that shearling is a natural insulator –keeping your feet dry and allowing your feet to breathe comfortably. Who says boots can only be worn in winter? Might I add, the Lynco Shearling L900 series for men and women adds arch support for UGG Boots – and are fashionable all year-round.

Here’s what customers are saying about the Lynco Shearling L900:

A MUST HAVE.

By cold feet from raleigh, nc

I searched to find more of these. Thank you. I use them as insoles for boots which normally don’t have good arch support. The plus is the shearling type warmth. I just bought 3 more pairs.

OUTSTANDING PRODUCT!!

By MeMe from San Antonio, TX

I have a high instep, high arches, a Morton’s neauroma at the ball of my left foot AND I have fibro. I managed to find a pair of winter boots that I could tolerate but they had NO arch support which seemed to aggravate the neauroma. This orthotic provided wonderful, sturdy arch support and was pure comfort the very moment I tried it on. I live in TX so I don’t have many days to wear my boots but when I do, I skip through the day with my Aetrex Lynco Sheepskin L900 Women’s Orthotic. The product is great and so was my shopping experience with Footwear etc. Thank you all so very much!

Outstanding arch support

By Linda from Cheyenne, WY

I bought these to put into my slippers because I have a lot of problems with my feet. I rarely wear shoes at home only my slippers. My feet are in awe, they are warm and without pain due to the arch support I found in these insoles.

Not sure how to select the right insoles for you? Don’t fret – Here’s the lowdown on some of the most popular styles of Lynco Orthotics:

Dress – The Lynco Dress L500 series is ideal for dress shoes and fits most footwear styles. It features a full grain leather top cover, a molded Pedic™ core for stability and resilience and a suede bottom to prevent sliding inside your shoes.

SportLynco Sport L400 series is designed for athletic, casual and comfort footwear, providing arch support and weight redistribution. It features a high-tech Carbosan top cover that cushions the foot and absorbs shock. Plus, anti-odor and anti-bacterial helps keep feet clean and healthy.

CasualLynco Casual L600 series is great for casual and comfort footwear. Featuring a high-tech Carbosan top cover that cushions the foot and absorbs shock and anti-odor and anti-bacerial top cover material.

Conform – The Lynco Conform L200 series is often recommended to protect and comfort the diabetic foot and the hyper-sensitive arthritic foot. The unique Plastazote top cover customizes to your individual pressure points to redistribute pressure from sensitive areas.

So whether you have a medium, high, low, or flat arch, or foot pain in your rearfoot or forefoot, there is a Lynco insole for every soul!

Shoes for plantar fasciitis – MBT Shoes seem to be just what the doctor ordered

Do you have plantar fasciitis?  Are you having trouble finding the right shoes to help alleviate your heel pain?  We are finding that the MBT Shoes are offering relief to many people suffering from plantar fasciitis.  Below are some real testimonials from our real customers who wrote us about their experiences with plantar fasciitis and MBT Shoes.  Please feel free to submit a comment to this post and share your experiences with us!  The complete line of MBT Shoes can be found at www.footwearetc.com/mbt/.

I have a severe case of plantar faciitis that has resisted all forms of treatment including surgery, physical therapy, night splints, etc. I got a referral to a new podiatrist who recommended trying MBT’s. I had to try a few pairs to get a good fit but now love them. They never leave my feet. They are so comfortable and take all the strain out of my heels plus as a benefit I have no joint pain either! I have two pair, one for work and one for outside. The best shoes I ever had and I even tried a funny coiled shoe ( you know who you are!) which while ok were just too ugly to wear. Footwear.etc was fantastic to work with, very easy to order, make returns. Thank You!

I absolutely love MBT shoes. I have purchased a different style 2 years ago and I loved it- it ended my search for a cure for my plantar fasciitis which I’ve had for about 5 years. I have tried so many brands, changing to new pair and brand/style almost every month until somebody mentioned to me about MBT shoes. This has changed my life completely- I have been pain-free for the last 2 years, and I am actually taller when I have them on, awesome. I have recommended this shoes to so many people already and every single one of them love the shoes too. I encourage everyone to get a pair.

I wear my MBT’s every day. I have 3 pairs that I alternate with. I have had a history of shoes not being comfortable and my feet hurting all the time, which isn’t good when you are on your feet every day with my career in nursing. I found that I was going through a pair of shoes every 6 months because my feet hurt. I finally went to a neuro-massage therapist and she recommended MBT’s as she was trying to release my chronic plantar fascitis. So I got my 1st pair…needless to say I had to have a partial release done but the MBT’s help me keep the fascia from regrowning scar tissue and my quality of life has really changed. I can now walk and exercise and be happy about life. I recommend MBT’s to anyone that has a problem with there feet. P.S. and the toning factor of these shoes is unbelievable!!!!

I only wear MBT shoes and sandals. Other brands sit in my closet. They make me want to walk. My legs, knees and feet never get tired. I feel like I could walk a marathon in them. I actually wear out the soles eventually on my MBTs. I have recommended them to many people. They eliminate my sister’s back pain when she wears them. Her husband finds relief from a painful nerve disorder in his feet when he wears his MBTs. My students think they look cool. They always notice when I get a new style of MBTs. I feel great in them. My knee pain, foot odor from not exercising my feet and toes in other brands, and plantar faciitis all disappeared with MBTs. I wish I could afford more pairs! There are so many great new styles out now.

I wear this shoe everyday to walk for exercise and to work, I have 3 pair. I have plantar fasciatis and MBT’s are the only shoe I can wear without any difficulty. I have the white and have no problem wearing them as a nurse as they don’t look like athletic trainers. I have been able to increase my walking distance daily since buying MBT’s and have bought 2 other styles of MBT based on my experience with this particular style.

The MBT shoe saved my walking life! As time marches on the foot’s fat pad thins; no shoes seemed to give me the cushioned comfort that I needed to enjoy my fitness walks. Add plantar faciitis, and truly I was struggling to find comfort to finish my walks. Then a friend shared her MBT experience; I tried them out and I am now on my third pair! I walked all over New York City without an ounce of fatigue thanks to my MBT shoes.

I have high arches and tend to pronate when I walk. Plantar fasciitus had been a way of life for almost 15 years. I had been wearing very expensive corrective shoes with only moderate relief. The MBT’s are all I wear now and I have absolutely no foot pain. I have purchased dress shoes, sandals, casual and sports MBT’s and this is all I wear.

Be sure to view our full collection of MBT Shoes to help cure your plantar fasciitis or just to tone your muscles and improve your posture!

Spenco Insoles

Spenco Insoles

Walking around town on my vacation I noticed my tennis shoes didn’t feel quite right.  Sitting to rest at a local cafe, I checked inside of my shoes and found the insoles had holes in them.   I had heard that Spenco made great insoles, so using my trusty web enabled cell phone I found the nearest seller of Spenco products and purchased a pair of the Polysorb Cross Trainers.  I felt like a new woman; my feet felt like new too!

I trimmed them slightly to fit and they slipped easily into my shoes. Once I was walking again I could feel the difference.  Even though they were a soft insole they had the arch support I needed as well as the shock absorption in the heel.  With all the walking we had to do on this trip, Spenco surely saved the day.
They also make more of an orthotic insole with a cast on the base to give a much firmer feel to the foot.

Try Spenco, you wont regret it.

Categories