With MS, a New Pair of Shoes Makes a Big Difference

Reiker is my brand! But not the Reiker shoes with memory foam sole... The original sole works great for me! I like the loafers and their boots. I need a little height in the heel (but not too much) and I prefer the boots without the lining.
I "walk" (assisted) quicker and feel so much safer. I have an indoor and outdoor pairs of the shoes!

https://billyfootwear.com/

I haven’t purchased a pair yet but fully intend to. With progression of my MS, my AFO just doesn’t provide the support I need so a KAFO is in production as we speak. Putting a shoe on that foot may be a challenge. What colour? Can’t decide…but for the first pair, basic black high tops! Can wear them with anything! ?

I have tried a lot of products to help with my right drop foot and knee hypertension. I bought an ankle foot orthosis called Footflexor by Core Products. It has been a miracle. For the knee a Swedish cage. I can no longer drive because of my drop foot (dangerous gas brake pedal) so I bought this mini folding ebikes. DYU D1. I have had them for four years and when I use them I can forget about being disabled. Another new product on the market so you can walk, get cardio is the alinker. It is a combo bike/Walker. Another new escorted that folds is Doohan iLark or Doohan iTank. The benefits of the DYU ebikes is they are so small you can take them inside stores and acts as a support. I cannot live without my ebikes and the Footflexor.

I used to be a podiatrist, before my MS get bad enough that I couldn't practice any longer. The shoe's that I have worn for a very long time, have been Ferragamo or Too Boot driver's. I recently have changed to a sneaker because my walking has gotten worse and didn't want to take it out on my shoe's.
I used to only wear New Balance because they have been recommended by APMA for years but didn't find them to last very long.
I recently discovered a company called On Cloud. I purchased them several month's ago and am thrilled with them. They fit very well. You can get them with lace up or ones that have a lace but you can slide on and off. They are incredibly light weight and easy to walk in. I highly recommend them. They go for about $129.00 but you can get them on sale every now and then.

I wear shoes from Dr. COMFORT. They are wonderful and they have several colors. Wide opening, velcro closures that are easy to use, top is stretchy fabric, comes in XW which I need, and also has a black pair that is deep and allows for orthotics. Very light and drags easily on a smooth surface.

Doc Martens,they make me feel safe and comfortable.

I wear some DC sneakers because they're the flattest shoes I've found. They're in pretty rough shape now lol, hopefully people don't look at my shoes very often :D

My PT recommended a curling slider for my left foot "sticking" to carpet or rougher outside surfaces. The hard plastic piece has a strap that secures around your heel to hold the half-sole slider in place. It also comes in a full sole size. Of course, Amazon has a selection. I used Duluth Trading for mine. She admonishes to continue trying not to slide but lift as much as I can without falling. Hope this is a useful suggestion.

Anyone have a shoe idea that is easy to fit a brace into. I have to put on my brace and then try to push it into a shoe. I need an extra depth shoe. such as SAS.

I accidentally found Orthofeet sneakers when I learned shoes made for folks with diabetes and/or plantar fasciitis have tremendous support for foot neuropathy. These sneakers come with graduated, removable innersoles so my AFO slides in nicely beneath two of the three layers I have stacked for comfort. They are laced, and have velcro tabs that lock the tied laces in place. $129 on Amazon. Can't walk without them.

I have a drop foot on the right and a weak right leg. I find it easier to walk in sturdy heels (not TOO high) with good ankle support. My favorite "shoes" are my Frye knee-high Western boots. The weight of the heel keeps my foot in the correct position to drive.

My saviour shoes are nae vegan. A Portuguese make. Google them. Their boots provide crucial support - wearing them foot drop is history. They’re lightweight, easy on and off, all weather adapted - I can’t praise their products enough. May they make us all fleet of foot!

Classic Crocs have become the best friends for my feet. To quote a older friend "it's like walking on marshmallows". And when the strap is actually used behind your heal, they fit firmly and gently. The colors, patterns and dressy finishes offer great variety. Gibits add to the fun. And I have NO pain when walking.

Hi Ed,

This article struck with a real note with me.

I have 3 pairs of shoes, all leather soled and lace-up; they are made by a UK brand Grenson.
As the years have passed by they have adapted to my feet and become extremely comfortable.
They can also be easily resoled.

Although they have no grip, they feel safe to wear inside and out; I find I have to be a little more careful when it's wet.

An MS friend commented that my choice of shoes (leather sole) possessed a 'controlled slip' factor; I really liked that phrase and it has stuck with me since.

I have tried (and got rid of) numerous pairs of rubber grip soled shoes over the years.
I found them quite dangerous in that if my left leg dropped unexpectedly, a huge brake was suddenly applied to my walking and was capable of bringing me down.

Purchasing shoes is a complex business and a number of factors come into play for me:

- do they look good?
- do they feel safe?
- leather-soled?
- lace-up?
- do I feel confident walking in them?
- are they comfortable?
- weight of each shoe?
- Last but not least, price

In the past, I have taken a small electronic weighing scales out with me to shoe shops; this certainly got a few looks!

When purchasing my next shoes, I would probably order them online, try them indoors only and then return them if unsuitable.

I am also lucky in that our house mainly has laminate flooring, this helps massively with the controlled slip factor.

bernard

Thank you for posting about this very important topic! My choice of shoes has become very important as my walking has worsened. My right side is very weak and I use forearm crutches and a TripleFlex strap on my right leg. I use custom made orthotics for support and they are extremely helpful! They require going up one size in shoes. Brooks sneakers work for me. During the colder months I also wear Blundstones with Superfeet inserts. The complaint I have is they are heavier and can fatigue my legs by the end of the day. I hope others will chime in on what works for them!

Mizuno. I have two pairs. Not cheap ( sorry) but wide, stable, comfy... having PPMS, and being a bit wobbly, I like the stability. Mizuno is a sports brand.

Hello, yes, shoes are very important when u need to get youself to where you want to go comfortably. I used to be able to wear them thong type sandals. You know, the ones that were plastic & would have a thong shape look, & to keep them on your feet, you would slip them in-between your big toe & your 2nd toe. I also remember the clicking noise they would make as the back of the shoe would snap back into place as you walked. However, when I was first struck by MS, I found myself looking for a different style of shoes. I needed something that would stay on my feet without me having to curl my toes. Loafers are very comfortable, but I needed something that would stay in place, on my feet. I also prefer a shoe that had traction, so I wouldn't slip & fall down. There we're a couple times though, that my shoes stuck too aggressively & I still lost my balance & I found myself going on unsuspecting trips:-( Years ago, when I had bad equilibrium, I found a brand of sandals that was comfortable & stayed put. I think the brand was Apache. It was the kind of sandal that had a very wide strap in the front & one in the back to keep the foot from slipping out. I can't remember for sure if that was it's name? Anyway, currently with experimentation, I found that I like Sketchers. I feel like I have more balance. Not to mention, when I'm walking with Sketchers on, my gait is much better, so It an able to walk with a faster stride.

I switched to certain styles of Munro or Clarke or lace up sneakers.

Oh wow thanks Ed !!
You have verbalised my thoughts exactly !I thought I was alone in needing slidy sales... the exact opposite to quote normal people.
I too have suffered from foot drop for many years and also use a FES.
Shoes , especially sandals are a nightmare being less supportive and sling back
I like sunshine as much as everyone but once the temperature climbs I am confined to my a/c home alone.
I look forward to the autumn mists and comfortable support of my lovely knee length boots with glee ?
I only pray that I will be able to use my rollator for a good while yet.
All the best, Alison

I'm a male and diagnosed in 1991 and from SPMS to now with PPMS I have been using zero drop minimal barefoot shoes for over 10 years. The many shoes I've worn are from Vivobarfoot an American/UK company started by the grandson of the Clarkes shoe founder. Almost like wearing puncture resistant socks. Most have a smooth sole bottoms, all are very light and flexible but not much support or cushioning. They are a bit pricey and they may take time getting used to, so they may not be for everyone. They come in many great styles for men and women. For sport or dress on pavement (smooth tread) and trail or snow (small tread). Lots of fun! Happy trails, Jack

I'm with the guy who prefers leather soled shoes to reduce tripping.....I can only wear leather soled shoes and can't figure what to apply to the bottom of my sneakers or casual shoes that will slide like leather sole I don't think anyone makes a shoe that is designed to have low grip and will be forgiving like my leather soled shoes, so I'm trying very hard to find some advice on a treatment I can apply to my sneakers or other casual shoe that will reduce the grip of rubber soles.