MY FEET HURT Shoe question

VeryPlainJane · Sep 7, 2005

When I worked on my feet long shifts...no matter how good the shoe was I only got a month's use out of them..it's just one of those expenses you have to shell out if you want to keep your legs and back in shape.

Rhonda V · Sep 7, 2005

I own a pair of crocs and love them dearly. :)

I like Nurse-Mates a lot. I was always having low back pain, but I've noticed less problems since I switched to Nurse-Mates...should be available at most uniform stores.

Rhonda :)

ckh23, BSN, RN · Sep 7, 2005

I have a pair of Nike Shox and they are great. I feel like I'm walking on air all night long. You can get them on ebay for about $60, which they can be about $100 retail.

KaroSnowQueen, RN · Sep 7, 2005

Dansko Professional. Yes they are expensive. But not any more than other shoes that you have to keep replacing and replacing. I got mine direct from the Dansko site for $109. They are comfortable, have a good arch which translates into back support and I don't know why I waited so long to get some!!!!

student4ever · Sep 7, 2005

Dansko Professional. Yes they are expensive. But not any more than other shoes that you have to keep replacing and replacing. I got mine direct from the Dansko site for $109. They are comfortable, have a good arch which translates into back support and I don't know why I waited so long to get some!!!!

These are the BEST shoes for those of us with high arches!!!! Nice firm support, great traction for when someone spills ice and forgets to clean it up... I found mine on Ebay for 80 bucks. These shoes are comfortable and last a long time, which they should, for the amount of money you pay for them. I just worked 7 12 hour shifts in a row, and went straight to class after work 5 of those days (read - on my feet for twelve hours, walking around campus for another couple hours 5 days in a row, and another 2 days of 12 hour shifts) and my feet don't hurt! If you MUST have squishy padding in your shoes, get the Dansko Professionals and put those gel insoles in them. My back never hurts either! I will live and die by these shoes... so worth the money!!!

DutchgirlRN, ASN, RN · Sep 7, 2005

This may seem silly...but what kind of shoes have you found do your feet some justice after working 12 hour shifts?
My shoes seem to break down after a month or so. I have tried Easy Spirit..NIKE...Avia..Brooks...New Balance...
Has anyone tried Z Coil?
Ive found that if you dont have the right shoes..your back..legs..everything HURTS!
Do any of you wear support hose as well? Im not use to these longggg hours... Thanks!

I used to have alot of problems with my feet and like you said it effects your whole body. I've been wearing Birkenstocks for 15 years and haven't had a problem with my feet since. I buy from e-bay, QVC or HSN for the best prices. I purchased mine in black so they hold up better.

ICRN2008, BSN, RN · Sep 7, 2005

Dansko Professionals have my vote. I also have some Birkenstock clogs, and they are pretty comfortable. I've stopped buying athletic shoes because the cushioning wears out so quickly.

grimmy, RN · Sep 7, 2005

i wear z-coil everyday in the or, and i love them. of course, they are not cheap at all, but you get a fitting like you've probably never had before, plus gait testing. so far, i've had this particular pair for a year, and they show no huge signs of wear, except at the toes, where i've had to wipe them down occasionally. you can go get a pair, wear them at home for a week, and if you hate them, take them back for a refund.

since you are experiencing foot pain, see a podiatrist. your problems may be other than shoe-related.

maythen · Sep 7, 2005

I've been on Z coils for little less than a year. Really hard shifts leave me sore, but I'm not waking up screaming in pain anymore. (scared my husband half to death).

They're expensive, and in my case didn't last too long. I've already had to get them reglued to the foot base twice and resoled once (which I had to pay for, despite that upon purchase I was assured EVERYTHING was guaranteed for 3 years).

I've had the springs changed out once and the positioning altered twice (free). According to the lady I was using the springs to propel myself down the halls faster and needed a heavier spring than normal for my weight and shoe size to compensate.

They look odd and I've had several co workers make fun of me. They were IMHO awfully expensive. You've got to learn to walk in them and to do this weird twitchy shuffle when cords get caught in your springs (they sell spring covers if you want them). The springs also can get caught on chair rungs (a co worker on springs nearly broke his nose when he did a face plant attempting to run to a code and his coil caught on a chair rung).

But at the end of those 13 hour shifts... my feet are tired but they don't hurt. My legs might be a little sore but I'm not achy or cramping. My posture is better. It even gives me an extra inch or so in height (which isn't a big deal for most people but I'm only 5 foot and need all the help I can get.)

Z coils can be a hassel. But they were worth it for me.

(please excuse all the grammar and punctuation weirdness, I'm getting ready to flop into bed after my 4th in a row and my brain is a little numb)

davescatch · Sep 27, 2005

I love my J. Rubio clogs with their funky spring in the heel. They are really comfortable and much cheaper than z coils. Used to get from Europe now they can be ordered from USA at: http://www.jrubio.us

Really awesome shoes!

I've tried Dansko, Birkenstock, Crocs and even the z coils. Not even looking for another brand to try anymore.

RN and Mommy · Sep 27, 2005

This may seem silly...but what kind of shoes have you found do your feet some justice after working 12 hour shifts?
My shoes seem to break down after a month or so. I have tried Easy Spirit..NIKE...Avia..Brooks...New Balance...
Has anyone tried Z Coil?
Ive found that if you dont have the right shoes..your back..legs..everything HURTS!
Do any of you wear support hose as well? Im not use to these longggg hours... Thanks!

I also LOVE crocs. I also have birkenstocks, and they are ok. They aren't any more comfortable than tennis shoes (for me anyways. I know a lot of people swear by them). The crocs are also wayyyyy cheaper than the birkenstocks.

MamaTheNurse, BSN, RN · Sep 27, 2005

I wore Birkenstocks for years - used to work 5 12's in a row, pregnant and never missed a beat

I didn't do staff nursing for a few years and lost track of where my old Birks got to so I tried a pair of Crocs - felt ok at the end of the shift, but boy, did I pay for it the next morning - the crazier the shift, the worse I felt (I work in ICU)

so.........bit the bullet and went on e-bay and got a pair of Birkenstocks - black ones from the "Alpro" line - $55 out the door with s/h and everything - they usually retail for $120 - I've worn them for a few shifts and I will never look back - threw my Crocs in the washing machine to get all the ICU gunk off and now they are just to kick around the house in...........

unfortunately, sometimes you have to try a few things to find out what's best for you - gets costly but if you find what works for you, it will mean you aren't hobbling in your retirement years! :lol2: :lol2: