I finished school in May and started my new job in ED in Aug. 3 twelve hour shifts per week. Started with a pair of Asics that I had had for awhile. By hour 8 or so, the heels of my feet are painful. I stand with all my weight on my heels I guess. Went to buy new shoes. #1 priority is comfort, #2 was that the shoe fabric be able to be cleaned up. Lady gave me 2 choices- Asics Keyano (fabric/mesh outer surface) or Nike Shox (outer surface leather). Well.......apparantly I made the wrong choice. I went with the Shox and I am so disappointed. Wore them 8 hours one day and had to change. They killed my feet! My heels especially. So, I am back to square one and looking for new shoes because I can not wear the uncomfortable ones any more, atleast not to work in.
Anyone have similar experiences? If so, what was your resolution? I am probably going to go get the Asics. I have tried on the zcoils and am not sold on them. I felt unsteady when I walked in them, although my heels felt great.
Hmm....I mentioned in a previous post that I love Z-coils (and didn't really like my MBTs). I have arch pain that seems to be relieved with arch supports and the Z-coils. (I do have high arches and narrower feet.) I am going to try a pair of Dansko's as the above poster notes that they have great arch support. I also think I'll see a doctor about custom inserts.
Finally, other posters have noted that stretching exercises are helpful. I have also read that and have just started doing them.
6 words - Custom orthotics from a good podiatrist.
I tried many different shoes when I was training, and it came down to the orthotic insoles for me. They not only mold them to your feet, they customize them based on your gait, your application, your bone structure, and the visible wear (callus building) on your foot. It seems to be more of an art than a science, so it's important to find a podiatrist at the top of his or her game. And the best part is that you can move them from shoe to shoe!
The next best (and less expensive) thing to custom orthotics is Barefoot Science insoles. They really do work--my husband and I both had plantar fascitis, he from being a courier on his feet all day and me from stepping backwards in a ditch and injuring my foot. Our pain was decreased significantly within two weeks and totally gone by 6 months, where we could start wearing shoes without the insoles and not have our heels hurt. They feel a little weird at first, but once you get used to them (a day, maybe), you'll love them.
Hi Mary, they are very comfy, I love them. If you plan on being around lots of body fluids, a different style might serve you better. The online catalog has a wide range of styles and all negative heels. By the end of a long day,my legs and back are okay!
I spent 5 years of my life working through school in the althletic footwear department of The Sports Authority and as an athlete have much experience with athletic shoes of all kinds, including the Asics you are inquiring about. The Kayano model is one of the best shoes Asics makes for comfort and stability, however it is considered a running shoe and I am not sure why as a nurse you were recommended this shoe. I personally love running shoes for day to day walking, but am not sure how they would hold up for 12 hour shifts on your feet.
A running shoe is meant to be run in as should make sense. When one runs she should be mostly on her toes so a lot of times heel support is not a major part of that. These are incredibly comfortable shoes though, and if you choose to try them I would recommend buying heel support inserts. You can get gel heel pads at local sports stores for under 20 dollars.
In my experience nurses that I sold shoes to tended to go with New Balance walking shoes, somewhere in their 500 series. (New Balance walking shoes are all numbered with 500 or 600 numbers, while running is 700 - 1000 ish). Walking shoes tend to have more overall stability and heel support because they are made for that type of foot motion. The cross trainers that New Balance makes are also good and a choice of some nurses. Of course these are just the nurses that came into an athletic footwear store, I cannot comment on other options.
In general Nike Shox are never, ever a good option for this type of work. They not only do not support well, they wear out very quickly. I would suggest staying away from Nike as a brand in general for long lasting comfort shoes.
I have done many long shifts with different types of shoes, but I have always had the best luck with Asics, although I cannot say my feet never hurt afterwards.
If you have any other questions about specific shoes, or what foot problems you have, I could probably be helpful or at least give you an honest opinion.
RNfaster
488 Posts
Hmm....I mentioned in a previous post that I love Z-coils (and didn't really like my MBTs). I have arch pain that seems to be relieved with arch supports and the Z-coils. (I do have high arches and narrower feet.) I am going to try a pair of Dansko's as the above poster notes that they have great arch support. I also think I'll see a doctor about custom inserts.
Finally, other posters have noted that stretching exercises are helpful. I have also read that and have just started doing them.
Good luck!