Handmade Shoes for Sensitive Feet?

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Am I right in assuming since most of us have sensitive senses we have sensitive feet? I have sensitive feet. I am considering buying expensive hand-made shoes. I had a look in a John Lewis shop and found a few pairs of shoes with nails in the soles. They appeared to be made with leather.

Has anyone here worn shoes like that? Did they help you if you have sensitive feet?

I generally go for Karrimor walking boots/trainers. I find this sort of footware the most comfortable.

Do you mean sensitive as in can't stand having seams in particular places which rub against your feet, or needing shoes which are a perfect fit rather than which are an average fit?

My feet are very wide with a high instep and I blister easily and react badly to seams which rub against my feet. At one point I was actually considering going to evening classes to learn how to make my own shoes! Instead, I found a small, family run shoe shop where the people actually know their stock very well and take great care of their customers and their individual needs. The ladies who run the shop are very good at advising on the particular makes of shoes and whether they are likely to suit me or not. I find I keep buying shoes and boots by the same designer/company as they suit my feet very well.

It might be worth seeing if there is any similar shoe shop in your area. The one I go to isn't any more expensive, and is often cheaper, than chain stores.

I dont have "sensitivity issues" with shoes but Im hard to fit. My feet are not bulky enough to fill out the shoe. I still need the length. So I have to tie the shoes up a long way which distorts the shape and make them uncomfortable. What I found works is getting cheap thin insoles (not the moulded ones), folding them once and inserting them between my foot and the tongue of the shoe. Is it called a tongue? well just under the laces. The insoles are softer and only take a moment to shift into place.

ps I have had hand made shoes and didnt find them any more comfortable.

The best shoes I have ever had were some New Balances'. They were like $150.

On a side not, almost every pair of shoes I have had that is not leather has the top part just by my toe worn out from walking on my toes - something I never knew I used to do.

I probably should since it seems like I stand on my heels excessively and by the end of the day it hurts to walk. Thankfully there is a couple custom shops in my town that will make custom boots/shoes. Been around for 101 years. My dad's work beats that by 3 years.

thanks for the tip

Hmm... flexible shoes, huh? I've looked into flexible shoes because I got interested in going barefoot and the pro-barefoot sites talked a lot about the mechanics of the foot and how it's much better to wear flexible shoes (when you're not barefoot) ...and there are a lot of shoes now that are trying to go in that direction, but most of them are really funny looking running shoes. XD;
But I just googled "flexible shoes" and "flexible work shoes" and got some interesting looking links, so you might want to do the same. :3

I think you can probably find some good shoes without having to order handmade ones or spend a lot of cash. My favorite pair of shoes cost me $20 and are very flexible and high quality, but they're sandals which doesn't sound like what you're looking for.

I like sketchers. They fit well, and last decently. Though my right foot drags sometimes if I'm not careful/the nerve is not playing along, so the toe of that side is tore up. Bout time for a new pair, I think.

I am longing to try these shoes:



They're called 'Vibram Fivefingers' and have a flexible rubber sole that fits really close over your foot, and the separate toes. They're supposed to be like going barefoot, except you don't get hurt stepping on sharp stuff. Also, the manufacturer's site's blurb about the 'biomechanics' implies that wearing them makes NTs toe-walk (the lack of padded heel means that walking with a hard heel-strike as most people do will result in bruises, and people must practice to get used to wearing the weird shoes) and that toe-walking is actually how humans are supposed to go.

Has anybody tried them?

I am on a running list that has discussed these footcovers rather extensively. It seems that one of the hardest things for folks with sensitive feet to adapt to is the feeling of lots of material between the toes. But still a lot of folks swear by them, once they get used to it. Not for me, as I need my orthotics.

I have hard-to-fit feet, plus being very sensitive to seams, so it is a trial to find either running or regular shoes. Generally when I find a model that actually works, I invest as much money as I can afford in more pairs. As a result I have very few kinds of shoes. I usually wear spent running shoes as everyday, spent everyday as gardening, then I toss them. No girlie shoes for me.

I have considered custom-made in the past, but can't afford them now. Plus I have heard more horror stories than satisfied-customer stories.

I wouldn't wear those separated toe shoes. what if you bang your foot into something? If it's a small tree or the corner of something, it will go between your toes, and hurt even more. Plus, you'll have to buy a bunch of toed socks. Pebbles could get stuck in there too, you'll spend more time plucking crap out from between your toes than you will walking.

It took me years to find comfortable shoes, but I think it's because my feet are weird, and not due to any special sensitivity. I got new balance running shoes, then I put in some blue gels from a pharmacy. I wanted black dress shoes, but they all hurt my feet too much, and nobody makes sneakers that look like regular shoes. I don't like the looks of modern sneakers, but comfort is more important.

Buying shoes is difficult. It takes a lot of shops and fitting. My foot is a bit broader than usual. I am happy with Ecco shoes most of the times, but sometimes other ones. In the past I could find shoes for 30 euros that were fine, but now I am in the more expensive shoes. Last time I bought some of 200 euros. So I am careful with the shoes and keep them in good condition.

When I buy shoes that are not fitting perfectly in the shop I regret it later and get really irritated with the shoes.