I'm hoping you guys can help me out with some suggestions. My MIL is very overweight and is trying/has been trying to lose some weight. She has a treadmill that she walks on every day despite lots of problems with her knees. Last time I visited her, she told me that she does her exercise wearing Birkenstock sandals because her feet and ankles are extremely swollen from vascular damage and from obesity: she can't find shoes that fit properly over her feet. The Birkenstocks, apparently, are the only shoes that she can really fit on. But, of course, they are not great for exercising in, and they're hurting her feet, causing massive calluses and generally working as a disincentive to exercise.
Does anyone know of a brand of sneakers or walking shoes that could work for someone with extremely swollen feet and ankles? It strikes me that my MIL can't be the only person with this kind of problem!
Just a couple of ideas--the shoes that have velcro closure straps over the top are a good idea for someone whose feet swell. You can try FootSmart.com, or also New Balance makes some athletic shoes for women that have velcro straps and range in size to 2X width and size 13:
There are also some brands of shoes specifically meant for diabetics and other people with foot swelling and special needs. I remember trying on some in a few small privately owned shoe stores (I highly recommend a visit to one if you have one nearby. These guys really know shoe brands and foot problems). Anyway, there was one I remember that had a microfiber spandex or lycra knit upper. It looked like any other walking shoe, but the fabric actually stretched with your foot as you slipped your foot into the shoe. It was a "hard" stretch in that it hugged and supported the foot - like an elastic bandage, not like a sock. I don't remember the maker, as I ended up selecting a different shoe.
I have foot swelling issues also, and I buy Birkenstock, Haeflinger, and for exercise and walking longer distances, New Balance. My husband used to work in a shoestore, and he encouraged me to buy men's New Balance (the styles are virtually identical) because they fit a wide foot better. You have to buy 1.5 to 2 sizes smaller in a men's shoe. For example I wear a 9.5 - 10 in women's and a 7.5 to 8 in men's.
I have a mesh shoe from New Balance that really helps with my swelling foot problems. It wasn't in a chain store where I found it -- it was at a regular shoe store. This was the only place I could find something wide enough.
Bless her for walking in her Birks!! In my last pregnancy I got VERY swollen towards the end and the only shoe that I could wear was a New Balance 2-wide width. I would 2nd taking MIL into a speciality shoe store though. Those people really know their shoes!
also...depending on where you guys are...look for a store specializing in feet problems. We have one here called foot solutions and they have very wide feet. They will be more expensive...but she will need the width and extra support.
My mom also has a problem with her feet and ankles swelling in addition to diabetes and obesity. We were able to find a pair of sketchers that have elastic "laces" that fit her nicely. The laces don't need to be tied, you just put your feet inside and the laces stretch to the needed width. She says they are very comfortable.
Shoe Problem
