# Dress shoes for a guy with gout **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 29, 2021, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dress-shoes-for-a-guy-with-gout/943150 "2021-05-29T02:51:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![romansperson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/romansperson/32/17100_2.png) [@romansperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romansperson)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2021, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dress-shoes-for-a-guy-with-gout/943150/1 "2021-05-29T02:51:34Z")
I know there’s a few folks here with The Gout. My husband was diagnosed with it a few years ago, and between that and just general aging, the Cole Haan leather dress shoes he’s had for 25-ish years are no longer comfortable for him to wear. Fortunately his case has been pretty mild and he’s worked out what he needs to do to keep the worst symptoms at bay, but things still ain’t what they used to be. He does need one pair of plain black dress shoes, and we’ll go shopping for them in the next few days to a week, so if anyone has any recs on anything that’s comfortable but nice enough to wear with dress pants, I’m all ears 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![GaryM](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garym/32/241_2.png) [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2021, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dress-shoes-for-a-guy-with-gout/943150/2 "2021-05-29T14:08:10Z")
I can’t answer your question directly, but if you’re in a reasonably large city, there are stores that specialize in fitting folks with foot issues. A podiatrist could also make a recommendation for where to look. I have “hammer toes” and can go to several stores that carry shoes with high toe boxes that leave room that I need. ---
**Author:** ![romansperson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/romansperson/32/17100_2.png) [@romansperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romansperson)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2021, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dress-shoes-for-a-guy-with-gout/943150/3 "2021-05-29T14:20:34Z")
That’s a good idea - I do know there’s a couple stores in the area that do custom fittings, so we can look into that. ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2021, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dress-shoes-for-a-guy-with-gout/943150/4 "2021-05-29T14:25:31Z")
No personal experience, but this popped up with a quick Google search: > **[Wide Toe Box Shoes Mens | Healthy Feet Store](https://www.healthyfeetstore.com/mens-wide-toe-box.html#/?Cataloggender=Men&Catalognfeature=Wide+Toe+Box&Catalogagegroup=Adult&search_return=all&Catalognstyle=Dress)** > > Shop a wide variety of Doctor Recommended Wide Toe Box Shoes, Boots, Sandals and more for Men at Healthy Feet Store! We offer FREE shipping, FREE exchanges, EASY returns and a 100% Price Match Guarantee! I specified “wide toe box” and “dress” Good luck ! ---
**Author:** ![romansperson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/romansperson/32/17100_2.png) [@romansperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romansperson)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2021, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dress-shoes-for-a-guy-with-gout/943150/5 "2021-05-29T14:37:39Z")
Thanks. I know he won’t want to buy anything online, but that site gives us an idea of what brands to look for. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2021, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dress-shoes-for-a-guy-with-gout/943150/6 "2021-05-29T15:05:58Z")
Look into visiting a local orthotics provider. They can make custom shoes, custom shoe inserts, etc. as appropriate. and allopurinol is a great drug for preventing acute gout attacks for most folks. But if there are significant bony changes due to gout, then it’s either surgery or special footwear or both that may be needed. ---
**Author:** ![romansperson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/romansperson/32/17100_2.png) [@romansperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romansperson)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2021, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dress-shoes-for-a-guy-with-gout/943150/7 "2021-05-29T15:10:12Z")
Thankfully there are not - his case is pretty mild in comparison to some others I’ve read about here.