# What a difference a shoe makes. My toes are happy! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 6, 2008, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-a-difference-a-shoe-makes-my-toes-are-happy/462413 "2008-09-06T23:37:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2008, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-a-difference-a-shoe-makes-my-toes-are-happy/462413/21 "2008-09-08T19:50:23Z")
> [@jsgoddess](#): > > I went to that store to try on Birkenstocks. My husband has a pair of sandals, and I had put on a couple of pairs of socks and was clumping around in them to see how it felt. It felt good, so I went to try on something in my size. > > They didn’t have any closed shoes, though, and I’m not a sandals sort of person, so the Earth Shoes saved me. I’m so glad you found something that feels good and fits your lifestyle! For future reference, if you ever do want to try Birkenstocks, they do make a number of styles in closed-toe styles; clogs as well as some more “normal-looking” shoes. [Birkenstockcentral.com](http://Birkenstockcentral.com) is where I order my sandals (and clogs) from. I haven’t tried their “normal” shoes (it’s hard to find “women’s” styles in my size) and would be nervous of buying such a thing over the internet, but it’s there. I think the parent company also sells Earth shoes when you want to shop for spares. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2008, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-a-difference-a-shoe-makes-my-toes-are-happy/462413/22 "2008-09-08T20:16:06Z")
> [@eleanorigby](#): > > O… > However, I do want to check with my podiatrist because while I was waiting to be waited on, I tried on some MBTs that were on the floor next to me (they were my size). OMG–instant relief from everything. Here is a link: > > [MBT](http://www.swissmasaius.com/Default.aspx?lang=en-US) > They are a very unusual shoe. They are ugly (sorry, but to me they are). They make me about 5’10" (or it feels like it). But the utter comfort of those shoes. I didn’t want to take them off. Wow… those things _are_ fugly. On the other hand… if they have half the benefits the web page promises, they might be worth it! But I’d be afraid I’d stumble with them on (I’ve got proprioceptive issues that have led to broken bones). Of course my beloved Birks aren’t exactly beautiful, and I’ve stumbled going up stairs in them… ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2008, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-a-difference-a-shoe-makes-my-toes-are-happy/462413/23 "2008-09-08T20:50:46Z")
I remember seeing these thongs in a catalog and dismissed them as hype, but now I wonder if they would be interesting, for those who like thongs (I don’t): [http://www.footsmart.com/P-Fit-Flop-Womens-Walkstar-Thongs-71955.aspx](http://www.footsmart.com/P-Fit-Flop-Womens-Walkstar-Thongs-71955.aspx) ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2008, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-a-difference-a-shoe-makes-my-toes-are-happy/462413/24 "2008-09-09T22:27:22Z")
My Lazers arrived this afternoon! Now, that is quick. I have them on and they feel good. They do look dorky (my white no ankle socks don’t help much there, nor do my capri pants), but I’m comfy! ---
**Author:** ![JustThinkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@JustThinkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JustThinkin)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2008, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-a-difference-a-shoe-makes-my-toes-are-happy/462413/25 "2008-09-10T00:40:24Z")
This thread makes me want to go shoe shopping (can’t afford to right now). I have neuromas - mild but multiple. These sound promising. ---
**Author:** ![Master\_Shake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f17d59/32.png) [@Master\_Shake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Master_Shake)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2008, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-a-difference-a-shoe-makes-my-toes-are-happy/462413/26 "2008-09-10T02:05:36Z")
My college-student shoes are usually as uncomfortable as $12 Wal-mart shoes can be. These make me wish I were a real person and could afford things. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![kittenblue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ba8739/32.png) [@kittenblue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kittenblue)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2008, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-a-difference-a-shoe-makes-my-toes-are-happy/462413/27 "2008-09-14T22:39:59Z")
Okay, I was so inspired by this thread I went to Dillard’s and tried on [these](http://zapp.me/z7421390) and I am seriously in love. I need shoes that will look good with dresses and hose, and these are perfect. I have wide feet, and the girl who waited on me said while they don’t come in wide widths, they run wide…and these fit perfectly. They are on hold for me. But the price is what is stopping me…I have never paid over $40 for shoes, much less $139. Of course, the reason my feet and knees and ankles are in such bad shape is probably my inclination to stick to $20 and $10 shoes from PayLess and KMart. I need to win a lottery in the next four days. Sigh. Oh, and the ones I tried on and want aren’t the patent leather…just regular black leather, which Zappos didn’t have at the moment. ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2008, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-a-difference-a-shoe-makes-my-toes-are-happy/462413/28 "2008-09-14T23:29:41Z")
Are they cheaper through Zappo’s? Mine were and they delivered them in 2 days instead of the 3-5 that they promised. I like those shoes you picked out. I’ve decided that with shoes, you get what you pay for (I am not talking about high end fashion here). I’ve bought cheap shoes and “good” shoes–everytime I’ve regretted the cheap ones. Sad fact of life… ---
**Author:** ![kittenblue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ba8739/32.png) [@kittenblue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kittenblue)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2008, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-a-difference-a-shoe-makes-my-toes-are-happy/462413/29 "2008-09-14T23:35:32Z")
> [@eleanorigby](#): > > Are they cheaper through Zappo’s? Mine were and they delivered them in 2 days instead of the 3-5 that they promised. > > I like those shoes you picked out. I’ve decided that with shoes, you get what you pay for (I am not talking about high end fashion here). I’ve bought cheap shoes and “good” shoes–everytime I’ve regretted the cheap ones. Sad fact of life… Every source I looked at had the exact same price for these shoes…$139. Though one store here in town was $139.95! The one site that discounts Earth Shoes only has discontinued ones… I’m just wondering if they will help with the athritis is my knees and ankles, or make it worse. I don’t have plantar fascitis any more…never could spell that… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-a-difference-a-shoe-makes-my-toes-are-happy/462413.md?page=1)