Brand–new SA Needs Help With Aching Feet

Hello ––– I'm new to this group, and I wondered if any of you are, or
were, Sales Associates .... I just started a job in retail, launching a
new store location during holiday season, so I had to hit the ground
running! I love it because it's fun, stimulating, and exhilarating, but
OH MY ACHING FEET!! I have support hose and EasySpirit Comfort shoes
(not fashionable, which is a bummer) and 2 pairs of Born clogs .... but
I also have a stubborn corn as well as plantar fasciitis. Do I need to
actually see a podiatrist, or do you have any tips for the most
comfortable, supportive shoes in the world that aren't
orthopedic–looking? Many, many thanks for any help you may offer!

"Connyc" <connycl...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1132711478.836158.82...@g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
Do I need to
Some may argue that they don't look orthopedic, but have you tried Danskos?
I have very flat feet and they are the only shoes that I can wear for very
long periods of time.
JennP.

On 22 Nov 2005 18:04:38 –0800, "Connyc" <connycl...@hotmail.com>
wrote:
I really like these, and they seem to get good reviews from people who
are on their feet all day: http://www.zappos.com/n/p/p/7166861.html
I wear mine nearly every day.
Lauri in WA

Ah, the joys of retail during the holidays. it makes my heart sing......
ok. yeah right. that was me being a smartass. I too am a sales wench at
a holiday heavy store... (I'll give you a hint, we sell cards). anyway.
shoes.
yeah, give up on the thought of super stylish shoes, because most of them
will hurt your feet. I decided a long time ago working in heels is insane
in retail, and no one is going to tell me otherwise. :–P I'm not sure what
your dress code is, but using my store as an example, I'll give you what
I've found to be bearable for anywhere from 3–10 hours on the feet. dress
code at my store is brown or black solid colored dress shoes or white
sneakers. now, granted I don't really follow color rules I've worn happily:
Brown Sketchers with afroken rainbow laces (because one had to insult the
school's uniform some how). wore them to school then to work for almost two
years straight. they held up very well.
http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/4683383/c/22354.html this is almost what I
had, being as I don't think they are still making the same style of
sketchers I bought back in august of '01 when I was a junior in high school.
they were great, and I was sad to see them die one morning not too long
before I graduated.
various Wal–Mart/target sneakers. the latest installment of those are a
pair of white champs with dr. scholls gel inserts with the same rainbow
laces from the shoes above.
navy blue north face hiking boots from sports authority. again, my pair is
older, been through the everglades, and evidently no longer being made, but
this is similar: http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/2251491/c/24173.html they've
held up very well, and are very comfortable.
a pair of black timberlands with the dr. scholls gel inserts.
http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/1400110/c/3.html these are the exact ones, I'm
pretty sure. I also wear these with my black suit for my other job as a
photographer, where I'm standing for two hours at a clip while holding a 15
or so pound camera up to my face for that entire time. my mother also wears
these when she has to where the pants version of her uniform, and she stands
up most of the day, and has no problem with them.
for me, I've found that those inserts are worth the 10 bucks you pay for
them. they make usually unwearable shoes comfy, and comfy shoes wonderful
to work in (or skate in if you toss them in a pair of blades).
however... it just got through my head you said you needed good arch
support... hrm.... exnay on the cheap sneakers. north face boots and tims
both have good support. perhaps the dr. scholls supports could help as
well?
just thought I'd share my experience from 4 years in the trenches. btw,
what sort of retail is it you're working in?
patricia


"Connyc" <connycl...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1132711478.836158.82...@g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...

"Connyc" <connycl...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1132711478.836158.82...@g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
The best thing I've ever done for my feet was to see a podiatrist.
Perhaps you need orthotics for your shoes.

ahmward wrote:
I agree with ahmward, it would be a very good idea to see a podiatrist.
I highly recommend Red Wings as they specialize in shoes for people
who are on their feet for hours on end. They're not gorgeous, but
they're not an awful looking shoe either. Oh, also wear a lace–up shoe
no matter what brand you buy. A lace–up shoe will give you MUCH more
foot support than any slip–on, no matter who makes it. Take my word
for it as someone who works 12 hour shifts.

I wear black Ecco 'Cosmo' sandals with black trouser socks for chorus
performances when we stand for one hour stretches. Under the long
black skirt, no one sees them but I am com–feeeee. I also add a Dr.
Scholls gel insert under the ball of the foot.

Conny, I'm a teacher, on my feet most of the day and like to look good.
I've found Danskos to be supportive, comfortable and reasonably good
looking. You can get good prices online via ebay, Shoedawg,or the
Dansko outlet.
lynne

I can't justify looks over comfort any longer, especially when discomfort so
often is actual PAIN! My recent favorites for comfort shoes in which I can
stand and walk for hours are the Cole Haan/Air mules. I have the Air
Marquesas clogs and the Air Balboa. They usually come in black plus other
colors. Not sure if your employer would allow such casual shoes.


"Snowy Rose" <pikachu14...@ mindspring.com> wrote in message
news:ilTgf.2370$aA2.2...@newsread2.news.atl.earthlink.net...
at
what
happily:
two
school.
is
but
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tims

Hi all –
THANKS SO MUCH for your responses – your thoughtful advice was greatly
appreciated! I'm thrilled that you told me about Zappo's .... several
possibilities there, for sure.
Snowy rose, I'm in women's specialty fashion retail which requires
looking relatively chic (we're supposed to represent the style we sell)
combined with intensive customer service, so I'm constantly zooming
from fitting rooms to selling floor to stockroom to registers, over 'n'
over 'n' over.
However, real casual footwear like Skechers would not be appropriate,
I'm afraid. That's my dilemma – I need super comfort with some more
dressiness, refinement and style.
itsjoann, I do have a pair of extremely comfortable, supportive Red
Wings, but they're construction boots. Love 'em! Great during the
old–house restoration part of my life, but alas, not for this
particular retail job.
So I'm now focusing on Dansko and Ecco, and/or gel inserts, and
tomorrow's my day off so I'll be on the hunt. If nothing turns up in in
my immediate real–life shopping region, then Zappo's it is. BTW, I'll
also be shopping for one of those Pollenex jet–spa foot
soaking/massaging things!
I'll pursue whatever it takes in the way of foot comfort. I love my job
(even on Black Friday which was brisk but thankfully not insane in our
store.) Happy feet make a happy, helpful salesperson!
With my sincere gratitude for all your help,
Connyc

Connyc wrote:
Red Wings makes other shoes besides work boots, if you care to check
them out. Good luck to you in your quest! Achy feet are misery.

"lynne" <dcroo76...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:1133109839.369205.314...@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com...
Because of all the raves, I bought a pair of Danskos ankle boots. They are
different from the clogs in that they have a heel.
http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/7831094/c/60.html
They look great with jeans, but (I'm dating myself here) do you remember the
Steve Martin bit The Cruel Shoes? That's what they are. The only thing
they don't do is give me blisters, but I'm sure if I could keep them on long
enough they would. They seem to fit perfectly, but after 10 minutes wear,
the balls of my foot and my heels experience shooting pain. like walking on
sharp rocks. I have tried multiple types of insoles, but the upper is a
little snug and I don't have a lot of room for a thick insole. Not to
mention they are supposed to be comforable shoes, so I didn't think for the
price I would have to jump through hoops. Unfortunately I wore them out of
the store, and they showed wear quickly on the sole and a crease at the toe
bend so I felt funny returning them. I am so dissappointed, and I guess
will keep trying inserts until they wear in. Hopefully the black cherry
blossom ugg boots on their way will be more comfortable ;).
On topic, I prefer Naots, and they have some fashionable shoes mixed in with
the comfort styles.
Ami

In article <438b86e...@nntp2.nac.net>, "Ami" <amia...@nac.net> wrote:
Oh, I wish you had asked about them before you bought them! I could have
warned you that they're nothing like the clogs when it comes to comfort.
I have a pair of black Dansko pumps with a sole and heel that look just
like the sole and heel of the boots you purchased. I agree that they're
far from comfortable to wear all day, which has been disappointing to
me. However, I will remain addicted to my ever–expanding collection of
Dansko Professionals!
Stacy

"Stacy Ferguson" <stac...@stacyef.net> wrote in message
news:stacyef–DABC61.20394228112...@news.newsguy.com...
Ack! see where impulse buys get ya! I was in my everyday dowdy clogs in a
fancy mall, in The Walking co. (always have good luck with them), the boots
fit well and looked cool right off the bat, and I'd been worn down by the
raves for danskos. There really was no hope in this case.
I have to just stick with zappos and check here first. I hope I've learned
my lesson.
Ami

"Connyc" <connycl...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1133056688.849986.208...@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com...
I've been told (by waitresses) that Dansko clogs are the official footwear
of waitresses and cooks. (Cooks stand and waitpersons walk.) I bought my
first Dansko clogs after that conversation and wore them to death.
How wonderful that you love your job. That is really important!