Not for the faint of heart - but I love these!

When I first learned about my neuroma, I pictured myself wearing clumpy looking Danskos with all of my nicer dresses. I resigned myself to a place of frumpy shoes. Thankfully, with a bit of looking, I've been able to find fabulous shoes that work with my neuroma. It isn't every shoe, mind you, but once in a while you find that sweet spot of fashionable AND neuroma-happiness. Clark's Amelia Roma is one of those. I spotted these at the mall and almost didn't try them on - the rise looked too high and impossible to wear. But I tried them on anyway ... and wow. LOVED THEM ON! The drop isn't as crazy as it looks with the platform in front. Walkable (within reason) - no need to be dropped off at the door of the restaurant ... I'll walk in wearing these awesome shoes, thank you. And don't mind if we take a stroll afterward to show off these awesome shoes. I just bought these and will update with a road report after a few times out. Now to get the husband to take me out for an awesome dinner to wear these babies out!

Summer's still here - and it is time for more sandals!

I've tried on a BUNCH of Dansko sandals this summer, and I haven't been impressed.  Dansko is modifying the footbed and I have to say - I'm not a fan!

The Dansko Jessie stays with the traditional and beloved Dansko footbed.  Dansko upped the ante this season by adding more fun colors and leather patterns.   My personal favorite:  Jessie in Pewter.

Dansko Drea Fisherman Sandal

Love the mixed-metallics on this one - it would go with so many outfits!  Also comes in black, white, turquoise.  Currently on sale at Amazon.  The only thing holding me back is that I'm lazy when it comes to buckles ... I like to slide into sandals.  But these are so cute I might have to overcome that lazy factor.

Update:  just decided to order these, so I'll post a road-review once they arrive and I try them out!

Jambu Sugar Wedge Sandal

Spotted the Jambu Sugar Wedge sandal on Amazon - sooo much fun! Black is classic but the red has stolen my heart. I've had other Jambu sandals (also known as J-41) and have loved them.  Great soles and long lasting.  I have a pair of Jambu Sugar Wedges on order and will update a roadtest of the sandal as soon as it arrives!

 

Danskos on sale at Zulily today!

Danskos on sale at Zulily today - including some cute sandals.

http://www.zulily.com/e/dansko-171747.html

North Face Shellista II Tall Winter/Snow Boot

We live in Colorado, and just had a major snowstorm, dumping 16" of snow on us. Each day I trudge up to school and have been jealous of moms wearing cute, stylish, warm tall winter boots. Me, I was up there with freezing cold feet in Danksos. Then I saw these in the mall the other night - the North Face Shellista II. I like the styling of the North Face Shellista II better than its cousin, the Thermoball - but both are built on the same sole. It is surprisingly hard to find a good snow boot with an inflexible sole.

North Face Thermoball Winter / Snow Boot

It is surprisingly hard to find a good quality winter/snow boot that has an inflexible sole.  Sorels are so flexy you can tie them into a pretzel knot!

But the North Face Thermoball is cute and the sole is inflexible and built like a rocker - and looks good too!  It comes in a variety of colors.

Jambu (J-41) Journey Sandal

I have several pairs of Jambu sandals, and I love them.  As comfortable as Danskos - built with an inflexible sole - but without screaming "I AM A CLOG".  I have two pairs with varying heel heights, and both are very comfortable for long days of walking.

So I was super excited to see this new sandal from Jambu - the Journey.  It comes in a rainbow of shades - so you can be way more creative than the usual black or neutral offerings.  It is summer - show off your fun toe polish with a pop of color in your shoes!  I haven't been able to find these to try them on just yet, but the sole looks identical to the sandals I already own.  I have a pair ordered and will update it once I've had a chance to try them on!

Altra Olympus Trail-Running Shoes

I spotted these at REI last night, on the sale rack. The sole is inflexible, with a rocker built into the bottom - very similar to Hoka One One! I'm super excited to have an alternative to Hokas for running with neuromas - Hokas are sooooooo expensive. These weren't in my size, but I'm going to try a pair soon.

You can check them out at Amazon - Altra Women's Olympus and Altra Women's Olympus 2.

Super fun bootie!

I am completely CRAZY about these sandals - Abeo Kamela. I tried them on in person, and can attest that the sole is inflexible along with great arch support. They do have a slightly higher heel than most Danskos, but I will still wear them out for dressier occasions. Would I walk miles in them? No ... but to look awesome for dinner out with the hubby in Mexico next month? YES!!!!

Running Shoes -- Trail Running

Four years ago, when I learned I had Morton's Neuroma, I thought that meant that my running days were over. Thankfully, a brand new shoe had just hit the market that took the rocker-sole concept and applied it to a running shoe. A few generations later, the shoes just keep getting better and better.

Meet ... Hoka One One. The shoes are pricey, but amazing for feet with neuromas. The sole literally does not flex - instead, the sole is shaped like a rocker to allow you to run. Despite the tall nature of the shoes, I've found them very stable while running Colorado's rugged terrain. I've had several generations of the Stinson trail shoes from Hoka, and the latest iteration is my favorite - the Stinson 3 ATR.

I completed the Aspen Golden Leaf Half Marathon this fall in the Stinson 3 ATR - a rugged trail half marathon over rugged terrain - sidehills, rocks,  stream crossings just to name a few.  The shoes were terrific and my feet felt great.

 The shoes are pricey - but SO WORTH IT to keep running pain free.

Wintertime means boots ... the Dansko Markie & Maria boots

Wintertime, at least in mountainous Colorado, means boots.  And today we're talking fun, fashionable boots (no clunky MoonBoots or Sorels here!).

Meet the Dansko Markie and Maria boots - super cute, looks great with jeans, leggings, you name it.  These boots are no-compromise ... fun, fashionable, and keep your feet happy. One caveat: although the sole looks like wood, it isn't real wood and has a small amount of flexibility.  Check it out on Amazon for more colors.

What exactly is a Morton's Neuroma?

For me, it started with a sensation on the bottom of my right foot - as if I had a small pebble stuck there.  But actually looking at the bottom of my foot, it was clear nothing was there.  It was more than a little mind-warping, actually.  I mean, I could FEEL it when I stood on my right foot ... and yet nothing was there.

The first podiatrist I saw was useless.  "Just purchase custom orthotics for $600".

The second podiatrist I saw was awesome and explained what was going on with my foot:  a Morton's Neuroma (or Intermetatarsal Neuroma).

In general, a neuroma is a thickening of nerve tissue.   A Morton's Neuroma is a thickening of the nerve tissue between the metatarsal bones of the foot - the bones where your toes connect to the foot, or the ball of the foot as it is commonly called.  Over time, due to the way your foot was made, the shoe choices you made or trauma, the nerve inbetween those bones can get irritated and thickens.  When this happens, the nerve gets compressed and nerve damage occurs.

Each person has an individual reaction to a Morton's Neuroma, and symptoms can vary.  I felt like I had a rock in my foot; other people report tingling or numbness or pain.  If you'd like to read more about Morton's Neuroma, I recommend this link:  http://www.foothealthfacts.org/footankleinfo/mortons-neuroma.htm

My podiatrist said the easiest, non-surgical option was to wear shoes that did not bend.  If the shoe doesn't bend, then the metatarsal bones don't flex, and the nerve doesn't get irritated.  The shoe fashionista in me whined and cried at the thought of putting on a pair of ... shudder ... Dankos.  But I have to give credit where credit is due ...  Danskos have totally fixed the issue for me.

A fashionable shoe life beyond Danskos

Now, don't get me wrong.  I love Danskos.  I credit them with saving me from foot surgery to fix my Morton's Neuroma.  But, at my heart, I am a shoe freak.  I LOVE shoes.  It gave me great pain when the podiatrist took a look at my footwear collection and said it all had to go.... little pointy-toed kitten heels, drop dead gorgeous high heels, ballet flats, fashion sneakers.

My beautiful shoe collection needed to be replaced with shoes that have a non-bendable sole and a wide toebox, to avoid irritating the Morton's Neuroma.  Wooden-soled clogs like Danskos certainly fit that bill, but leave a lot to be desired in the fashion-forward department.  There are other options out there, but it can take a lot of searching to find them.

This being the great digital age, I thought surely someone would have compiled a current list of shoes that are stiff soled with a wide toebox but no go.

And so I promise you ... I will scour Nordstroms, Dillards, Zappos, and other shoe retailers looking for neuroma-friendly shoe options that are fashionable too.