Formal Work Shoes for Flat Feet Sufferer

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  the-mal on 05/12/2014 - 10:07

  I know you've got a $150 budget but I just thought I'd share. I'm in work shoes 6 days a week, I walk a lot and my feet would KILL after every day. I used to drop ~$100-150 on work shoes and they'd be dead within 6 months.

  Last year I forked out for some Loake shoes after procrastinating for ages. I tried them on in David Jones to find my size then ordered them online from the UK store Pediwear. They set me back $300 (for the premium 1880 range). http://www.pediwear.co.uk/loake.php

  I've had them for a year. They look brand new still. Haven't even had to think about getting them resoled yet (probably will after another year). And every day it's like walking on a cloud. No pain. If they get scuffed I give them a wax and polish and they look brand new again. I expect they'll last me many, many more years (people keep these shoes for decades and they still look great) and my feet love me.

  I know it's double your budget, but if you could save up for longer I'd totally do it. I procrastinated for MONTHS before getting these but I'd do it again in a heartbeat. Best decision I've ever made for my feet.

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    BarginHunter on 05/12/2014 - 15:13

    Thanks for the suggestion. I appreciate it. I'll look into it further but I think for the time being I'd rather stick to something closer to my budget.

    If I could wait any longer I would, but lately I've been spending a bit more time on my feet and it's killing me. By the time my feet ache so much I just want to lay down.

    Thanks again.

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  hurtsville on 05/12/2014 - 12:12

  As a fellow sufferer of flat and wide feet, I recommend getting a pair of good Hush Puppies. I've had many pairs of work shoes and they've been the best. They got a couple features like "Extra Wide" sizing and "Bounce Technology" which feels great when I walk. Plus you can get them from a physical store like Myer and they are around your budget.

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    BarginHunter on 05/12/2014 - 15:18

    Thanks for the response, I've heard good things about Hush Puppies but I've never actually tried them myself. Any specific hush puppies you recommend?

    I saw that they had $10 off so I looked on their site briefly and I discovered these http://www.hushpuppies.com.au/catalog/product/view/id/70237/… not sure if you know much about them.

    Thanks.

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  SimbaGirl on 05/12/2014 - 15:43

  +1

  I sympathise - i've always had problems getting shoes to fit, I don't have flat feet as such however I have "short but broad" feet (I'm female, by the way!) which meant painful cramped toes and I ALWAYS had dreadful problems with shoes rubbing, causing blisters and raw spots on my heels, no matter what style of shoe I bought or how much I spent! Then a few years ago I was looking for some decent walking shoes for a holiday we were planning in Europe and came across Keen brand shoes, and I've been hooked ever since. They're the only shoes I've ever worn that never needed to be "worn in", I just put them on and off I go, no problems at all. I was delighted when I found out they had a work dress shoe version as well and I bought mine from The Walking Company in Melbourne - here's the link to the male version of these shoes :) - http://www.thewalkingcompany.com.au/shop/ptc-dress-oxford-bl…. They're $148 so are just within your budget.

  i'm on my feet at lot at work, going back and forth between different departments and also like to go for a decent walk at lunchtime, and these shoes have been brilliant. I've been wearing the same pair for two years and they're still going strong. The store is in the Melbourne CBD, so not sure how easy that would be to get to for you? Might be worth a look anyway.