I found the best shoes ever! And believe me, I’ve had numerous shoes, like a centipede might need if they weren’t bugs. Now some of you may not be familiar with that disgusting crawly but they have multiple legs and move really fast. Living in the Southwest, you can’t help but see them. Heaven forbid that I have disgusting legs, but I do move really fast and the comfort of my feet is truly important.

Okay, here’s my case for needing this best shoes ever! Who among you have had Plantar Fasciitis? If you’ve had it, you know it. Also called heel spurs, they hurt like (h-ll) fury. It’s a burning sensation with a severe deep ache in the heel of your foot. It hurts even when you’re not walking. Get on your feet and you’re not sure how far walking will take you. I’ve always had the good fortune of having good shoes. All through high school, I had the best. Became a runner, completing half marathons, and continued to purchase the best for cushion and support. Over fifteen years ago I developed heel spurs and suffered for months, even with custom made orthotics, and even with ice treatments and exercises designed to help. Preparing for a tour of Europe, I seriously did not know how I could make the trip and enjoy it.

Before my departure, I finally opted for what I had been told would be painful injections in each heel. Yes, I had Plantar Fasciitis in both feet. With fear and trepidation, I met with the doc and he gave me the heel injections. Honestly, those shots did not hurt and instead, I felt sweet relief! I toured Europe pain free and became a fan of Berks – the popular sandal that, feeling hip, I wore for years. And if not in the sandals, used my orthotics in each shoe.

Fast forward. It’s today and in my review of the past many years, I recall rarely wearing my orthotics. I wore Berks usually only at home and continued to buy good shoes. I had no more trouble with plantar facetious. Then I bought a darling pair of new shoes  and received many compliments on my charming, trendy shoes. Obviously, wore them quite a lot. The severe pain, this time only in my right heel, suddenly returned. It seemed as if the pain came from nowhere, but I quickly knew the culprit. The darling shoe, which offered no support and could not accommodate my orthotic, was to blame. So back to the doctor I went. He gave me a series of exercises including: 1) Using a rolled towel under the toes, pull to stretch the foot before getting up from a chair and each time when getting out of bed, 2)Fill a plastic bottle with water, freeze it and roll my foot across it for 15 minutes at least three times a day; 3) Ice it when possible; 4) etc. Well, people, I work full time – every 15 minutes? Surely, Doc was dreaming. I tried but was terribly inconsistent. I needed new sandals. I had been told about these kind of peculiar looking shoes. They had come well recommended but I hadn’t realized this company made a leather sandal until I found some. Bought them and wore them every moment possible all summer, everything but sleep in them. Sweet relief came quickly, as if I had shots in the heel. I quit ding the foot exercises and my heel is wonderful! My feet feel good!

Now I realize this won’t work for everyone, and I’m not one to ignore the doctor. An out-of-state visitor came to my home last week and was limping like crazy with heel spurs. Her doctor had taught her to wrap her foot. We discussed the benefits of heel injections, but the best part was she tried on my favorite shoes (unbelievably we wear the same size). She had no pain when walking in them. Seriously, there is something about the soft strike of the heel coupled with the forward motion that seems to make the difference. I’m told, other manufactures are offering something similar, but I have to say with this foot problem, I don’t trust another shoe.

After my use of the summer sandal, I wondered what I could wear for work through the winter. Guess what! There are some cute Mary Jane styles in both black and brown, also a casual but better than tennis shoe look in black suede with glitzy shoelaces. I am set. My feet feel good in these shoes!

Oh, BTW, I failed to mention the exercise and toning benefits to these shoes, and that’s generally their claim to fame. You’ll be able to learn of those details as you view the CD that comes in the box with every pair of shoes. You’ll also have the details of adjusting to them without over-tiring your legs. Never have I seen a more well-rounded shoe.

I cannot recommend them more highly! Did I mention I now have three pair? And counting…cuz they’re on my wish list for Christmas.