Wide feet, bad knees

TCTEN · Sep 19, 2011

I am looking for some shoe suggestions that will help with the conditions mentioned in the title of this post. I have worn various New Balance shoes in the past due to their width options but I've never been in love with the cushioning they provide. Let me know what else might be viable alternatives.

Ronaldo · Sep 19, 2011

TCTEN said:
I am looking for some shoe suggestions that will help with the conditions mentioned in the title of this post. I have worn various New Balance shoes in the past due to their width options but I've never been in love with the cushioning they provide. Let me know what else might be viable alternatives.

NB 804 are cushioned and stable, replaced the stock insole w/Tulis' Road Runner thick insole.

slice bh compliment · Sep 19, 2011

FILA R4. Wide. Cushy.
FILA R8. Awesome, but not as wide.
Babolat Propulse 3 is what I play with. I have wide feet and I have had knee problems in the past.

I would not mess with New Balance. I am afraid of Plantar Fascia problems.

Ramon · Sep 19, 2011

More information would probably help. Knee pain can come from a variety of problems. You seem to indicate that you need more cushioning, which is important only if movement is not a bigger problem. Softer shoes usually means less stability and more movement problems (just think about those Fred Perry's and Tretorns from many years back). I happen to have a pair of NB 804's, and I agree with the other poster that the 804's have a great combination of cushioning and stability. If you need more cushioning, I suggest replacing the insoles. I think the Sof Sole Airr Orthotics have a lot of cushioning and still have good stability. You probably want to try out other models also to see which works best for your foot.

TCTEN · Sep 19, 2011

"More information would probably help. Knee pain can come from a variety of problems."

My knee problems stem from Osteoarthritis, I have had arthroscopic surgeries done on both knees to repair cartilage tears. As a result my movement is compromised and am prone to soreness and stiffness after playing.

mikeler · Sep 19, 2011

I recently replaced my New Balance Shoes with Superfeet Green in 1 pair and Dr. Scholl's Advanced Massaging Gel Sport Replacement Insoles for Men. Both have helped with recent heel problems I've been experiencing.

Torres · Sep 19, 2011

The best thing for sore knees are:

1. Shoes that don't tip your weight forward onto the ball/front of the foot;
2. Shock absorbing insoles such as Sorbothane Full Strike.

The downside with both of the above of course is that it impacts performance. For tennis, alot of the time you really want to be on the balls of your feel, rather than being flat footed. Also Sorborthane is pretty heavy compared to Superfeet (which isn't really a significant shock aborbing insole - it's more of a support insole).

TCTEN · Sep 19, 2011

Thanks for the replies, I've used NB shoes in the past as mentioned but not the 804 model. Based on the responses perhaps I should give them a try.

vsdtrek · Sep 19, 2011

I've been a long time NB wearer with wider feet and have given up on them too. The 800 series really didn't do it for me. Not sure if you tried the 100 series as they have more cushioning.

I just bought some K-Swiss recently, with the latest being the Defier RS. Those have pretty decent width and cushioning.

Ace · Sep 23, 2011

K-swiss Defier RS.
Most cushioning of any shoe I've ever worn.

Ronaldo · Sep 23, 2011

Ace said:
K-swiss Defier RS.
Most cushioning of any shoe I've ever worn.

Defier still stable with cushioning? Used to wear Reeboks with so much cushioning felt like a mile high ride.

Ace · Sep 24, 2011

Ronaldo said:
Defier still stable with cushioning? Used to wear Reeboks with so much cushioning felt like a mile high ride.

I dont get that feeling from them, but I suppose everyone is different, you'd have to try them. If you look at the bottom view of the shoe, you can see they are slightly wider on the bottom than most shoes near the ball of the foot. The RS only though...the DS arent as cushioned, and I didnt care for the way they fit, totally different shoe.

Hominator · Sep 24, 2011

Nike Lunar Tours are wide and very pillowy. On sale, too, here at TW...

parasailing · Sep 24, 2011

Propulse 3s are great in every category except forefoot cushioning. I cut out the superfeet green plastic part and combine it with a pair of Pinnacle Max Cushioning insole to provide additional support and sufficient cushioning.

This combo has worked well for my achy feet. Nike shoes have great cushioning but they don't come in wide sizes though.

TCTEN · Sep 24, 2011

Found some K Swiss Stabilor SLS mesh shoes at a local store today for a pretty good price and decided to pick em up. I like the fit and the cushioning seems to be very plush. I've noticed many mentions on this site stating those characteristics about these shoes which is what I've been looking for. I'll report back on how they work out.

TCTEN · Sep 25, 2011

Played 3 sets of dubs this afternoon wearing the new Stabilor shoes. Have to say that I'm pleased with them so far, they do have a decent amount of space in the toe box although a little less than what I'm used to with the New Balance (655 4e) shoes I've worn in the past. The cushioning however is definitely an improvement over the NB's. They will need a little more play to be broken in after which I believe the width will increase a bit.

TonyB · Sep 27, 2011

Another vote for K-Swiss. I had knee pain wearing Wilson shoes for years and thought it was just arthritis or normal wear and tear. I found some K-Swiss Grancourt II shoes on sale and gave them a try. My knee pain literally went away within a week and hasn't come back since. The cushioning is amazing and the stability is top notch. My feet are semi-wide and the shoes definitely fit slightly tight, but it's not really that uncomfortable.

I like the K-Swiss shoes a lot. I doubt I'll be using anything else as long as they stay on the market.

movdqa · Sep 28, 2011

I use the New Balance Ultra-Arch Support ($45) with New Balance shoes for both running and tennis and they have worked out quite well over the last decade. I'd love a cheaper solution but I'd rather just pay it if it keeps my feet and knees happy.

TCTEN · Oct 1, 2011

Played a couple more times since my last post with the Kswiss Stabilors and I have to give them a definite thumbs up. The width is generous and the cushioning is very plush. The durability of these shoes remains to be seen but so far I'm quite pleased with them.

slice bh compliment · Oct 1, 2011

parasailing said:
Propulse 3s are great in every category except forefoot cushioning. I cut out the superfeet green plastic part and combine it with a pair of Pinnacle Max Cushioning insole to provide additional support and sufficient cushioning.
....

That's some cool doctoring.
I am a Propulse guy, too. Love the 3s the most, since my feet are wide. Iactually like the low feel. I just wear vitasocks for the added cushioning.

archman · Oct 1, 2011

I would not mess with New Balance. I am afraid of Plantar Fascia problems.

Are shoes that are have really good cushioning bad for plantar fascitis?

slice bh compliment · Oct 1, 2011

archman said:
Are shoes that are have really good cushioning bad for plantar fascitis?

Not sure if those are related. I know a stable shoe that fits well at the heel is what the PF area enjoys. I have tried the NB 850, which was not so good in either of those departments.

imho, NB's fit well, but are not very stable. I also think they break down, and lack the low profile/high performance feel of a 'premium' shoe, like a Barricade or a Propulse.

Ramon · Oct 1, 2011

slice bh compliment said:
Not sure if those are related. I know a stable shoe that fits well at the heel is what the PF area enjoys. I have tried the NB 850, which was not so good in either of those departments.

imho, NB's fit well, but are not very stable. I also think they break down, and lack the low profile/high performance feel of a 'premium' shoe, like a Barricade or a Propulse.

You probably haven't tried the NB 804's. They are the most stable shoes I've worn and they come in 4 widths from B to 4E. I have a narrow foot, and my AdiZero Feathers are narrower than my 804 B widths, but the 804's still support my foot better. My small heel slips a little on my Feathers, but not on my 804's. I brought them to the store while I was trying out different shoes. I did an experiment where I rocked the shoe from side to side with my ankle to feel its roll resistance. Barricades and CB 3.3's are supposed to be very stable, but when I tried them on and did that experiment they don't feel like they resisted rolling as much as the 804's. My AdiZero Feathers are pretty stable, but they don't give me the same confidence I have on court with the 804's. The rollbar technology that's in the 804's is not in any other New Balance shoe. Maybe their other shoes aren't so good, but I think the 804's are very underrated.

movdqa · Oct 2, 2011

For me, the added cushioning keeps the PF away.

Also, the shoe doesn't matter that much - it's the quality of the insert. That combined with the New Balance fit keeps my feet comfortable.

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