Suggestions for a low and wide tennis shoe. Think Crocs.

Mr.Lob

Mr.Lob

G.O.A.T.
Have a case of the old plantar fasciitis that I can't shake. Currently doing exercises and stretches to strengthen my foot muscles. Don't really want to go the custom orthotics route unless absolutely necessary. I've bought several pairs of shoes that end up hurting my arch. The latest was the New Balance 1006, which are suppose to have a low arch. Maybe the shoe is too narrow. Went to a 2E after a lifetime of regular D. The only shoe that I can comfortably wear are Crocs, which are wide and low arched. Can anyone recommend a tennis, or running shoe, most similar to Crocs?
 
Mr.Lob said:
Have a case of the old plantar fasciitis that I can't shake. Currently doing exercises and stretches to strengthen my foot muscles. Don't really want to go the custom orthotics route unless absolutely necessary. I've bought several pairs of shoes that end up hurting my arch. The latest was the New Balance 1006, which are suppose to have a low arch. Maybe the shoe is too narrow. Went to a 2E after a lifetime of regular D. The only shoe that I can comfortably wear are Crocs, which are wide and low arched. Can anyone recommend a tennis, or running shoe, most similar to Crocs?
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Ive heard great things about Yonex for comfort. Prince Screams felt like pillows on my feet (not sure if theyre still made).

I had pf myself, caused by Barricades, took me out of tennis for 6 months. Went back to nike and asics and no prob since (been 10 years).
 
Hansen said:
wide and low arch
i would look at altra shoes
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I agree. Definitely worth looking at Altra, but you'd need to find a running or exercise shoe as they don't make tennis shoes.

In terms of toe-box width, I'm a fan of the Yonex Fusion Rev and K-Swiss BigShot 2.5 lite. In my experience, both those have more toe-box width than the NB 2E shoes I had.

I'm with the OP on using Crocs for PF. When I was hit with PF a long time ago, I wore Crocs until I was able to spend a lot of time barefoot. I got rid of the ASICS shoes that were giving me problems (probably because of the narrow toe-box) went to other shoes. I'm now able to spend most of my off-time barefoot or in flip-flops and I use wide-toed shoes at work. I haven't had any issues at all with PF since strengthening my feet. YMMV.
 
Thanks for the comments everyone. Never heard of Altra. I'll check them out. The Yonex and KSwiss too.

Yes, with fall just around the corner, I need something other than Crocs to wear. I've been wearing the New Balance shoe once a week to play tennis, but pay the price afterwards. So I'm going to lay off tennis for awhile.
 
WildVolley said:
I agree. Definitely worth looking at Altra, but you'd need to find a running or exercise shoe as they don't make tennis shoes.

In terms of toe-box width, I'm a fan of the Yonex Fusion Rev and K-Swiss BigShot 2.5 lite. In my experience, both those have more toe-box width than the NB 2E shoes I had.

I'm with the OP on using Crocs for PF. When I was hit with PF a long time ago, I wore Crocs until I was able to spend a lot of time barefoot. I got rid of the ASICS shoes that were giving me problems (probably because of the narrow toe-box) went to other shoes. I'm now able to spend most of my off-time barefoot or in flip-flops and I use wide-toed shoes at work. I haven't had any issues at all with PF since strengthening my feet. YMMV.
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I have the kswiss hypercourt express, which is low to the ground and wide and light, and the kswiss bigshot lite 2.5 which is wide, low, offers great support, and is really comfortable. I have mutant foot syndrome also, and kswiss are the only shoes I've found so far that are wide enough and that are comfortable.
 
Just a word on Altra's shoes...they're made to an 'anatomically correct shape' so they tend to be more rounded than a traditional shoe at the toe. Doesn't necessarily make them a 'wide' shoe though. I have wide feet. I've tried two different Altra models and while I thought they were good shoes, they were too narrow for my foot. I'm not sure they make tennis shoes either.

I think K Swiss, Babolat or NB in widths are probably a better bet.
 
K-Swiss do not come in wide widths. The description describe them as being slightly more roomy and all have medium arch heights. Yonex also doesn't have any current wide width shoes either. Their current lineup are actually all sightly narrow.

I'm in the same boat at the OP and it sounds like we have the same foot type with PF problems too. I had been looking at the NB 1006 which the OP has worn and confirmed my thoughts about the shoe and that it's on the narrow side. The TW description should definitely be updated to being slightly narrow.

I've always worn Brooks 2E for running and NB 2E for tennis and for some reason the NB 1006 is a narrow fit. I think for me and the OP, we should stick with NB as we have the most selection in wide width shoes. Does anyone have any other NB suggestions?
 
AllCourtHeathen said:
I have the kswiss hypercourt express, which is low to the ground and wide and light, and the kswiss bigshot lite 2.5 which is wide, low, offers great support, and is really comfortable. I have mutant foot syndrome also, and kswiss are the only shoes I've found so far that are wide enough and that are comfortable.
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Co-sign on this. I am a huge fan of the Big Shot 2.5 Lite. There is one shoe in the family, now discontinued, that trumps all of these. That would be the KSWISS Ultra Express. Not as easy to find these days but if you find a pair in your size you should go for it.
 
@TW Staff do you have any recommendations for a wide fit shoe for low arches with a generous toebox? The NB 1006 definitely isn't it because the toebox is on the narrow side even though it's advertised as a wide fit shoe. You should definitely update the product description.

I'm partial to NB because of the extremely wide selection of shoes available, but that also makes it very hard to decide without being able to physically try on each pair on first. I'm sure everyone here would want to avoid the hassle of a return, so the right recommendation would be most appreciated.
 
Actually I have had good success with the Adidas Defiant Bounce. I have a somewhat wide foot with low arches and I like this shoe.
 
Tommy Haas said:
@TW Staff do you have any recommendations for a wide fit shoe for low arches with a generous toebox? The NB 1006 definitely isn't it because the toebox is on the narrow side even though it's advertised as a wide fit shoe. You should definitely update the product description.

I'm partial to NB because of the extremely wide selection of shoes available, but that also makes it very hard to decide without being able to physically try on each pair on first. I'm sure everyone here would want to avoid the hassle of a return, so the right recommendation would be most appreciated.
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@Tommy Haas,

I know it isn't a "looker" -- but have you tried the New Balance 806? It comes in both a 2E and 4E and that4E might be a good way to go -- that is probably the widest shoe we carry.

Just my two cents,

Michelle, TW
 
Mr.Lob said:
Have a case of the old plantar fasciitis that I can't shake. Currently doing exercises and stretches to strengthen my foot muscles. Don't really want to go the custom orthotics route unless absolutely necessary. I've bought several pairs of shoes that end up hurting my arch. The latest was the New Balance 1006, which are suppose to have a low arch. Maybe the shoe is too narrow. Went to a 2E after a lifetime of regular D. The only shoe that I can comfortably wear are Crocs, which are wide and low arched. Can anyone recommend a tennis, or running shoe, most similar to Crocs?
Click to expand...
Have you been to a podiatrist? Custom orthotics are like $100 a pair with insurance. They cured my plantar fasciitis completely, and I had it bad in both feet.
 
TW Staff said:
@Tommy Haas,

I know it isn't a "looker" -- but have you tried the New Balance 806? It comes in both a 2E and 4E and that4E might be a good way to go -- that is probably the widest shoe we carry.

Just my two cents,

Michelle, TW
Click to expand...

I've worn the 804 and then the 806 for over a decade with the 11 1/2 D. Then they started hurting my feet. Went to the 1006 2E about 3 months ago. A little better. But, still no good. Actually was thinking about going to a 12 4E. Probably should have done that originally, but the 2E's felt fine at the time.
 
MisterP said:
Have you been to a podiatrist? Custom orthotics are like $100 a pair with insurance. They cured my plantar fasciitis completely, and I had it bad in both feet.
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Yes, I've gone twice. My podiatrist said my insurance didn't cover custom orthotics. He said his orthotics were around $380... which he said were the cheapest in town. I play tennis with him, so I trust what he says is true.

The pain is in the heel of my right foot... and instep, where arch support would be, on my left insids foot. I've been stretching and trying to strengthen. This week will be my last week of tennis for awhile. If no improvement after a couple months, will spend the $$$.
 
Mr.Lob said:
Have a case of the old plantar fasciitis that I can't shake.
Click to expand...

FWIW, I had a bad run with plantar fasciitis a few years back, had never had it before, I could barely work and had to hobble everywhere and had to take time off work. I ended up breaking free of it by doing deep tissue calf stretching. Really leaning into the stretches. For whatever reason even though the pain was in my feet, the root of the cause was further up the leg.

I stretch my calves out every now and then, maybe once or twice a week, and I've never had the problem since.
 
Hansen said:
have you tried over the counter orthotics like superfeet etc. they are way less expensive and maybe they work.
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Yes. Superfeet green. PowerSteps. Dr. Schols. Too much arch. Thinking of trying the "Samauri" inserts. They are made for flat/ low arch feet.
 
AllCourtHeathen said:
FWIW, I had a bad run with plantar fasciitis a few years back, had never had it before, I could barely work and had to hobble everywhere and had to take time off work. I ended up breaking free of it by doing deep tissue calf stretching. Really leaning into the stretches. For whatever reason even though the pain was in my feet, the root of the cause was further up the leg.

I stretch my calves out every now and then, maybe once or twice a week, and I've never had the problem since.
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Thx. My podiatrist said I need to stretch my calves every day. Said to hold for a minute to a minute and half. Unfortunately doesn't seem to be helping.
 
Mr.Lob said:
Thx. My podiatrist said I need to stretch my calves every day. Said to hold for a minute to a minute and half. Unfortunately doesn't seem to be helping.
Click to expand...

I had a mild calf tear around a month ago. After it healed, I started using a roller on the calves along with stretching. I do the roller first, and it really seems to help.

I think pf, Achilles, calves, hamstrings are all connected. Stretch all of them. If you search for my calf tear thread, there is discussion about different calf muscles (3 main muscles). Based on what I read, make sure you are stretching the Soleus (with a bent knee).

I had pf once 30 years ago ... sucked. I would wake up and roll my arch over a tennis ball. I got podiatrist shot in the arch (once ... never again ... omg hurt). I also paid $700+ for 3/4 custom orthodics that I only wore a couple of times ... hated them. I cured my pf in weeks by just buying a cheaper, more flexible soled shoe. This was back when they were making super hard soles to last forever. They did ... feet not so much.

I have been having a little back of heel (Achilles area) soreness lately. First time in 20+ years ... my Sof Sole Airr Orthodic insole fixed it years ago, and I have bought them ever since. I remember reading raising the heel slightly reduces the flex/strain on the Achiiles ... so I just cut out heel pads from the origional cheap thin NB insole. I slid them under the Sof Soles, and will try them in singles tomorrow. I would think reducing Achiiles strain would also help pf ... but not sure on that one.

Feet are just suppose to work ... heal quick.
 
ByeByePoly said:
I had a mild calf tear around a month ago. After it healed, I started using a roller on the calves along with stretching. I do the roller first, and it really seems to help.

I think pf, Achilles, calves, hamstrings are all connected. Stretch all of them. If you search for my calf tear thread, there is discussion about different calf muscles (3 main muscles). Based on what I read, make sure you are stretching the Soleus (with a bent knee).

I had pf once 30 years ago ... sucked. I would wake up and roll my arch over a tennis ball. I got podiatrist shot in the arch (once ... never again ... omg hurt). I also paid $700+ for 3/4 custom orthodics that I only wore a couple of times ... hated them. I cured my pf in weeks by just buying a cheaper, more flexible soled shoe. This was back when they were making super hard soles to last forever. They did ... feet not so much.

I have been having a little back of heel (Achilles area) soreness lately. First time in 20+ years ... my Sof Sole Airr Orthodic insole fixed it years ago, and I have bought them ever since. I remember reading raising the heel slightly reduces the flex/strain on the Achiiles ... so I just cut out heel pads from the origional cheap thin NB insole. I slid them under the Sof Soles, and will try them in singles tomorrow. I would think reducing Achiiles strain would also help pf ... but not sure on that one.

Feet are just suppose to work ... heal quick.
Click to expand...

Played 2 hours singles with the heel inserts. They didn't make anything worse. :D

I didn't notice them ... shoes felt good as usual. I still had some heel soreness after ... but I ran a lot today. I will have to watch over time, I am going to keep using them.
 
ByeByePoly said:
I had a mild calf tear around a month ago. After it healed, I started using a roller on the calves along with stretching. I do the roller first, and it really seems to help.

I think pf, Achilles, calves, hamstrings are all connected. Stretch all of them. If you search for my calf tear thread, there is discussion about different calf muscles (3 main muscles). Based on what I read, make sure you are stretching the Soleus (with a bent knee).

I had pf once 30 years ago ... sucked. I would wake up and roll my arch over a tennis ball. I got podiatrist shot in the arch (once ... never again ... omg hurt). I also paid $700+ for 3/4 custom orthodics that I only wore a couple of times ... hated them. I cured my pf in weeks by just buying a cheaper, more flexible soled shoe. This was back when they were making super hard soles to last forever. They did ... feet not so much.

I have been having a little back of heel (Achilles area) soreness lately. First time in 20+ years ... my Sof Sole Airr Orthodic insole fixed it years ago, and I have bought them ever since. I remember reading raising the heel slightly reduces the flex/strain on the Achiiles ... so I just cut out heel pads from the origional cheap thin NB insole. I slid them under the Sof Soles, and will try them in singles tomorrow. I would think reducing Achiiles strain would also help pf ... but not sure on that one.

Feet are just suppose to work ... heal quick.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the input and tips. Ill try stretching more of the legs and hips. Going barefoot a good idea? I've heard to barefoot and I've heard dont. Seems if you are wanting to strengthen or stretch muscles, you'd want to go barefoot. My podiatrist said he wears orthotics the second he gets out of bed...every step. That would be horrible if I had to end up getting them
 
ByeByePoly said:
Played 2 hours singles with the heel inserts. They didn't make anything worse. :D

I didn't notice them ... shoes felt good as usual. I still had some heel soreness after ... but I ran a lot today. I will have to watch over time, I am going to keep using them.
Click to expand...

Strange I have pain in my right heel and not left. Pain in my left instep and not right. I did play 1 1/2 hours of doubles yesterday. Didn't make things worse which was a good sign. No pain while playing, but heel sore and foot fqighter the next morning. Now going to try to lay off tennis for awhile.
 
Mr.Lob said:
Thanks for the input and tips. Ill try stretching more of the legs and hips. Going barefoot a good idea? I've heard to barefoot and I've heard dont. Seems if you are wanting to strengthen or stretch muscles, you'd want to go barefoot. My podiatrist said he wears orthotics the second he gets out of bed...every step. That would be horrible if I had to end up getting them
Click to expand...

I don't know about barefoot +/-. I do know we moved into a house with all wood and tile, and we had an adjustment period walking barefoot in the house. If I recall ... shins and calves sore for several weeks, and then we didn't notice it anymore.

If you get orthodics ... I would suggest full and not 3/4 (or whatever they call the non-full length). I hated the 3/4.
 
Here's the update you've been waiting for: Feet have healed and have been back to normal for a couple of years. Arch is fine. Just do calf stretches regularly, and I kept wearing the New Balance 1006 tennis shoe. I went from the 2E to the 4E width shoe for a perfect fit. Comfortable and supportive. Just ordered and received another pair from Tennis Warehouse a few weeks ago. Replace every year.

This success story brought to you by Tennis Warehouse.
 
Well I wound go down the custom orthotic route. They $$$ but they last a long time.
A wide flat shoe is the Babolot SFX. It’s wider in the toe box then my NB 2E shoes.
 
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