Can't help out on the shoe front, my feet are too narrow and arches too high to find anything that truly fits... But as to the forearm crutches, I have a set that I use when the cane just won't cut it but I don't wanna be stuck in the chair. I find them to be relatively easy to use, and certainly far more comfortable and less awkward than standard crutches.

But I agree with nurse nancy that talking with a doctor, pt or OT would probably be the best place to start, sometimes making the choices ourselves to "improve" our mobility can end up greatly diminishing it. Discover why you may seem more off balance first, and if anything can be done for it, before you begin pulling out the bandaids.