Shoes and socks --- very important for people with foot pain, that is for sure.

We all have tried many types, and in the past here have been some threads with suggestions, like these:

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...ighlight=shoes

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...ighlight=shoes

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...ighlight=shoes

I can share what my podiatrist told me to do. I also have cracked sesamoid bones in the balls of both feet. These can move and inflame the tendons there, and double my pain problems.

Make sure your toe box is adequate for your feet. Buy wider shoes to accomplish this.
Now for women here, this is going to be a fashion killer. But I don't know any good way around that. I use Arcepedicos nylon knit slip on shoes for my dressier occasions and they pass. They are not sexy or have high heels however!
The first one on this list in black is what I use for dress:
http://www.arcopedicoshoes.com/classic/

The rest of the time, I am in slide ons (right now Dr. Scholl's men's memory foam soles) or crocs (for gardening or vacation), or wide athletic type shoes (which I use with a gel insert). That is it for me these days.

Men are going to have more problems I think with dress shoes.

Socks, for me need to be NOT TIGHT. There are some affordable diabetic socks at WalMart now and other stores called Med-Ped. These are softer, but I still don't like socks.
Some stores have larger size socks as well, now, and I like that option.
These are Med-Ped :
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...0070921x00003a
There are black ones and short ones, etc. And they tend to cost less than others from catalogs.

Footsmart is a good resource for shoes and socks. They have a free catalog.

Also on our RSD forum, some members there use bamboo socks, and claim they are very soft and don't hurt to wear. There are many sellers on Google for these.

I am sure everyone has their favorite for shoes and socks. So this thread is open for experiences and comments.