Hi I just wanted to reply that I got my FitFlops a couple of days ago, for me they are wonderful, helps my lower back alot, and since my PN is on the tops of my feet the thong this is wonderful.
I also just received my Earth shoes, I got the Mary Jane tennis shoe style, haven't worn them out of the house yet, but they give my foot tops plenty of open space and they are incredibly light weight, again takes the pressure off my lower back....the down side is my ten year old granddaughter hijacked them today to wear to school.....her feet are as big as mine already. She is going to have her momma's feet!

Last year I bought a cute pair of Dansko sandals, and they felt like pillows on my feet!
http://s2.thisnext.com/media/230x230...s_A7254D7F.jpg

This year 15 minutes in them and my feet hurt.

I have recently bought my first pair of Keens
http://img01.static-nextag.com/image.../617044907.jpg
and my first pair of these:
http://www.famousfootwear.com/produc...es_is72278.jpg
I figure it is past time for giving my feet several different heights of heel to keep my Achilles stretched.

I wore Doc Marten's Mary Janes for years. It actually caused me pain when I had to get rid of them, I loved them so much!

It is doubly difficult when you have big feet that need special shoes, and you don't want anything UgLy!

Whoa... people are soooo different!

I could never wear any of those 3 styles! My instep is way too high.

My PN in my feet is also worse on the top of the feet. I'll have to check those out....:)

I am looking at this one:

http://www.footsmart.com/P-FitFlop-W...als-72188.aspx

Jannaw, is this the one you have?

I need a stretching band across the top instep, or it will make my toes hurt and go numb. Is this band on this style stretchy? Do you think?

I have more issues with the soles of my feet. Not the heels, like plantar fascitis, but the bottoms being unable to tolerate certain styles. So I look for comfort on the bottom . . . and some support. Surprisingly the birks have a good arch in them. Danskos have taken such good care of me that I have 5 pairs right now, and wanted a sixth . . . like this limited edition style . . .
http://shop.advanceweb.com/images/pr...Dansko_med.jpg

But when I tried them on they did not fit as well as my others, or maybe it was a warm day and my feet had swelled. Either way, I didn't plunk down any $$ for them that day! Some seem cut differently even though they are the same style.

Ah, shoes ... what are those again?

In winter I wear sandals with sox, in summer, just the sandals.

I need adjustable straps and lots of room in the toes. I've had good luck with a brand called Propet, and I love the site www.zappos.com because they ship to you for free and will pay the return shipping if the shoes don't fit.

These are the styles I've been living in for several years now, and I wear a 1/2 size larger than I measure to protect my toes from bumping into things, they're called Sandal Walkers:

http://www.zappos.com/n/es/d/575562500/page/1.html

Specifically:

http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/11786796/c/1676.html
(lots of colors and textures)

http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/10527810/c/1640.html
(wore these all winter with sox)

http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/24617680/c/43.html
(I've worn this, but less flexibility)

For folks who can actually wear enclosed shoes, I used to be able to wear these in comfort:

http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/37987181/c/4661.html
(lots of colors, including solids)

MrsD, pretty similar to the ones I got, http://www.footsmart.com/P-FitFlop-W...als-72140.aspx
I received my MaryJane earth shoes this week and they weigh almost nothing, the money I've spent in search of shoes....I think I'm going to be happy through the summer with what I've got.
Janna

How is that strap across the top instep? Does it bind, or give?
I have major problems right where that strap goes.
How is the toe thingy? Does it get blistered? I am not a great fan of flip flops with toe thingies. But I like the sole as described. For $50 it better be good!

The Propet walking shoe (the white one) looks nice. Comes in wide too
and no ties! Good for my left foot! I am considering this one!

I am having good luck around the house inside and in the garden with
my Crocs. They have been working well so far.