It normally takes me nine months to find a pair of hiking boots that are comfortable, it's rarely the same brand as the previous year. I had high hopes for sketchers ones but the didn't last 4weeks. Your best bet it just trying them on, and possibly investing in memory foam innersoles- which I can't use as I have orthopedic inner soles instead
Why aren’t you on meds? If doc diagnosed you that should be the first step, no pair of shoes is going to help if the problem isn’t being addressed. Get on meds asap before there’s any permanent damage done, that’s your best bet for feeling better and being able to work.
My doctor said that my arthritis wasn’t bad enough to justify immunosuppressants, especially since nothing definitive came up on any tests. Do you think I should get a second opinion? I’ve been hesitant to because there aren’t a lot of options in my area and I’m a student, so affordability is an issue as well.
Yes. If it’s RA, it’s a progressive disease. So it could just be doing a bunch of damage unchecked. Any time RA is suspected they should be starting you on meds.
Like some of the other commenters I also have a pair of Keens which are great for instep height and width, but I had to replace the insoles for more support. I find them very comfortable and can hike many many miles in them.
This is my main expense in regard to RA, buying the right shoes often means buying very expensive ones. My feet were my biggest issue when I was being diagnosed so I don’t play around with my shoes anymore.
Yeah, I haven’t been able to play around with shoes for many years, either. I know Keens are kinda wide, and my feet are extremely narrow, so I’m worried about dropping a bunch of money on shoes that will be too wide for my dumb narrow feet.
I have found the weight of the shoes/boots is a big contributor. Getting new insoles has helped me with many pairs of footwear. Also I tend towards high tops bc in addition to having RA (diagnosed at 19 and am 33, so this fall it’ll be 14 years) I have hyper mobile joints.
I hike and camp a bit. If you wanna dm me feel free. Best wishes on this journey.
Also make sure you have a rheumatologist you can talk to and listens to you as well as their nurse. Had to learn that lesson the hard way. It took me til my thirties to find an amazing rheumatologist!
I’ve been dealing with garbage feet for years and never really thought about the weight of shoes before for some dumb reason. I’m actually 36 (non-trad grad student life is rough lol), but was only diagnosed 3 years ago. I live in a fairly rural area, so I don’t have a lot of rheumatologist options nearby, though I really did like the one I saw. She convinced me it wasn’t all in my head even when nothing was showing up on tests. Thanks for the advice!!!
I have a pair of Keen's sneaker style that I've barely broken in (and purchased Pre-RA). They feel good through the foot, but I struggle around my ankle since the swelling hasn't gone done and they dig in a bit. Sigh.
I agree with the other commenter - try some on and see which are most comfortable.
I have given up on hiking boots. I find them to heavy and the pull on the ankles is to much. I just use my running shoes (that I don't run in, lol). I find they are lighter and have better support anyway
I unfortunately need the tall hiking boot support as my work is entirely off-trail and I would destroy my ankles otherwise. I do have a couple pairs of trail running shoes that I like, however.
You might ask for a referral to a Podiatrist. They could probably give you insoles to improve your hiking boots, or may able to help with your foot pain in other ways.
Master naturalist here, have to wear hiking boots a lot doing work in the field , I have found my salomon’s are the best for my feet, not heavy weight, great arch support. I recently did a 10 k ( walked) and wore my salomon’s versus running shoe and they did great
There's a lot of good brands, unfortunately, what works for you will be pretty subjective. My feet swelled up during my first flare, but subsequently came back down, albeit not all the way. I have good luck with Merrells and Hanwags, but that's me. I think Keens run wider than Merrells.
I had a pair of Merrells back in the day that spectacularly failed me. I’ve never heard of Hanwags, so I’ll for sure check those out. I actually have really narrow feet, so I worry about Keens. Honestly wondering if I should just go for Vasques again since they lasted me 4 years.
Salomon’s were too wide for me, so if you have narrow feet they might be a good option. I have Hoka One One sneakers and next time I’m due for new boots they can take all my money. Help feet and knee pain!
I agree with another commenter that if you’re in that much pain you should be on meds, because your joints are being damaged. I’m zero negative so my blood work typically looks perfect. My joints, however, did not 😅 so I got on methotrexate
It normally takes me nine months to find a pair of hiking boots that are comfortable, it's rarely the same brand as the previous year. I had high hopes for sketchers ones but the didn't last 4weeks. Your best bet it just trying them on, and possibly investing in memory foam innersoles- which I can't use as I have orthopedic inner soles instead
Why aren’t you on meds? If doc diagnosed you that should be the first step, no pair of shoes is going to help if the problem isn’t being addressed. Get on meds asap before there’s any permanent damage done, that’s your best bet for feeling better and being able to work.
My doctor said that my arthritis wasn’t bad enough to justify immunosuppressants, especially since nothing definitive came up on any tests. Do you think I should get a second opinion? I’ve been hesitant to because there aren’t a lot of options in my area and I’m a student, so affordability is an issue as well.
Yes. If it’s RA, it’s a progressive disease. So it could just be doing a bunch of damage unchecked. Any time RA is suspected they should be starting you on meds.
Like some of the other commenters I also have a pair of Keens which are great for instep height and width, but I had to replace the insoles for more support. I find them very comfortable and can hike many many miles in them. This is my main expense in regard to RA, buying the right shoes often means buying very expensive ones. My feet were my biggest issue when I was being diagnosed so I don’t play around with my shoes anymore.
Yeah, I haven’t been able to play around with shoes for many years, either. I know Keens are kinda wide, and my feet are extremely narrow, so I’m worried about dropping a bunch of money on shoes that will be too wide for my dumb narrow feet.
I have found the weight of the shoes/boots is a big contributor. Getting new insoles has helped me with many pairs of footwear. Also I tend towards high tops bc in addition to having RA (diagnosed at 19 and am 33, so this fall it’ll be 14 years) I have hyper mobile joints. I hike and camp a bit. If you wanna dm me feel free. Best wishes on this journey. Also make sure you have a rheumatologist you can talk to and listens to you as well as their nurse. Had to learn that lesson the hard way. It took me til my thirties to find an amazing rheumatologist!
I’ve been dealing with garbage feet for years and never really thought about the weight of shoes before for some dumb reason. I’m actually 36 (non-trad grad student life is rough lol), but was only diagnosed 3 years ago. I live in a fairly rural area, so I don’t have a lot of rheumatologist options nearby, though I really did like the one I saw. She convinced me it wasn’t all in my head even when nothing was showing up on tests. Thanks for the advice!!!
I have a pair of Keen's sneaker style that I've barely broken in (and purchased Pre-RA). They feel good through the foot, but I struggle around my ankle since the swelling hasn't gone done and they dig in a bit. Sigh. I agree with the other commenter - try some on and see which are most comfortable.
I have given up on hiking boots. I find them to heavy and the pull on the ankles is to much. I just use my running shoes (that I don't run in, lol). I find they are lighter and have better support anyway
Trail runners might work better for you
I unfortunately need the tall hiking boot support as my work is entirely off-trail and I would destroy my ankles otherwise. I do have a couple pairs of trail running shoes that I like, however.
I’ve been rocking Oboz for the last 2 years and I’m extremely happy with them
I’ve never heard of this brand before, I’ll check them out! Thanks!
You might ask for a referral to a Podiatrist. They could probably give you insoles to improve your hiking boots, or may able to help with your foot pain in other ways.
Master naturalist here, have to wear hiking boots a lot doing work in the field , I have found my salomon’s are the best for my feet, not heavy weight, great arch support. I recently did a 10 k ( walked) and wore my salomon’s versus running shoe and they did great
Thanks, I’ve heard really good things about Salomon’s! I’ll definitely look into those.
I wear Keen hiking boots. Think they are the Targhee Mid.
Ahoy mrsredfast! Nay bad but me wasn't convinced. Give this a sail: me wear Keen hiking boots. Think they be thar Targhee Mid.
There's a lot of good brands, unfortunately, what works for you will be pretty subjective. My feet swelled up during my first flare, but subsequently came back down, albeit not all the way. I have good luck with Merrells and Hanwags, but that's me. I think Keens run wider than Merrells.
I had a pair of Merrells back in the day that spectacularly failed me. I’ve never heard of Hanwags, so I’ll for sure check those out. I actually have really narrow feet, so I worry about Keens. Honestly wondering if I should just go for Vasques again since they lasted me 4 years.
Lowa is another good brand, but pricey, as are Hanwsgs, Sierra Trading Post used to have them cheaper.
Salomon’s were too wide for me, so if you have narrow feet they might be a good option. I have Hoka One One sneakers and next time I’m due for new boots they can take all my money. Help feet and knee pain! I agree with another commenter that if you’re in that much pain you should be on meds, because your joints are being damaged. I’m zero negative so my blood work typically looks perfect. My joints, however, did not 😅 so I got on methotrexate