I Stopped Walking With My Wife at 61. I Blamed My Age. It Was My Shoesβ¦
I thought my walking days were done. Everyone said that's just what happens at my age. I never thought to look at my shoes.
But 30 days after I changed them, Linda and I were back on our street. Here's what happened.
If You Keep Blaming Your Age
Susan and I walked every evening after dinner. Down our street, around the park and back. We did that for 30 years.
Then I started to slow down.
My feet hurt by the corner. Soon I couldn't make it to the end of our street.
One night I told her, "You go on. I'll wait here."
I sat on the front step and watched her walk alone.
Everybody agreed. "You're not 40 anymore, Ray."
What I Found Out About My Shoes
One night Linda picked up my shoes by the door.
"Look at these, Ray. Your foot is coming out the side."
She put a sheet of paper on the kitchen floor and traced my foot. Then she set my shoe on top.
My foot was wider than my shoe.
I'd been squeezing my feet into narrow shoes for years. My feet got wider. My shoes didn't.
It wasn't my age. It was my shoes.
What I Discovered About OrthoFit
I went looking for shoes made for wide feet and found OrthoFit's Men's Orthopedic Walking Sneakers.
The first thing I noticed was how easy they were to put on. I don't like bending down to tie my shoes. With no-tie elastic laces, I don't have to.
Pull the heel tab and step in. That's it.
- No tying laces
- No shoe horn
- No bending down
Why I Was OK Trying Them
I'd wasted money on shoes before, so I looked around first.
OrthoFit has delivered 700,000+ pairs. These have 4.8 stars from 5,124 verified reviews.
They Don't Look Like Old Man Shoes
I figured wide shoes would look like something from a hospital. I wouldn't wear those.
These look like regular sneakers. I wear them:
- On our walk
- To the store
- Out to dinner with Linda
No Velcro. No bulky shape. Nobody can tell.
What Each Part Does for Me
And they're light. They don't feel heavy by the end of the walk.
My 30 Days Experience
Day 1. My toes had room. I walked around the house and didn't want to take them off.
Week 1. I walked to the end of our street and back.
Week 2. I went around the block with Linda. Slow, but together.
Day 30. We walked the whole way. Down our street, around the park and back.
I don't sit on the front step anymore. Linda doesn't walk alone.
My Honest Take
I didn't believe it at first. I'd heard every promise.
These aren't magic. They won't make me 40 again. They're just shoes that fit my feet.
They were $117.00 AUD on sale. If they didn't work out, I could send them back within 30 days for a refund.
Here's how they stacked up:
| OrthoFit | Regular Sneakers | |
|---|---|---|
| Toe room | Wide, round toe box | Often narrow |
| Room as feet swell | Soft, stretchy knit | Often tight |
| Arch support | Built in | Often flat inside |
| Getting them on | Step in, no tying | Bend down and tie |
| Look | Regular sneakers | Regular sneakers |
| Try them | 30-day money-back guarantee | Depends on the store |
The bottom line: If you've been blaming your age, check your shoes first.
What you get:
The Questions I Had Before I Ordered
I had this page open for three days. Here's what I wanted to know.
Will these fix my feet?
No. They're comfortable shoes, not a medical device. They don't treat, cure or prevent any condition. If you have a medical condition, your doctor's advice comes first.
Will they fit my wide feet?
They come in Wide and Standard. If you're between the two, go Wide. The exchange is free.
Will they look normal?
Yes. They look like regular sneakers. I wear them with jeans or chinos.
Can I still use my orthotics?
The Wide fit has room for them.
What if they don't work out?
Wear them outside on real walks. If they're not for you, return them within 30 days for a refund. You just pay the return shipping. If the size or width is off, the exchange is free.
It's not your age. It's your shoes.
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