Review of Oofos: My favorite sandals for plantar fascitis and sensitive/painful feet

[@truly3743]

Thank you! You really have a great relationship with your feet. I need to get more tuned into mine.

[@julie_loder]

Thank you so much for checking out my video and taking the time to leave this comment, T Ruly! I really appreciate your words here because I want you to know that this is a total 180 degree change from former decades of my life, when I was really unconscious of (and honestly unfair to) my feet! Every aspect of my health/movement wellness, strength/athleticism/coordination/balance has improved since I started making my foot health a central part of my overall physical conditioning. I just add this in case it helps further inspire even more than it sounds like you already are (🙌congratulations!) you on your foot health journey! 💛

[@WilliamRockseo]

I just purchased them and am now learning more. Thank you for your review :) I have CRPS Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, so I hurt 24/7

[@julie_loder]

William, thank you so much for your comment. I am happy for any way the video was helpful. I am so sorry to hear about your condition. I had never heard of CRPS before, but your comment led me to do some research (so thank you for the education). I have been dealing with intermittent heel pain from an annoying injury last year and even THAT has been just a really frustrating and sometimes depressing issue because of how much we need our feet and the impact it has on our lives when they hurt. So please know my heart goes out to you for your condition and the persistent pain you are in. I hope the Oofos brand footwear (I think they have shoes and not just sandals now) works for you and can provide even a little bit of relief. Sending my best, Julie

[@endo9902]

I weigh between 128 and 135 and i found that my feet didn't sink into the oofos as I was expecting.. they felt like a stiff rubber brick... I figured that they design the material hardness for heavier bodies. they also felt like high bricks.. I did not feel quite balanced..perhaps i would need to get used to them.. but i am very used to having my feet within 10 mm of the ground.. otherwise i feel like I am lifted and I feel unstable. i have made my own in-house shoes out of squishy yoga mat about 5 mm thick..and if need cushion I slap another layer.. I cut it out to my feet and sew a t-shirt upper on it.. it feels super light and comfortable enough. It gives me the freedom to experiement on different custom insole hardness and notice how my feet response. I find that too soft make my feet tense up to the point that I feel my tendons sore..too hard makes me feel like my bones in the metatarsals with cut my skin off... so I need something in between. I like the yoga traction on my feet.. I feel very secure but it is very soft that I feel that my feet are doing all the adjustments they need without getting overpowered by a thick insole underneath. I feel the ground too which is important to me

[@julie_loder]

Thank you so much for sharing this, Endo. Wow, you and I really have dramatically different experiences of these sandals, and that is important information. On a wonderfully synchronistic side note that illustrates this same subjectivity of foot/body preferences, I had this exact experience just this morning talking to a friend about a pair of Xero hiking boots. I couldnt believe we were talking about the same model shoe because she finds them to be reasonably flexible and I find them so stiff they hurt my feet and not even worth trying to break them in! (i'll be reviewing them for sure!). It just goes to show the particularity of each of our bodies and feet. I admire your dedication to all your DIY footwear!! I am a big fan of improvising and DIY in general (in my garden, toiletries, cooking and pantry supplies for starters), but I have not ventured to doing major projects like this for my feet. I'm sorry to say that I recognize it is probably because I have not had to because I have been able to find shoes/sandals etc that work for me, whereas that has not always been the case for you, and I can only imagine how frustrating that is. It has me thinking there could be a market for your designs, or at least the concepts and characteristics they are based on! I wonder if you have though about that?

[@endo9902]

@@julie_loder Yeah I have several ideas on products.. and in shoe designs.. for example on shoes that have wide and tall toe box to allow the toes to move around as much as sandals do. they would look like clown shoes..lol but they would be very nice for the toe.. like playground for the toes..

[@julie_loder]

@@endo9902 if they worked for my feet, i would wear them!🙌💯 i hope you pursue the innovations 🙏

[@momfluent5367]

You do not want plantar fasciitis for a long time. Mine lasted over two years and it ended up turning into something much worse. My dr recommended I wear oofos and now my feet are 90% healed. I will not go anywhere without them. I wasted a lot of money on special arch inserts and other plantar fasciitis approved tennis shoes. They don’t work. A $50 pair of oofos sandals is what you need.

[@julie_loder]

Wooooooow, momfluent :], thank you so much for this comment! I am so sorry and I cannot explain why I did not see it in real time, so forgive my delayed reply, but please know how much I appreciate you weighing in. That is remarkable to know the difference these sandals made for you. I love that they could be that transformative for people because you are RIGHT !!!! Plantar fasciitis is no joke! It is extremely debilitating and can just get worse and worse, and become a more intractable source of pain and limitation for people. I am so glad you found a solution. Siiiiiigh regarding all the failed arch supports and special shoes. Thank you for letting people know that while they may help for some, for others they may be an expensive gimmick/detour to getting real relief, and perhaps these sandals are a preferable, and less expensive alternative to try first. I f you do other things to help with your symptoms, like any exercises, or physical therapy, please know I'd love for you to share what else has helped you and what seems to be complementary to using the sandals to get out of pain. No pressure of course, just if you feel like sharing! Thank you again and congratulations on getting out of PF pain! Sending my best to you and your feet!

[@zooblestyx]

Thanks for the insights. I have a question. At the time of writing, this video is 3 years old, so I'd like to know how well these lasted. I've been getting my gf cheap no-name foam slippers, but they get squashed down in a hurry. I'm curious to know how well yours kept their cushiness.

[@julie_loder]

Zooblestyx, thank you so much for this question! I love that you get your gf slippers and help her take care of her feet (you are speaking to my love language! :)), and I appreciate you prompting me to weigh in on this in particular given that these sandals are a pretty serious investment for what they are. So what I can tell you is I STILL use the pair of sandals I am showing in this video! They are stained and definitely broken down, but for my purposes they still work fine. The caveat is I basically only use them as a house sandal (and I live in a studio...so not much walking around) and basically only wear them after a shower and then during the night if I get up, and for a little while in the morning before I switch into different footwear. So they have lasted me a long time probably in part to that light use. If your gf were to use them for walking around outside and running errands and the like, I'm sorry I can't say how they would compare to the cheaper ones you've tried. In my experience though, these hold up pretty well and the thing that has given out for me in the pair I had before the ones I show in this video (a lavender pair) has been the toe divider strap will eventually break, not that they get so squished that they are not comfortable. If anything mine got softer and less supportive, but as far as I can tell (over the long gradual use), they don't really lose too much of the cush factor. The other small observation I can share in case it's helpful is that I have just recently started using a new pair of the same sandal because I now divide my time in two different residences. Rather than bring my well worn but not quite ready/needing to be tossed turquoise Oofos back and forth between the places, I got a new pair. I got what I believe is the same sandal model (it IS according to my Amazon order records) but in black. So now I've had three of the same model but in three different colors. What I definitely notice is the black ones feel more firm than I remember the turquoise or lavender ones ever feeling, and they are a little more snug fitting in the top of the sandal, and that makes me think maybe the black foam is just a bit denser than other colors (or at least compared to lighter colors maybe). They are definitely still squishy, but just slightly firmer and more stable. Maybe those would be good qualities in helping them hold up to more use? And if not, and your gf really wants them to be as soft as possible, then I'd say maybe get a lighter color. Hope that's helpful! And by all means if you get a pair and want, remember, and wouldn't mind (of course!) following up here with how well they hold up for your gf based on her level of use, etc., that would be awesome! I'd love to know! And if you create a review of your own, please post it here so I'll (and anybody else who reads this thread will) find out about it! Thank you again!

[@nsiebenmor]

Have you had plantar fasciitis and successfully overcame it? I say this as someone whose been dealing with it for years and trying to overcome it by focusing on muscles up the chain, mainly glutes, hips, and core strength. I still can’t wear barefoot shoes all day and have to rely on arch supports. My dream is to go barefoot 24/7.

[@julie_loder]

Nick S, thank you so much for this question and for sharing some information about your feet and your current efforts and goals. I am lucky in that I have not had full blown PF because for most of my life I wore orthotics and stiff/stabilizing shoes so compulsively and religiously (from a very young age) that I never really gave my feet a chance to develop that particular issue/injury. BUT, because I have very high arches, and for decades (like 3.5 of them at least), I had extremely weak and deconditioned feet, for this reason, and so even just going barefoot was enough to trigger some minor irritation in my PF, and to this day, if I overdue it and say try to run in barefoot shoes on concrete in feet that are not warmed up and ready, I will get pangs of PF arch/heel attachment irritation. And I definitely had other kinds of associated "itis's" like shin splints. So I say all that just to sympathize with you and be fully transparent about where I am coming from. I need to make a video dedicated my my experience managing and preventing PF in my own susceptible feet, as well as everything I have learned about PF as a condition. But for now I just wanted to follow up and add these couple points for your immediate situation. I am going to link one of podiatrist Emily Splichal's very involved videos about the plantar fascia (aponeurosis) so you can see where I am getting most of my info and because I think it may be useful to you if you have not already seen it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/l6XIeH-fmZigeas I am not a Dr or giving any such advice, of course, but what I think is so key about this video is she will help you determine the potential degree of damage in your feet from suffering with this condition for a fairly protracted amount of time and you can assess how ready your feet are to take on more strengthening to eventually get you out of pain, or if they are still actively inflamed and you need to let that calm down before you step up your program. Everything you are doing re the "up stream" full body strengthening to support your feet sounds right on track and is definitely advisable even while your feet are healing. If your feet are NOT actively inflamed, you could also really benefit from the short foot exercise (I have a couple videos, including this one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bHXHd5yAlpl_sLM, and another that is more involved, and there are many on YT if you are not familiar with it) because you definitely want to develop the actual intrinsic and extrinsic foot muscles, too. Building more toe flexor strengthening onto a solid short foot is also key as far as I have experienced and I feel like that element is not as widely discussed in videos I have seen but experts such as Dr. Tom Michaud really emphasize it, and like I said, in my experience it has been a total game changer. Again, I will address all of this in a video, I just don't want to make you wait for that reply! And as for barefoot, I commend you on listening to your feet and not forcing the barefoot thing too aggressively as to prevent any compounding of PF injury. If you are not symptomatic, you can totally use some arch support AND still do short foot and other strengthening exercises, so you can ensure you take more steps forward than back. In my experience, I used arch supports until my feet rejected them because the supports HURT as they were interfering with my foot action. You could totally still get to that 24/7 barefoot freedom! If you continue to not force it, one day it may surprise you when your feet are totally ready.. that is my dream for you! I hope this rather buckshot reply of info is useful for the time being and I look forward to addressing this topic more fulling in an upcoming video. Thank you for thinking to ask about it! Sending my best to you and your feet! - Julie

[@nsiebenmor]

@@julie_loder Thanks for your feedback. I watched Emily’s video and learned some new things. She’s definitely not your typical podiatrist. It’s interesting she talked about the connection to the Achilles’ tendon and people often having both PF and Achilles tendinitis. I had Achilles tendinitis before I had PF. I’m better then where I was years ago due to multiple combinations of insoles and shoes. I’ve become a shoe connoisseur. I usually do my workouts in Xeros and switch back to the supported shoes. Ive been doing some of “Knees Over Toes Guy” workouts for my left knee pain (same side as PF issue). I don’t know if you’ve heard of him but he has some interesting ideas. I think the key is to keep working at it and learning as much as I can. Everyone’s situation is unique so I know what works for some people doesn’t for everyone. Genetics and lifestyle play a part. I appreciate people like you putting your experiences and gained knowledge out there. Its nice that we have KZbin now to spread information.

[@julie_loder]

@@nsiebenmor I'm really happy for this exchange. I really appreciate your observation that every *body* and situation is different, but heck yes, thankfully KZbin makes it possible for us to learn from each other and hopefully avoid wasted time recreating extra wheels we don't need! In the spirit of sharing info, I am going to riff on this topic a little more below in case it is useful to you but please remember I'm not a Dr (so take with all the salt as just food for thought) and don't feel like I'm trying to talk your ear off if you are not asking for more info from me (!!). I just get really into this stuff and want to broadcast some thoughts in case any of it is helpful. I am glad you checked out Dr. Emily's video (right? def not a typical podiatrist...) and that here were some things that resonated in there for you. I didn't mean to just send you off to watch a long webinar, but in addition to all the great anatomy info in there, the fact that you have had this pain for so long made me really want you to see her distinction between her considerations for tendinitis/tendinopathy, especially her recommendations for how to scale your strengthening approach around your symptoms. The message about trying to prevent the plantar fascia from scarring and thickening really caught my attention the last time I reviewed that video. I'm very intrigued by your observation about achilles pain precipitating the PF pain (I had a pretty nasty achilles injury thankfully over 10yrs ago, now), and that you have knee pain on that side, and that you are doing some Knees Over Toes Guy training. Heck yes, I love Ben KOTG. I practice basically everything in his protocol that doesn't involve a sled, lol, but if I had access to one, I'd be using that too, haha (I use hills instead) and I am a big believer in STRENGTHENING the muscles around joints (knee or otherwise) to get out of pain. We need balanced strength in the muscles connecting to joints so that the joint can stay aligned and force can transfer through it without stress and injury. Period. So based just on the little you have shared, if I were you, I'd be looking at my gastrocnemius for one low-hanging-fruit connector from my knee to my foot pain, since it crosses you knee and converges into part of your achilles. AND -- extra red flag-- it makes up the part of the achilles that attaches more laterally at your heel, so when it is tight, it will contribute to eversion/pronation at the foot, which can be a part of the "collapsed arch" stress that aggravates PF. Also, Gastroc, especially if it is unilaterally tight... very common that the lateral head is tighter than the medial head, for example... can be rotating/preventing needed rotation of your tibia at your knee, which can both aggravate your knee, AND again affects the ankle and can really drive a "turned out" foot and arch collapse. (Do you do Knee CARs? I have found them very helpful for knee issues. I have a video about them and there are many others on YT). So finally I say all that in particular because one of the things I LOVE from Knees Over Toes Guy and his protocol is all the deep knee flexion. I benefit from it and think it is great UNLESS one is borrowing dorsiflexion (getting the shin over the foot), from a collapsing arch. I see this all the time in classes I teach so I am on high alert for it. That alone could CAUSE PF symptoms in someone even who hadn't already been experiencing them... Tight calf muscles (like that suspect gastroc...) prevent the shin going forward and the foot is forced to "collapse" to compensate. I know Ben is super good at cueing and safety, and you sound like you are very aware of your body and your tools, but I just wanted to throw this out there again, for whatever it might be worth to you. You want to stretch your calf and you want to be able to deeply bend your knee, and both those things could possibly ALLEVIATE tightness that is aggravating your PF. But just be sure you are working really strict ankle dorsiflexion and not putting too much stress (and borrowing stretch from) under the foot. If you think you might be, you may even want to do any knee deep flexion with arch supports until you can feel what it is like to control that compression in the foo. I also find that since my achilles injury, my favorite way to stretch my calves is with a roller: Foam roller/stick roller/an Orb (a ball shaped roller)/a vibrating roller for some extra circulation to the achilles and into the PF is something I have really appreciated over the years and PT I did for that part of my body. Now I have the range of motion I need, but there were years when I had to be super careful with that dang achilles. Ok Nick, I'll cut myself off there! Haha! But hope even one thing in this thread helps you in your effort! I look forward to you sharing anything you feel inclined in the future about what has/has not worked for you (!! no pressure of course! But please feel welcome to circle back to add anything you learn that could benefit others) and definitely to hearing more about your shoes since it sounds like we may have similar taste (love my Xeros). Thank you again for your comment and this chance to follow up! Best, Julie

[@nsiebenmor]

@@julie_loder Julie, Thanks again for the great advice. I’m going to put more time into stretching and rolling out my calf like you mentioned and see if that helps. It makes sense that a tight calf would put more pressure on the arch and cause it to collapse. I’ve never heard of Knee CARS but looked up some videos since you mentioned. I’ll also start experimenting me these and see if it will help. My cheap gym (Retro Fitness) believe or not has a sled and it’s become one of my favorite things to do because of the Achilles stretch it gives me and it seems to force my body into a good form. I understand why Ben promotes it for even elderly people. You’ve turned me on to some new ideas and people and I really do appreciate it. It actually not that easy to get good information by doing typical google searches. Most of it involves podiatrist pedaling orthotics but the information ends there unless you find the outliers making connections to imbalances in other parts of the body. Like I said I’ve had this issue for years and have been researching that whole time. I look forward to your future videos and wish you well in your movement journey.

[@julie_loder]

@@nsiebenmor 100%, and thank you for this exchange. It makes me really happy to be able to share some leads that have been helpful to me, and I hope they are either directly useful to you, or help you uncover something that is, because I HEAR YOU re the spiral of nonsense one can feel stuck in with internet searches!! And haha, i LOVE that you have access to a sled (and heck yes; that is fantastic conditioning for all ages!). Give me a mental shout out next time you are pushing/dragging that thing! I will be super happy to hear from you some day in the future with an update on your foot/knee, so please circle back if you have a breakthrough (or any other update you feel inclined to share). Sending my best! - Julie

[@Ilovevintage77]

Julie I really appreciate this in-depth review I am extremely particular about what goes on my feet for many reasons long story I can only tolerate certain types of shoes/sandals that are the most supportive. If you’ve had experience with fit flops which are my go to and absolute favorites how do these compare? I need a lot of shock support personally for my own medical needs. I have the same size feet and also high arches like you and always on the lookout for this type of footwear. Thanks for your thoughts.

[@julie_loder]

Hi singergrrl77, thank you so much for this comment. I'm really glad you found the review helpful. So if I understand you correctly, you need a highly shock absorbing but also supportive/arch contoured sandal? I do not have any experience with fit flops, but based on that description you might really like these. As you saw, I have a high arched foot and I specifically wear these in the morning to support my arches while my feet may still be stiff from overnight and for me they have a really nice cushioned arch. it is supportive but not hard. and the whole base of the sandal is the same dense but soft foam. Definitely very shock absorptive. Now the only thing is that these things are subjective. Another person commented below that he found these to be hard... i honestly was shocked by that because I have never worn anything so soft. Crocs are hard (and have little to know support) just as a comparison, and to get a sense of my subjectivity. These are squishy in my opinion! I hope that helps and I hope you find some more footwear that works for you!

[@nusratjahan-lo7tw]

What is the pp pls in Bangladesh

[@madametuan6840]

Please review your white face dog.🥰 so cute

[@julie_loder]

Awww 🥰🙏 thank you Supansa!! That is my sweet old man, Rio. He is pushing 18yrs old at this point and every additional day he can enjoy his walk and dog gossip in the neighborhood is a blessing 🙏 It is also a beautiful (and sometimes heartbreaking) lesson in aging. Not easy stuff😔! Thank you so much for asking about him. I do love his appearances in my videos too, my little sidekick 🦁❤️.

[@madametuan6840]

@@julie_loder 18years old wowww that why he looks slowy walking but so cute with his unique face and his kindness character.💕

[@cloutgangster]

delusional

[@scottthomason2635]

She just rambles! I could not even get through her video.

[@truly3743]

Fast forward……….:…:…