I listened to your segment on CJAD this afternoon and as someone with major issues re shoes, as well as socks, I would like to inform you about several options re wide as well as deep pocket shoes.

I searched for several years to find ‘diabetic shoes’ and managed to discover a range of footwear at New Balance. These shoes are in their SL2 last and besides offering widths up to 2E, 4E and 6E, they also have a deep toe pocket. The model I have been wearing for 9 years is their 928 model which accommodates my problems with my toes and peripheral neuropathy. The shoe and sporting goods stores usually do not stock these shoes. This is not a price issue, but a necessity at any price. The price is only $159.99.

I also managed to find a great pair of winter boots, Pajar, manufactured in Quebec, and I purchased them at Foot Solutions on Victoria, south of Sherbrooke, (great staff). Until I found these I was wearing rubber boots over my NB shoes. I know that Pajar used to have an outlet in Montreal, I believe on Coloniale near Mount Royal, but I am not aware if it is still open. (From Sandra: Pajar outlet is still located at 103 Mont Royal est, called Le 103 and only open Thurs & Fri 9-9, Sat 9-5)

New Balance locations: 677 Ste-Catherine O.
Tel: 514-844-2777
Hours: Mon & Tues 10-6, Wed-Fri 10-9, Sat 10-5, Sun 11-5
Other Location: DDO, 48E boul Brunswick.

From Sandra: Chaussures Le Depot, 501 de l’Eglise in Verdun. Tel: 514-768-0642 Comfort shoes are sold here by people who still know how to fit feet and who will patiently wade through the back racks until they find some just for you.Choose from SAS, Clark, Dunham, Ecco, Ara, Mephisto, New Balance, Rieker, Aravon, Josef Seibel, Merrell, Geox, Pajar La Canadienne, Blondo, Olang, and more.

Opened in 1931, this shop offers sizes (men 6-18 to 6E and women 4-12 AA-EE) for everyone. Orthotics can be placed in their shoes or you can buy orthopedic shoes, diabetic shoes, Foamtread slippers and anti-slip shoe slippers. Liquidation store ($10-$60): 521 av. de l’Eglise (514-766-4552).
They also have torture machines for shoes to stretch them in all directions for problems on feet. I just have them stretch the toes on shoes for my hubby.

Pajar outlet (Le 103): 103 Mont Royal est
Hours: Thurs & Fri 9-9, Sat 9-5

Stores that have a wide range of  shoe sizes and widths are hard to find so it’s painful when they close. Chaussures Bilodeau has been selling men’s shoes (3-20 B-6E) and women’s (1-15 4A-2E)  and now everything in the store is 50% off as they go through bankruptcy proceedings.

They have tons of brands: Acton, Aravon, Blondo, Beautifeel, Clarks, Crocs, Drew, Dunham, Florsheim, GoEast, Irish Setter, Jomos, Manz, Naot, Neos, New Balance (up to 4E), Red Wing, Rieker, Rhode, Roberto Cappucci, Shoes for Crews, Theresia, STC  Tiger, TTG, TendersTootsie, Worx,  Wolverine.

After 18 years fitting people with problem feet, the personnel here are qualified to help you choose the right shoe for you.

Location:3000 boul. des Laurentides, Laval
corner: Bellerose
Tel:450-967-2552
Hours: Regular plus Sun 9:30-5
www.chausseurbilodeau.com

Chaussures Le Depot in Verdun, opened in 1931 has been selling good quality fashion and comfort shoes by people who still know how to fit feet. They have one of the largest selections of sizes and widths in the city.

Now they have opened Liquidation 521 just a couple of doors down from their main store (#501) to clear out stock. For prices from $10-$60, men and women will find shoes, boots and sandals by names you always trusted: Clark, Dunham, Rockport, New Balance, Rieker, Tender Tootsies, Aravon, Josef Seibel, Merrell, Hush Puppies and some importations too.

Location: 521 de l’Eglise
corner: Evelyn
Phone: 514-766-4552
Hours: Mon-Sat 9-5, Sun 12-5

Q: 1 We know that one of the concepts of staying healthy is to walk thirty minutes a day. In order to walk properly, we need a good pair of athletic shoes. Where do we start?

You should be buying in a specialty running shoe store. The easiest way to get correct shoe is to bring the old ones with you when you shop. The sales people are trained to evaluate the wear and know what you should be buying.

Q:2 When trying them out, what would the most important thing to look for?

Most important thing is to make sure your foot stays stable. Stability is important  to avoid injuries. If your foot is not stable, it can eventually lead to knee and hip problems.

Q:3 Why is it better to shop in the specialty athletic shoe stores?

They understand the bio-mechanics of gait. Does  your foot pronate, stay neutral or supronate? Are you wearing the right width? Did you buy larger size in order to make your foot more comfortable instead of buying the correct width?

Q:4 With so many kinds of athletic shoes, how do we know which one to buy?

Only buy one.  Cross trainers popular for people who may do all kinds of athletics like: take aerobics, do leg presses and squats, play tennis and perhaps also do weight-lifting. They cove a  little bit of this and a little bit of that. A running shoe is lighter, has more cushioning, more support and is quite breathable. Awalking shoe is heavier, but it lasts longer and is sturdier. It looks more like shoe so works well if you need wear it to work.

Q5: Okay – so where are these miracle stores?

Buying an athletic shoe in which your feet will have to endure undue stresses on it should be more than just popping into a mall and finding one on sale. If you want to save your feet for your old age, shop at  Boutique Endurance where the sales reps have been trained in fitting. What is the shape of your foot? Will you be running or walking? Do your feet turn in or out? Are you a beginner?

After they assess your gait on the indoor track, you will be helped in choosing from the Asics, Adidas, Saucony, Mizuno, New Balance and Brooks shoes (sizes 5-12 for women and 7-15 for men in widths AA to 4E).  Running and cross country ski clothes are sold, and orthotics  inserted.

Location: 6579 St. Denis St.
Corner: at Beaubien St.
Phone: 514-272-9267
Hours: Regular plus Sun 12-5
www.boutiqueendurance.ca

Running Room is a chain offers service along with running shoes (Nike, New Balance, Saucony, Asics, Mizuno, Adidas, Brooks) and clothing. It is for those of you who want to learn how to run or walk and don’t know where to begin or what you need to wear.

There are 10-week clinics that start at learn-to-run right up to running marathons, and a running or walking club for those who already know how to put 1 foot in front of the other.

Locations: 4873 Sherbrooke St. West at Victoria Ave. (514-483-4495); 950 boul St-Jean (514-695-8744); Brossard, Quartier Dix-Trente, 10 boul Lepage (450-678-7070); Laval, 800 boul.Corbusier (450-680-1115). 5044 ave du Parc (514-274-5888) www.runningroom.ca

My favorite running shoes brand, New Balance, has finally opened a store in Montreal. The owner, Jonathan Benoit is a second generation shoe salesman having learned the trade from his father Daniel at Le Depot in Verdun. New Balance models sold here are more technical athletic shoes; When you buy in general shoe shops, running shoes are sold more for fashion.

Also they know for a good fit, size and width are most important, so they have a huge variety from 7-18 narrow to 6E for men and for females 5-13 AA to 4E. In New Balance you can tell the degree of technicality of the shoe by the model number – the higher the number, the more details  have been included. They also sell regular shoes in the New Balance family – Aravon for men and women and Dunham for men.

Location: 677 Ste-Catherine St. West
Phone: 514- 844-2777
Hours: Mon & Tues 10-6, Wed-Fri 10-9, Sat 10-5, Sun 11-5

Carl Andersen, who used to own Distance Sports, summed it up for us, “We who have no time for our health today will have no health for our time tomorrow”.