Trainers...yes or no?

Actually can anyone define for me exactly what a trainer is, as distinct from any other shoe?

You put on a pair of trainers and can run a marathon.

Actually, many foot problems are hereditary, not from wearing the wrong shoes.

I have never worn uncomfortable shoes and still do not. Despite this, I do not think any of the shoes I have ever bought would be described as trainers.

I have never had any trouble with my feet and do not look as if I will do, so I must assume that shoes I have worn have always fitted well, even though they are not trainers.

Actually can anyone define for me exactly what a trainer is, as distinct from any other shoe?

Can't say I've ever seen any that look nice irrespective of price but they mostly look decidedly comfortable and methinks comfort is king at all times. I haven't succumbed yet but....who knows?!

I think I've been wearing Sketchers for nearly 10yrs. They are very comfortable. In winter, I'll have a pair of short boots next to my coat, to wear maybe once a week

Zeddy2

Lunar slippers have a heel

Thanks Zeddy2- they really do and lots of styles. I am going to ask for some for Christmas! Thank you so much for this!

My podiatrist recommends Hokka trainers. I’ve been wearing mine a year, fantastic

A chiropodist told me trainers are best for your feet. I love seeing smartly dressed ladies and gents channelling their inner comfort needs with a pair of trainers. I think it shows confidence and chutzpah.

Geisswein have great merino wool flats in loads ocfcolours. They are sufficiently supprtive, but also quite flexible.

Yes !
Also various other footwear excluding Skechers which I loathe, never yet found a pair for me.
I have expensive and inexpensive shoes and boots and sandals. I’m passed wearing anything with more than a couple of inches in a heel now though.
Trainers are very supportive and comfortable.

Lunar slippers have a heel

I have two pairs of Gabor moccasins. They are very comfortable, supportive and not completely flat.

I have a pair of black and white converse worn with jeans but otherwise it’s no. Nothing stylish about trainers and when worn with dresses look ridiculous! But hey ho it’s the fashion….so everyone wears them.

There are plenty of good quality loafers out there.

I want these but i don’t wear all the shoes I have so it’s a no no 😥

Why does it have to be a choice between stilettos/sandals or trainers? Why not a good quality stylish loafer.?

Since I had my hip replaced I have only worn shoes with a small block heel once. I have a pair of flat black leather shoes for when trainers or Skechers won’t do, but usually it’s trainers or my Salomon walking shoes (which I would live in if I could drive in them).

So I'd say wear what you want. I wouldn't wear trainers with a skirt and tights :-) I would with trousers - sometimes. But just because a lot of people wear them doesn't mean you have to.

I'll second Skechers - especially for comfort. I have Morton's neuromas in both feet (for over 10 years) and had to change all my footwear - it was too painful to walk otherwise. Initially I only found a handful of makes of shoes with cushioned soles that I could actually walk in pain-free. Hotter shoes and Josef Siebel/Romika. The latter being quite expensive and didn't always fit correctly so it was mainly Hotter shoes and one smart pair of suede boots by Romika. Plus Wolky Jewel sandals (a tip from a podiatry blog there). Which I do love actually. But none of them are cheap.

I became somewhat of an expert on comfort footwear - being pain free is important. Now I didn't like the look of a lot of the Hotter shoes, but I did like their walking shoes - which are like leather trainers.

I found wellingtons (Aigle ones - as they have rubber soles and are cushioned) that worked. But couldn't find any trainers. Until I tried Skechers. They are the only trainers with enough cushioning for being pain-free.

So if they work for me, with Morton's neuromas, they must work for others.

As to whether to wear trainers or not - it's a personal thing - and maybe depends on your style and what you wear. If you wear skirts a lot then you might prefer comfortable smart boots instead. Or sandals. Before I had the Morton's neuromas I was a big fan of boots. Mainly because I'm a half size and usually had to go half a size up - which was ok with boots - they stayed on, but not always with shoes.

I still love nice suede boots. From a podiatry point of view though, the best shoes for foot health aren't flat - they have at least a one inch heel - ie slightly higher at the back than the front.

My feet love trainers. It's possible to get trainers that are smarter. I like Sketchers or Pavers, especially with memory foam insoles. They are heaven.

I love my sketchers trainers. My brother in law was advised to wear sketchers shoes by his rheumatology consultant, they are all he wears now.
DH bought a pair of sketchers slip ins to wear for work. They look like smart black lace up shoes, but they are slip ons with elastic laces. He loves them.

I have black patent trainers and pale blue ones with laces and zips. Both really comfy. Also an ancient white and purple pair for walking longer distances.

I do own Nike air trainers which I wear when I go walking a few miles a day, I will admit they are supportive but I actually prefer to wear pumps. Sketcher type
High boots or ankle boots, I haven’t worn high shoes for around 20 years

Skechers are like walking on air, they are so light and springy but if you need more support look at other brands.

There's all sorts of styles between trainers and boots. Try a shoe shop like Dune and find something versatile that you'd be happy with, you might surprise yourself.

I wear a range of shoes - trainers, sandals, leather flats, high heels.

It's down to purpose. Walking, sports, mucking about, or Church.

I like Merrill, Joseph Seibel, Mephisto, Birkenstock, Chuck's, Docs, NewBalance. For dress shoes - choice is endless, but you didn't ask.

I wear trainers, lace up and slip ons, mainly sketchers. I have two pairs of sketchers sandals for the summer and several different pairs of assorted flat boots for the winter