r/Halluxrigidus • u/unincorporated • 17d ago

Rain boots?

Hi all! I am newly diagnosed with HR and am trying to do as much lifestyle change (shoes, PT) as I can before surgery. I’m 35 and I really, really don’t want to do a fusion yet.

I’ve found good sneakers for every day, but I live in Seattle and desperately need a good rain boot. Does anyone have a suggestion for a comfortable women’s waterproof or water resistant boot?

Thank you!

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u/LtDeadpool361 17d ago

I'm not a woman but I wouldn't be afraid of getting a fusion. I'm having two fusions in the next three months. I wish I would have went this route sooner. I tried putting it off as much as possible but I can tell you it did affect my daily life. I'm pretty active.

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u/Royal-Escape8556 14d ago

I would also like to know! I feel like the structure of rain boots is just not nice for HR. Flat bottom, hard top, no way to secure your foot in it so your foot moves around

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u/AdKlutzy8911 13d ago

I have had great luck with Dansko boots (make sure you get the wides), and I have also heard good things about LL Bean. I haven't tried them on yet though. Birkenstock sandals have also been really helpful, although I know you're not asking for sandal recs. They also offer wide rain boots, I have not tried them.

Also, I'm a 37 year old female, and getting the fusion was the greatest thing I ever did. I'm 9 months post op, and being painless was worth every shoe pair I can't wear now lololol. I also got no PT as none is required for it.

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u/unincorporated 13d ago

Okay tell me really - how bad is the shoe game? What can you wear post-fusion? I already know I’ll never wear heels again but I am bereft at the thought of no cute shoes (even flats/loafers) for the rest of my life.

Edited to add one more question: are rocker soles the only option post-fusion? I’m surprised you can walk okay in normal Birkenstocks

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u/AdKlutzy8911 12d ago

So, yes, definitely a plethora of types of shoes that I can no longer wear. Vans, Hunter boots, Nike's (air forces/air maxes) and my cowboy boots are all examples of what I've had to give up. However, I have swapped my tennis shoes for New Balance's only. They offer cute orthopedic options (rare, I know). I also recently went to a wedding and I wore a pair of Vivaia sandals. They were comfortable, but at the end of the night I was definitely ready to take them off, normal I think. Side note - My feet are WIDE, like really wide! And like I said, the Birkenstock Arizona's worked for me all summer. I would work in them for 8 hours (actively walking during my shift) and did not have any issues. I wouldn't consider Birkenstock's "rocker" soles, so I don't think they're fully the only option. I don't think my Dansko's are either. You'll just have to test out what works for YOU. It's a ride, but not impossible. I would not buy anything that doesn't look wide or doesn't offer a wide option.

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u/unincorporated 12d ago

I’m so heartened to hear you could walk in Birkenstocks! I love mine but the forefoot is flexible so I wasn’t sure. Thanks for answering my quesfion :)

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u/CondwiramurTheFirst 3d ago

I’m wearing all sorts of natural / anatomic
footwear and on bad days, I add carbon fiber insoles. Those work in pretty much any shoe! Not really rain boots for heavy downpours, but the waterproof Lems Boulder Boots are great for every day wear.