Saturday, 20 June.
If you are on an ExoSym journey, you will hear a lot of talk about the store Wide Shoes Only in Renton, WA, about thirty-six miles from the Hanger Clinic in Gig Harbor.
We were not about to add seventy-two miles round trip to our drive south to Oregon the day we left Gig Harbor. But the discomfort I was experiencing on the top of my right foot and the continued recommendations from Ryan convinced us we should go.
Of course, the store was closed because of COVID-19, but we left a message and the owner got back to us, scheduling an appointment for us at 10am Saturday.
We packed up and I suited up, and we arrived in Renton early. By then, I needed to use the bathroom, so we drove to a waterfront park and pulled up near a picnic area with public restrooms. I approached the dreaded ramp out of the parking lot with snail-like speed, realizing with alarm that I had practiced stairs during training, but we never got to inclines! Ryan had mentioned something about going sideways, so I tried that. Kind of. Eventually, I made it to the restrooms. Give yourself lots of extra time in the beginning to reach important destinations like these.
Here’s something I’m not wild about. I got into the stall, settled my poles against the wall so they wouldn’t fall over, got the door closed, situated self on toilet, peed, got up. Then I had to handle my poles again. BEFORE WASHING MY HANDS. There’s no way around it until I can walk short distances without poles. I suppose while the pandemic lasts, there won’t be that many public restrooms in my future anyway.
Back at Wide Shoes Only for our appointment, Dominic measured my feet with my ExoSyms on. This man is a shoe professional and he is enthusiastic about it. Ryan is the ExoSym inventor and expert, and Dominic is the ExoSyms-with-shoes expert. No other shoe salesperson will know anything about ExoSyms until you walk in with yours and teach them. So Dominic taught me how to buy–and wear–shoes with ExoSyms.
First, Ryan doesn’t stock half-sizes at the Hanger Clinic, so do not take the shoes that Ryan provides for training week as the right shoes for you. It’s so important to be properly fitted; shoes that fit correctly make a difference in your ExoSym experience. It’s more than a little unfortunate that most of us are probably learning to walk (and work out) in ill-fitting shoes.
Second, the shoe shape (the “last”) is more important than the shoe size. Two different New Balance size 8s will feel different because they are different shapes. Pay attention to the model. Select a shoe with a roll bar for stability.
Without ExoSyms, I wear an eight, with a narrowish foot. It’s definitely easier to deal with shoes if you have two Exos and don’t have to split sizes. I also have two heel lift inserts that are the same height and will need to be worn with whatever footwear I’m choosing. Ryan put me in a 9 2E (left photo). Dominic put me in an 8.5 4E, the widest (right photo). Shoes that are too long will cause you to walk toes out and swing your leg around (think walking in flippers). I definitely do this, though I’m sure it’s not just because my shoes were a little big. Because of the lace guard that Ryan had given me for pain on the top of my right foot, Dominic showed me how to lace my right shoe completely differently. I had been wearing the 2Es with the laces as loose as they could be with barely enough left to tie. Dominic made sure I tapped my heel on the floor before tying my shoes very tightly at the ankle. A snug fit ensures that the brace doesn’t slip forward and backward in the shoe with each step. I was nervous it would be too tight and uncomfortable, but Dominic knows what he’s doing.
I hate shopping for shoes. If I find a pair I like, I’ve been known to buy two pairs so I don’t have to shop again for a while. I especially find it unbearable when the salesperson tries to help me put the new shoes on, bent over on their rolling seat with me trying to get my foot onto the slanted front. My foot goes stiff when it’s being wrangled into a shoe, so I usually say, “I’ll do it.” With Dominic and the ExoSym, my foot was already encased in the stiffest material imaginable, so it didn’t matter if it flexed involuntarily, and he had no problem getting shoes on and off for me. What a lovely, calm, unawkward experience it was to have the store to ourselves as well.
I left with so much new knowledge and three pairs of shoes. I have New Balances for every day, a “casual” pair, and “dressy” pair. The latter two will probably last me many years because they won’t be worn very frequently.
The takeaway: Do what you can to go to Wide Shoes Only and get fitted properly. It’s probably good to call so you can come in at a quieter time. Take what you learn home with you to your local stores. Leave room in your luggage for new shoes.
After he knows your size and your needs, you can also email Dominic about a shoe that you like the look of, and he will help you find a similar one that will work for you.
I’m so glad we took the extra time and miles to not only support a family business, but also to get me a good shoe education.
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