Bespoke dress shoes for disabled vet/double amputee

[cold war painter]

+1 on the RCDM in Birmingham, lots of knowlege there.

Originally Posted by NORE

I would think it to be prudent to first explore what materials can and can't be used. I imagine the Asics because the soles are rubber/softer and allow for a much smoother range of motion. I'm thinking it may be difficult for him to walk in leather-soled shoes.

If rubber is necessary, perhaps a Dainite sole? Rubber but much more dressy looking than trainers or a commando sole.

Leveraging the "feel good" factor to enlist a bigger maker like AE or Alden is a good thought, but I also wouldn't exclude the smaller makers who post here like Rider or DWFII who are likely to be more flexible.

Good luck. Let us know how it goes!

 

[acidboy]

cheers to your friend for surviving such horrible tragedy, and cheers to you for being there for him. good luck in your search.

 

[Rambo]

+1 on all the praise here. This deserves special recognition.

As for an answer I'd recommend backing into this one. Instead of going straight to the manu's/cobblers, I'd start by going to the VA. They deal with these problems on a daily basis. Then, try the prosthetic manufacturer. Maybe they work with someone in particular. At the very least you'd be able to get specific measurements from them without having to hijack your friend's implants for a while. After that, try support groups, and not just for veterans. SOMEBODY has to have run into this problem before.

 

[Rugger]

OK yall, I got the low down. A lot less barriers than I thought

His feet are a size 10. There are only two problems that most dress shoes give him:
1) Stacked heel- he must be perfectly flat for the computers in his legs to operate properly
2) He needs the grip that trainers provide, and the slight roll that the shape of the soles provide.
(another that isn't super important, they need to be able to be tied tight. Some dress shoes with only a few loops and tiny laces might not be as good as others)

 

[NORE]

Perhaps a modified Dainite sole without a stacked heel and built in wear on the heel?

 

[w.o.e.is.me.]

best of luck. great idea.

 

[Rugger]

Would this be something a local cobbler could do with any pair of dress shoes?

 

[altie]

Very curious to see what you end up with. This has the potential to be a PR coup or whoever ends up making the shoes. Call around to some newspapers and see if you can get your friend and the shoemaker some press.

 

[Rugger]

Originally Posted by altie

Very curious to see what you end up with. This has the potential to be a PR coup or whoever ends up making the shoes. Call around to some newspapers and see if you can get your friend and the shoemaker some press.

He's gotten a lot of press, met everyone you could imagine both in and out of politics. Whoever I end up using will certainly be asked if they want some coverage.

 

[nmprisons]

The other thought is to contact Ron Rider (posts here under RIDER, I believe). He has a close relationship with a factory in Italy that does a ton of custom work.

This is a brilliant idea.

 

[Rugger]

Originally Posted by nmprisons

The other thought is to contact Ron Rider (posts here under RIDER, I believe). He has a close relationship with a factory in Italy that does a ton of custom work.

This is a brilliant idea.

I'll check that out. I have some contact with Redwing shoes...the company that makes the boots everyone loves. I know they make some dress looking shoes...I'll have to see what they say.

 

[ktrp]

I wondered if the nature of the prosthetics would be such that the final shoe design would work - without any size adjustments - for anyone with similar prosthetics.

I imagine others would benefit, and it the cost/pair might come down. Once they figure out what works in terms of sole and a custom last, they could bang them out.

 

[NORE]

I just had the thought of doing a leather dress shoe with a crepe sole. This might work for him, too.

 

[G. Mann]

This place in NY specializes in prescription shoes, orthotics, etc., and sells Alden. I'll bet they've dealt with a similar situation before.

http://mouldedshoe.com/index.html

 

[MyOtherLife]

God bless your friend for his service, and you for being a true friend.
I agree on the Allen Edmonds suggestion. Definitely contact them.
Ask them also about their Shoe Bank or factory seconds.
I'm sure you can find a very reasonably priced solution.
http://www.allenedmonds.com/aeonline...40000000001_-1
Contact info here:
http://www.allenedmonds.com/aeonline...Id=40000000001