Are you more selective with foot ware,now??I can no longer go 'bare-footed'.My legs feel like two balloons.I feel much more confident in a good heavier shoe, especially when I'm out shopping..Of coarse a snug pair of Nikes' when exercising..I don't feel safe in 'slip-on' sandals ! They can easily trip you when going up stairs..
If you know of particular shoes to assist with Ataxia,let us know :-)
I spent a month in Europe and took many pairs of sketchers etc but Iive in my Crocs they’re amazing and cushion our jolty walk I have slip on sandals I’ll send you some photos tomorrow. I’m In Australia and its passed my bedtime. My name is Sally Warren so I’ll be your friend on face book
Yes, shoes are difficult. I love crocs also but be careful not to drag your feet. My favorite are tevas http://www.6pm.com/teva-omnium-grape-shake
I have 3 different colors and they adjust and are snug with wide flat sole. Rugged too. I wear socks with them.
I also like New Balance (black). I am working so they dress up a little better with black pants. http://www.onlineshoes.com/womens-new-balance-ww927-black-p_id146076
Yes, I read on here about running shoes with supports built in and I bought mine at Running World. Really love them.. they even go in the washing machine!
Physio said we need slightly raised hill as we have tendency to fall backwards.
Love your little man x
I wear running shoes and avoid anything with a heel as heels pitch me forward. Since I live in a snowy area in the winter I wear Merrell' boots. They have a zipper and no heel, also good tread. Flat shoes make me feel more secure.
For years my neurologist has had me in leg braces which bend at the knee and ankle. My Ataxian friends w/o braces are now on scooters. I have had Ataxia for 20 years. Because of my braces I need to wear men's New Balance shoes. Anybody else wear braces?
No high heels for you Mr Ozzy! 
that’s for sure!
Like you, it is difficult for me now to walk barefoot on hard surfaces like hardwood floorsor tiles, but I do ok on carpets.
I have gotten rid of shoes with heels any higher than 2cm. I only wear flats, or sneakers (running type for walking outdoors or treadmill and lighter styles for just staying in the house…
Take care, Ozzy -Cicina
PS I love the little “emoticons” you add to your posts and your sense of humor! Thanks. I tried to add emoticons too, but have not figured out how to do it. How do you do it? I can in an email but not on this website. I am kind of challenged in the computer department 
Hi,I only wear flat shoes. I find SKETCHERS GO WALK which is a very light weight slip on sneaker to be my every day shoe. They are super light which helps my legs from getting tired. They have a wide tread which helps to keep me steady while walking.
The answers really show how each Ataxian has different issues.
I cannot walk on carpet, my ataxia is sensory. All carpet iniates crazy marionette movements, gyrations and falling.
I love a smooth surface.
I cannot wear heavy shoes because my legs already feel like they are 1000 pounds.
No flip flop, I would just flop.
Heels are fine, the bigger the better. My ataxia makes me fall backwards unless I’m bending down then I fall forward.
No sandals, I couldn’t imagine the results.
It amazes me how different our symptoms can be. No wonder our doctors think its all in our head! HA HA it is!
So for me lightweight shoes even boots need to be light.
When I walked only wore flat shoes for obvious reasons.
I have hyper reflexes so I cannot go barefooted. If I were to stub my toe, I will go flying. It is imperative that I invest in a good slip resistant shoe. I purchased in a lot of shoes that were labeled slip resistant such as Rockport, skechers and others. They didn’t work. I heard of www.shoesforcrews.com and I discovered that their shoes is the best in the market.
They have more than 100 types to choose from. Their slip-resistant outsoles are made from an exclusive rubber compound that grips the microscopic roughness of the floor surface. And our patented micro-channel tread pattern channels liquids away from the bottom of the sole. This combination results in unbelievable traction on all types of wet and greasy floor surfaces. If I had these shoes 10 years ago, I wouldn’t have taken all the fall that I incurred.
Check out and evaluate the different types of shoes @ www.shoesforcrew.com I ordered different style and kept returning them until I found the type that works for me. I purchase the Falcon @ $39.98. Attached is a picture of the Falcon.
Incidentally, Kitchen from all over order from shoes for crews.
176-Falcon_1.jpg (23.9 KB) 177-Falcon_2.jpg (23.9 KB)
Shoes are critical...they need to fit like a dress glove. It all depends on where you are in your progression. Newbies might still think they can be barefoot, wear crocs and sandals and slip ons. THAT WILL CHANGE. The further along you get, the more important shoes become. I have worn good fitting shoes every waking moment for the past 15 years. Days of untied sneakers, slip ons, and shoes that are 1/2 size too big are long gone. As you progress, your feet get more unsteady. Support is critical. They also get more sensitive and tender. When you stub a toe or step on something, the reaction is 2-3 times what it was. Feet sloshing around in slip ons requires focus too keep them on....whether you realize it or not. That takes away focus of walking, placing your foot down correctly, etc. Lose that focus, and you're looking at the ceiling.
Well said Jonas! Although my ataxia is not progressive, I have noticed that my shoes need to come high on top of my foot, like a laced shoe does…it feels much more secure and makes walking easier as I do not have to concentrate on keeping the shoe on.
Thanks Jonas. 
I have found that as long as I have a shoe that goes all around my foot or snugs it really well, I can wear them. I also found I can wear sandals as long as they fit snuggly and when I pick up my foot they don't come off easily. When I'm having a bad day I have found Skechers are great. They fit well, lightweight, good support. You need to find what works for you. Your walking starts with your feet and everyone is different.
Shoes with Laces can be a “nightmare” for people with Ataxia
Google for. Greeppers
elastic laces that dont need tying
Avaleable via Trabasack
O' dear,how did I forget the freekin' 'shoe- laces!!! SO I bought a Robotic Extender Arm..Only one of it's kind..Workz real good to..
Alan Thomas said:
Shoes with Laces can be a "nightmare" for people with Ataxia
Google for. Greeppers
elastic laces that dont need tying
Avaleable via Trabasack
My physiotherapist told me to wear fitted shoes that won't trip me up when I get around (with a walker now). My issue now isse that I drag my feet so badly that I've worn out pairs of shoes and boots after 2 months or less. I'm now thinking about how to modify shoes and boots so that I don't have to spend so much money on this. I did think of asking a shoemaker/bootmaker/cobbler to install a metal piece on the front and under the shoe at the front. Then I thought about the damage this would do to wood floors-so slippers inside. Then I pictured myself walking to the library on the ashphalt of the sidewalk making sparks and setting small fires as I go. Ummm. What's that expression? "Necessity is the mother of invention".
Yes, shoes are very important! I found out last summer about backless shoes. (Sandals, shoes with thongs between toes, slip-on’s (scuffs), etc.) even slippers with no backs or scuffs. Can’t wear! Can’t be barefoot outside. You’re paying attention to where you’re stepping, so balance is compromised. I have found out the hard way that shoes have to be snug on the feet. (I have even worn two pairs of socks in boots for snug-fit!) I used to wonder why this and why that, but this site is helping me answer my own questions! Thanks!
I have defiantly noticed this! I live in FL and sandals are an everyday attire.................unfortunately not for me any longer this I discovered 2 years ago. I can't wear any type of heel,higher then sneakers. Hard to find shoes that are attractive but safe when Iwant to wear a dress.
Jonas Cepkauskas said:
Shoes are critical...they need to fit like a dress glove. It all depends on where you are in your progression. Newbies might still think they can be barefoot, wear crocs and sandals and slip ons. THAT WILL CHANGE. The further along you get, the more important shoes become. I have worn good fitting shoes every waking moment for the past 15 years. Days of untied sneakers, slip ons, and shoes that are 1/2 size too big are long gone. As you progress, your feet get more unsteady. Support is critical. They also get more sensitive and tender. When you stub a toe or step on something, the reaction is 2-3 times what it was. Feet sloshing around in slip ons requires focus too keep them on....whether you realize it or not. That takes away focus of walking, placing your foot down correctly, etc. Lose that focus, and you're looking at the ceiling.
