So needless to say, shoe shopping “ain’t my thang.” I’ve had 3 surgeries on my left ankle since 2006, so now- not only do I have flat, ugly feet, but one of them is covered with scars! I’m used to buying cheap shoes since I am REALLY not trying to draw the eye downward when someone looks at me anyway. So, when my doctor told me I was going to need to buy high quality shoes or suffer with a permanent limp and perpetual pain- I was like a deer in headlights. No more BoGo? (buy one, get one ½ off!) No more buying $15 shoes where they will give you a free purse just for buying the shoes? Talk about a life change…

Enter Next Step Comfort Footwear, owned by Montague & Son, a DC Metro area family business. I lived in Germany for years and had the same pair of basic Birkenstocks for 12 years, so I did own one great pair of shoes in my life. In their window display, I saw pretty, feminine sandals in brands that my doctor recommended, so I checked it out. The shoes are something special- it’s not that the selection is huge and it’s a massive shoe store- it’s that the individual styles offered are so unique- there is something to please virtually everyone.

Again- back to my flat feet. If you drew a size 7 triangle with rounded corners, and put 5 little dots above it- the 5th being a crescent shape since it doesn’t always completely touch the ground- that’s my footprint. I should sue my dad- they look just like his! But Next Step to the rescue- the owner took a look at my feet and accepted the challenge. He showed me a variety of styles that come up and around the place where most feet arch but my feet bulge out; he recommended sandals with the kind of support that will please my doctor and actually look cute all summer long!

I bought 2 pairs and have been wearing them all week. Talk about comfortable- my feet aren’t sore at the end of the day, they don’t look deformed because the shoes mask many of the flaws, and they will last for a very, very long time! Brands like Birkenstock, Naoto, Crocs, Keens- many high end brands that back up their price with their quality. People with nice feet will be in heaven- they can wear any of the shoes here and look great!

The personal attention I received that addressed my problems was excellent. I was still on a crutch at the time, and Chris (the owner) catered to my needs while caring for other customers in his store without missing a beat. When it’s time to buy high quality shoes, you want them from someone who knows feet, not someone who just asks “uuh- in black or brown?” Hit your hometown shoe store before heading to the mall, you will be pleasantly surprised at the variety of stylish and “healthy foot” choices here, and have a pleasant, personal shopping experience, because~

Next Step Comfort Footwear Passes with Flying Colors!  

22895 Brambleton Plaza Suite 104
Brambleton, VA
703.542.6398