Hey guys... if you still need some advice on shoes. I was a footwear specialist at Galyans before we got bought out by K-mart errr.... Dicks sporting goods.
Even though it's over the web, I'll shoot you guys advice if you need it. I have 5+ years of experience.
But the true benefit of going to a "specialty store" is that there are different tools available. Not just some shoe jockey pulling a number off a shelf for you.
Proper fit lies mostly in the gait. If you can target the type of gait an individual has you can get a shoe to work with it. Bottom line, you will almost NEVER be able to change a gait... with or without orthotics, but you can easily get a shoe that will compliment your gait.
And for the record, if your podiatrist told you to buy something... ask them why, because very few actually know anything about shoes. They simply know the "dumptruck full of money" theory.
~DAVE