Women's semi-stylish, comfortable shoes?

Old Mar 22nd, 2007, 07:17 AM
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Women's semi-stylish, comfortable shoes?

I know I've seen this asked before, but I can't locate the info right now. I'll be walking many miles a day on the cobblestones, etc. Last spring I switched off between my J.Seibel clogs & my (ghastly) Rockport World Tour Walkers. The clogs proved to be not great on the cobblestones, & I can't bear to wear "walking shoes" again. Would appreciate all advice for brands offering at least a tad of style along with comfort.
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Old Mar 22nd, 2007, 07:24 AM
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I feel your style pain! Dansko makes a bulbous toed maryjane that is "ok", not quite as ugley as my "nun" shoes. David Tate makes a comfy sandal with ankle straps and very padded footbed. So far it has lasted a mile on the treadmill with no problems. Good luck.
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Old Mar 22nd, 2007, 07:28 AM
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I just bought some black Skechers that look like mary janes. They are quite nice looking and comfortable.
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Old Mar 22nd, 2007, 07:34 AM
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You need to find a store with lots of good choices and try on the shoes. There's no one brand that is right for everyone. Or look at zappos.com for a zillion ideas. I've had luck with Merrell, Ecco, Naot, Geox, Clarks, Softspot. Other people like but I don't Mephisto, Joseph Siebel, etc.
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Old Mar 22nd, 2007, 07:43 AM
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I second the Skechers suggestion: I now own five (5) pairs of Skechers: three black, one white, and one cream colored. The black ones, Biker Step-ups, are the most comfortable shoes I've ever owned; a mary jane style with a V-shape strap that keeps them from slipping at the heel. Not "sport shoe" looking, not ghastly at all, and I intend to walk all over Paris in them.
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Old Mar 22nd, 2007, 08:00 AM
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Naot sandals are good. I have a pair that actually look pretty decent with a dress/skirt, and are extremely comfortable. Also have some Mary-Jane style pink shoes by Pratik. I was going for a long walk with a friend when I was wearing them and he said, "You're not going to wear THOSE?" because they are essentially sneakers in disguise. Very cute. Also Tsubo is another brand - they're sort of sneaker-ish but much less clunky, more streamlined, and less embarrassing.
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Old Mar 22nd, 2007, 08:04 AM
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GEOX have some very fashionable styles quite like the far more expensive Tod's.
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Old Mar 22nd, 2007, 08:07 AM
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This was my 5th trip to London wearing Clarks and they're the most comfortable shoe I own. I wore tennis shoes the last trip and my feet were killing me.
Work just fine on the cobblestones. Even walked around Venice in them.
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Old Mar 22nd, 2007, 08:10 AM
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hi, clarin,

I always had the same problem with footware [hence the stories in our household about "Roman Foot"] until just before I went to Venice, determined to avoid the same problems, I went down to my local shoe shop [the slightly more up market of the two in our town] and spent AGES trying them all on. poor assistant!

I ended up with two pairs - one pair of what we in the UK call "trainers" - with a very ribbed sole, for more serious walking including in the country, and a smarter pair of eccos, still flat, but with bit more style.

I haven't looked back.

IMO there is no substitute for trying them on, rather than mail order.

regards, ann
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Old Mar 22nd, 2007, 09:54 AM
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Ordered from Zappos.com, a pair of Keen's "Barcelona" mary-janes for the trip (we're down to 6 days til d-day!) Absolutely perfect! NO break-in time, perfect width, sizing, goes with everything, and feels like slippers with arches and support. Can't wait to march through Belgium and wherever with my cute new shoes. And the DH ;-) of course!
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Old Mar 22nd, 2007, 09:57 AM
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P.S. I forgot to say that Zappos is the king/queen of customer service. Shoes arrived (w/free shipping) less than 24 hours after ordered (and I live in Ohio, for God's sake!) They guarantee quick service on shipping and if not satisfied for any reason immediately you email thema and they ship replacements before you even return the originals. And no, I don't work for or have any association w/Z's.
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Old Mar 22nd, 2007, 09:59 AM
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I just bought the Air Beau Mary Jane from Cole Haan for my Italy trip. They have Nike Air support in the heel and the sole but look like cute shoes. I've been walking all over my house and they feel like slippers!

http://www.colehaan.com
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Old Mar 22nd, 2007, 10:05 AM
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hi, vanw,

i always forget how far we are behind you in the mail-order dept. these look really good - rather like the ones I had to go down to my local shop to get! [soory, that sounds a bit mean - didn't mean it to!]

have great trip!

regards, ann
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Old Mar 22nd, 2007, 10:06 AM
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Here is the direct link for vanw's:
http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/23122560/c/3.html

vanw, does the strap across attach with velco? thanks.
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Old Mar 22nd, 2007, 10:09 AM
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I used to like Sketchers - until I've discovered Cole Haan's Air Nike series.

I bought my first pair of Cole Haan Air Nike lace-ups in summer of 2005. Now I own 6 pairs.

They're super light and super comfy (esp the suede ones - not too crazy about the nylon ones). Sole is a bit thin but is fine as long as you're not walking on rocky beaches.
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Old Mar 22nd, 2007, 10:10 AM
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Question? Local style or walking comfort? I see Polish ladies tripping along on 3 and 4 inch heel shoes and a few in low heel models. Many European sidewalks and roads and trails are not flat! No one is going to be concerned with your choice of shoes but yourself. I was a 'shoe dog' one year. Every woman I dealt with tried to get into shoes that were too small for her! Perhaps you need to try hiking class boots! They are designed for your kind of treking.
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Old Mar 22nd, 2007, 10:13 AM
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No offense taken, Ann...thanks for your kind wishes.

Tiff, no velcro involved. There's a bit of elastic for give and flex but the tension is perfect. I got basic black for flexibility but plan to add some of the fun funky colors in the future.
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Old Mar 22nd, 2007, 10:16 AM
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Clarin, I am so glad you asked this question! (I know there have been other threads...) However, I have been looking for the same thing...last week I ordered a pair from www.footsmart.com (suggested on here). I haven't gotten them yet but I feel like I may not love them...some of these suggestions sound much cuter!
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Old Mar 22nd, 2007, 10:24 AM
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Love the look and feel of my Tsubo and wear them around on the weekends, but they have ZERO padding or arch support. They work for doing errands but would never stand up to walking around a city all day long.
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Old Mar 22nd, 2007, 10:42 AM
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Another fan of Keens!

Suze--I have been looking at those Tsubos and wondered, so thanks for the heads up.
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