I have the Geox loafer slides. Black suede and boy are they soft and comfy!
Thanks elaine, just what I need, more shoes! LOL
I am getting Munroes new sandals with painting on them, like the Icons.
I have a pair of black ones that I got last summer and I wore them almost constantly..very comfortable and they look as good as when I got them.

elaine,

After seeing your post I pulled out yesterday's paper and read the story. I had jumped to the story about e-tickets vs. paper tickets.

Well, the sandal story was written by a dork, IMO. I am a lover of sandals, specifically Birkenstocks. My last pair, what was left of them, was being held together by strapping tape. I went to help work a stand at a home show in St. Louis two weeks ago and my feet were killing me after 10 hours on Friday. On Saturday morning I went for a stroll to see what else was at the show. Glory! It was a local Birkenstock store. I bought a new pair and wore them for 11 hours on Saturday and 7 hours on Sunday working the show, and every day since. These are the best things I ever put on my feet. I'll see how long this third pair lasts.

Part of the problem is that different lasts fit different feet. I like Birkenstocks, but have a long middle toe, so if I get the shoe to fit my foot and arch, I get a blister on the toe.

Likewise, Rockports seem short, though I got a great pair of leather thongs on sale that I love. (Guess the toe hangs off the edge)

Clarks are great for my feet. I have one style (Sunbeat) in several different colors (including navy). Yes, they are dorky, but they sure are comfortable. And I find Tevas great for cobblestones. I put a new pair on for ease of expanding during the transcontinental flight, and didn't take them off the whole trip. (well, except to sleep) Again dorky, but if my feet hurt, I'm miserable.

I'd try Born, but no half sizes.

I wear a half size and tajke the next full in born. Try them first.

Does anyone have a suggestion for sandals with a removeable footbed so I can use my own orthotic? Thanks.

Linawood...I wear othotics too. When I first got mine years ago the podiotrist made me an extra pair of thinner ones that I could wear with sandals..and heels.

I have no idea how he did that...actually I don't use them anymore. I rarely wear sandals because my back ends up hurting more than my feet. When I do, I wear SAS as they have narrow widths.

You might inquire of your dr. or whoever makes your orthotics.

For those who have the Born Riche sandals...they're only available in whole sizes. I'm a half size. Would you recommend going up or down?

up!

ignore my last post, I checked my two born sandels and couldn't understand the size. It may have said 9 but i'm a ten, so not sure.

Speaking of orthotics, I tend to get
fasciitis (heel pain) if I walk a lot, especially in shoes that don't offer a of heel support. I've seen ads for over-the-counter shoe inserts (heel cushions and such)--anyone know if they work?

Hi Elaine,

I developed faciitis just before going to Paris two years ago - ouch! It definitely curtailed my walking.

My doctor told me to go to a local shoe store where I was sold a pair of SAS walking shoes (he told me not to wear my Eccos) and a package orthotic (didn't have time to get a custom orthotic made) and it helped (more arch support than the insert that comes with shoes). I never did get the heel lift since my faciitis has healed and hasn't come back (I've been very careful).

The package orthotic is worn out and I keep thinking about getting a custom one made since the pre-made one really doesn't give me the arch support I need. It cost $60 two years ago vs $200 for a custom.

Before I paid another $60 for an orthotic off the rack I would pay more and get a custom one.

Do you do those exercises where you hang off the step by the ball of your feet and drop your heel? 30 times a day. It works to stretch everything. Whenever I feel a twinge I start the exercises again to avoid another episode of faciitis. Of course, I know I should do the exercises every day for the rest of my life but as soon as I feel better I forget to do them!

Elaine, I also have plantar fasciitis and I stand on my feet 12 hours a day. Check out the website www.heelspurs.com for an on-line book and wonderful message boards. The OTC orthotic most recommended there are Powersteps, they did not work well for me, the arch hit too far back on my heel, but most people rave about them and it is highly recommended by doctors in this area.
My favorite walking shoe and sandal is Birkenstocks, although I have $350 orthotics, the Birks are my favorite and I am in remission now of PF. I'm going to Italy in June and taking Birks with me. Bren

I had plantars fascitis too...for 6 months. I tried everything from fancy exercises,videos with exercises, to pills...no help. Then I went for physical therapy and he gave me specific exercises to do..like stretching..picking up marbles with your toes, etc. I've been fine since but when I am on my feet a lot I do get twinges and then I do the exercises. The next day I am usually fine. That is why I wear ugly shoes. Sandals are the worst. If I wear them a long time, I can count on pain.

I got better orthotics...$400!!!..can you believe that.The orthotic guy said if I had diabetes Medicare would have paid for them. I hope they last the rest of my life.

I look at all the lovel high-heeled shoes I see around and am very envious. (I also have bunions)

I swear by my NAOTS. They have a removeable insert so you can place your orthotics in. But I am going to have to find a store in my little city which sells the Born shoes.

After a doctor's recommendation, I bought a tendon-stretcher in an athletic supply store, apparently runners use them.
It is a plastic step-on rolly thingy that forces you to step on it and stretch the foot tendons at the same thing. I bought the one-foot-at-a-time model (about $25 or so), but there is another version (about $50) that has you stretching on it two feet at one time--you have to hold on to something. Sorry I don't know its precise name, but runners' shops have them.
I still haven't tried the Born shoes, maybe next weekend.

thanks for the info on the orthotics.

I just thought I'd mention that yesterday's New York Times had a semi-humorous article about the beginning of women's sandal season and the accompanying start of almost universal blisters and need for band-aids. There was specific mention of how often sandals cut into feet and price doesn't have anything to do with design quality or comfort.

Hi Elaine,
I too read that article about the beginning of sandal season and all the shoe fashionistas and their bandaged feet. All I could think about was stomping around Rome, Florence and Venice two weeks ago in my homely but heavenly Merrells. Women who say "you get used to it" (painful strappy $600 sandals) are tougher than I am!
Ellen

We should start a whole forum about shoes!

Here's what I'm bringing to Europe - they are VERY comfortable and cute too. I won't wear them for heavy duty walking (I hate dirty feet) - but certainly at the end of the day to dinner. The silver thing is actually sort of a disguised woman's face. Then the "hair" is in the leather. They are cork soled and have a velcro closure.

http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/3019817/c/3.html

I like the Naughty Monkey Princess! I think they would be good for attention but not so much for walking, too bad.

http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/4855205/c/559.html

seaurchin:
Well now those ARE interesting!