Which is the Comfort Sandal for Ladies
May 31st, 2004, 06:01 AM
#86
Did I miss it? Or, could it actually be that no one has mentioned Chacco's? I have friends who have worn them hiking in Nepal and swear by them. But, I put them to the ultimate test -- Disney World. And the passed with flying colors.
May 31st, 2004, 07:10 AM
#87
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Here's what the mysterious SAS shoes look like: http://www.farrarshoestore.com/Pics/sas_shoes.jpg I have no idea whether they're comfortable, because I've never tried them.
I don't usually post on these shoe threads, but I've given this topic A LOT of thought. I have opinions re shoes, but am still looking ofr comfortable walking sandals and am not usre whether there is such a thing, at least for me.
For walking more than a few miles in rustic places or walking on rough terrain or steep trails, I would wear hiking boots, but I wouldn't wear them as "normal" shoes in cities. My hiking boots are usually (maybe always?) Merrell, in the light to medium range.
Other than hiking boots, the most comfortable walking shoe I've found recently is the Merrell Primo Moc for women. (This is NOT the slide version, not the padded insulated winter version, not the "jungle" version, which looks comfortable, but is too wide for me.) It fits perfectly, has a thick sole with pretty good traction for a non-hiking shoe, a well shaped removable insole, and, because it is smooth and not lumpy like athletic shoes, it really doesn't look bad at all with pants, though I wouldn't wear it with a skirt--even a very casual one--because I don't like to wear it without socks. The only drawback is that they are rather hot, even warmer than regular thick tie shoes, possibly because of the stretchy, partly rubber, foam material that replaces a lacing system as a means of keeping them secure and snug on the foot. Before finding these, the most comfortable casual walking shoes I'd found were regular athletic walking shoes (Rockport usually, or sometimes Naturalizer walking oxfords), which I'd get in black, so they just looked like ugly thick shoes and didn't stand out form a 1/2 mile away like the white version.
I almost always buy shoes at discount shoe stores like DSW and Famous Footwear. The one bad thing about that is that often the shoes are discontinued styles. I don't care a bit if they are outdated styles, BUT that does mean that when I find something perfect, I often cannot find it again, a few months later. That's what has happened with the regular Primo Moc. I see the Primo Moc slides, the Jungle Mocs, and other variations, but not the just plain women's closed back Primo Moc shoe.
Sandals--here are lots of comfortable sandals for casual walking, but I've never found sandals that are supportive enough for more heavy duty walking around towns for hours adding up to about 10 miles in a day. I wish I could, because then I could wear them with a skirt, and that would help me travel light, since, unlike pants, a skirt doesn't have to be washed after wearing it for a day of vigorous activity.
Lately I have a problem finding even casual sandals that are OK for up to about 3-5 miles of walking. About 3 1/2 years ago I somehow injured my Achilles heels--on both feet but especially on the right foot. I could barely walk for months, I couldn't wear anything that pressed on the Achilles heel, and walking barefoot or in very flat slides caused severe pain. I wore slides a lot, and found them very comfortable for just hanging around, but they really are not a good idea for long or fast walking. It seems to be much much better now, but if I walk too much in shoes that do not have a high enough heel, or spend too much time barefoot, the Achilles heel gets inflamed again. Before this, I USED to think that Clark's Springers were very comfortable sandals, but, though they are still pretty good for very limited walking, they are too flat for me now and I risk exacerbating the Achilles heel problem if I wear them too much. I also think heavy people need sturdier, more supportive shoes than lightweight people. I can't get by with the kind of shoes that were fine for me when I was young and many pounds lighter.
I recently bought Joseph Seibel sandals at DSW. The heel is just a little flatter than I should wear, but the sole is thick, the straps don't rub, and they're pretty good. Last weekend I walked about 3 miles mostly uphill in DC to a picnic that we were told was a mile away. Most of the people I was walking with also were wearing sandals, and I was the only one of the sandal wearers whose feet didn't hurt.
What I'm looking for is comfortable, supportive sandals that would not look too bad with a skirt, are not too flat for my Achilles problem, have good thick sole, can accommodate a fairly narrow heel without getting dangerously loose (making them useless for support and a risk for turning the ankle), and are comfortable for about 10 miles of walking stretched over a day.
I don't usually post on these shoe threads, but I've given this topic A LOT of thought. I have opinions re shoes, but am still looking ofr comfortable walking sandals and am not usre whether there is such a thing, at least for me.
For walking more than a few miles in rustic places or walking on rough terrain or steep trails, I would wear hiking boots, but I wouldn't wear them as "normal" shoes in cities. My hiking boots are usually (maybe always?) Merrell, in the light to medium range.
Other than hiking boots, the most comfortable walking shoe I've found recently is the Merrell Primo Moc for women. (This is NOT the slide version, not the padded insulated winter version, not the "jungle" version, which looks comfortable, but is too wide for me.) It fits perfectly, has a thick sole with pretty good traction for a non-hiking shoe, a well shaped removable insole, and, because it is smooth and not lumpy like athletic shoes, it really doesn't look bad at all with pants, though I wouldn't wear it with a skirt--even a very casual one--because I don't like to wear it without socks. The only drawback is that they are rather hot, even warmer than regular thick tie shoes, possibly because of the stretchy, partly rubber, foam material that replaces a lacing system as a means of keeping them secure and snug on the foot. Before finding these, the most comfortable casual walking shoes I'd found were regular athletic walking shoes (Rockport usually, or sometimes Naturalizer walking oxfords), which I'd get in black, so they just looked like ugly thick shoes and didn't stand out form a 1/2 mile away like the white version.
I almost always buy shoes at discount shoe stores like DSW and Famous Footwear. The one bad thing about that is that often the shoes are discontinued styles. I don't care a bit if they are outdated styles, BUT that does mean that when I find something perfect, I often cannot find it again, a few months later. That's what has happened with the regular Primo Moc. I see the Primo Moc slides, the Jungle Mocs, and other variations, but not the just plain women's closed back Primo Moc shoe.
Sandals--here are lots of comfortable sandals for casual walking, but I've never found sandals that are supportive enough for more heavy duty walking around towns for hours adding up to about 10 miles in a day. I wish I could, because then I could wear them with a skirt, and that would help me travel light, since, unlike pants, a skirt doesn't have to be washed after wearing it for a day of vigorous activity.
Lately I have a problem finding even casual sandals that are OK for up to about 3-5 miles of walking. About 3 1/2 years ago I somehow injured my Achilles heels--on both feet but especially on the right foot. I could barely walk for months, I couldn't wear anything that pressed on the Achilles heel, and walking barefoot or in very flat slides caused severe pain. I wore slides a lot, and found them very comfortable for just hanging around, but they really are not a good idea for long or fast walking. It seems to be much much better now, but if I walk too much in shoes that do not have a high enough heel, or spend too much time barefoot, the Achilles heel gets inflamed again. Before this, I USED to think that Clark's Springers were very comfortable sandals, but, though they are still pretty good for very limited walking, they are too flat for me now and I risk exacerbating the Achilles heel problem if I wear them too much. I also think heavy people need sturdier, more supportive shoes than lightweight people. I can't get by with the kind of shoes that were fine for me when I was young and many pounds lighter.
I recently bought Joseph Seibel sandals at DSW. The heel is just a little flatter than I should wear, but the sole is thick, the straps don't rub, and they're pretty good. Last weekend I walked about 3 miles mostly uphill in DC to a picnic that we were told was a mile away. Most of the people I was walking with also were wearing sandals, and I was the only one of the sandal wearers whose feet didn't hurt.
What I'm looking for is comfortable, supportive sandals that would not look too bad with a skirt, are not too flat for my Achilles problem, have good thick sole, can accommodate a fairly narrow heel without getting dangerously loose (making them useless for support and a risk for turning the ankle), and are comfortable for about 10 miles of walking stretched over a day.
May 31st, 2004, 07:23 AM
#88
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In 2001, I visited Europe for 3 weeks wearing only a pair of Clarks - similar in style to the Ecco sandals that have three velcro bands across them. I also own a pair of the Ecco - I am still wearing the Clarks - never a blister - always comfortable and in black they go with everything!
Jun 1st, 2004, 06:00 PM
#90
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I have the worst feet on earth -- certified, I swear. And I walked five to eight miles a day in Italy with no discomfort whatsoever in Joseph Siebel's "Leah" sandals: http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/989769/c/10441.html. They were a lifesaver. I even noticed other tourists wearing them.
Jun 2nd, 2004, 09:08 AM
#91
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www.normthompson.com has a couple of Seibel and Wolky sandals on sale this week.
Jun 3rd, 2004, 10:57 AM
#92
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I swear by my Mephisto sandals. They conformed to my foot after a few days and I can wear them for miles and miles. Pricey, but worth it.
I have very bad feet and had surgery years ago and not every style is as comfortable as others. Its got to feel like walking on air in the store, cushiony and supportive, too.
I have very bad feet and had surgery years ago and not every style is as comfortable as others. Its got to feel like walking on air in the store, cushiony and supportive, too.
Jun 3rd, 2004, 12:56 PM
#93
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My Clarks are Sunbeats, and yes, they're fairly flat, although with good padding. I always have our shoemaker add a little leather arch lift.
Some of the best sandals I've ever found are made by Berkemann, but they're very hard to find for some reason. And expensive, now, given the declining $, as they're German-made.
Some of the best sandals I've ever found are made by Berkemann, but they're very hard to find for some reason. And expensive, now, given the declining $, as they're German-made.
Jun 3rd, 2004, 06:12 PM
#95
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I have recently discovered Dansko (made in Portugal?) and they are lifesavers. I have a loafer style that I wore in Europe and Chile (I also bought a sandal for Chile). Last winter, I hurt my back and those Dankso's were the ONLY shoe that I could wear (my job required me to be on my feet). Needless to say, I also brought a pair of Clarks sandals on my last trip to Italy and ended up with blisters (wore them 2 years prior in Spain with no problem - go figure!). They're kind of clunky and expensive ($100+) and can get them at Nordstroms. However, I've had my 'eye'on the Birkenstock Mary Jane for a while now.
JUdy
Jun 4th, 2004, 06:36 AM
#97
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Take a look at Clarks Lindsey style. They are very comfortable and have a little different look to them - not strappy as most sandals. They provide comfort, support and look stylish. I prefer wearing a closed shoe on flights, but I am considering wearing these since they are not as open as most sandals. They came in 3 colors - black, natural, and red.
Jun 4th, 2004, 09:21 AM
#98
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I splurged (for me) on Mephistos before my trip and was so glad I did. I tried on a wide variety of "comfort" shoes at Nordstroms and the moment I slid these on my foot said "ahhhh". They had the arch support my foot craved. They are more comfortable than my tennis shoes, I wore them every day except for biking days. They were worth the splurge.
