Women's semi-stylish, comfortable shoes?
Jan 21st, 2015, 07:32 AM
#182
Join Date: Apr 2013
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My ARAs cost in the $100 range. I have three pairs of the same model -- a slip-on suede shoe (with stretchy fabric bits on top to make them easier to get on and off). The last pair I bought was in September 2014 and I spent 89 euros. They are still made in Europe, not China (if that's a factor for you). http://www.amazon.com/ara-Pat-Womens.../dp/B005ADRJ88
Here's a pretty fair review: http://www.smartertravel.com/blogs/t...ml?id=12192927
I think of them as three-season shoes -- this particular style is a little too warm to wear in summer. But they are very comfortable, have a good grip and are waterproof. And not too heavy -- I like my Merrell's suede "moc crocs" for walking in the hills but they're too heavy for everyday.
Here's a pretty fair review: http://www.smartertravel.com/blogs/t...ml?id=12192927
I think of them as three-season shoes -- this particular style is a little too warm to wear in summer. But they are very comfortable, have a good grip and are waterproof. And not too heavy -- I like my Merrell's suede "moc crocs" for walking in the hills but they're too heavy for everyday.
Jan 21st, 2015, 07:46 AM
#185
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I love FitFlops...but I can't wear the styles that have that divider between the toes. When I first saw them, they only had that style available (where I live anyway) but now I'm see more of their styles --like Kys and Sling -- that don't irritate my toes. I'm curious about their boots -- any Fodorite experience with them? They seem like a nice alternative to the ubiquitous Uggs or the terrific but expensive Kandahars.
Jan 21st, 2015, 08:12 AM
#186
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Footwear is not the place to save money. How much are you spending on your trip? If your feet hurt, it'll spoil your trip and you will have wasted that money.
Everybody's feet are different. Try out your new shoes at home on rough surfaces to make sure they're right and to break them in.
Everybody's feet are different. Try out your new shoes at home on rough surfaces to make sure they're right and to break them in.
Jan 21st, 2015, 08:13 AM
#187
I love Naot! They are the most comfortable shoes I own these days. I like both their sandals and several style of shoes (but not all of them fit me).
For plantar fascitis you need orthodics from a podiatrist, not just supportive shoes.
For plantar fascitis you need orthodics from a podiatrist, not just supportive shoes.
Jan 21st, 2015, 08:24 AM
#188
"I love FitFlops...but I can't wear the styles that have that divider between the toes"
WeisserTee, my first two pair didn't bother me at all but I ordered another pair and the thong part hurt. I should have trusted the reviews on that particular shoe. I really rely on Amazon and Zappo reviews.
"For plantar fascitis you need orthodics from a podiatrist, not just supportive shoes."
suze, that may be your personal experience but my personal experience is different. I'm glad the "orthodics from a podiatrist" was the right solution for you.
"I'm curious about their boots -- any Fodorite experience with them?"
I think OO has used the boots. I'll tell her about this thread.
"Footwear is not the place to save money. How much are you spending on your trip? If your feet hurt, it'll spoil your trip and you will have wasted that money"
Completely agree, Mimar.
WeisserTee, my first two pair didn't bother me at all but I ordered another pair and the thong part hurt. I should have trusted the reviews on that particular shoe. I really rely on Amazon and Zappo reviews.
"For plantar fascitis you need orthodics from a podiatrist, not just supportive shoes."
suze, that may be your personal experience but my personal experience is different. I'm glad the "orthodics from a podiatrist" was the right solution for you.
"I'm curious about their boots -- any Fodorite experience with them?"
I think OO has used the boots. I'll tell her about this thread.
"Footwear is not the place to save money. How much are you spending on your trip? If your feet hurt, it'll spoil your trip and you will have wasted that money"
Completely agree, Mimar.
Jan 21st, 2015, 09:26 AM
#189
I've never even seen fit flop boots let alone worn a pair! I live in a climate that is pretty warm most of the time so if they are displaying fit flops at all, it's the sandals, even now. I just got my 6th pair. 
I do have a pair of the clogs, and have found that FitFlops with leather or cork soles don't work as well for the cushioning I need. The others did help me get over a year long case of plantar fasciitis. And now they are filling a new need. Hip replacements often result in one leg being slightly longer than the other. Even a quarter inch difference is noticeable. FitFlops have so much give tho, they absorb that extra 1/4" and as long as those shoes are on, it isn't noticeable at all.
This past weekend I was mesmerized by a pair of purple clogs I saw. OMG they were cool. So I had to ask the woman where she got them, and she said online, but they are vintage. The top was purple and a material that looked almost like a shiny croc material. They were Swedish, and she told me the name, but the words were all Swedish too so I'm clueless today as to what they were. One of the words was Swedish for the word clog, that much I know. I LOVED them!!
I do have a pair of the clogs, and have found that FitFlops with leather or cork soles don't work as well for the cushioning I need. The others did help me get over a year long case of plantar fasciitis. And now they are filling a new need. Hip replacements often result in one leg being slightly longer than the other. Even a quarter inch difference is noticeable. FitFlops have so much give tho, they absorb that extra 1/4" and as long as those shoes are on, it isn't noticeable at all. This past weekend I was mesmerized by a pair of purple clogs I saw. OMG they were cool. So I had to ask the woman where she got them, and she said online, but they are vintage. The top was purple and a material that looked almost like a shiny croc material. They were Swedish, and she told me the name, but the words were all Swedish too so I'm clueless today as to what they were. One of the words was Swedish for the word clog, that much I know. I LOVED them!!
Jan 21st, 2015, 10:11 AM
#191
Oh. You "don't have plantas fasciitis"?
And yet you are giving advice re the condition?
"For plantar fascitis you need orthodics from a podiatrist, not just supportive shoes"
LOL! Now that's funny!
Sorry Dr. Suze. Thanks for sharing your professional opinion but I already have a doctor I trust.
LOL
And yet you are giving advice re the condition?
"For plantar fascitis you need orthodics from a podiatrist, not just supportive shoes"
LOL! Now that's funny!
Sorry Dr. Suze. Thanks for sharing your professional opinion but I already have a doctor I trust.
LOL
Jan 21st, 2015, 10:19 AM
#192
Starrs, Please feel free to ignore everything I post. I have a long-time background in sports and dance, and everyone I have ever known who faced it, went to a podiatrist. Can you please not pick a fight over everything I say?
Jan 21st, 2015, 10:41 AM
#193
suze, despite your professed credentials, I'll continue to follow my doctor's recommendation regarding PF.
OO shared how well FitFlops work for her, based on first hand experience, and I have benefitted from her recommendation.
I've shared how well Ariat and Mephistos work for me. Perhaps others will benefit from my recommendations.
You've shared that Mephistos are too expensive for you. Some of us feel differently. You've given advice for a condition that you've not experienced. I'll consider advice from OO and others who have experienced PF.
Please feel free to ignore everything I post.
"I hate Mephistos"
"Since Mephistos run about $300, I might have just saved someone a lot of money."
"For plantar fascitis you need orthodics from a podiatrist, not just supportive shoes."
" I don't have plantas fasciitis."
When you pepper a thread about comfortable shoes with comments like those over just a two day span, it's hard not to notice.
In any case, perhaps the Walking Cradle suggestion will be helpful for some, even though it may not be helpful to others.
OO shared how well FitFlops work for her, based on first hand experience, and I have benefitted from her recommendation.
I've shared how well Ariat and Mephistos work for me. Perhaps others will benefit from my recommendations.
You've shared that Mephistos are too expensive for you. Some of us feel differently. You've given advice for a condition that you've not experienced. I'll consider advice from OO and others who have experienced PF.
Please feel free to ignore everything I post.
"I hate Mephistos"
"Since Mephistos run about $300, I might have just saved someone a lot of money."
"For plantar fascitis you need orthodics from a podiatrist, not just supportive shoes."
" I don't have plantas fasciitis."
When you pepper a thread about comfortable shoes with comments like those over just a two day span, it's hard not to notice.
In any case, perhaps the Walking Cradle suggestion will be helpful for some, even though it may not be helpful to others.
Jan 21st, 2015, 10:57 AM
#194
Like I said starrs, please just stop. We can all read posts for ourselves the first time. You don't need to copy, paste, and compile my comments and make a bunch of derogatory remarks. No one else does that, you'll notice. Only you.
Jan 21st, 2015, 11:09 AM
#195
I think the solution is to stop with the "I hate Mephisto" and "For plantar fascitis you need orthodics from a podiatrist, not just supportive shoes" comments.
I think you'll find that if you stop with those type of derogatory remarks on a comfortable shoe thread, you'll not get any comments in response.
Following a recommendation for Mephistos with "I hate Mephistos" and bragging on saving someone $300 with that comment is just strange.
Providing advice on PF and then sharing later that you've never had it nor had to recover from it is strange.
We are sharing recommendations with one another about comfortable shoes that have worked well for us. That's always valuable.
I think you'll find that if you stop with those type of derogatory remarks on a comfortable shoe thread, you'll not get any comments in response.
Following a recommendation for Mephistos with "I hate Mephistos" and bragging on saving someone $300 with that comment is just strange.
Providing advice on PF and then sharing later that you've never had it nor had to recover from it is strange.
We are sharing recommendations with one another about comfortable shoes that have worked well for us. That's always valuable.
Feb 23rd, 2015, 09:07 AM
#198
Join Date: Dec 2009
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Sorry to bring up this thread again, but I just wanted to report that I found Alegria and Pikolinos shoes. I love them both so much! While Alegria look like Dansko, they are lighter and a bit less clog-like.
Pikolinos are just beautiful.
Pikolinos are just beautiful.
