Help Needed: Comfortable Women’s Shoes (but not athletic)
 

I need a pair of low-heeled, springy-innersoled shoes suitable for walking all day and not too ugly to wear to a half-decent restaurant at night. I travel light – 2-3 weeks in Europe in spring or fall with only a roll-aboard – so need dual duty. I have plenty of athletic-type shoes that help with my back problems. But I also have a closet full of moderately priced shoes (Naturalizer, Life Stride, Aerosole, etc.) that feel fine the first three or four hours, then cause problems – rubbing, pinching, etc. I buy shoes in late afternoon but it hasn’t helped. The only pair, apart from some sandals, that I can wear for lots of walking is a pair of black suede high cut Land’s End slip-ons that aren’t exactly beautiful.

A friend (male) recommends Mephisto but I would <I>really</I> hate to spend $200, $300 or more on another pair of shoes to stuff in the closet. (By the time I’ve worn them long enough to realize they won’t work, they’re not returnable). DH loves some black Keen oxford-type shoes for comfort but the Keen women’s shoes are pretty ugly. (Actually, I currently find a lot of women’s shoes pretty ugly.)

I usually wear 9 ½ medium, which is often a hard size to find, and have a narrow heel; a lot of shoes are built on a wider last and don’t work – I have never been able to wear a pair of Clark’s, for instance, and SAS shoes don't seem designed for my feet either. Heel slippage is a major problem and I don’t find that various shoe inserts or stick-ons help. Would prefer black smooth leather, but low heels and a well-padded innersole are essential. Also nothing like backless clogs. Am hoping some folks here, especially those with narrow heels, can suggest some brands to try. (Oh for the days of combination lasts.)

Polly, I really sympathize with you! I wear a 9 1/2 too and it's so hard to find. They make half sized up to 8 1/2 and then it's 9, 10, etc. I always end up trying on a 9 (too small) or a 10 (too big).

I've had very good luck with Skechers. I've got a couple of pairs of their flats and I've gone through 3 weeks each in Italy and then in France with no other walking shoes and they were perfectly comfortable right to the end. The flats I get are about $90 where I live but I got one of the pair on sale for $60. Mine are years old now but still in good condition and still comfortable.

Skechers has a lot more styles now so you might find something that suits your needs.

Oh, and I meant to say that many of the styles (including both of mine) have straps across the instep which might help with the slippage.

I also have narrow heels, and have have good luck with Aravon shoes (a New Balance co.) They can be pricy, but you might luck out in one of the discount sites, such as Joesnewbalance.

http://www.joesnewbalanceoutlet.com/search_results.asp

~Liz

Sorry, that link does work as planned, but you can search for Aravon there, or go to the Aravon.com site to see there styles.

As you know, your feet are the problem not all the shoes. Don't MOST shoes feel fine at first, cause problems after a few hours, then settle in? You do need to break them in gradually.

Mephisto is a good investment if you can find a pair that you like and will wear. On the lower end look at the Spring Step line, google "Spring Step black women's" for photoes.

If you can shop at a Nordstrom, they will take any shoe back that doesn't work out, even after it's been worn outside.

I can't wear Mephistos myself. I've tried several times... the worst! don't mind the price, just they never fit right.

I like Naot or Merrell best.

I found that the one pair of closed heel Mephistos I bought slipped at the heel, although I still have and like a pair of Mephistos sandals where heel width isn't an issue.

Can you get good arch supporting insoles to add to the shoes you own, to make them fit better and be comfortable all day? Maybe an insole would take up the slack so they don't slip at your heel?

I recently bought a pair of North Face Base Camp Ballet Flats from Zappos. I like them a lot. Very lightweight, with a springy insole and a slight arch. My feet are narrow, too, but these work for me.

I bought a pair of grey/white/green ones and wish I had the black ones, but they are out-of-stock in my size now, on zappos.com.

http://www.zappos.com/the-north-face...et-black-black

I have a similar problem - but worse. I wear a 9 narrow - but have 4N heels - so even narrow shoes (which are becoming harder and harder to find - although everyone seems to offer wides - are we becoming a nation of ducks). I have given up finding shoes in stores - even Saks - which used to have a great shoe department. I now order from Zappos or Nordstroms - recognizing that I may order 8 to 10 pair to find one that fits. And when I do find one that fits I get it in whatever other colors I can find. But, I must say that for me if they are comfy in the store (I circle the show department several times - they almost always are in real life.)

What works for me for walking are Skecher's Mary Janes - since the strap across the foot holds it on - and they are comfy for miles. But - everyone's foot is different. (And no - those pads or grips or whatever they give you to put in the heels to make them narrower - never work.)

But I admit that for shoes to go to dinner - I get real ones - don;t compromise - but I always travel with checked luggage if a trip is more than 3 days.

I know you mentioned not being able to wear Clarks, but have you tried the Clarks "Unstructured" line? They are heavenly for me...walked miles in Italy and France last year without a complaint, and often forgot to take them off back at the hotel, they were so comfortable.

I just bought these for our trip to France next month. They are amazingly comfortable, kind of cute and the back may work great for your narrow heel:

http://www.englinsfinefootwear.com/f...ltiple-colors/

I can't wear Clarks either, so I'm interested in that "unstructured" line.

Have you looked at Ecco?

(BTW, I agree that most comfort shoes are pretty darn unattractive!)

My wife highly recommends SAS shoes. Her doctors all wear SAS shoes for standing and walking (think surgeries)on harder surfaces.

Reporting back. Your thread prompted me to find the black North Face flats for our upcoming trip. A little Googling around, and I found them at a slight discount, with free shipping and a free North Face tote bag. Yay!

I can't wear regular Clarks but I love the "Artisan" line.

At Shoebacca.com

I've been to Europe several times & NEVER leave without my Merrells. I have the plain black ones & they work with everything-jeans, slacks. For warmer weather, I highly reccomend TEVA leather sandals-lots of support, can walk in both for miles. Good luck!

Fwiw, I have never been able to wear the same shoes for walking all day and going out at night except in very warm climates, where I'll wear a supportive sandal like Naot or a sneaker like Converse without socks. Otherwise, it's lace-up sneakers or shoes for the walking around and a slip-on shoe or zip boot for evening. This is in part because lace-ups or adjustable velcro straps and the like accommodate different thicknesses of sock, heel issues, a blister pad, etc., and can be readjusted as the the day goes one; slip ons, if they start to rub, that's all she wrote.

That said, I like Naot and New Balance for myself. I second the suggestion to order from Zappos: free shipping, free returns, order a dozen pairs if you like! Nordstrom is the same provided you live near enough to a store to return them. Good luck!

What a great bunch of responses. Thanks! It will give me some places to start. I wasn't happy to hear about getting and returning lots of pairs before finding some that work, though. I thought it was bad enough when I needed some Keen H2Os for wet landings in the Galapagos and the first two from Zappos didn't work. Found some on a trip and all they had was lavender, which I didn't want, but at least I knew my size then and was able to get the right ones from Zappos on the next try. Guess I'll have to suck it up and start ordering (and ordering and ordering) if I can't find anything locally. Maybe should try SAS again and also look at Nordstrom, which is at a mall 20+ mi. from here where I seldom go. Would like to find something in the next couple of weeks to take on a Sept. trip to CO where we'll have more luggage or on a driving trip in Oct. so I'll know if they deserve some of the limited luggage space for 3 wks. in Italy next April.

I never take a new pair of shoes on a trip - or even wear them out for a few hours without another pair in the car. But after you've worn a pair for several hours a dozen times, it seems to me that there's not going to be much more breaking in. Have also never had any luck with the stick-on heel thingies. My experience with adding innersoles has also been less than satisfactory. If the shoe is large enough that the toe box fits with an added innersole, it is usually too loose in the heel. DH swears by some he used to get at K-Mart (some off-brand, slightly rigid that he can't find now), but they didn't work for me - the same space problem.

Still have some wonderful-feeling Life Stride sandals that are a cross between the "utility" type and a more dressy shoe, but they were discontinued and by the time I discovered how great they were, they were hard to find (espec. 9 1/2). Finally got 2 more in different colors. Am hoping if I find a really great shoe it will come in several colors because I'd hate to have to buy half a dozen pair exactly alike. But if I find something good, I'll try to get a lifetime supply.

I once bought two pairs of ECCOS and wore them for 2 weeks in France the next week. I still have one pair (just plain black "oxford") 10 years later. I'd buy the other pair again in a heartbeat but they don't make it.
I think Eccos are a good last, but mostly you need to find the shoe last and toe (for me) that "fits" your foot. Mephistos are practically a lifetime investment. They will repair them forever.
And the Nordstrom's idea is a good one--even by mail, I'd think. They have GREAT shoes.

I picked up a pair of OTBT Springfield shoes from a local store (also available online through various sites); really love these shoes; very comfortable & look great with pants, skirts, & casual dresses.

Have also had good success with Aravon shoes, the Gabby (older style), similar to the Tia, looks great with pants & the Maya which I wear with everything & have it in black & burgandy.

I also have had success with Clarks "Un" series, the Un.Poem in black is what I have, great with pants, casual skirts.

http://www.sasshoes.com/main/view_st...id=4&prodid=64

The padding in these shoes is amazing. I can wear all day and not cry.

Size 7 1/2 wide is difficult also. I find wides at Maryland Square--

http://www.marylandsquare.com

Perhaps you'll find something in your size as well.

I have a size 11 wide foot with very short toes, and I have problems with Mephistos -- total pain! But last year I found that Clark's has their Wave line, which feel like walking on pillows IMO. I wore out one pair of sandals and just replaced them with another. I also have a pair of their closed shoes in Mary Jane style. I tend to avoid closed shoes if possible because of my foot structure, but the Wave shoes work for me.

I wear a size 9-1/2 also, which is difficult to find, but I don't think there is any magic answer here or any magic brand. I don't have any narrow heel issue, though. It just depends on some brand fitting you best, that's all (and then some model within a brand). Some people swear by shoes that are excruciating for me (eg, every pair of Clarks I've tried on). I have numerous pairs of Naturalizer which are very comfortable and which I can wear for hours and all day.

But frankly, I can't think of any pair of walking shoes that are really going to stand up to hours and hours of walking that I would wear out in the evening. None--except with pants that basically covered them. But with a skirt or dress? I don't think so. But I just care more about what I wear out at night than the "no carryon" rule, it is a trade off. I would never wear the same shoes all day, anyway, I don't think it's good for your feet or the shoe. Well, rarely I might if for some unusual reason I cannot go back to my hotel in the interim (I try to go back to rest a bit and change and shower for dinner).

I hve a pair of Ecco sandals that are good for walking with a cork sole, and it is stretching to wear them with a skirt in summer.

I'm not a believer in the whole breaking in thing, I think shoes should be comfortable from the start and if not, they don't fit. And I don't think it makes any difference if you break them in gradually or not.

My best luck with non-summer walking shoes has been Naturalizer, actually. They aren't for skirts/dresses, but these were my go-to shoes this past Fall/winter, I bought 2 pair, brown and black http://www.amazon.com/NATURAL-SOUL-N.../dp/B004MS22VG THis is another style I bought 1-2 pair of, but they are similar loafer type shoes http://www.onlineshoes.com/womens-na...ede-p_id234118

Naot and Helle work best for me. Not cheap, but you can find them on sale on line. Buy well before you leave and wear them a lot, to be sure they're broken in and suit your feet.

Naot, Merrells, Keens and Aravon. Oh, and Wolky sandals.

I kept Sally Ann supplied with Mephistos and Birks until I
saw the light!

A pair of lightweight pretty sandals take up virtually no room in a suitcase.

I absolutely agree, you should NOT have to "break in" shoes. You should be able to walk out of the store with them on your feet and wear them all day the first day. If you can't, the don't fit.

I've only seen ads for Aravon, but they always looked interesting to me, so thanks for the mention of those. I'll have to track them down.

Interestingly I also wear a 9-1/2 but never have any problems finding my size.

If you can find a pair of Eccos to your liking you may have a winner. I also have a pair of Eccos for many years and have worn them on countless trips. The only reason I really need a new pair is the strap is chewed up. Not the fault of Eccos except the the leather was tasty to the dog.

Too bad you can't wear Clark's. Have you tried them on lately?
Sometimes a brand that wasn't comfortable in the past is either better made or my foot has changed.

My daughter wears a half size (one foot is 1/2 size different from the other) and has very narrow heels. She can wear some Clarks which she orders (yes, you can order narrow half sizes in many styles even if they don't have them in the stores). Some Clark styles feel great on me while others are awful. Find a Clark's outlet and try on a hundred different styles. You'll find a few that work for you. The Clarks that work for my daughter aren't the Clarks that work for me. You might try Privo by Clark sandals also - very cushiony.

DD also finds some cheap shoes (about $40) that work at Carnival Shoes. She's found several loafer style that had padding at the heel. She's also found Natural Soul there by Naturalizer that fit and are comfortable enough to be on her feet at work all day. Some Anne Kleins and Liz Claibornes also work for her.

Brands that are always to narrow for me are Grasshopper, Franco Sarto, Bandolino and Sam Edelman so perhaps they would work for you. You can find most of those at places like DSW.

Unfortunately, shopping for shoes can be tiresome, because indeed, fit varies from style to style even within a brand.

I will also say that I walked around in all kinds of crappy shoes, for miles and miles, when I was younger without any damage. I still have healthy feet, but need better shoes to avoid blisters and exhausted tootsies.

Do you have a DSW shoe store near you? http://www.dsw.com/
They have lots of locations and now they ship too.

polly,

I recommend the Lylyana flats by Me Too. Check the link

http://www.lordandtaylor.com/eng/Sho...dtaylor/171083

I wore them last year in Greece and this year in France, not every day (although I could do that, too) but quite often, and walked in them all day long. They are beautiful enough to wear to a restaurant and so comfortable. You have a nice springy cushion under your feet. I bought them because a woman I met at a shoe store last year had them on and she swore by them. She told me that she used them the year before in Italy and could walk in them 8 hours a day. I bought them and I am very satisfied. I think they are so popular that they've been back year after year. I am going to get anohther pair.

I can only last an hour in flats. It's sad, lol.

Easy Spirit's are the best. They are walk out of box/store comfortable.

Wear the TravelTime line for airport travel; easy slip on/off.

You can find on Zappos and if you Google Easy Spirit coupons, you can come up with some good sales: or Zappos carries.

http://www.easyspirit.com/

Maybe I should rephrase my comments about breaking-in shoes. I also think if the shoes don't feel great on your feet in the store, chances are they never will. But I've traveled with people who buy new shoes for a trip and don't ever wear them until we're in Europe. And then the fun begins. Blisters, aching feet, miserable. It has happened several times to different people, who insisted the shoes felt fine when they tried them on in the store. Therefore, I do think one should wear them some before traveling, just in case there is something that rubs or causes some irritation or pain.
I also agree about stick on heel things or pads, they have not worked well for me at all.
I hope you find some that really feel good to you immediately, and only get better with wear.

I like the Merrell brand. They are not always the most feminine, but I bought a great pair years ago to walk all over San Fransisco. They never hurt and looked great with pants and jeans, definitely not with a skirt. But no sore feet and I wear 8.5, so they come in halfs.

Try a few different brands; indigo by Clark's are actually comfy and fashionable. Naot are very comfy but limited in their stylish, Munro are both comfy and fashionable All these are $100-$150.