View Full Version : Comfortable sandals?
frugalone
4-11-12, 11:20pm
Hi everyone--I am looking for comfortable sandals this summer. To me, comfort means a strap across the back, low heels, possibly a padded interior heel (where the bottom of the foot strikes), and no thongy-thingy between my big and second toe.
Of course it goes w/o saying I'm looking for a low price!
Oh, and suitable for work (in a library).
Any brands you can recommend?
Thanks!
Keen is fantastic. Not a low price; IMHO, low priced shoes are poorly made & not worth anything. I have tree paris of Keen's, and they last a very long time.
I like Clarks. They're a bit more stylish than they used to be. Mid-range prices.
ETA a sample: http://tinyurl.com/84mgjlw
rosarugosa
4-12-12, 4:39am
I'll echo Jane on the Clark's brand. They do have outlet stores, and I see the brand a lot at Marshall's, so I seldom pay full price.
I am even more picky about sandals in that I require velcro straps to have them easily adjustable. I do not like buckles.
My favorite pair are 5 years old (maybe more) and Clarks. I also found a pair at Shoe Carnival (different brand)but they were the only pair in the whole store.
Clarks, Ecco, Merrills are the three brands I would go to first. Consider cost per wear on sandals that you might consider higher cost, around $100. The ones I spent most on lasted the longest and were without a doubt the most comfortable. Most years I wore mine every day for 6 months. I alternated with a pair of New Balance walking shoes and that was my whole shoe wardrobe for years.
All of the clarks I've bought at consignment/thrift stores are very comfortable.
I'm a Clarks groupie too!
http://www.crocs.com/crocs-patricia/10386,default,pd.html?cid=41U&cgid=women-footwear-sandals
I have worn crocs - Patricia - for the last few years. I wear these with dress pants too .....they look surprisingly like leather in the black. I wear them on vacation and walk miles and miles in them. Wear them for my local walking. They are like walking on marshmallows. Get compliments on them...no one can believe they are crocs.
I like Crocs too, but I go for sturdy styles like Off Road in black or brown. The last pair I bought is actually embossed in a croco design. Comfortable, and you can wash them in the sink!
domestic goddess
4-12-12, 2:53pm
This is a timely thread for me, and I am looking forward to any and all responses. My feet are pretty messed up for someone who never spent much time in heels, etc. But I have a fallen arch in my left foot, which now overpronates, and my right foot is fine, but it tends to oversupinate a bit. I wear New Balance walking shoes most of the time, but with summer coming on, would like something more seasonal that has some arch support in it.
Got a Footsmart catalog the other day, so please keep those suggestions coming! I am bound and determined I am going to find some sandals for my messed up feet!
fidgiegirl
4-12-12, 7:31pm
Chaco, though they go not fit the cheap bill, either. However, if you look at use per season, they may well meet your needs.
They are extraordinarily comfortable, and they don't all have the toe thingy. If you want to see them, go to an REI or outdoor store where they can explain how to adjust the straps.
I LOVE mine!!!
Keen is fantastic. Not a low price; IMHO, low priced shoes are poorly made & not worth anything. I have tree paris of Keen's, and they last a very long time.
Unfortunately, a bit too sporty for me. I should have specified that these need to be something I can wear to my job at the library. :)
frugalone
4-12-12, 10:01pm
Chaco, though they go not fit the cheap bill, either. However, if you look at use per season, they may well meet your needs.
They are extraordinarily comfortable, and they don't all have the toe thingy. If you want to see them, go to an REI or outdoor store where they can explain how to adjust the straps.
I LOVE mine!!!
LIke the Keens, too sporty for wearing to the library. But thank you!
Thanks, everyone! Clarks are available locally so I may give them a try. I've had luck with their regular shoes, too.
Birkenstocks are hard to beat for comfort and durability. Alas, not inexpensive though. When you hear "Birkenstock," the image that's likely to come to mind is their Arizona model, which does not have a back strap. However, they have lots of other styles, some of which do have back straps and no thong-thingie. The Milano is one that fits your description. I used to wear those to an office job (with slacks, not with skirts); depends on how dressy you need to be. There's also one called Odessa, and a similar one called Bali, both of which fit your description. They run in the neighborhood of $130 on the Birkenstock.com website.
L.I.B, does your library allow open-toed shoes for employees? Ours does not, ostensibly for safety reasons (dropping Grey's Anatomy on one's big toe is a really good way to ruin your day :) ) I love Clarks too. I'd shop http://sierratradingpost.com just for fun -- they often have excellent brands for great prices because they're closing out a style/size/etc.
Birkenstock does have some that are not really hippy looking. Ebay will have the german imports that are cute. I get all mine off ebay, since I know my size. 1/2 price to the stores. I just got a pair $110 in the store for $45 after shipping on ebay.
My favorite reasonably-priced shoes:
Bass
http://www.zappos.com/bass-women-sandals/CK_XARC51wFSAQ_AAQHiAgQKAQIY.zso?s=recentSalesStyl e/desc&zfcTest=gs:0
And Aerosoles (LOVE Aerosoles shoes... extremely comfortable. I have wide feet and they never pinch)
http://www.aerosoles.com/eng/categories/sandals/flats
I don't think that cheap should really enter in the equation when buying shoes. Our feet are our foundation and need support.
Ok, now that I've said that, many times I have had to resort to cheaper (kiddy) shoes because I wear a size 5 and that is not easy to find. I wear a lot of Croc knockoffs and have never worn anything more comfy in my life. I just found a pair of black that look ok and I wear them to work and out and about. They have a velcro back strap. I have looked thru their website and they have some 5's, but I don't like to order shoes since different shoe companies make theirs a bit well, different. Need to try them on.
frugalone
4-13-12, 11:57pm
I had to smile when I read this. I've tried all sorts of Birkies--my sister, actually, loves them! I don't know why, but there is not a single pair that ever felt comfy on me. LOL Same thing with Born and Dansko shoes. I am just weird, or I have weird feet!!!
frugalone
4-13-12, 11:58pm
L.I.B, does your library allow open-toed shoes for employees? Ours does not, ostensibly for safety reasons (dropping Grey's Anatomy on one's big toe is a really good way to ruin your day :) ) I love Clarks too. I'd shop http://sierratradingpost.com just for fun -- they often have excellent brands for great prices because they're closing out a style/size/etc.
Oh goodness...I never thought of that! Maybe I should invest in steel toed boots! tee hee
I should ask HR, seriously. No one has said anything to me yet about a "real" dress code, but you do have a very valid point!
Birkenstock does have some that are not really hippy looking. Ebay will have the german imports that are cute. I get all mine off ebay, since I know my size. 1/2 price to the stores. I just got a pair $110 in the store for $45 after shipping on ebay.
I bought a pair of Birkenstocks for my first trip to Europe, (which are very epensive here), but only wore them once since they were so uncomfortable walking on cobblestones. I left them in my room hoping that someone else could wear them, and wore my runners plus a pair of low-heeled dressy shoes to go into churches and out for dinners.
Wildflower
4-14-12, 3:42am
A brand new pair of Birkenstocks definitely need a break in period, but once broken in they are the most wonderful sandals ever....they are the only brand of sandals I wear and they hold up forever. Well worth the price.
Also, Birkenstock has introduced styles with cushioned footbeds now that don't require breaking in. I like their clog styles better than the sandals, for my foot.
morning girl
4-14-12, 2:53pm
Keen actually has several non-sporty styles. If you look at their web site they are the boulevard styles. Several would probably fit the bill for work. I have my eye on one style for dressy summer shoes. I don't wear heels so these would be dressy for me.
Keen actually has several non-sporty styles. If you look at their web site they are the boulevard styles. Several would probably fit the bill for work. I have my eye on one style for dressy summer shoes. I don't wear heels so these would be dressy for me.
Yes, they are very nice, actually!
I don't wear heels either. I don't even think I could walk in them at this point.
I found NAOT- they have a couple of styles that appear dressier than others. SAS also has some, although after wearing the Naot I feel less support. I have big- size 11 wide feet, so often buy shoes on line. No heels anymore. Good luck.
Sad Eyed Lady
4-20-12, 4:45pm
I happened upon a pair of Earth Shoes (Kaslo) in a seconds store last summer, tried them on and it was instant comfort. These do not have a strap on the back but still feel very secure on my feet. I love them. I had a pair Earth Shoes back in the '70's and was always a fan, but with the prices now days I passed them up until finding this pair at a steal. After re-discovering their comfort, I then got another pair of Earth Shoes that were not sandals but I ordered them from Amazon and again got a really good price on them too. Good luck in your quest for the perfect sandal. Some things are elusive - like the perfect (comfortable bra), perfect purse, and in my case the perfect pillow!
I found NAOT- they have a couple of styles that appear dressier than others. SAS also has some, although after wearing the Naot I feel less support. I have big- size 11 wide feet, so often buy shoes on line. No heels anymore. Good luck.
Yes, these are quite nice (NAOT)!
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