Comfortable Sandals for Walking?

[CathrynRose]

To the EARTH shoe girl - thanks for posting!

I'm supposed to be doing laundry - instead I'm shopping.

These are cute ones - http://www.sierratradingpost.com/i/2078F,76,_Earth-Tia-Slides-For-Women.html

Sierra Trading Post - never even knew about them! Thanks!

 

[clh2]

My background is - I knew I was going to need a new pair of sandals this year. I wear an 8.5, and I "just don't fit" into either an 8 or a 9. Many sandals do not come in an 8.5, in a "slide" type of style. I do not wear an 8, I do not wear a 9.

I also needed my sandals for a lot of walking, and standing around this past week. AND - they had to be stylish.

I went in to "The Walking Store" last month and the salesperson couldn't have been more sweet. I explained that I needed a perfectly fitting sandal, explained that I was going to a national tournament with my high school Destination Imagination team, and that I was going to be walking a lot, and standing around a lot. I needed a comfie shoe, and it needed to look cute. Not too much to ask - hey???

So - the person got out EVERY pair of sandals that they had in my size, and I probably tried on 50 pairs of sandals. And came away with:

A fun pair of Umberto Raffini slides

These shoes were not only cute, they were so comfie! And I had them on for most of the trip! (I did not, however, wear them when we were hiking in the smokies, and did not wear them the rainy night we walked about 1 mile for dinner and back cuz I didn't want to wreck my sandals)

These shoes were worth EVERY penny. No blisters, no sore spots, nothing but comfort. Now that they are on sale, I may need to pick up a black pair too!

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

Thanks, everyone!

I'll be surfing those Memorial Day sales and hopefully ordering some to try.

 

[2BEKs]

I think Earth shoes are wonderful, as well - but (for me) I have wide(r) feet. think Scuba Fins, or flippers. Not really... but they're wider, and Birk's come in wider, and Earth (at least I haven't seen them??) don't.

the Earth brand doesn't say "wide" as an option - but the toebox is much wider than most shoes. I have a wide foot too, usually having to specify WIDE in most shoes, but with Earth, I don't.

 

[hugabearjo]

I love my ECCO sandles and can walk miles and miles. I have Merrell shoes that I love as well, I haven't found a pair of sandles in Merrell yet I like that is my quest this year. I also have been known to wear my croc flip flops to the world and didn't have any problems.

Have tried many many many other sandles that hurt my feet. It is worth the extra money to get a good pair. Your feet will thank you.

 

[curious3069]

i have planar facitis from hades-and i just walked all over Vegas in my Scetchers Tone up Flip Flops with NO PAIN-they are kinda spendy-but soooooooooo worth it

This is off topic, but that is the toe piece like on these?? I have planar facitis too and I love my Tone up sneakers, but I hate thongs that have an uncomfortable toe piece!!!

 

[evildiva]

Keen Venice H2 is what I wore on my April trip this year. Wore them every day and night for a week. Felt great and didn't have any issues. The back strap is great for extra support too!

 

[Esteri]

Here's another vote for Keen Venice H2.

But truth be told - you have to find the shoe that fits YOUR foot, not mine. And every shoe fits differently, even within brands. For example, the arch support on the Keen Newport (their more popular shoe) hits me all wrong, but is perfect in the Venice (their more expensive shoe - of course )

The key is to find a good store that stocks many of the excellent brands that have been mentioned here, and spend a couple of hours (really) trying on different shoes, get it down to about 3 pairs, and then put different shoes on each foot - and don't forget to switch!

For me - the key is - if it feels like I'm wearing a shoe, then it's probably not the right one for me. Those Keen Venice H2's are like walking around barefoot for me. I don't notice I have them on.

 

[MistressMerryweather]

Can anyone compare the sizing for Keens and Earth shoes? I wear a 10 in Keens, should I order the same in Earth?

 

[cepmom]

I've never heard of Earth shoes before. usually in the World I wear my butt ugly Tevas (but soooo comfortable!) I don't need to worry about the rain in them etc. but I wanted something a little better looking for our trip to CA this summer. I just ordered the Earth Shoe Cabo San Lucas from Shoebuy...they should be here by the end of the week! I will report back how they feel.....

 

[disneydreamersx4]

OP - did you ever find sandals??

I have to rave about the ones I purchased from Modell's (it's a Northeast store). They are by Body Glove the Kona style for women.....a Teva knockoff
that doesn't have the thingy between your toe. They have straps across your toes and your ankle. Very comfortable after wearing them all day today Oh, and they are on sale this week for $19.99

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

OP - did you ever find sandals??

I have to rave about the ones I purchased from Modell's (it's a Northeast store). They are by Body Glove the Kona style for women.....a Teva knockoff
that doesn't have the thingy between your toe. They have straps across your toes and your ankle. Very comfortable after wearing them all day today Oh, and they are on sale this week for $19.99

I so wish we had a Modell's nearby! I did end up buying 2 pairs of sandals - a pair of Keen leather flip flops and a pair of Tevas with an ankle strap (don't remember the style). I have been wearing the Keens daily and they really are comfortable but I think I have some issue with my heel because my right heel just feels like a sharp pain shooting up it every time I take a step. The Tevas are still in the box but I do need to break those out and start wearing them too. They had a special cushion at the heel which was SUPER comfy in the store.

 

[disneydreamersx4]

Isn't foot pain the worst!

If you don't mind, can I ask you what is the style name of the Teva's you bought and are they waterproof? That heal cushion sounds dreamy! thanks!

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

Isn't foot pain the worst!

If you don't mind, can I ask you what is the style name of the Teva's you bought and are they waterproof? That heal cushion sounds dreamy! thanks!

They are the Tirra style like this:

http://www.teva.com/ProductDetails.aspx?g=w&categoryID=&productID=4266&model=Tirra

I wasn't thrilled with the ankle strap since I haven't worn a sandal that wasn't a slide in years but it wasn't that uncomfortable and will just take some getting used to. DH and I are trying to sneak in a trip this summer for a couple of days to see ELP so I will test them out then and report back.

Yes it is made to go in the water. Also, I wear a wide width in most shoes but in this style of Teva I was able to wear a Medium. The adjustable straps are great for the perfect fit to your foot.

 

[hookedup]

I gave up Crocs last year after my friends threatened an intervention (I had a serious problem) lol - anyway I went on a quest to find some comfortable sandals and believe me I tried many, many pairs.
I have kinda wide feet and don't look good in a lot of sandals but I really wanted to have something that was a step up from the croc wearing.
My discovery is a brand called Propet. I LOVE THEM!!!!!!!!!!!! I now own 9 pairs and love ALL of them sooooo much! I get lots of compliments and wear them all the time. I wore one pair (their Starfish) to Disneyland all day on Monday and my feet feel great! I buy mine through Endless.com but I think if you go their website you can find other retailers.
I cannot say enough about these shoes!

 

[bucket o' butter]

I bought a pair of flip flops at K-Mart called TheraShoes. I mainly got them just to run around the yard and house, not for seriously walking. I have always been a firm believer that you have to have a good/expensive shoe for long distance, but these shoes are so comfortable. I walked all over downtown Chicago with them for two whole days and didn't have any problems. They are like walking on air. They also make tennis shoes. I bought a pair of them also, but I have only worn them once so far, so I can't really give an opinion yet. The TheraShoes flip flops are great though!

 

[leebee]

I gave up Crocs last year after my friends threatened an intervention (I had a serious problem) lol - anyway I went on a quest to find some comfortable sandals and believe me I tried many, many pairs.
I have kinda wide feet and don't look good in a lot of sandals but I really wanted to have something that was a step up from the croc wearing.
My discovery is a brand called Propet. I LOVE THEM!!!!!!!!!!!! I now own 9 pairs and love ALL of them sooooo much! I get lots of compliments and wear them all the time. I wore one pair (their Starfish) to Disneyland all day on Monday and my feet feel great! I buy mine through Endless.com but I think if you go their website you can find other retailers.
I cannot say enough about these shoes!

This is me to a "T" I love, love, love my Crocs but sometimes feel like I need a pair of "big people" shoes, and of course my Croc Caymans can be a tad warmer than I'd like in the summer months. I also have a wide-ish foot and often have to get a larger size to accommodate for only being able to buy medium-width shoes. The things I like about my Crocs is I get great arch support, they are gentle on my heel so they take good care of my PF, and they hug my feet nicely. How do the Propets stand up in these respects?

 

[DizzyFORDisney]

I just bought Lands End Mary Jane trekkers yesterday at Sears....30% off so they were about $27. Super comfy right out of the box! Nice and cool too - the air flows right though the mesh parts....

 

[debsays]

I always swore by Teva's but recently picked up a pair of Crocs/Patricia and love'm...love'm...love'm. Just as great or maybe even better than Teva's.

 

[cepmom]

I got my Earth Shoe Cabo San Lucas the other day...they're pretty comfortable. The only thing that seems to be a problem is the straps; they seem to be a little too scratchy and are irritating the tops of my feet. I am really hoping it just takes some a little time to break them in. Other than the straps, they are really comfortable; I have really high arches and have trouble finding flip flops that feel good walking in for any distance.

http://www.shoebuy.com/earth-cabo-san-lucas-2/355205/754182