"cute" walking shoes for 'bad' feet...

[gate_pourri]

I have a couple of vacations coming up late summer and early fall and am having a hard time finding a new pair of 'walking shoes' that will look OK (I don't expect to look great) with a casual skirt or dress. Most days I will just wear sneakers, but would like something a bit nicer for the skirt/dress days. Any ideas?

I have pretty bad feet, including a tailors bunion (the small toe), so support and padding is key. I will also be walking on some old, gravely, pebbled roads, as one of the trips is to Europe.

I'd like to keep the price under $100.

Thanks for any suggestions!

 

[pixiechick]

good luck. I've looked for them, and have a hard time finding them.. I guess my opinion of what is "cute" differs from other people's opinion.

People have mentioned Keens and Clarks, but sorry- not "cute" imo.

try looking at thewalkingcompany.com and see if they have anything that you find attractive.

I hope you find something!

 

[badblackpug]

I don't think they are cute, but tastes vary, try Dansko.

 

[marcemc]

I swear on my Sanuk shoes. They are the most comfortable pair of shoes & you could wear them with a casual skirt or dress.

I don't know if you will consider them "cute", I do

 

[tlbwriter]

I have some Privo mary jane flats that I think are pretty cute. They're a divsion of Clarks and I find mine to be very comfortable (I have issues). Zappos carries several styles, all for less than $100.

(Hmmm... those green ones are calling my name... and they're on sale... )

I've never tried their sandals, but some of them look like they could fit the bill too...

 

[dakcp2001]

I swear the most comfy shoe ever is a Sketcher Shape Up. I think they make some sandle types but I have only tried the sneaker. Cute? Eh. Comfy? YES!

As far as cute, a lot of nurses wear Alegria clogs, I hate them but people do love them. They are made of memory foam.

 

[ElizK]

I swear the most comfy shoe ever is a Sketcher Shape Up. I think they make some sandle types but I have only tried the sneaker. Cute? Eh. Comfy? YES!

As far as cute, a lot of nurses wear Alegria clogs, I hate them but people do love them. They are made of memory foam.

I have two pairs of the Sketcher Tone-Ups sandals. I didn't care for the tennis shoes, but LOVE my sandals. I can walk all day in them with no pain. Not good, though, for walking on gravel/uneven ground.

 

[Mickey'sMainMami]

try footsmart.com, lots of comfortable choices. I personally think a cute pair of the maryjanes that are sneakers look cute with a dress/skirt. Just an idea.

 

[disneychic2]

I just bought a pair of Sketchers shape-up sandals while in Texas b/c I forgot my better shoes. I love them. And I have horrible feet. Cannot go barefooted at all. We're talking quick showers so I can get into some shoes or slippers! Good luck to you.

 

[beachcomber]

I love my FitFlops....completely "stable", comfortable, and there are some with jewels and sparkles. I'm normally a barefoot person at home, but I now will even wear my fitflops in the house! (gasp!)

 

[HannaBelle]

I love my FitFlops....completely "stable", comfortable, and there are some with jewels and sparkles. I'm normally a barefoot person at home, but I now will even wear my fitflops in the house! (gasp!)

This exactly!

Try zappos.com, they even have a style that velcro's around your ankle that my mother takes on overseas walking trips.

I went to WDW in June and took 2 pairs of fit flops, 1 pair of new balance running shoes & 1 pair of Teva sandals. The fit flops were far and away the most comfortable at the end of the day. Neither pair gave me blisters while the New Balance and Teva's did.

 

[CathrynRose]

Do any of these work?

http://shoes-handbags.hsn.com/betula_c-so_a-79_xc.aspx?rid=1307&prev=hp

I love love love Birkenstock footbeds, and Betula's are the "cutest" (for Birks) ones I have found.

Papillo's are pretty cute, too - but I prefer the width of the Betula's, better (wider) - http://www.qvc.com/qsearch/search.aspx

 

[Michelle67]

My feet aren't bad, but my back is, so "good" shoes are a must for me too. I'm a Dansko girl all the way, and a lot of their styles are very cute. Well, IMO. Another poster already disagreed on the cute part. LOL I have a pair of their sandals that have a nice cooshy foot bed, and the rocker bottom style makes them very comfortable for walking. I think they are really cute. They are a discontinued style but they are similar to these:

http://www.dansko.com/Womens/Footwear/Styles/Sandals/Sissy/Brown Pull-Up/

If sandals aren't for you, take a quick look at some of their other styles. I really love my Danskos. I have four different types (backless clogs, full-backed clogs, boots and sandals) and they are pretty much all I wear unless I'm wearing something or going somewhere that demands tennis shoes.

 

[JessicaR]

Try these two - they cater to what you described.

Naturalizer http://www1.macys.com/shop/shoes/brands/naturalizer?id=55782&edge=hybrid

Aerosoles http://www1.macys.com/shop/shoes/brands/aerosoles?id=55784&edge=hybrid

 

[badblackpug]

My feet aren't bad, but my back is, so "good" shoes are a must for me too. I'm a Dansko girl all the way, and a lot of their styles are very cute. Well, IMO. Another poster already disagreed on the cute part. LOL I have a pair of their sandals that have a nice cooshy foot bed, and the rocker bottom style makes them very comfortable for walking. I think they are really cute. They are a discontinued style but they are similar to these:

http://www.dansko.com/Womens/Footwear/Styles/Sandals/Sissy/Brown Pull-Up/

If sandals aren't for you, take a quick look at some of their other styles. I really love my Danskos. I have four different types (backless clogs, full-backed clogs, boots and sandals) and they are pretty much all I wear unless I'm wearing something or going somewhere that demands tennis shoes.

LOL! That's me! I'm a nurse, I live in Dansko clogs, they are the most comfortable shoe ever, but, my goodness, they are U-G-L-Y.

 

[CathrynRose]

LOL! That's me! I'm a nurse, I live in Dansko clogs, they are the most comfortable shoe ever, but, my goodness, they are U-G-L-Y.

Not the ones that look like the floor at Innoventions. I was mesmerized by 'em!

 

[Michelle67]

LOL! That's me! I'm a nurse, I live in Dansko clogs, they are the most comfortable shoe ever, but, my goodness, they are U-G-L-Y.

Awww come on now! Some of their shoes are cute! I'll give you that the full-back clogs are kinda ugly, but I wouldn't wear those with a skirt anyhow. But my sandals are cute. That's my story and I'm sticking to it!

 

[tlbwriter]

A word of warning about the "fit" shoes - I've read that if you have any kind of knee problems, you should avoid them.

(And I think Danskos are cute, but then I love chunky shoes...)

 

[Imzadi]

What are these things all of you are referring to called. . . sandals?

I seem to vaguely recall wearing them in a former life.

I, too have bad feet. I have flat, fallen arches and my feet roll in. I also have weak ankles, so I almost always have to wear running shes, as they have the SIDE SUPPORT, so my feet don't slide around or roll over on their side. PLUS, I have to add in my own orthopedic insoles with high, firm arch support.

I could never get away with wearing Mary Janes, Naturalizers, or Aerosoles. Way too squishy on the sides. Way too soft -sided. By the end of the day, my feet would feel as though someone stabbed them in the soles or ankles.

I agree about the Keens & other shoes that look more like Granny's orthopedics or army foot gear.

Why can't someone make a great looking, firm side support with a bottom arch already included in the shoe or sandals?

 

[beachcomber]

This exactly!

Try zappos.com, they even have a style that velcro's around your ankle that my mother takes on overseas walking trips.

I went to WDW in June and took 2 pairs of fit flops, 1 pair of new balance running shoes & 1 pair of Teva sandals. The fit flops were far and away the most comfortable at the end of the day. Neither pair gave me blisters while the New Balance and Teva's did.

I know!!! I've been wearing my jeweled ones all over Chicago shopping up and down the Mag Mile. Totally comfortable. (And I saw some at Nordstrom Rack for $39)