Shoe Recs?

[mrv3000]

It's sandal season! I'm wearing sandals to work today, but I desperately need a new pair of brown sandals.

Does anyone have a brand recommendation for comfortable dress sandals? A lot of sandals might look cute, but they're stiff, uncomfortable to walk on (have no cushioning whatsoever) and/or scrape up the feet. And I'm way beyond the point of suffering just for some cute shoes. They'd have to be nice enough to be worn around an office with a business casual dress code, so no Birkenstocks.

I've started looking around on Zappos, but I'm seeing lots of stuff that I can just tell will be uncomfortable. So I'm hoping someone can direct me to a brand, and I can take a look at their line.

Comments

[papilio-luna.livejournal.com]

I think Merrell makes some styles that are a bit more dressy and nice-looking. See here. I've always been very pleased with the comfort-level of all my Merrell shoes.

[mrv3000.livejournal.com]

Ooh, thanks!

[papilio-luna.livejournal.com]

I have a requirement that any pair of shoes that I buy and plan to wear on a regular basis (i.e., not just out to dinner a few times a year) must be shoes I can run in. If I can run a few blocks comfortably in a pair of shoes, that's a good indicator that they'll be comfy for me on a daily basis as well. Merrell has always fulfilled that requirement for me.

[mrv3000.livejournal.com]

I love the way you think!

[splash-the-cat.livejournal.com]

I've had very good luck with Clarks.

[poohmusings.livejournal.com]

BRAIN.

[mrv3000.livejournal.com]

Ta!

[erateini.livejournal.com]

Sandal season has started for you!? *Grumbles*

Naturalizer has always been a fave of mine.


http://www.footsmart.com/P-Naturalizer-Womens-Joslin-Fisherman-Sandals-78910.aspx

[mrv3000.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

[nic]

I don't have any brand-name recs, but I tend to buy flat shoes that are back-less. This means far less pain when I'm breaking them in (since it's usually the heel-strap that scrapes the most) and you can find quite a lot of smart/dressy styles.

[mrv3000.livejournal.com]

I totally go for the backless ones as well. I have some really comfortable casual sandals that have a back strap, but if I wear them too long it makes it sore.

[poohmusings.livejournal.com]

You should check out the Clarks brand. They have a large variety of sandals (from the very casual to the dressy) and they're normally very comfortable. (Of course, YMMV.)

[mrv3000.livejournal.com]

*runs off to the site*

[mrv3000.livejournal.com]

Aw dang. They don't make brown sandals in my size. 10s are a bit too small and 11s are a bit too big, so I need 10.5. No dice.

[poohmusings.livejournal.com]

Darn! You might actually be fine with a 10 -- unless you already own Clarks. I've found the sizes run a little big. (Which, in a hilarious counterpoint to your predicament, is why I often can't buy their shoes. Their size 5 is often too big for me!)

[mrv3000.livejournal.com]

I still say that us walking around together reminds me of C.J. Cregg and Annabeth Schott. :D

I might be able to do a 10, it all depends on the shoe.

[poohmusings.livejournal.com]

Yes! I'm surprised there haven't been more stares ... ;)

[joyfulfeather.livejournal.com]

Someone else with a size 10.5 foot! Yay! Isn't it frustrating?

Seconding the above Naturalizer rec -- they have a lot of 10.5s and tend to be very comfortable.

[mrv3000.livejournal.com]

A total pain in the butt!

And I'll check it out!

[kynaii.livejournal.com]

Naot and Timberline come to mind as comfey shoes.

[mrv3000.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[larissa-j.livejournal.com]

josef seibel sandals at zappos and at Nordstrom's

These are expensive but worth every penny. Every pair I've bought have lasted for years (like five) and they are unbelievably comfortable.

They're not "cute" but they won't cut up your feet and you won't hate your feet at the end of an eight to ten hour day. Also, they allow your feet to breathe which is wonderful. Cheap sandals don't do that.

They also make the best shoes for winter commuting that while not OMG cute, will save your feet if you have to do a lot of walking.

Don't get me wrong, I have my really cute, stylish pumps and sandals but if I'm going to be walking all day, I wear these babies.

[mrv3000.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I really don't mind spending the money as long as they're good quality, like you said.

[janetmaca.livejournal.com]

That's it, if we ever meet in real life I'll have to be sure to headsmack you. Yesterday I was in a winter coat. *pouts*

[mrv3000.livejournal.com]

It's about 80 out right now. :D

[janetmaca.livejournal.com]

*mumbles* It's only 54 here.

[professor_mirror]

I've had awesome luck with Aravon's, when you can get them on sale (full price is ridiculous).

Here's a pair you might like: http://www.joesnewbalanceoutlet.com/detail.asp?style=WSK04BM&size=&width=&category=wsandals&selection=wshoes&sort=POP&shoeLast=&price=

Also, I saw above you need a 10.5? I've found that on sandals with adjustable straps (and the Aravons have them), it's pretty easy to "cheat" your size, since you don't have to worry about your toes getting squeezed by a too small or too short toebox.

[mrv3000.livejournal.com]

Hooray for cushioning! But I usually stay away from anything with back straps. Even if I wear comfortable sandals with straps for too long it starts hurting the back of one foot.

[shaela]

I <3 my Dr. Scholl’s sandals. (Ironically, I can’t find them on the Dr. Scholl’s website. They might be one of those things you can only get at Walmart.)

[mrv3000.livejournal.com]

HUH! I didn't even know they made sandals!

[icepixie]

These. My replacement pair (in black) was actually just delivered today--after four years, the left mate of my old pair is starting to get a hole in the sole. Good quality and only $25! I don't see that they have a 10.5, although the brand does do half sizes (I wear a 6.5), so if you give the site a little more time to get into sandal season, they may get more in stock.

[mrv3000.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I'll have to check out their line!

[maypanic.livejournal.com]

I second the recs for Clark's and Aravon- Aravon is made by New Balance, they understand comfort. But the one brand I will pay way too much money for is SoftWalk. The foot bed is egg crate, like the foam bed cushion things? HEAVEN. Also theirs tend to run a bit small, so the 11 fits me perfectly - I also need 10 1/2! It's so frustrating that most manufacturers stop making half sizes at 9 1/2.

[mrv3000.livejournal.com]

Oooooh! Thanks!

[katesutton.livejournal.com]

I've liked every pair of Sofft shoes that I've had, and I'm picky about shoes. Or my feet are.

[mrv3000.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

[allisnow.livejournal.com]

SAS sandals are the most comfy I've ever worn. I literally walked around Disneyland for 4 days in these and my feet were as happy as could be.

They're not the super-cute type of shoe, but mine have always lasted years and they have great support.

http://www.sasshoes.com/

[mrv3000.livejournal.com]

I like the sound of that!

[diavestra.livejournal.com]

Go to www.footsmart.com. I like SoftSpots, Naturalizer, Easy Spirit, to name a few.

The way the site is arranged, you can totally go directly to "Women's Sandals".

[mrv3000.livejournal.com]

OOOOH! *smooooch*

[diavestra.livejournal.com]

I just got a box from them this week. I ordered a pair of dressy sandals for the cruise and a new pair of Skechers Shape-Ups.

I love FootSmart! It's one of the few places to find wide widths!

[diavestra.livejournal.com]

Also, you can take a look at most of the brands recced here on FootSmart, too. Kind of "one stop shopping"