Can we talk SHOES

Moms View Message Board: General Discussion: Archive April 2006: Can we talk SHOES

I am on a mission to find comfortable--yet pretty--sandals for our cruise.
I bought a pair of new Birkenstocks on ebay. Sadly the seller said they were a size 6 but in fact they are a 6.5-7 so my daughter has a new pair of shoes (they are too big on me).
She says they are comfortable but I can't really tell. I am looking for recommendations--please!
Do you have a favorite pair of sandals and if so what are they?
Yvonne

By Emily7 on Friday, March 24, 2006 - 11:50 am:

My husband, size 17, swears that Birkenstocks are the best.
I just buy cheap ones from Payless, Walmart or Kmart.

By Yjja123 on Friday, March 24, 2006 - 01:04 pm:

I guess I am looking for recommendations for the more expensive type. I will not wear imitation leather. I live In Florida so if I can find a good quality pair of sandals, they will get worn a lot.

By Bemerry84 on Friday, March 24, 2006 - 01:05 pm:

I love the Birkenstocks also. I wear orthodics for a high instep in the winter and with the Birky's no need for them in the summer. I have found a brand called Earthshoe at Walmart that are very, very, very, comfortable and stylish. They just got a bunch of sandals in for the summer. These are not the earthshoes from the 70's!! My sister has about 5 pairs of these brand and she cruises all the time and can wear them all day. Good Luck in your search.

By Bemerry84 on Friday, March 24, 2006 - 01:06 pm:

Yvonne, the Earth Shoes from Walmart are leather, I won't wear anything else either!!

By Debbie on Friday, March 24, 2006 - 01:16 pm:

I love Merrill, Born and Clarks. The Merrills I have are the sporty ones. They are so comfortable, I live in them during summer. I also have some nicer Born and Clarks that are very comfortable.

By Yjja123 on Friday, March 24, 2006 - 01:22 pm:

I just bid on a pair of Teva sport sandals. They look comfortable for walking. I will check out the brands mentioned for a more dressier type. In reality, I would like to find 3-4 pairs. I always seem to be looking for sandals. You would think here there would be alot to choose from. The ones I see in the store are either flip flop type ---I will NOT wear flip flops--- or have high heels. I am looking for comfort and style. I want to wear them on the beach, boat, etc, with a cute skort.
Thanks for the suggestions. Please keep them coming...

By Trina~moderator on Friday, March 24, 2006 - 01:31 pm:

Naturalizer, Clarks, Softspots, Bass... Lands' End and LL Bean are worth a look, too.

By Truestori on Friday, March 24, 2006 - 01:56 pm:

I love Born, Anne Klein, Reebok, Nike anything comfortable.

By Karen~moderator on Friday, March 24, 2006 - 03:04 pm:

Ditto Debbie!

By Kaye on Friday, March 24, 2006 - 04:00 pm:

Okay if you are looking for trendy/a little goofy, but the MOST comfy. Go buy a pair of crocs. Not a big investment (30 dollars) you can them at Dilliard's and Jarmans (specialy shoes store). www.crocs.com. I swear you will wonder what you did without them. They aren't as pretty as other sandals, but by far the most comfy. I live in mine year round these days. No more achy feet. I used to buy birks.

By Sue3 on Friday, March 24, 2006 - 04:07 pm:

Yvonne, Have you ever tried dansko brand?They are the most comfortable shoes I have ever owned.They also carry plenty of sandles.
I found mine at track and trail.Good luck !
I have small feet too ! 5 1/2 - 6

By Sue3 on Friday, March 24, 2006 - 04:11 pm:

Kaye ,
I like the crocs also.They are very popular here right now.Even in this cold weather.lol
I sent my sister a pair in flordia for Christmas,I talked with her just today and she said she bought a nother pair in a different color.
They have a large selection of color`s and they are fun to wear !

By Sue3 on Friday, March 24, 2006 - 04:23 pm:

I just went to the dansko site.I just typed in dansko sandals on google.
They have some really cute one`s ! I may have to get a pair too.
When I bought them at the store the sale`s man said I could bring them back
if I didn`t think that they were comfortable
he said he didn`t think I would have to bring them back and he was right.I love them !
I told my co-workers about this brand also because we are on our feet all day and they loved them also.
Have fun on your cruise !!

By Breann on Friday, March 24, 2006 - 04:25 pm:

Maurices! They have the cutest sandals this year. I just bought some brown ones that have a tan top with sequins and spakley beads on it. Very cute!

By Melanie on Friday, March 24, 2006 - 04:44 pm:

I swear by Easy Spirit sandals. Cute and very comfortable.
http://www.easyspirit.com

By Yjja123 on Friday, March 24, 2006 - 05:09 pm:

The dansko sandals look very cute. I wish I could find them locally to try on. I am concerned about sizing. The Birkenstock size 37 were very big. I guess that makes me a 36. I normally wear 6's but that is in sneakers with thick socks. I have noticed that most of my size 6 shoes are really too big. I should go get my feet measured. I may be a 5 1/2? I used to be a 5 and my feet grew during pregnancy so I was thrilled to buy size 6 since they are easier to get. At any rate, I like the look of the dansko. I have heard about crocs but they are not my style at all. It seems like your feet would get hot in them? I am more of a leather sandals kind of girl.
Thank you for all the recommendations!

By Annie2 on Friday, March 24, 2006 - 08:23 pm:

Yvonne, I love Quark sandals! They are amazingly comfortable! However, they are more on the sporty side than pretty.

Do you have a Sand Dollar shoe store in your part of FL? They carry so many different types of name brand sandals. Sometimes a bit pricey but their quality is well worth the price, especially since living in FL, sandals can be worn almost all year. They may even be online.

By Annie2 on Friday, March 24, 2006 - 08:25 pm:

I edited this post because I gave a link to sand dollar sandals but it was for a brand name not the store in my part of FL.

By Karen~moderator on Saturday, March 25, 2006 - 09:26 am:

Dansko has some of THE most comfortable shoes!!!! Jen has a pair that I love!

By Karen~moderator on Saturday, March 25, 2006 - 09:26 am:

Dansko has some of THE most comfortable shoes!!!! Jen has a pair that I love!

By Conni on Saturday, March 25, 2006 - 09:16 pm:

Chaco's...

By Dana on Saturday, March 25, 2006 - 11:41 pm:

Yvonne, my sister just started working at a place called "Foot Solutions" They specialize in orthodic shoes. They do an exact measure of your foot and go from there. They are very expensive. They offer several brands. I've never been there nor looked at anything, I just know it exist. Perhaps they have an online site that will let you know if there is one near you.

By Yjja123 on Monday, March 27, 2006 - 09:40 am:

I won a pair of Tevas and a pair of Birkenstocks--gotta love ebay so much cheaper than retail. I love the look of the Dansko ones so will be on a mission to find them locally.
Thank you everyone for your advice. I am hoping when I am done I will have several comfy sandals.

By Kaye on Monday, March 27, 2006 - 09:45 am:

yvonne, I too was a leather sandal gal. Your feet do not get at all hot in the crocs. They weren't my style either. Not sure why I bought them, maybe it was the money back guarantee. They are guaranteed to be the most comfy shoes you have ever worn or money back, no questions asked. I really do urge you to go try some on, just for fun. If you do any water sports, beach, kayaking, etc. You will get use out of them. I used to just keep them in my car, can't do that with birks. I make everyone I know try on my shoes, and everyone has bought a pair..LOL.

By Colette on Monday, March 27, 2006 - 09:47 am:

Danskos are great. They are my most comfortable shoes. Naots are nice too.

By Conni on Monday, March 27, 2006 - 09:56 am:

I am surprised more people dont wear chaco's? LOL I wear mine everyday in the summer- I have a new pair picked out for this summer... I just need to go plunk the money out for them. ugh

I love so many of the brands listed here- Born's, Merrils and clarks are way up on my list of must haves too!!!

I really could talk about shoes all day. I am going to look up the Dansko, I dont remember if I have seen this brand.

By Debbie on Monday, March 27, 2006 - 11:46 am:

Conni, I have never heard of chaco's. I will have to check them out. I am a sandal freak. In fact, I cleaned out my closet yesterday and am embarrassed by how many pairs of sandals I have. LOL. I am not extravagant with anything else, but I guess sandals are my thing.

By Conni on Monday, March 27, 2006 - 12:16 pm:

You can go to www.chacousa.com. Click on Product info and go from there. You have to keep digging on the site to find all the diff styles. Or atleast I did. They are a small family run business out of Colorado I think? If your strap breaks- send it back to be replaced, same with sole, etc... Can throw them in washer no problem. I am getting pink Zong this year. But have had the sport one that looks just like Zong w/ toe loop, but isnt slip on. I have not tried any of the leather styles yet. My shoe store just got the leather ones in this yr... The sport ones fit my feet so well. They are perfect water shoes too- they stay on well. If anyone goes canoeing or anything like that...

By Yjja123 on Monday, March 27, 2006 - 12:16 pm:

Kaye--I can't get past how the crocs look. They remind me of those gardening clogs. sorry--just not my style no matter how comfortable

By Dawnk777 on Monday, March 27, 2006 - 05:31 pm:

Uh, I never heard of Chacos before? (ducking and running!)

Chaco Shoes

I like velcro sandals for the summer. I don't like things between my toes. I like something to wrap around my heel and I like them easy to put on. After tying shoes all winter, I'm ready for velcro, when it warms up.

My current sandals are something like this:

Columbia Sandals

I actually end up not liking most women's sandals, because I don't like things between my toes and I would like a strap around my heel! LOL!

By Conni on Tuesday, March 28, 2006 - 04:47 pm:

I bought my pink Chaco Zongs today. I love them! I shouldnt have bought them but, I do alot of things I shouldnt do. I was actually getting some red Born shoes to wear next week in England and thought I'd save some gas and go ahead and get the Chacos today too. ha!

Something about buying shoes really cheers me up. LOL I go to my shoe store so often that one day I walked in and the lady that works there was all alone. She said 'Ohhhh I am so glad you came in, I really have to go to the restroom and since I know you, would you watch the store for me for a couple of minutes!?' I was like, uhhhh sure but can I get an employee discount after that? ;) heehee I never told my dh about that. No need for him to know how well known I am at the shoe store.

By Tink on Tuesday, March 28, 2006 - 05:49 pm:

Too funny, Conni! I love shoe shopping because I don't have to worry about those extra pounds I've gained! Of course, my wallet hates my shoe shopping but a girl's got to have some retail therapy. The Zongs are pretty cute and anything's better in pink, IMO.

By Yjja123 on Wednesday, March 29, 2006 - 03:38 pm:

OK I received the Birkenstocks and the Tevas today that I bought on ebay. I LOVE the Tevas--very comfortable and a perfect fit. The Birkenstocks are a size smaller than I bought before and STILL are too big. Jessica now has two pair of Birkenstocks. I think I am going to give up on them. I am bidding on another pair of Teva and a pair of Dansko. I went to the mall yesterday and did find them locally but all are $50-$100+ I know I can find them cheaper online so the search continues...

By Yjja123 on Monday, April 3, 2006 - 10:43 am:

I found 3 pairs of Merrells on ebay and they were $69.99 each. It also had the submit best offer on it. I offered $29 for each and the seller accepted. I tried the Merrells on in a store and I love the cushioning. They seem like they will be extremely comfortable. I now have a great selection of sandals. Thank you everyone for your suggestions!

By Debbie on Monday, April 3, 2006 - 01:49 pm:

I'm glad you found some. I just love Merrells. In fact, I bought 2 new pairs last week. The cushioning is great. I switched off between 2 pairs when we went to Disneyland last summer, and my feet never hurt.