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Is there such thing as good walking sandals? I have heard of Keen & Teva, but don't know much about them and if they are meant for exercise walking? I walk my dogs on sidewalk/asphalt. With summer coming, I get so hot with my feet covered (I normally live in flip flops) and had a glorious thought of walking in sandals! I usually walk in Brooks shoes, I definitely need support for a heavier walker. Is this wishful thinking or does something like this exist? If it is Keen or Teva, please link which shoe(s), because many of those don't look super supportive, but some do...

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I had Tevas for many years; they are great, soles have a lot of traction. Then I discovered Keens - equally good sole, but added bonus is the toe cap: no more stubbed toes! I find them even more comfortable.  

One disadvantage of Keens compared to Tevas: if you get sand/pebbles in, they don't come out as easily as in Tevas, you may have to take the show off.

Keens are very roomy in the front, good for wide feet, but won't work if you have thick feet/high arch.

 

I have  Keen Newport and  Teva Hurricane

 

 

 

Edited by regentrude
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My dd got some ABEO B.I.O. sandals a couple years ago and says they're the most comfortable sandals she has ever had.  She otherwise needs to wear insoles, but doesn't with these.  Also, you can choose the type of footbed that you want (depending on where you might need extra support).  We got them from thewalkingcompany.com, but I'm sure other places have them too.

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Oh, exciting! Thanks for the replies....I am bummed because I was just at Cabela's yesterday and it looks like I could have tried some on there...

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Chaco sandals are great for walking. I wear them for hiking, wore them at Disney World when we were averaging 10 miles a day, I wear them when we visit cities and I know we'll be doing lots of walking. They are by far the most comfortable shoe I've ever owned. I've been wearing them for about 12 years now (and I'm probably on my 5th or 6th pair.)

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If you need Brooks for walking, then Keen and Teva sandles will not have enough support.  I have some Chacos that I love, but they don't have enough support.  I just bought some Vionics, but they do not have comfortable enough uppers to use for longer distance walking.  (When I was walking my dog, I only wore my Brooks or my uber supportive waterproof trail runners to Walk the dog.  I haven't been able to walk him since the injury, but am getting close to handling a walk around the block.) 

Edited by dirty ethel rackham
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If you want arch support with a cushy flip flop format, you need Fit Flops--they are awesome.

 

If you want more lateral stability (more straps) the Teva's are great.

 

If you want rock hard arch support and an inflexible rocker sole, get Dansko sandals.  When I had really bad PF, these were about all I could wear because they basically jammed their arch support into my foot like acupressure, which is what I needed at the time.  Now that the PF not bad at all, they are too hard for me and the Fit Flops are much more comfortable. 

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I wear either Birkenstocks or Skechers. I wear open shoes year round and hate closed shoes, even for walking. I only wear closed walking shoes when I have no choice (dirty paths or cold outside). 

 

I have Granada Birkkenstocks and these Skechers. Both are very comfortable for walking.

 

I have those Sketchers.  They are comfortable for casual, flat-surface walking.  They have a footbed similar to the Keens.

 

My toes like to breathe, as well :D, but I suppose for walking over uneven surfaces (or hiking) the closed-toe Keens do offer protection.  

 

 

I have a pair of Columbia flip flops that are comfy for walking in...but only up to a certain distance.  OP -- how far are your walks?

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I have a pair of abeo water hiking sandals.  I love them.  I ended up wearing them almost every day last summer.

I think it's the walking company's own brand. they have metatarsal support.  worth every penny.

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My dd got some ABEO B.I.O. sandals a couple years ago and says they're the most comfortable sandals she has ever had. She otherwise needs to wear insoles, but doesn't with these. Also, you can choose the type of footbed that you want (depending on where you might need extra support). We got them from thewalkingcompany.com, but I'm sure other places have them too.

I second these sandals. I bought them last spring and they are phenomenal. Very supportive. My feet hurt a lot due to plantar fasciitis. During the spring and summer when I wear them the pain is significantly less. Now if only I could find a cold weather shoe that helps the pain.

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I have those Sketchers.  They are comfortable for casual, flat-surface walking.  They have a footbed similar to the Keens.

 

My toes like to breathe, as well :D, but I suppose for walking over uneven surfaces (or hiking) the closed-toe Keens do offer protection.  

 

 

I have a pair of Columbia flip flops that are comfy for walking in...but only up to a certain distance.  OP -- how far are your walks?

 

Yeah, I often forget most people don't live in a place as flat as Florida. :)

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 OP -- how far are your walks?

 

I only go about 1-3 miles a day. Not a big hiker or anything. That being said, if they are as comfortable as you all are making them sound, I may wear them all the time....

 

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I wore Clarks for over fifteen years, including at Disney. I was extremely happy with them, wore them constantly, and bought new ones whenever necessary. And then they changed them, so they don't fit me any more :cursing: .

 

I have a hard to fit foot, narrow overall with an especially narrow heel, so I look for sandals with multiple adjustable straps. I just bought these Tevas. They have a lot of support, with a built up arch (look at all of the views to see what I mean). http://www.amazon.com/Teva-Womens-Tirra-Sandal-Black/dp/B003AYLPJ8/ref=sr_1_4?s=apparel&ie=UTF8&qid=1464720861&sr=1-4&nodeID=7147440011&keywords=teva+womens+sandals

 

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I wore Clarks for over fifteen years, including at Disney. I was extremely happy with them, wore them constantly, and bought new ones whenever necessary. And then they changed them, so they don't fit me any more :cursing: .

 

I have a hard to fit foot, narrow overall with an especially narrow heel, so I look for sandals with multiple adjustable straps. I just bought these Tevas. They have a lot of support, with a built up arch (look at all of the views to see what I mean). http://www.amazon.com/Teva-Womens-Tirra-Sandal-Black/dp/B003AYLPJ8/ref=sr_1_4?s=apparel&ie=UTF8&qid=1464720861&sr=1-4&nodeID=7147440011&keywords=teva+womens+sandals

 

I wore Teva's for decades, but when I went to purchase a new pair, I discovered most of them don't have the support they used to and the ones that do I couldn't find locally or in pretty colors. My dd had a pair of these Tirra's in lime green and they fit me, so I just purchased a different colored pair off the Teva website. I never even thought to check Amazon!

 

I tried Chaco's and liked everything but the arch support, which was too far back towards my heel. It was ok the first day I wore them, but when I put them on the next day, my arch/foot immediately started hurting, so I returned them. (I wore them only in the house so I could return them if needed.)

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I like my Chacos.  I wear Brooks for running and dance classes, so I do like a fair amount of support (and my feet feel it if I don't have it), but the Chacos seem to do the job well.  I also wear Mephistos when I want to not be *quite* so casual.  The Mephistos seem to wear out quickly, though.  I only get about 2 summers out of them before the arch support is gone.

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I am extremely, extremely, extremely picky about foot comfort. I only wear running shoes (no longer a runner, but won't go back to regular "street" shoes after being a runner for many years)... That is, until I found Keens. I love my keens!

 

They do stink though, but not unless you put your nose up to them... :-D

I was wondering about the smell. I have crocs right now because I can throw them in the washing machine, but I think I would find Keens much more comfortable.

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Birkenstock girl here.  I bought a pair a couple of years ago and have been in love ever since.  I can go miles in them. I love how the cork bottom molds to my feet. The pair I have is like a regular sandal with a strap around the heel to make sure they stay on.

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http://smile.amazon.com/dp/B00PS07TBA/ref=twister_B00NJEN4T8

 

Amazon has free returns, and if you price stalk, you can find a deal.

 

I was recently looking for a sandal with arch support, good for some walking, and also in the water. I also wanted an open toe look- cuter and more airy. Teva sandals were on sale and I spent less than $25 for a pair on Amazon.

 

I love the Tevas! Not quite as good as running shoes, and not suitable for real hiking with the open toe and lack of heavy duty ankle support, but just what I was looking for, especially since I couldn't go over $30.

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