Vent about shoes - JAWM

[retiredHSmom]

I know that I am going to lose 25% of my readers with my next sentence.  I am so tired of velcro shoes.  I am a reasonably young adult (over 30 under 70) with no motor deficits or arthritis or hand weakness.  Why do so many shoes have velcro on them?

 

Now I will lose 95% of the rest of you.  I HATE velcro on kids shoes as well.  Really.  They are ugly and don't stick well and I think that kids should learn to tie and buckle shoes and they can do it fairly young with some practice.

 

Okay, vent over.

 

I need to go find some comfortable, attractive fairly dressy leather shoes to wear with jeans and casual skirts that can be worn with socks and tights and don't velcro.

 

Edited November 11, 2016 by Tania

[Χά�ων]

I must shop at different stores, I have not seen shoes for adults with Velcro on them.

[HomeAgain]

I'm right there with you.  Most shoe stores try to put me in the children's department which is a mess in itself, but even my 6yo is tired of it.  He was so excited when he learned to tie his shoes and then we had to hunt for a pair that came in his size without velcro.  Stupid things.  If it's that hard for the general public, bring back the bow-biters of the 80's for kids to use.

[Jean in Newcastle]

What velcro shoes?  I mean, I've seen some for kids but not overwhelmingly so.  And certainly not for adults. 

[nd293]

Two of mine have Velcro on the straps. It's very common. I like that it's much more adjustable - great if you have sensitive feet and like your shoes 'just so'. But the Velcro starts to get dirty and stops sticking properly. It's so annoying! One is a pair of sandals with Velcro on the over ankle and back straps, the other are Mary Janes. They're good quality leather shoes from specialist shoe shops, too.

ETA: ds9 is all for the easy life and still wants Velcro sneakers but it's getting really hard to find them in his size. He finds it annoying to redo laces several times a day when he goes outside.

Edited November 11, 2016 by nd293

[retiredHSmom]

lots of dressier casual shoes for women have velcro.  I am not a very casual dresser. Shoes like these: (sorry links and not pictures, I don't want to get SWB into trouble)

 

http://www.clarksusa.com/us/womens/womens-shoes/womens-casual-shoes/evianna-doyle-black-leather/p/26116318

 

http://www.clarksusa.com/us/womens-collections/womens-wide-width/everlay-luna-navy-leather/p/26120819

 

http://www.clarksusa.com/us/womens-technologies/womens-ortholite/un-briarcrest-black-leather/p/26121440

 

http://www.bornshoes.com/Product.aspx?ProductID=12259

 

 

[wintermom]

Seems like those particular styles with velcro may be targeting people who want to get in and out of comfortable shoes quickly. Buckles and laces slow you down, and you need a certain amount of flexibility to use them. Women with stiffness in their joints would probably really appreciate getting in and out of shoes with more ease.

[dirty ethel rackham]

Often, buckles can be uncomfortable because they can create hard points where you can get blisters or other pain (unless they are protected by something underneath.  I don't particularly like velcro in my shoes because they don't stay sticky very long.  My very expensive Vionic sandals are unwearable because I walk right out of them when the velcro fails.  But, if those shoes had buckles instead of velcro, they would NOT have been wearable after my surgery because I had SOO many sensitive spots on my feet. 

 

I do like velcro in young children's shoes (especially in that "I do it myself" phase, but they don't have the manual dexterity to tie shoes), but I do think kids should start learning to tie shoes around 5-6 years old.  I remember that it was a requirement to pass kindergarten when I was a kid (back in the dark ages.) 

 

edited for clarity

Edited November 12, 2016 by dirty ethel rackham

[El...]

I'm with you.  I had these great sandals from Dillards, by Nurture, I think.  Apparently, they only make old-lady stuff there now.  I'm not yet 40, but I have the fashion sense of an 80yo.  Awesome.

[mamaraby]

lots of dressier casual shoes for women have velcro. I am not a very casual dresser. Shoes like these: (sorry links and not pictures, I don't want to get SWB into trouble)

 

http://www.clarksusa.com/us/womens/womens-shoes/womens-casual-shoes/evianna-doyle-black-leather/p/26116318

 

http://www.clarksusa.com/us/womens-collections/womens-wide-width/everlay-luna-navy-leather/p/26120819

 

http://www.clarksusa.com/us/womens-technologies/womens-ortholite/un-briarcrest-black-leather/p/26121440

 

http://www.bornshoes.com/Product.aspx?ProductID=12259

*whispers* Because those are all old people shoes?

 

I think it may be that you are shopping in the geriatric sections of the shoe store. :p

 

I'm over 30, under 70 and have never thought of Clarks as a particularly young people friendly brand.

Edited November 12, 2016 by mamaraby

[kewb]

I like comnfortable shoes and even some velcro.  Neither of my kids was allowed velcro shoes until they learned to tie their shoelaces. I do feel that is a skill one should have.

I have always had a fondness for ugly old lady shoes. I love my Clarks.  Just like the oxford comma, you can have my old lady shoes when you pry them out of my cold, dead, and lifeless hands.

[Guest]

I have a 10yo with ADHD and fine-motor issues--not a great combo for learning to tie shoes! I wish I could find Velcro! What we do is buy elastic laces with a clip. I think I learned that here and it is truly a lifesaver.

[Mom22ns]

I have a 10yo with ADHD and fine-motor issues--not a great combo for learning to tie shoes! I wish I could find Velcro! What we do is buy elastic laces with a clip. I think I learned that here and it is truly a lifesaver.

 

My older is ASD and had motor issues. I was extremely thankful for velcro shoes and we really had to search for them as he got to be older elementary age. Eventually, his fine motor developed enough that he switched over to tie shoes.

 

I rarely see adult shoes that have velcro, but I wouldn't be caught dead in any of the styles pictured above, so maybe they are there and I'm just turning them out. 

 

 

[fdrinca]

I really started to love velcro shoes when I had to take on and off my shoes while wearing a baby in the Ergo. 

Although now that I live in coastal California, it's flip flops every day. 

[bodiesmom]

I have PF and I love my Clarks (complete with velcro strap)!

They are a cute Mary Jane style, but let's be honest......comfort is priority.

[J-rap]

I don't see velcro shoes for adults.  I wear loafers.  I have had a couple Ecco pairs that are black leather and super comfortable.  I can wear them with shorts, dresses, or jeans, with or without socks.  I don't see their exact style anymore that I liked the most, but they are similar to these:

 

https://www.google.com/shopping/product/15692357761226665575?q=ecco+black+loafer+sneakers&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiirt_NgqPQAhXs7IMKHeFID_kQwEAIJSgA

 

Mine were a little dressier looking though.  You can search "black leather + loafer + sneaker" and come up with lots of results from different companies.  If casual comfort isn't as much of an issue, just search "black leather + loafer."

 

 

 

 

[Jen500]

There are thousands of dressy shoes for women to choose from that have no velcro. Maybe you are looking at the wrong brands/wrong styles. Nice, dressy shoes really aren't going to have velcro. Maybe your searches have focused on comfort. Some brands to look at off the top of my head-

 

AGL

Cole Haan

Sam Edelman

Stuart Weitman

Corso Como

[SparklyUnicorn]

Oddly I cannot find Velcro shoes when I go looking for them.  My older kid, wears adults sizes now, but wants Velcro.  Can't find them. 

 

I don't own a single pair of Velcro and have not seen them in awhile.  I'm curious as to where you are shopping because Velcro doesn't seem very popular at the moment.

 

 

[SparklyUnicorn]

Often, buckles can be uncomfortable because they can create hard points where you can get blisters or other pain (unless they are protected by something underneath.  I don't particularly like velcro in my shoes because they don't stay sticky very long.  My very expensive Vionic sandals are unwearable because I walk right out of them when the velcro fails.  But, if those shoes had buckles instead of velcro, they would NOT have been wearable after my surgery because I had SOO many sensitive spots on my feet. 

 

I do like velcro in young children's shoes (especially in that "I do it myself" phase, but they don't have the manual dexterity to tie shoes), but I do think kids should start learning to tie shoes around 5-6 years old.  I remember that it was a requirement to pass kindergarten when I was a kid (back in the dark ages.) 

 

edited for clarity

 

Good point.  I don't like that sort of thing either.

[TechWife]

I wish the shoe suppliers in your area would come to my mom's area! 

 

I went shoe shopping with my mother last month. We had a really hard time finding shoes with velcro. We finally found some that would fit at a medical supply store. 

[SparklyUnicorn]

My older is ASD and had motor issues. I was extremely thankful for velcro shoes and we really had to search for them as he got to be older elementary age. Eventually, his fine motor developed enough that he switched over to tie shoes.

 

I rarely see adult shoes that have velcro, but I wouldn't be caught dead in any of the styles pictured above, so maybe they are there and I'm just turning them out. 

 

I'm not crazy about those styles either.

 

Thinking about it, I do have one pair of hiking type sandals with a Velcro strap.  I can't imagine what else they'd use though.  I don't like slip ons for those, and I would not like a metal or plastic buckle.  So for those that works out fine.

[retiredHSmom]

So what shoes do you wear for daily wear if you don't wear yoga pants ever and don't really wear jeans?  I wear skirts and dresses 95% of the time. No religious reasons, I just have a body shape that looks odd in jeans or pants (i have a pretty significant "mommy apron" of skin on my stomach with a flat behind and normal legs, I don't carry weight on my hips and thighs, I am not a "Pear") so I wear skirts and dresses but not denim skirts and jumpers so not homeschooly.   I have boots but have very muscular calfs and refuse to wear plastic shoes. It is hard to find boots that fit and are affordable.  I wear flats a lot but when I am in jeans they look stupid with socks (it gets cold in the winter here) and I really like shoes that can go from jeans to skirts.  

 

You may think that mary jane style shoes look old lady but I think that the shoes that J-rap linked to are hideously ugly and old lady, no offense to j-rap, and I wouldn't wear them.  I have worn lace up oxfords and brogues but don't really like how they look with skirts. I get complimented on my clothes all the time, I just do not dress in any thing remotely close to trendy.  I wear a lot of midi skirts and boot skirts that are circle skirts or a-line with nicer sweaters or blouses.  I have heels for Sunday and dressier events but I don't want to wear those everyday.

[kitten18]

So what shoes do you wear for daily wear if you don't wear yoga pants ever and don't really wear jeans? I wear skirts and dresses 95% of the time. No religious reasons, I just have a body shape that looks odd in jeans or pants (i have a pretty significant "mommy apron" of skin on my stomach with a flat behind and normal legs, I don't carry weight on my hips and thighs, I am not a "Pear") so I wear skirts and dresses but not denim skirts and jumpers so not homeschooly. I have boots but have very muscular calfs and refuse to wear plastic shoes. It is hard to find boots that fit and are affordable. I wear flats a lot but when I am in jeans they look stupid with socks (it gets cold in the winter here) and I really like shoes that can go from jeans to skirts.

 

You may think that mary jane style shoes look old lady but I think that the shoes that J-rap linked to are hideously ugly and old lady, no offense to j-rap, and I wouldn't wear them. I have worn lace up oxfords and brogues but don't really like how they look with skirts. I get complimented on my clothes all the time, I just do not dress in any thing remotely close to trendy. I wear a lot of midi skirts and boot skirts that are circle skirts or a-line with nicer sweaters or blouses. I have heels for Sunday and dressier events but I don't want to wear those everyday.

Can you link some pictures of skirts/dresses similar to what you wear?

I might be able to help with shoes then.

 

Sounds like loafers would work, they can be worn with tights and socks.

[bodiesmom]

In addition to Clarks, I've found quite a bit of Sketchers with Velcro straps (for those of you who are actually looking for a Velcro strap).

[theelfqueen]

I wear Clarks and Merrells a lot and I do wear Mary Janes regularly and I do find the Velcro both on the MJs and one Sandals incredibly annoying!

 

[fraidycat]

I must shop at different places. I've only ever seen velcro on some, but not the majority, of adult sandals around the heel area. Not shoes. And I think my kids each had maybe one pair of shoes with velcro when they were younger.

 

FWIW, my shoe shopping habits are probably quite different from most people's. I try to find zero drop, wide toe box, barefoot/mininalist, as close to natural foot positioning as possible. And DS and I have super high arches, so most shoes don't fit the top of our feet, so most shoes are automatically out of our equation before we even start looking.