Favorite summer sandals with

[Snickerdoodle]

lots of support that are comfortable even with lots of walking. I am not looking for cute, I'm looking for functional.

 

Tell me, is there such a thing? Help me out because I LOATHE shopping and I'd like to narrow it down before I head out to the shops.

 

Oh, and I don't like Birks, so don't even go there. :tongue_smilie:

 

 

:bigear:

[Leanna Tomlinson]

Merrells are my favorite. I have 3 pair. :)

[MamaT]

My favorite summer sandals for looks and comfort are Born. I LOVE their shoes. They last for years, too (and I am hard on shoes). Their website is www.Bornshoes.com.

[TraceyS/FL]

Keen bali's.

 

I get 2 summers out of them (i'm on my second pair), they have never failed me at Disney. I love them, but most of all - my FEET love them!

 

http://www.keenfootwear.com/product/ss09/shoes/women/waterfront/bali/black

 

They wash in the washing machine well too!!

 

Edited April 6, 2009 by TraceyS/FL

[Kim in Appalachia]

I just got a pair of these. They have incredible support, they are waterproof, and they look close to indestructible.

 

http://www.zappos.com/search/brand/522/filter/categoryFacet/%22Sandals%22/gender/%22Womens%22

 

The link is a page of woman's sandles at zappos. I like having a strap around the back of my foot for more support, so I got the ZX/2 unaweep.

[HollyDay]

Chacos!!!!

 

Followed closely by Keenes

[Twinmom]

My favorite sandals are by Pali Hawaii. I don't know what the style is called specifically, but it has little bows on it. They are inexpensive, waterproof, SO comfortable and have great support. They are made of some sort of dense foam, so they are really cushy. They have completely cured my heel spurs...I have three pairs and wear them every day. I have hardwoods floors everywhere in my house and have broken my foot just walking around (stress fracture), so good shoes are important. These are slip-on and have been a real God-send for me.

[Angela in GA]

I second Keens! I love them. I will admit, they're not the most attractive shoe, but they are so comfortable. I wore them at Disney last summer and my feet didn't hurt one bit! Shoebuy.com carries some Keens, and they often have a coupon code floating around somewhere.

[Nestof3]

I bought some Columbia sandals at Off Broadway last year, and I bought two more this year (black and brown). I love them because they hold up nicely and because they have an anti-microbial ingredient. My feet stink in the summer when I wear shoes without socks, and since I don't wear socks in the summer. :)

 

http://www.amazon.com/Columbia-Sportswear-Womens-Westlake-Slide/dp/B000BY0456

 

Oh, I also cannot wear anything where the strap goes between toes. ouch

 

I also wear Keds mules in the summer, but they're not sandals.

[Nestof3]

Keen bali's.

 

I get 2 summers out of them (i'm on my second pair), they have never failed me at Disney. I love them, but most of all - my FEET love them!

 

http://www.keenfootwear.com/product/ss09/shoes/women/waterfront/bali/black

 

They wash in the washing machine well too!!

 

 

Oooh -- I may have to get a pair of those for the really smelly days. LOL Then I could throw them in the washer.

[ereks mom]

...I haven't been able to find them anymore, except for men's styles, which look NOTHING like the ones I had. I completely wore out 2 pairs, but it took me several summers to do that!

[Kathy in MD]

My favorites are Easy Spirit and Naturalizer. They have nice styles designed for walking in AND they come in my size.

[JudoMom]

I bought some Columbia sandals at Off Broadway last year, and I bought two more this year (black and brown). I love them because they hold up nicely and because they have an anti-microbial ingredient. My feet stink in the summer when I wear shoes without socks, and since I don't wear socks in the summer. :)

 

http://www.amazon.com/Columbia-Sportswear-Womens-Westlake-Slide/dp/B000BY0456

 

Oh, I also cannot wear anything where the strap goes between toes. ouch

 

I also wear Keds mules in the summer, but they're not sandals.

 

Do you find the anti-microbial footbed to really work? I get stinky feet and am thinking about buying some sandals & shoes from Lands End that have tan anti-microbial footbed, but am skeptical.

[lynn]

I have several pairs of Born shoes that are very comfortable.

[i.love.lucy]

I don't like Birks, so don't even go there.

 

 

WHAT!?!?! No crunchy-granola-momma look for you?

 

:iagree:Well, I'd have to agree, but after my plantar fasciitis flared up so terribly last summer and I was desperate for what I could wear on a trip to Mexico, I gave in and tried them. They saved my feet. I think it's not so much the arch support but that support going toward the mid-ball of my foot...what's that...metatarsil support? Anyways, they worked, but I totally get it - they are ugly!

 

Do those Keen's have that metatarsil kind of support? I also got a pair of Fit Flops that are pretty cute, but are like flip-flops in that the thingy goes between toes. Very cushy and comfy but at the height of my flare up I couldn't wear them long. Now I can.

 

Watching for more ideas. So sad that I can't wear really cute little flip flops and sandals anymore! :glare:

[KristineinKS]

I live in my Birkenstocks pretty much year-round, but Borns are my second choice - they are wonderfully comfortable!

[Jill]

Columbias here. I thought Keens would do it but not for my feet. I wear columbia clogs in the house in the winter and sandals or mules all summer and no longer have foot pain. I am on tile, hardwood and concrete flooring in my house.

[Snickerdoodle]

WHAT!?!?! No crunchy-granola-momma look for you?

 

:iagree:Well, I'd have to agree, but after my plantar fasciitis flared up so terribly last summer and I was desperate for what I could wear on a trip to Mexico, I gave in and tried them. They saved my feet.

 

OK, you ladies are fast. Must check out some of these sandals. Hey, I have plantar fasciitis so bad myself so my summer footwear has got to hold up. I'm very intrigued by your experience with Birks but I'm not sure it's enough to tempt me... Hmmmm....

[TraceyS/FL]

WHAT!?!?! No crunchy-granola-momma look for you?

 

:iagree:Well, I'd have to agree, but after my plantar fasciitis flared up so terribly last summer and I was desperate for what I could wear on a trip to Mexico, I gave in and tried them. They saved my feet. I think it's not so much the arch support but that support going toward the mid-ball of my foot...what's that...metatarsil support? Anyways, they worked, but I totally get it - they are ugly!

 

Do those Keen's have that metatarsil kind of support? I also got a pair of Fit Flops that are pretty cute, but are like flip-flops in that the thingy goes between toes. Very cushy and comfy but at the height of my flare up I couldn't wear them long. Now I can.

 

Watching for more ideas. So sad that I can't wear really cute little flip flops and sandals anymore! :glare:

 

I have Plantar Fascitis and major issues with that part of my foot. The keens are perfect in the support area. The Bali's have nothing between the toes which means on cool winter days - can wear them in the house with socks! I seriously can just about only wear these.

 

They have the anti smell sole, and i cna attest it works (at least for the first year with daily wear). I have one of my current ones that smells, the other doesn't - which is why it was in the wash. :D

[Nestof3]

Do you find the anti-microbial footbed to really work? I get stinky feet and am thinking about buying some sandals & shoes from Lands End that have tan anti-microbial footbed, but am skeptical.

 

Yes, it does work. I have a pair of Adidas slipons I wear around the house (think house slipper but sandal instead) that I also bought from Off Broadway, and I have two pairs of the Columbia sandals. This gives each sandal a break to air out as well.

 

I would like to get a pair that I can get dirty and then throw in the washer, though. Something to wear outside when I know my feet will get dirty, if you know what I mean.

[Twinmom]

OK, you ladies are fast. Must check out some of these sandals. Hey, I have plantar fasciitis so bad myself so my summer footwear has got to hold up. I'm very intrigued by your experience with Birks but I'm not sure it's enough to tempt me... Hmmmm....

 

You've seriously got to try those Pali Hawaii shoes...they are made to help with plantar fasciitis (I always call mine heel spurs...mom used to call it that!). Mine is totally gone now thanks to those sandals! Just be sure to get the thicker-soled variety. They do make some flat ones that don't have nearly the same amount of arch support.

[OnTheBrink]

I have to say, I had heel and lower back problems and my Birks saved my feet. I could literally feel my spine straighten out when I put them on and my heel stopped hurting before I could even get out to the car from the mall. Birks have some cuter, more feminine styles. Can't hurt to just look. :001_smile:

[TraceyS/FL]

I lived in my birks until they needed to be replaced.

 

They aren't very practical for a "wet FLorida summer" though - and the keens have been perfect for that. I don't worry when i leave the house if i will get caught in a summer thunderstorm at all!

[Heather in Savannah]

I cannot afford to buy a pair, but I have tried them on and fantasized about owning a pair. They are incredibly comfortable, with similar support to Birks(but they are meant for narrower feet) and what's more they look great...stylish too. So, if anyone knows a discount place to buy these, pass it along....the normal price is $145-250. Yikes!

[3littlekeets]

I live in Haviana flip flops in the summer :-)

[Pongo]

Rafters

Tevas

Amazon often has great deals on last years stock. For the Tevas I tend to go for the cork type instead of the trek rubber type.:)

[Suzanne in ABQ]

Beware of Chacos that have a continuous strap that wraps around and around your foot, through the footbed of the sandal. I have a pair of these, and every time I take a step, the strap tightens around my foot, until it cuts off the circulation in my big toe! I hate those things!

 

The footbed is very cushy, though, and has a good arch support. I would probably like them if they had a different strap design.

 

ETA: I Love my Teva flip-flop style sandals. They have great arch support, a cushy-but-firm footbed, and very comfortable padded straps. They wash in the washing machine, too.

[Targhee]

Chacos - hands down. I wear sandals almost year round (and it snows here). I have flat feet and need good support, and I love to hike, walk, run, play, live in my sandals. I've owned tevas, birks, keens, and various flip flops... but THE best for me have been my chacos. In fact, I just bought chacos for my kids :D My chaco's soles were starting to wear after 8 (yes 8) years, so last year I bought some keens. The keens sit in the closet and I wear the now 9-year-old chacos still. The arch is high, the foot bed is solid, but flexible, the tread is very durable, the webbing straps are also durable and come in a variety of patterns (or black), they are easy in and out (and no velcro to wear out), and you get cool "Z" shaped tan lines on your feet when you wear them :tongue_smilie:

 

Chaco flip flops are nice too if you want slides. comfy, arch support, hold snug to the front of your foot, and all the other benefits of flip flops.

 

Beware of Chacos that have a continuous strap that wraps around and around your foot, through the footbed of the sandal. I have a pair of these, and every time I take a step, the strap tightens around my foot, until it cuts off the circulation in my big toe! I hate those things!

 

I would take those sandals back, Suzanne, to the store or to Chaco. The strap shouldn't slip. I have Z/2s that go around the toe and I love them - don't have trouble with them tightening. I like them because I have some lateral motion control at my forefoot, and I also can pull the toe loop down flat if I want to have no toe strap (like when I wear socks with them :ohmy:).

 

ETA: I love Teva, too - I've worn them since 1990 (someone asked me then - 8th grade - if they were orthopedic sandals!!), and my favorite were the Teva Alps (which they no longer make). I still have a pair of Teva Mush flip flops to wear, very squishy soft and light weight - however if I am going to be walking a lot I'll take the chaco sandals over those because of the arch support.

Edited April 7, 2009 by Targhee
typos - sure I missed more

[Happy]

If you are looking for something a tad nicer (not a sports or flip-flop kinda look), try some Clark's sandals. I have a couple of pair I wear with shorts and pants during the summer. I've worn them all day and still lived to tell the tale.

[Starr]

I've worn Clark's for many years.

[klmama]

You can find fisherman sandals at JCPenney. I don't remember the brand, but I have several pairs. Not sure if they have the support of a Rockport, though.

[dirty ethel rackham]

I second the nomination for Clarks. I wear them all the time. Good arch support and super comfy. I can wear them at an all-day booth or walking for miles.

[Cherrie]

sandals, I also have plantar fasciitis among other foot problems and I love my crocs sandals they are far more comfortable then the crocs shoes beware of other sandals that look like crocs. They are pink and brown, I think they also come in black.

[beth in md]

I have plantar faciatis too and was thinking of trying these sandals by SOLE. http://www.solesandals.com/index.html

 

I started to wear their insoles in my winter shoes and my heel spur finally heeled after a year. http://www.yoursole.com/

[Melora in NC]

My most comfortable shoes are my Teva sandals. Most expensive shoes I ever bought, but worth every penny.