Advice needed on choosing comfy sandals

I am looking for a slightly dressier sandal for the summer, preferably in a fun color (red, orange, blue, yellow, pewter or bronze) with a wedge heel, that I can wear with dresses/skirts - maybe a 4 hour shoe? I still have my indigo tequesta sandals from last summer when I need flats but all my heeled sandals have become too hurty. I also would like one with a t-strap/strappy configuration because I just find it more comfortable.

I stopped by my local shoe specialty shop today to do some research on the different sandals that I have seen mentioned online. This shop specializes in lots of comfort brands (dansko, sofft, ariat, birkenstock, born, clarks etc) and high-end orthopedic type shoes so there was lots of selection in one place. I tried on many different sandals today and most felt a little too snug on my problem foot including the clarks meadows, the soffts (heel too high anyway), the clarks smooch etc. They had several models of fidji's which were awful on me - the toe part of all of their shoes seem to point the opposite direction from where my feet point if that makes any sense.

I really wanted these to work but it was a bit snug in the problem foot and the heel height is a bit too much:

http://www.zappos.com/indigo-b.....ed-leather

The only ones that sort of worked were the clarks Luster Weave:

http://www.zappos.com/clarks-l.....ic-leather

though I'm not sure if the 3" heel might be a little much for me.

And if I really want to be kind to my feet, these danskos were by far the most comfortable:

http://www.amazon.com/Dansko-W.....038;sr=1-1

but they don't come in any fun colors and well, they're sort of ugly. I bought and returned the Sissy sandals last year for the same reason - I just could never get myself to wear them when the time came.

Any other suggestions? Should I just get the danskos? Thanks so much!

16 years ago

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

What about the Nordstrom ones in Angie's store with the elastic bands? They come in pewter, and the straps might give you the stretch that you need,

Queen Mum

those second ones are cute- and note that it is a 3 inch heel but has a 3/4 inch platform, so you're actually only walking on a 2 1/4 inch heel if that makes a difference for you.

elpgal

Shana, It is an older model, but I tried the Clarks Erda in a wide width at the outlet store (I went looking for an outlet store after you mentioned in some comment). and they are very comfy.

The front of the shoe is not pointy and there is plenty of room for the toes.

http://www.zappos.com/clarks-erda-peanut

shana

Khris, I did try the Alfani sandals but was not bowled over by them. They're mostly black and seem a little too dressy for what I had in mind. I'm also leaning towards a more colorful option if possible - might go for the orange/red luster weave if I go for that one.

Kim, that's a good point!

elpgal, thanks! My outlet has not gotten many sandals in stock yet. I guess I am sort of jumping the gun a bit. I basically lived in Keens last summer until I found the indigo ones mid-summer so I'm trying to be prepared! I'll have to keep checking the outlets!

Maya

Shana, the foot-pointing-one-way-while-the-shoes-point-another happens to me in all closed footwear. That's why my two littlest toes are always getting smashed even though I have a slight gap on the other side of my foot. It's super annoying.

I can't really make any recommendations since I know the sandals that work for me don't work for you, but I actually like the Sissy sandals a lot more than the ones you just posted. I don't think they're bad at all, and with clogs being back in style, I don't think anyone would even know they're Danskos.

If you find any "almost" styles, maybe it's worth getting them professionally stretched. You can even have them spot-stretched over your trouble areas.

Debora

I feel your pain, Shana! Good luck with your hunt for comfy sandals. I need to start soon myself. Just wanted to point out that the Sigrid sandals were reviewed yesterday on Barking Dogs and they are having a give-away. Hope this helps.

http://www.barkingdogshoes.com.....andal.html

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