For those in crazy hot temps with no end in sight, what's on your feet

I think I'm officially in my summer fashion funk. Despite my best efforts to refresh and keep interested it is so hot I don't even look forward to wearing clothes. Our car AC can't keep up, my house AC..which is brand new...can't keep up in the afternoons. I am outside a decent amount and it's just ugh.

Despite all that I still look cute, its just hard to be excited about it.

My main gripe right now is my footwear. Despite making sure my feet are meticulous clean every morning before slipping into some sandals, my feet get sweaty, its super dry here so dust gets on them and then they just turn gross. I have several pair of sandals I got at the beginning of the summer that I'm about ready to toss.

These are all leather. I've cleaned the soles but it seems once they start getting grungy there is no amount of keeping them nice. I vowed to try to stay away from gear shoes this summer, but I'm about at the end of my rope.

I think I will spend the winter looking for sandals that are completely washable but still cute.

What is everyone else wearing? Am I the only one that can't keep a pair of sandals an entire summer season?

11 years ago

MsMary

Veteran

I have the opposite problem from you -- I am freezing in the a/c! I've been wearing my patent leather pumps with bare legs and doing fine. I also do okay with sandals. Fortunately my feet don't sweat much.

(website)

I'm wearing sandals only. I do walk in unpaved spots to the store regularly, so I get the grimy thing. But it seems my shoes hold up okay, even with the 'off-road' jaunts.

KathyL

I spend most of my time indoors so I'm probably no help. Have you tried espadrilles or cork type sandals? Those might hide wear and tear more. I do a lot of ballet flats and loafers during the summer. Or how about boat shoes like sperry topsiders?

deb

Here is the Sacramento area, ballerinas are my go to shoe. Protection from the hot pavement and dirt, rocks, and such.

velvetychocolate

Sandals only - it's been 100+ degrees since the very beginning of June. I saw 111F to 114F in the first couple of weeks of June, and it hasn't really let up much since. Don't laugh, but I keep peppermint foot spray in my car and in my purse.

http://www.thebodyshop-usa.com.....spray.aspx

Agree with the suggestion of espadrilles and cork type sandals - these do help, a bit better than all leather.

Meanwhile, you're not the only one to "wreck" summer shoes in just one season. It happens to me too. The more open the sandal, the better - and if it's made with canvas, cork, fabric etc. - the less likely these shoes will get way too hot and yucky. That said, these types of shoes don't usually last me more than one summer season.

Editing to add: here's an example of super comfortable, "throw-away after one summer" shoes that have worked for insanely hot temperatures:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SKECHE.....0836125231

Not the most fab shoes, but they *are* very comfortable and they work when you're faced with a thermostat that says 114F at 10:20 in the morning (for casual, on-the-go type outfits).

I didn't get mine from ebay, but rather - from a local Famous Footwear store when I really needed somthing that could stand up to the heat. They are my "run to the grocery store" shoes when I just need something comfortable.

Joy

My summer footwear rarely lasts more than a season. I have DKNY athletic maryjanes with removable inserts that get washed often. Perforated leather really is cooler and Hue footies that hardly show in flats help absorb moisture and keep things clean.

rae

I wore booties today, but I was mostly out in the early morning.

I love my perforated and woven leather sandals. The woven ones are closed toe, too, so they don't let as much dust n stuff in there. I also just got some sandals made of string/cord. Hoping they stay looking nice a bit longer than the leather.

Diana

Cork footbed sandals are the only thing I can bear in super hot,humid weather. The cork footbed stays dry, does not get stinky, and does not cause blisters.

I do also have these super thin stick on insoles called "summer soles" that I stick on icky footbeds to make them nicer and more comfy. They last about a season.

Anonymous

I'm in crazy-hot-all-the-time South Mississippi. I have such a bad habit of going barefoot! When I need to leave the house I wear comfortable flats or occasionally flip flops if it suits my outfit. Heels only for church or a function of some kind.

Kari

We're in a very unusual stretch with weather in the high 80's - mid 90's this week!

My two pairs of sandals (Clarks Brulee pewter gladiators from summer 2009, still going strong, Clarks Ella Keys bought on clearance this year, and Kenneth Cole Cedar City wedges that are starting to show their age) are getting a LOT of wear. For me, it's still a novelty to be able to wear sandals and sleeveless garments at all, so I'm loving the change!

I'm with Kari in finding that Clarks sandals hold up well. I have a pair of Clarks similar to Kari's Clarks Ella Keys, & I'm happy to hear that hers are holding up well--I hope mine will too! For really casual/athletic wear--walking & training the dogs, walking on the beach, etc., I wear Clarks Privo sandals pretty much every summer day. When they get dirty or dusty, I just hose them off with a spray from our garden hose, & they still hold up to daily wear for several summers. Here's my current pair:
http://www.amazon.com/Privo-Wo.....+for+women

We're having exceptionally hot weather, so right now I'm wearing Teva thong sandals. They also hold up very well to getting dirty, walking on the beach, getting hosed off, etc.

Megan

Aziraphale

Abie, when I moved from BC to Marin County, the main thing I wasn't prepared for was the DUST. On everything. On your feet, on the roads and sidewalks, on your car, covering your dog, everything. It doesn't rain for seven months straight, and everything dries right out and gets dusty. So I understand exactly when you say you can't keep your shoes clean.

Sadly I have no solution, other than moving to a wetter climate! When I lived in Marin, I just got used to washing my feet a lot.

April

Abie, this may not help with your particular problem, but my absolute favorite sandals for the past two summers are the Emerald style from Everybody shoes: http://www.amazon.com/Everybod.....dy+emerald They come in many colors, and the leather is absolutely buttery soft. Because the straps are so wide, they provide more coverage than most sandals, so that dust problem may be less of an issue.

(In fact, what size shoe are you? In addition to the ones I wear constantly, I have a pair of these sandals in a color that does not work for me -- worn perhaps once -- and would be glad to pass them on. I'm a 7, and these are Euro sized in a 37.)

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