Geez, my feet... - YouLookFab Forum

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Geez, my feet...

kellygirl

Veteran

I hate to complain in the middle of this pandemic but where did all of my comfortable shoes go? My black Dansko slides are passable and so are the silver Birkenstocks but as for the rest...I'm not sure whether I have the patience to break in the rest of these old beauties for summer. The Naots are past their prime and will be retired--and they just aren't as comfy as they used to be. I'm thinking I may join the sneaker brigade full time or maybe I will have to wear socks with sandals? Where's my body glide? Sympathy welcome.

Clarks Clarene Grace Wedge Sandal

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Earth Daylily Wedge Sandal

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Söfft Sapphire

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Clarks Women's Clarene Prima Sandal

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Dressing

37 replies

Latest reply was from kellygirl

Anonymous

Oh dear - here’s some sympathy This is one big reason why I am constantly updating and changing out my footwear . So many of them are all-of-sudden uncomfortable from one year to the next . Surprised to hear your Fly’s aren’t working for you’ve- what’s happening there ?

kellygirl

Veteran

Lisa, they're actually Clarks. I wore them a ton for several summers. I put them on the last few times and had to take them off before leaving for work. Maybe my feet have gotten wider? I"m not sure but they sure are falling short in the comfort department! So disappointing. I'm going to try again before giving them the heave ho.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

That's a sad problem. Could be time for some shoe shopping, but then you'll have to test out the new ones. . . .

Bijou

Veteran

I 100% sympathise with trying to find comfy summer shoes. With my long hot summers, most sandals are only good for 1 or 2 years and it is a never ending quest to find replacements that are comfy and somewhat OK looking. I love it when I get to boot season!

Gretchen

Veteran

Oh, I totally agree. Pulled out the sandals, and I just can’t. I’m strongly thinking of staying in sneakers and simple flats through June.

slim cat

Veteran

Sandals don't last ( especially in sunny CA ). 2 years and then the comfort is gone. So far ABEO sandals with neutral support ( suitable for high arches ) work better than others.
https://www.abeofootwear.com/p.....5797399612 .
I duplicated them in another metallic color last year.

Jessikams

(website)

Veteran

If rubbing is the problem, I sometimes use deodorant to substitute for body glide. Good luck!

hereforthecake

I have found that "Fit Flop" sandals are super comfortable for my feet. I am on my feet for 8-10 hours per day, and find these are the best. I've tried lots of their shoes over the years and they work perfectly for me.

https://www.fitflop.com

I have narrow heels, wide toe box, high arches.

Good luck!

Eliza

Veteran

Very frustrating. I find that what works may vary year to year. In case it helps, many Noats allow you to replace the insole (Zappos has them for several styles). While they are not inexpensive, it could make sense if the rest of the shoe has a good amount of life left.

I was thinking yesterday that since we have been “in”, sneakers are the only shoes I wear, apart from house
shoe/slipper hybrids. I wonder if that somehow allows feet to widen more than structured, perhaps narrower shoes. Also, my tolerance for even a 2 inch heel has changed; that can impact how a shoe plays and where the friction points are. You have my sympathy; it is frustrating and hard to tell if shoes have worn out and changed comfort level and/or if feet are morphing.

Laura

(website)

Veteran

I vote sneakers all the way -- unless the weather simply gets too hot for them. Then I guess it's back to the sandal dilemma!

Helena

Veteran

Super annoying! I would suggest birkies but they also have that working in period too

MJ

Soft bed birkenstocks always feel super comfy from the get go- never needed a break in period. Could you just get another pair of birks in a "go with everything" color and call it a day?

Cee

Veteran

I'm liking the Dutch feet slippers Angie modelled a while back.

...They WERE slippers right, Angie ?

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Chris987

Veteran

Oh yeah, this is real. Sending both sympathy and empathy. Feet seem to change a lot over time, often in surprising ways. And shoes change as they are worn, in ways that are not always visible. You can always try body glide and various other things but sometimes nothing works and it's time to let them go. I have quite a few pairs of summer shoes, mostly dressier ones, that are not so comfortable but I save them because I "might need them for a specific outfit" which seems a bit nuts to me as I type this. I guess you have to decide how much time and $$ you are willing to invest, including the time spent trying to figure out what to do

Joy

Veteran

You look cute in sneakers and wear them well. My summer feet are happier not wearing sandals...less rubbing. I have also heard that deodorant works like body glide but have not tried it.

JAileen

Veteran

For me, sneakers are too hot for summer. I got a pair of Mephistos. They’re a cross between Birkenstocks and Naots.

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Jenn

(website)

Veteran

Shoes? What are shoes?

Actually, I hear you. It happens at the start of every season, like your calluses are in all the wrong places and your feet changed shape to match the previous season's footwear.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I get it. I’ve had trouble with this too. I haven’t gotten far into sandal -wearing yet this year because it’s been a fairly cool spring, and well, I’m not going much of anywhere. But I’m having issues with things rubbing that never rubbed before, and my heels seem to slip out of shoes that were never a problem in the past. Could my feet be shrinking? LOL

Body Glide is a must. This time of year always means adjustment. I stupidly took a 3 mile walk in flip flops the other day when it was really warm, and started to get blisters on the bottoms of my feet, ouch.

karen13

Veteran

Feet issues are so debilitating and inexplicable sometimes. I wonder if in these SIP times, going barefoot or unsupported in floppy footwear for long periods is leading to arches falling and the foot spreading. It definitely happens to me. I’m trying hard to put on real shoes in the morning. I notice a touch of plantar fasciitis warns me if I don’t.

try wearing supportsneaker on the regular for a few days and see if that helps.

Anonymous

I always have trouble going from sandals to boots in late Oct-Nov. After sandals, the boots are like having my feet in concrete Eventually I get used to them enough, but it's always a relief to go back in spring!

That said, I don't see going back to 3 in heels straightaway when I have to go back (kicking and screaming) to the office. I'm barefoot or socks all the time, except flip flops or walking sandals when I walk and trainers for biking.

kkards

Veteran

It’s maddening how a pair of shoes can go from being super comfy one summer to OMG i cannot wait to get these shoes off the next...and I’ve been wearing sneakers non stop for the last 2 months, so its hard for me to think about wearing anything else. But if it ever gets warm enough here, I’m hoping the Mephisto’s that i lived in last summer are still comfy

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

*passing a bucket of sympathy*

I GET IT. Summer shoes need breaking back in with time and body glide. It's soooo annoying

Actually, I'm re-thinking my footwear style, sweet Kelly. I'm definitely a sneaker gal MOST of the time from now on. Especially after wearing nothing else but sneakers for months during quarantine - and still am! I have to figure out whether I will allow myself to wear polished sneakers with clients. I have with suits and at the NAS.....

unfrumped

Veteran

Sympathy here.
I don’t wear real sandals much, but still , even some of last summer’s sneakers feel weird. So am going through all of my summer shoes bit by bit this month. Some that I think of almost as loungewear shoe/ slippers are still comfortable and too much more so than my “ public”
shoes.
My feet have always been the boss, but now it’s like they’ve gone rogue.
I don’t dare think about the fit of my dressier shoes.

Preppy Pear

Veteran

I don’t really wear sandals anymore when it’s hot besides the slide or flip-flop style - i have sweaty feet and my feet are happier in sneakers or slip-on style espadrilles with sock liners. You have such a cute sandal collection - it’s a bummer they aren’t comfy right now. For more “robust” sandals, I’ve had good luck with Eileen Fisher and Naturalizer for comfort, but body glide and foot powder are needed!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I have a feeling that shoe style in general is moving towards the
more practical/comfortable/casual. We’ve already been moving in that direction. Super high heels *almost* look dated. Or maybe a little out of touch with the current mood of the world? Not sure I’m articulating it well.

But I say wear what works for you, especially in times like these!

Sal

Veteran

I guess take it gently. But if they don't work pass them on!!

I find wide strap sandal mostly comfortable but thin straps can dig in. Sneakers are too hot for me in summer - as are covered shoes full stop. My feet run hot!!

MsMaven

Veteran

I had this problem a week ago. Carla suggested that sandals are like running shoes, they need to be replaced frequently, in the case of sandals because they just don't have the supports that last the way sneakers do.

Have you tried the Ecco Soft 7 slip on sneakers? The woven ones let a little air in and mine from last year are still comfortable. I'd buy another pair while they are on sale, but they don't have the color I want in my size.

And it's going to be even warmer tomorrow. To think last week I complained about the cold and dreary weather.

Ecco ECCOSoft 7 Woven Slip-On

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Style Fan

Veteran

I totally get this. I just had a conversation with Mr SF today about footwear. Currently, I can wear Birks sandals and Finn Comfort Sneakers. And that is it. I have heard great things about Mephistos. They have lots of cute styles. I might give them a try.

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

I have a wide toebox but narrow heels, high arches & high volume (especially when my feet swell) so even Clark's shoes can become too uncomfortable or tight from one year to the next. Maybe talcum powder could help?

I've had better luck with sandals that are adjustable both around the ankle & the front strap - I can vouch for the Hush Puppies Bodyform line (I've bought two!) I also wear khaki EVA Birkenstocks as casual slides in the current situation - not as great for long distances, but the arch support & adjustable front is there.

Another vote for FitFlop flats here, too - have both casual & dressy options that I can wear with or without swelling, thanks to the laces or wearing with/ without thicker socks.

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