Help: Stylish gear sandal - a contradiction in terms?

I'm looking for a comfortable and fashionable sandal that can replace my previous Ecco sandals.

#4 not exactly what I had, but along this style. Very geary and not so fashionable

I was thinking that a metallic colour would be more be more polished and also leg elongating. I've been looking at some of the Ecco sandals and would like your opinions.

Needs:
- gear functionality and comfort
- light hiking
- casual wear
- slightly more stylish than gear
- a superlow heel would be great (like in #1 and #3), but are these read too geary?

And style wise, I've been aiming at more structured and simpler outfits with less accessories and trusting that great fit would provide enough polish, yet still a hint of RATE.

http://shopeu.ecco.com/no/no/d.....e=699-1200

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12 years ago

Adelfa

Veteran

I love #2, and #3 is my second choice. Very pretty!

Kristin L

I think I like 2 and 3 the best. Have you checked out Keen sandals?

Susie

I like 2. To be honest, 1 and 3 look more like comfort sandals (that could veer toward dowdy territory) more than gear.

Sara L.

I like 1 and 2. They look comfortable while still stylish, but I'm not sure you could do light hiking in them. I think the soles will be too slippery.

Elly

I think your definition and my definition of "light hiking" are different because I would only hike in sandal 4, although I preffer to hike in something closed toe. For touring and walking I think 1-2-3 might work depending on your own comfort needs. Two is actually an Angie recommended shoe I believe, so it gets the thumbs up for casual style for sure.

ClaraT

I'm with elly-I'd only walk on dirt/tide pool/walk through muddy bits with number 4! The others look like comfy sandals for city walking. A lot of people swear by chacos and keens, but they are definitely gear. Of the first three, #1 looks the most supportive (I like the look, too, though I see I'm in the minority).

cciele

Can we get more info about what you mean by light hiking? What type of terrain?

Anyhow, what about these Keens for city walking:
http://www.rei.com/product/828.....als-womens

Transcona Shannon

I love the second pair (were those am Angie pick at one point?). I'm not sure about them for any type of hiking though, although that would depend on the type of terrain.

Suz

(website)

These would all be great for city walks or even on flat country ground in my area (with dirt pathways). I would wear them to our local conservation area that is built on former farmland. But not for what I'd understand as true hiking. Love the look of any of them, by the way -- potentially, at least.

Betti

Active Member

I have #2, and LOVE them. But, light hiking.... no, I wouldn't. There is only a very thin sole and no toe protection.

FlorenceFearne

I'm with everyone else here; I'm not sure if you're looking for a gear/hiking sandal that looks nice, or if you're after a fashionable sandal that can stand up to the occasional long walk on bad terrain. The two would bring you to very different places. That said, I did find these, which are metallic, closed toe, comfortable and low-heeled.

http://www.clarksusa.com/eng/p.....y/26065582

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abc

I just got two pairs of sandals from The Walking Company in the Abeo brand and love them. Might be too comfort or slightly gearish for some but they fit my needs for an upcoming vacation with lots of walking involved and a MOTG lifestyle when not traveling, so they might be something worth looking into based on your post requirements.

The two pairs I got were a champagne and a bronze metallic.

One pair was called Laguna and I can't recall the other. If you are interested you can check my previous posts. I recently wrote a review on YLF because I like the shoes so much and hadn't seen anything on this brand here before.

Good luck.

Sanet

I tried these skechers on yesterday. Very comfortable. Not sure if they are on trend or not. The store had them in other colours too - I quite liked the navy.

http://www.skechers.com/style/.....legacy/nat

I've seen these advertised, but can't comment on comfort or trendiness:

http://www.skechers.com/style/.....2-axis/nvy

ETA: Posted this and then realised that your post said "sandals"...

ManidipaM

I like the first one best. Both in practical terms and aesthetic... as long as your light hike is no more than a mucky walk through rough dirt (forests? But not tide pools or mountains).

CocoLion

#2 are the least gear or comfort shoe like and therefore get my vote for a comfortable, city walking sandal.

However, I am not at all opposed to the sandals in #4 for hiking. I say, if you have a task, embrace it. If you are going hiking, deck yourself out in gear and OWN IT! It's when gear shoes, are mixed with non-gear clothing, that the purist in me is disturbed.

harmonica

Thank you all for wise input!

Because of your comments and questions, I realized that I'm looking for a fashionable sandal that can stand up to the occasional long walk on bad terrain, as Florence nicely framed it. Then #2 is ok.

For real hiking I would never wear sandals; never that warm here and toe protection and ankle support is important.

Beth Ann

Based upon your update, I'm a big fan of #2. I like the color, and the fact that the slight heel is also silver, instead of black rubber. That detail is hard to find!

Sveta

If they are all equal in comfort then #2 is my preference!

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