Opinions on black ankle boots, please

Parsley

I need some black ankle boots that I can do lots of walking in for travel. I want to wear them with jeans and casual trousers.
What are your thoughts on these?

1- Franco Sarto, 1 3/4" heel http://www.zappos.com/franco-s.....ck-metador

2- Born http://www.zappos.com/born-ism.....eg#prdInfo

3- Fluevog, http://www.fluevog.com/code/?w.....ourID=3543

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13 years ago

Shopping

31 replies

Latest reply was from bj1111

Veteran

I like the first two best, but you know how conservative I am.

What it comes down to more than anything else is how they feel on your feet and for that you're just going to have to try them. The heels are all low enough to be good for walking.

13 years ago

Parsley

Veteran

Thanks, JR.
I'm really kind of in love with the Fluevogs, myself, but they're the most expensive by quite a bit. Also, I've never worn that brand before, and I guess the sizing's all over the place. Unfortunately their shipping costs are really high, so it could get really expensive to find out that they don't work for me.

The first two are from Zappos, so I could easily try them. I have a feeling that the second ones would be the most comfortable for all day walking, but they're also the most boring.

13 years ago

kellygirl

Veteran

I don't think the first two are boring in the least. I love the detailing on 2 and they look very walkable. I haven't had good luck with FS but they sure are cute!

13 years ago

Jules

Veteran

I find the three pairs quite different in feel actually...
#2 seem most casual
#3 are giving me a slight 80s creeper vibe ie/ punk/new wave and that doesn't seem like your style. Edit, I am not thinking of thick-soled creepers but the kind of shoes The Cure wore, kinda goth I guess
#1 have some edge and are a little less casual, these are my pick

13 years ago

Sylvie

Veteran

How dressy do you need them to be Parsley?

I have the red version of these with a slightly different studding detail and I can wear them for a day of walking.

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/fr.....n=wishlist

I can also recommend any Fluevog shoe on the F-sole and Amanda lasts for all day walking, particularly the first. If you call any store, they will be more than happy to help you with sizing.

If you want funky, you might like Fidji's.

I'm packing for a weeklong trip with at least 3 days of heavy walking and I am either going to bring my Fluevog Bondgirl boots or the red Frye Philip Boots. I am bringing my Frye Melissa's as well but I don't know yet how they'll hold up for more than a few hours.

13 years ago

Parsley

Veteran

Thanks, Kelly, Jules, and Sylvie!
Kelly, I do like the wingtip detailing on the second ones. They remind me a little of Angie's picks- the patent Melin booties that Rae got, but I think returned. I liked those, too, but they were sold out in my size.

Jules, you're probably right about the Fluevogs not being my usual style, but I'm just drawn to them, for some reason, even though usually Fluevogs don't appeal to me. I really like the pointed toes and the buckle detail.

Sylvie, I do like those Fryes, but I think they're too casual for what I'm looking for. I can see them being great for you, and I like your Bond girl ones, too.

13 years ago

catgirl

Veteran

Er, of course I'm going to say the Fluevogs. LOVE LOVE LOVE them.

13 years ago

Parsley

Veteran

But Una, would they look stupid on me?

13 years ago

catgirl

Veteran

Do you have other Fluevogs? How they look in a picture and how they look on is a transformative difference. They are like that makeup that changes to suit your skin color. They will look ravishing on you. At least *I* think so!

13 years ago

Parsley

Veteran

Aack! I want to try them so badly, but shipping is expensive, and then expensive to send them back, too, if they don't work out. Why can't everybody be like Zappos?

Actually they do have them on Amazon with free shipping and returns, but not in my size. I'm really tempted to order the size that's too big from Amazon just to get a feel for them, and then return them. I feel like that's sort of unethical, but on the other hand, that size could turn out to fit, after all.

13 years ago

catgirl

Veteran

That is a major problem with Fluevog. I've never ordered from their site for that reason... $35 to Alaska! Yipes!

13 years ago

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

Born gets my vote! They had that man-inspired look which I find quite appealing lately. I don't think they are boring at all - look at all that detailing. They remind me a bit of this pick of Angie:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/me.....inmwvoGmZQ

13 years ago

Parsley

Veteran

Sveta, they do look a lot like those. The one thing I don't like about the Melins and the Borns is that they don't have a zipper. I'm not crazy about pull-ons.

Well, since it's really impossible to know without trying them, I ordered all three!
I ordered the Fluevogs from Amazon in a size that I'm pretty sure will be too big, but then I'll at least have an idea of whether I like them or not on me.

I'll post a K/R when I get them!
Thanks for your opinions!

13 years ago

Sylvie

Veteran

Hope you find a pair that works for you! Dressy walkable shoes are the "unicorn" of shoe shopping. I've never found a suitable pair that I could wear multiple days in a row, so I'm willing to compromise and wear more casual styles.

13 years ago

Anonymous

The fluevogs, I love them. Also, I've had a couple issues with Franco sarto shoes. I have had to replace two pair of boots, after one season. I am tired of buying disposable shoes. I think it might be an isolated incident.

13 years ago

kkards

Veteran

i like 1 or 3 because i feel the heels on them are the most comfortable for walking

13 years ago

Raisin

Veteran

I like the look of #2 and I think it would be great for walking.

13 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I'm no help. I like them all!!

I think the proof will be in the try-ons. Honestly, you just can't tell until you do that.

13 years ago

Makrame

Veteran

I like all three but I am actually more partial to 1 and 2 than the Fleuvogs. With 2, they look like Chelsea-style booties that I have been intrigued by on Asos. http://www.asos.com/ASOS/ASOS-.....;clr=Black and http://www.asos.com/ASOS/ASOS-.....ackleather and http://www.asos.com/ASOS/ASOS-.....undyorange (not black).

As far as comfort, I only have experience with Born, and they are usually excellent.

I also tried on 3 styles of Clarks black booties yesterday: Leyden Candle, Dara 3, Ingalls Nile. They are slightly different in style from the ones you posted but all three were extremely comfortable in the store.
http://www.zappos.com/clarks-l.....ck-leather
http://www.zappos.com/clarks-ingalls-nile-black
http://www.zappos.com/clarks-d.....ck-leather

13 years ago

Mochi

Veteran

Just based on looks, for me it's the first one by a long shot. No contest.

13 years ago

Parsley

Veteran

Wow, opinions are really divided!
Thank you all for your input.

Sylvie, you are so right that shoes that look nice and are walkable are the unicorn of shoe shopping!! I'm constantly searching for shoes that fit that description!

Makrame, I was hoping you'd chime in! Did you buy any of the ones you tried?
I have had no luck at all with Clarks in the past, although I know they're great for a lot of people. They just do not seem to fit my feet at all!
I have narrow feet, and while I often can make do with regular width in boots, it helps if they run narrow. The funny thing with Clarks is that even the narrows don't seem to fit me right.

I do really like the ones from ASOS.
In full disclosure, I must confess that I already own the Sam Edelman Petty in black, which are supremely comfortable, and those were my go-to travel walking shoes last winter.
http://www.zappos.com/sam-edel.....lack-suede
I like them with jeans, but I'm not as crazy about them with trousers.
Also, I'd really like a non-suede bootie that's better for all weather.

Well, we'll see when they get here! I will have them all by Saturday.

Thanks again to everyone for your help!

13 years ago

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Late to the party, but I really REALLY like the Borns. They look comfortable and sturdy, have great masculine-inspired style and would work well for your purpose. But like Suz says, it comes down to comfort.

13 years ago

Jules

Veteran

I figured out why I don't personally like #2 - they're very dainty/small profile. Although the details are like Angie's pick, they don't have the chunky heel or much sole to them. I like to balance my figure and/or bulky winter wear with a chunkier shoe. This is probably not the case for you. I'm curious to see what works out for you!

13 years ago

Parsley

Veteran

Jules, I'm chuckling at your response, because having my feet look too dainty has NEVER been a problem with my size 9 1/2s !!

13 years ago

Makrame

Veteran

Parsley, I did not buy them because the store did not have the half size I was interested in. But I have 5 pairs of Clarks coming to me from Amazon (half sizes and wide sizes, just for fun) and two pairs of Everybody Galla from Planetshoes.

I have the opposite problem from you - while my feet are not wide, I have a "bunionette" so I started going up half a size to avoid pain. I find that generally Clarks are supremely comfortable for me, although this time they all pressed a bit on my "problem toe". I just bought a shoe stretcher so perhaps I'll be able to deal with that issue.

Good luck with your bootie search!

13 years ago

Carole

Veteran

Well, this is timely because I'm looking for the same black boot, Parsley and I wear a 9 1/2 as well. I have a very painful bunion that that rules my world so ordering online seems like a big waste of time for me. I just bought the black SE's you have but am looking for something a little dressier like you. I have good luck with Franco Sarto's so might have to check them out. I'm staying tuned, but I like all three you ordered. The Fluevogs are quite unique and might be my favorite. Can't wait to see them all on your feet and get the verdict.

13 years ago

Parsley

Veteran

Makrame, Do share your thoughts when you get them. I'm eager to see what you end up with.
Carole, Well, thank goodness 9 1/2s are much easier to find now than they used to be- they used to be practically nonexistent!
I'll be sure to post a review of mine when they arrive and I'd like to see yours if you find some good ones.

13 years ago

keruchina

Active Member

#1 is my favorite.

13 years ago

Anonymous

Very late to the party....I have some Franco Sartos that are similar to the ones you posted. I can walk quite a bit in them even though I "don't do heels" as a rule. These are very walk-able low heels. Good luck!

13 years ago

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