Talk to me about flat-forms - YouLookFab Forum

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Talk to me about flat-forms

Runcarla

Veteran

I’m intrigued by the silhouette, and they look comfortable in a cushy way, but I’m worried about comfort walking any distance, and stability (I’ve got weak ankles and balance issues - working on those is an ongoing project.)

Are flat-form sandals suitable for a 2 hour slow paced urban walk (packed gravel trails and sidewalk?) or are they better for standing (like at the kitchen counter doing meal prep?) or are they a ‘sitting shoe’? Are they stable, or do they feel precarious? What has your experience been?

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27 replies

Latest reply was from Jessikams

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

I have a pair that are something like this one from Camper (mine are a few years old and are blue and purple, but same brand).

And I also have these white wedges that kind of qualify as a flatform.

Both are very comfortable for city walks. I have also worn the Campers to climb a steep unpaved track with no issue, as well as to walk on the beach. As for stability, the adjustable straps make this a manageable problem

CAMPER Oruga Up Platform Sport Sandal

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Geox Torrence Platform Sandal (Women) | Nordstrom

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Anonymous

I have a couple of pair - both oxford and sneaker styles . My short answer to the distance walking issue is “no” . Any of the ones I have don’t have the depth in the heel cup you’d want for stability . I wear mine to work where I’m on my feet for a lot of the day and they are great , but they aren’t walking shoes, per se .

Anonymous

I haven't worn flatforms but have worn platform wedges. Because the soles are heavy, they put a lot of strain on the straps. That was years ago though, and they may use lighter weight materials in some than others.

rachylou

Veteran

I find them unstable and hard to walk in because of the inflexibility of the sole.

LaPed

Veteran

For me, they're generally too heavy and too rigid, but very fun looking. There seem to be more lightweight foam-soled options out there these days, which may be better for all-day wear? I noticed Teva now makes a "Midform" model as an alternative to the higher "Flatform".

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Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I have the same experience as Rachy. And since I walk everywhere, I can't wear them. They look super cute though!

delurked

Veteran

I have had a couple in the past, but cannot risk falling or instability. I find them a pass for walking any distance. And even in the short distance, I had to be cautious and cognizant not to turn my ankle. Agree they can be cute though.

Synne

Veteran

Runcarla, have you read the book "Born to run"? It has some interesting ideas about cushioned shoe soles.

Anonymous

Ah , sorry . Didn’t see this was sandal specific .

unfrumped

Veteran

What rachylou said. Not that I wear them! But trying on, and even having had somewhat thick flat- soled sneakers, I’ve ruled out most typical fashiony- thick soles.
I found that type of sole alters my gait even more than a shoe or boot with some actual heel but which has flexibile forefoot.
Then I imagine it’s exacerbated if in a sandal with straps and no heel back or laces.

I also imagine there may be variations that work better , that are constructed so you roll through and off the forefoot, or different materials, and of course, different feet/ people. So might find some.

Sal

Veteran

I wear these for decent city walks and wore them a lot in Italy in 2019 for up to 20000 steps per day. Not as comfortable as sneakers, but close.

I have unfussy feet though so keep that in mind.

Eileen Fisher Eileen Fisher Sport Sandal (Women) | Nordstrom

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JAileen

Veteran

Aside from the stability issue, I would also be very careful of weight.

With the thicker sole, some of these shoes are heavy. Since I don’t shop in person anymore, I notice the weight on Zappos. Some brands are good about making a lightweight shoe, and others seem to make their shoes of lead.

Runcarla

Veteran

@ Sal - that’s the kind of sandal I was contemplating.

@ Lisap - I was curious about all forms of flat-form footwear, but did ask about the sandals ‘cause that’s what I’m looking for. I appreciate your contribution!

@ rachylou, unfrumped, Angie - that’s what I was concerned about - weight, inflexibility of the sole, instability.

@ Synne - not familiar with the book. Is it about barefoot running?

Thanks everyone, for contributing to this thread. Research for my upcoming capsule continues....

nemosmom

Veteran

In my experience, I have to be realllllllly careful in any shoe where my toe is off the ground because I manage to catch the front lip of my sandal on whatever surface I am walking on.

Runcarla

Veteran

@ nemosmom - yaaas! As in going up stairs!

Helena

Veteran

I have one pair and I bought them thinking they'd be good only for occasions where comfort wasn't too priority ... But actually they are super comfy. The sole is not too crazy thick though. I wore them in Italy and they were fine even on the cobblestone ... Not for a full day or anything, but for a few hours I've found them ok.

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Joyce B

Veteran

I could never walk in flat platforms without twisting an ankle. I have tried with different pairs but always got the same results.

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

Oh, I LOVE a flatform! That said, the fabrication of the sole matters. to be honest, I had a wooden pair that I adored (I think they were probably close to 3 inches tall), but I actually FELL OFF OF THEM in my house and BROKE MY WRIST. LOL. But I also had a pair with an espadrille sole that was smaller that I found very comfy. I'd say if the sole is more like a rubber that would probably work perfectly fine. But again, you'd have to try them out, right?

ETA, the offending shoes, shortly after the incident. I never wore them again.

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Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I have a few flatforms. I would be careful with higher platforms with a wobbly ankle - there is a danger of losing balance. I would not call mine sitting shoes, but I would not wear them on a heavy walking day. Sneakers and closed shoes with a platform are more stable in my experience. I also don't think small platforms are much of a problem, I am thinking of the higher ones. Nonetheless, fun to wear, and fun to feel taller when you are generally short as I am.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Yo-yos like these were the closest I ever had. I know what you’re thinking, lol. The answer is no, I do not have them any more. I was a teenager then, so couldn’t understand the questions about stability, had no clue why people thought I’d twist an ankle in them. I wore them to social dancing lessons, so did the Walz, the Lindy, the ChaCha and more in them. Over time I came to notice the inflexibility of the sole. It would not surprise me one bit to see a remake of this style any day now. https://images.app.goo.gl/oEzuwATXd46vYYkg9

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cindysmith

Veteran

I have a weak ankle, and I find flatforms and platforms to be equally terrible on any uneven ground. I also have freakishly high arches, and don't find a lot of arch support in them.

They're fine for a more urban setting, but not my current, rural life

Deborah

Veteran

I think it depends on the specific sandal. I love a flatform shoe because I’m short so I have a few. Some brands make very comfortable and wearable flat forms and others not so much. I have some that I can walk in all day no problem xxx

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I love the look of flatforms, but I will only do a moderate one that feels stable enough to avoid a twisted ankle, and is not too stiff. One of my main problems with flat form sneakers, which I otherwise love, is that they tend to be a bit stiff in the sole and don’t bend much.
That combined with the narrowness of my heels means that they slip off my heels (why I have such a hard time wearing pumps or low-shaft loafers too). Flat form sandals tend to work a bit better for me, particularly if they have ankle straps. Like with so many things, the devil is in the details!

Bijou

Veteran

I have tried them and unfortunately they don't work for my fussy feet. I do wear dressy wedge sandals as an alternative to high heels (mine are in Finds) - but don't walk great distances in them.

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DonnaF

Veteran

I have hallux rigidus so must wear stiff rocker soles. Sandals can be treacherous on cobblestones or otherwise uneven surfaces, but the same goes for Dansko Pros but to a lesser degree. I have Raynauds in my toes so I rarely wear sandals like my Tevas below these days since I need my toes to be warmer. I wore the Fly London style below for a long museum visit a few years ago, and they were fine.

FLY London Women's Ylva Perforated Cashmere Wedge Pump

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Teva 'Universal' Flatform Sandal (Women)

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hereforthecake

I am on my feet for 10 hours a day, and also have some balance issues due to an old knee surgery.

I found some great ones from Vionic. The trick seems to be having a good strap over the top, rather than just having them slip off or with a light strap. They're super comfy and offer a little height for me, which I need!
The one below comes in a few colours.

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Jessikams

(website)

Veteran

I have a couple of pairs of sandals with a huge sneaker-like sole, and another with a black foam platform, and I wear them for long walks with no problem. The key is to look for soles that bend— not too stiff or it will indeed feel like a platform that you can fall off. And the soles should not be heavy. All my experiments with wood-soled clogs have failed miserably as they are stiff AND heavy.