Shoes...help!

[goldensam]

I need some relatively cute but majorly comfortable shoes for doing lots of city walking.  I have no sense of shoe style apparently, because the Skechers Go Walks Virtuosity I picked out are getting bad reviews from the more fashionable women in my life.  I need something with support, so my Toms won't work.  I'd really rather not wear my running shoes.  Help!  I need advice so I can order them today!

[movingforward]

Aerosols are pretty good.

[Abby Normal]

When it comes to shoes- I'm not much help as far as fashion.  I have far too many problems to walk distance in "style" shoes.  If I'm going any type of distance, or standing for long periods of time, it's my Asics or my Keens.

Fashion shoes are strictly for work (and even then I keep my Asics under my desk).

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

I like Clarks or Merrill's.  I've also recently bought a few pair Mephistos, which are incredibly comfortable too, but can be really pricy.

[chiver78]

Aerosoles or b.o.c.

Aerosoles are going to be friendlier to your wallet, but I'd by lying if I didn't have to talk myself out of paying close to $100 for a pair of b.o.c. that don't match anything in my closet, pretty much every time I go to DSW.

[goldensam]

Thanks!  I'll look at those.  I bought these in grey/pink www.zappos.com/skechers-performance-gowalk-2-virtuosity-grey-pink?zfcTest=fcl%3A3

I just have bad feet.  I had my first foot surgery at 14 and I have plantar fasciitis in one foot.  I don't want to ruin my feet on day one and not be able to do all the walking and exploring I've been looking forward to so much. 

[formerroomate99]

What kind of support do your feet need?  Aerosoles won't tear the skin off your feet, but I've never seen a pair that have a decent arch support, and I'm not sure if they come in narrow width. 

[sheilaincali]

Borns are the absolute best.  I LOVE them.  I wore a pair during a month long European vacation and spent hours walking every day.  Never had a single problem.  I prefer their loafer style.

I also suffer from plantar fasciitis so I am pretty picky when it comes to my shoes.

[Tiny]

Sketchers are 'fake shoes'... they are pretty but that's about it. Just sayin'

If you are looking for shoes with actual support that look like 'gym shoes' that can be purchased in the same place you got your sketchers - try New Balance or any of the "walking shoes" (Avia, nike, reboks, etc) just up the aisle from the 'trendy' sketchers. I can't speak to high end shoes. They all have different feels so you'll probably need to try them on to see which manufacturer fits your feet.

For shoes that look like shoes -- I recently purchased some 'old lady shoes' - ie shoes with a wider toe box from Hotter (a UK shoe company).. they aren't as ugly as I thought they'd be and they are very comfy... I have done a bit of city walking in them (I have a pair of 'mary jane' style flats from them) and my feet were fine. I use the shoes mostly for office wear.

I think Clarks is the American equivalent if you don't want to deal with exchange rates and a credit card charge to do it. I'll be looking at Clarks when I need another pair of conservative, comfy, but still stylish 'old lady shoes'

[goldensam]

Good arch support, I guess.  Not completely flat.  When I wear my ballet type flats to work and walk a lot, my foot with the fasciitis hurts like crazy that night and the next day. I can wear Toms for a while, but not do to a lot of walking.  I'm going to NYC, so I plan on being on my feet way more than usual.

[goldensam]

Here's the rub.  I am a master procrastinator and since I am leaving in 1.5 days, it has to be something I can get locally (Macy's, Dillard's) or order on Zappos with 1 day shipping.

[goldensam]

Aug 28, 2013 11:51:33 GMT -5 Tiny said:

Sketchers are 'fake shoes'... they are pretty but that's about it. Just sayin'

What do you mean they are fake shoes?  I don't think they are that pretty  

[HoneyBBQ]

Clarks/Merells/Borns/Keens

Something in that realm. Do you want a sandal or a regular walking shoe? 

Here's some I like that are still "cute":  (all from Zappos)

[mmhmm]

Aug 28, 2013 11:37:02 GMT -5 goldensam said:

Thanks!  I'll look at those.  I bought these in grey/pink www.zappos.com/skechers-performance-gowalk-2-virtuosity-grey-pink?zfcTest=fcl%3A3

I just have bad feet.  I had my first foot surgery at 14 and I have plantar fasciitis in one foot.  I don't want to ruin my feet on day one and not be able to do all the walking and exploring I've been looking forward to so much. 

Do look at Keens and Merrells.  Both are great for bad feet and both have styles with deep, wide toe beds, which is important.

[goldensam]

I really don't want a sandal.  I wanted something sneaker-ish but not straight up gym shoes, if that makes sense. 

[chiver78]

Aug 28, 2013 11:47:55 GMT -5 formerroomate99 said:

What kind of support do your feet need?  Aerosoles won't tear the skin off your feet, but I've never seen a pair that have a decent arch support, and I'm not sure if they come in narrow width. 

Aerosoles don't come in narrow because their "regular" is actually on the narrow side. I have narrow feet - I cause myself major pain if I try to wear wider shoes like Steve Madden or Mudd - and I wear a lot of Aerosoles shoes with no problems. in fact, my favorite pair of shoes is Aerosoles. I'm about to retire them soon, as the elastic in the straps is stretched beyond saving. they have been re-soled twice, re-heeled three times. totally depressed about that!

[Abby Normal]

Aug 28, 2013 11:37:02 GMT -5 goldensam said:

Thanks!  I'll look at those.  I bought these in grey/pink www.zappos.com/skechers-performance-gowalk-2-virtuosity-grey-pink?zfcTest=fcl%3A3

I just have bad feet.  I had my first foot surgery at 14 and I have plantar fasciitis in one foot.  I don't want to ruin my feet on day one and not be able to do all the walking and exploring I've been looking forward to so much. 

You might want to look into Aline insoles.  I have plantar fasciitis as well and it's made a huge difference. They run about $80 but they can fit it both my athletic shoes and my keens.  They don't work well in dress shoes.  

You should only wear them for a few hours at a time in the beginning because it takes a while for your feet to adjust.  My heel didn't hurt, but the rest of my foot was dying until they got used to it.  Felt like I was walking on a lump.  But after about two weeks, my feet feel SOOOO much better.  Now I'm amazed that I survived so long without it.

[Tiny]

Aug 28, 2013 11:54:25 GMT -5 goldensam said:

Aug 28, 2013 11:51:33 GMT -5 Tiny said:

Sketchers are 'fake shoes'... they are pretty but that's about it. Just sayin'

What do you mean they are fake shoes?  I don't think they are that pretty  

They are 'fake' in the same way Twinkies are fake bakery/pastry        FWIW:  I walk alot - 3 miles a day (not all at the same time - just getting to and from work and then incidental not in the office walking).   I've chewed thru lots of pairs of Sketchers with sore  but stylishly clad feet to show for it - a pair might make it thru 3 to 4 weeks of daily routine.  I stopped buying them - except for when I need shoes for 'show' (and small amounts of walking). 

I think lands end and LLbean may have shoes that look kinda like the Sketchers you posted but more 'sturdy'...  I think they have next day delivery -- Sears offers lands end shoes so you can try them on... 

 

[kittensaver]

b.o.c.'s

[goldensam]

Thanks!  I appreciate the help!

[kittensaver]

www.dsw.com/boots/collection/womens/booties/dsw12cat1100004/page-1/#categoryId=dsw12cat1100004&brand=b.o.c&page=1&last=brand

I have the b.o.c's Francis bootie and they are OUTRAGEOUSLY comfortable.

A great "dressier" walking shoe! Could work for walking around town (jeans) AND dressing up in "nice" pants for dinner . . . double duty is great when your suitcase space is limited.

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

Aug 28, 2013 11:53:34 GMT -5 goldensam said:

Here's the rub.  I am a master procrastinator and since I am leaving in 1.5 days, it has to be something I can get locally (Macy's, Dillard's) or order on Zappos with 1 day shipping.

I'd probably get my tail to Dillard's.  They carry a good selection of Born and you probably want to try them on since you don't have time.

[Happy prose]

Easy Spirits. They have a nice selection.

[Blonde Granny]

Easy Spirit

[bean29]

you guys are a bad infulence on me.  I ordered a pair of boot(ies?) from DSW.  I wanted black but they only had them in Olive but I liked them enough to place an order.  We have ordered from DSW and Zappos in the past.  If I am ordering at last minute or limited stock, I order the size I think I need and next size and return what does not work.

I liked those yellow Keen shoes but I could not find them in my size at Zappos.  It is not like I need new shoes...I need to replace my black booties - the leather is splitting off.  I have a pair of casual shoes on I just bought at bostone store for $39  The are Life Stride and came in a Wide which is good for me.  similar to this www.bostonstore.com/shop/shoes/life-stride-belinda-slip-on_482759.html  There was also a similar shoe on sale for 13.20 but  I am done shopping.

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

I have just unpacked the boxes that my shoes were in.  I am embarrassed to admit that there were AT LEAST 6 shoe boxes of shoes that I had never worn!  I bought another several pair in the 18 months I was out here.

Needless to say, I'm not allowed to get any more shoes!

[Deleted]

Aug 28, 2013 14:13:39 GMT -5 The Walk of the Penguin Mich said:

I have just unpacked the boxes that my shoes were in.  I am embarrassed to admit that there were AT LEAST 6 shoe boxes of shoes that I had never worn!  I bought another several pair in the 18 months I was out here.

Needless to say, I'm not allowed to get any more shoes!

You corrected too quickly....I wanted to know why you were keeping your hoes in boxes.  

[bean29]

I have 2 pair of easy spirit slip ons love them. Wear them for everyday.  I have replaced the black ones 2x. You see people buying them in the store and they always say they already own a pair.

www.zappos.com/easy-spirit-traveltime-black-suede-white?zfcTest=fcl%3A0

you can get black, white, navy, blue etc.  They have them at Boston Store , and I am sure you could get a pair at Macys too.

Boston Store Usually sells them cheaper when they have Community Day Sale Nov 15/16 $20 off entire stock of Easy Spirit Shoes.  You pay $5 for coupon book and then get a $5 off coupon, some 30% & 25% offs and a bunch of other deals like the easy spirit deal.  If you want easy spirits you might buy a pair now, then re-buy in Nov and return with original receipt.

[movingforward]

Aug 28, 2013 14:17:19 GMT -5 @monkeyunderpants said:

Aug 28, 2013 14:13:39 GMT -5 The Walk of the Penguin Mich said:

I have just unpacked the boxes that my shoes were in.  I am embarrassed to admit that there were AT LEAST 6 shoe boxes of shoes that I had never worn!  I bought another several pair in the 18 months I was out here.

Needless to say, I'm not allowed to get any more shoes!

You corrected too quickly....I wanted to know why you were keeping your hoes in boxes.  

I keep my shoes in boxes.  It better organizes my closet.  Is that wrong?  Of course, I also have everything organized by color and clothing type so I am a weirdo anyway...

ETA:  I keep them in the original shoe boxes (not big brown packing boxes )

[kittensaver]

At the risk of being run off this board . . .

[am I the only one who things that mules and other "backless/heel-less" slip-ons are really ugly? ]