Black, comfortable, durable, all-around shoes in CA Bay Area.
July 14, 2009 4:40 PM Subscribe
I'd like to buy a pair of black, comfortable, and durable shoes that can be worn in any context, including dressy. They'll be my primary shoes, so I'll be doing a lot of walking in them. Must be under $200 and available in-store in the California Bay Area. Suggestions?
Kenneth Cole with the "Silver Technology" gel inserts. Here. The gel inserts make them really comfortable. There's a Kenneth Cole store right near union square in San Francisco or order 'em anywhere online. I have the "Merge" and seriously, it goes anywhere. Very durable, very versatile.
OK, I don't wear them to the beach or the pool. Other than that, they're great.
posted by GuyZero at 4:52 PM on July 14, 2009
OK, I don't wear them to the beach or the pool. Other than that, they're great.
posted by GuyZero at 4:52 PM on July 14, 2009
I'm a girl, so this might be less useful. I like Clarks - durable, stylish, comfortable, especially the Clarks Artisan and Unstructured brands. I think the men's Clarks are pretty similar. And Mephisto or Ecco are also stylish European brands that are durable and comfortable.
posted by masala at 5:09 PM on July 14, 2009
posted by masala at 5:09 PM on July 14, 2009
ECCOs!
They sell them at Macy's. ~$150. I have never owned another more comfortable pair of shoes, and I walk all the time too. I wear them every day, and on the very odd days I wear other shoes, or even sneakers, I am amazed by the foot and back pain I feel, because I never feel any pain when I am wearing the eccos.
I just had mine shined and the shiner (is there a better name for that profession?) commented that the leather ecco uses holds a shine really well.
I will actually be upset if someone convinces you otherwise... This is how enthusiastically I recommend them.
posted by muscat at 5:09 PM on July 14, 2009
They sell them at Macy's. ~$150. I have never owned another more comfortable pair of shoes, and I walk all the time too. I wear them every day, and on the very odd days I wear other shoes, or even sneakers, I am amazed by the foot and back pain I feel, because I never feel any pain when I am wearing the eccos.
I just had mine shined and the shiner (is there a better name for that profession?) commented that the leather ecco uses holds a shine really well.
I will actually be upset if someone convinces you otherwise... This is how enthusiastically I recommend them.
posted by muscat at 5:09 PM on July 14, 2009
Assuming you're male - Cole Haan has great quality shoes with Nike Air soles. Very comfortable. Keep in mind that if you really want to be able to pull off "dressy," you ought to have shoes with leather soles.
posted by jabberjaw at 5:12 PM on July 14, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by jabberjaw at 5:12 PM on July 14, 2009 [1 favorite]
You'd probably get more wear out of them if you bought two pairs and rotated them. The rotation allows the leather to dry out and the insides to unsquish before you clomp around in them again. (Those are, in fact, the technical terms. Really!) Your feet will thank you.
I recommend Ecco highly. They're very well made and well designed, and they are classic enough to suit just about any situation. Having that padded collar will be a godsend, too. Pretty much any model of Eccos will be great.
Since Eccos are in the top tier of your price range, I'd suggest maybe finding your size in a brick and mortar store and then seeing if you can find them online for a price that will allow you to get two pairs.
posted by Madamina at 5:13 PM on July 14, 2009 [1 favorite]
I recommend Ecco highly. They're very well made and well designed, and they are classic enough to suit just about any situation. Having that padded collar will be a godsend, too. Pretty much any model of Eccos will be great.
Since Eccos are in the top tier of your price range, I'd suggest maybe finding your size in a brick and mortar store and then seeing if you can find them online for a price that will allow you to get two pairs.
posted by Madamina at 5:13 PM on July 14, 2009 [1 favorite]
I recommend Clarks or Cole Haan
Stay away from: dockers, sketchers, Kohl's (yes, everything in the shoe dept)
posted by ijoyner at 5:41 PM on July 14, 2009
Stay away from: dockers, sketchers, Kohl's (yes, everything in the shoe dept)
posted by ijoyner at 5:41 PM on July 14, 2009
I have two pairs of Clarks. One is a rougher finish more casual, and the other could pass for dress shoes.
They're both extra comfy.
posted by Fleebnork at 5:49 PM on July 14, 2009
They're both extra comfy.
posted by Fleebnork at 5:49 PM on July 14, 2009
Response by poster: Are all the Eccos of good quality?
posted by archagon at 6:00 PM on July 14, 2009
posted by archagon at 6:00 PM on July 14, 2009
My husband wears nothing - and I mean nothing - other than a single pair of Vasque Sundowners. He's on just his second pair since we've been together and still happy. And they've started offering them in black!
Might not work for everyone as formal, but he's never had a problem.
posted by Billegible at 6:01 PM on July 14, 2009
Might not work for everyone as formal, but he's never had a problem.
posted by Billegible at 6:01 PM on July 14, 2009
Seconding Jabberjaw; a factoid I wasn't aware of until I bought some shoes a while back is that Cole Haan is owned by Nike. Hence a lot of their shoes have sneaker-esque padding, etc.
posted by staggernation at 6:28 PM on July 14, 2009
posted by staggernation at 6:28 PM on July 14, 2009
I have three or four pairs of Eccos. They're good quality for a reasonable price. They make dressy and casual but I only have the casual ones.
Also, Cole Haan - which is owned by Nike. So some of their shoes actually have that "Air" technology. I have a couple of pairs of those.
posted by Zambrano at 6:35 PM on July 14, 2009
Also, Cole Haan - which is owned by Nike. So some of their shoes actually have that "Air" technology. I have a couple of pairs of those.
posted by Zambrano at 6:35 PM on July 14, 2009
I wore two pair of Bostonian shoes for the better part of two decades. Great for work, play, dress up, you name it. Well, not basketball or tennis, but you get my point. It *is* best to get two pairs, though. You need to let 'em breathe by rotating every other day. I have one pair black, one pair burgundy - yep, still got 'em - take care of the shoes & they'll take care of you.
posted by torquemaniac at 6:45 PM on July 14, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by torquemaniac at 6:45 PM on July 14, 2009 [1 favorite]
I have a pair of Rockport shoes that I got at Brown Brother's in Alameda at least 4 years ago. Not precisely sure of the date but I know they are older than my younger son. Very comfortable shoes that have held up remarkably well. I have worn them, at times, daily. Still wear them now with my suit, but they look just as nice with jeans.
posted by ericales at 6:51 PM on July 14, 2009
posted by ericales at 6:51 PM on July 14, 2009
Footprints has a license from Birkenstock for their Kensingtons. Best. Shoes. Ever. Especially for walking and being on your feet all day.
Possibly over your budget, but I've seen them for as low as $99. I don't know if they're available in-store - check Birkenstock stores. TOTALLY worth it. I own three pair and have rotated them for nearly 8 years.
posted by GPF at 8:06 PM on July 14, 2009
Possibly over your budget, but I've seen them for as low as $99. I don't know if they're available in-store - check Birkenstock stores. TOTALLY worth it. I own three pair and have rotated them for nearly 8 years.
posted by GPF at 8:06 PM on July 14, 2009
Stacy Adams black Madison boots. Back, comfortable, durable, all-around shoes, just like you asked.
posted by monospace at 9:34 PM on July 14, 2009
posted by monospace at 9:34 PM on July 14, 2009
Response by poster: Oh, one more thing: I don't really like shiny shoes.
posted by archagon at 10:01 PM on July 14, 2009
posted by archagon at 10:01 PM on July 14, 2009
My Eccos are casual and of the intended for females variety, so I can't vouch specifically for their dude shoes, but I've been abusing mine for several years and they're in excellent condition. I've had days where I've walked for 12 hours in those shoes and been comfy.
posted by little e at 1:12 AM on July 15, 2009
posted by little e at 1:12 AM on July 15, 2009
This calls for a visit to the Walk Shop, if the North Berkeley area is convenient for you. Great, knowledgeable service with a good selection of comfy, well-made shoes (eg Dansko, Clarks, Ecco). Get pizza at the Cheese Board afterward to celebrate your purchase.
posted by foxy_hedgehog at 2:56 AM on July 15, 2009
posted by foxy_hedgehog at 2:56 AM on July 15, 2009
Seconding Footprints, absolutely. I don't know if it's in budget where you are but if you can, have a look at Geox shoes, too.
posted by _dario at 6:37 AM on July 15, 2009
posted by _dario at 6:37 AM on July 15, 2009
I really like Rockport. There's a store near Union Sq in San Francisco.
posted by reddot at 7:39 AM on August 7, 2009
posted by reddot at 7:39 AM on August 7, 2009
Response by poster: Got a pair of Eccos on sale for ~$80. Very comfy!
posted by archagon at 3:34 PM on April 12, 2010
posted by archagon at 3:34 PM on April 12, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
They run about the top of your price point, but are well worth the investment.
posted by arnicae at 4:51 PM on July 14, 2009