Sandal recommendations for the giant-foot lady
September 4, 2010 7:12 AM Subscribe
I need new travelin' shoes. My beloved Keen Newports have started causing heel pain. I have a trip with alot of walking coming up and I'm looking for sport sandal recommendations.
The Keens don't look worn out, but they are around 2 years old. I suppose the heel support could be worn out? I know it's these shoes causing the pain because I was pain-free before a flight (and accompanying airport walking) yesterday.
I have big feet for a woman - wide and "deep," for want of a better word. That is, I have trouble finding flip-flops that fit because the post is usually not long enough. Most women's shoes are a too shallow and narrow for my feet, even so-called wide shoes. My Keens are a men's size 9 and they fit my feet perfectly.
I'm willing to buy a new pair of Keens if that's the best course, or a different brand altogether. I'd like straps that are at least a little bit adjustable. Closed-toe is preferable but not absolutely essential. Since I'm likely to buy a men's version of whatever, I'd love it if they come in a color other than black or navy blue.
The Keens don't look worn out, but they are around 2 years old. I suppose the heel support could be worn out? I know it's these shoes causing the pain because I was pain-free before a flight (and accompanying airport walking) yesterday.
I have big feet for a woman - wide and "deep," for want of a better word. That is, I have trouble finding flip-flops that fit because the post is usually not long enough. Most women's shoes are a too shallow and narrow for my feet, even so-called wide shoes. My Keens are a men's size 9 and they fit my feet perfectly.
I'm willing to buy a new pair of Keens if that's the best course, or a different brand altogether. I'd like straps that are at least a little bit adjustable. Closed-toe is preferable but not absolutely essential. Since I'm likely to buy a men's version of whatever, I'd love it if they come in a color other than black or navy blue.
I've been very happy with Teva sandals, in particular, the Dozer - which may be only found online. It's an older model. Keens have not worked for me. I have heel pain, but small feet. Have you tried an insole like Superfeet? Wonderful for heel pain! Be sure and be fitted with the right size. I find mine at REI, or other running stores. They may be all that you need, if you can slip them into your Keens.
posted by lkreutzer at 7:48 AM on September 4, 2010
posted by lkreutzer at 7:48 AM on September 4, 2010
My dad suffers from plantar fasciitis, and ever since he started wearing Z-Coils he's been able to walk around, dance as he used to. They sure aren't pretty, but they really, really work.
posted by Sara Anne at 8:02 AM on September 4, 2010
posted by Sara Anne at 8:02 AM on September 4, 2010
Try Keen Venice H2? They have a lot of room, I've found. It looks like they also come in men's sizes.
posted by theredpen at 9:24 AM on September 4, 2010
posted by theredpen at 9:24 AM on September 4, 2010
My mother has great big honking basketball player feet with bunions and she swears by Birkenstocks as well.
posted by mindsound at 9:30 AM on September 4, 2010
posted by mindsound at 9:30 AM on September 4, 2010
Best answer: Chacos might be perfect for you, particularly because of the adjustable straps. I particularly like the Z2 because it gives you the option of using the toe thong or not. I started out with the thong in place, but for some reason or other I decided to switch to the non-thong version, so I just pulled the strap flat to the footbed and have kept it there for a couple of years now. They are super sturdy and have Vibram soles.
I have never liked flipflops, both because they are terrible for support and have the short post issue. After owning my Chacos for a while, and smirking at the people who paid $50 for the Chaco flipflop, I finally tried some on and ended up getting them. They're the only flipflops I've ever worn as an adult. They aren't quite as cushioned as the regular sandal, but they still have the Vibram sole and the arch support, and they feel good in a different way because it's easy to take my feet out for a second and let them cool off. I've walked around a state fair for a whole day in pretty hot weather, and they've been surprisingly good.
In both cases, I got the men's version -- I wear a 9.5 in women's shoes, not wide per se but maybe a C width. The women's versions were pretty narrow, but the men's versions look exactly the same, and there are plenty of colors and patterns to choose from. The only bummer is that I like the look of the ZX/2 9the one with the interwoven straps) and I think they're only available for women.
I hear you on the "deep" feet. I have what I like to call "tall toes," for lack of a better term. I find that many dress shoes aren't tall enough for my robust but not overly weird big toes, and merely finding shoes with a wider toe box doesn't do anything.
posted by Madamina at 10:47 AM on September 4, 2010
I have never liked flipflops, both because they are terrible for support and have the short post issue. After owning my Chacos for a while, and smirking at the people who paid $50 for the Chaco flipflop, I finally tried some on and ended up getting them. They're the only flipflops I've ever worn as an adult. They aren't quite as cushioned as the regular sandal, but they still have the Vibram sole and the arch support, and they feel good in a different way because it's easy to take my feet out for a second and let them cool off. I've walked around a state fair for a whole day in pretty hot weather, and they've been surprisingly good.
In both cases, I got the men's version -- I wear a 9.5 in women's shoes, not wide per se but maybe a C width. The women's versions were pretty narrow, but the men's versions look exactly the same, and there are plenty of colors and patterns to choose from. The only bummer is that I like the look of the ZX/2 9the one with the interwoven straps) and I think they're only available for women.
I hear you on the "deep" feet. I have what I like to call "tall toes," for lack of a better term. I find that many dress shoes aren't tall enough for my robust but not overly weird big toes, and merely finding shoes with a wider toe box doesn't do anything.
posted by Madamina at 10:47 AM on September 4, 2010
Oh, and as for the closed-toe thing: clearly, most Chacos are not closed-toe, but they are built for light hiking and that sort of thing, so the length of the sole is pretty good for protection in an open-toe shoe. I say this as a clumsy shuffler :) But if you're looking for something with a true closed toe, they do have this one which doesn't look overly masculine in the gray.
posted by Madamina at 10:54 AM on September 4, 2010
posted by Madamina at 10:54 AM on September 4, 2010
Best answer: I love my Chacos and they are very supportive, but I think the textured footbed can take some getting used to and if you've never worn them before they might not be the best choice for a walking trip.
posted by thirteenkiller at 11:24 AM on September 4, 2010
posted by thirteenkiller at 11:24 AM on September 4, 2010
Response by poster: Thanks for the recommendations, all. I used to wear Birkenstocks as a young woman, so I know the adjustment period you speak of. This particular trip involves some time on a sailboat, though, and I think something more waterproof is a better bet.
I'm going to look at the Chacos first and see how they feel. I know people love them, so I am hopeful!
posted by cabingirl at 12:08 PM on September 5, 2010
I'm going to look at the Chacos first and see how they feel. I know people love them, so I am hopeful!
posted by cabingirl at 12:08 PM on September 5, 2010
Response by poster: As a followup, I bought Chacos and took them on the trip. The actually made the problem worse. For one, they weren't wide enough where the straps attach by the heel, so the day after walking around for 12 hours, the edges of my heels were too sore to put them back on. Second, I went barefoot on the boat all week and my foot was feeling great...I took a chance and wore the Chacos around town one day and the pain returned. So, Chacos are not the answer for me,although I can appreciate that they work for lots of people. I think I need less arch support.
posted by cabingirl at 1:37 PM on October 10, 2010
posted by cabingirl at 1:37 PM on October 10, 2010
Aw, bummer!
Clearly you aren't going to want to go back to them, but did you buy the guys or girls version?
posted by Madamina at 7:39 AM on October 11, 2010
Clearly you aren't going to want to go back to them, but did you buy the guys or girls version?
posted by Madamina at 7:39 AM on October 11, 2010
Sorry to hear that! I had a similar issue with Chacos (ended up throwing them out). Maybe you could try on Keens in person? Or use Zappos, which is overpriced but has easy easy returns.
posted by theredpen at 10:20 AM on October 11, 2010
posted by theredpen at 10:20 AM on October 11, 2010
Response by poster: Madamina: I bought the men's wide version. They fit well in the forefoot, just not well in the heel.
posted by cabingirl at 8:56 AM on October 25, 2010
posted by cabingirl at 8:56 AM on October 25, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
If you haven't worn Birks before, you'd want to get them a few weeks ahead, as there is always an adjustment period where your feet are getting tweaked by the Birks.
posted by L'Estrange Fruit at 7:23 AM on September 4, 2010