This is (not) Sparta(n)!

April 20, 2019 4:45 AM

I need some brown sandals that work for problem feet, which are also work appropriate for an employer that accepts fairly lax stabdards. I'm trying to decide between Olukai Upena and Chaco z cloud. Opinions wanted.

I'm open to other options as well. I need supportive sandals with good shock absorption and minimal need to be broken in. I really like the metatarsal footbed of ABEO sandals but the ones I have don't have enough support. This means when I wear them I get purpura all over my legs and feet due to a medical condition.

I want something that I can get away with wearing to work in Florida. The dress code is fairly lax but I want to still look professional so I need more of a solid brown than the multicolor cloth of many Chaco styles. I also don't think I can do Birkenstocks because they seem to require using the muscles of the toes to keep them on the feet.

posted by crunchy potato to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (11 answers total)

Response by poster: Ugh sorry about that typo. I would correct it if I could.

Also, in case the context isn't evident, I've got high arches and prefer sandals that offer really good arch support. The Abeo sandals actually have a ball that pushes into the arch that feels amazing.
posted by crunchy potato at 4:45 AM on April 20, 2019

How do you feel about Keens? Maybe #2 in this list?
posted by inexorably_forward at 5:36 AM on April 20, 2019 [2 favorites]

Response by poster: Love Keens but those are for men and I wear a boys' shoe size if converting to male shoes. The Keen Rose sandal is too wide for me, which is unfortunate. I have a pair of Whispers I adore but it's a bit too casual/sporty for my office.
posted by crunchy potato at 6:03 AM on April 20, 2019

I’m wondering if you’re aware of the wide variety of Birkenstocks available now. These don’t seem like they’d require you to use your toes to hold them on. Same with these, which I got lots of compliments on. And Zappos makes it super easy to try shoes out and return them if they don’t work out.

(I’ve basically been wearing Birkenstocks every day for thirty years unless there’s actual snow on the ground, and my fashionable sister just bought her first pair after noticing that my 60-year-old feet are in way better shape than hers.)
posted by FencingGal at 6:57 AM on April 20, 2019 [4 favorites]

Extending FencingGal's answer, I wore my Birkenstock Arizonas all the time in high school, but I cannot do backless shoes/slides anymore (which is why, even though my 90s nostalgic heart is devastated, I'm not buying the Steve Madden slap-slap black ribbon shoes this time around). Here are all of the Birkenstocks with back or ankle straps. Given the two you linked, maybe you'd like the Lana, or perhaps the Yara?

(I have not worn Chacos or Olukai, so I have no opinion on them. I will say that my best beloved Keen Siennas (mary jane style shoes) feel much skinnier on the foot than my Keen Newports, but all of the Keen sandals I'm seeing look like they have very similar sole shapes.)
posted by Pandora Kouti at 8:07 AM on April 20, 2019 [1 favorite]

Best answer: I have high arches and a left foot that can’t handle any toe gripping. I wear Birkenstocks Mayari and Arizona as much as weather permits, including to work which includes a lot of walking. Those buckles aren’t just for show - I tighten them down when they are new to help keep my foot in place. After a little while the footbed forms to my feet and I can loosen them if I want. They are so comfortable - the only shoes that support my high arches and keep my left foot from hurting.

The Chaco Z cloud are what I wear when I’m going to be in a wet environment (beach, light hiking in streams) but my foot slides around quite which leads to gripping. The ones with the big toe strap are better. The arch support isn’t as good as I’d like either and they don’t form to your feet like Birkenstock’s.

I haven't worn the olukai so can't comment on them.
posted by jshort at 8:27 AM on April 20, 2019 [2 favorites]

Since you like the Abeo footbed, have you tried other styles to see if they have more support than the one you have? I have the Abeo Samantha in a light brown / tan color and they’re great, though I don’t know what type of support you need. A lot of the styles have thicker straps than those and may be more supportive.
posted by insectosaurus at 9:14 AM on April 20, 2019 [1 favorite]

I have bad feet and like Teva Tirra sandals, which have good arch support. There's also two separate adjustable velcro bits for the front of the foot, which I find helpful for getting a secure fit. They make different colors each year and some years have more solid-color/less-sporty options than others--this year it looks like there's a solid black version. There's also a leather version (or has been some years and some websites still have that in stock) but I'm not sure the fit is exactly the same.
posted by needs more cowbell at 9:15 AM on April 20, 2019 [1 favorite]

I find Orthofeet shoes work with my very problematic feet.
posted by agatha_magatha at 9:19 AM on April 20, 2019 [1 favorite]

Check out the Sorel Out 'n About sandal. here
posted by Oyéah at 11:06 AM on April 20, 2019 [1 favorite]

I just want to say thank you for asking this question and for all the links that everyone has posted. Prior to this, I had been researching some specific underpants and every time I opened up a random webpage at work, all the ads were showing mostly naked people wearing all sorts of colors and shapes of underwear. Now, the ads are showing sandals. Dignified, and without any body parts inserted. :-)
posted by CathyG at 2:47 PM on April 22, 2019 [2 favorites]