A new set of shoes

February 18, 2022 12:15 PM

Now that I've been mostly working form home for 2 years and am a mom to 2 young and demanding sons, my shoe needs have changed completely. I want to invest some time and thought into figuring out what shoes will match my current life since heels and ballet flats have moved out. Things I have and like: 1. Black waterproof Birks for putzing around the house or in the backyard 2. Sorel Slip Ons for daycare pickups, to pair with jeans, go to the park. 3. Sorel Sneakers for walks around the neighborhood or errands. 4. Black Chelsea boots for 'nicer' outings. I feel like I need to add another casual sneaker into the rotation or some other shoe(s). I used to have a pair of Vejas but didn't find them comfortable. Is there anything else that could be added into the rotation that are: slip-ons (or easy to get into), high quality, similar to the aesthetic described above, and comfortable. For sake of argument, let's pretend price is not a barrier as long as the other elements are met.
posted by allthingsconsidered to Shopping (21 answers total)

I'll admit it, I was influenced by ads on TikTok to buy a pair of Kiziks and I love them. They're so easy to just step in and out of and they're comfortable.
posted by shesbookish at 12:25 PM on February 18, 2022 [2 favorites]

I think ECCO brand may be a good fit. The Soft 7 GTX sneakers are my Goldilocks shoe after years (a decade even?) of looking. High quality all-black sneaker that wasn't too athletic looking, I could wear with jeans or shorts, and could walk forever in, rain or shine.
posted by paradeofblimps at 12:46 PM on February 18, 2022

Response by poster: Edit to also ask: are there other nice shoes you would recommend. I like the chelsea boots but the temps are going to get high in Austin soon and I don't have another alternative for a 'smarter' look. It could be for the random day at the office or a nice dinner. I have a pair of Rothy's but haven't used them since I began WFH.
posted by allthingsconsidered at 12:47 PM on February 18, 2022 [1 favorite]

I’m in the same situation as you (wfh, young kid, warm climate since we moved). I can’t give you a good sneaker ref as the ones I like are more UK based (Golas) but for ‘nice’ warm weather shoes I can endorse strappy leather sandals that are almost entirely flat (consider taking to the cobbler for a grippy sole, the nice ones always seem to be too slippy for me to chase my toddler). I usually have a brown pair and a black pair on the go. However, I saw someone wearing white birks with a sort of modern chic outfit last summer and that looked great too. If you kept them for more occasional wear the white might not be too high maintenance.
posted by Concordia at 12:59 PM on February 18, 2022

I have these, and the first day I had them on at work, one of my students came up to mention that she had them too, and we agreed we needed to buy several more of the same, because they hit a very precise balance of elegance and comfort. The price is OK too.
I would seriously wear them to a party with a dress and jewelry, but they are also very good for everything else. Except for rain, they are not good in wet weather. They do dry up well, though.
posted by mumimor at 1:04 PM on February 18, 2022

Not everyone is aware that Birkenstock makes regular shoes too. When my feet just won't deal, this brand seems to work for me. Here are two slip on shoe styles from them: mary jane, slip on. I have had good experiences ordering from their online store and returning (free) as needed.
posted by Salamandrous at 1:06 PM on February 18, 2022 [1 favorite]

Rothy’s loafers (though they also have ballet flats, a pointed toe and now a sneaker) are my go to warm weather equivalent of a Chelsea boot. I find them extremely comfortable, but they don’t have much arch support if that is a consideration.
posted by raccoon409 at 1:09 PM on February 18, 2022 [1 favorite]

I have a pair of Frye leather shoes that are a sneaker/boot hybrid.

They have kind of a rocker edge to them, but they zip quickly, are comfortable for walking, and look cute with jeans, shorts or dresses. The style name is the Lena Harness Bootie.
posted by champers at 1:18 PM on February 18, 2022

For sandals, I have the Steve Madden Dina, which is a classic flat strappy sandal that comes in an array of colors. It's very comfortable to walk in, goes with everything, and buckles quickly.
posted by champers at 1:22 PM on February 18, 2022

I've bought a few pairs of Teva Ember mocs, in both the sneaker and boot style. I really love them for a casual throw on to just go do stuff shoe.
posted by phunniemee at 1:23 PM on February 18, 2022 [1 favorite]

Allbirds are pretty cute. I've been looking at them. I'm wondering if the Tree Loungers or Tree Pipers might work for casual. The Tree Breezers are flats in the same series that look a bit more comfortable than standard ballet flats but might be a good option for something a bit nicer when it's warm.

This might not be your aesthetic, but as someone who wears similar kinds of shoes as you are now wearing, I feel I must mention that Sanita and Dansko clogs can be a great option.
posted by bluedaisy at 2:08 PM on February 18, 2022 [1 favorite]

I think you’d really like Allbirds Tree Loungers - I have a pair and they’re the only closed toed shoes I’ll wear in the summer - they’re very lightweight and comfortable.
posted by maleficent at 2:44 PM on February 18, 2022

I like classic leather Sperrys for this purpose.
posted by jabes at 3:32 PM on February 18, 2022

How about a pair of Nike daybreak sneakers?
posted by lomes at 4:12 PM on February 18, 2022

I have four pairs of Sketchers GoWalk5 sneakers and love them. They're light, comfy, and washable. I wear mine without socks and they do not rub or bind, and I rotate through the four pairs with one set in the wash at any given time (machine wash, air dry), so they are never stinky, plus the stretchy upper breathes well too.

Buy true to size and be aware that they will stretch out a teeny bit.
posted by ninazer0 at 4:30 PM on February 18, 2022

I just got this pair of Bogs ostensibly for mucking about in the garden, but they read as a much nicer looking boot than your average rain boot. Not very breathable, but I'm ok with that.
posted by deludingmyself at 4:46 PM on February 18, 2022

Nthing the Teva Ember Mocs. I have them in a neutral taupe color and they are comfy, easy to slip on, and durable. They somehow tow the line of slightly weird fashion shoe and functional shoe. I’ve unexpectedly received more compliments about these mocs than designer sneakers from folks I perceive to be fashionable. I hiked Joshua Tree in them with smartwool socks when I developed a unfortunate hiking blister. Not saying they offer any ankle support, but they were sufficiently grippy and comfortable.
posted by gollie at 5:47 PM on February 18, 2022

VivoBarefoot Opanka or Addis?

Feelgrounds slip on or lace-ups? The Mesh models are so light you can feel the breeze blow through them.

MukiShoes just announced their spring launch and there are a couple in Linen.

I own all these shoes and they're very comfortable, imo.
posted by dobbs at 8:17 PM on February 18, 2022 [1 favorite]

Kork-ease look great and get rave reviews for comfort

Blundstones are super practical and well made

Fly London wedges are shockingly comfy
posted by nouvelle-personne at 8:46 PM on February 18, 2022

Merrell Jungle Moc. There are a bunch of versions; this is just one.
posted by 2 cats in the yard at 6:55 AM on February 19, 2022 [1 favorite]

Most of the Skechers GOWalk slip-ons are pretty fugly, but there are a few neutrally-attractive options in there (they look surprisingly like the Allbirds Tree Loungers already linked here) and a few funky options, and I swear by them for safe comfortable long-walking shoes, and they've got a couple of lines with extra internal support that I recommend if you have a high arch.
posted by Lyn Never at 8:06 AM on February 19, 2022