Your fav breathable, lightweight workin' sneaker
July 26, 2022 11:17 AM   Subscribe

I need some breathable, cool, comfy, grippy sneakers. In a women’s 6.

Sneakers for yard work/house work pretty much. Fashion in this case is entirely secondary, but I don’t love white/light shoes for the level of "ew" that they may become.

My feet get too warm and I overheat very easily. Don't want them heavy. I need a good grip, but I don’t need anything sport-related. I’m not running… ever. Not even from zombies.

Women’s size 6. Budget $100 or less. I’m fine searching for a deal online.
Options are overwhelming. So a good brand/model line or specific shoe is helpful.
posted by Crystalinne to Shopping (14 answers total) 8 users marked this as a favorite
 
Feelgrounds Original Mesh. I prefer the slip on but they do have ones with laces.
posted by dobbs at 11:27 AM on July 26, 2022


I love Feiyue sneakers. I get them at martial arts stores.

I recently bought some online that came with a foam wedge insert that raised the heel about 5mm which was very weird, but also relatively easy to remove.
posted by amandabee at 11:46 AM on July 26, 2022


Allbirds get rave reviews.
posted by nouvelle-personne at 12:18 PM on July 26, 2022 [1 favorite]


I had some Rykas that were very breathable, and with a generously wide fit, until I replaced them with a less breathable pair. I'm a cushiony sock person, so I really liked wearing them with my most cushiony socks. If you have a local DSW, they might sell them there. They do at mine. I think these were the sneaker but I'm not positive - they have a few similar looking ones.
I personally wouldn't use them for yard work because they are mesh (I like waterproof shoes for yard work), but they are breathable and cool.
posted by bananana at 12:57 PM on July 26, 2022


I wear Keen Newport H2 Sandals all summer. I'm on my 2nd pair. Good toe protection, cool, dry fast, comfortable, sturdy. I buy the kids version in size 4 because I have wide feet (size 6.5 women) and the kids' ones fit great, are the same shoe, cheaper. Women's version.
posted by theora55 at 1:30 PM on July 26, 2022 [3 favorites]


These are very comfortable. This is an old design and they have more variations in other colors, but I have these particular shoes and can recommend them.
posted by pinochiette at 1:38 PM on July 26, 2022


I like Saucony Jazz. You'll also be about a 4.5 in men's or kids sizing. Perhaps these or these.
posted by vunder at 1:46 PM on July 26, 2022


My wife and I both love our Merrell Moab Ventilators, and she uses them as her everyday shoes, not just for hiking - they’ve also become my default summer weekend pair since they breathe nicely. I always love when a cool breeze hits and I can literally feel it through the shoes!
posted by rambling wanderlust at 3:06 PM on July 26, 2022


I just wore Allbirds on a two week vacation in a very hot climate with lots of walking involved and my very wide feet with high arches were so happy, never sore, no pinchy spots, no break in period and no sweat.

These won't be my last pair.
posted by brookeb at 4:38 PM on July 26, 2022 [1 favorite]


Honestly, I've taken advantage of the resurgence of Crocs to buy a pair. I wear them around the house exclusively. For me, they tick all the boxes: comfy, easy to kick off, washable by wearing in the shower, and will accommodate socks when I'm feeling extra fashionable. I had a Jones fracture a few years ago and they don't bother that area at all.

I bought a less-objectionable pair that looks marbled, but they have loads of solids colors, glitter, and various patterns.

I also have a pair of Teva ReEmber mocs which are my go-to winter house shoe. They have a hard sole, so you can run outside in them, and they are machine washable. They're available from Teva directly or at Zappos, REI, etc. You can wear them as a loafer or step on the back to make them fit like a clog.

My sister's feet are even smaller than yours and she shops in the kids' section. It saves a ton of money and these days, kids' styles are pretty much indistinguishable from adults'.
posted by easy, lucky, free at 5:04 PM on July 26, 2022 [2 favorites]


I’m in love with Suav shoes! Super breathable mesh upper, stylish, and the most comfortable shoe I own. Depends on whether you’re ok with minimal shoes though!
posted by Fiorentina97 at 6:35 PM on July 26, 2022


Allbirds are really great. I also recently bought a pair of New Balance Fuelcore Nergize sneakers and (silly name aside) they're the most shockingly lightweight shoes I've ever worn.
posted by neushoorn at 7:36 PM on July 26, 2022


I like my Altra Escalante 2.5s enough that I'm on my second pair. Lightweight, didn't need to break in at all, and I get compliments on them.
posted by The corpse in the library at 8:28 PM on July 26, 2022


I love my Astral Loyaks. They're water shoes that I originally got for rafting and SUPing but I wear them gardening etc. all the time. Easy on, easy off, light and breathable.
posted by headnsouth at 4:22 AM on July 27, 2022


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