Crocs are wonderful, I have a black pair of Crocs Caymans that I wear at work - and even after standing up on a tile floor for eight hours straight, my feet still feel fine, whereas with regular shoes I wasn't able to walk after work!

I didn't bring my Crocs to Italy, simply because they are hideous, but I got a pair for my son and he refused to wear anything else once he had tried walking in them. He's not even seven yet, but he managed to walk on endless Roman streets and on long walks in the mountains on the Amalfi coast without a blister and without ever complaining about sore feet.

btw, I just checked crocs.com - and boy am I jealous of those of you residing in America. Not only do Crocs only cost half of what they cost here, you also have so many more styles to choose from. I would love a pair of Sassari, or Capri, or Patra... all of them Crocs, and therefore bound to be comfortable beyond belief, and still very cute.

Annika, Can you order from Crocs online or do they only ship in the USA?

I am not sure of the exchange in the dollar, I would be happy to order them for you and send them to you. As you know, they are so light weight! You can reach me on my email address, listed in my profile.

I love the same styles that you listed, and thinking of ordering for my self.

Let me know if I can help.

Sandra

a ? for the croc lovers, because they ar eplastic, dont your feet sweat in the summer?

Laurie

Crocs are well ventilated. I love them and so does my 2 1/2 year old granddaughter.

I bought a pair of hot pink Crocs last week, and haven't taken them off since!

The special type of plastic and the first Crocs with holes in them were invented in Quebec City, but the company was subsequently purchased by a firm in Denver, Colorado.

I sometimes wear a pair of Peds in mine. Yes, your foot do sweat, but the air holes seem to wick it away. They are supremely comfortable. Like walking on a cloud.

"Medium" size is women's size 8-9 and men's size 6-7. Mine are made in Canada, but there were others made in China.

They are truly "fun" shoes. Yes, people stare at them. They are so ugly - they're cute! On Saturday, I wore them to the farmer's market. The stall owner said "Wow - your nail polish is the same colour as your shoes. My wife will be impressed!"

I am very tempted to take them to France. I think that they would fantastic for long museum days. I suspect that bright pink Crocs would be a great conversation starter in Paris.

Wow Sandra, thank you! As you suspected, it is not possible to order from crocs.com outside of the US. I'll have to wait a few weeks (just back from Italy last week, no budget for new shoes at the moment ) and then I'll email you, ok?

I didn't like my Keen Seattle shoes. They rubbed the sides of my feet, and the Mary Jane top part rubbed my foot also. It also seemed the heel was too low or something. I sent them back to Zappos today. Ordered these instead. They're Naots. Hope these are more comfy. I'll report back.

Annika,

Yes, just let me know. I hope you had a great time on your trip to Italy!

Sandra

Perhaps some of you were aware of this already..... but Zappos has recently started shipping to Canada.

Not quite the same 'free delivery both ways' service that they offer in the states, but still helpful for shoes that are difficult to find here.

Of course shopping online would only be a last resort after all attempts to support your local independent retailer!

Note on Crocs: I have a pair, I know they're intended to fit fairly loosely. They are very comfortable for city-type walking (a lot of cushioning and a slight amount of arch support), but any type of walking up/down hills or uneven terrain, and my feet shift in them, causing chafing and blisters. My feet do sweat in these shoes sometimes, and that probably exxacerbates the situation. I just thought some of you considering Crocs would want to know...

The Naot boots are pretty comfortable. I've only worn them for two days now, but they did cause me a blister on the back of my foot. I guess I'll have to break them in. I also ordered the shoes below by Skechers. They're the Active Bikers Step Ups. They've gotten good reviews and are cute!

I also got these today. They are the Merrell primo chill slides. I tested them out and walked 4 miles on the treadmill. They are great so far. I can see myself sticking with these in Paris if the other ones fail me.

Well, I just HAVE to share my exciting news
with all of you kind soles!

Yesterday I bought a pair of aravon Lena slides.
These are from the new line of women's shoes by
New Balance. I had to look the other way while
they were being rung up....yikes....but I put
them on and I knew I'd found my perfect solemates. AND they are CUTE. Yippee.

My Mephistos, Eccos, Arches, Wolkys, Berkies,
and Crocs are going to the back of the closet
this summer!

I have the Skechers shown above and walked all over Tuscany in them last Fall. I bought another pair to take this Spring that have mesh where the nubuck suede is, so I think they'll be cooler. I LOVE them. They really work for my feet and look cute with pants or skirts.

Gail

Lynne, I got curious about 'aravon Lena slides by New Balance', but when I google it, I can't find a photo. Can you pin the name down--maybe with a model number?

Thanks,
Karen

Hi Karen:

aravonshoes.com

should get you the pics of their line. I came
home with a Cdn. brochure.....here's a quote
from it:

"We know what you go through, dealing with foot
pain. You've tried lower heels. Rounder toes.
Squarer toes. Thick soles. Squishy soles.
You've added footbeds and orthotics. Avoided
seams across tender toes.........You've got
your 8 hour shoes and your 2 hour shoes......"

Hope it's okay to have quoted from this. In
any case, having done all the above plus surgery, I felt an emotional attachment
even b/f I tried the shoes LOL!!

It takes so little...........

I just came across the Top 10 Comfortable Walking Shoes list at MostComfortableShoes.com - they have my favorite walking and travel shoes on the list - Mephisto AllRounders! Super comfortable and super chic!
see the link below:
Top 10 Comfortable Walking Shoes

So, I just discovered that Clark's Privos are amazingly comfortable!
I bought this pair of Privos in Jasper last weekend, and wore them for hours with no socks! Comfy, comfy, comfy! They have a lusciously soft insole, foamy with little lumpie-thingies all over it. Built-in reflexology, while I walk!

There is also a velco strap across the arch, so I can adjust the fit for bare feet or socks. Now, I have 3 pair of great walking shoes...2 GEOX and these new lovelies.

Anyone else tried these shoes?

"I Got Shoe, Babe!"
What the song might have been called, if I'd recorded with Sonny Bono! (Thanks to Marcia Gibson)
Brenda

I love them! I wore mine most of the time in France this spring.

Have y'all seen the shoes on JUDITH'S BLOG?

I love my Aravon shoes. The flat sandal (Katy) is my new favorite shoe and gets loads of compliments. I have Wolkys, Easy Spirit, and Mephisto in a similar style (black with velcro closures across the toes, the instep, and around the ankle), but like Lynne, I've exiled them to the back of the closet.

The sandal with a little heel (think it's called Monica) is a lot more comfortable that I thought it would be.

Too many shoes, so little time. I have a pair of those Skechers, too, and they are also comfortable, good for when it's rainy outside.

How many pairs of shoes is too many?

quote:

How many pairs of shoes is too many?

Chris...there's no such thing as too many shoes...just ask Imelda Marcos! I've also looked at Stonefly shoes, as the are really well-made and look like they'd be comfortable.

"If the shoe fits, it's ugly." ~ Author Unknown
Brenda

We just spent 3 weeks in Paris and Italy and probably walked 4-7 hours each day. I brought my Timberland sandals that I've had for about 6 years (the leather just keeps getting softer and better every year) and a pair of black Privos by Clark that I bought just for this trip. I'm happy to say both pairs worked beautifully, the Timberlands in nice weather and the Privos when it was cool or rainy. No sore feet or blisters and I kept my shoe allowance to what I wanted, which was 2 pairs (now on the way back, there was some extra pairs in our luggage, but what can I say, we went to the Prada outlet! )

Jo

Okay,

After all the hype I bought a pair of Mephisto Allrounder Mary Janes, and I find they have no arch support at all. I will be sending them back.

Ginger

I've been a Mephisto fan for years, but I hate their Allrounder line. The look is great but they don't seem to have been designed with feet in mind. At least not my feet.

I bought these thongs and like them very much. They are great to just slip on for biking and walking around the house.

Ginger

Now that you mention it, Chris, I am the same way about Allrounders. I realize that I have bought and sent back at least two pair! They are tight on my toes, as I recall.

Suncoast...cute shoes, but as a high school teacher I can hardly say the word "thong" in public anymore. The last time I said, "No thongs, this is a more formal event" someone asked if I was going to do an underwear check!

The ones I bought in France felt fine at the time, but the first time I walked to Starbucks after I got home (about a mile), I nearly threw them away and went barefoot. When I walked fast, they pushed my entire body weight onto the balls of my feet and my big toes. I was in agony by the time I got there and I never wore them again.

Upon further sole-searching I have purchased a
pair if Keen "carmel" sandals. This after I
complained about my other Keen sandals and
their annoying squealing sound. Of course,
when I brought them home I realized I have a
pair of Naot's almost identical to the Carmel
- but I live in eternal hope the Keens will be
more comfy.

I still like my Aravons - I've been wearing them
often - a good sign for me.

I just want to throw another vote in for Merrells. I think I wore my Merrell Savannah sandals every day in Italy. I wore my Crocs (Mary Janes) to the Cinque Terre I think, and maybe one day in Florence, but the Merrells were much more comfortable especially for serious walking. I would not recommend the Crocs for a long day on cobblestones - I switched to them at night in Rome and they did wear on my feet. Anyway, these are the Merrells..


I just cleaned them tonight. The white sole may not be the best idea. They were so dirty that you couldn't see that circle pattern anymore. EW! But a little baking soda and vinegar and some scrubbing and they look pretty good now!

I will definitely buy more Merrells in the future!! I also brought a pair of Borns to Italy but didn't wear them. They required breaking in, unlike these, so I was afraid to put them on for a whole day. But they are really comfy when I wear them at home.

Also, has anyone heard of the Band Aid Blister Block Stick? You can rub it on your feet to prevent blisters, and it does help with existing blisters. I didn't need to use it to prevent blisters but my boyfriend used it on existing ones and it worked fairly well. It's easy to carry around in a pocket or purse too.


Courtney

Hi, Courtney,
That's just like good ol' GEHWOL foot care products that I used for pedicures and that I sold to my clients in my salon! GEHWOL makes a cream called GEHWOL Med Cream that is fantastic for preventing blisters and for alleviating dry and cracked heels.
The key for blister prevention is to use Med Cream every night for a week or so before travelling, so you can strengthen the skin on your feet before walking miles and miles.
Then, when travelling and walking a lot, use the Med Cream on your feet before putting on your socks and shoes. The 'slip' of the cream allows socks and shoes to ride more easily on your feet and helps to prevent the abrasion and friction that causes blisters and sore spots.

GEHWOL also makes some fantastic products that I love totally and use always...they are formulated with natural ingredients, essential oils and herbs...
~ GEHWOL Foot Powder ...sprinkle inside your shoes to keep them dry and smelling sweet! Feels great to slip your bare feet into a pair of shoes that have been treated with this product!

~ Herbal Bath...the BEST foot soak in the world! Smells heavenly and softens dry skin and callouses really nicely.

~ Fusskraft line...any of the foot care products here. The warming bath and foot cream can be recommended for people with cold feet and poor circulation, as with diabetics, to encourage better blood circulation in the feet.

"Eduard Gelach is rightly regarded as the pioneer of modern foot-care. As a soldier he was able to find out for himself how unbearably painful sore feet can be. As a pharmacist he was able to successfully mix fundamental substances such as potassium carbonate, unsaturated fatty-acids, mineral based lubricants and disinfecting essential oils in such a way that he was able to market "E.Gerlach's Preservative Cream" in 1882." ~ GEHWOL information site
Brenda

On my last trip I brought a little travel size container of Aveda Foot Relief - it was wonderful to massage onto my tired feet at night.

Brenda, I wonder if it has the same ability to prevent blisters as the product you recommend. I like the Aveda product because it also smelled wonderful. How does the GEHWOL Med Cream smell?

-Krista

MED cream smells like...well, medicine. GEHWOL uses all natural essential oils, herbs and other goodies, so their products smell like that. I love MED cream, because it is t-h-i-c-k and a bit difficult to smooth out over your skin, but it works like nothing else I've used.

I know AVEDA products and I agree totally with you. The fragrance of AVEDA-anything is divine.
I don't know if their foot cream would do the same thing as MED cream, because of the difference in consistency. MED is by far thicker and provides a barrier between shoes and socks and our skin. I can't tell you if AVEDA works the same way, but I'd guess not likely. Still, AVEDA is yummy, isn't it?

"Walking is good for solving problems - it's like the feet are little psychiatrists." ~ Pepper Giardino
Brenda

Ok my vote for great sandals goes to .... Chacos Z1. They are cute enough and oh so comfortable. I love that they can be resoled and restrapped. Oh and when they are dirty, throw them in the wash and Voila!

I don't know if the Italian shoe Fly Flot has been mentioned but I just bought a pair of these, and I liked them so well I bought a pair of these. They are made for short wide feet with a high instep. They only have moderate arch support, but I can add to the support with this product.

Ginger

Can anyone help me find great walking shoes for a narrow foot? I tried a few pairs of Pivos and Keens. I still have the Keens and I am debating, but they are definately too wide and I hate to spend that much if they don't fit well. It seems there are very few shoes to pick from in narrow..... are there any brands that tend to run a bit narrow?

I am looking for a pair of closed toe walking/hiking shoes (tennis shoe type) and a pair of black shoes for dinner - closed toe. I have my rainbows for when I want sandals.

Geox seems to be the favorite for a long narrow foot.


Ginger

Right you are, Ginger!
I have the distinct pleasure of wearing either a 10 or 10 1/2 AAAA shoes when I can find them, and Geox works in spades for me. Although the last pair of shoes that I bought that fit my feet perfectly are these Privos! They are fantastic for me, no socks, bare feet...YUM!

“Is it time to go home yet? I keep clicking these damn shoes, but nothing happens!” ~ What Judy Garland might have said in the Wizard of Oz!
Brenda

Hi Brenda, I went for a search on the website you linked to see if they ship to Canada and on the home page is an article all about how "Brenda" had won a $1200 gift certificate.

I was all excited until I realized the picture of the "Brenda" looked nothing like you.....or me!

Grr!

Okay, here's a topic related to shoes that I haven't seen posted. Foot sweat and the attendant olfactory challenge!

I have feet which, given the opportunity, will overheat in a second. This is probably part of the reason I much prefer sandals to closed shoes, no socks to socks.

So, let's be honest.....does anyone have any recommendations as to what sandals seem to let your feet breathe the most? I have tried the Privo Joyners - comfortable, but the neoprene (?) seems to just pull the moisture from my foot after a while.

This was one of the reasons I was drawn to the Geox. I've only tried one pair on, but with my flat wide feet, the fit wasn't the greatest.

I'm starting to lean to the Rockport ones which they advertise as washable - anyone tried them? How long would they take to dry out with a European dryer?

Teva's have the most airspace I think. I don't know about Crocs for you, the plastic might not be a good choice. And I read somewhere that putting an antiperspirant on your feet helps.


Ginger

After walking for almost three weeks with a horrible festering blister, there are only two things I can get on my swollen, fat, oozing foot: the leather flip-flops I bought in Assisi, and the Italian Crocs for 12 Euro. Go figure.
Trust me, you don't want a photo!
Somehow, I forget the pain while shopping. Yesterday, after buying my third box of bandaides and my second box of blister pads, I said to Brad over coffee, "All I've done is buy bandaides!" He just looked at me and laughed.
"Right! That's ALL you've bought!" LOL

Oh you poor baby. There's nothing worse than trying to walk with a blister.

Ginger

I like the patra sandal from Crocs. The microbial material that it is made from takes care of the odor problem. I have personally never had a problem with Crocs smelling closed or open.

quote:

Originally posted by Palma:
After walking for almost three weeks with a horrible festering blister, there are only two things I can get on my swollen, fat, oozing foot: the leather flip-flops I bought in Assisi, and the Italian Crocs for 12 Euro. Go figure.
Trust me, you don't want a photo!
Somehow, I forget the pain while shopping. Yesterday, after buying my third box of bandaides and my second box of blister pads, I said to Brad over coffee, "All I've done is buy bandaides!" He just looked at me and laughed.
"Right! That's ALL you've bought!" LOL

Palma, have you tried those blsiter pads yet? They are gel-like and sticky...work great on blisters. You can buy them in a pharmacy in Italy. Much better than bandaids.

quote:

Originally posted by BC Brenda:
Okay, here's a topic related to shoes that I haven't seen posted. Foot sweat and the attendant olfactory challenge!

Brenda,

To keep feet dry and comfortable and avoiding the attendant "olfactory challenge" you can use baby powder (or cornstarch, in a pinch)on your feet and shoes. Sprinkle powder the inside of shoes and on your feet and away you go. The powder wickers sweat away from your feet and prevents it from being absorbed by the shoe. Voila - dry feet, no odour.

A helpful trick - do not wear the same shoes two days in a row. A full day to air them out and the addition of baby powder, keeps the shoes smelling like roses.

If you are looking for shoes to address the sweat/odour problem, the above will work. On the other hand, if you are looking for another pair of shoes, well then that is another story altogether.

Linda

Brenda,
Check out the GEHWOL Foot Powder!
It's fantastic...slipping into shoes that have been continuously treated with a small shake of this luxurious product after every wearing..heavenly!

It is an anti-perspirant and a deodorant as well. The soles of my shoes become really silky-feeling when treated with this stuff. You should be able to find it in the office of any good esthetician, podiatrist or in any drugstore that sells GEHWOL.

As well, GEHWOL makes a foot cream, Fusskraft Green is excellent for sweating and snuffy feet.

...and here's food for thought! Just when you thought you had found the most perfect walking shoes for your tender feet, along comes this theory, blowing the comfortable shoe idea to smithereens!

"To strengthen your feet, go barefoot, triangulating...this is placing the weight of each step evenly on the heel, smallest toe and big toe...as you pad around your home." ~ Wyatt Townley
Brenda

Isn't it silly - I'd never thought of using a powder!! I'm definitely going to check this out - I love the scent of baby powder, too.

I've never really had an issue with my feet, but I am definitely finding that the switch over to more neoprene based shoes is somehow drawing moisture, in my opinion.

So, thanks everyone for responding, I'm going to do some investigating.

And now we can go on to a more pleasant part of the footwear topic!!!!!!!!
B