I have worn Keens on a few trips now, and really like the way they fit. I only wish the sandals had a more graceful look, less the trekking through the mountains style, as the only ones I really like are backless, and offer less support. But I don't like cramming my tootsies into closed toe shoes when it is really hot, either. Still looking for a sandal for my upcoming trip.

Thanks Jan. What day are you leaving???!!!

Good mention on the Keens! I took a pair of maryjane style Keens on my last trip to France and wore them a lot - often without my orthotics. The only downside was the sweaty-foot thing when not wearing socks.

Has anybody tried the Chaco Wrapsody sandals? They look cute and seem comfortable.. I ordered a pair today, hope to get them Monday.

I like the style of Chaco's shoes. I also ordered a pair of Chacos for my son - growing feet need good support.

Hopefully these will be the answer to my ongoing quest for super comfortable shoes that aren't clumpsy!

I'm so anxious to try them on!

Chachalaca-That's funny you mention the sweaty foot thing. I didn't have many problems with that with my keens, but they were more sandal style. But the Merrills I took were horrible about that. And I don't normally have stinky feet, and those made my feet stink so much I had to scrub my feet each night, and put my shoes in a different room than where I was sleeping. I even bought some deoderant to spray inside!

Cindy,
I just bought a new pair of Keens, a modified walker/tennis shoe thing, which I'll wear with socks! The sweaty-foot thing also encourages blisters, I find.

Something I found at the drug store is a little stick (looks like a mini deodorant) to rub on areas of feet wear shoes are chaffing.It's by "bandaid" brand. I will toss that in my daypack along with those "bandaid" blister bandaids - instant relief!

Laura

Last year I wore a pair of Keen Mary Janes to Tuscany. I used the nude foot socks that didn't show above the shoe line and avoided the sweaty feet.

I just got back from the South of France. This time, I wore black Keen mules without socks and had no problem with sweaty feet (but there was no humidity and it was never hotter than the 70s). These mules were so supportive and so comfortable with the thick soles. Because they are black, the support wasn't too noticeable with my black slacks.
Keen saratoga II

I also had to take hiking shoes along on this trip and decided to use my NB Country Walkers in tan nubuck instead of my clunky hiking boots; wore coolmax socks with those; worked great.

Cameron

Thanks for the tip, Cameron!

I really like "Privo" which are made by Clarks. They're reasonably priced (under $100). You can find them at Nordstroms (which I love for shoes in general because of their great return policy)

Susan

Privo, Privo...I love 'em!
I will take my Privo Tanquinis with me this summer, because they are c-o-m-f-y and they are also very stable, so hopefully they will allow me to walk about in London and Paris with no more damage to my ankle. Fingers crossed...
Now, I'd love to find one more cool pair of shoes to keep my feet on the ground, while we are walking around on the cobblestones!

I just found a few new styles of Privos that are pretty cool lookin'! Check them out here...cute and not too hideous! I like the following styles:
Step
Sax
Mesa
Spot
Hopsy

How do you order shoes online?
I have a weird shoe size/width combo, 10.5 2A/4A, so it usually takes me quite a few tries before I find the perfectly comfortable shoe. Ordering online would mean I will need to order a stack of shoes to find one style that fits.
Do you order a lot of pairs of shoes when ordering online, then return the ones that don't fit?

"I still have my feet on the ground, I just wear better shoes." ~ Oprah
Brenda

Brenda,

Those are CUTE! All of the styles you chose are really attractive. Check out zappos.com. No shipping either way, so if they don't fit, send 'em back!

Tell me, if Clarks makes Privo - what is the difference? Why aren't they "Clarks", just marketing?

Also, any orthotic wearers wearing Privo's?

But, Brenda, you better get ordering, you are running out of time!

Laura

Hey, Laura,
No online ordering for me, 'cause Zappos Canada doesn't carry the styles I like, and ordering from the US takes way, way too long. With clearing Canada Customs and all, it can be 3 - 4 weeks. Crikey, I could drive there and get 'em in less time than the post office takes to deliver them.

Instead, I'll be making a fast trip to a couple of shoe stores in Edmonton, like Gravity Pope. They have a great selection of shoes...super-salivation time, for sure!
This is where I found the ones I love, like Step, Spot and Hyphen. So, maybe next weekend...

This weekend is TiaD's graduation, so we're totally swamped with a lot of extra stuff...one of us is driving 6+ hours round trip to the Edmonton International to pick up my oldest granddaughter, as she comes home from college in Ontario for her little sister's grad...all of the usual crammin' that goes with a senior high grad. So, it'll have to wait for another weekend! Yikes! We are leaving in a few weeks!

"I did not have three thousand pairs of shoes. I had one thousand and sixty." ~ Imelda Marcos
Brenda

Just happened to see this topic and had to tell MY story.......My pilates trainer turned me on to MBT's last year and I love them so very much that I don't even care how terribly ugly they are. they make my whole body feel good. I feel straight and tall when I wear them, my energy's good.......I don't know, they're just like walking on a cloud.

But the real story is this: I sprained my left ankle very badly (took over 6 weeks to heal) just before I left on my last Italy trip. I had a group to guide plus a week of my own vacation and didn't want to miss a minute or not be able to care for my guests.

The MBT's saved me. They were the only shoes I could wear without experiencing pain or limping around. And I didn't get tired by the end of the day, either. So, let me tell you.....I will wear ugly, thick sandals that make me feel good over sexy, cute ones, any day.........

ciao,

Cheryl

quote:

Has anybody tried the Chaco Wrapsody sandals? They look cute and seem comfortable.. I ordered a pair today, hope to get them Monday.

Annika, I have not tried this style. I have 5 pairs of the Chaco Z/1 Unaweep style sandal and often walk around with the heel off if I am in a rush after slipping them on my feet. I have wondered about the Wrapsody and hope you will report back once you give them a try.

I bought a new pair of Keen Carmel shoes and love them. They are very comfortable and there have been many postive reviews on Zappos. The arch support is not great but it is ok. I am thinking of using these for my dressier pair of shoes where I won't walk as far since they are much more supportive than my little black sandals.

I tried the Merrell Encore MJ at a walking store and did not like them at all (I mentioned them and posted a photo on page 7 of this thread). I did however like the Merrell Encore Breeze clogs and bought them once I found out the great Nordstrom - return the shoe anytime policy. I have ordered a pair of sole inserts that will help with arch support for these shoes.

I thought I was set until I just saw all the cute shoes Brenda linked to. If the inserts work for the privos also, I might have to keep shopping.

quote:

Originally posted by girasoli:
Annika, I have not tried this style. I have 5 pairs of the Chaco Z/1 Unaweep style sandal and often walk around with the heel off if I am in a rush after slipping them on my feet. I have wondered about the Wrapsody and hope you will report back once you give them a try.

Wow, 5 pairs!

I just got my Wrapsody sandals and it was love at first sight.. I went through foot surgery two weeks ago so have only been able to try it on one foot yet, and not for a longer distance than from the kitchen to the living room, but OH! I have very wide, flat feet and these sandals give wonderful arch support. All the straps can be adjusted to make the sandal fit your foot perfectly and just as snug or loose as you prefer. Here's a picture of what they look like on the foot:

Once I'm back on two feet again I'll let you know what walking in them is like!

My son loved his Chacos as well - he was fascinated by the very supportive anatomical footbed (many children's shoes are rather flat), and claims that these are the most comfortable shoes he has ever worn!

Cheryl, you made me curious. I had to check out an MBT - I hadn't heard of this shoe. MBT Shoes They are not ugly! I saw many cute pairs. Do you have the sandal or the shoe? Do you wear a sock?

They're kind of pricey! But, "if your feet ain't happy ain't nobody happy" is right on the money! Anyone else wear these?

Laura

Annika, those are so cute on your feet! I have very high arches and love the arch support Chacos provide. I have yet to find a shoe as supportive. I can walk 5 miles in them and my feet will still be happy. I'm glad your son is enjoying them and I hope you are back on 2 feet soon. Aren't you traveling this summer?

Cheryl, I too wondered about MBT shoes. Chachalaca, thanks for the link. I just saw a few pairs of them the other day and wondered how one would walk in them with the curved bottom. Glad they are working out for you.

Thanks Girasoli! Yes, I'm going to Italy in 7 weeks. I had a bunionectomy on my left foot which hurt like mad the first days but now I'm up and walking again (albeit only for short distances), it's just that I can't wear a shoe over the bandage. Nothing can stop me from going to Italy!

It's great to hear from people that have actually worn MBT shoes.. I've wanted a pair ever since I first heard about them, and even tried one on once and almost died but so far the price has put me off.
Cheryl, I know they're great for walking but what about standing still? Do you think it would be uncomfortable to stand still for a long time in them?

I just bought a pair of the Privo Shuttle in stone nubuck. They came in 3 days!

Wearing them today and they are so comfortable, I think that they will be my touring shoe for our trip in two weeks - it's a cross between a show and a sandal, and very like my Keens (whose sandal styles I don't like as much as these). And the fact that they have openings around the toes may help with the aeration problem I have with closed toed shoes in hot weather.

quote:

Originally posted by Annika:
Thanks Girasoli! Yes, I'm going to Italy in 7 weeks. I had a bunionectomy on my left foot which hurt like mad the first days but now I'm up and walking again (albeit only for short distances), it's just that I can't wear a shoe over the bandage.

Annika, I'd love to hear what your operation achieves for you, how fast you are back walking normally etc. etc. Will it enable you to wear a wider range of footwear?

Beebee, you can see before and after pictures of my foot here. As you can see the foot is much straighter and narrower (but still wide, if that makes sense!) which I hope means that I'll be able to wear more "normal" shoes. Today I'm at 19 days post-surgery and walking quite well, but I'm not allowed to put full weight on the toe for another week.

Oh, and the Chacos are a godsend right now with their adjustable straps!