Birkenstocks, Dansko, Naot, Earth Shoe, etc. shoe question archived

Try a pair of crocs. They're like walking on squooshy, yet well-supported jello.

Try sierratradingpost.com for both birkenstock and naot. While you're there, look at ecco. I find them enormously comfortable.

I've worn Ecco for many years, both casual and formal. I find them more comfortable than sneakers.

Here's some fitting FAQs from the Birkinstock Express on the internet: http://www.birkenstockexpress.com/sizeandfit/sizefitfaq.cfm/topnav2.208

You could also call them up and get friendly with the sales help.

If they don't work out, try Birkenstock Central on line with an 800 number - Toll Free order line: 1-800-BIRKS4U (800-247-5748):

http://www.birkenstockcentral.com/index.html

The internet is filled with so many hits on these sandals that I'm guessing many people who wear them might hate shopping.

If this one does not work you could also find another shoe store that sells them and go in and try them on.

thank you!

i'll look into Ecco!

i admit i am resisting Crocs! here is a fun website:
www.ihatecrocs.com

I bought a pair of Eccos once and they were very comfortable. A friend told me she walked all over Europe in them and never had sore feet.

I've never worn Crocs, and I thought they were a one season fad, but now that there is even a website set to destroy them I guess they will be around for awhile. Thanks for the link--it was hilarious.

I live in Mephisto Helens. I have 3 pairs, ordered all of them online, I think from either shoebuy.com or shoes.com or shoemall.com or onlineshoes.com. There are often online coupons for these stores, but Zappos DOES price match without trouble. I also got a pair of Naots on sale from Zappos.

In the summer my feet used to KILL me, now they don't really hurt. I also have a pair of Keens I got at the Walking company, that's what started me on my good shoe fix.

It really makes a huge difference in my life.

I've had a couple of not so good experiences with the Walking Store and sizing. Example: I went in there recently, they measured my feet and then I tried on a pair of shoes. They did not fit MY feet right and I told the sales person so. She replied, "That cannot be the case, I measured your feet and THIS is your size." I can only walk for one day in the Mephisto's they sold me a couple of years ago and then I have excruciating pain (not to mention that the stiching near the lacings on one shoe failed within a year--so much for the World's greatest walking shoes!!!!). The Birkenstocks they sold me to replace a pair I had worn out have never been as comfortable as the originals (I think that is because the first pair was a narrow width and the replacements are not--something they should have noted since I brought in the old pair.) My take on the Walking Store: ok if you don't have any foot problems; iffy in case you do.

Re Birkenstocks--sometimes it takes awhile to get used to them. Keep trying with your pair, they do have to break in. If you have the right fit, you should fall in love. For me, there is a big difference between slip-ons and sandals with a back-strap. I need the back-strap to keep the shoes aligned. Birkenstock Central offers the narrow version on some of the shoes.

Of course, what you need in comfortable shoe is very personal. I find I need a pretty firm footbed, so the Ecco shoes are just too flexible and flimsy and don't provide sufficient support.

I too, love the Mephistos and the Eccos. I am also now wearing the MBT shoes when I walk, and am waiting for the "world's smallest gym" to start working - so far, I might have well just be wearing Nikes.

When Mephistos are good, they are great. When they are not....I refer to the stitching problem mentioned in an earlier post. Fortunately, the stitching was repaired at my cousin's shop. I have three pair of mephisto and they are great. I also have a couple of pairs of Eccos and they are wonderful too.
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But my favorite are the $75.00 Merrell low cut sneaks. They are comfortable and they last.

I bought a pair of Merrell sandals and they are wonderful. I wore them all through vacation, hiking, etc. I finally have accepted the fact that Birks and Naots just do not fit my feet correctly.

Agreed on that it really comes down to your foot and the specific sandal. My mom likes the Helen's too, but can't wear other Mephistos.

I also bought good insoles and find they help immensely in my sneakers and boots that don't have enough arch support.

Thanks for the link to the ihatecrocs site. It's hilarious. I hate crocs. They are the most hideous looking shoes. It shocks me that so many people put these ugly things on and think they look cool. When it was just kids, it was bearable. But now they make adult ones. I recently saw a guy wearing them..they must have been a size 13. Hopefully this "trend" fades as quickly as the Uggs did a few years ago.

mr. quilter said he wears Ecco's shoes (who knew?)! he said it is upsetting when he gets a pair that doesn't feel right or falls apart because he pays so much money for them, but when he gets a pair that works then they are really wonderful. It's almost like you can get a lemon of a new car?
my kids both actually have crocs so i can't be too judgmental. selling those little doodads to go in the holes was a real stroke of genius for those who like to make money!

Another thought on Eccos. Be careful of the soles before buying them. There are two types of soles, soft and hard leather. The most common of the soft soles are of a beige color. They will last only about a year.

I have a lot of foot problems too. It's not just the brand, it's also the but. I prefer a shoe with a back when I'm walking. Otherwise my toes and other parts of my foot are working to hold onto the shoe too much. Also, watch how far up the foot the strap of a shoe ends. Good gripping shoes come high up on the top of your foot. Flimsy flip flops don't. I like Dansko and Clarks and Birkenstocks. Mephisto and Naot sandles have not worked for me AT ALL.

I meant to write it's also the cut (not the but.

I have back and ankle issues and in January I went to the walking store. They fitted me for and I bought a pair of the closed back Dansko clogs. I LOVE them and wore them every day all day until sandal season. As a teacher I am on my feet all day and any shoes I had, Merrells included, eventually made my feet hurt. Unfortunately, I have such a big foot that they don't make the pretty sandal Danskos in my size. I have been searching all summer for something that would fit me and make my feet feel nice. I am almost about to break down with the crocs...I just think my feet will sweat in them! I may even have to break down and get birkenstocks.

My first experience in the walking co. was great. I went twice to try to find a summer shoe and was basically told that I was SOL given my size/width/instep. FWIW I will try to go back and only go to the person who originally helped me.

I live in my Kean Venice H2 sandals. What they lack in attractiveness they make up for in comfort and versatility. I've worn them to the beach, hiking, walking, and bike riding. This is my second summer wearing them and my feet still feel great.

I found the heel on Danskos hard to manage. Maybe it's because I was pregnant at the time, and it was winter, but I always felt like I was a moment away from breaking my ankle. This wasn't on the clog, which may have had something to do with it, but I got them on such high recommendations and felt sore and awkward whenever I wore them.

I just bought a pair of BeautiFeel shoes on Zappos.com and love them, they're like walking around barefoot. A lot of their shoes look sort of dowdy for my tastes, but the ones I have are sort of like mary janes, and I'll probably get a pair of their low heels if I ever get a real job someday.

I love my crocs. They don't make my feet sweat, and I gladly put up with the ugliness for the sake of the comfort. In the winter I get clogs and moccassins from Lands End. I find them very comfortable, the insoles are removeable so I can slide in my own orthotics, and they're cheap enough so I can get a couple of pairs. I have big feet and heel spurs, and I'm comfortable in those clogs.

I used to avoid Eccos because I found their flexible soles to provide too little support for my back. This summer I tried a pair of offroad Yucatan sandals and I love them. The soles are rigid with a really good tread for gripping on slick surfaces and have great padding to ease the shock of walking on pavement. The straps are velcro and fully adjustable at back, ankle and upper. I highly recommend them.

I just got my first pair of Birkenstocks today. I ordered them from Zappos.com - shipping is free, as are returns if I'm not mistaken. Mine are a 41 (I usually wear a 10) and they fit perfectly. They just feel great. And there isn't a lot of extra room. Maybe go down a size? I'd offer to let you try on my 41s but I don't want to take them off. Hah.

I recently bought a pair of Merrell sandals from the Walking Company. They felt good in the store, then when I brought them home it felt like they were making my foot pronate, causing me to land on the inside edge, like the heel bed is too narrow. I hemmed and hawed about wearing them on a real walk for a long time. They felt ok, but not great, and I was still trying to keep my foot on the heel bed. I have pretty bad foot problems, so fit is really important to me. I love New Balance running shoes, but I don't like to wear them around and look like a dork. Does anyone know if they make a sandal and if so if its any good?

Ok, I gave in and bought a pair of the crocks, but the mary jane style. I wore them around for errands today and they were pretty comfy. I think for next summer I may get birkenstocks.

I have had mixed experiences with Merrells. I loved the jungle moc, but the dressier shoes were too narrow for me. After a few months I decided that I did not like the merrell jungle moc. THey were not as supportive that I thought they were and my instep is too high for them.

The Dansko heel was something to get used to. The salesperson actually told me not to wear them for a full day until I got used to the heel and the way I walk in them.
Thank you for starting this and for all the advice everyone!