I am looking for a good everyday summer shoe/sandal. I currently have a few pairs of TB flats and some flip flop style sandals, but they're all leather, and I feel like I can't wear them in the sandbox, to the water park, etc. I'm looking for something that I don't need to worry about destroying at the park, and something I can run around and walk a lot in. I was thinking a pair of keds, but I feel like my feet will get really sweaty/stinky? I had a pair of toms but they didn't have enough arch support for me (although I possibly stretched them out while I was pregnant).
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I just bought some Keds and I don't think they have enough support for a lot of walking.
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@Grace: thanks! that's good to know,
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@hilsy85: I wore my Toms all throughout traveling and thought they were comfortable. But maybe you need something more supportive like a sneaker? Nike Frees are very lightweight and supposed to be breathable. I haven't tried mine yet, but I got them for running around places with K this summer.
This also makes me think of all these cool city street style outfits with sneakers! Superga seems to be a top choice!
http://theeffortlesschic.com/2014/the-trends/10-ways-to-wear-sneakers/
http://www.whowhatwear.com/sneaker-trend-footwear-stan-smith-white-sneaker-cap-toe-2014
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what about Sperry's or boat shoes?
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I love my Teva Northwater sandals- they do not look like Tevas at all, but they're tough and pretty versatile for shoes that are (IMO) nicer casual sandals. I have several pairs that I've gotten over the years because when it gets crazy hot and humid, these are the only shoes I tend to wear. They've got ok arch support I suppose, I wear them to commute to the office (lots of walking), and run errands in them.
I'm also a (not-so) closeted hippie girl, so my Keen sandals and Birkenstocks are my other go-to sandals for awesome arch support. But I know they're not everyone's style.
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What about something like this?
http://www.teva.com/women-shoes/niyama-flat/1003976.html?dwvar_1003976_color=GREY#start=3&cgid=women-shoes -
I mostly wear my birks day-to-day. I just got a pair of campers slip ons which I've been loving but it's leather so no good in the water.
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I just bought a pair of Nike Frees....I usually hate sneakers because they are so heavy but these are so light weight and comfy!
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@shopaholic: do you think you could wear them without socks? I also need something that won't look dopey with shorts and skirts/dresses
@NovBaby1112: ooh good call. I should try those.
@Ms.Pumpkin: those are actually not what I would think of as tevas, but not quite my style
@LemonLong: those are kind of cute, although sportier/more athletic than I'm used to.
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Ok, I know they are hideous, but crocs makes shoes (not just ugly clogs should be there new tag line), but they are so comfortable and we do tons of walking.
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@BoogieBea: do you find that they slip off easily? I need something I can run in
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i commute in puma ballet flats - they are not as cute as normal ballet flats but super comfy and i got them really cheap on amazon! I want to say Kenneth Cole also had a sneaker type ballet flat that was even cuter, but it was also more expensive, and i was worried my feet would grow because i'd just gotten pregnant when i was buying them.
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I'm not a mom (yet) but my Reefs have survived a million dunks in the ocean. Sneakers or shoes that got wet would give me blisters
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@hotchildinthecity: are they flip flops? I have a pair, but I feel like after walking around in them for hours, my arches ache :(@Pirouette: will check it out, thanks!
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I've been liking my Superga slip ons although I've only had them for one week.
http://www.shopbop.com/cotu-slip-superga/vp/v=1/1532262650.htm?folderID=2534374302193640&fm=other-shopbysize&colorId=10099I think they are perfect for spring!
On really hot days when you're going to be by the sprinkler or pool, I would probably stick to a croc, reef, or Birkenstock type shoe...
Let us know what you end up with! I am going to have this same problem next summer!
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@hilsy85: I don't find that they slip off easily. I have wide feet though so maybe that's why. The straps are adjustable. I have no issues chasing after the kids in them.
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@hilsy85: maybe wear something comfortable for walking and then stash some reefs in your bag for if your feet are going to get wet for whatever reason?
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@hotchildinthecity: probably a good call! I"m more concerned with finding a shoe that I can walk a lot in that is comfortable than one that can get wet--it sucks getting cramps in your feet when you're still 20 blocks from home !
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@QueensBee: cute! Do you find that your feet sweat a lot in them? That's my main concern with those/keds/converse slip ons.
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I agree with @NovBaby1112: Sperrys! I wore mine on our Hawaiian vacation last summer and we walked everywhere. They were comfy, cute, and supportive.
Mine are similar to this pair (a braided leather look, but without the open weaving):
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/sperry-top-sider-audrey-open-weave-leather-boat-shoe/3743971?origin=PredictiveSearch-personalizedsort&contextualcategoryid=2375500&fashionColor=NAVY+CANE&resultback=282&cm_sp=personalizedsort-_-searchresults-_-1_2_A -
I just bought a pair of metallic boat shoes from LLBean for this summer. I also live in Bensimon sneakers in the spring.
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I don't have them, but two people recently recommended Chaco sandals to me. They weren't quite what I was looking for, but I hear they are very comfortable.
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Keens or Puma ballet flats are my go-tos for lots of walking and playing,
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I have seen some really cute espadrille flats lately - like these: http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/soludos-classic-espadrille-slip-on-women/3653307?origin=PredictiveSearch-personalizedsort&contextualcategoryid=2375500&fashionColor=Lemoncello%2F+Aqua&resultback=781&cm_sp=personalizedsort-_-searchresults-_-1_3_D
Not sure about arch support, though.
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Just thinking - is it worth going w/ something like Toms and buying some comfy inserts?
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I love the support from my FitFlops. Check out the website. They have tons of choices from sporty to girly in flip flops and flats. I have the flip flop style and love them for all summer.
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What about birk gizehs? The gold or silver. They stay on because of how light they are and have good support.
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I am constantly looking for this holy grail of shoes! The closest I've found is my Sperry's-- LOVE them, they can get wet, my feet don't sweat too bad in the them, and I can walk for a long time in them without my feet getting tired or crampy. I have these ones:
http://www.zappos.com/sperry-top-sider-bluefish-2-eye-linen-oat
(Please note, these are not original. SO many people have the exact same ones as me but I don't care). They don't make my feet smell, but DH has really similar ones and his smell AWFUL. Like I can smell his feet from across the room. So, I don't know.I also have Nike Free mary janes and they are really comfortable, though they rub my heel from time to time, but they do make my feet stink, even though they are breathable.
Neither would really look great with a skirt, but would be fine with shorts. I usually just do my Reef flip flops with a skirt but I'd like something with more support.
I find Kenneth Cole Reaction shoes always give me foot cramps, it's awful.
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Forgot about Sperry's! I should pull mine out for the summer!
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@QueensBee: @hilsy85: These were going to be my vote! I started with the regular laced ones and like them, but wanted slip ons. Found their slip ons and I'm now obsessed! I bought the first pair in black and within a week ordered the navy but the tan were out of stock. As soon as they came back I got those.
I wear them with EVERYTHING to work, cropped pants, skirts, jeans, etc. They actually look pretty put together, but I also work in a casual office.And I may have ordered a super cute camo pair over the weekend that should arrive today
http://www.zappos.com/superga-2210-fancotw-camo?ef_id=U3KCmAAAAVzy44NL:20140513203744:sI don't think my feet sweat too much in them...obviously, they sweat a little and definitely more than an open shoe like a sandal. But I feel like that's just part of summer/sockless shoes! I spray some Dr. Scholl's on my feet before putting them on, just in case.
Oh and you can (supposedly) throw these in the washing machine. I haven't done that yet though.
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I love my Toms -- sorry they didn't work for you. Maybe you could try an insert like PP said? I also have Sperry's, which are a little nicer than Tom's but aren't super comfortable for me personally. This summer I've resorted to Rainbow flip-flops and t-strap sandals since I'm pregnant and have fat feet now (http://www.zappos.com/sam-edelman-gigi-silver-boa-print).
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Keens.
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I wear my Reef flip flops everywhere. Playground, on walks
shopping.
Also wear my Frye sandals and Sam Edelman ballet flats. -
@hilsy85: I've only had them for a week so no, they haven't become to sweaty and stinky *yet.* However, I expect that they will probably get a bit sweaty and gross as the summer begins. I love that they are supposed to be machine washable. My plan is to wash them about once a month and let them air dry.
They definitely have more support than my Toms but my feet would probably still hurt after a long day of city walking. It's hard for me to find anything other than a running shoe that can withstand miles of pavement. But, I refuse to wear a running sneaker around Manhattan so this is the next best thing.
@SweetiePie: Haha I love the camo too! I also lust after the lace up version but they are a bit more expensive and, with a dog and toddler, I appreciate the convenience of a slip on!
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@shinymama: @NovBaby1112: @Foodnerd81: ok y'all have convinced me. I'm going to order a pair and give them a try. Any advice on sizing? seems like they run big...
@meredithNYC: @NorCalWayfarer: I was thinking that but I would need to find one thin enough that it didn't interfere with the shoe..I also don't loooove the way Toms look with shorts on me, so not sure if it's worth it! @QueensBee: that is an awesome selling point--so nice to throw it in the washer.
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@hilsy85: Actually, now that you mention it I had to get my regular size, but wide width--I usually wear a 9, occasionally 9.5, but the 9W is perfect in these. I ordered all three of those sizes from Zappos and sent the others back right away.
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@chopsuey: Ooh yeah Sam Edelman ballet flats are super comfy and are much lighter than the Tory Revas.
@QueensBee: Those are super cute!
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@Aandmklover: I forgot about fitflops. I still have a pair that I bought ages ago and they are the most comfortable but I don't like the flip flop style anymore so I think I'm going to get some sandals.
I hate Tom's. I bought two pair and am about to sell/give them away, one pair is never worn. They are too flat for actual walking around the city.
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I second @NovBaby1112: -- sperrys!! I wear mine all the time in summer, no socks.
I also just got white "dainty" Chuck Taylor's and they are awesome --- I usually wear with super low socks.
Teva also makes a great comfy flip flop wedge that I walked a ton in last couple summers - cute with dresses.
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