Sport Sandals

[CindyWeightWatcher]

Hi all,
I thought I'd see if you have any comments/suggestions on this topic.
My DH and I tend to do lots of walking during the summer months.
I would prefer to wear sandals instead of sneakers. However, since my
feet are narrow, I find that I'm always slipping sideways. I once saw a sandal
that had a rubber sole with strapping that wrapped around your feet --- not
too ugly! I think it might've been the Tevo brand. Does anyone have any input/experience on this subject? TIA

[Beth]

I have a narrow foot and found a pari of Teva sandals that I wore constantly last summer. I loved them, but I also have a long foot and haven't' found another pair long enough yet. I found a piar of Reebok Sandals on clearance for less than $10, so I bought them. The fit well (have velcro straps), feel good, I can wear them all day, but they aren't that great looking.

I'm also wanting to try a pair of the Crocs strap sandals. They have a couple of versions and I think they would work beter for me that the flip flops.

[zackaboo]

I have the same problem with my feet slipping out of flip-flops because my feet are narrow. I just ordered these sandals from Lands End and they are great for walking. I bought them with an upcoming beach trip in mind but I am sure that I will get a lot of use out of them at home too.

Beach Trekkers (http://www.landsend.com/pp/BeachTrekkerSandals-74286_166665_-1.html?CM_MERCH=PAGE_74280&sid=2865147070814141030)

[aggie94]

You're probably thinking Tevas. Their classic sandals look like these:

http://www.teva.com/images/products/AllColorCombos/6800-RMPK-PROD.jpg

I own a pair of Tevas and they are pretty comfortable, but for a lot of walking, I have found that they cannot beat Keens for comfort. Have you checked out Keen? They have some great styles and they are SO comfortable. I own three pairs in different styles.

www.keenfootwear.com

[Beth]

I'd love to try some Keen, but they don't make a size 12 and most 11s are too short for my foot.

I guess we all know where DS got his size 15s (he says he'll be at least a 16 before he's done). I hope not.

[ChristineVA]

Look online for a brand called "Keen's". They are great and the women's styles come in really cute colors this year. They are sandals but they cover most of your foot and so they are more like a hiking sandal. Very cute.

I also have narrow foot and not much of an arch and I just HATE the way Teva's feel on me. I've never gotten a pair to fit correctly. I bought a pair for my son last year (his foot is much like mine) and he complained about them most of the summer. Plus they don't "look" so great on a skinny foot--they are almost for athletic feet, if you know what I mean?:D

Anyway, I don't know how to post a picture but check out the Keen's.

[aggie94]

Beth,

Have you tried on any Keens? IMO, they tend to run big. I normally wear a 7 1/2 or 8, and all of my Keens are 7s. I know that REI carries them in-store (not sure who else does), so you could try on a pair before ordering online to see if they would work for you.

[badunnin]

Beth,

Have you tried on any Keens? IMO, they tend to run big. I normally wear a 7 1/2 or 8, and all of my Keens are 7s. I know that REI carries them in-store (not sure who else does), so you could try on a pair before ordering online to see if they would work for you.

The guy at REI told me that they run small. I usually wear a 7.5, he tried to sell me an 8.

[Natasha]

I've heard good things about Keen but don't have any myself. Other brands you might want to look into are Chaco and Salomon. I absolutely love my Salomon sandals but my pair is more of a watersport sandal (as I think REI calls them), so probably not what you're looking for.

Good luck!
Natasha

[Grace]

Keens!! Keens!! Keens!! I won't wear anything else now!! The MOST comfortable shoes, from someone with the WORST feet on the planet. I can walk forever in my Keen's! Oh, and mine run big too. I typically wear a 9.5 or 10, my Keen sandals are all 9's. I have a pair of closed toed slides that are 9.5's. I buy mine on Zappos.com - beneath the description of each shoe are lots and lots of reviews that will tell you whether that particular model runs big, true to size or small. I have found them quite accurate (since many people post their experiences). And you can buy and return all shoes at zappos for free, so there's no risk in ordering a bunch. You can order a couple of different sizes and spend some time wearing them around your house even to make sure you really like them.

[luv2cook]

I used to wear chacos until I got heel spurs. Now I need a sandal that has a heel to it (not much but a heel). I have yet to find anything that I can walk all day in...sigh...

[slknight]

If your feet are wide, Keens probably aren't going to work for you. Most of the Keen "sport" sandals like the Newport or Venice tend to run fairly narrow, in my experience.

I just got the Keen San Mateo and they do run a bit wider than the other ones. They seemed really comfy until I wore them all weekend and they totally cut into the tops of my feet. I'm currently sporting 4 band-aids. :( I know that people swear by their Keens, but it really depends on your feet and they do NOT seem to work for me.

Ok - I just re-read your post and you have narrow feet. Maybe they'll fit you then. I seem to be one of the only freaks who can't wear them.

[Beth]

I have to go with DS to REI -- something about having to order half a dozen pair of hiking boots so he could try them on because they don't carry his size inthe stores. So now we're going to the store to use the "rock" incline and to return the ones he's not keeping. I'll seen if they have any 11 Keens to try on.

[shoezoo]

As someone who sells shoes for a living I can tell you that Keen's generally do run half a size short. Of course it depends on the style and your type of foot. I'd definitely recommend going to a full service shoe store or someplace like REI where they can fit you and recommend some things for your foot type. Keen's only come in med. widths as do most brands that make a sport sandal. You might look for Merrell or Chaco sandals as well.

[saw]

I vote for Keen as well. They are the BEST sandals I have ever worn. I have relatively wide feet and all of the styles I have tried fit me very well and are super comfortable. I started with the Newport H2O (I think that's what they are called) and now I also have Mary Janes and a pair of slides. I can walk all day in these and my feet feel great. Check them out -- it's worth trying them on to see what you think. Oh, I found that they run about a half size small on me -- I usually wear 8.5 and all of my Keens are size 9.

Hope that helps,

Sarah

[wallycat]

For walking, I love Keens as well. LOVE them.
I have only one problem with them. I am very bone-y and on one foot, the bone rubs against the top of the sandal. Annoying and only a problem if I wear them for days on end and long walks.

[Beth]

As someone who sells shoes for a living I can tell you that Keen's generally do run half a size short.

I didn't want to hear that.

[aggie94]

Beth, I would try them anyway. Seems their styles vary greatly, since many of us have experienced them running big and others have experienced them running small. So much for consistency! :rolleyes:

[alicerh]

I have been wearing this Merrell (http://www.merrellboot.com/Shop/Detail.aspx?NavID=FT-O-SPS&PID=11071) for several years and love them because I can adjust both toe straps and the the heel strap to fit my narrow feet. You may be able to find these or similar at athletic shoe stores in your area.

[Hammster]

I believe Birkenstock also makes some sport sandals that run narrow.
Here is a picture of a cute pair for a woman. Not the only color, but just the one I chose to illustrate the style.
http://www.birkenstockusa.com/shared/productimages/large/7229.jpg

DW has narrow heels and very little padding on the balls of her feet and she can wear Birkentstocks all day with no problems whatsoever. They are expensive, but are awesome feeling.

Regarding Keens. A woman on our Utah trip bought a pair that had a heavy edge on the back of the sandal that irritated her achilles tendon. I guess she only tried them on and didn't wear them again until the trip. If you try on Keens make sure to look for that as it could be a problem for you.

[Kate B]

I received an e-mail from Bath & Body Works today advertising some sort of "sport sandal" that sold out in its' debut in the UK. I cannot recommend or give any feedback, but they did look intriguing! They're called FitFlop ... but as I type this to get you a link, they don't appear on their web site.

www.bathandbodyworks.com

If you're interested, I guess I'd check back in a day or so; maybe their web site hasn't caught up with their e-mail. :)

If I get a chance to check as well, I'll report back!

Kate

PS: I do love my Tevas!

[CindyWeightWatcher]

I just want to thank everyone for their input. I now have several brands to try (which I'll do) and then I'll give you my input. Thanks again.:)

[LakeMartinGal]

I'm a lone dissenter, it seems, on the Keen sandals -- they do run short, and caused one of my toes to have a permanent curve:( . My feet are narrow, and I wear a 9.5, which most sandals don't even carry! Teva (http://www.teva.com/productslist.aspx?g=w&categoryid=339&page=1) has new styles that may fit you better than some of the older ones. I have a problem with sweaty feet, even in sandals, and my fix may work for you for the narrow-foot problem. I bought a Scholl's odor-eater insole, and cut it to fit the sandal, then used double-sided tape to keep it there. Works like a charm!;)