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Women's summer shoe or sandal

Hello,

I am looking for a brand that is more forgiving in width and is not a tennis shoe. I typically wear New Balance wide or Dr. Martin's regular-width. I love both these brands. I once traveled for 3 months in winter and spring, walked about 5-10 miles a day with only my Dr. Martin Mary Janes. They were wonderful. Now I am looking at a summer trip in Europe (England, France and Italy) and I am not sure what to wear. The mary janes won't be appropriate for summer and as I mentioned, I do not want tennis shoes and the only sandals I will wear cannot have an ankle strap.

Many brands recommended here, like Clarks and Ecco, don't work for me. Thanks for any suggestions.

Posted by
156 posts

i also have a wide foot and recently bought a merrill sandal (actually kind of cute) and wore for trip last month to Greece. Wore daily including some trails which were rocky. They held up well. Do not know what model they are but just check out their website.

Posted by
2252 posts

I like both Teva and Keen sandals. I have worn both brands all over Europe's cobblestones and mountain paths. I do alternate the sandals with same brand closed toe shoes, too. I like both brands and find they not only give me great arch support, but allow for my toes to be comfortable with wide (or at least adjustable) "toe boxes". I'm not absolutely sure if either makes a shoe or sandal without an ankle strap, though. You might check their websites or Zappos.

Posted by
5697 posts

Seconding Keens H2O sandal recommendation -- lots of toe room, good cushioning, can be snugged up to stay on my feet (wide toes, narrow heel) and machine washable.

Posted by
1625 posts

I like Aetrex because of the Velcro straps that you can adjust the width. They are Orthopedic but super cute and light. I wore them all over Italy and had happy feet and if they swelled at the end of the day I could adjust the straps to allow for it.

Posted by
208 posts

When I was looking for shoes for my trip, many posters recommended the Keen Rose. I have problems with my feet and have tried many brands. I usually wear orthodics with tennis shoe types. Well, I bought the Keen Rose and I was very pleased with it. What is nice is that it has a reinforced toe area. Also, they really don't look too clunky. It was the primary shoe that I wore on my trip.

Posted by
2119 posts

Finn Comfort sandals have worked well for me. Great support and adjustability. By ankle strap, do you mean a strap behind the ankle? These do have one there but it's adjustable. These shoes are pricey but hold up very well. I highly recommend.

Google SAS Women's Relaxed Sandals They are made by SAS and though they are not the most "Stylish" looking sandal, they are hands down the best sandal I've EVER found for walking. We did two weeks in Italy, Germany, & Prague and walked 6-8 hours every day. At the end of my day my feet were tired, but they were not bruised or worn down from cobblestones or pavement.
They are supportive, comfortable, and the foot bed cushions as well as the sole of the shoe protecting your foot from the often uneven cobble stones and sharp edges of rocks, etc.

My daughter also wore these sandals and reported the same experience.
I cannot recommend them enough! Having been to Europe without then, and then back WITH them, I'll never not have them in my luggage, and on my feet again.

Posted by
3057 posts

By "ankle strap" do you mean one that goes over your instep (hard to avoid) or one that encircles your ankle ( a true ankle strap---easy to avoid)?

Posted by
103 posts

I mean a true ankle strap. For sandals, I need a slip-on version.

Posted by
15560 posts

I love Clarks and Ecco but I can't wear any of the Naot or Teva sandals - I've tried on dozens and dozens over the years and they are all too wide. So perhaps they'll work for you. I think Rockports run a little wider too.

Posted by
3057 posts

My personal favorite brand is Dansko, but not the wooden clog type. They have some with cork soles like this:

https://www.danskooutlet.com/Womens/Footwear/Styles/Sandals/Priya/Black%20Veg

The suede sock liner is a "must" for me. Cannot stand a synthetic surface under my bare foot.

This is available from Amazon, Sierra Trading Post, and others. Lots of good reviews. If you would like something with more zing ( as in bling) the Pamela sandal is similar construction, but with decorative touches. That one gets 5 stars on Amazon.

Posted by
4138 posts

I've tried all the brands mentioned and none of them worked for me. For sandals, I stick with Abeos. They are available at the Walking Company in a number of different styles and foot-bed designs to fit and support your foot. Personally, I can't imagine walking in a flip-flop type of sandal for long periods of time, over rough terrain and cobblestones or standing for very long in something that doesn't have much support. So I'm a little puzzled about the ankle strap thing. As someone else said, sandals with Velcro straps are great for adjusting as the day gets longer.

My feet and knees are bad enough that I wear Ahnu boots and support socks for most of the day, no matter how hot it is, and switch to other shoes for later. Depending on when in the summer you go to England, France and Italy and where you go in those countries, don't assume that you will want to wear sandals all the time. It can definitely be rainy or cold in any of those places at least the first two weeks of June. Voice of experience here.

I have these Abeo Smart 3590 mary janes which are very light weight and have a generous toe-box. I had purchased the Abby style, but they were so heavy that they weren't practical for packing. Fortunately, I have some kids and grand-kids that wear the same size shoe I do. These are light, but worked great with or without socks in the UK in May and June. I will wear them out. Sorry kids and grand-kids.

I have a hard time buying sandals because I have broken both my little toes and they tend to stick out in an odd way. They are also very small, so I have to be sure that any straps on the side cover them or are high enough on my foot to let the little guys go free without catching on the strap. I currently have these Abeo Bahias and some Abeo Capistranos which are no longer available, but similar to these Huntingtons. I also have these Brynns. They are very comfortable, but I would never take them as a backup pair of shoes because I don't think they are supportive enough to be worth even their limited weight.

If you have a Walking Company near you, go take a look and try on some options. If not, go here to browse sandals and more.

Posted by
3057 posts

With all due respect, Lo, it sounds like you have more than your share of foot issues. Many of us do fine with good supportive sandals as long as the straps are in the right place, and the sock liner is comfortable, not abrasive. I have seen women ( admittedly young ones) hike up a mountain in flip-flops. I prefer slide-in sandals myself, and can walk most anywhere in them (although going up a steep hill takesa bit of toe grip so the foot doesn't slide downhill).