The thing that we low-volume feet people run into is that many things with fixed (non-adjustable) straps don't work because even if the footbed is correct, the shoes are still to big because of "strap slop".Quote:
Originally Posted by Triskeliongirl
That's true. That's why I much prefer to try on shoes before I buy, but I hate malls and much prefer mail-order, so Zappos is a nice option since they have free return shipping. Since the Naturalizer Cadence do come in narrow width, though, there is a good chance they'd be okay, even with fixed straps.Quote:
Originally Posted by Irulan
I'll check out the Naturalizer site -- thanks Trisk. :)
Hi Emily, Have u tried ECCO sandals? I too have low volume feet and i have been wearing their sandals for years. I wear them all the time, and i'm currently wearing the black Odense sandals. the leather is so soft and comfortable. they also have models with thicker sole for more walking perhaps, but they are really worth every penny. I googled ECCO Sandals and the zappos page came up. Good luck with you sandal search, I'm tempted to buy another pair of the Odense ones because I really do like them and it's usually a year or 2 before the next season comes around where I see something I like.
Hi deeaimond, I have never worn Ecco. Just looked at them on Zappo's, and all the ones I like that are not really casual/sporty look like the heel/footbed would be too thin for comfortably walking a ways to dinner or another event. I am also wondering if they would be a bit too wide -- a couple of reviewers of ones I looked at more closely said they ran wide. I have both a narrow (not super narrow, measure an A width) and a low-volume foot. But thanks for the suggestion!
I am still waiting for my next credit card cycle so have not pulled the trigger on anything yet. Leaning strongly towards a pair of Naots, though!
Naot does come in different widths but aren't labeled as such. It's more a styling kind of thing. You can line up several pairs and see which ones are narrower in the forefoot.
Plus, on their website, they show them in categories of "medium width", "narrow to medium width", etc. That's how I picked the three styles I'm most interested in.Quote:
Originally Posted by Irulan
Thanks Sheila!Quote:
Originally Posted by Muirenn
I like those Clarks, but they don't have my size in the color I like. The Softwalks are not my style, but I do like a couple of the Softspots. Will read reviews and consider.
I'm getting a bit overwhelmed here...probably have enough suggestions to work with now. Thanks, ladies! :D
Of the Clarks subbrands, I think Artisan is probably the nicest looking. Privo is more sporty. I generally find shoes and sandals in both categories to be comfortable. Unstructured may be the most expensive, but they are also the most comfortable and made with very soft leather.Quote:
Originally Posted by Muirenn
In terms of size, usually I wear an 8.5 in Clarks, vs a 9 with most other shoes. Occasionally I will find I need to go up to a 9 or down to an 8.
I also have narrow feet. I just bought some sandals from Clarks that would probably fit the bill. Can be dressed up or down and comfortable to walk in. I would check them out.
Yep, I've got a pair of Clarks on my possible list. I seem to recall trying on Clarks in the past and needing to size down 1/2 size. For those of you who wear Clarks, was that your experience? I see that ny biker says it was hers.
Thanks!
I wear a 7 in most street shoes but will size up to 7.5 in running shoes or hiking shoes to give myself tons of toe space to avoid any chance of black toenail (been there, done that). However, in sandals, I am often a 6.5. Seems when I did try on Clarks in a store a couple of years ago, the 6.5s came the closest to fitting. Not sure if it was just that particular model or not...
Fixed straps don't work for people with high-volume feet either, because the shoe simply won't fit around our big fat Flintstone feet.Quote:
Originally Posted by Irulan
At least you guys get to feel like Cinderella!
OK, forgive my dumbness, but what are low volume vs. high volume feet?
I suspect mine are low volume.
This is a very non-technical definition, but I was told by a fitter at REI that my feet were very low-volume since they basically "rattled around" in trail runner shoes and hiking boots in the right size by measurement. In other words, my feet were far from the tops of the shoes when inside the correctly sized shoe. So I always need extra inserts in any of that type of shoe along with thick or two pairs of socks. There may be a more technical definition, but that's mine. :D
yeah I don't know about technical, but it's about how your foot fills up a given shoe, the volume of the shoe. Myself and son #1 have low low volume feet - on sneaker and tie shoes, if it's not a low volume shoe, we can pull the two sides of the lace holes together, totally covering the tongue of the shoe. DH and son #2 are the opposite. They have very high volume feet, and sometimes there are gaps on either side of the tongue of a tie shoe, so that the socks show through on either side under the laces. Son #2s feet are so high volume that he can't get certain brands of socks over his heel/instep: they don't spread wide enough.
Volume is different than width. Think of it more as how much space the whole of your foot takes up, the thickness of it.
Emily, I checked out my Clark's sandal size. Surprisingly, I purchased a half size larger than I usually wear. My feet are "normal volume" and just a hair on the wide side.
Thanks Artista -- looks like it's kind of all over the map, then. Just like with most sizing!Quote:
Originally Posted by Artista
Okay, I finally pulled the trigger this morning as I found a fantastic sale on these Clarks Artisan Lucena's. They're $110 at Zappo's, but I got 'em for half that (with free shipping and returns!) at Amazon in my size in black: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000WHZ3NA/..._26725410_item
It's possible these are a last-year's stock or some such; otherwise, I can't understand the large price differential, but I'm going with it. I decided to try my usual size (7) in a narrow (AA) width and hope for the best. Since they're super adjustable, as long as they're not way too narrow or way too long, I should be okay. I'm really an "A" width, but very few shoes come in that width -- you normally have a choice between AA and B. Imagine if bra manufacturers tried to do that! :rolleyes:
Will keep you posted!
Just to follow up: I finally got the Clarks Lucena sandals I ordered (amazon free shipping isn't the speediest, but can't beat the price!) today, and they are wonderful. The size I ordered (7N) was right, and the velcro adjustments in two places allow me to customize the fit. They're soft and super comfy right outside the box. I can't believe I got 'em for 1/2 off the Zappo's price.
Thanks to all who contributed to this thread and helped me find a great pair of sandals that look good and that I can walk in!
Attachment 16368
Happy feet!
They look great! I hope they're comfortable too :)
Super comfortable -- that was my #1 requirement (well, after a good fit). I didn't have any other pairs of sandals that were actually comfortable to walk in for any distance at all. I wouldn't hesitate to wear these to walk out to dinner (2 miles round trip or so). That they're cute is a nice bonus!Quote:
Originally Posted by mariacycle
Those are cute! I'm glad you found something you like!
I actually came by to post about these:
http://www.rei.com/product/849163/ja...sandals-womens
I bought them the night before we left for Kauai because I really didn't want to wear my water sandals everywhere. These look slightly dressier (and better on a foot than in a photo!). OMG - they are AWESOME. Super duper comfy and really cute. Oddly enough, even though my foot is really wide open in them (which was nice and cool), they also felt really secure and stable.
I might just have to go buy a pair of the black as well. ;)
Those are adorable, GLC. How does the width run?
You know, they looked narrow when I saw them in the store (so I almost didn't try them on) but because of where the band over the toes falls, I think they'd work for either narrow or wide feet. They are so open-feeling that width doesn't seem to matter much (as long as one's foot fits the sole, of course). The strap around the ankle has a velcro closure, so it can be adjusted. This was key for me when I sunburnt my feet on the open kayak in Hawaii - it allowed me to wear them super loose the next day!
Those are something I'd have to try on since the front strap is not adjustable. Some shoes designed similarly, the strap is just too long, since my feet are both narrow and low-volume.
Pleased to report that I wore my new sandals (Clarks Lucenas, discussed above) today to two museums in downtown KC, and they did great! Just the slightest bit of rubbing outside my left pinky toe, which probably means I could have tightened that strap up a little more, since my left foot is slightly narrower than my right. But after doing lots of walking and standing, my feet still felt good. Yay!