Recommend a pair of sandals that are comfortable to walk in and not TOO casual?

[emily_in_nc]

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.

[Irulan]

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.

[Artista]

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.

[emily_in_nc]

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!

[emily_in_nc]

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!

Will keep you posted!

[emily_in_nc]

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!

[mariacycle]

They look great! I hope they're comfortable too