MN users talk about their summer shoe style with FitFlop

[YanaMumsnet]

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In the hot summer season, we are faced with the inevitable dilemma - what summer shoes to go for in order to stay stylish and comfortable at the same time. When it comes down to finding the right ones for you and your family, it might take a while to find a love at first step. As you’ll probably have a few shoe decisions to make this summer, FitFlop want to know what your must-haves are for the summer season.

Here’s what FitFlop has to say:

“In 2007 Marcia Kilgore, serial entrepreneur and award-winning businesswoman, founded FitFlop, bringing her first biomechanically engineered sandals to thousands of comfort-seeking women around the world.
Today, FitFlop continues to broaden its range of sandals, sneakers, loafers and skates, all of which are made for living in. There are many walks of life, and wherever yours takes you, we are there to support you from the ground up. Our mission is to create shoes that people can live in, not just because they look good, but also because they feel good.
FitFlop sale! Up to 70% off + extra 15% off with code TAKE15 ”

So, we are asking you what are your absolute must-haves shoes in the summer? What are the stylish and comfortable shoes you swear by? How easy it is to find shoes that rock your style and make your feet happy? What are your top packing tips for sizzling summer getaways and what summer shoes you don’t leave without? Share your summer holiday essentials for when you’re on your feet AM to PM!

Please share your views on summer shoes and you will be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £300 voucher for a store of your choice (from a list).
In addition, the winner will have a chance to win their favourite summer shoes worth maximum £150 from FitFlop. To do that, visit their website, find your favourite shoes and post them in the thread below, together with your feedback.

Thanks and good luck!
MNHQ

Terms and conditions apply

I brought some Fitflops in New Zealand on holiday there this spring and they are my favourite summer shoes ever! So comfortable even without socks- they are a lightweight slip on pump like shoe in bright orange

I am barefoot whenever I can be, followed by fitflop toe post sandals and maryjanes when I have to hide my toes! So sandals all the way for me for a good 9 months of the year.

I struggle finding shoes that are comfortable for me to wear, especially when there is a lot of walking or standing involved. I'd love to let my feet breathe a bit but usually the only shoes I've found that support my feet are running trainers. I'd love to try FitFlops to see if they provide the balance between supporting my feet and feeling comfortable, while also looking stylish (and appropriate for the weather!) and allowing air to reach my feet.

i like saltwater sandals, flat and hard wearing

Mephisto silver slides - love that they are super comfy, practical as can wear for miles but still glam enough to wear out. They are also very environmentally friendly so tick the green boxes!

I have arthritis in my feet, plantar fasciitis and Achilles problems. I just bought my first pair of fit flops and love them, so comfy. I'm on my feet a lot for work and wear trainers or supergas but I need gel insoles in. For casual wear I tend to stick with my fit flops which I got in a kind of snakeskin, and they do go with everything, trousers, dresses etc. I used to live in strappy slingback wedges in the summer but find they don't give me enough support now. I'm not having a holiday this year but if I was I would definitely be adding to my fit flop collection.

I have an old pair of Clarks leather flip-flops that are absolutely falling apart, I've worn them so much and I haven't found anything else so comfy. I do keep promising to treat myself to a pair of FitFlop - they used to look a bit clunky and basic but I've seen some much nicer & attractive ones this year! Didn't know they did boots as well?

For going out on holiday I have a trusty pair of pretty low-heeled gold sandals - go with everything!

In summer I live in fancy flipflops. I seem to be able to walk for miles in them with no discomfort, but if I wear anything with a hint of a shaped footbed or god forbid a heel I’m in agony.

I really struggle to find comfy but nice looking shoes especially in summer.
I have Rheumatoid arthritis, and wide feet
This summer I'm loving my silver fitflop superballerinas, I can wear them for work or out and about, they are comfy and pretty without being too fussy and I'm looking out for my next pair. I think I'd also like some sanders for when it's too hot but a lot of the ones I like have a toe post or toe strap that I can't wear.

Love these www.fitflop.com/uk/en/shop/cova-metallic-closed-toe-sandals-p-W73#323 sandals where I don't have to show my toes off fantastic

I started wearing fitflop sandals about 3 years ago and initially found they strained my calf muscles, but soon got over that. I have several pairs of sandals which are all super comfortable and I think look great(none with toe posts as too uncomfortable). The biggest revelation though was the loafers as they are light as a feather but robust, supportive and so comfortable, way more than the ballerina pumps I used to wear prior to that (can't wear heels).

Fitflops are also great for commuting (no need to wear trainers then change into 'smart' but less comfy shoes at work).

There are always genuine bargains to be had in the Fitflop sales and it looks as though some great styles are already reduced but I like these: www.fitflop.com/uk/en/shop/elyna-weave-leather-slides-p-W76#734 which are still full price for the moment...

For summer, it's flip flops all the way! I've walked around many countries for many miles in my trusty flip flops, and taken them to some epic sights including climbing Sigirya rock in Sri Lanka; St Mark's Square in Venice; the Louvre in Paris; the Berlin Wall in, erm, Berlin. We suffered through Hurricane Irma in Antigua; spent a summer with my feet up when I broke my foot and couldn't do much for a few weeks, and have hiked the Cornish coast and countryside at home with the dog.

I think it's time to retire my ancient flip flops!

I wear wide fit shoes, and my flip flops are usually men's ones, so I have to sacrifice style for practicality. It's not easy to find wide fit shoes or sandals for sale in rural Cornwall!

www.fitflop.com/uk/en/shop/lottie-glitzy-toe-thongs-p-R24 - These are the FitFlops I love the most - classic style, and sparkly! I know they come up a bit wider than the narrow thong styles as I had a pair of them many many years ago (2007!) and adored them. It took me several years to wear them out as well!

Packing for my summer holidays involves rolling. Lots and lots of rolling. Things get less creased, they squidge into the bag or suitcase better, and I usually stuff my shoes with socks or knickers! Shoes on holiday is easy for me: flip flops (obv), a pair of ballerinas, maybe somevsmart sandals if my flip flops won't cut it, and a pair of lace up trainers or baseball boots. No more than that, but my husband still thinks it's too much 😂. I think it's shoes for all eventualities!

I can't wear anything with a toe-post and prefer back straps and nothing too chunky, which rules out a lot of fitflops for me. Something like the Elyna looks nice though.

@ sweetkitty

Please see your doctor & insist that they properly test & trial B12 injections for you & check this website for more info,plus info on what supplements you need to take with it to get the best out of your B12 injections.

I was originally diagnosed with fibromyalgia. I also have the sole of the foot pain & more, but it wasn't fibro at all. These are classic symptoms of Pernicious Anaemia & can be massively helped with B12 injections with cofactors. This pain goes when I have my injections & comes back when I need another. This website shows be useful to you, tge Facebook group in tge links were a godsend when I was fighting for treatment for DD,those injections got her out of a wheelchair & back I School after nearly 2 years. Fibromyalgia is on tge list of frequent misdiagnosis & everyone I knew from tge early days of my diagnosis with fibromyalgia, turned out to have this & sometimes other things such as hyper mobile Ehlers danlos too as it's linked...
www.b12deficiency.info/misdiagnosis/

Back to the question 😁

I have health problems that affect my legs & feet. Flat feet due to hyper mobility, poor circulation due to POTs & Raynauds, blister way too early as I don't absorb Vitamins so well due to gastric issues & heavy legs means I need very light shoes. Flat as I have disc trouble so can't handle heels for long, if at all

So shoes in general are a nightmare for me to find, plus my taste isn't standard & I miss the bike boots & cowboy boots I used to love to wear, it just can't anymore 🙄

I was shocked to find a pair of flip flops in the Croc Shop that had supportive soles, bit of platform & generally ticked all of the above boxes & were surprisingly stylish. They also have a diamond cut top, that even though is part of the shoe in the classic croc material, manages to sparkle & look like black rhinestones. These are by far the most comfortable sandals I have ever owned & they have travelled everywhere with me & walked mikes & mikes as I like to walk for exercise, regardless. They are moulded as all crocs are & this has made them pretty indestructible which is a bonus when shoes that suit me are so hard to find.

I haven't tried Fit Flops, TBH I've found the styles too basic & fuddy-duddy, so you'd need to up your game style wise to gain my custom & having worn them, I much prefer the moulded sandals as there are no seams or joins to rub. A bit of a thick spongey sole is good too, as it gives me a extra shock absorber for my knackered back & literally puts a spring in my step & helps me walk more easily.

I like to keep it simple - Fitflops or other flat sandals during the day and a pair of tan wedges for the evening. I end up living in the same pair for sandals all summer.

I love these from Fitflops - very classic and stylish: www.fitflop.com/uk/en/shop/linny-mirror-toe-thongs-p-K47#301

In really struggle to find sandals that I like and are also comfortable to walk in so I end up not really wearing them much. I would love to find the perfect pair of sandals to go with my summer outfits

I like close toe as well as open so giving up on my Fit Flops. Would like an evening FitFlop that has a back for the evening but pretty.

I had to throw away my fitflops recently - I wore them all summer for four years before they died!
They were similar to this
www.fitflop.com/uk/en/shop/incastone-toe-thongs-p-L84#001

I need a replacement and then some of the trainers for when it’s raining!

I wear as little on my feet ad possible, I'd go bare foot everywhere if I could!
In summer I live in flip flops or sandals, usually in plain colours to match the most outfits. Flip flops are mostly croc ones as they're comfortable and my current sandals are from Clark's. I'm mostly about comfort.
If I were to chose something from fitflop it would be something along the lines of.... www.fitflop.com/uk/en/shop/tia-leather-sandals-p-L36#308

I spent all summer in saltwater sandals in various colours!

I love the feeling of feet freedom when wearing flipflops.... and I keep trainers in the car so I can drive safely but stay functional and fashionable!

Ałt

If OP needs support in her footwear Saltwater sandals will be next to useless.

ECCO, Birkenstock, Gabor, Vionic or Fitflop shoes all offer some arch support. Not necessarily the prettiest or most fashionable in a lot of styles but some styles could work and would be more wedding attire appropriate that trainers.

Essentials in a sandal for me
Sole that is flexible and enough thickness to absorb impact
No toe posts
Nothing backless
Straps across for fine but def no ankle straps
Straps across shoe must be wide enough to hold shoe in place well