Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Sandals good for walking that aren't fugly

83 replies

TheUpsideDown · 13/03/2017 18:14

I'm off to France in the summer for a week, and plenty of walking is expected. I can't seem to find any decent sandals that would be good for walking, but are also stylish and feminine.

Do pretty walking sandals exist, or am I going to have to buy Jesus creepers?!

OP posts:
Fitzsimmons · 13/03/2017 18:17

Keens? I've had the same pair for about three years and live in them in the summer when I do a lot of fell walking. They have some nice styles and last really well.

MrsNuckyThompson · 13/03/2017 18:19

I love my Salt Water sandals.

www.salt-watersandals.com

ShatnersBassoon · 13/03/2017 18:27

Do you want proper walking sandals to go hiking in ie something that looks like a walking boot that's been pushed through a shredder, or a leather sandal that you can walk around a city all day in?

TheUpsideDown · 13/03/2017 18:53

Shatners not serious hiking. More village exploring and country & forest walks. But something that's going to be fairly hard-wearing but still a nice looking sandal.

OP posts:
ElspethFlashman · 13/03/2017 18:55

Well arguably the best sandals for walking are FitFlops. They have really expanded their line into different styles in the last couple of years and some are bloody nice. Have a look at the website cos you could wall for miles in them.

PleaseTieMyBow · 13/03/2017 19:01

I second FitFlops. I walk an awful lot but if I wear real flatties I get sciatica flaring up. I spent 2 weeks sightseeing in NewYork and Washington last summer. Walked miles in my FitFlops and no aches and pains at all. I have worn them for about 5 years now, and only on my 2nd pair (they last really well)

TheUpsideDown · 13/03/2017 19:16

Just had a look at FitFlops website. I had a pair a few years ago when they first arrived on the scene. But I found them awfully cumbersome, and quite unattractive.

But their current repertoire is quite extensive now isn't it, with a lot more choice on more feminine styles.

MrsNucky the Saltwaters are very pretty sandals. But sadly far too flat. I do need something with a bit of heel for support.

OP posts:
Acornantics · 13/03/2017 19:25

Merrell sandals are lovely; practical but not hideous, and they last forever. However by way of a disclaimer, I tend to vote for comfort over style in the shoe department.

ShatnersBassoon · 13/03/2017 19:26

Hotter sandals are very comfortable, but not exactly fashionable. I have these in silver. www.hotter.com/gb/en/tourist-sandals?fit=Standard+Fit&colour=Aquamarine?fit=Standard%20Fit&colour=Aquamarine They're a bit fogeyish, but nobody's looking at my feet.

HebeBadb · 13/03/2017 19:27

Fitflops! They have some lovely ones.

Theworldisfullofidiots · 13/03/2017 19:29

Rieker?

Liiinoo · 13/03/2017 19:32

I love Skecher Gowalks. Very light but well padded and very supportive.

Greenvalleymama · 13/03/2017 19:34

You could look at Fly London? Their sandals have great reviews, and look better than the awful hiking sandal things.
I've been searching online over the last few weeks for something similar (leather, pretty, comfortable) but haven't come up with much. Definite gap in the market!
I decided I'm going to have to go into town and try loads on, and see what feels most comfortable and doesn't look too dreadful.

Glitteryfrog · 13/03/2017 21:34

Birkenstocks.
I've got gizahs - flipflops.
I've had them for years and they've been sea kayaking, around villages, up hills etc. The only time they've hurt was in Vegas and i think we'd walked 15 miles.

OhTheRoses · 13/03/2017 21:38

Hotter have some nice(ish) canvas pumps that are very good for walking. I'd do sensible for walking and pretty for socoalising/dining.

MsRinky · 13/03/2017 21:52

I walked 20 miles a day in these last summer, they were brilliant www.jakeshoes.co.uk/item/yokono/elena-003-sandals-in-green/2FEE3#.WMcUZRLyjyI

Pixie2015 · 13/03/2017 21:56

I was a fit flop fan till tried salt water sandals now own 4 pairs and can't wait to start wearing them again bring on the summer ☀️

ActuallyThatsSUPREMECommander · 13/03/2017 21:59

The lightest weight Merrells, like
these, are worth a try.

ladyratterley · 13/03/2017 22:01

www.clarks.co.uk/p/26125087
I bought these in black last year and wore them absolutely loads. They're so comfortable! I wore them on a couple of city breaks when I did loads of walking.
They look very much like Swedish Hasbeen sandals which are very trendy, but about twice the price.

OhTheRoses · 13/03/2017 22:02

It would be the salt water ones for me from choice but the Hotter ones have the arch support and padded sole to maintain healthy get in the future.

If I could turn the clock back to 35 I'd go Hotter. If I'd done that I'd still be able to wear elegant shoes at 56. My feet still look good and straight in sensible sandals and I can still wear sandals without disgracing myself but I wish I'd put substance over style 20/30 years ago.

loveka · 13/03/2017 22:03

Fitflops. Like wearing slippers.

minipie · 13/03/2017 22:20

Reef flip flops, the more padded/moulded styles not the uber flat ones. Sooo comfy.

confuugled1 · 13/03/2017 23:49

I bought some Teva sandals a couple of years ago on the strength of recommendations on MNet.

They've been blissfully comfortable and for walking sandals, they're quite dainty. I've got this style in pink but they also do it in suede - it's all waterproof (even the suede version) so at the end of the day if they're hot and sweaty or grubby I just hose them down, and it doesn't matter if there's a sudden rainstorm. You sometimes spot them in sales in places like Sports Direct to get good deals on them.

They do plenty of other styles - some are more chunky and typical walking sandal but there are also others that have got the comfy base but a much daintier simple sandal top.

www.teva.co.uk/women-sandals

This has just reminded me that I meant to investigate if they did trainers or shoes as they were so so comfy I wanted to replicate that comfort in the winter too.

Iamastonished · 14/03/2017 00:04

I love those Merrell sandals. Those Clark's ones don't look very practical for forest walking.

SarahBernhardtFan · 14/03/2017 00:13

I rate fit flops too, I need a slight heel as I suffer from plantar facitis

Swipe left for the next trending thread