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Original poster

My Birkenstocks have bruised me! (Tough sandal recs needed).

44 replies

pigmcpigface · 20/04/2018 09:56

I walked 5 miles yesterday in Birkenstock sandals and I have a massive and very sore bruise under my foot! It hurts!

As I said on my other thread, I'm going to Italy this summer. DH tends to be very big on walking around, and if previous holidays are anything to go by we will do between 6 to 15 miles a day on foot.

I need some sandals that are tough enough to hold up to this, and cushioned enough not to give me bruises, but that still look relatively smart and elegant. I'd really appreciate some help!

OP posts:
goose1964 · 20/04/2018 10:13

There's a few threads on comfy sandals, I think hotter tourist came out well. Have you broken your Birkenstocks in? You need to gradually wear them for longer periods before going for a major walk. I forgot to do this with one of my pairs and had sore soles of my feet.

Original poster
pigmcpigface · 20/04/2018 10:17

Yes - I've worn them for years, but I noticed last year that I was hurting underneath my feet when I wore them for shorter periods. This time, it's a huge bruise. I was carrying a very heavy rucksack, which I think might have exacerbated the problem.

OP posts:
tdm1 · 20/04/2018 10:18

Don't know if they'll stand up to quite such long distances, but I love my Keen Clearwaters.

TheFaerieQueene · 20/04/2018 10:20

Teva might work for you.

sherrifffatman · 20/04/2018 10:21

I have Teva Kayenta they are so comfortable!
I'm on my second pair now

Original poster
pigmcpigface · 20/04/2018 10:21

FaerieQueen - I have some Tevas, they are excellent. Mine are very 'sports shoe', though. I am hoping for something that looks OK for dinner in a restaurant as well as for trekking about IYSWIM.

OP posts:
dinosaurkisses · 20/04/2018 10:22

Have you tried the soft-bed Birkenstocks? They’re next on my list!

Falling that, if it’s city-walking, I’d recommends TOMS- they have decent arch support but are still cushioned. You won’t get the longevity out of them like you would with Birkenstocks though.

Original poster
pigmcpigface · 20/04/2018 10:35

No, I didn't know they came in soft footbed versions! Are they really soft? I just googled a picture and it still looked rather.... austere.

OP posts:
keely79 · 20/04/2018 10:41

I love my saltwater sandals. They are super comfortable and have stood up well to long walks around cities. My Birkenstocks sometime give me blisters on the arch of my foot...

kittykarate · 20/04/2018 11:22

Teva Kayenta are pretty comfy - and don't look as sporty as other Tevas. The only downside with the style is there is no adjustment on the front foot so they either fit or they don't.

Lotsofsausage · 20/04/2018 18:56

Saltwaters are too flat for me, no cushioning or support. I like Clarks originals.

PuppyMonkey · 20/04/2018 19:00

6-15 miles?

Sounds like you need walk boots not sandals. Confused

ToftheB · 20/04/2018 19:06

Another vote for Tevas here - they come in all sorts of bright or subtle colours, I bet you could find some that would be smart enough.

eloisesparkle · 20/04/2018 19:07

Skechers ?

museumum · 20/04/2018 19:17

Teva are the only sandals for walking for me - I have brown leather ones which are nice enough for the city/dinner :)

museumum · 20/04/2018 19:20

Teva Capri

My Birkenstocks have bruised me! (Tough sandal recs needed).
QOD · 20/04/2018 19:51

Fit flops

ItsLikeRainOnYourWeddingDay · 20/04/2018 20:01

Doing that number of miles in a day you need proper walking shoots or boots.

NotMeNoNo · 20/04/2018 21:24

Ah, this year's style vs substance holiday sandals thread.

Maybe take your Tevas so you can revert to them after the first day of the smart and elegant ones.

MrsMariaPolouvicka · 20/04/2018 21:52

Ah, this year's style vs substance holiday sandals thread

..and as usual Saltwaters pop up as a recommended shoe for serious walking...I’d love to know what some posters consider a long distance!

OP for that distance you need proper walking shoes from Teva, Merrell etc. They won’t be pretty but at least you’ll still be able to change into a more glamorous option in the evening rather than being laid up in the hotel from walking around on a strip of plastic 1cm thick.

ggirl · 20/04/2018 22:14

I quite like these clarks
they're the same foot bed as my and millions of other nurses shoes which are amazingly comfortable.

SealSong · 20/04/2018 22:34

Merrell sandals

purplegreen99 · 21/04/2018 11:01

I have some Merrell sandals that I use for dog walking & have also had Teva ones in the past. I live in Birkenstocks otherwise, but for long walks I think you need properly designed walking sandals - the sandal equivalent of walking boots. Go to a decent outdoor shop and try on a few different ones to find something that has the right support and fit for you. Another suggestion, maybe not what you want to hear, is to wear good quality socks with your walking sandals if you're planning a long hike - they can definitely help with comfort.

NotMeNoNo · 21/04/2018 11:09

To be fair to the OP, she has some Tevas so I guess she knows all this. It's just when you visit a city you don't want to look like a tourist. But you are a tourist. You are walking 10 miles around attractions, not popping out for a cappuccino in your teeny jewelled flipflops like the locals. You gotta embrace the practical.

Chewbecca · 21/04/2018 11:21

I find birkenstocks too hard.

My favourite walking sandals are some old fly ones. I think these are probably this season's version.