another sandals advice query

[PickleFish]

What about these - hideous or fine? (for with a skirt)

Rieker sandals

I need straps on top as I step out of everything else. And I walk weirdly and get loads of blisters, so I need comfort - I get blisters even with the most ugly comfort shoes possible! Even these ones rub where the straps touched, but they were some of the better ones I could find in that respect. I normally wear orthotics in my shoes, but in summer, it would be nice to wear sandals on holiday. I'm still looking, but not having much luck!

I had some Pikolinos, Ecco, Gabor, Hotter, all of them, and still got awful blisters.

I don't know if I like them or not! Or if they're comfortable. I definitely woudln't buy the pair I tried on, as I know I'd have a blister on top of my little toe with the way it pinched. But a different pair with different stitching might be OK.

They had lots of Rieker in the shops, but most of them weren't comfortable - they were just a little narrow across the toe area, and as a result, I could feel the seam where the strap joined the sole. So that would have rubbed.

I thought these were one of the better ones for ankle straps etc, but they weren't very comfortable underfoot, no padding or anything. www.charlesclinkard.co.uk/women-c1/sandals-c4/apple-womens-casual-sandals-p32258?attribute%5B1%5D=24910

So mixed opinions on the ones I linked to, which is good in some ways, at least if I don't find anything better, not everyone thinks they're awful!!

I tend to the frumpy at the best of times, so would love to break out from that, but my shape generally lends to covering up, longer skirts, cardigans or covered up arms etc, and it gives quite a frumpy vibe. Shoes would have been something I might have been able to break away with, apart from the walking/blisters issue.

There is such a market for comfortable, stylish sandals, if anyone could actually design them. I agree that it will always be a compromise.

I really don't like them. Sorry. But I live in Birkenstocks in the summer and Dr Martens in the winter.... I love ugly shoes too!

Got these from Fit Flop wore them on the first occasion no blisters.
Usually my feet are destroyed with new shoes lovely and comfortable and even better don't have to bother painting my toe nails.

I too have neurotic feet so I feel you pain (literally). The tan yokono are now my summer friends, no rubbing, no blisters, no aching ball of foot/hip...Hurrah (fancy the red ones too)

If you're in your 60s they should be ok, but it's up to you if they are comfortable and you don't mind the frumpy look go for it

I like them, I just brought two pairs of Rieker sandals recently because they were so comfy and my Birkenstocks just don't feel that comfy any more.

I honestly think these look quite nice on!

thanks for the suggestions, and understanding my need for a few opinions. I shop alone, so I do find it hard to tell, and I know that I generally end up looking frumpy, so it's good to have some viewpoints on how far along that line they are!

I'll check out a couple of the others - those yokono ones might be comfortable for my shaped feet. I'm not sure the fit flops would look good with an ankle strap on short legs, but might be worth a try.

Sadly, I DO mind the frumpy look, but I just don't know how to not be.

These are meant to be v v comfy
https://www.office.co.uk/view/product/office_catalog/2,60/1858586777

I'm not a fan OP, sorry. The heel and the sparkles don't look good, and the only thing that I can say in their favour is that they look comfortable!

That said, they're not at all hideous! They're extremely inoffensive, just not very stylish, I guess.

Agree with ollivander about those office ones. I bought those 5 years ago on an unexpected hot day in London, put them on and walked miles. They must be really popular as so many colours now, only tan and black when I bought mine

I think they’re quite frumpy, sorry.

Have you tried the sportier looking ones? They are fashionable these days - I like the New Balance ones and Tevas. Yes, they are ugly, but they are comfortable and fashionable.

I’ve even seen young people wearing them WITH SOCKS.

oh those Office ones might work with my feet, suede is quite good for soft skin - I think our Office just closed but I might be able to get to one next time I'm in London, or maybe I'll just order and try. thanks

Maybe sports ones would help too, ugly but at least they're supposed to be. I wanted something for with a skirt, which is already a frumpy look on me being short and fat, but I've just bought a new one that is sort of knee length, just above, instead of long floppy white-stuff ones, so I need some sort of shoes.

There are some lovely colours of the Office ones. I'm not sure whether the solid back will work; that will depend how soft it is and whether it is the right shape for my heel - I usually get a lots of blisters on the sides of my heel. It depends also on the way the straps are attached, as if it has stitching that can be felt, it will rub. (My feet are such a pain - it's the same condition that causes the wonky joints and weird walking that also makes the skin very fragile!). But I like the look of the blue ones, though I suppose a colour that goes with more things might be sensible.

I think the issue is that unless people have a real understanding of how bad foot problems can be, they don't really get the restrictions there are. I don't want to look frumpy either, I do care about it, but I have a foot that has survived so much damage, and has super sensitive nerves in it post surgeries that I have almost no footwear options. I think if something works for you, op, you need to just grab it. And these aren't eye blindingly awful, they are just sandals that might do the job.

I think that they are inoffensive and if they are comfortable then you should go for them. I'm another one who gets horrendous blisters from most shoes and appearance comes a distant second to being able to walk without bleeding everywhere.

If you are still looking, though, I got some strappy block heeled sandals from H&M last week. They are imitation suede and made from very soft fabric. Wouldn't have been the first place I looked for shoes but they are actually very comfortable.

thanks, I am still looking, and never tried H&M so will add it to my list. I'm going away for the weekend now so hoping I might discover some lovely independent little shoe shops with excellent sandals for bad feet...

I ordered some of those Office ones last weekend and although they confirmed the order they’ve not yet been despatched despite saying 2-5 day delivery. I will be ringing customer service in a bit! So if you want them for an occasion allow plenty of time for delivery!

I just bought the Office ones linked above - bought them online. They're lovely and soft so might be worth a try. I don't know what their returns policy is like but loads of places do free returns these days.

Those first ones you linked look fine on, so if you like them go for it. Personally I think you're a bit young for them.

I also got nice soft ones from H&M, thinking about it.

The New Balance ones might be worth trying on, very strappy so you can adjust them to stop rubbing. Ugly as sin as you say, but that is the style these days, as my mum would say!

OP try Vionic sandals. They have a built in orthotic and some of the designs are decent.