Comfy sandals that don't rub

[SecondhandTable]

I mean I guess nobody can tell me if a particular sandal will rub my own individual feet...but I have this issue so often. I really struggle to find comfy ones that don't end up rubbing my feet in various places after an hour or so leading to blisters and whatnot. Often they feel fine in the shop and i only notice the issue after I've worn them for awhile. Does this happen to everyone?! Are there any good styles that make this less likely? I do have wide feet which is part of the issue I think. Although I have done the last two summers in a particular pair of sandals and yesterday it sudden started rubbing the top of one of my big toes and gave me a blister. I am pregnant so I'm assuming it's related to my feet being swollen with that, I dunno. I just want some comfy sandals!

I have these from Clarks that don't rub:
www.clarks.co.uk/c/Botanic-Ivy/p/26141350

This will not help OP as they are leather but I have reluctantly had to concede that the Hotter tourist 2 sandal is extremely comfortable and despite my highly critical views of the brand they do look quite nice on. I wouldn't wear them anywhere smart but as sandals for a holiday to a hot place (hopefully) which involves some walking they are great.

I've just ordered myself some Birkenstock's can't wait for them to arrive

I dread the summer as sandals usually rip my feet to shreds!

I'm going to treat myself to a pair of salt waters this year!

Another good thing with Tevas - as they are relatively cheap I customised mine last year to get the look of the Arizona Love sandals that were all over social media - I yhought if I ruined them, it doesn't matter too much. I used strips of Liberty fabric and they looked fab.

I find a generous dusting of baby powder before wearing on hot days helps a great deal.

Salt waters, fit flops and birkenstock Eva, none of those rub at all. Salt waters are great but if you need a bit of support for an arched heel they can cause back pain as they are very flat.

Fit flops are incredibly comfortable straight from the box and have some support in the sole.

I adore my Birkenstocks too, I pick them over the fit flops to walk a longer distance or on uneven ground but they do require a bit of getting used to/breaking in at first. They were amazing when I got plantar fascitis but couldn't rest my feet.

I have the most diva-ish trotters that blister and bleed if a pair of Converse so much as look at them. I'm tempted to go for a pair of the Fitflop Gracies sandals this year.

www.fitflop.com/uk/en/shop/gracie-buckle-leather-ankle-strap-sandals-p-DE2#090

Tried Saltwaters once, found them so flat and uncomfortable. Plus I wasn't sold on the 1980s kids' sandal aesthetic.

Be careful when ordering Saltwaters. Yes you need a size up - but most UK sites have taken this into account. I’m a 6 and just ordered a UK 6 from Schuh and the pair I have been sent are a Saltwater 7 - I.e the right ones. If I’d ordered a 7 from Schuh I’d have ended up ones that were too big.

I'm interested in fit flops but have a narrow foot, would this be an issue? Birkenstocks are awful for my feet.

@SingingWaffleDoggy if you have wide feet you may struggle with Vionic. I can't get on with them at all as they just aren't wide enough.

Seconding the Hotter Tourist sandals though. They last for ages and are very comfortable indeed, while still being reasonably presentable.

@FedNlanders

I'm interested in fit flops but have a narrow foot, would this be an issue? Birkenstocks are awful for my feet.

I have narrow feet too and can't wear fit flops. They are like boats.

[quote IhaveaBigBum]@minezatea haha thanks... it's true lol.

The soles are about 1.5 cm thick and have a rubber base at the bottom under the foam so I've never felt any stones etc. I bought a few different colour straps too so I can swap them over to match different outfits. Saves a tonne of space in your suitcase when you go on holiday. I get blisters inbetween my toes from normal toe posts and on the back of my heel from leather straps so these really are the best things I've ever worn for summer. They look so pretty too![/quote]
Thank you! I'm going to order some and am very excited to have actually found some sandals I might be able to wear!!

Birkenstocks! I found mine a bit stiff at first but when they mould to your feet they are soo comfortable. I lived in them in my first pregnancy.

I also have a really lovely pair of sandals from jigsaw, they were expensive but such good quality, really soft leather that never rubs my feet. They don’t do those specific ones anymore but have a good range of other ones on their website.

Dr Martens sandals are super comfy.

Ok. Sit down. Maybe have a hot, sweet tea. Pop some gin in it.

There’s no easy way to say this…

I’m afraid you need crocs. I’m sorry.

It’s ok

Specifically, you need crocs huarache style which they stopped making a few years ago, but there are still a few around:

Huarache Flat W, Women's Sandals [[https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00HN0PG3Q/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_KW1591NHKKRJY5B9DYBA?psc=1&tag=mumsnetforu03-21 These]]

When you get them, heat them with a hairdryer, then put them straight on. Bit burny, but they mold to your feet.

There is no comfier sandal, I have tried them all (and have wide feet). I wish they’d make them again.

Also recommend the compeed foot lipstick thing. You might find you can wear your old sandals when using that.

Another saltwater fan. Loved mine from the first moment. No wearing in. Do everything in them. Best sandals ever.

Fit flops. Not the toe post style for me. I've got the Barra style and they're honestly like walking on clouds. I can't wear any sandals that aren't leather (including the lining) without rubbing/blisters.

Teva, Birkenstocks and saltwaters all give me blisters in different places (toes/top of foot/soles) but I wear them anyway.

I’ve got these, really comfy, vegan and choice of colours, skim my massive bunion nicely.
www.heavenlyfeet.co.uk/collections/sandals/products/river?variant=39293280944216

@cungryhow ooh there’s loads of nice sandals on that heavenlyfeet website. I can’t wear super flat, I need a wee wedge, but had bad accident that has affected my balance and makes me queasy thinking I might go over on my ankle. Need some smart sandals to wear on holiday with dresses and struggling to come up with anything suitable. They seem to have a good choice. Have you tried any of their other styles?

@skeemee, that’s the only style I’ve tried, they have a nice shaped footbed with some arch support. Almost like a memory foam feeling.

@Badtasteflump

Just wanted to jump in and say I must be doing something wrong with my Salt Water sandals - I wore my new pair for the first time yesterday for a short walk to the shops and they definitely rubbed ☹. They felt like a perfect fit when I put them on but today I have a red raw patch on my little toe. Do I have strange feet or something? Really disappointed 😫

You might want to try getting them wet while you’re wearing them so they can conform to your feet a bit more.

At this time of year I sometimes run a bit of body glide over any rubby bits while I wait for my tougher summer skin to come in. Worth trying if they are sandals you’ve previously worn comfortably. It’s tough on the old trotters to go straight from wellies to sandals as we have this week!