Do nice looking walking sandals exist or are they all fugly?

[justpoppy]

Just that really. Are there any around or am I searching for the holy grail? I had a pair a few years ago for a walking holiday and they were so incredibly comfortable but looked hideous! They’ll mainly be for dog walking so i shouldn’t really care what they look like but to get a pair that looked ok too would be a bonus!

All fugly but once you're wearing them and enveloped in their glorious comfort... I promise you won't care!! Just own the fugly!! 😆😆

All fugly, but I got a pair in black (with black soles) which helps a bit!

I love fugly!
I actively seek fugly.
The fuglier the better.

Fitflops aren't awful but comfy

Have you seen Keen sandals? They’re lovely and comfy!

Love these answers. My new mantra… embrace the fugly

They’re all minging, sorry!
I’ve never seen anyone wearing a pair that didn’t make me shudder

I have some from Teva. Not as fugly as some and sooo comfortable and practical. Who cares?

I love my Keens! (Hate open toes).

Trendy young things have been wearing Tevas for a while havn’t they? Or has that phase passed?

I am not a trendy young thing! I'm a rural dwelling 60 something person who likes walking! ( I'm impressed that I might be trendy though!)

I don't think any sandals are brilliant for proper walking. There is not enough protection. Little stones get under your feet. Nettles and thorns. scratch your bare skin. Though the sorts of flat lightweight walking sandals with Velcro straps are okay for the beach, because they're easy to slip on and off.

I'd rather wear lightweight shoes with a decent sole. I feel good when I'm wearing the proper kit, rather than stuff that's basically not fit for purpose.

@JennieLee have you got any recommendations of lightweight walking shoes? I could do with some for the summer thanks!

I’m a 50 something rural dweller, married to similar, he wears his Tevas all summer, we were in France a few summers ago (3?) when our teenage niece commented on the fashionability of DH’s sandals. A few weeks later of of the girls in my scout
pack made a similar comment. As PP, I feel too exposed in open sandals, but wear my closed toe Keens all summer.

I’ve just bought some Merrell’s off the back of a recommendation on here. They’ve not arrived yet so can’t comment on fugliness yet!

Hmm, I did include a link in that last post but MN went all weird for a moment!

www.merrell.com/UK/en_GB/terran-3-cush-cross/52588W.html?dwvar_52588W_color=J004666#cgid=merrell-sandals&start=1

Depends on how hardy your dog walk is. I regularly amble 20-30,000 steps in a day around town, country paths, beach, etc. in my Birkenstocks and I think they’re beautiful.

I wish I could embrace the fugly, but closed toe sandals really offend me in such a visceral way. Teva type sandals have been embraced by the young over the last few summers, so they’re probably considered quite cool, but after spending my teens being embarrassed by my parents wearing them, I couldn’t wear them even if I wanted to. (I’m 35).

If I’m going on a proper hike, I always wear boots, even if it’s hot, I just like the ankle protection. For something more robust than a sandal, but still really lightweight, I absolutely love a trail runner. I have a pair of Saucony Peregrines and they’re so comfortable and stick to the ground like nothing else.

Right. Fugly it is then! I’ll look for an all black pair I think to mitigate the fugliness. Failing that I shall own it! Might even wear them with socks when out with DS and DSS (both 16). I’m sure they’ll love me for creating that memory for them 😂

You should! My dad once collected me from a high school event when I was about 15. He was stood outside the car chatting to another parent. I could tell by his face, as I approached, that he was up to something.

He shouted ‘coooeee’ and waved furiously. I looked down and realised he had shorts, white socks pulled up to the knees and leather walking sandals on. He wouldn’t normally wear socks, he just did it to embarrass me. My pals thought he was hilarious. 15 year old me was devastated! 😂

Thank your lucky stars your dad wasn’t a vicar !

My dad did that to my sister picking her up from an under 18s disco, wore his entire tennis outfit with sandals. At about 10pm. My kids moan that I'm embarrassing, that's just my innate being, I would never EVER purposefully embarrass them.

I have done Merrell sandals which are pretty comfy, Skechers which are too unsupportive, and cheap Karrimors which I keep putting in the he'd rid pile and then digging back out again.

I really fancy a pair of Merrell kahunas in apricot, about to have ankle surgery so could justify some more but think the straps are too high on ankles ...

Vionics

All of them have the footbed support of walking sandals, some have the same basic strap structure too. None of them look like walking sandals

I have tried so many of them and they just do not fit my feet. I've been recommended so many times too

I've had Merrells in the past, they're not bad for walking sandals. Pretty comfortable, come in a range of colours. And mine have lasted really well. I even wore them in the sea a few times & they didn't seem to suffer much, I just rinsed them in fresh water later that day.

Just to report that the Merrells have arrived today and my personal verdict is "Not Fugly" - others may disagree! The straps are not to wide and the soles feel supportive but not clumpy. Obviously I've not walked in them yet so can't comment on how they feel after wearing for a day but I'm happy with them.