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Original poster

Saltwater sandals 2023

26 replies

WombatChocolate · 20/05/2023 10:12

Hi. I have a pair of Saltwater originals which I’ve worn loads over the last 3 years and which still look good. I find they are great for day to day wear (when loads of walking isn’t needed) or short walks, but the very flat sole means they aren’t good for walking many miles in a day.

Has anyone tried the Boardwalk or Swimmer versions which have the thicker, spongier soles? Considering rose gold or olive. Do the spongy soles make them look very grannyish? Anyone got any idea on if the fit is different to the standard ones or if boardwalk or swimmer or narrower?

Many thanks.

OP posts:
Original poster
WombatChocolate · 20/05/2023 11:13

Bump.
just wondering if people have stopped wearing Saltwaters? Many seem out of stock online, so I’m assuming they are still popular….but maybe not.

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afrikat · 20/05/2023 11:33

I have the boardwalk in red and I love them. Wore them to Disney last year and walked loads in them, much comfier than the originals which I always have. I have fairly wide feet and the fit is good

Strudelorcheesecake · 20/05/2023 20:14

I have the swimmers, they are lovely and comfortable underfoot. I would really struggle with a hard flat sole but these have been great. They rubbed slightly when I first wore them but have been fine since soaking and air drying them while wearing them, I do have wide feet though!

Crumbcatcher · 20/05/2023 20:19

I got a stress fracture from walking all day in my originals one day last summer so I'm looking at boardwalk this year!

ANewAdventure · 20/05/2023 20:32

I tried the swimmers and found them really tight - I’m not sure whether it’s just because my existing pair of originals are three years old so well and truly worn in! I think I’ll give a boardwalk pair a try, as they’re adjustable.

Iheartmysmart · 20/05/2023 20:37

I’ve not tried the originals but have just bought the boardwalk ones in olive and find them really comfortable. They felt like they were going to rub at first but I’ve worn them round the house and out on a few short dog walks and not a single blister. That’s very unusual for me as I have pathetic feet!

DigbyTheDigger · 22/05/2023 10:14

I'm looking at Swimmer and Boardwalk, how is the sizing? I'm a 5.5, so I believe I should buy a Saltwater 6.5, but that doesn't exist. Should I go as far up as a 7? I have broad feet too.

GayPareeee · 22/05/2023 11:30

I've got boardwalks and they are better than the originals by a mile - still not as comfy as my trusty karrimor walking sandals but definitely stop the shin splints from the OG flat sole.

I've got cobalt blue and love them. I'm a 6.5 with v wide feet and wear a saltwater 7 (UK6) as they have so much give width ways. I don't have v long toes though @DigbyTheDigger

BridgetRandomfuck · 22/05/2023 11:34

I've just bought a pair of Boardwalks and they are really comfy. I bought a pair of the originals with the thin sole about five years ago and I had to get rid of them as they were so uncomfortable - I have terrible feet that cramp if you so much as breathe on them wrong, and the soles on these offered no support whatsoever, I got foot cramps all night after wearing them! But looks like the Boardwalks will avoid this problem. It's nice to have a change from Birkenstocks! (the only other sandal I can wear...)

MsRinky · 22/05/2023 11:43

I have a pair of Boardwalks and a pair of Swimmers and adore them. Same fit as the originals but you can walk miles all day in them.

Kucinghitam · 22/05/2023 13:08

Could I ask owners of Saltwaters: is the only difference between Boardwalks and Swimmers in the presence/absence of the front buckle? Also, do they fit OK on narrow(ish) feet?

DigbyTheDigger · 22/05/2023 13:23

GayPareeee · 22/05/2023 11:30

I've got boardwalks and they are better than the originals by a mile - still not as comfy as my trusty karrimor walking sandals but definitely stop the shin splints from the OG flat sole.

I've got cobalt blue and love them. I'm a 6.5 with v wide feet and wear a saltwater 7 (UK6) as they have so much give width ways. I don't have v long toes though @DigbyTheDigger

Thanks!

MoreThanRubies · 22/05/2023 16:15

@Kucinghitam I have the Boardwalks and extremely narrow feet. They’re the best fitting sandals I’ve found, although they’re not perfect. The footbed isn’t narrow so it doesn’t quite cradle my foot as I would like in a perfect shoe, but you can pull the straps up quite a bit. I’m being pretty nitpicky here - I would recommend them. Great fit round the ankle.

I chanced a long walk on their first outing yesterday and they did pretty well! Comfy! I’m a 6.5 with pointy feet, got a UK 7 for the length.

Kucinghitam · 22/05/2023 17:22

@MoreThanRubies Oh fabulous, thank you! I think I shall be buying a pair of Boardwalks come payday Smile

Original poster
WombatChocolate · 29/05/2023 19:54

Do you think Boardwalk is better than Swimmer? Would anyone mind sharing why they chose Boardwalk instead of Swimmer…is it more flattering? Thanks.

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BridgetRandomfuck · 31/05/2023 20:43

I only bought Boardwalk as all the Swimmers in my size were out of stock! I would have preferred Swimmers as they look more like the original Saltwaters, but there’s not really much between them…

AuntieMarys · 31/05/2023 21:03

You're fucked if you're a size 9

ANewAdventure · 01/06/2023 20:21

AuntieMarys · 31/05/2023 21:03

You're fucked if you're a size 9

I noticed someone asked about wider sizes on their Facebook and they said they’re bringing them in. Possibly next year though.

ANewAdventure · 01/06/2023 20:22

…wider size range I mean.

Original poster
WombatChocolate · 01/06/2023 21:00

I’ve just got some Swimmers. I’ve found the leather to be thicker and less flexible than on the originals.
They are comfy because of the thicker sole, but I have to say they are less elegant because of the sole. The fit isn’t the same.

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ANewAdventure · 04/06/2023 22:03

Thought I’d report back that I bought boardwalks (shopped around and found a discount) and they are super comfy. I have wide feet, they adjust nicely. Wore them for a whole day out the day after they arrived and they didn’t rub at all.

AuntieMarys · 05/06/2023 06:59

ANewAdventure · 01/06/2023 20:21

I noticed someone asked about wider sizes on their Facebook and they said they’re bringing them in. Possibly next year though.

Show quote history

They've said it for years!

Crumbcatcher · 05/06/2023 20:21

@ANewAdventure where did you buy them and what is the discount please!

PastTheGin · 14/06/2023 18:22

Finally caved and bought boardwalks. Fit my narrow feet and super comfy, no breaking in needed.

Original poster
WombatChocolate · 14/06/2023 19:36

OOh, what colour?

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