3 nice days and my feet are killing me

[ISeeTrees]

Already! I've mostly worn strappy (flat) sandals or Primark version of Birkenstock's. The dryness I can cope with but this year my feet/lower legs are aching and I can only conclude it's my shoes.
Any suggestions on what I need? I'm guessing something with more arch support(?).

I don't have a mega budget (maybe up to £60ish). Size 8, wide feet but usually get away with standard fit. Like neutrals so they can go with everything- my current sandals are all gold or blush. Any ideas?

Proper Birkenstocks.

I agree with proper Birkenstocks but if they are out of budget have a look at Dr Brinkmann which are pretty close to Birkenstocks. I have 3 pairs of birkies and one dr brinkmann and they are very similar in fit and longevity

I wouldn't mind buying proper Birkenstock's but I'm worried they'll still hurt! Also, do the proper ones still make the squeaky fart noise when you walk 🙈 I only wear the Primark ones at home for this reason!

To be honest if you are doing a lot of walking you’d be better with trainers.

Something with a slight heel and arch support, and preferably something attached to your foot. Not sliders or flip flops.

@Xrays I wear my trainers for longer walks but my sandals just for mooching around the garden/odd trip to the shops. I prefer the look of sandals with dresses, my trainers are okay with dungarees.
I agree with foot-attachment. Will have a look for something a bit sturdier and with a small heel, that might be the way forward thanks!

Try Clarke’s sandals , I bought some 3 yrs ago , walked miles in them , and very comfortable
you
may have to go over budget slightly, but worth it

Skechers do some nice ish sandals with memory soles and decent arch fit.

I got some Merrell sandals and they are fabulous. I have incredibly difficult feet and usually can only wear trainers but I can wear these sandals all day

I got them in the sale last year - think they are called sandspur rose

I'vegot foot issues and wear sneakers (11W) 90% of the time - Merrells, New Balance, Skechers. My Podiatrist suggested sandals with backs/straps and buckles. The Birkenstock Milano looks like the popular Arizona style. You also can choose the Birko-Flor footbed. It's a cusioned layer on top of the original cork footbed. Merrell also has sandals in Wide sizes that have straps, etc., with a great supportive footbed.

I don’t think Clarks are very good for wide feet. Not for my wide feet anyway. They are broad enough at the ball of my foot but my toes are always scrunched up. TBH they didn’t fit very well when I was a kid either. I’m trying to get my feet used to a pair of Clarks that I’ve bought for a wedding soon and it’s hard work.

My no1 fave sandals are Birkenstocks but I’m equally happy in fitflop and teva. I’ve done 8 miles in my tevas today. With the exception of the Clarks mentioned above all my sandals are footbed type. I’m wearing in a pair of big buckle Arizonas at the moment and can report slight fartiness on days 1 and 2 but not a whisper now I’m in day 5. I’ve tried the primark version and they are nothing like birkies.

You need a retaining medium , the pains in your feet and legs is because your gait has altered with your different footwear . You;ll be needing to claw your toes to keep the sandles on which means you cannot go through your normal full gait cycle .
Your feet are trying to stabalise you . And if it's a flat sandle you'll be stretching your calf muscles .

I bet you really didn;t want to know this

I have some Sketchers , they have elastic straps (so take a bit longer to put on) but feel nice and secure .
I cannot wear Birkenstocks as my feet are stupidly narrow but I've had them a long time so we muddle through.
I got some fake Birkies from Office (or Schuh) which are narrower (and non leather) they are ok in the garden but I wouldn't drive or go long walks in them

Thank you for the thoughts/suggestions! Good to know they're quiet and different in that respect @Jins it was the main thing that put me off!

@70isaLimitNotaTarget no I really did want to know that, it makes perfect sense actually!
I'm not necessarily against a more "walking" style sandal- I've been eyeing my mum's merrells quite enviously- but I was hoping for something more on the "fashion" side of practical. Or at least pretty, rather than solid. The strappy ones I referred to in my op are toe post but have straps across the foot and round the ankle, so they are secure and no toe scrunching, but they are flat and there's no cushioning at all. Maybe I could try a small flatform (?) that has a proper footbed and secure straps.. I need a proper shop, it's hard to tell online!

Tevas

A chunky sandal with arch support? If you're only pottering then you probably don't need a walking sandal

As in the chunky black or cream ones that are everywhere at the minute, I've seen some of those (m&s, mint velvet & next) with nice foot bed padding and arch support.

Try Evans- their sandals are wise or extra wide and super comfortable. I wear mine all the time (to work and home).

Proper walking sandals if you walk a lot, like Merrels.
Otherwise Tevas for day to day and a bit smarter with dresses etc.

Birkenstocks kill my feet!

I have very difficult feet for sandals and live in a very hot country, so wear them a lot. I’ve got some Blowfish Malibu sandals which I have found really comfy for a decent amount of walking

I'm on every sandal thread saying this but Strive. I wear little else in summer.

Hotter Tourist. They go with lots and I can walk for miles in them.
https://www.hotter.com/gb/en/tourist-sandals-touris-product-44

The seem a bit punchy price wise - I bought them cheaper, so you could keep an eye on them.

Can you sit with your feet flat to the floor and lift your big toes while keeping the other toes down? And your other toes while keeping your big toes down? If not, this is a good thing to work towards to improve your foot strength 🦶 Which will help with your gait generally!

On the sandals front, I have some Earth Spirit ones that I’ve had for years. Every summer I say I should replace them as they’re starting to look worn, and then I remember how comfy they are and they get another year of life!

I was coming to say hotter. I used to be a podiatrist and wore them to work.

They just do shoes so well.

The Fit Flop brand is worth looking at. I was struggling to walk 5 mins to the local shop and back last year in normal flat flip flops and then got a pair of these which are so much more comfy. Lots if different styles.

Vionic are brilliant for sore feet & they look like normal sandals. Strive also have lovely styles as well. I don't get on with Hotter at all for some reason.
Most Fitflops don't have arch support if that's what you're looking for.

I have wide flat feet and have got away without arch support for years but am now dealing with the consequences and having to work hard on foot exercises to keep the pain at bay.
So arch support all the way for me now, I wish I'd known sooner! I wear merrell walking sandals or vionic trainers and have just ordered some nicer vionic sandals for work. The hotter ones above look really good too.
Fitflop and Birkenstocks aren't wide enough for me.