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Please help! Sandals for really difficult feet

65 replies

KeepOnCleaning · 24/05/2025 07:11

Every year I buy a new pair of sandals thinking these will be the ones, but every year end up with blisters after the first wear and I end up resorting back to my very old Next sandals which are well worn out by now but strangely comfortable (despite many more expensive ones bought since). My requirements are tan/neutral colour, reasonably stylish to wear with dresses, able to walk comfortably in all day (not hiking, just easy walking). Should be easy except I have bunions which are unsightly and can be painful if shoes are rubbing, however I have very narrow feet and ankles so I can't wear wide shoes to compensate or they fall off. I need a strap due to narrow feet. Definitely don't want sporty type Teva sandals (nothing against them, but not what I'm looking for). Budget up to £100.

OP posts:
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Pantofolaio · 24/05/2025 07:47

These are my favourite comfortable sandal brand. www.fantasy-sandals.gr.

The website is a bit odd - they group them by sole type - which range from very flat to platform but are called things like ‘Bubble Boost’ . You have to click into each of these groups to see the styles. Then the style is shown but you have to click on it to see to colours, so be prepared to have to do a lot of clicking.

If you find a style you like, you can search for it in a UK based shop if you prefer to buy from there.

What I like about them is the insole is suede/nubuck rather than shiny leather, so very cool and non-sweating. Some styles are like Birkenstocks but they have softer, bendy soles. Some have adjustable straps so should be ok for narrow feet. They have a good few styles in tan and other neutral shades. I buy a new pair in a different style every year and have a good few pairs now.

Fantasy Sandals | Anatomical Sandals for every occasion

Fantasy Sandals | Greek-made sandals for every style, constructed from PU sole. Our Fantasy Sandals have anatomical soles and vegetable tanned leathers.

https://www.fantasy-sandals.gr/en

TheNinjaWife · 24/05/2025 08:04

I have long narrow feet with fingers for toes! Last year I bought some Tayla sandals from shoe. Very comfortable and cheap. They did have various colours. Worth a try.

Tinseltrauma · 24/05/2025 08:36

I have a bunion on one of my feet - I like Fitflop Gracie with the back strap so I can tighten them round my fairly narrow ankles. I’ve walked miles in them and I think there may be a deal on them at the moment. (Sorry I only seem to be able to get the US site on my phone at the moment but the uk has the same ones)
https://www.fitflop.com/us/en/shop/gracie-leather-back-strap-sandals-p-EB1#592

Women's Gracie Leather Back-Strap-Sandals | FitFlop US

This summer, enjoy longlasting comfort in our stylish Gracie strap leather sandals with a backstrap for added support.

https://www.fitflop.com/us/en/shop/gracie-leather-back-strap-sandals-p-EB1#592

Timpot · 24/05/2025 08:51

I swear by Vionic shoes and my daughter's podiatrist says they are the gold standard. They are pricey but worth it! I often buy on sale. They have their own website but it's worth looking up the style name to find if anyone is doing the shoe more cheaply. Example, these sandals are 130 but this site has them for 108

www.canonbury.com/vionic-copal-cypress-multi-strap-sandal-professional.html

Gettingbysomehow · 24/05/2025 08:57

You need to find something with all adjustable straps that you can tighten or loosen. I often get a cobbler to do adjustments on mine because I have one foot one size bigger than the other.

TianasBayou · 24/05/2025 09:16

I found this at John Lewis & Partners. What do you think?
https://www.johnlewis.com/josef-seibel-tonga-25-leather-triple-strap-sandals/p4025235?tmad=c&tmcampid=7&sshare=jlappiosY29tLmFwcGxlLlVJS2l0LmFjdGl2aXR5LkNvcHlUb1Bhc3RlYm9hcmQ=

Josef Siebel Tonga 25 is good - the straps are Velcro and so infinitely adjustable to accommodate your foot. I’m on my 3rd pair, walked 5 miles in mine yesterday. Have a search as there are bargains to be found and a few different colours.

someone recommended them on here a few years ago and they’ve been a lifesaver.

KeepOnCleaning · 24/05/2025 09:18

DisplayPurposesOnly · 24/05/2025 08:43

Salt Water boardwalk might suit? Ankle strap and foot strap so you can tighten/widen to fit.

The footbed is very comfortable but sadly no arch support.

https://www.salt-watersandals.co.uk/collections/womens-sandals/products/boardwalk-tan-womens-sandal

I've tried Saltwater in the past because they're so often mentioned on here, but they were uncomfortable on my bunion. Thanks anyway

OP posts:
FetidMoppet · 24/05/2025 09:23

I'm with you on constantly trying out new pairs of shoes which don't end up any good. I can only tell if a pair will work for me after wearing them for a few hours/a day. Must have wasted so much money over the years!
generally I find fabric works better than leather for sandals, just because it's softer on bunions. Espadrilles usually work well for me. I have some crossover (fabric) strap sandals from next from years ago that I often end up resorting to.
it's so difficult to recommend anything because it will totally depend on where your bunions sit in relation to straps. I haven't found a better way than trial and error in 20-30 years of trying.
Can you share a picture of the old ones you have that work, maybe people can find something similar?

KeepOnCleaning · 24/05/2025 12:16

Tinseltrauma · 24/05/2025 08:36

I have a bunion on one of my feet - I like Fitflop Gracie with the back strap so I can tighten them round my fairly narrow ankles. I’ve walked miles in them and I think there may be a deal on them at the moment. (Sorry I only seem to be able to get the US site on my phone at the moment but the uk has the same ones)
https://www.fitflop.com/us/en/shop/gracie-leather-back-strap-sandals-p-EB1#592

Thanks for the suggestion but these won't work with my ankles. They'll slip off and be too wide over my feet. I need a strap across for support.

OP posts:
KeepOnCleaning · 24/05/2025 12:21

TianasBayou · 24/05/2025 09:16

I found this at John Lewis & Partners. What do you think?
https://www.johnlewis.com/josef-seibel-tonga-25-leather-triple-strap-sandals/p4025235?tmad=c&tmcampid=7&sshare=jlappiosY29tLmFwcGxlLlVJS2l0LmFjdGl2aXR5LkNvcHlUb1Bhc3RlYm9hcmQ=

Josef Siebel Tonga 25 is good - the straps are Velcro and so infinitely adjustable to accommodate your foot. I’m on my 3rd pair, walked 5 miles in mine yesterday. Have a search as there are bargains to be found and a few different colours.

someone recommended them on here a few years ago and they’ve been a lifesaver.

Edited

They're a bit chunkier than I'd like and I don't want a cork heel.

OP posts:
KeepOnCleaning · 24/05/2025 12:26

FetidMoppet · 24/05/2025 09:23

I'm with you on constantly trying out new pairs of shoes which don't end up any good. I can only tell if a pair will work for me after wearing them for a few hours/a day. Must have wasted so much money over the years!
generally I find fabric works better than leather for sandals, just because it's softer on bunions. Espadrilles usually work well for me. I have some crossover (fabric) strap sandals from next from years ago that I often end up resorting to.
it's so difficult to recommend anything because it will totally depend on where your bunions sit in relation to straps. I haven't found a better way than trial and error in 20-30 years of trying.
Can you share a picture of the old ones you have that work, maybe people can find something similar?

These aren't mine, but they look very similar. They are probably too flat, but the leather is so soft that they never rub my feet and I can walk comfortably in them: https://www.vinted.co.uk/items/6365745948-next-comfort-gold-leather-flat-sandals-size-6?referrer=catalog

The main requirement is that the leather is super soft, and they have a strap over the foot, because anything across the ankle is too wide. These are the kind of look I want, but I need a strap: https://www.next.co.uk/style/su439963/ad3801#ad3801

The Saltwater ones are closest from what's on this thread, but I've tried them before so I know they are too tight across my bunion.

Next comfort gold leather flat sandals size 6

Stylish gold leather flat sandals by Next comfort. size 6

https://www.vinted.co.uk/items/6365745948-next-comfort-gold-leather-flat-sandals-size-6?referrer=catalog

OP posts:
DisplayPurposesOnly · 24/05/2025 12:39

The Saltwater ones are closest from what's on this thread, but I've tried them before so I know they are too tight across my bunion.

Did you try the classic or the boardwalk style though?

DisplayPurposesOnly · 24/05/2025 12:46

Have you looked at Hotter? Their tourist sandals are comfortable and they have two other similar styles with buckles across the foot and the ankle.

KeepOnCleaning · 24/05/2025 13:22

I can't wear slingabcks because they slip off and these are wide fit!

OP posts:
Timpot · 24/05/2025 13:27

KeepOnCleaning · 24/05/2025 13:22

I can't wear slingabcks because they slip off and these are wide fit!

Sorry - struggling to understand what you mean by "a strap over the foot but not across the ankle" if you also mean not a slingback.

I appreciate you are getting frustrated so I'll bow out.

MidLifeWoman · 24/05/2025 13:41

Your feet sound like mine, minus the bunions. I have a pair of Timberland sandals that are very soft and comfy. I also have a pair of tamaris, but they are not made for walking.
Have you had a look at ecco sandals at all?
I definitely don’t need sandals (note to self!), but I have been eyeing up the Sécra ones, a sister brand to Archie’s flipflops.

TheOliveFinch · 24/05/2025 13:42

@Pantofolaio fantasy sandals have some lovely styles are the soles hard wearing I tend to mostly wear Birkenstock but the last couple of pairs the heel areas have worn down really quickly

fatgirlswims · 24/05/2025 13:59

How about these from hotter

Please help! Sandals for really difficult feet
Wishboneswishes · 24/05/2025 14:03

I bought these this year, they’re fab. I have bunions, bad knees and get awful joint pain but I’ve been wearing these a lot. Super comfortable and no blisters at all.

www.hotter.com/tourist-ii-sandals-brown-1701?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20558176992&gbraid=0AAAAAqMPoM_H6OE_TGySlGvZeLMjqG6IU&gclid=CjwKCAjw3MXBBhAzEiwA0vLXQW9MnrBYRdqlvmjaTwgCG76JnQ1mPmNihpPzV8JWgtyXkRUIO61fZBoCS30QAvD_BwE

TulipTuesday · 24/05/2025 14:10

As a fellow narrow footer, I get it. Luckily no bunions but getting the perfect fit sandals is the holy grail.

Like you, I have one perfect pair that are years old and looking a bit scruffy now, mine were a cheap unbranded pair from Very.

FlorenceLyons · 24/05/2025 14:39

I’ve recently bought these and find them incredibly comfortable. I don’t have bunions but I do have feet that blister easily.

https://www.celticandco.com/product/fishermans-sandal?cat=2157&colour=91&size=76

ScribblingPixie · 24/05/2025 14:45

I came on to suggest the Josef Siebel sandals but see you've rejected them. I'd say, go and have a look at them before you completely dismiss them. I have them, and have AA-fitting feet, and because they have Velcro they fit me perfectly. They are comfortable all day and look ok with dresses. And I don't think the sole is cork or at least mine aren't.

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