Flat sandals with straps that don't make me look like I'm 80

[OfAllThePlaces]

Feels like I'm searching for something that doesn't exist.

My mobility and chronic pain has come to a head, and I can no longer wear my usual Birkenstocks or wedges that I'd wear in the summer. I need wear flat sandals, with a bit of structure over my toes and a heel strap, and can't have a chunky or thin sole. Can't tie around my ankle as sometimes one of my ankles swells from oedema. I also have a very high instep, so can't wear ones that cover my full foot.

I want ones where I can pull the ankle strap over my ankle, or a velcro strap so that I don't have to bend down too long to get them on.

All the ones I've found look like what my nana wears, with elasticated backs.

I liked these ones https://www.office.co.uk/view/product/office_catalog/2,60/5346085216 but DH laughed jokingly and said his mam would wear them, so didn't get them.

Budget is around £75 a pair. I'd like an everyday pair and a pair I could wear if going out to a beer garden or to look a bit fancier.

I bought these for summer, I too have odd feet and these are so comfortable. The webbing is elasticated and you literally slip into them. My other choice are fit flop, most of my shoes come from them though I’ve not tried their sandals yet.

Sketcherssketchers

Hiking sandals slightly less frumpy I have some great Ecco ones that have lasted years and I discovered survived the washing machine

Says someone who has the privilege of legs that are sufficiently similar lengths not to cause agonising back and hip pain.

They look pretty good. I like them.

Like this in 9 colours mine are not quite these as have had for 6 years but very comfy and worth the money

Agree - it's a slightly odd article as it says that "flat and vintage-inspired styles that look as though they were designed with orthopaedics, rather than aesthetics" are what's in - yet some are delicate strappy affairs? Or striped mules? Also, styles like these have been very much in for the last few years.

Anyway, I'm quite happy to dig out my "Yamamoto-adjacent" (??!!) silk T-shirt dress & wear with my Whistles sandals (for the nth year in a row) once summer is upon us.

Hope you like them! I think I should start charging Whistles commission - that's two purchases from this thread alone that they owe me!!

Birkenstocks are in at the minute, I know they’re over budget but I think worth it, there’s also many shoes, I have a pair of guess ones, they were £60 at the designer outlet, not the linked ones they’re all black but these are all I could find, they’re so comfy

https://www.schuh.co.uk/womens/birkenstock-milano-brown-sandals/1743976060/

https://www.thelittlegreenbag.co.uk/guess-fabelis2-beige-tlgb473868566041?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21297270200&gbraid=0AAAAADPBM8gWainGivQTUOY-OSo64yCnd#size=36

I really like Whistles’ sandals but I have wide feet (at the toe joint, not the heel) so sandals with a shaped footbed like this dig into my foot or hurt the bone at the widest point.
I need a smooth footbed that will allow my foot to spread out, and this seems almost impossible to find in a good looking sandal .☹️. I can’t wear the Hotter Tourist sandals for this reason, the plastic edge of the footbed cuts into my sole at that widest point.

Celtic sheepskin have some nice sandals with footbeds a but like Birkenstocks but they are softer and some have ankle straps

Admittedly DH is not the most stylish person.

Ive lived in Birkenstock Gizehs for years, so the change is tough. It's a hard pill to swallow having to admit I'm disabled. It's something I've been trying to hide from everyone for years.

@EleanorMc67 thank you! I'm so glad someone understands. I'm only 45, and not quite ready to age quickly though footwear. I meant heel rather than ankle, my meds must have been wearing off when I posted and the brain fog was rolling in thick and fast. 😆 I love a lot of the sandals you've posted. I don't mind paying over my budget, I'll just tell DH they were in the sale. The Clarks ones are also ok.

@echt I'll not be wearing Hoka any time soon, they are fugly as hell.

Last time I tried Fitflops, I kept falling over as the shape of their insoles (or whatever they're called in sandals) were oddly shaped. Has this changed over the 15 years since I last wore them?

@Carece those Oliver Bonas ones are ok, but only because I'm a sucker for leaopard print. Might be an option, I'd have to try them on. Thanks.

@TheChosenTwo I enjoy wearing sandals, I'd go barefoot if I could. I hate having anything on my feet, I actively avoid wearing socks at all costs and I'm barefoot until necessary. My shoes come off as soon as I get in, I even take the bins out with no shoes on, even when it is raining.

@Torchout I see a nephrologist every three months, my kidneys are the crux of all y health issues

@Piknik those are lovely, will have to try them on first though

Good luck I have 2 pairs of these really comfy I would like to wear Birkenstocks but find the soles too hard

Over budget but dm sandals are fab.

@TofuTuesday i had though of DMs however the sole too chunky and they have buckles, I need Velcro or elastic.

Glad you liked some of the ones I suggested, OP! But am I right that you could only wear the ones with Velcro fastenings or elasticated backs that you can pull on? If so, apologies for all the buckle ones! Although I think a few other people have benefitted!! Of the two metallic styles I posted, the Kellers (old line but still to be found on eBay/Vinted quite regularly) were comfy from Day One. The Rias (in the sale) took a wee while but are fine. The other two Whistles styles I've not tried on but would imagine they'd be comfy too, as they're more like the Kellers.

If you like leopard print, I think you could get ones that look better than the Oliver Bonas ones. I'm not sure about the quality of these, but they look better & fit your brief.

https://www.modainpelle.com/sandals-c29/flat-sandals-c50/kyomi-leopard-textile-p16098

Someone up-thread recommended this style - there's a leopard print version. But they seem to be buckle only, not elasticated/Velcro? Also synthetic, as are thes above, which I'm not so keen on.

https://www.brandalley.co.uk/blowfish-malibu-womens-leopard-brown-footbed-sandals-lance-26086741.html

I'm afraid these ones won't suit your needs OP, as they're a buckle fastening. But I thought I'd post them, as they have a slightly harder punkier edge to them, with the triple set of rivets in the ankle strap.

https://www.modainpelle.com/sandals-c29/flat-sandals-c50/sh-liner-gold-leather-p15814

I love these and have a pair. They are very comfy. You might not want them in black though. They are £55

www.killstar.com/collections/flats/products/oracle-flats-black

@OfAllThePlaces the other one I thought of was Crocs, definitely changing to being worn by people more - my 20 something niblings wear them all the time

This is exactly what I was going to recommend. They come in a variety of colours and, despite Hotter's reputation on MN, do not look in the least bit grannyish.

But they’ve got that weird rise at the back of the sole. And they’re elasticated which makes them really painful if your feet swell.

What a great idea. I hate doing up buckles.

Me too. I probably can’t have them because I’m not a size 6 or. 7; I am a bastard 6 1/2.

Just in case you haven’t had enough suggestions: https://josefseibel.co.uk/products/josef-seibel-tonga-25

Compared to some of their frumpier cousins these are relatively neutral and are all Velcro fastening.

Seems there are many of us with the same requirements!

I’ve got these and they are really comfortable. I have plantar fasciitis and an arthritic ankle, my feet swell in heat, so the fact that I can adjust all the straps is great.