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Walking sandals - recommendations please

(80 Posts)
Rowantree Tue 18-Jun-24 08:15:57

Hi all,
I'm in need of a pair of good, supportive walking sandals with adjustable velcro straps at the ankle and toe, a thick sole with a good grip and arch supports if possible.
I'm prepared to pay more for a good quality pair. I'm going on a sightseeing holiday to Italy in the autumn and I always find it's hot, so I want sandals that don't make my over pronated and osteoarthritic feet ache too much!
Recommendations welcome!

Primrose53 Tue 25-Jun-24 08:54:20

Mine are Ecco. We walk a lot on holiday but mainly on promenades and flat ground because I was told to avoid uneven ground when I injured my knee. They are very comfy and look OK.

luluaugust Tue 25-Jun-24 08:19:44

I wear Joseph Siebel sandals they hold my skinny feet very well

CanadianGran Mon 24-Jun-24 21:01:06

I've had Tevas and Keens before; both are good. My favourite were Teva leather Universal. They looked nice enough to wear with a dress, but comfy and supportive enough to walk all day.

Truffle43 Mon 24-Jun-24 20:32:54

Merrell are always comfortable for me and I have walked lots of miles. I have also walked a lot in Karrimor sandals without any discomfort. If walking on rough terrain I wear merrell sports type shoe.

Tenko Mon 24-Jun-24 13:34:15

Not all Skechers are rubbish . Mine have walked around Rome, Bruge, Valencia, Malaga and Prague with no problems or blisters . I wouldn’t go hiking on rough terrain in them, I have Merrals for that as they support your ankles . I’m not a fan of walking sandals as other peoples bare feet give me the ick , especially older feet , sorry GNers .
I could never be a chiropodist.

Farzanah Mon 24-Jun-24 13:18:26

I also like Clark’s shoes. Such a pity they are no longer British or family owned.

sazz1 Mon 24-Jun-24 02:25:02

I like clarks shoes and sandals for walking. They are extremely comfortable for me

Farzanah Sun 23-Jun-24 17:57:05

AliBeeee

Teva Tirra sandals are superb. Supremely supportive and comfortable and will cope with sightseeing, light hiking and are smart enough for the evening. I am in the US at the moment so only US links coming up, but you can get them at a reasonable price online and in some outdoor shops.
www.teva.com/women-sandals/tirra-sandal/191142287524.html

I have plantar fasciitis and Morton’s neuroma but if I could live in these all year round I would have no foot problems at all.

I’m another fan of Teva and go with one with a rugged sole such as Terra Fi Lite.
I have arthritis in my feet and wear Teva’s throughout the summer. Have even bought a lighter pair for a wedding (to cope with lots of dancing!)

They are cooler for summer walking than shoes, especially for trips abroad. They are also fully adjustable if you get the more rugged ones. Around £75.

LOUISA1523 Sun 23-Jun-24 17:40:14

Wear birkenstock for walking round cities and converse walking more rurally ....

Mamo Sun 23-Jun-24 17:31:15

Agree with several posters, Keen walking sandals all the way. Adjustable and designed to give your feet support in the right places. My present pair are seven years old and still going strong

Rowantree Sun 23-Jun-24 10:06:35

Very grateful for all the advice and suggestions here - thank you so much! Our hol is sightseeing and walking in cities which could well be rather hot in late September/October. I get swollen feet when it's hot, painful toes due to osteoarthritis and puffy ankles. Sandals with good non slip soles and cushioning are vital

yellowfox Sun 23-Jun-24 09:56:47

If you are just sightseeing walking sandals would be ideal. Look in any walking shop, Blacks,Go Outdoors, Millets, Trespass, Tog24.
If you will be on rough and uneven ground as a long time rambler I would advise something to support your ankles better. Ask advice in the walking shops.
Enjoy Italy.

Gala Sat 22-Jun-24 22:34:45

I have a pair of Karrimor walking sandals. They have a closed toe, Velcro fasteners & a solid sole with good grip. They are also reasonably priced, functional & not glamorous. They have taken me around many UK & foreign cities, over cobblestones, uneven road surfaces & many ancient sites - Petra, Ephesus & the like. They are also comfortable. They are the first things I pack.

MEVIN Sat 22-Jun-24 22:02:49

Check out VIONICS - they are just the best!
Also ECCO and REIKER. My go to, supportive, comfortable, great choice, worth every penny ….

SueEH Sat 22-Jun-24 21:27:05

I have two different pairs of Skechers walking sandals and can go for miles in them.

Applegran Sat 22-Jun-24 18:15:48

Ecco walking shoes are wonderful - or at least they are for me. And they do give more support than sandals - though sandals are an appealing option in many ways. Much depends on the kind of walking you are doing. Good luck whatever you choose! Have a gerat holiday. In my walking shoes I use a gel heel lift, which helps my flattish feet as I walk.

jmo Sat 22-Jun-24 17:27:55

Teva are the only sandals for me. They are almost indistructable. Mine have lasted years. Go for the solid sole version.

AliBeeee Sat 22-Jun-24 15:38:35

Teva Tirra sandals are superb. Supremely supportive and comfortable and will cope with sightseeing, light hiking and are smart enough for the evening. I am in the US at the moment so only US links coming up, but you can get them at a reasonable price online and in some outdoor shops.
www.teva.com/women-sandals/tirra-sandal/191142287524.html

I have plantar fasciitis and Morton’s neuroma but if I could live in these all year round I would have no foot problems at all.

Shirls52000 Sat 22-Jun-24 15:37:44

I ll second Merrell walking sandals and shoes, very comfy, supportive and hard wearing

TwinLolly Sat 22-Jun-24 15:25:11

Hubby and I wear Keen sandals. They are grippy and fantastic. Even when wet.

BlueSapphire Sat 22-Jun-24 15:04:28

Cotton Traders have some good walking sandals in the style that you want; very comfortable and robust.

Glorianny Sat 22-Jun-24 14:54:58

Hotter does still exist but no longer makes its shoes entirely in the UK and it has been taken over by Wool Overs.
Some think the quality of the shoes is deteriorating.

Alison333 Sat 22-Jun-24 14:41:27

Sago

Beware Skechers! Read the link, they are not a walking shoe!

www.compleetfeet.co.uk/problems-caused-by-wearing-skecher-shoes-are-they-a-health-hazard/

This article is implying that all Skechers shoes can cause problems but it's from 2018.

I wear Skechers arch support shoes which aren't just spongy canvas shoes as shown in the picture. Also many Skechers trainers can be put in the washing machine so they're not 'pongy'

Don't rule out all Skechers!

MeowWow Sat 22-Jun-24 14:33:28

I have a pair of Keen trainers which are very comfortable. Have a look at Haflinger sandals - they have arch support and are very comfortable. Same with Birkenstock.

grandtanteJE65 Sat 22-Jun-24 14:21:05

No advice given here will do you the slightest bit of good, you know.

You will really need to go to a sports shop and try sandals or shoes on, to have any idea at all of what suits your feet,

Obviously, some or other of us will use the same sandals you find perfect, but not having seen your feet we cannot help you.

If you have to order online, do so from a shop that guarantees you the right to return goods. Try on the sandals and walk on a newly hoovered carpet and preferably up and downstairs as well. If you are afraid of marking the sandals, draw a plastic bag over each foot when you have the sandals on.