If you go to the Teva website you can browse the other styles. I have several styles but my preferred style for a lot of walking is the Hurricane. More cushion and I find the smooth footbed more comfortable when I’m doing a lot of walking. It also has some arch support.
I wore these Jambu sandals in Costa Rica a few months ago. We did a few hiking trips, but the terrain where we hiked wasn’t rugged.
Another vote for Vionics. I have many pair—dressy, casual, sandals, loafers, boots, etc. All are the best shoes I have ever worn. During this quarantine, I have worn my Vionic slippers everyday and my feet feel better than they have in years!
Another vote for Keen and Merrell. My D loves her Tevas but I haven’t tried them so can’t say whether they would be cushiony enough. I have hiked hours in my Keens (similar to the one linked above) and felt it was supportive enough.
I know you said you prefer a back strap but I would recommend these Skechers as well. They’re not as cushiony as some others but as someone who has foot and knee issues, I have found them comfortable to walk around the whole day.
I not sure what you are thinking about. Sandals that are comfortable to walk all day in?Or sandals that you use like a running or walking shoe?
My personal opinion. I have sandals that are comfortable to wear all day and do light walking in. But if I’m working out, I want a closed toe, with socks, athletic shoes.
Quite a few people I play golf with love golf sandals. I’m the same way with that, closed toe shoes that I wear with socks.
Maybe I’m too clumsy, but I want protection from stubbing my toes or falling.
@abasket - Scroll down on the Birkenstock link - there are several styles shown.
I agree about the heels on the shoes at the top of the page.
@abasket- Don’t laugh, but I think you could make your running shoes into sandals. Look around online. There are lots of suggestions for turning them into slides, but I know you want a back. I don’t see why you couldn’t cut the front out of a soon-to-be-retired pair. You would still have the back and the laces. I know what you are looking for, and I don’t think it exists. My Hoka recovery sandals are awesome, but don’t have a back and I don’t know if I would want to go 4 miles in them, although I’ve hiked down to a beach and back on St. John.
^^^Haha - don’t tell my H this I’m sure he would rather I try that than spend more $$. Credit to those who can make it happen!!
So @deb922 , yes let me clarify. I agree, big difference between shoes you can “wear all day” and shoes you can perform a full on gonna get sweaty (see the beauty thread for my fitness sweating!!!
) walk in. I’m looking for the latter. Sandals that can be an alternative at times for my usual running shoes but still allow me to have cushion and walk my 4 miles an hour pace.
The weird thing about me is I don’t like being barefoot unless I’m on a beach! I always wear shoes - not slippers - in the house. I have several pairs of closed athletic shoes and literally wear them until I go to bed (except not at work) - with some mixing in of basic Tevas when it’s warm. Sometimes I want my feet to breath a little more but still get my exercise in! I’ve worn the Tevas but have found my feet burning by the time I get back home just from the intensity of the walk.
Back is a must. I can only do flip flops on the beach. It’s just largely a preference. I love my @BunsenBurner recommended Oofos for that!!!
https://www.hokaoneone.com/women-hiking/hopara/1106535.html
I haven’t tried this shoe nor have I seen it in person. I was looking for a regular running shoe on the Hoka website and saw it. A bit hefty looking but might be what someone is looking for.
Count me as another person who never goes barefoot. Even on a sailing trip I’m usually in a sandal.
I wear Earth Origins sandals most of the time here in Florida. May not be athletic enough foryou but definitely walkable. Check out men’s sandals- if they come small enough for you. Size 8 is like a wide women’s size 10.
I love Teva Omnium’s. I have hiked long and hard in them.
My SusIL swears by Merrills. I usually have to try in several at Walking Company or similar to find footwear that works for me. Bionics is one brand that hurts my feet—bought one very overpriced pair and ended up giving them away! Niece whom I gave them too also gave them away. Our feet must not be whom they are designed for.
I have a pair of Munro sandals that I just recently retired to yardwork.
https://m.shop.nordstrom.com/s/munro-summer-sandal-women/5061444/full
Mine is a slide, but here is this one with straps. The footbed looks identical to the one in my sandals. They are very comfy for my feet.
I have on the Keens that @momofsenior1 linked. (Newport H2). They have a very roomy toe box. I can lift my toes off the sole and still not hit the top of the shoe with my toenails, and I often have trouble with shoes being too shallow, or flat, whatever you would call it. I have done my walk/jog in them many times. They are the only shoes I wear when my plantar faciaitis acts up.
@Magnetron my Peace Corps kid also had Chacos. When she was PC shopping prior to leaving, Chacos had some sort of deal for PC volunteers…I think it was 50% off. We were shopping in late August/early September and my kid got the last pair at either REI or EMS in her size. She had them the full two years in PC and did a ton of walking in them. When she was ready to leave her village, she had a “tag sale” but no money. The Chacos were taken by a good village friend.
Many brands, like Chaco and Teva and Keen, have the same sandal in adult and kid sizes. The kid sizes are typically significantly less expensive. D who normally wears a women’s 6 1/2 is in Keens boy size 5. Be careful with the girl sizes, as they are sometimes significantly smaller than the boy version.
Appreciate all the suggestions. It’s helpful when you mention a model - I know the nice sporty brands - but (for instance) Merrills has oodles and oodles of styles! Thank you for those who could link to something sort of specific.
I don’t want the bulk of the typical Keen - and as I mentioned I do have a pair of those - they are quite heavy and aren’t going to feel great on a fast paved walk.
I have looked at these - not quite so bulky and some openness on top but it is still a closed toe (pro or con):
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01H76V80K/
And I’m considering Chacos - those who own them explain or defend the toe or no toe wrap feature. ![]()
I have had Chacos both with and without the toe wrap. I find that the toe wrap helps keep my foot in place when I’m hiking on uneven terrain, rocks, roots, etc. Without the toe wrap my foot can slide to the side a bit sometimes.
I am posting these Keens because when I was looking recently I notices these are much lighter than normal Keens.
https://www.rei.com/product/848420/keen-clearwater-cnx-sandals-womens
Read the reviews though - they said they don’t fit the same as other Keens.
I have one pair with and one without.
The toe wrap keeps your foot from slipping in and out of the shoe when it’s wet and slippery. That might happen if your foot sweats enough or if you’re doing watersports. I love the toe wrap for keeping the foot secure in the shoe, but unless I wear that pair regularly my skin between the toes isn’t used to it and the strap can rub a raw spot depending on what I’m doing in the shoes. On the other hand, I have a lot of friends who have them and have never had a raw spot, so it obviously depends on the person.
Again, though, both pairs are comfy from the standpoint that they have good arch support but I wouldn’t run or walk long distances in them because they’re not at all cushy and I’m at the point where I need a little cushion for high impact activities.