Fabulous reader Marion suggests Mephisto All-Rounders in Niro for walking around London in. I love the way they look. Do any of you wear these? Are they comfy with no socks? Are they supportive enough for fat ladies? On-line reviews suggest that they don’t have much support. I need good support in my shoesies.
I think they’re a great hybrid of sports shoe and breathable summer option. I can see these looking great with jeans and tops with a little bit of fun flair to them. Thanks for steering me away from the Clark’s, Marion. I like them on but they’re just not ME.
NOW, back to Sunday morning prep!!
Hue ankle socks – again, not the dernier cri in fashion, but not “footies” (bleech) – are very good in hot climates. With slacks, fine. I’m not sure I’d want to do large amounts of walking without socks, or at least a lot of blister bandages.
As a native Southerner who’s lived in places like Chicago and Phoenix, the key is keeping your neck, wrists, and ankles covered or uncovered. Makes a big difference. And yes, the all-rounders are fine for those of us like me with unwanted weight….
Munro ‘Tess’ Slip-On, at Nordstrom.com is really comfortable, closed for cleanliness, and great without socks. I cdn’t get a picture to copy – sorry. Comes in black, bronze, and gunmetal. Munros are great for support too!
As we all know, the most comfortable shoe is the best-fitting shoe, and Mephisto’s (unlike Merrill’s) tend to fit me well, so they are comfortable and work well for 6′ tall, weighter than average build.
But my favorite “walk allover a city” shoe is the Fidji B611. For spring/summer, I prefer the “spring olive,” which I would, instead, call “celedon,” but the black isn’t bad at all.
http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B004KTA5WK.01._SS1500_SCRMZZZZZZ_.jpg
[Now THAT’s a shoe I like. I have a kind of broad forefoot, so the straps might be a bit tight but I LOVE the toe and the general shape. I’ll have to look these up. Thanks. – PB]
I can’t speak to this particular shoe, BUT my go-to all-around summer sandal for ages has been the Helen sandal by Mephisto. Here it is (please don’t tell me this is worthy of the Shoe Hall of Horrors or whatever you’re calling it): http://www.zappos.com/mephisto-helen-black-waxy-leather
I’ve worn this shoe, in dark brown leather, for the past 8 years or so. I’m currently on my third pair. During the summer months, I tend to wear this shoe almost every day, so they see lots and lots of wear. It’s substantial enough for all-day walking but graceful enough to wear with skirts without looking clunky. I took this shoe on a summer-time trip to London once, expecting to wear my heavier-duty “walking” shoes most of the time instead, but I ended up wearing this shoe for practically the entire trip. So comfy!
These shoes may not be a great option for London but these are my go-to shoes each summer for my soujourn to Egypt – http://www.thewalkingcompany.com/ecco-yucatan-atmosphere-ice/4062
These are incredibly supportive and the feet of this big girl with bad knees hold up incredibly well with long days of standing and walking.
They are ridiculously expensive, but also worth every penny.
Have you considered putting an aftermarket insole into a pair of shoes to add extra support? I’ve been using superfeet for years and of course they do best in a quality pair of shoes but they even make the most flimsy pair of shoes much more comfortable since they have ton of heel and arch support. They come available for almost every type of shoe and every person. If you can find a store that sells them you can take your shoes in and have them help fit you for them.
Also forgot to mention, if you have a wide forefoot you might want to try Keens. I too have a wider foot and find the roomy toe box to be very accommodating.
http://www.keenfootwear.com/wall/shoes/women/blvd
These have been the best walking shoes ever for me, with or without socks: http://www.softmoc.com/ca/systemshow-item_I76850%20AD
Cute and comfy (mine are black) AND waterproof!