Monday, May 5, 2008
two flip flop alternatives
The story so far: I cannot wear shoes that go between the toes and therefore suffer from extreme flip flop envy. I'm always looking for flip flop-like slides, and here are two I've found recently.
Land's End Wedge Beach Slides
My first though upon trying these on is that they aren't sexy. But, as you might expect from Land's End, at least they are comfortable. The soles are true flip flop foam and the slight wedge heel is a comfortable angle. The uppers are suede and after wearing them around the house for a few days have not even hinted at uncomfortable rubbing or the creation of a blister. No arch support. Though I was afraid the non-adjustable straps wouldn't hold onto my freakishly thin feet they've been just fine, but offer enough space that I think they would do well for any foot type. The sandals come in a bunch of colors, including solids and striped grosgrain uppers. I like the solid black and the Coral Strips (brown soles, pink and white striped ribbon) and might buy a few extra pairs just in case they stop carrying them. Available at Lands End. (Thanks again to Rebecca for pointing me towards them.)
Nike Celso Slide
I found these in a sporting goods store in Port Townsend and once we'd driven away immediately wished I'd checked to see if they had another pair in my size. The bottom layer of the soles is lightweight tennis shoe rubber, the footdbed is made of flip flop foam. The uppers are made from a stretchy foam material and are tight enough to hang on while walking at rocky beaches. No arch support. The shoes have a nice feminine/sporty balance and I am planning on buying a back up pair, or two. As far as I can tell it only comes in black and white. Availabe at Nike.com and Sports Authority.
Land's End Wedge Beach Slides
My first though upon trying these on is that they aren't sexy. But, as you might expect from Land's End, at least they are comfortable. The soles are true flip flop foam and the slight wedge heel is a comfortable angle. The uppers are suede and after wearing them around the house for a few days have not even hinted at uncomfortable rubbing or the creation of a blister. No arch support. Though I was afraid the non-adjustable straps wouldn't hold onto my freakishly thin feet they've been just fine, but offer enough space that I think they would do well for any foot type. The sandals come in a bunch of colors, including solids and striped grosgrain uppers. I like the solid black and the Coral Strips (brown soles, pink and white striped ribbon) and might buy a few extra pairs just in case they stop carrying them. Available at Lands End. (Thanks again to Rebecca for pointing me towards them.)
Nike Celso Slide
I found these in a sporting goods store in Port Townsend and once we'd driven away immediately wished I'd checked to see if they had another pair in my size. The bottom layer of the soles is lightweight tennis shoe rubber, the footdbed is made of flip flop foam. The uppers are made from a stretchy foam material and are tight enough to hang on while walking at rocky beaches. No arch support. The shoes have a nice feminine/sporty balance and I am planning on buying a back up pair, or two. As far as I can tell it only comes in black and white. Availabe at Nike.com and Sports Authority.
categories: shopping
Have you looked at Chacos? I have a pair that I love and they come in a plethora of styles and colors. I'm pretty sure they have a slide non-thong style. They're a little pricey, but they have excellent arch support and are built to last. It may be a little more sporty than what you're looking for, however.
Comment by michelle — May 5, 2008 @ 9:20 am
Have you checked out some of the new crocs, like the cleo style. I have a black pair and really like them.
http://shop.crocs.com/pc-110-4-cleo.aspx?reqid=110&reqProdTypeId=41p&subsectionname=footwear§ion=products
Comment by Lisa — May 5, 2008 @ 9:33 am
I don't think I've ever left you a comment before, but I've read your blog forever (if forever started about a yr ago when I wanted to make glass marble magnets!). Since I love your blog I get to give unsolicited advice right? ;)
I totally have the same issue of wanting to wear flip-flop type shoes, but I cannot deal with stuff between my toes - it hurts and drives me crazy! Anyway, I just ordered my second pair of these: http://tinyurl.com/2jr35c
which are a God-send! The closest thing to being barefoot, very lightweight and yet supportive and protective. I found a coupon code via google and got them with free shipping too.
I know people have a problem with crocs, yes they are ugly as a rule - but these are so minimalist no one even notices them! Ok, back to lurking and reading!
Comment by Rose — May 5, 2008 @ 10:13 am
Michelle - I have tried Chacos and I love them. They fit well and had fantastic arch support, but they are heavy and one cannot just kick them off. Oh, I take that back, the Wrapsody models don't have the heel strap. Chacos are good sandals but I'm really seeking out ultra casual flip flop alternatives. Also Chacos are $$$ and I'd be awfully sad to leave them behind somewhere.
Lisa and Rose - Thanks for the tip. I've tried these on and the strap around the toes is so loose on me I cannot walk in the Croc Cleos. But, I will mention them if I do another flip flop post. Maybe I could wear the Adara Crocs though, I'll have to try some on.
Comment by megan — May 5, 2008 @ 10:21 am
I also loathe things that go between the toes. I recently bought a pair of Keens that I think are really nice.
http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/15322225/c/3.html
They are very comfortable, but took some getting used to.
Comment by Cindy — May 5, 2008 @ 10:38 am
Cindy - Thanks, I have tried those on. I like Keens, but I was sad to discover my freakishly long toes stick out of the holes when I try to walk. I am, I fully admit, abnormal in this regard.
Comment by megan — May 5, 2008 @ 10:40 am
have you heard of sanuks? they are "shandals"...sandals that are shoes. They look funky in some pics but they are really cute..read the reviews about them on zappos. I get compliments all of the time about them as well!
Comment by girlrobot — May 5, 2008 @ 10:45 am
Holy holy! I thought I was the only one with the "nothing between the toes!" rule. I've never been able to do it and it makes me sad that my flip flop choices are so limited each year. Even when I get pedicures, I have to put my entire foot on the "four smaller toes" side of those makeshift flops until my toes dry.
Comment by Ms. Pants — May 5, 2008 @ 10:46 am
Girlrobot - I'll take a look at those. For everybody else on Zappos they are listed under Sidewalk Surfers.
Ms. Pants - You are not alone! I've tried over and over to get used to it but my toes simply give me a "nope" message.
Comment by megan — May 5, 2008 @ 10:52 am
A word of advice about Lands' End shoes--if you like them, buy extras now!
Over the years I've purchased many pairs of summer and winter shoes from Lands' End. When I decided to reorder, either they stopped carrying them completely or changed the style so that they really aren't the same shoe that I fell in love with.
Comment by Jodie — May 5, 2008 @ 10:56 am
It looks like Cindy already linked to the Keen sandals I was going to mention. I have several pairs of Keens and they are some of the most comfortable shoes I own. I have a pair of the Bali sandals and they are great shoes even with my narrow feet.
Comment by Chelsea — May 5, 2008 @ 10:57 am
Doh! Just saw your response to those!
Comment by Chelsea — May 5, 2008 @ 11:01 am
Thanks Jodie!
Chelsea - Thank you, I'll have another look at Keens.
Comment by megan — May 5, 2008 @ 11:03 am
These are new from Crocs and might be an option:
http://shop.crocs.com/pc-1185-4-adara.aspx?reqid=1185&reqProdTypeId=41p&subsectionname=footwear§ion=products
Also, these are really cute and they don't have a high clodhopper factor, like so many of the non-inbetween the toe shoes suffer from. Plus they are under $30!
http://www.6pm.com/n/p/p/7318114/c/72.html
Comment by Julia — May 5, 2008 @ 11:05 am
Thanks Julia, I just saw the Adara earlier today and hope to find a pair to try out. Too bad they aren't a little bit adjustable.
Comment by megan — May 5, 2008 @ 2:40 pm
No advice, but if if makes you feel any better, I always envious of you slide-wearers because backless sandals that are NOT flip flops do not stay on my feet for anything. I'm talking trip and fall down in the Target parking lot kind of not stay on. Sadly, this affliction also includes any form of clog, which is boo.
Comment by splatgirl — May 5, 2008 @ 3:10 pm
Have you tried tabi socks for thong-style shoes? Very comfy.
http://www.sockdreams.com/_shop/pages/socks_cat_CategoryID_93.php
Comment by whitney — May 5, 2008 @ 3:12 pm
Ooh I want those Nike ones!
Comment by Michele — May 5, 2008 @ 3:27 pm
i just got some cute sanuk slides at dispatch on queen anne! check it out, they are more girly than the ones above.
Comment by heather — May 5, 2008 @ 5:30 pm
I got the brown medallion-style sandals in this line from Land's End, and I will say they are for the narrow of foot. If anyone out there's a size 8, I will gladly send them on for free. It costs too much to return them from here.
Comment by Carolyn J. — May 5, 2008 @ 5:40 pm
Hey, Meg, I have a pair of Keens that have no toe-jammie and not only that, I got them for 20 bucks at REI's "garage sale." REI has all the Keens on sale right now (I htink all of them). Check them out (Okay, I confess, I am geeking my new site here too) here:
http://straightfromthecontainer.com/2008/05/05/things-i-love-silence-heart-nest/
Comment by Mary T. — May 5, 2008 @ 7:37 pm
Mary - Thanks! That is, sigh, the sort of Keens my toes pop out of. Again, I'm abnormal and I know it.
Comment by megan — May 5, 2008 @ 7:56 pm
Hey - can I recommend flip flops with fabric toe holders? I cannot bear the plastic ones that are ever so popular at old navy, but the fabric ones are much gentler between your toes. Try some on? Macy's always seems to have them by a company named Roxy.
Comment by Merry — May 6, 2008 @ 7:03 am
Thanks Merry, please believe that I've tried but my tootsies are just too sensitive to handle it.
Comment by megan — May 6, 2008 @ 9:11 am
Aw, sorry about that; I missed the toe comment earlier. I love the Keens because that have that "big toe guard" thingie. If it's any consolation, my more stylish friends mock me because I wear Keens so much, ala, "Just because you live in Seattle doesn't mean you have to LOOK like you do!"
Comment by Mary T. — May 6, 2008 @ 11:13 am
Have you ever checked out Sierra Trading Post online store? I have bought from them for years--good company. The carry many name brands at great prices because they are selling last years products. Here is what is currently available in the "Casual Slide" section:
http://www.sierratradingpost.com/d/6231_Womens-Casual-Slides.html
Comment by claire — May 6, 2008 @ 12:32 pm
I've lost the ability to wear normal flip-flops too... I think it's the 10 years I spent in the Northwest. Now that I'm back in Cali, I found these Teva Kenas: http://www.teva.com/ProductDetails.aspx?g=w&categoryID=38&productID=6492&model=Kena
Very much lke a flip-flop but the straps don't go between the toes, and they're super cute. I love them! Good luck...
Comment by mandy — May 8, 2008 @ 9:06 am
Thanks Mandy!
Comment by megan — May 8, 2008 @ 9:26 am
hey megan --
I look for these each year too -- the Old Navy ones look great and cheap. And red! and green!
The sweet red n pink ones you sent me live under the seat in my car, for spontaneous norcal beach adventures.
http://www.oldnavy.com/browse/product.do?cid=34892&pid=522943&scid=522943002
Comment by Heather Meadows — May 9, 2008 @ 2:36 pm
I just discovered that Famous Footwear carries 12s for my giant feet so I was just on the site then went to yours then back to show you this option for you:
http://www.famousfootwear.com/product.asp?product_id=1009289&variant_id=30680
AND they have a buy one get one 1/2 off sale AND they do free ground shipping.
Comment by Kay — May 10, 2008 @ 8:57 am
And then there's this one - I often have a problem with the width in slides but this one's adjustable:
http://www.famousfootwear.com/product.asp?product_id=1010984&variant_id=29834
Comment by Kay — May 12, 2008 @ 8:41 am
I can't stand having anything between my toes either! Last spring & summer I searched everywhere for sandals like these. Thanks for finding them, we flip-flopphobes have to stick together!
Comment by Elle Kasey — May 14, 2008 @ 2:58 pm
I'm anti flip flop as well, but also anti-toe showing. This makes summer shoe shopping very hard.
Comment by meg — May 15, 2008 @ 1:38 pm