Comfortable Classic Shoes?

[SweetErika]

I'm having an awful time finding leather shoes for everyday wear this year. My usual go-to stores and brands don't have the right styles or sizes I want, and I haven't found anything else locally or online, either. Shoe shopping has always been an ordeal for me, but now that I've had a kidlet and am getting older (OK, I'm turning 31 in a few hours, but my feet are acting like cranky old ladies), it's damn near impossible!

So, I'm looking for recommendations on brands and national retailers that might have the extraordinarily comfortable, yet classically-styled and at least somewhat attractive and reasonably-priced shoes I'm seeking. I want black and brown leather that doesn't show wear easily, need very good cushioning and arch supports, a bit of a stable heel, they must accommodate my somewhat wide feet w/ tall insteps, and I want the shoes to go well with jeans or nicer slacks without looking like freaking orthopedic footwear or mens' shoes. I tend to like plain slip-ons, classic monk-straps, zippered, and boots that hit a little above the ankle. I hate doodads, like fringe, tassels, furry stuff and similar embellishments. Clogs and such won't do because it's wet here.

I'm so desperate that I'm willing to go custom if I can't find anything else that will suit my needs, so any reviews of custom makers of womens' shoes would be great, too. So far, I've found Loveless and Ferdinand, but I've not heard anything about these umm...cobblers? I've heard really good things about custom shoes lasting many years and being super comfy, so it might just be worth the investment for me (but it's kind of a big investment, so I don't want to work with the wrong company).

 

[aniowachick]

Keens. I am on my feet about 10 hours a day. I love them, very durable

 

[estragon]

Sorry,. duplicate post.

 

[estragon]

Herself swears by SAS (San Antonio Shoes). They come in black and brown loafer styles. She takes an 8-1/2 Wide. Disclaimer--I don't sell them or own stock in the manufacturer.

 

[fire_breeze]

I bought one time, about 12 years ago, a pair of Mephisto, and they lasted me 10 years - the reviews I hear about this company is through the roof, although they can be on the pricey side, as they create shoes for 'problem' feet. So yes, while they may be more expensive, a shoe that lasts 10 years is well worth the investment (and by the way, they got destroyed through an accident, so they'd probably last even longer)

I've also heard a lot of good things about SAS - Mother swears by them, and she has flat arches and trouble finding shoes. I'm not sure about the style, but it might be another avenue for you to look at.

I stumbled on this blog http://slowtalk.com/groupee/forums/a/tpc/f/5761018721/m/2311017741 which could provide you with some jumping points.

 

[SweetErika]

Keens. I am on my feet about 10 hours a day. I love them, very durable

I haven't heard of that brand before, but it looks really good comfort-wise! Not as stylish as I'd really like, but I think they'd probably be a good intermediate step before taking the plunge into custom shoes, since they'll mold to my feet without the sheer ugliness of Birkenstocks or similar. Zappos has the styles that I'm interested in, so I just may order a couple of pairs and see if they'll work for me.

Have you tried multiple styles, or do you have a favorite Keen model?

 

[SweetErika]

Herself swears by SAS (San Antonio Shoes). They come in black and brown loafer styles. She takes an 8-1/2 Wide. Disclaimer--I don't sell them or own stock in the manufacturer.

That's one of the brands I'm going to check out in the morning - they look pretty good from what I've read and seen online, so hopefully the store I'm headed to has some styles and sizes that will work for me. Did I mention it's a store that is specifically for wide-width shoes? I don't always need wide, and I'm thrilled there is such a store nearby, but ugh.

I bought one time, about 12 years ago, a pair of Mephisto, and they lasted me 10 years - the reviews I hear about this company is through the roof, although they can be on the pricey side, as they create shoes for 'problem' feet. So yes, while they may be more expensive, a shoe that lasts 10 years is well worth the investment (and by the way, they got destroyed through an accident, so they'd probably last even longer)

I've also heard a lot of good things about SAS - Mother swears by them, and she has flat arches and trouble finding shoes. I'm not sure about the style, but it might be another avenue for you to look at.

I stumbled on this blog http://slowtalk.com/groupee/forums/a/tpc/f/5761018721/m/2311017741 which could provide you with some jumping points.

I'm not sure how I feel about paying a custom price for a non-custom shoe, but I'll keep it in mind because that's a ringing endorsement! I didn't see any styles I loved to the tune of $300+ on the Mephisto site, either. If I'm going to spend that much for everyday shoes, I damn well better really like how they look.

Thanks for the blog link; it's given me some ideas and it's nice to know I'm not the only one who feels like it's been a tremendous success when I walk out of the store with one or two pairs of shoes I really like!

 

[Noira]

Holding out for a good custom shoemaker, here. But have you tried shoe inserts? They can definitely amp up the comfort level and they are quite cheap. They do make an easier time for me, since my feet don't like any shoes, it seems, but at least Dr. Scholls has a decent insert that fits the shape of my foot all right and I can stick that into most shoes.

I fear I'll end up giving up the search for good shoes (one of the reasons I love my job is that I can wear sneakers and 'uniforms' are basically pajamas... I dread any job with a dress code that requires dress shoes) and simply have to learn to make my own at this rate. I spent months looking for a half decent pair of brown boots. They still don't fit quite right but they were cheap so I settled. D:<

But yeah, if you can just find shoes wide enough, you can always buy an insert to make up for the lack of shoe arch support and maybe that'll help? Much cheaper than going the cobbler road.

 

[aniowachick]

I haven't heard of that brand before, but it looks really good comfort-wise! Not as stylish as I'd really like, but I think they'd probably be a good intermediate step before taking the plunge into custom shoes, since they'll mold to my feet without the sheer ugliness of Birkenstocks or similar. Zappos has the styles that I'm interested in, so I just may order a couple of pairs and see if they'll work for me.

Have you tried multiple styles, or do you have a favorite Keen model?

Ive worn everything from the casual shoes, walking shoes and their sandals.

The tops are wide for toe wiggle room. The insoles are made of cork and there is a ridge that goes under the toe.. It took me a while to get used to it but i now love it..
I like the plain old casuals. I am on my feet all day and Keens cut down opn my foot and back pain from the concrete floors

 

[SweetErika]

Ive worn everything from the casual shoes, walking shoes and their sandals.

The tops are wide for toe wiggle room. The insoles are made of cork and there is a ridge that goes under the toe.. It took me a while to get used to it but i now love it..
I like the plain old casuals. I am on my feet all day and Keens cut down opn my foot and back pain from the concrete floors

I was lucky to find a couple of pairs of Keen at a local discount retailer, but they were the wrong sizes and styles. Still, I see how they're definitely comfy and worth trying out. I also found the ones I tried both ran at least a half size small (for me, at least), so that'll save me some trouble ordering online.

I also went to the wide width store yesterday, and did find some SAS that had really soft eggcrate-like stuff in the insoles and were super comfy. However, I wasn't overly thrilled with the one style the store had, so I'm going to try the Keen first and see what other SAS styles have that good lining.

 

[fire_breeze]

In my not so humble opinion, if you're going to spend any sort of money on shoes, no matter how much or how little, you better like the way they look!

Another option is to really look on the internet - just the shoe store's site, which tends to only carry current models - but also something like shoes.com, overstock.com or even ebay. If you know the store, and the size you need from that company, you can often find great deals on great styles on the particular brand.

I spoke to my Mother earlier, and asked her where she buys her shoes. She's a double wide and has flat arches, and she directed me to Globe Shoes. The website is a bit of a mess, but it might also help.

 

[IrisAlthea]

Clarks might work for you.
I can wear their Bombay lights style to work, be on my feet all day and not want to kill anybody in the evening.

 

[Boundlife]

Clarks might work for you.
I can wear their Bombay lights style to work, be on my feet all day and not want to kill anybody in the evening.

I use to wear Clarks too, not becoming a mass murderer is the best shoe endorsment ever!

 

[Virgil_Mayhap]

Plain black Doc. Martins. Not too flashy, never go out of style, and are durable and comfy as hell.

 

[WaitWhatt]

Everyone is different. What is comfortable for one person isn't for the next. You should go to a specialty store and get fitted.

 

[marianthelibrarian]

Walking Cradles, SoftWalk, Easy Spirit, Softspots, Naturalizer, Fitzwell.

 

[cfuhrer]

I have plantar faciitis and comfortable flat shoes with good support are a must.

I like the payless shoes, Predictions brand, "Believe" wedge loafer.
Not leather, I know, but they wear like iron and are super comfortable.