Sensible Shoes for a Mom on the Go?

Updated on June 01, 2011
M.B. asks from Santa Monica, CA
31 answers

Mom's what shoes do you wear daily?
I have been wearing tennis shoes when cold out and flip flops when warm.
But is there another COMFORTABLE shoe that you wear?
I've tried cute flats but they are always so uncomfortable for me. They rub my
back heel and they are the right size for me. Any ideas?

1 mom found this helpful

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M.O.

answers from Chicago on

Danskos has excellent shoes.

When I was last pregnant my feet were killing me and I was going to be my biggest through the summer. So I went to "The Walking Co" and bought two new sets of sandals to give me support and comfort.

They were pricey, but WELL worth it.

Also, I wear Crocs around the house. They've come out with some much cuter styles for the summer.

And finally, I can't live without my Sketcher slide gym shoes. Great for slipping on to run out with the kids, to get the mail, etc. I sincerely LOVE Sketchers - all styles.

2 moms found this helpful

E.S.

answers from Dayton on

I can't wear those cute little flats either...too many years on my feet.
I love converse...but have graduated to these:
http://www.onlineshoes.com/womens-keen-coronado-mary-jane...

They are sensible and cute! And comfy!
GL!

2 moms found this helpful
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D.P.

answers from Greenville on

If you want comfort and style, I recommend Aerology (a subset of Aerosoles). I walk at least 2 miles a day at work, and these have never done me wrong.

2 moms found this helpful

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M.H.

answers from Atlanta on

Birkenstocks are the perfect shoe for Moms once you've broken them in. Most are wide shoes but they have lines within the major line of Birkenstock that have narrower shoes. I have very narrow feet and the toe support doesn't hit me just right on most but Papillio is extra narrow and the Footprints does not have the toe bed. The cork bottoms mold to your footprint and give you perfect support. They are well made and last forever. I'm wearing mine that I have worn almost everyday since June of 2005.....

M.

PS If you have a Walking Company near you they specialize in old fashioned service with shoes that are good for your feet....

1 mom found this helpful
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M.J.

answers from Sacramento on

Try Clarks shoes. They're good quality and designed for comfort. I've had great luck with both their shoes and sandals. I see you're also in Roseville, so you can find them at the Clarks store in the Galleria (and it's in the reopened section of the mall).

1 mom found this helpful

S.J.

answers from St. Louis on

Hmmm...

I wonder why you are having the heel rubbing problem. Could be the brand or a width issue (you may need wider or narrower). I buy everything from $20 cheapies at TJ Max to $100 flats from Anne Klein and none rub. My best advice to you is to simply try all different brands of flats. Check their return policy so you can try them out for a few weeks and send them back if they don't work.

Some of my favs:

- Old navy (yes, they have cute tennis shoes that are not like bulky running shoes and are actually comfy).

- Nine west

- Anne klein (most comfy flats I own - you may pay $60 but you will wear the heck out of them, so it is worth it imo).

- Jessica Simpson

1 mom found this helpful

M.P.

answers from Provo on

GOOD QUESTION!!! Right now for my flats that aren't broken in yet I buy a ton of mole skin :(

1 mom found this helpful
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M.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

Toms! Oh my gosh, these are the best and worth every penny! Just went out and bought my kids each a pair and another pair for me! I'm a flip flop girl over 300 days of the year but realized my lower back pain was caused by the way I was walking while wearing them (you scrunch your toes a bit to keep the flip flops on) anyway, I 've been wearing my Toms shoes daily for about two weeks - feet, legs and back feel great and they are cute. You can wear them with shorts, jeans, even a casual summer skirt/dress.
www.toms.com

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B.S.

answers from San Francisco on

I totally go for comfort, and believe that it's worth paying for so that my feet and legs feel supported. My favorite sandals are Mephisto (found often in stores with Birkenstocks and other European brands). My favorite style is Altina (http://www.mephistoshoes.com/store/Altina-for-Women.html). I'm on my second pair... the first ones lasted me 6-7 years and I wore them constantly during the warm months. So even though they are expensive, they are well worth it because they last a long time!

Good luck!

T.B.

answers from Bloomington on

I love the Sketchers that are a cross between a tennis shoe and a dress shoe. They are around $50 at Kohls, but very cute and comfortable!

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D.R.

answers from San Francisco on

I've had good luck with the Born brand. If you go to Nordstroms online, they actually have a shoe category called "Comfort". I usually browse those online, and try to find time to make into the store to try a few on.

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A.K.

answers from Dallas on

I wear crocs almost all the time - I have the nile style, which they stopped making, but I like the cayman (classic) also.
I have a pair of exercise sandals from walmart, the danskin now brand, called tranquility, and they are also very comfortable.
If I am not in crocs, then I wear a sports sandal - flats without any form of tie or strap will rub, so try a mary jane style.
I am a podiatrist, so I know shoes and feet pretty well!

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N.S.

answers from Austin on

Birkenstocks! They are so much better for your foot and back than flip flops. They aren't cheap, but come in a variety of colors and styles and they last a long time if you take care of them...I have had several pairs for several years.

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L.H.

answers from San Francisco on

I love my Skechers--I have several pairs and that's what I normally wear. Cute tops with a tennis shoe sole. When I'm not wearing those, it's usually Clarks or--in the summer--my Merrell sandals.

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A.P.

answers from San Francisco on

naturalizer is very good, they have all kinds of styles and new balance & ryka

R.D.

answers from Richmond on

I wear flip flops constantly... or go bare foot. Drives my family nuts; my feet are always black on the bottom (gross, LOL)... I also have a pair of 422 New Balances that I wear if I HAVE to wear shoes. I have a pair of 5 in Guess heels (my loves!!) that are actually surprisingly comfy!! I wore them for 10 hours the day my brother got married, and didn't feel it while I was wearing them or the day after :)

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W.N.

answers from San Francisco on

I just bought a pair of Ecco sandals and they are really comfortable and cute enough...and I've had a pair of Noat close toes shoes for work the past two years that are super comfortable!

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P.S.

answers from San Francisco on

RIders --- they're Brazilian, they feel like a flip-flop yet can be worn with skirts, dresses, pants, shorts. The insoles pop out and can be thrown in the wash --- actually the entire shoe can be washed, just not put in the dryer. They don't look like they would stay on your foot, but they do. Measure your foot carefully before you indicate the size you need. The flats are hard to find, but Zulilly.com has them once in a while. I bought a pair, tried them, then quickly ordered a pair in each color. I used to wear flip-flops from the time the temp outside reached 68, now I have an option that doesn't look as casual all the time.

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L.D.

answers from Modesto on

I just bought some Teva light hikers for everyday wear (cut below the ankle - not like "hiking boots") and love them. I wanted something more stylish than the tennis shoes I'd been wearing for so long. Most of the outdoor brand shoes (Teva, Keene, Merrell etc) also have sandals and flip flops. I own Teva flip flops too and love them. The better brands are well worth it in comfort. Zappos.com has free shipping, free return shipping and a 365 day return policy. It's hard to get out and try on shoes with little ones, so a site like this can make it a bit more convenient although it takes a bit longer due to shipping. Good luck!

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E.B.

answers from San Francisco on

I love love my Merrell's. They support my feet so well. I buy the clogs lined w/ fur for the winter & some kind of sandal for summer. These have been my most comfortable shoes since I started buying them over 3 yrs ago. They're the ones I rely on if I want comfort.

L.L.

answers from Rochester on

The most comfortable pair of shoes I ever owned (and I've bought three pairs) are by a brand called Gravis; the specific style was Tarmac, and they were suede, but I'm pretty sure they've quit making that style. However, they make a TON of cute shoes for both men and women, and the others might be just as comfortable. I've worn a lot of shoes in my life, and I'm telling you, the Tarmac's were SOOOO comfortable. I wore each pair for THREE YEARS until they wore out, so well worth the 100+ price.

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A.C.

answers from Sacramento on

Sketchers make cute but comfy shoes

S.H.

answers from Spokane on

If it's too cold for my flip-flops or sandals my go-to shoes are my slip on Eastlands. I love them! I have brown and black and we are dress casual at work so I wear them quite a bit. I order mine through Famous Footwear.

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A.S.

answers from San Diego on

I wear my Fit Flops as they are so comfortable and then my skechers shape ups. They really have helped with my back. I am all about comfortable shoes, if they hurt, I just wont wear them.

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M.R.

answers from Phoenix on

Mephisto's are my all around favorite shoe. Expensive....but I could walk to China and back in them. There are many styles of sandals to choose from.

Also, in CA, I would recommend sport sandals, like Teva's for Ecco's.

If you don't need high arch support, Merrell's are a good choice. Very comfy.

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T.W.

answers from Boston on

I really like Dansko and Keen.

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G.F.

answers from McAllen on

try using naturalizer brand shoes. the outlets have lots of sales. I use heels and regular shoes, they are so comfty.
-G.

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M.D.

answers from San Francisco on

Uggs and Rainbow flip-flops

E.B.

answers from Seattle on

My over the top through the roof favorites are my Dansko's!! AMAZING!!! If you want to look into them they are worth every cent! Ask though for the solid bottoms..Some they make are hollow in the sole. You would think that making them lighter would actually serve better...nope! they will end up hurting your feet.

I have sold shoes for many years at Nordstrom's and Naturalizer. Naturalizer has great looking and comfy shoes. although not every pair they produce is as good as the others. If you buy their Stitched line...Music and Tally are some of the names out of the line...you will be a happy camper. Do not buy their version of the ''Walking/workout'' shoe. They are not as amazing as they should be. the brand they sell via the store front that is the funky new toning shoe...pretty good.

Joseph Seibel (spelling) sandals are great, my mom swears by them. She also has found a few Born sandals she likes well.

When it comes to sizing, there are many things you have to look at. Width is the one thing people never take into consideration. You want to make sure you have room to swell. If you are in the wrong width for a shoe, it can also screw up the sizing for you as well..making it one whole big painful foot mess by the end of the day! So, my thought is go into a shoes store that sells high quality shoes. They normally have a good idea how to fit people correctly. You dont need to feel obligated to buy from them. Most are happy to size you no matter what. If it means being able to find comfy shoes it is worth stopping in.

Sorry for my novel....good luck!! BTW...Payless Shoes has made a great effort on training and educating staff on sizing as well. They are always more then cool with helping you figure out your actual size and width!!

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E.C.

answers from San Francisco on

LLBean's "Comfort Mocs" are my favorite all-purpose slip-on shoe - comfy as sneakers, easy to slip on, and since they don't look like tennis shoes I can wear them with khakis or other not-quite-as-casual-as-jeans clothing.
http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/58464?feat=609-GN1
They used to have a slide version of these also - I don't see those on their web site now but it might be a seasonal thing - love those for summertime

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