NPCER - Really specific shoe question

[wawa]

I'm continuing to keep up with all the actual news...but also I need new shoes.  So figured maybe others could use a frivolous thread.

So here's the challenge - I'm planning a bike trip in September.  I need to minimize the amount of space my shit takes up.  I also would like to have my wardrobe for off the bike to be as flexible and space efficient as possible - which for me means cute simple dresses mostly.  They pack small and I can wear them to a nice dinner or to do random casual stuff.  The thing that is stumping me is shoes.  It will be september and it will be in Vermont/Upstate new York, so it'll likely be a bit chilly for anything open toed.  I can't pack something like booties because they won't fit in my bags.  

So like...ballet flats?  But I'd also like it to be something would work to go for a walk in a park for instance.

This doesn't exist, does it?  Anything I'm not thinking of?

[minionkevin]

I had a pair of Puma flats that would have worked in this situation, and a pair of New Balance ones, I believe.

[bowies]

Sounds like you need some Tieks or Vionics. I know Cole Haan partners with Nike for some of their shoes.

[foundmylazybum]

What about the basic black Tom's flats? They are cloth so dry quickly and pack well. You can wear lighter wool socks under them if needed, they walk well (not hikers but great day shoes) and dress up or down.

[Susie]

Oct 3, 2018 9:44:42 GMT -5 wawa said:

It will be september and it will be in Vermont/Upstate new York, so it'll likely be a bit chilly for anything open toed.  

I live upstate and am just moving to tights with dresses right now.  Two weeks ago, open toe was fine.  The beginning of September is still pretty summery.  Which part of September will it be?  

[Vespasia]

Keen makes some Mary Jane style flats that might work. They're not too dressy but I think they would be sufficient and they have good arch support.

We all know my shoe taste is pretty suspect though.

[oliviapope]

www.superga-usa.com/collections/womens-classic/products/2750-cotu-classic-white

I wore these with everything for my trip to DC. I got insoles because we did a ton of walking but I really liked them. Bonus (or drawback depending on how you look at it) the Duchess of Cambridge wears these lol. It was not the reason I bought them, I swear.

[ESF]

Rothys, if you want to spend that much.

I finally broke down and bought a pair, and I’m wondering what took me so long. I wore them last weekend to drink bloody marys and go to a ball game, and walked about three miles, and they were super comfortable. No breaking in time, no blisters. Extremely light weight. They are machine washable.

If you get the point, it’s pretty commonly accepted that you need to go a half size up. Not sure about the rounded toe.

[wawa]

Oct 3, 2018 9:50:36 GMT -5 Susie said:

Oct 3, 2018 9:44:42 GMT -5 wawa said:

It will be september and it will be in Vermont/Upstate new York, so it'll likely be a bit chilly for anything open toed.  

I live upstate and am just moving to tights with dresses right now.  Two weeks ago, open toe was fine.  The beginning of September is still pretty summery.  Which part of September will it be?  

End of September. So I could still do sandals? I'm wearing tights and booties at this very moment here so...

[downtoearth]

I have this pair of crocs flats that are great, but they stopped making them, so I haven't ever bought another pair - the new crocs flats are ugly and mine are actual canvas on the outside, not plastic.

Anyway, I also have a pair of clarks flats that are cute and really comfortable. Mine are more dressy for work, but they have more casual ones that I like. But my mom has a couple pairs with straps that are very "mom."

www.zappos.com/clarks-womens-flats

Mine are like the Clarks Kinzie Light. The Clarks Graclin Mara's are cute.

Oh and I love my Danskos even for walking, and their newer lines have flats, but they aren't that packable looking. I love their booties with dresses and I have some clogs for work.
www.zappos.com/dansko-women-flats/CK_XARC11wFaArgDwAEB4gIEAQILGA.zso?si=4338241&sy=1&pf_rd_p=33dc0a56-389f-4e26-9b5a-468f64c57c53&pf_rd_r=9CWP7XEDYTCTXQS9JF27

Oh, these would look so good with dresses... too bad you don't have the space to pack booties. (www.zappos.com/p/dansko-henley-taupe-burnished-calf/product/9054842/color/752294)

[raangoli]

Oct 3, 2018 10:06:44 GMT -5 ESF said:

Rothys, if you want to spend that much.

I finally broke down and bought a pair, and I’m wondering what took me so long. I wore them last weekend to drink bloody marys and go to a ball game, and walked about three miles, and they were super comfortable. No breaking in time, no blisters. Extremely light weight. They are machine washable.

If you get the point, it’s pretty commonly accepted that you need to go a half size up. Not sure about the rounded toe.

Ditto the Rothys as they are super light weight. I have the round toe and they are true to size.

[wawa]

Oct 3, 2018 10:06:44 GMT -5 ESF said:

Rothys, if you want to spend that much.

I finally broke down and bought a pair, and I’m wondering what took me so long. I wore them last weekend to drink bloody marys and go to a ball game, and walked about three miles, and they were super comfortable. No breaking in time, no blisters. Extremely light weight. They are machine washable.

If you get the point, it’s pretty commonly accepted that you need to go a half size up. Not sure about the rounded toe.

How crushable are they? Does the back of the shoe fold down?

[msmerymac]

Rothys have a full sole, not a split sole, but they are as crushable as any knit-type of flat. I would also highly recommend them. I seriously don't care where I wear them, because they're washable, but they also always look great. (Well, my lighter ones - yellow - can get dirty, but again, washable.)

[ESF]

Oct 3, 2018 10:14:45 GMT -5 wawa said:

Oct 3, 2018 10:06:44 GMT -5 ESF said:

Rothys, if you want to spend that much.

I finally broke down and bought a pair, and I’m wondering what took me so long. I wore them last weekend to drink bloody marys and go to a ball game, and walked about three miles, and they were super comfortable. No breaking in time, no blisters. Extremely light weight. They are machine washable.

If you get the point, it’s pretty commonly accepted that you need to go a half size up. Not sure about the rounded toe.

How crushable are they? Does the back of the shoe fold down?

Yes, super bendy. I’ve only had them for a week but they seem like they will maintain their shape really well. They are also very slim - less bulky than a Puma flat or something similar.

[Susie]

Oct 3, 2018 10:09:15 GMT -5 wawa said:

Oct 3, 2018 9:50:36 GMT -5 Susie said:

I live upstate and am just moving to tights with dresses right now.  Two weeks ago, open toe was fine.  The beginning of September is still pretty summery.  Which part of September will it be?  

End of September. So I could still do sandals? I'm wearing tights and booties at this very moment here so...

I would say you might be ok during the day but might be chilly at night in late September.  I have a couple pairs of Puma flats, and I might rec something like that instead.  It may also depend on elevation.  What is ok in the Albany area would not necessarily be warm enough in the Adirondacks.  It would not be a bad idea to have some black leggings to throw on under dresses if you get a cool night.

I'm wearing tights today, and I think I did once last week for the first time of the fall.  Some days are really warm, and others are downright chilly.  We have not yet had our first frost though; my tomato and basil plants are still ok.

[EllieArroway]

Another vote for Rothys. I've been basically living in them since April. They take up almost no space, are comfy enough to walk in, and work well with jeans & dresses.

[Michelle]

Oct 3, 2018 10:10:57 GMT -5 downtoearth said:

I have this pair of crocs flats that are great, but they stopped making them, so I haven't ever bought another pair - the new crocs flats are ugly and mine are actual canvas on the outside, not plastic.

Anyway, I also have a pair of clarks flats that are cute and really comfortable. Mine are more dressy for work, but they have more casual ones that I like. But my mom has a couple pairs with straps that are very "mom."

www.zappos.com/clarks-womens-flats

Mine are like the Clarks Kinzie Light. The Clarks Graclin Mara's are cute.

Oh and I love my Danskos even for walking, and their newer lines have flats, but they aren't that packable looking. I love their booties with dresses and I have some clogs for work.
www.zappos.com/dansko-women-flats/CK_XARC11wFaArgDwAEB4gIEAQILGA.zso?si=4338241&sy=1&pf_rd_p=33dc0a56-389f-4e26-9b5a-468f64c57c53&pf_rd_r=9CWP7XEDYTCTXQS9JF27

Oh, these would look so good with dresses... too bad you don't have the space to pack booties. (www.zappos.com/p/dansko-henley-taupe-burnished-calf/product/9054842/color/752294)

Clarks get a lot of hate on this board, lol. But I wore some Clarks all over Europe when i backpacked there and really fit in - most people thought i was Canadian or Irish, NOT American, which I took as a compliment. They were versatile enough to wear with a cute sun dress but very comfortable for park hiking. I did honestly also take some strappy sandals in my pack so I could go to clubs... gotta have a heel when you are 5'2.75 at the club! ;-)

Here are some ballerinas: www.clarksusa.com/c/Grace-Lily/p/26135080

[Gato]

I swear by these. I have a narrow foot and high arches, and these are very comfy plus take up almost no space in a suitcase. I wore them all over NH and Vermont this summer. Plus lots of pretty colors!

www.zappos.com/p/hush-puppies-chaste-ballet-dusty-orchid-suede/product/8100495/color/730783

[mouse]

I have no fashion sense, and wear sandals through November, but I really like these:

www.zappos.com/p/salt-water-sandal-by-hoy-shoes-classic-slide-big-kid-adult-black/product/8845331/color/3

Also, I can attest that saltwaters are virtually indestructible.

[aurora]

I have two pairs of Ahnu flats that are super comfy and packable.

I have these in purple (a much prettier version than Amazon has at the moment):

www.amazon.com/Ahnu-Womens-Arabesque-Shoe-Indigo/dp/B008OSH2BA/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1538585768&sr=8-4&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=ahnu%2Bwomen%27s%2Bflats&dpPl=1&dpID=31x9L1vBWVL&ref=plSrch&th=1&psc=1

[tiramisu]

Sorry to butt in, I have a question about Rothys. How cushioned/comfortable are they? I've been eyeing getting a pair, but one foot needs some extra coddling right now.

[wkatie]

I think these (black) are the most versatile shoes I have ever owned. Wear with dresses, shorts, jeans, anything. When I travel for work, I wear an ankle-length pant suit during the day with heels, then I slip these on if I walk to dinner.

shop.nordstrom.com/s/steve-madden-ecentrcq-sneaker-women/5044227?origin=category-personalizedsort&breadcrumb=Home%2FBrands%2FSteve%20Madden%2FWomen%2FShoes&color=grey%20faux%20leather

[downtoearth]

Oct 3, 2018 11:26:02 GMT -5 Gato said:

I swear by these. I have a narrow foot and high arches, and these are very comfy plus take up almost no space in a suitcase. I wore them all over NH and Vermont this summer. Plus lots of pretty colors!

www.zappos.com/p/hush-puppies-chaste-ballet-dusty-orchid-suede/product/8100495/color/730783

OMG - Hush puppies make me so nostalgic. I remember buying these as kids and they had these feminist-ish ads at the store with half naked ladies who were at home in the bedroom and boardroom or something. I think that is why my mom splurged to buy those for us kids as a "church" shoes.

[ESF]

Oct 3, 2018 12:03:00 GMT -5 tiramisu said:

Sorry to butt in, I have a question about Rothys. How cushioned/comfortable are they? I've been eyeing getting a pair, but one foot needs some extra coddling right now.

 I don't know how to describe the cushioning. A sneaker or lounger is softer and thicker. But these are not hard. I think they are super comfortable. They have rubber soles, but unlike most flats with rubber soles, they don't have that elastic back that pinches.  

The return policy is very good, so you could test a pair out.

[imojoebunny]

I have some like the link below. Bzees is the brand. They are super light, and pack quite small, but have a solid sole and a mesh like top, so I can walk or hike for miles in them without a problem, even if it is wet, no socks needed. My DH just got back from a 300 mile bike trip in Canada. He carries everything on his bike. He takes keens for off the bike. Not very pretty, but versatile.

www.bzees.com/en-US/Product/22380-5258263/Bzees/Black+Mesh+Fabric/Womens+Niche+Slip+On.aspx

[Michelle]

Oct 3, 2018 12:19:03 GMT -5 ESF said:

Oct 3, 2018 12:03:00 GMT -5 tiramisu said:

Sorry to butt in, I have a question about Rothys. How cushioned/comfortable are they? I've been eyeing getting a pair, but one foot needs some extra coddling right now.

 I don't know how to describe the cushioning. A sneaker or lounger is softer and thicker. But these are not hard. I think they are super comfortable. They have rubber soles, but unlike most flats with rubber soles, they don't have that elastic back that pinches.  

The return policy is very good, so you could test a pair out.

Is it as cushiony as, say, naturalizer shoes?

[StrawberryBlondie]

I have been on the hunt new shoes and I recently tried on a few pairs of Clark's Cloudsteppers. Some of that brand are
... not stylish... but some surprised me.

They won't work for what I'm specifically looking for but they might meet your needs.

[ESF]

Oct 3, 2018 12:27:50 GMT -5 Michelle said:

Oct 3, 2018 12:19:03 GMT -5 ESF said:

 I don't know how to describe the cushioning. A sneaker or lounger is softer and thicker. But these are not hard. I think they are super comfortable. They have rubber soles, but unlike most flats with rubber soles, they don't have that elastic back that pinches.  

The return policy is very good, so you could test a pair out.

Is it as cushiony as, say, naturalizer shoes?

I have no idea how to answer this. I only have a pair of Naturalizer boots. I would not describe them as cushiony. They are comfortable, but comparing the thick sole of a structured boot with the thin sole of a softer, bendy flat isn't really possible.

I once bought a pair of Dr. Scholl's flats online. Those were more cushiony than Rothy's, but the sides of the shoe were super structured and they hurt my feet so I had to return them.

Rothy's have a soft interior. I would not say that I'm walking on clouds, but I'm also not walking on boards. They do not have a thick sole and probably are not good for people who need a lot of arch support.   They are more comfortable than any other ballet flat I've tried, which includes Sam Edelman, Vince Camuto, Target, Jessica Simpson, and a half dozen other brands whose names escape me at the moment.  In terms of overall comfort, I would probably compare them to the standard Tom's basic slip on.

[seeyalater52]

I'll see myself out now, but I'm mostly just extremely impressed by the fact that you are planning your footwear for a trip almost a year in advance.

[raangoli]

For the Rothy's, if you need additional arch support, you can take out the insole and put your own in (which is what I have done) and they work great.