Barking Dog Shoes

Chaco Sandals: Comfort and a Cool Foot Tan

Here's my darling friend Laura in her Chaco sandals; her comfortable shoe of choice for pounding the pavement at Disney. Here's Laura:

I LOVE my Chacos. They are pretty much all I wear in warmer weather. I wore them for days at Disney in February and my feet felt great. I don't have chronic foot problems so I don't know how they would do for someone who does. But I LOVE them. And they give you a great Z tan on your feet. I already have my z tan started and it's only early in spring. Fell in love as soon as my feet slipped in them.

Twitter friend, Ed (Erin), took the time to send an email with a super review of her Chacos:

As far as my Chacos go, I really love them so far.  I originally got the double strap, but it was a little to complicated for me!  I exchanged them for a single strap.  Personally, I'd save double straps for Chacos veterans!  It is great to have complete control over how the straps fit.

For width, Chacos run wide, I believe.  But they also come in a wide width.  This is especially awesome for me since my most comfortable pair of running shoes are from Brooks and they are a men's double wide!  The wide width has been perfect for me feet!

I ran around downtown Seattle in them after I got them, and my feet felt great at the end of the day, so much better than flip-flops.

And for those of you with chronic foot pain, you'll be happy to know that Chaco has YOU in mind.

Chaco footwear features a BioCentric™ footbed provides support, stability and overall comfort which has earned the brand a Seal of Acceptance by the APMA (American Podiatric Medical Association). Read more about BioCentric™ footbed here.  If you're an over-pronator, have plantar fasciitis, back pain or knee problems, Chaco's a great choice for you.

Before ordering, be sure to measure your feet with Chaco's handy-dandy sizing guide.

Personally, I like the Chacos without the toe loop, the Z1 Unaweep style, as anything around my toe would send me to the moon. 

Where to buy (all links go to the Z1 Unaweep style pictured on Laura):

• PlanetShoes.com: $79-94, free shipping and returns.
  
• Shoebuy:  $94.95, free shipping and returns.
  
• REI: $95, free shipping. Can be returned to REI store.
• Zappos: this link goes to the whole collection of Chaco sandals and shoes. Read reviews, browse styles and pick one to be delivered to your doorstep (sometimes the next day!).
  

 

Clark's Somers Ankle Boot: Under $40 at Amazon

I'm catching a flight to visit my folks with my two boys tomorrow morning, but had to share some great finds on Clark's boots and shoes.  The Clark's Somers ankle boot is currently under $40 for certain colors and sizes--you can read my review here.
Although they don't exactly scream SPRING, you can always save them for fall. I'm not a fashion prognosticator, but I bet ankle boots will make a resurgence come autumn '09. While you're at it, check out these other great deals on Clark's pumps, sandals and boots.

Come back tomorrow for reviews on Chaco sandals!

Privo Trumpet on Joanna B.

I love Twitter. At any time I can "tweet" a request for my followers to tell me their favorite comfortable shoes and in a matter of minutes I have new shoe recommendations for you. Joanna  told me she loves Privo shoes (owned by Clark's), in fact she has FIVE pairs! Here's what she had to say about them:

My first pair was Comice in black, and I now have about 5 pairs or so... at least! I love them so much. I still wear the Comice pair and they certainly have gotten their fair share of use since 2006! I love them all and have recommended Privos to friends and even strangers who stop me on the street to ask me where my shoes are from!

The Privo Trumpet is from last summer's collection, but is still available at Zappos for $72 or view the whole Privo collection here. Check out 6pm.com for over 200 Privo styles marked down up to 50% (just type Privo in the search box).

Josef Seibel Jody: Post Office Worthy or Not?

 Whenever a comfortable shoe grabs my attention, I imagine wearing it to the post office and waiting in line to send a package. Would people like this shoe? Would strangers ask me where I got them? Would I feel strangely out of place in them? Can you feel out of place at the post office? And so on. Let's put it this way; I can definitely see myself wearing the Josef Seibel Jody to the post office. Or at least to the bowling alley. I don't get out much.

You've got all the comfort features you could ask for in the Josef Seibel Jody: cushioned footbed with air massage (could not find out what that means, but sounds great), elastic instep strap, and flexible polyurethane outsole. Plus they come in 10 colorways! Available at Zappos for $130. Check out the whole Seibel collection here.

I asked my Twitter followers what they thought of the Jody:

 

What do you think? Leave a comment. Would YOU wear them to the post office? Bowling?

Thrifty Finds on Comfortable Shoes

I'll keep it brief today as I'm nursing a corneal abrasion; a result of literally sticking my finger in my eye while fixing my hair. Thankfully things like contact bandages exist, albeit without the Disney Princesses as requested. 

Last night I was browsing the sale sections of two websites and wanted to share my comfortable shoe finds. Over at Grounded Soles, I noticed their "Bargain Shoes" section, entered my size and voila! Here's what I found: Naot Pleasure in Gray Patent marked down from $174.95 to $49.95 (size 40). That's just crazy. Also in my size I found the darling Keen Betty snow boot for $39.95! Now you try, click on over to Grounded Soles and look for the Bargain Shoes link on the left. Let me know what YOU found.

Planet Shoes also has a great selection of sale shoes in their outlet section. Under my size, I found many shoes by Earth, Privo, and Clark's at 50% off. And don't forget to check out 6pm.com, which is Zappos'  huge clearance bin.