Written by my galpal, Sarah H. who suffers from lives above rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia and other autoimmune illnesses.
I am writing this review on a beloved
pair of Ara GORE-TEX boots. My motivation is to come to my dear
friend’s aid, we are fellow sufferers of multiple autoimmune
disorders and they, as you read on her Thursday’s review, can throw
a woman’s life upside down in a heartbeat. These illnesses can
also can cause some major foot problems, which is why I personally
love my Barking Dog Shoes blog.
About 10 years ago I worked with the fabulous sales people of various Nordstrom’s in New York and New Jersey, training them on the value of a comfort shoe. I was helping my Father, who has owned his own comfort shoe business for years. A lot has changed in the industry in the last decade, and I also have grown up, trading in my beloved Steve Madden’s of my college years for any shoe that won’t cause further problems to my arthritic feet. The problem is finding comfort and fashion that come together in perfect harmony, as a 33 year-old Mom of four children under the age of 5 years of age (including a set of twin boys – no I am not joking) I have to be able to move, heave, lift, throw and run at any given time.
The Ara GORE-TEX black boot is my
solution to the slushy, snowy Chicago winters (and springs, summers
and falls for that matter). It is a boot I wear for 3 season of the
year, comes in a variety of styles and heights and heel lengths. The
Ara Portofino, Ara Paris or the Ara London are 3 examples of high
black stretch boots that fit over or under jeans, and can be dressed
up to wear with skirts and dresses. They have an easy side zipper
and resist any water. I get lots of compliments and honestly, my
pair has stood the test of time both in fashion and durability.
Some additional thoughts: The footbed
is not super cushioned, which is why I like the lower heel better or
the idea of putting in an insert. It is a year-round boot, so
doesn’t provide tons of warmth for chasing your kids through snow,
for example. The fabric stretches, it feels great on my wider upper
foot which tends to be sensitive.
Check out 6pm.com for great deals on comfortable European-made Ara.
