Barking Dog Shoes

Stylish Shoes for High Instep

Do you realize in my 2 1/2 years of blogging about comfortable shoes, I have never addressed the instep? Bunions--no problem. Plantar Fasciitis? Check. Even hammertoes have pushed their way into a blog post, but not the instep. Until now.

Nancy wrote to me last week asking me to help her find a shoe that would accommodate her high instep, or "tall feet." Nancy states, "The high instep means I actually get blisters on the tops of my feet. It also means straps that attach with Velcro (boooo) often don't span my foot." Can you relate? After some good ol' Barking Dog nose-to-the-ground research, I've come up with quite a few options for the tall-footed. Keep in mind Nancy also suffers from metatarsalgia (ball-of-foot pain), so the recommendations listed all have a cushioned forefoot or anatomical footbed. While I can't promise these will work for all high insteps, remember the free return policy at Zappos!

1. Naot Tamariki: I chose this comfortable shoe because of the open space in the middle of the foot; no mary jane-type strap. Plus the Naot anatomical footbed is unsurpassed for support. $168 @ Zappos.

 2.  Wolky Cusani: Not only are both cross-straps adjustable, the footbed is completely removable if you need to insert a thinner orthotic to create more depth. I love, love, LOVE Wolky: room for toes, supportive yet cushioned footbed and fun styles. $149.95 @ OnlineShoes.com (free shipping and exchanges).

3. Aravon Maya: Made by New Balance. The Maya has an ankle strap but no instep strap. Hurrah! This dress comfort shoe features a rocker sole and roomy toe box too. I chose this style because of a customer comment regarding her high instep and how these shoes have been so good to her. Comes in medium and wide widths at Zappos for $145 and FOUR widths at Shoebuy for $149.95.

  
  
4. Clark's Un.Crow: The hook and loop closure to adjust the top straps made me think this comfortable sandal could work for a high instep. Customers love the cushioned footbed of the Un.Structured line. $110 @ Zappos.

5. Rieker Celia 87: Can you see how long the velcro cross straps are here? I dare a tall foot to stop those straps. Plus Rieker is known for their padded footbed, roomy toe box and forgiving instep straps. $99.95 at Zappos.

6. Dansko Alize: Nothing across the mid-section of the foot, soft nappa leather, foam footbed and adjustable buckle slingback. $125 @ Zappos.

Ok, now it's YOUR turn. Do you have "tall feet?" What shoes have worked for you? Leave a comment below to help our friend, Nancy and others with vertically-enhanced feet.
 

Thank you, Sally McGraw

I want to thank Sally McGraw of Already Pretty for featuring Barking Dog Shoes on her wonderful and inspiring blog last weekend. I received quite a few reader emails asking for specific shoe recommendations. I want to let you know that I'm working on getting back to each of you, I've just had one of those weeks. You know the kind; when you get pneumonia, have two kids pulling at your apron strings and doctors running you around for more and more  tests. If you don't hear back from me by the end of next week, please keep knocking on my virtual door. I want to hear from you, I really do. I'm just going through some health "stuff" right now.

Where did I find the image of the Mucous Monster Keds? At Zazzle.com, where else? Now THAT'S customization.

SoftWalk Barbados

Softwalk Barbados courtesy of Softwalkshoes.com (I never claimed to have beautiful toes).

I've been hoofing around non-stop in my new sandals, the SoftWalk Barbados. I needed a supportive, comfortable shoe that I could slip-on easily in the mornings as I schlep my son off to school--something a bit more classy than the muk-luks I've been wearing all winter. These fit the bill perfectly with their patented "egg-crate" construction, shock-absorbing EVA midsole and adjustable instep strap.

See those mogul-like bumps? That's the egg-crate technology. The egg-crate-shaped design uses multiple layers of high-density polyurethane foam to support pressure points to relax your foot and prevent fatigue as you walk. I've walked back and forth (both ways up hill) to pick my son up from school and I can attest to the effectiveness of those cushiony bumps. No foot fatigue and you know what? No plantar fasciitis pain! This would make a great travel sandal: lightweight, supportive, stylish.

I chose the floral pattern because it has a little bit of glittery tinsel-like detail and with two rough and tough boys, I need some glitter in my life. But you can find the Barbados in just about any color you'd like.

Wait! There's even more to love about the SoftWalk Barbados. It comes in FOUR widths (narrow, medium, wide and extra-wide) in sizes 5-12! There is NO foot in the whole world that the Barbados won't fit. Not one. So go ahead and give a pair a try. I'm wearing the size 10 medium (usually wear between 9.5-10) above and it fits perfectly. You'll read many positive reviews at Zappos, OnlineShoes.com and Shoebuy. 

Where to buy the SoftWalk Barbados:

• Softwalkshoes.com: $99, free shipping over $150.
• Zappos: $89, free shipping both ways.
• Shoebuy (fewer colors and sizes): $60.05, free shipping/free returns.
• OnlineShoes.com: $54-89.95, free shipping and exchanges.
• Endless: $54-95, free overnight shipping.

Rockin' Rockports

When was the last time you stopped to browse the Rockport collection when shopping for comfortable shoes? If you think "boring lace-up oxford" when you consider Rockport, you're in for a surprise. Just look!

 

I'm thinking the generous 1/2" platform on the Luciana would cancel out the teeter-totter effect of the 3.5" heel. What intrigues me about this pump is the adidas adiPrene® footbed which provides heel shock absorption and forefoot cushioning. Available for $109.95 from Zappos and Shoebuy.

The Luciana Slingback is similar to the shoe above but in a professional patent black. Available for $109.95 from Zappos.

 

The Lucy Baltoro features a 2" kitten heel and adidas adiPrene® footbed for superior shock absorption and cushioning. $89.95 at Zappos and Shoebuy.

 

I'm not quite sure how I'd wear these color-block pumps, but I'd like to try! $139.95 from Zappos or Shoebuy.

I love this shoe for four reasons: 1. extra-cushioned footbed 2. covered toe yet still a sandal 3. red! 4. comes in WIDE widths. $79.95 at Shoebuy.

Spring Dansko Giveaway Featuring the Sigrid Sandal

Thank you to the fine folks at Dansko for sending me the Sigrid sandal and making the giveaway possible.

All the shoes from Dansko's Sausalito line seems like they're custom-made for my feet and the Sigrid is no exception. The rocker sole takes the pressure off my forefoot with its achy metatarsal joints. The foam footbed cushions my sore heels and toes. The arch support is wonderful. Did you know that the Sausalito line is 33% lighter than the stapled Professional line? No joke! So if you thought Dansko was too hard or heavy on your tender tootsies, try a shoe from the Sausalito line like the Sigrid (or the Sela featured last week).

The Sigrid is a new Dansko style for Spring 2010. I love that this comfortable sandal will go with 95% of my outfits; jeans, trousers, skirts, cargos and shorts. The leather detailing, contrast stitching and rivets give the Sigrid a completely unique look from any other Dansko I own.

 

I chose the Sigrid over another new slip-on style, the Serena because of the adjustable ankle strap. It secures the sandal to my foot better and in my opinion, provides a more polished look. 

Because I usually wear a 10 in sandals, I ordered the 41 in the Sigrid. You can see I have a little extra room at the end, but I prefer that look to heel hangover. I also find the Sigrid runs just a tad wider than the Sela, but that's fine because my feet get puffier as the day goes on...something about being over 40 and water retention.

How to enter:

Now it's your turn! Would you like to win a pair of spring Dansko sandals? Click on over to Dansko.com and pick your favorite new sandal. Leave a comment telling us at Barking Dog Shoes which sandal you chose and also why you love Dansko footwear. One winner will be chosen at random next Tuesday, March 23rd at 10 pm.

For extra entries:

• Follow Dansko and BarkingDogShoes on Twitter and tweet: I just entered to win a pair of Spring '10 Dansko sandals at @BarkingDogShoes.com http://bit.ly/anUtZT