Barking Dog Shoes

Aerosoles Plush Around Wedge Sandal | Under $60

Although we don't have an official feature called "Mid-Week Deal" yet, let's start today.  There's so much to love about this wedge sandal by Aerosoles: makers of flexible, cushioned and overall comfortable shoes.

Top five reasons we love the Plush Around:

• The croco buckle!
• Comes in six colors.
• For small and big feet: sizes 5-12, medium and wide widths (depending on online retailer).
• Customers give it 4-5 stars for comfort and style.
• It's under $60.

Get yours today at:

• OnlineShoes.com: $59.99, free shipping and exchanges.
• PlanetShoes.com: $59, free shipping and returns.
• 6pm.com: limited sizes/colors, $41.40 plus $6.95 flat-rate shipping.
• Shoebuy: $59.99, free shipping, free returns.
• Piperlime: $59, free shipping, free returns.

Reader Request: Comfortable Shoes for Hard-to-Fit Feet

Are you a person who considers yourself to have “problem feet” simply because you wear a hard-to-find size?  I’ve had friends with such small feet they have to shop in the kids’ shoe department, as well as those with such large or wide feet they settle for ANYTHING they can find that will fit.  We recently received a request from Barking Dog Shoes reader Melanie, who needs help finding shoes for her size 10.5 WW (extra wide) feet.   

We found some great picks for her at DesignerShoes.com, which offers one of the best selections I’ve seen in hard-to-find sizes.  Their site makes it easy to search by size, so you can quickly view every shoe they carry in your particular size and width – from 4N to 13 WWW!   When I was looking for options to suit Melanie, I was pleasantly surprised by how cute many of the shoes are  --someone has finally realized that girls with feet of non-typical size like to be pretty just as much as anyone else!  (Mind you, there are still clodhoppers around if that’s your personal style, but it’s refreshing to see more options.)  If your foot size gives you fits, check out DesignerShoes.com and let us know what you think.

For Melanie's 10.5 WW feet:

1. Ros Hommerson Bono: low heel dressy pump, $89

2. Elites Tiff: Mid-heel casual slide, $105

3. Walking Cradles Candice: Mid-heel casual sandal, $91

4. Elites Natasha: Mid-heel dressy slingback, $114

5. Ros Hommerson Compact: Mid-heel dressy pump, $99

6. Ros Hommerson Maggie: Low-heel dressy flat, $84

Upon browsing Shoebuy, we came across these comfortable shoes in size 10.5 WW:

1. Aravon Maya: mid-heel dress Mary Jane, $149.95

2. Aravon Mia: mid heel dress Mary Jane, $149.95

3. Drew Iris: casual sandal with removable insole, $117.95

4. Aetrex Essence: low-heel mary jane, $119.95

Clark's Originals Vanilla Cream Sandal

Photo by Flickr member ActionHero

The Vanilla Cream from Clark's Originals  is a very distant cousin to the chunky, funky Wallabee. Sleeker and more feminine, this comfortable sandal maintains the crepe sole that characterizes Clark's Originals. Add to that a vintage-inspired peep-toe, stylish ankle strap and a name reminiscent of  a 1940's ice cream parlor and you've got the perfect sandal to pair with your thrift store sundresses and shifts!

The Vanilla Cream features a cushioned footbed, adjustable ankle strap and genuine crepe sole to absorb shock and reduce fatigue. Customer reviews are resoundingly positive for both comfort and style.

Available in blue, red and black leather; sizes 6-10 @ Zappos for $90, @ OnlineShoes.com for $89.95, @ Endless for $89.95, free overnight shipping. See more comfortable shoes from Clark's Originals by clicking on logo below.

Rieker Regina Sandals | Great for Narrow Feet

Rieker Regina 63: great for narrow feet

Sometimes I get free shoes, sometimes I don't. When I saw the Rieker Regina 63, its simple yet unique style drew me in and I bought them. The combination of summery white leather, metallic disc with glitz and pretty grosgrain elastic strap over Rieker's trademark Antistress footbed seemed to make it the perfect hot weather casual dress sandal. The reason you don't see it on my foot? Too tight! So back to Zappos they go unfortunately, but might these otherwise comfortable shoes work for you?

If you have a narrow foot, I think you'll love the Regina. The upper simply fit too tight across my wider forefoot, but felt great through midfoot and heel.  The euro sizing is different than other brands, so heed the American sizing for a good fit. I'm between a 9.5-10 and the suggested size for a 9.5 is a 41, which fit me perfectly in length.

Rieker's Antistress footbed provides exceptional cushioning and shock absorption while maintaining  a lightweight feel. I recommend the Regina 63 for those with a lower arch as the arch support isn't significant.

The Rieker Regina 63 is available in black and white for $99.95 @ Zappos, free shipping both ways. Try the Regina 84 open-back sandal, a popular style with an adjustable instep strap or the funky mid-heel Rieker Aischa sandal in lilac for a dressier look.

Special sale alert: Great deals on Pikolinos at RueLaLa today! Join for free.

Comfortable Summer Shoes and Sandals that Accommodate Orthotics | Reader Question

I hope you can help me find some summer shoes and sandals. I have flat feet and wear custom orthotics. In addition I have a very weak ankle  from multiple sprains that needs as much support as possible to prevent pain. And for the icing on the cake I wear a size 5 or 35. Please help! The hot weather has arrived on MD and I can't wear laced boots any more.

Amy in MD.

Dear Amy,

From diminutive size five feet to "solid-foundation" size 12, every woman deserves a comfortable shoe that fits well, supports the foot and looks good while doing so. There's nothing we love more here at BarkingDogShoes.com than a shoe challenge as it motivates us to discover and feature footwear that we might have otherwise overlooked. In your case, we've focused on size, ability to accommodate a custom orthotic and support for your ankles. Here's what we found:

Shoe options:

Clark's Wave.Cruise: The Wave collection is one of Clark's newest offererings with plenty of comfort technologies. Removable Ortholite footbed allows the use of custom orthotics. Rocker heel and toe-off support make for a comfortable walking experience. Sturdy adjustable strap provides support for ankle. Carries Seal of Acceptance from American Podiatric Medical Associaton.  Available in sizes 5-12 and in three widths for $100 from Zappos.

 

Merrell Circuit MJ Breeze: We're huge fans of the Merrell Q-form footbed with its ability to align feet, knees, hips during the stride. But Kirsten has been known to take out the insole in her beloved Merrell Sirens and put in her custom orthotics on her bad foot days. The breathable mesh makes this comfortable shoe a perfect summer option. Sizes 5-11 for $85 at Zappos.

Privo Lindie: Not all Privo shoes come with a removable insole, but the Lindie does. In fact a few customers comment on how comfortable they are with AND without their custom orthotics. The adjustable closure provides a customized fit for extra support around weak ankles. On sale for $75 @ Zappos.

Munro American Tess: A slightly dressier option, the Tess comes in sizes 4-14, 4A-EE! This quality-made shoe has a removable contoured footbed to accommodate orthotic and a lightweight, durable and shock-absorbing outsole. $180 @ Zappos.

Sandal options:

Naot Paris: It's difficult to find a good-looking sandal with a removable footbed, but Naot has perfected this rare feature. Yet customers state they often don't need their orthotics because of the fabulous support already offered by the anatomical latex/cork footbed. The adjustable instep strap will help secure these sandals and support the ankles. The Paris comes in euro sizes 35-42. $138 @ Zappos.

Ecco Charm Sandal: Adjustable, durable yet lightweight, removable footbed. One customer states that she uses a black footie sock to cover her bright blue orthotic so it will match the shoes. Great idea! Available in euro sizes 35-42 for $120 @ Zappos.

Two dressier options to consider if you can get by without orthotics: Romika Maui 112 and Romika Maui 01. Customers state the Maui style provides incredible support for a stylish dress sandal even though the footbed is not removable. One lady mentions how she has no problems whatsoever with her weak ankles and pronation problems when wearing her Romika Mauis.