Barking Dog Shoes

Jambu Troy | Would You Wear It?

Comfortable shoe poll of the week: Jambu Troy

I enjoyed observing the results to the Wolky sandal poll last week. More than a third of you thought the shoe was flat-out ugly while another third voted with me in support of the quirky Wolky Jewel.

Let's take a look at the Jambu Troy gladiator-inspired wedge this week.  My first impression when I saw the stock photo image online was, "No thanks."  The shoe seemed to suffer an identity crisis: Am I a gladiator? A clog, perhaps? I have a bungee cord, so I must be an outdoor shoe...but wait, I have a heel. Sigh...

But then I saw the Troy on real feet.  The perfectly pedicured toes above belong to Blair, marketing 
manager at PlanetShoes.com. I love how she paired the Jambu Troy with dark-wash skinny jeans--suddenly it has an identity. Here's a link to PlanetShoes.com's Facebook page where you can read what Blair had to say about the fit/feel of this particular Jambu style. She also recorded an informative video review over at PlanetShoes.com's YouTube channel.  For another style idea showing how to wear the Troy, see the photo below from the Athleta catalog.

While researching customer comments regarding fit, I found that about half state the shoe runs a half-size large. Favorite features include: memory foam footbed, customized fit from bungee lacing and dress-up/dress-down versatility.

The Jambu Troy is selling out fast, but limited colors/sizes are available at:

• PlanetShoes.com: $109, free shipping and returns.
• Zappos: $123, free shipping both ways.
• Piperlime: $119, free shipping and returns.
• Athleta: $119

What do you think about the Jambu Troy? Take the poll or leave a comment below.

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Birkenstock Madrid for Under $50

Birkenstock Madrid: Keeps me putt-putting along in comfort.

The other day at the podiatrist office:

Dr. (after finding out about my blog): So, what's YOUR favorite comfortable shoe?

Me: My Birkenstocks

The voice in my head says:

What did you just blurt out? Seriously, Kirsten. With all the foot-friendly, orthotic-accommodating, roomy toe-boxed, adjustable-strapped, memory-foam cushioned shoes in your closet and you say, "Birkenstock?" In three years of blogging about comfortable shoes ranging from Naot to El Naturalista to Wolky and you say, "Birkenstock." For shame.

But it's the truth. On any given day during the summer, you'll find me in my Birkenstock Madrid sandals. Why these over the rest?

• I'm a busy mom of two active boys and I have rheumatoid arthritis. Laces and buckles just add to my list of frustrations (like potty-training my youngest) as my fingers are often swollen in the morning. I love that I can just slip my Birkenstock Madrids on and get on with the tasks of the day.
• They're perfect for my problem feet. Hammertoes--be free! Bunions--be covered! Arches--be supported! 
• They're more feminine than other Birkenstock styles.
• Under $50 and come in fun colors (although the green pictured above is difficult to find this season).
• The synthetic Birko-Flor™ upper doesn't fade, stretch-out and is water resistant.

Sizing tip: I normally wear between a 9.5 and 10 medium. The 40 narrow fits me perfectly. Remember, a Birkenstock narrow is more like a medium width, while a Birk regular fits a wide width foot best. I find this style runs a half size large.

Available at:

• Zappos for $49.90, free shipping both ways.
• Onlineshoes.com for $49.95, free shipping and exchanges.
• HappyFeetPlus.com for $47.95, free shipping.
• PlanetShoes.com for $49, free shipping and returns.
• BirkenstockUsa.com: available in peridot patent like mine for $49.95

P.S. Just learned that select styles of Dansko are marked down up to 60% at 6pm.com today!

Comfortable Dress-Casual Shoes for Achilles Pain| Reader Question

Hi, Kirsten!

I have a shoe conundrum for you if/when you have time. My mother had surgery on her Achilles last summer, and between the scar and the injury, her heel is still significantly disfigured and larger than before. Right now she basically lives in her Wolky sandals because their adjustable back-strap is one of the only things she can fasten around her foot/ankle. She can wear open-backed shoes easily (she loves Clarks mules), but she hasn't yet been able to put on any "traditional" shoes with a back.

Her office has just instituted a new dress code that they're enforcing strictly that forbids backless shoes. (A back-strap is okay; it doesn't have to be a full back.) Aside from the Wolky sandals, which it will be too cold for come fall, she doesn't have anything that fits the bill! Other than the Achilles, her feet are relatively problem-free. She's struggled with PF in the past, although she's been wearing completely flat shoes since her surgery with no trouble.

I've been looking through your archives for her and I've recommended the Naot Tamariki, but I know she'd really love to have a few choices. Any suggestions you have would be *greatly* appreciated.

Tracy

Dear Tracy,

I'm so sorry to hear about your mom's achy achilles and the obnoxious dresscode instituted by someone who hasn't a clue about the pain a closed-back shoe can afflict on certain troubled feet. In fact, just this week I was diagnosed with achilles tendonitis; most likely caused by rheumatoid arthritis. But let me tell you, the thought of wearing closed-back shoes right now just makes me cringe.

Let me see if I can help. I'm  happy to hear your mom has found her Wolky sandals to be a comfortable option, but you're right--they're not suitable for winter and don't particularly great with socks!

I hope one of these closed-toe comfortable shoes with a back-strap will be helpful to your mom (click through on photo to read comments from happy customers):

Best wishes,

Kirsten

P.S. When she's up for trying a closed-back shoe, I highly recommend Arcopedico brand. The soft leather is very forgiving and gentle on the heel area.

 

 

 

 

Sale on Gorgeous, Eco-friendly and Comfortable Naya Shoes

Update 6/17: Wow. Further mark-downs of up to 50% off taken today!

I appreciate reader Sue for leaving a comment on my Naya shoe review alerting me to the sale I've been waiting for. Naya is Naturalizer's new eco-friendly line of gorgeous yet comfortable shoes and sandals. The retail price tag for Naya is quite a bit steeper than Naturalizer, that's why I'm thrilled to share this sale with my readers as we all know how pricey a good comfort shoe can be. Personally, I love the Naya footbed: perfect combination of support and cushion for a heel.

Here's sampling of Naya sale shoes over at Naturalizer.com:

1. Naya Telluride: Eight 5-star reviews. Available in sizes 5-11 with a few narrow and wide widths left.

2. Naya Timpas: 19 out of 20 customers would recommend this style to a friend. Not too shabby! Sizes are a bit picked over.

3. Naya McCloud: Average customer rating is 4.7 out of 5. Not as great a deal as other styles, but use promo code NATSUN until 6/30/10 and save an extra 10% off total.

While you're over at Naturalizer.com, check out their 50% off spring/summer sale for more great deals on shoes and bags.

Wolky Jewel Sandal: Would You Wear It?

I happen to love this wacky Wolky sandal and wish I had a pair in every color. Sure, it resembles a space-age hover craft with velcro straps, but that might be exactly what you're looking for if you suffer from Merrell-Keenitis--the main symptom being a desperate urge to update your comfortable shoe collection with something that doesn't have a Vibram sole or rubber toe bumpers.

The Wolky Jewel hails from Holland and is part of the aptly named Tulip collection. While the rocker-bottom sole appears to be fashioned from modeling clay,  it's actually a very lightweight yet durable polyurethane. The anatomical cork/latex footbed is layered with dense memory foam and is removable and replaceable.

My favorite feature of this comfortable sandal is the adjustability of all three straps to accommodate narrow to wide feet or those with combo feet like me; wider forefoot and narrow heel.

I own the Jewel in black patent and plan to take it on my trip to San Francisco next month. Although not the most streamlined shoe, I do appreciate its European vibe and feel it will fit the culture well compared to other shoes in my closet. The Jewel and other Wolky styles are available at PlanetShoes.com and OnlineShoes.com. To find a store near you that sells Wolky, click here.

What do you think? Would you wear the Wolky Jewel around town?

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