Barking Dog Shoes

Hot Deals on Dansko, Naot and Crocs Today

Good morning, comfortable shoe friends. I wanted to let you know of some super sales at 6pm today. New styles of Crocs are 40% off while Dansko and Naot are deeply discounted at up to 60% off.

Just a short post today as nursing a bad wrist due to RA flare--trying not to type so much. In the meantime, check out this podiatrist's blog. She hasn't updated in a few months, but the information and shoe reviews are top notch...and she's a Wolky gal like me. Leave her a comment and encourage her to update!

Sanita Marcelle and Similar Clogs

It just wasn't an open-toe shoe day today. Chipped polish, hammertoe insecurity and a swollen ankle from chasing the toddler around the concrete pool kept my feet confined, but happily so in my Sanita Marcelles. I received these comfortable shoes courtesy of TheClogOutlet.com and after wearing them through the winter months, had shelved them...until today.

I've mentioned before that our church is GINORMOUS and premeditated shoe selection is a must for the achy-footed. Knowing I'd be dropping our children off on different floors and hoofing it to our car parked in the 18th arrondissement, I went with comfort over style. But did I?

I'm really quite pleased with the overall look of clogs with a sundress. Yes, yes, a strappy little sandal would complete the look better in a perfect-foot world, but amigas, the Marcelle was clearly the perfect choice. How do I know? I kept them on long enough to take photos instead of kicking them off in the car!

I love the roomy, deep toe box, rocker sole and mary jane strap: accommodates bunions and hammertoes while remaining securely on the foot. The arch support is amazing.

If you have any kind of forefoot pain, ankle instability or plantar fasciitis, you must try a shoe with a rocker sole. You'll thank me.

The Sanita Marcelle carries the seal of acceptance from the American Podiatric Medical Association.

The Sanita Marcelle in gray patent is difficult to find; I believe it's a retired style. But you can still pick up a pair in black or brown cabrio leather, or if you're a Dansko gal, try their version of the Marcelle before it's gone forever! What? Gone forever? No worries--check out the updated Dansko Marah.

A word on sizing: I'm wear a 10, sometimes 9.5 and the  euro 40 fits me perfectly.

The Sanita Marcelle  is still available in limited colors and sizes at:

• Zappos: $96
• Amazon: $75-92
• OnlineShoes.com: $84-99

Do you own a pair of Sanita or Dankso Marcelles? I've read a few customer comments stating that the footbed is just too hard for sensitive feet--what do you think?

Comfortable Shoes for Narrow Heels, Wider Forefoot

**HUGE SALE ON CLARK'S AT 6PM.COM TODAY**

Sue wrote to me last week requesting assistance in finding a non-frumpy shoe that would fit her medium-wide forefoot and narrow heels. Surgery to correct a bunion and hammertoes has left her right fore and mid-foot "thicker" or wider, yet she still has narrow heels. Yes, this is a comfortable shoe conundrum for the Barking Dog. I'm going to make a few recommendations based on personal experience and internet research, but I'm calling on all you with "combination feet" to pipe in with your shoe suggestions in a comment below.

1. Aravon by New Balance: These dress-casual shoes have all the comfort technologies you'd expect from New Balance, and they even come in widths. I own the Aravon Mia and find the toe box to be very accommodating of bunions and hammertoes. The heel stays put as it runs narrower than the forefoot. Available at Zappos, NBwebexpress.com and Footsmart.com (good sales). Click on this link to find a local dealer. 

2. Beautifeel: This lesser known dress comfort brand hails from Israel and gets high marks from the Barking Dog for supreme comfort and style yet a slightly lower mark for affordability. Although customer reviews are scant on the internet, the ones I did locate mentioned Beautifeel's wider toebox and narrow heel. I can attest to this as I owned a pair ten years ago when my rheumatoid arthritis started to take off big time in my feet causing bunions, painful hammertoes and metatarsalgia. As a middle school teacher, I needed one dressy pair of comfortable shoes for open house and conferences. Beautifeel fit the bill with their super soft leathers, comfortable lasts, flexible outsoles and well-positioned manageable heels. Available at The Walking Company and Footwearetc.com.

3. Miz Mooz: Now I'm certainly not recommending every style across the board from this funky, Fluevog-esque brand. But after researching customer comments, I can suggest two styles that will provide a roomier toe box and narrow heel without sacrificing style. The Chai, Barrio and Dinah all feature a roomier toe box, slightly padded footbed and adjustable instep and back straps to keep those narrow heels in place. I recommend ordering up a half size as Miz Mooz runs slightly small. Available at Endless.

 

4. Naot: This brand from Israel is quickly gaining fans in the US as women discover how truly wonderful these supportive, comfortable shoes can be. Ten years ago Naot looked like Birkenstock, but not so anymore. Their styles are innovative, young and unique. Check out the Sea, Coast and Tamariki for a shoe featuring a wider toebox and narrow heel.

 

Other brand to consider: Softspots, Bella-Vita, Ecco, Arcopedico and Ryka.

New Balance True Balance Toning Shoes

Most comfortable able toning shoes EVAH! Stay tuned for full review. I'm here at the Y and just had to show you... Thanks to PlanetShoes.com and New Balance for sending them my way. 

Update (later in the day): The True Balance doesn't look or feel like your typical "toning" shoe. It lacks the awkward, bulky rocker sole characteristic of other shoes in the toning category and it takes no time at all to get used to. It's stylish, streamlined and you won't feel like you're wearing clown shoes. So how are they supposed to tone when they look so, well, normal??

It's all in the patented balance board technology of the midsole with a unique spring system design to activate muscles while walking. The video below provides a visual explanation of the True Balance technology.

Although I appreciate all the research that went into creating True Balance footwear, I wear these comfortable shoes because they are so kind to my bad feet (hey, and if they happen to tone my legs, glutes and core, I won't fight it) . The footbed is gloriously cushioned and supportive while the synthetic suede and mesh upper is the softest I've ever felt in a walking shoe. It doesn't rub on bunions or hammertoes. It seems to say to my feet, "Oh, you need more room there? Why certainly!" If my feet had their own security blanket, it would be these lightweight lovelies.

A word on sizing: I'm between a 9.5 and 10. The 9.5 fits my foot like a glove. The New Balance True Balance comes in sizes 5.5-12, medium and wide widths. 

The New Balance 1100 toning shoe (featured in photo)  is available at PlanetShoes.com for $109, while the New Balance 850 toning shoe runs $89, free shipping and returns.

Ecco Groove Gladiator at Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco

I'm back from San Francisco with over 100 photos of the usual suspects: Golden Gate Bridge, painted ladies, cable cars and hippies on Haight. And a few from more subdued, yet breathtaking sites like Muir Woods and the vineyards of Sonoma.. But you won't see those here on BarkingDogShoes.com. Aren't you lucky? You get to see feet in the Ecco Groove Gladiator doing what they do best in this particular sandal: walking in comfort and style around Fisherman's Wharf.

Later that evening while doing a little shopping in Union Square, I found the Ecco Groove Gladiator at Nordstrom and took a moment to admire it. Without trying it on, I could still see why 95% of Zappos customers award this comfortable sandal with five stars for comfort and style:

• Extremely lightweight
• Durable sole
• Cushioned footbed
• Velcro straps for adjustability
• Neutral colors go with everything

Recommended for medium to slightly wide feet. Available at:

• Zappos: $132, free shipping both ways.
• Endless: $129.95, free 2nd day shipping.
• Amazon: $98-132
• Shoebuy: $129.95, free shipping and returns.
• OnlineShoes.com: $129.95, free shipping and exchanges.

And which shoe did I hoof around in for four days? My Wolky Jewels, as if there's any question. In fact, the waitress at Sotto Mare (Cioppino!) in North Beach stopped me on my way out to inquire about my shoes. I have a feeling I told her more than she needed to know...just doin' my job.

There I am at Muir Beach (brrrr!!!)  holding my beloved Wolkys so they don't get sandy.