Comfortable Shoes for Women Blog | Barking Dog Shoes

Dansko Janie Sandal Review

2013-05-16T22:22:28-05:00

Thank you to my dear friend, Shannon, for stepping in to review the Dansko Janie.

As a mother of three active boys, I am on my feet a lot! After my first son was born, I wondered why my feet hurt. One day I realized the main reason was because I was now ON my feet more than I had been in the past. When I was working and sitting at a desk, I could wear uncomfortable shoes without much notice. Now, I was standing to wash bottles, do laundry, prepare a meal, stand at the park, etc. I noticed my feet by the end of the day.

A couple of years before my first son was born, I was prescribed orthotics for pronation (my foot collapses). I had experienced a running-related injury due to this condition. While I enjoyed the comfort of the orthotic, I found it cumbersome to transfer from shoe to shoe. Plus, some shoes really couldn’t accommodate the chunky orthotic. So, I started looking for shoes that simply offered more support.

As a “stay at home” mom, I didn’t have a ton of extra money to spend on shoes which led me to start looking for shoes that offered support without “breaking the bank.” When I bought my first pair of Dansko clogs, I felt they offered the most benefit for the price. I still do! For many years, I wore a pair of black and brown clogs for the winter months. In the summer, I would transition to a pair of black slides. That’s it! I felt they provided the support of my orthotic without actually wearing it or having to mess with it.

For many years, I wore a size 36. However, after multiple pregnancies and childbirth, my feet grew. Who knew? I now wear a size 37. Because I have a narrow heel, I admit that some Dansko size 37 styles are too big, especially the clog types. However, this shoe is a slide and I found it to fit quite comfortably without sliding or a “vice-like” toe grip to keep them on my foot!

After wearing the Janie Dansko, a few things stood out to me. One, I loved the softer insert of cork. They felt flexible with my movement and weren’t as stiff as some of my other Dansko shoes. Two, they offered a good deal of support despite a flatter heel. Did I mention the cork? Now, I know what all the hype is about! Three, I liked the stylish components to these shoes. The patent, thinner straps were trendier than the wider, flat straps of my other Dansko slides. Plus, I liked the varying silver buttons on each strap.

What didn’t I like? My main issue was with the height of the heel. I am used to wearing a higher heel which feels like it offers more support. So, the flatter heel was harder to get used to. Also, if your feet are at all swollen, the straps can be tight and/or pinch (see update below when Shannon realized the straps are adjustable!). Other than that, I liked these shoes and plan to wear them during the warm summer months! It offered support that a Dansko shoe is known for with the softness of cork.

"Oh! The straps ADJUST? I never knew!" When Shannon mentioned the straps felt a little pinchy, I remembered that they were adjustable. This is good news to those with more narrow or wider feet--you can customize your fit!

The Dansko Janie is available at:

Zappos: $135, free shipping and returns.
PlanetShoes.com: $135, free shipping and returns.
Amazon: $135, free shipping and returns.
Shoes.com: $135, free shipping.
HouserShoes.com: $134.97, free shipping.
Find a retailer near you.

Chaco Coral Ana MJ review

2013-05-13T22:56:58-05:00

Coral Ana Mj courtesy of Chacos.com

Chacos for Dummies. That's what these are. No criss-cross straps to get tangled up in. Hallelujah. I know, I know, some of you will tell me I'm a Chaco slacker--that I'm not trying hard enough. Don't get me wrong, I love Chaco sport sandals and I understand that once you get them properly fitted to your foot, they're gold. But I like the new option of a Chaco SHOE--one simple mary jane strap, that's it. And don't even get me started about the minty-teal green. I've pinned everything from sofa pillows to dish towels to dog beds in said hue.

The Coral Ana features Chaco's trademark LUVSEAT footbed (designed with the assistance of a certified pedorthist) with arch support and heel cup. While the arch support isn't as aggressive as what you'd find in a Chaco sandal, it's still great for a flat. The footbed is removable, and may work with an orthotic. I found the heel wasn't quite deep enough for my clunky doctor-prescribed orthotics.

A word on fit and feel:

I have a medium width foot, wider forefoot and narrow heel. I've got nuisance bunions and one tailor's bunion that will probably need surgery in the next few months. Lovely. While the Coral Ana was accommodating of my wider forefoot and offers a roomy toe box, I found the midfoot and heel too wide. I feel this shoe would best fit a slightly wide to moderately wide foot best. The mary jane strap fits well over a high instep without squeezing too tightly.

I'm wearing a 10 in the Coral Ana, but wonder if perhaps the 9.5 would have resolved some of the fit issues?

Overall I'm rather fond of this crisp canvas closed-toe cutie and foresee minty green feet well into the summer.

The Chaco Coral Ana is available at:

Chacos.com: $85 plus shipping.
PlanetShoes.com: $80, free shipping and returns.
Amazon: $85, free shipping.
Shoes.com: $85, free shipping.

Eric Michael Footwear from Spain

2013-05-09T21:40:53-05:00

Have you heard of Eric Michael footwear? If not, give a hearty mucho gusto to Sr. Michael and his beautiful, comfortable shoes from Spain. Not outsourced to China, absolutamente no.

Eric Michael's parent company, Laurevan Shoes, owns three European brands: La Plume (handsewn in Italy), Worishofer (German-made orthopedic footwear made hip by celebrities Maggie Gyllenhaal, Kirsten Dunst and Michelle Williams--see a style video here featuring Worishofer), and the casual-chic Eric Michael specializing in espadrilles with soft leather uppers and padded footbeds.

The three shoes featured from top to bottom:

1. Eric Michael Jillian: Unique floral cut-outs make this espadrille stand out from the rest. 3" heel with a 3/4" platform, padded footbed and gored slingback strap for secure fit. $116.99 at Zappos, $158 at The Shoe Spa.

2. Eric Michael Quinny: Aesthetically pleasing design in lively or neutral two-tones. 3 1/2" heel with 1" platform. $130 at Zappos, $129.99 at DNAfootwear.com.

3. Eric Michael Nettie: Glove-like leather straps on a mini-wedge with a padded footbed=all-day comfort. $105 at DNAfootwear.com.

Keep in mind that Eric Michael foowear is European sized and generally runs small--order accordingly. Also, the arch support is minimal. Try a hidden arch support insert by Dr. Scholl's.

Aching Feet Relief

2013-05-07T22:23:51-05:00

Hey this is Chris - husband to Kirsten of Barking Dog Shoes with my first entry! Hope I don't screw this thing up.

In today's Wall Street Journal, there is a great little article on finding relief for aching feet, written by Nancy Matsumoto. In it, she interviews Dr. Anne Holly Johnson, who specializes in foot and ankle orthopedic surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. Here are some excerpts -

Why do feet hurt at day's end?

Your feet bear the load weight of the body. "Naturally, if you stand for long periods, the load gets heavy for the feet, joints, and ligaments," Dr. Johnson says. For people with swollen feet at day's end, walking and moving the feet and ankles up and down can help as it circulates blood back to the heart. "If you're standing on your feet all day long and not contracting your muscles, everything drains to the feet," she says.

What helps ease soreness?

Elevating your feet or rubbing them can help. Dr. Johnson puts many patients who experience foot pain and foot fatigue on a twice a day stretching regimen for their calves, which relieves muscle tightness and pain in the ankle and foot.

Do high heels make it worse?

High heels can cause more foot distress because you're putting all your weight on the balls of your feet, says Dr. Johnson. She suggests wearing a wider chunkier heel for better weight distribution.

Do I need orthopedic shoes?

Probably not. Just make sure that your shoes are comfortable. Feet tend to get bigger over time so make sure to have them remeasured every time you buy shoes to get the right size.

Any other things that can help?

Weight loss can also help. Every pound of weight lost is like 3 to 4 pounds in decreased pressure on the feet and ankles.

To continue reading, go to The Wall Street Journal while you soak your feet in warm water with lavender epsom salts.

10 Comfortable Wedge Sandals for Summer 2013

2013-05-01T09:48:30-05:00

Wedges are stable,

which make you able

to stand longer, walk stronger, dance on the table.

Other sandals just can't hold a candle

to the wedge, so I pledge

to bring you the top ten--

and further enable,

no matter the label.

1. Crocs A-Leigh Mini wedge: Leather on top, cork on the bottom. The only thing Croc-ish about the A-Leigh mini wedge is the trademark Croslite footbed that provides incredible cushioning and good support. 2" heel. $59.99 at Zappos, free shipping and returns.

2. Spring Step Amelie: Zappos customers love the soft cushioning, lightweight heel and good support of the Amelie. Best fits a wider forefoot. $69.99 at Zappos, free shipping both ways.

3. Born Maldives: With a 2 1/2" heel and 1 1/2" platform, you're only contending with a one inch rise from toe to heel--sounds manageable to me! $105 at Zappos.

4. Clark's Caslynn Lizzie: OrthoLite® cushioned footbed, soft leather upper and adjustable heel strap make the Caslynn Lizzie one of Clark's most popular summer styles. $110 at Zappos.

5. Rieker Thalia 69472: The paisley fabric upper grabbed my attention as it's a new look for German brand, Rieker. Elastic banded strap makes for a secure fit and easy on/off. $94.95 at Shoebuy, free shipping and returns.

6. Camper Damas 21772: "Out of the box" comfortable, as one customer describes the Camper Damas. As with the Born Maldives above, the rise from heel to toe is one inch at best, which means less pressure on the ball of foot. $180 at Zappos, free shipping both ways.

7. Dr. Weil by Orthaheel Serenity wedge: New from Orthaheel, a 1 3/4" wedge sandal. Good for plantar fasciitis and pronation problems. Order down if between sizes. $129.95 at Zappos.

8. Munro American Reef: Available in sizes 4-12 and four widths, the Reef wedge features steel shank construction providing excellent support and stability. Good fit for narrow feet. Two inch heel with a one inch platform. $155 at Zappos.

9. Jambu Petal Too: Jambu specializes in the three inch "sporty wedge" with contoured memory foam footbeds, partially recycled rubber outsoles for maximum shock-absorption. $129 at PlanetShoes.com with free shipping and returns (free Jambu tote with purchase while supplies last).

10. Me Too Simona: The prettiest of the bunch, the Me Too Simona offers a padded footbed (with extra cushioning for the heel) and a two inch jute-wrapped wedge heel. $94.95 at OnlineShoes.com, free shipping and exchanges.