Barking Dog Shoes

Bella-Vita Athena: Comfortable Heel for Wide Feet

2012-02-07T10:26:33-06:00

I'm often hesitant to recommend a three-inch heel on Barking Dog Shoes. Am I sabotaging my divine call to help women find sensible footwear for their problem feet? And then comes the

wondering. Must I consistently feature only cork/latex footbeds and rocker soles?

But then I arrive at this conclusion. If a comfortable heel does exist, it is my job to show you. This website is a resource for all sizes and shapes of feet with myriad conditions.

Today's feature is for heel-loving readers who want a more comfortable option with on-trend style elements. I chose the Bella-Vita Athena because it earns praise from almost every reviewer.

What customers love about the Bella-Vita Athena and Athena II:

Great fit for wide feet (and narrow too) as it comes in multiple widths (the wide width is VERY wide).
Sturdy platform (3/4") balances out heel height (3").
Cushioned footbed.
Looks great on foot. Versatile style to dress-up or down.

The Bella-Vita Athena collection is available in sizes 5-12, narrow to extra wide:

Zappos: Athena, $87.99 / Athena II, $67.99.
Amazon: Athena, $109 / Athena II, $67.99-96 / Athena III, $107.95-125
Houser Shoes: Athena II, $49.88.
OnlineShoes.com carries a canvas version of the Athena for spring. $89.95.

Comfortable Shoes for Painful Instep

2012-02-01T23:14:20-06:00

Some days it's not about bunions. Today the instep gets its 15 minutes. It sits there quietly on top of your foot day after day holding your mary jane straps up, not to mention your ankle. But what to do when it says, "enough?"

Reader T. wrote to the Barking Dog last week with this very problem. She has developed a bump on the top of her midfoot, at the instep, that makes wearing certain popular styles like the mary jane a painful endeavor indeed. And you know the comfort shoe genre: it's all about the mary jane whether a velcro, hook and loop or buckle closure.

Reader T. is a 62 year-old grandma on the go who needs an "open-top" shoe with good arch support. She prefers a feminine, more streamlined shoe--no clogs. She also mentions she needs to exercise more, but the condition has kept her from doing so. I can understand completely as almost every pair of walking shoes is a lace-up. The recommendations below range in function from exercise-friendly to dress-up.

1. Ecco Vibration Skimmer: When I read a customer review that stated, "the edging around the top is super-soft," I was intrigued. The insole offers moderate support, but is removable to accommodate an insert. Lightweight with good shock absorption, the Vibration Skimmer makes a great travel/walking shoe. Some customers state that the shoe runs big; so order accordingly. Available in Euro sizes 36-42 (5.5-11.5), medium width for $100 at Zappos. Find an Ecco dealer near you.

2. Hush Puppies Sincerity: From the Body Shoe collection, the Sincerity features a stretch neoprene collar which is great for sensitive areas of the foot. While reading through customer reviews, I found that most feel the arch support is good for a flat, while a few say it's just not enough. The insole is removable to accommodate a different insert. Best for medium to slightly wide feet. Available in sizes 5.5-12 at HushPuppies.com for $58, 6pm.com for $46-59, Amazon for $42-85.

3. Crocs Kadee: Difficult to find a negative review, the Crocs Kadee is an affordable and pretty darn cute solution to foot pain. The trademark Croslite provides cushioned support and molds to the foot shape without aggravating bunions, hammertoes and other sensitive spots. Available in whole sizes 4-11, medium width (order down if between sizes). $30 at Zappos. Available in leopard print too!

4. Arcopedico L2: One of the best brands for sensitive feet with its soft and stretchy Lytech® upper (that actually looks like leather and is washable). Decent arch support. Available in Euro sizes 35-42 (5-11). Best fits a medium to slightly wide foot. $78.95 at FootSmart, $78.95 at Shoebuy.

5. Gentle Souls Iso Bop: A lovely little slip-on made of supple leather, deerskin lining and cushioning flax seed "pillows" in the footbed. The elastic band collar provides a snug yet comfortable fit with no gaping. While shoe shopping at a local department store, the sales associate had a pair of Iso Bops on. She said it's the only shoe she can wear all day on the hard floors. Available in sizes 5.5-10, medium width at GentleSouls.com for $185, free shipping and returns; $185 at PlanetShoes.com.

6. Ara Bella: It doesn't look much different than Aerosoles in the photo, but let me tell you, these are good, good shoes. I have a similar style by Ara. Good arch support for a ballerina-style flat, cushioned footbed, shock-absorbing outsole and room for toes. I love that the vamp crosses the foot below the bunion area--does not aggravate them. True to size and width. Available in sizes 6-11.5 for $128-159 at Zappos.

Daily Deal: Up to 60% off select Born styles at 6pm.com.

The Keen Sienna MJ is Back; This Time in Canvas

2012-01-26T10:19:00-06:00

Up until this week, there were only five pairs of Keen Sienna MJs left in the whole, wide world. Three scuffed up pairs on eBay and two on Sierra Trading Post: both size 5. All right, so maybe that's a stretch, but I had come to accept that I'd never see this formerly discontinued style again.

After a two year hiatus, Keen is reintroducing the Sienna MJ; this time in canvas. I've always loved the streamlined (for Keen) look of the Sienna, but how does it feel? Since the canvas version is brand new, reviews are scant. However, I was able to find plenty of reviews for the former Sienna in nubuck leather.

Pros:

Lightweight, yet durable ballet style shoe for spring/summer.
No break in time needed/no blisters.
Strap holds shoe in place for those with narrow heels.
Feels like a cushioned slipper (latex/cork footbed).
Insole is removable. Accommodates a thin orthotic/insole.
Versatile style; goes with jeans, skirts, capris, shorts.
True to size (read about width below).

Cons:

Lacking decent arch support. Insole may be needed. I recommend the Powerstep Slim Tech 3/4 Insole--it's lightweight, fits in most shoes and provides great support.
Although few complained of bunion issues, some mention the toe box is not as roomy as other Keen styles.
Narrower than other Keen styles which generally run a little wide.

The Keen Sienna Canvas MJ is available in whole and half sizes 5-12, medium width:

KeenFootwear.com: $75 plus $5 FedEx ground shipping.
OnlineShoes.com: $74.95, free shipping and exchanges.
Piperlime: $75, free shipping and returns.
Amazon: $75, free super saver shipping.

Do you have a pair of the original Keen Siennas in nubuck? How do you like them?

Dansko Rylan Boot

2012-01-23T23:28:03-06:00

Photo credit: Dean Powell from Footwear Plus Dansko Supplement

Isn't she lovely?

Isn't she wonderful?

The Dansko Rylan from the Rio collection...

...for the gal who loves the western-chic look of Frye, yet needs the all-day comfort and support of Dansko.

Valentine's Day is in three weeks. Print this out and put it by your sweetheart's laptop. Other than the Rylan's drop-dead good looks, here are four reasons why it's better than chocolate, roses or a new blender.

1. Arch support and then some.

2. Accommodates wider calves.

3. Genuine wood midsole provides stability (if too much bend in your footwear causes toe pain, the Rylan is a stylish solution).

4. Provides height without the pain of heels. Generous platform (1 1/4") balances out heel height (3").

Where to read more customer reviews and possibly pick up a pair if the feeling's right:

Zappos: $235, free shipping both ways.
Planet Shoes: $235, free shipping and returns. Save 10% at checkout with promo code BARK10.
Amazon: $177-200, free super saver shipping.
OnlineShoes.com: $234.95, free shipping and exchanges.
FootSmart: $234.95, free shipping.