Barking Dog Shoes

Oh! Shoes | Sexy Healthy Heels (and Flats)

2012-06-01T09:56:15-05:00

When Dansko just won't cut it...

Here come Oh! Shoes to get you through the day or night in style and comfort.

Really, who doesn't want a pair of sexy, healthy heels? Or flats? Is it too good to be true?

I don't think so. Over and over I continue to read five-star reviews; comments like, "Beautiful and beyond comfortable," or, "Glad I discovered this brand. They are some of the most comfortable heels I've tried on."

Sure, we've heard similar praise for brands like Earthies and Naot, but can you wear a pair of those to a corporate presentation? Probably not. Oh! shoes exude chic professionalism with their reptile print pumps and black kid suede shooties. They even make stylish heeled sandals. Take a look at four of my favorites and then read the diagram below to get an idea of the comfort technologies used give Oh! Shoes their all-day comfort and support.

1. Oh! Shoes Alana: From the Oh! Shoes website, "This pump has a reptile print upper with a patent leather toe and features a contoured and removable patented footbed that functions as an orthotic for cushioning and support, a patent pending shock absorbing heel, a soft glove leather lining, and a shock absorbing rubber outsole." 3" heel. You may do well ordering down if between sizes. $142.99 at Zappos, $94-200 at Endless, $85-200 at Amazon, $199.95 at Shoebuy. All online retailers listed offer free shipping and free returns.

2. Oh! Shoes Mango: Same supportive footbed as the Alana, but with a lower 1 1/2" heel. Available for $199.95 at FootSmart, $199.95 at Shoebuy.

3. Oh! Shoes Bali: Super soft leather covers bunions and doesn't aggravate them. Flexible outsole, patented footbed as pictured below. $139.95 at FootSmart, $135 @ Zappos, $135 at Endless.

4. Oh! Shoes Ibiza: Reviewers with narrow feet love this sandal for its good fit. $132.99 at Zappos, $89.99 at OnlineShoes.com, $189.95 at Shoebuy.

Want to try a pair on? Check the store locator to find a retailer near you.

Let's Talk Chaco

2012-05-29T22:20:03-05:00

Chaco ZX/1 Unaweep Wide Sandal courtesy of Chaco

I was never good at the pot-holder loom in the 70's. You don't want to see my macrame belt that I made in scouts. Thread and yarn crafts threaten me and I can't tie fancy knots or undo them either. But guess what. I can tighten, loosen and adjust my Chacos! If I can, you can. I feel like I just learned to tie my shoes--a little bit proud of myself, I am.

I may be preaching to the choir here since many of you already own a pair of Chacos. You already know they provide terrific support over hill and dale, town and country. But here are four facts you might not know yet:

The Chaco LUVSEAT™ footbed carries the honorable Seal of Acceptance by the American Podiatric Medical Association. The aggressive arch support helps to control pronation.
The midsole features a rigid nylon shank to increase torsional rigidity--technical term, but believe me, you want this in a sport sandal. If you can twist your sport sandal like a dish rag, it's no good. If you have painful metatarsals or big toe pain, a rigid shoe is best.
Some Chaco sandals (like the ZX/1 Unaweep pictured above) come in wide widths. I never thought I'd need a wide, but they're perfect for my wider forefoot with bunions and narrower heel. The medium was much too narrow at the forefoot.
You can design your own Chacos. Choose from 100 different colors/patterns of webbing!

I love the snug fit of my new Chacos. Yes, the arch support is best described as "aggressive." It's not going to let your arches laze around. You will notice them being pushed back up into a normal position--no pronating or supinating allowed. I recommend breaking them in 10-15 minutes a day the first few days. My right ankle complained when I wore them for longer the first week, but is starting to shut up more with each wearing. I think it has to do with my bone fusion in the midfoot--it doesn't like to flex over high arch supports. I don't think you'll have the same problem.

Sizing and Fit: I usually wear a 9.5-10 medium width. Chaco sandals come in whole sizes only, so my first order was a size 10 medium. The straps were too tight and the footbed a bit too long. They also had a toe loop that I found constricting. My next order was perfect. I sized down to a 9, but tried the wide width of the ZX/1 Unaweep--no toe loop. I had no trouble adjusting the straps and the wide width accommodated my bunions, while keeping my narrower heel secure.

Not sure which style would be best for you? Consult the sandal finder at Chaco.com to help you choose the right pair for your feet. Or visit an REI store for a professional fitting (see store locator).

Watch this video called the "10 Step Challenge" to understand the biomechanics behind the LUVSEAT™ footbed.

Where to buy Chaco sandals:

Chacos.com: free shipping with code SUMMERFUN12
PlanetShoes.com: free shipping over $49, free returns. Get a 15% discount with this link.
Zappos: free shipping both ways.
REI: free shipping over $50.
Amazon: get a great deal and free super saver shipping.

Do you have a pair of Chacos? What do you like about them? Do you prefer toe loop or no toe loop? Any advice for readers on how to get a great fit?

Memorial Day Shoe Sales 2012

2012-05-26T09:00:14-05:00

If you've held out on a new pair of comfortable shoes for summer, now is as good a time as ever. Planet Shoes is one of my favorite online retailers of stylish comfort shoe brands: Clark's, Aravon, Dansko and Naot are just a few of the brands marked down this weekend. Planet Shoes offers free shipping on purchases of $49 and more, plus free return shipping.

OnlineShoes.com offers $25 off a purchase of $99 or more with code 25MEMORIAL--there are brand restrictions. Free shipping, free exchanges within 30 days.

Save up to 50% on select styles at Endless. I see popular styles by Dansko, Keen and Birkenstock on the first page of the sale. Free shipping and free returns.

Shoebuy gives you 20% off and free shipping this weekend.

Save up to 60% on summer styles at Amazon, free super saver shipping/free returns on select styles.

Check out The Walking Company sandal sale this weekend. Many comfort brands for $99 and under, free shipping/free returns to store.

Save 15% sitewide at FootSmart plus free shipping when your total is $75 with code MemDay12. Not only does FootSmart carry comfort shoes, they also have an excellent selection of quality insoles, arch supports and foot care products.

A Sandal of Perfect Height | The Born Belinda

2012-05-21T21:50:20-05:00

Born Belinda by barkingdogshoes featuring crochet earrings

Polyvorishly Pinteresting, eh? Folks, I've always found Polyvore a tad threatening--I'm not a stylist. But I actually had fun putting this little ensemble together based around Born's ever-popular Belinda sandal. I hope you like it too.

I love the Belinda because it's not too high, not too low. It's simple, comfortable and versatile. The heel is 2 1/2" high with a sturdy 3/4" platform to balance out the height. The polyurethane outsole absorbs shock while the well-padded footbed cushions the soles. Soft leather won't irritate bunions, or other sore spots.

A word on sizing: The Belinda comes in whole sizes only. If you run between sizes and have a true medium width foot, I'd advise you to order down. If your foot runs slightly wide, the Belinda should accommodate you, but if you run between sizes, order up. If in doubt, order both sizes and keep the pair that fits; take advantage of free returns at Zappos, PlanetShoes.com and Shoebuy.

Considerations before buying: Not for narrow feet, arch support is minimal.

The Born Belinda is available in four colors, whole sizes 6-11 at:

Zappos: $85, free shipping both ways.
PlanetShoes.com: $85, free shipping and returns.
Amazon: $85-88, special offers available.
Shoebuy: $84.95, free shipping and returns.
OnlineShoes.com: $84.95, free shipping and exchanges.

Daily Deal: Born footwear up to 70% off at 6pm.com today

Alegria Kaitlyn Professional Shoe Review

2012-05-17T22:11:28-05:00

The Kaitlyn Professional courtesy of Alegria Shoes

I'm a week late appreciating all the nurses out there, but thank you! I see many specialist MDs, but
it's the compassionate and competent RNs that make my visits tolerable, even pleasant. Your hard, exacting work is noticed.

And teachers, keep on teaching. Your week of honor may be over, but as a former middle school teacher, I understand how much those chicken-scratch thank-you notes and hand-made gifts make your day, week and even year. You've done good well.

Perhaps it's time to treat your hard-working feet to a new pair of comfortable shoes. The Alegria Kaitlyn is for all professionals who spend a good part of the day on their feet. With a non-slip outsole and stain-resistant leather upper, the Kaitlyn is specifically suited for nurses, teachers, chefs, hair stylists--anyone that works in a sometimes messy (or slippery) environment.

I've been wearing my Kaitlyns around town for a week. Here's my take on this new style by Alegria.

If you know Alegria shoes, you understand they're in the same family of clunky-cute footwear as Dansko, Sanita and some Naot. The Kaitlyn features a new sole that's more contoured, less of a platform look.
The velcro stays put better than the Paloma mary jane. The unique cut of the vamp and instep bring the two sides of the shoe closer together, so there's less of a gap to close,--if this makes sense. The velcro surface area is more than you'd find on the Paloma too.
The leather covered latex/memory foam/cork footbed provides moderate arch support and is removable to accommodate an orthotic.
The toe box is wide, but doesn't seem as high as the Paloma. I do have hammertoes and find they feel a bit cramped, but I think the leather will soften up with wear.
Runs true to size. I usually wear a euro 40 for my size 9.5-10 feet and the Kaitlyn size 40 fits well. I have a medium width foot
Although the Kaitlyn features a rocker sole, it's different than the Paloma and other Alegria styles. It doesn't seem to propel my foot forward as well?
I love the floral upper--it looks hand-painted. I look forward to wearing them in the fall with tights! The Kaitlyn also comes in solid white, solid black and white with floral print.

The Kaitlyn and other Alegria styles are available at:

Zappos: $119.95, free shipping both ways.
PlanetShoes.com: $120, free shipping/free returns.
OnlineShoes.com: $119.95, free shipping and exchanges.
AlegriaShoes.com: $129.95
Find an Alegria retailer near you.