Shoes

I have a problem. I like semi-expensive shoes. But the real problem is that I don’t like “fashionable” semi-expensive shoes. You know me. I am all about comfort. So no matter how on sale those cute little Coach sandals are, I am skipping right over those to the Chacos, Sanitas, and Earths. Which leaves me with dismal choices when going out on the town.

Let’s review the list here. All three of these shoes offers superior arch support. Chacos are amazing hiking sandals. I love them because I like hiking in streams and these seamlessly transition to the water when necessary.

Sanitas, previously the makers of the famous Dansko footbed (now their own company making the clogs), make a shoe that is so common in the healthcare profession that it is practically their best advertisement. But you saw it, wedged up there in the parentheses, the word that makes my sister throw up a little, CLOGS. Because nothing says “I don’t give a shit about my appearance, I am saving the world right now” like a pair of Sanita clogs. I will say this: I love my clogs. They are really comfortable, they add about an inch or two to my height, AND if my pants are long enough (read:unhemmed) you can’t even tell they are clogs.

I have saved the best for last. These are the only shoes I have that could transition to a suit-wearing setting. Earth Shoes. These shoes are just awesome. Plain and simple. But they are anything but plain… Or simple. They have a reverse incline in the heel. This helps my posture and according to Earth Shoes, increases the amount of calories I burn when I walk. Who wouldn’t want that? Plus, as I said, there are many different designs, some of which are totally appropriate in a business setting. But as a reverse incline heel would suggest, all of my options are flat.

And with that, my shoe obsession and general selection also fall flat. All I need is one pair of really comfortable heels that I can walk a few blocks in. A pair I can pack into work for happy hour later. Someday my shoe fantasy will come true.