I should be in bed

[ultranos]

I need new sandals. Preferably something that won't disintegrate in 2 years of constant wear in the summer and has decent breathability in the soles. I don't want to lose the calluses I'm trying to develop, and I especially don't want any more blisters. Anyone have any suggestions? Also worthy of note is that I generally have to buy men's footwear, because finding my size in women's is approximately impossible.

Bonus Hilarity of the Day:

I called the prefrosh running around campus this weekend "small children". Clearly, my perceptions of reality have been irreversibly screwed.

There is only one obvious course now: GET ME OUT OF HERE, HQ!

Too bad extraction at this point is 2 months away.

Comments

[abyssinia]

They usually run, um, $60-$100 (I've had good luck finding them cheaper when I go to places that have discount/clearance shoes) but I swear up and down by Keen sandals. I spent 24 years refusing to wear sandals because you couldn't run in them, they wouldn't protect your feet, they weren't comfortable, etc.

Keen Newport H2's are awesome. Wide enough, good sized toe-box, incredibly durable, wide range of colors, and really comfortable for long term wear (miles of walking).

Aw, prefrosh. Heck, I was doing that with our seniors-in-college perspective grad students the other month.

[ultranos]

A friend of mine got Keens recently, and she swears by them. They look damn comfortable.

The price is the only thing I'm balking at a little, but that's because I've worn $15 sandals all my life. They lasted about as long as you'd expect. :/

[abyssinia]

Well, like I said, I've spent my entire life refusing to wear sandals because they don't let you move as well as sneakers, and I swear by my Keens. (I mistyped "knees" there. Oh god do I NOT swear by my knees. I swear *at* my knees). They are damn comfortable.

The price is bad, yeah. Which is why I've never paid full price (never more than $50). If you are willing to do a little shopping around, I've found them for way cheaper at places like Nordstrom Rack, some random shoe store in NYC, and other places that do things like last year's model. If you can go to a store and try them on and decide what you like (Keen sizing is a little inconsistent both with itself and with other brands) you might find a good deal online.

I do think they're worth the price - comfortable and durable.

[zats_clear]

also, I (a total non-runner) can run in my Keens. The price is totally worth it. You can get them for a bit less at Sierra Trading post online and they do free shipping, you can go back and forth to find your size if you need, etc. REI is a great place to find them as well, or at least to try them on so you can find a size/style that works for you and then find them cheaper online.

I have an REI membership so that works for me, same as sale price plus the usual shipping if you consider what you get back at the end of the year.

Just a smile and a comment on $15 sandals - yeah, I used to as well and then realized I had far far fewer aches and pains if I just bought fewer better quality shoes. Ah the price of getting older! (I am not quite your age plus abyssis' but darn close!)