Don’t Step on My New Cool Shoes
Casual Styles Blend Fashion with Function

By Susan Rich

Today’s comfort shoes no longer bear the mark of yesteryear. Gone are the chunky soles, heavy lacings, and oiled black leather uppers that kept generations of stiletto-wearing women on their toes, afraid of how they’d look if they traded fashion for comfort.

Umpteen bunions, hammertoes, corns, and calluses later, women (and men, who made the transition more readily) no longer have to choose between foot pain and fashion.

Modern comfort shoes are elegantly designed, made with the finest leathers, fabrics, rubber, and synthetic materials available. These confections sit on anatomically correct footbeds, meaning even the dressiest of these shoes (not stilettos, those are simply bad for the body), look nice at the office.

Walk About chose the following shoes as the ideal footwear for weekend treks through the city, a long day shopping, or a stroll through Portland’s Washington Park or Seattle’s Seward Park.

Unisex (u), women (w), men (m).

Arizona (u) Famous for its comfortable fit and easy style, the Arizona is a breezy slide with the signature cork footbed. Double straps and adjustable buckles ensure a custom fit.

Boston (u) The Boston is a classic-styled, open-back clog that is the perfect match for the Northwest’s casual dress and outdoor-oriented lifestyle. An adjustable strap provides a personalized fit.

Margrete (w) A versatile Mary Jane-styled shoe set upon the famed “stapled clog” footbed. The Margrete, pictured here in red latigo leather, features an adjustable elasticized ankle strap to accommodate any foot.

Oliver (m) Think sleek and low with “Oliver’s” European-inspired design. Men will appreciate the shoe’s elastic goring for slip-on ease.

Pirouette 2 (w) Made of butter-soft leather, the Pirouette 2’s pretty pleats and gathered vamp takes advantage of the healing benefits of “negative heel” technology. Available in vegan styles, too.

Barcelona (m) The Barcelona, with its hand-sewn cobbler stitch construction and negative heel design, is a sandal as sophisticated as its Spanish namesake.

Sydney (w) The Sydney is a cute, comfortable and durable interpretation of the classic Mary Jane design. An adjustable buckle allows for easy entry into the shoe and a snug fit.

Francisco (m) With a design inspired by the original huaraches, the Francisco’s metatomical footbed and EVA midsole cushions the foot with every step, creating that broken-in feeling and day-long comfort.

Huvi (w) The harmony between style and function is captured in the Huvi shoe with its Mary Jane styling and genuine rubber outsole that provides traction on the wettest days.

Tuktu (m) The Tuktu moccasin for men is fully lined in leather. Hidden twin-side elastic panels ensure a great fit. A hand-sewn moccasin toe and whipstitch details set this shoe apart from other styles.

Kayla (w) The charming Kayla is designed for everyday comfort, with straps placed “just so” for maximum support and carefree walking.

Lappland (m) Designed for men, the Lappland is a comfortable and supportive walking sandal with two adjustable Velcro straps and a padded heel strap. The shoe has a removable cork/latex footbed that conforms to your foot over time.

Frond (w) Feminine and fun, the lime-green “Frond” is the ultimate in kick-back comfort. A precise thong fit is achieved with a nubuck leather upper and stretch insets. The shoe features an antimicrobial footbed and its sporty sole provides wet/dry surface traction.

Bottino (m) An update on an old classic: soft leather, a foot-friendly pigskin lining, and a comfortable midsole create a ground-hugging thong that provides wet/dry surface traction.

Laurel (w) “Laurel” is a weekend walker featuring Mary Jane styling, a soft leather lining, and a natural cork cradle midsole.

Sellwood (m) Casual styling meets comfort in this oxford-style shoe. Lightweight and comfortable, the Sellwood combines a leather upper, leather-lined interior, and shock-absorbing cork midsole to create a long-lasting shoe.

Hipthong (u, by color choice) The new “Hipthong” unites fixed straps in the forefoot with pull-through versatility over the instep, creating a secure slip-on sandal.

Leather Flip (u, by color choice) Foot-cradling support and buttery smooth leather make this classic thong-style shoe timeless and elegant and the perfect travel companion.

Beach (u) It all started with the Beach, the funky plastic shoe with an anatomical footbed that is perfect for standing, walking, and hanging out at the local coffee shop. The similarly styled Cayman is the slimmed-down version of the Beach.

Athens (u) As historic as ancient Greece, the flip-flop Athens is virtually weightless, slip-resistant, and features non-marking soles.