(no subject)

[ellarien]

This spring, being down to my last pair of serviceable sandals from the three I bought at Payless around 2005, I bought three new pairs -- two of everyday Clarks and one of slightly fancier Hush Puppies -- confidently expecting them to last me a few years, considering that they cost at least twice as much as the Payless ones. (Payless doesn't seem to do leather any more, sadly, and plastic shoes have never worked for me.)

This lunchtime, I noticed that the (hollow synthetic rubber) soles of one of the everyday pairs were shredding and collapsing -- which didn't do much for my knees, walking in them. The other pair isn't far behind, either, though they might hold up for another day or two's wear. Which leaves me with the tail-end of the last Payless pair, the pretty but rather unsupportive peeptoe wedges I got at BHS last summer or the summer before, and the fancy Hush Puppies to get through the last two months of summer, I suppose.

Comments

[lil-shepherd.livejournal.com]

There are a number of good sandal manufacturers - Hotter and Josef Seibel spring to mind - though, to be honest, despite massive use, I haven't had much trouble with Kays/Clarks.

[ellarien]

These particular Clarks were made in China, which may explain it. I'm quite put out -- I grew up in Clarks shoes and sandals, though to be fair I usually outgrew them before they had a chance to get very worn! These hadn't been very heavily worn at all -- maybe three times a week for four months.

I have trouble with sandals summer shoes in general, because the kind with straps tend not to stand up to my walking habits -- I have to have either a solid back or no back at all. I also can't stand up in heels, I need something that looks at least semi-respectable with a below-the-knee dress or skirt, and I haven't much use for anything in which I couldn't walk at least two or three miles if necessary.