Cute, Comfortable, and Flattering Shoes!

We're heading to Paris for our honeymoon this summer, and my honey said I needed to get some really comfortable walking shoes, so I've been scouring websites and doing research. I settled on two pairs, a pair of sandals by Rieker, and the Keen Lucca.

I like the Lucca because it is an all-weather shoe and many reviewers said these could be worn on cobble stones, hiking, in the rain, etc. Also, these can be worn with or without socks, and the top is high enough up the foot to hide no-peeks.

These are very rugged - the sole is pebbly and rubbery, and this material goes all the way up and over the tops of the toe. The upper is water resistant leather (sueded, not smooth) and the sides have a thick and stretchy, spongy inset that is really comfortable and cooling.

The inside piece (officially called a "removable leather covered metatomical footbed") is like walking on HEAVEN. These removable pieces are thick at the heel and seem to provide great support. Keenfootwear.com says you can wash these footbeds by hand and air dry (they also note that using tea tree oil will help with odor) or replace them with aftermarket models such as Spenco and Superfeet. They don't provide replacements given the number of styles and sizes they'd have to maintain.

The ONLY thing that I can complain about is that there is some internal stitching at the top of the shoe (not on the outside, only the inside) that bothers my right foot - but not my left. So, for long days of walking, I will probably wear those no-peek socks after all.

Okay, that's the basics - wonderfully made and comfy shoe, blah blah blah. But the kicker (kicker!) is that not only are they MUCH cuter than the stock photos -- they are really flattering on, and actually make my size 9 feet look smaller! Also, this army green color is much more neutral and appealing than I expected, and will go with almost everything. I'm glad to have gone with the green instead of black.

One final point - Keen says that one should typically go up a half size for their shoes. I wear a 8.5 - 9 and have a slightly wide foot. I went with a 9 US (39.5 EU, 6.5 UK, 26 CM) and it's perfect!

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