Looking for casual sandals

I tried searching the forums and I've looked at several options but can't seem to find the ones for me in a store. The ones I like best so far are the Ecco Passion sandals, I just can't find them in a store. I have a problem buying shoes online unless I've tried on shoes from the same company so I'm sure they will fit. I also would like to look at them in person to wrap my mind around the color and design.

My question is can anyone here recommend a similar sandal that I can find in a store? It might help if anyone here is in the Colorado Springs area and knows a store that stocks them. I am open to other designs but I have looked at Keens and a few others and didn't like the design. My main requirement is that they have open toes.

Thank you for your help.

You'll look like a hippie but they are amazingly comfortable and will last forever. I'm pretty sure my avatar wears them too...


Birkibuc Milano:


Birkenstock USA Link

Weather's getting better. Soon be time to dig out the Birkis again! They do last forever.

Just got a new pair of omega flip flops. They were pretty expensive, and much heavier than my previous pairs, but super comfortable with superb quality.

if you're open to flip flops, Rainbows are the best ever made.

With free shipping I would just order it...send it back if you don't like it....

http://www.thewalkingcompany.com/ecco-passion-sandal-dark-clay/18774

This company has stores in your state and mine but not every individual store carries all models. My store didn't carry the ecco biom shoe i wanted so...I had to get it on-line.

I had to laugh at your thread title, because I was trying to picture what formal sandals might look like!

I vote for the Birkis. I don't really care for sandals, but these are the best of the lot IMHO.

All I wear are Mephisto and I have them in four colors. Plus, they are fully resolable for big return on investment:

+1 for birkenstocks. I wear the model without the heel strap, and I love em. The fact that they can be resoled and generally rebuilt once you've molded the bed to your foot it every better.

Sadly, you will look like a hippy. There's really no getting around that.

Birk user here but those Mephisto's are gorgeous I will be looking into those, thanks for posting!

birks or adidas here

I have a pair of Teva Fossil canyons which can be found just about any place selling Teva's, this is my second pair, the first pair I had lasted well over 5 years of constant wear.


I've also eyed their "fisherman sandal style, but just couldn't justify getting them as well as the fossil canyons

Just go with zappos.com - free shipping both ways, so trying them on is a risk-free proposition.

+1 on Birkenstocks. I haven't worn them (or any sandal, really) in a long time, but they are incredibly durable and very, very comfortable.

All sandals are casual.

I'll only wear Reef flip flops and refuse to wear any sandal with any type of buckling strap. Probably a bit too casual for what you want.

I too am looking for sandals. I want flip flops. I am looking at Rainbows, but have a few questions/concerns. For starters, the price looks a little steep. I don't really want leather as I find flip flops to be a "careless" shoe. I don't want to worry about getting them wet. That said, how do they hold up? I know there is a lifetime warranty on the soles, but it doesn't cover the toe strap breaking, only if it pulls out. On every pair of flip flops I have owned, the toe strap has broken/ripped in half. Has this happened to you? I don't want to pay 30 bucks just to find out that the toe strap is as weak as a $3 flip flop.

Next up is the feel. My impression is that the leather molds to your foot. What about the other type? Do the non-leather sandals mold to your feet as well? I am more interested in the performance of the sole than of the straps.

Finally comes the size. My foot is 10.5" long. I typically wear a 10-10.5 shoe. It may sound odd, but I don't like my flip flops to flop around. I don't like much extra room at the front or back of the sandal. I am guessing that their medium (10.75" from toe to heel) is just a tad bit too small. Their next size up is 11.5" from the heel to the toe and I am concerned that this might be too big. Now, the size chart does say that for a 10-10.5 shoe, the 11.5" size sandal is appropriate, but I just want some opinions from those who wear them. Do you like the way they fit? Do they flop around?

Thanks in advance.

(As my daughter would say: OMG!) Don't forget the white socks to go with the sandals...