I’ve always been kind of skeptical of these funky-looking, garden-cloggy little numbers. At first I thought they were the ugliest things to claim the title “shoe” since those 1980’s white high-top Reeboks with the two skinny velcro straps around the ankle (which, I am sorry to say, I saw at Shoe Pav this weekend). But even as I got used to the spectacle, I was still curious enough about their popularity to inquire about their attraction to anybody wearing them, friends and strangers alike. My curiosity came to a pretty good simmer last year at Disneyland when we spotted numerous people, males and females and kids and grandparents, wearing them in the park. Where you walk about 3,563 miles in three hours. (Plus, we all know that guys don’t wear shoes just because they are trendy or look cute.) The curiosity started to boil when I occasionally stopped at the racks to peruse through the various colors and ponder their high price tag, and people started approaching ME. “They’re so awesome,” says a girl walking by. “Do you have any? You will love them,” says a lady in passing. “I didn’t believe it, but they are the most comfortable shoes,” says an old man in the sports store.
Okay, okay, enuff. I finally broke down and bought a khaki-colored pair for K, half-joking, for Valentine’s Day. Unfortunately they were a little big, so he didn’t wear them until we were able to get the correct size – this weekend, the very same weekend that I found women’s sizes for $20 at Costco – they had pink in my size – and I could resist no longer. The price was my last holdout. The walls were busted down.
So all of that hullaballoo just to say: I love them. They are way better than flops; you don’t have to concentrate to keep them on your feet. They’re more forgiving of Ugly Feet Syndrome (yeah, I’m totally a foot snob). I don’t feel like a total dweeb wearing socks with them. And yes, they are THAT comfortable. I have joined the ranks. K’s still warming up to them, but he’s reluctant about ANY new shoes and has never been a fan of sandals of any type. Personally, I think they look great on him. Now he just needs a trowel and some of those gardening knee pads.
They’re just too comfortable.. And they make so many different styles now that they can be practical in many ways!
Laura, 28 years old
