Favorite Summer Gardening Shoes?

Towards the end of last summer I realized I needed more stable & functional gardening shoes than the flip-flops I'd been wearing, so I've been searching around on the net the last couple of weeks.

I think I've settled on these Birkenstock Caribbean sandles - http://www.shoepeddlers.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1835 - I especially like the drainage holes in the footbed, that they're washable, and that it looks like I won't slide out of them so easily.

I'm wondering if anyone's tried these, or if you have another kind you think is better?

Thanks!!

Bare feet, always :))

I take my shoes off in June and don't look at them again until September.

I would love a pair of these, but they are a bit pricey for me.

Yes, they're a bit high, but I think they'll be worth it in the long run. I'm watching for them on eBay, too, tho. My best friend was here for a few weeks last fall helping me in the yard and she had a pair of birkis that were wonderful - that's what convinced me I needed better shoes.

Threegardeners - I would love to have grass I could go barefoot in, but I'm afraid my barefoot days are over. With poisonous snakes, poisonous spiders, doggie poop, yellowjackets, fire ants, & other stinging things, and yucky grass, it wouldn't be fun. Not to mention my general foot vanity. ;) Yes, I'm vain about my feet. lol

LOL..ya, we don't have any poisonous things up here, makes a big difference.

My gardening friends all swear by those rubber shoes, Ducks? or something like that??

Sad to say whatever I'm wearing is the shoe of the day..perhaps that's why ALL my shoes need replacing this year...go out, thinking I'll just pull a weed or so and then voila, I've dug, I've weeded, I've watered the plants and looking down realize that my nice new shoes are now garden shoes..lol

I like those shoes myself, but WAY too pricey for my budget. I have a pair of Crocs that I got at Wally World for 7 bucks and I think I will be trying those for gardening shoes this year. They look to be made of the same material as these shoes, just not a thong-type shoe. They are washable with the hose or faucet as well. I bought my daughter a pair of the 'real' crocs at JC Penney, and I think mine are just as good, but cost a lot less.

I looked at all the Crocs and they look really comfy, but I need the thong type, with as little across the top of my foot as possible. I have a huge collection of dress sandals for the summer and hate the tan lines on my feet.

Yep, I can see my feet now, with all the little dots of tanned spots on them! HA HA HA
I never did want any cause I thought they were so ugly. But then I decided to try them and they are so comfy, I don't care how they look! :)

black addidas flip flops. i wear them everywhere and year round in texas. :) i'd go barefoot in the yard but i'm afraid of bugs and worms. lol!!!!!!!!!!!

get some dirt in your sandel? just shake it out. waterproof to so you can just hose your feet and sandels down when done.

Muck Boots. Great for the garden, but I've found that with orthodics in them they work very well for everyday shoes. Made in China,like everything else nowadays, but I haven't found a comparable Made in the USA product yet.

TirNaNog - which Adidas flipflops do you have? Got a link to a pic? I was looking at some of those, and some Tevas, too.

I have the Walmart crocks (both red and navy) and love them. They are undoubtedly my most comfortable pair of shoes. I have a wide foot and arthritis and they give my feet the most comfort. And they are wonderful for washing off.

I can't wear sandals or go barefoot in the gardens because too often I need to be using a spade to dig something out or plant something. I got a pair of Ariat hiking boots with a steel shank. The are great and they give my feet and arches the support and comfort for the entire day. Very comfy. :)

i use muck shoes year around...pricey yes but i dont get those bothersome dirt clods that i get with wearing birkenstocks or have muddy feet either since it rains like nine months out of the year here
pam

Red Jolly clogs- got a new pair for Christmas....Yeah!!!!!!!!
They have a back and removeable cork linings. They are wonderful for my feet, as don't hit my fibro hot spots; but do a great job protecting my toesies from my "don't look where you are going" style of gardening. :)

I generally wear flip flops, but if I'm going to be digging, I wear old sneakers.

Fun topic.....

I like going barefoot too--BUT----I have 2- 35 yr.old Silver Maples in my back yard and their roots are up all over the lawn. You can't always see them as the grass hides them, but--OUCH!!!! Does it ever hurt when you step on a knotty, protruding root!

Soooo--for self-preservation, I keep old flip-flops for yard shoes, but the ones with the wide Velcro closure tops. They stay on my feet better that actual flip-flops. I find f.f. hard to walk around in if they get wet. No support--NO traction between the foot and the plastic insole part.
I need to feel that my footwear is secure, as I have had 2 knee replacements and sturdy footwear is essential. Can't slip and fall! Oh, my God! The worst thing that could happen--falling on one of my artificial knees!!!!!
When I mow my lawn--I wear old, worn out tennis shoes. The ONLY time I wear those in my yard!

Gita

I hear on the news(local) last night that they are taking flipflops off the shelves because they are bad for your back. Are they doing this in other states?

This message was edited Feb 13, 2008 3:31 PM

What kind of flip flops? There has been some controversy over Crocs causing knee injuries, but that has been going on for a while now.

Stability isn't as critical to me as it is to you Gitagal, but that's one of the reasons I'm looking for more stable sandals this year. Supposedly with the ridged footbed in the Birkis, you don't slip out of them as much.

I searched Crocs more & did find a pair that looks interesting - http://www.surfanddirt.com/nofear/product.asp?s_id=0&prod_name=CROCS+ATHENS+RED%2FWHITE+FLIP+FLOPS+%2D+ADULT+%28ATHENS%29&pf_id=PAAAAAJGENHOAOEC&dept_id=6304

Watching on eBay for those, too.

They couldn't possibly take flipflops off the market - they've been around forever and will never go away.

Heck, if they use the "bad back" rational, they'd take high heels off the market, too. lol

The bottoms of my cheapy crocs are identical to those.

DH slipped mine on this morning and LOVE them, too! He wants me to find him a pair so he can have them around the house.

And you got yours at Walmart, Misty? If so, I'll have to take a look over there before I buy anything online.

Yes, they came from Wal-Mart, but they aren't the flip-flop kind. I donno if they carry those cause I can't stand things between my toes. :)

I'll check - thanks!! :))

You betcha! :)

You know......seems anyone 2yrs. old an up is now running around on "Crocks". They are EVERYWHERE! I have tried them on, but they are too loose and seem too big for my foot--even if i am trying on my correct size. And--I have an average foot and a regular, "B" width. I think, deep inside, I am still too worried about losing my balance and falling because my "shoes" are too lose and slippery when wet and my foot in them does not feel "supported".

If I could find one, my favorite sandals/rec. shoes would be one of those leather sandals where you have a loop of leather to insert your big toe into besides the other supports that still look like a F.F. type of a sandal. I tell you--having your big toe anchored makes a huge difference! It holds the rest of your foot in your sandal in place!

Could this become a new science topic? Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm....:o)

Gita