My happy feet Naot Kayla 7806 for Women
Happy Feet: Reebok Classic for Women Soles4Souls W/O Reebok Classic for Women Brand: Reebok Gender and Age: Women Shoe Width: Wide 46713622 ...
Cute, versatile, comfortable Skechers Leading Lady Casual for Women Brand: Skechers Shoe Type: Mary Janes Shoe Style: Casual Material: ...
Brand:
Naot
Shoe Type:
Sandals
Material:
Leather · Suede
Gender and Age:
Women
Shoe Width:
Medium · Narrow
39012960
For years, I wore the latest styles in shoes: heavy platforms in the late ‘60s and early ‘70s, wooden footbed sandals, 3½” stiletto heels with pointy toes, Frye boots, Dr. Scholl’s… You name it, and if it was in style, I wore it.
That all came to a screeching halt about 25 years ago when the style went back to heavy-soled gumshoes. I took one look at those clodhoppers and decided that I’d had enough. Henceforth, I would never wear a wooden sole or a heel more than 1″ high. I may not be in fashion, but by God, I’d be comfortable.
I’ve pretty much managed to stick with that rule ever since, with just a few exceptions (my step-daughters’ weddings,) and my feet love me. I wear flat shoes whenever possible and low heels if I have to. And I insist on a really high arch support because my arches are very high and I just can’t walk far without supporting them.
I started with Birks and then discovered the Naot line of Israeli shoes. They are built on the Birkenstock model - cork sole with leather lining and serious arch support - but take it a step or two or three further. Read on…
I needed some comfortable shoes to wear in China two years ago. We were going to be doing a lot of walking and I needed a shoe that would stay on and not kill my feet. I considered my athletic sandals, but decided I needed something a little more attractive for the dinners we would be attending. So along with my Chaco sandals and flip-flops, I packed a pair of Naot Kayla Sandals in copper leather.
FEATURES
My Kaylas have a 1″ heel made of a black poly material.
They have two narrow straps that diagonally cross the metatarsal of my foot, side-by-side just below my little toe and separated by about an inch on the other side of my foot, where the bunion would be if I had one. There’s a backstrap and an instep strap that goes across my ankle. It has velcro on the end so I can adjust the width of the opening.
The foot-bed is made of molded wax and cork, and conforms closely to the shape of my foot. It’s slightly raised around the edge, has a ridged toe-grip, a major arch support, and a slightly depressed heel cup.
The interior of the shoe is lined with soft suede.
The shoe comes in 20 colors of leather, Nubuck, and patent. I felt that the copper leather would be the most versatile for summer wear.
I bought mine in the spring of 2006 and paid $106.
Further information, color choices, enlarged photos, and testimonials are available at http://naot.com/cgi-bin/show_product.pl?yaleet_number=7806&cat=2.
WHAT I LIKE ABOUT THEM
Naots in general, and Kayla’s specifically, are more stylish and less clunky than Birkenstocks. I’m not sure what the difference is, since they are built on the same principles, but their styles are a little dressier, and fit a little more closely to the foot.
They are also more comfortable than most Birks. I’ve had other Naot styles that were entirely flat and found that their footbed was softer and more cushiony than my dear old Birkenstocks. The sole is thicker, and is made of a somewhat softer material, which contributes to the sense of comfort. And I love the soft suede that cuddles my tootsies.
I love having all those choices of color and material in a comfy shoe. That has not been my experience in the past.
Unlike most shoes, you don’t have to choose between looks and comfort. These sandals, while not dressy, are certainly nice enough to wear to an informal gathering or even a nice dinner with a dress, but they are also incredibly comfortable. My feet love these sandals, and I don’t feel under-dressed when I wear them.
WHAT I’D CHANGE IF I COULD
For some reason, the sizing is really off on these sandals. I usually wear a US 8, or a European 37 or 38, depending on the maker and style. But when I bought my Naot Kaylas, I had to go all the way to a 40. Weird. Other Naots I’ve bought in the past have run truer to size; these are way off.
That makes buying them on line problematic. You really need to try these puppies on before buying.
The strap across the ankle could be a little longer. It was so miserably hot and humid in China that my feet and legs swelled to the point that I had a hard time walking. My Naot Kaylas fit in the morning when I put them on, but by mid-morning, the ankle strap was almost buried in my swollen flesh and I had to take them off. Had that strap been a little longer, I probably could have worn them all day.
They cost the moon. I think $100+ is a LOT to pay for shoes, but I’d rather pay it for ones I can happily wear all day than for dressy killers that I wear only on formal occasions. That’s what most of us do, isn’t it? - skimp on the every-day runarounds and pay the moon for the rarely worn styles. Anyway, even though I think they are a little pricey, they are worth it to me.
SUMMARY AND VERDICT
I’ve had other Naot styles before but my Kaylas are by far the most comfortable. I’m not usually a fan of straps that cross my foot at the ankle because of my swelling tendency. But except for those horrible days in China, I’ve been comfortable in my Kaylas. And after more than two years of frequent use, they still look as good as new… well, almost. And my feet are happy. Five stars.
Dr. Martens Erica Slides are comfortable and casual sandals. Dr. Martens Erica Cut Out Slide for Women Brand: Dr. Martens Shoe Type: Slides Shoe Style: Casual Gender and Age...
Propet Walkers… That’s Comfort! Propet Lucerne Walker for Women Brand: Propet Shoe Type: Walking Shoe Style: Casual Material: Leath...
Dingo… Sit! Stay. Dingo western Fashion Slip On Boots Shoes for Women Brand: Dingo Shoe Type: Boots Shoe Style: Casual Material: Leather ...
Make your heart happy Clinique Happy Heart Set Brand: Clinique Type: Gift Sets Application Type: Sprays Gender & Age:...
Absolutely Amazing Shoes! New Balance 1223 by Balance for Women Brand: New Balance Shoe Type: Running Shoe Style: Athletic Gender and ...
Easy Spirit Diving Mule~A Slip On Shoe~Easy On Easy Off~Maybe Too Easy Off! Easy Spirit Diving Mule for Women Brand: Easy Spirit Shoe Type: Mules Shoe Style: Casual Gender and Age:...
Got cold feet? Not anymore! Dreamtime Microwavable Foot Coz s Lavender Velvet 1 Pr y
Tags: , Naot Kayla 7806 for Women, Shoes, Wellness & Beauty
Leave a Reply