I love these sandals - I wore them for 12 hours a day on holiday and they didn't rub my feet (aff)
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From airport walks to evening dinners, these crystal-detail FitFlop sandals stayed comfortable for 12 hours without rubbing or leaving my feet aching.
Finding sandals that actually stay comfortable all day can feel impossible, especially when you're walking around in the heat on holiday.
But after wearing these FitFlop Gracie Crystal Strappy Back-Strap Sandals for long days sightseeing, dinners out and evening strolls, I can say I now never want to travel without them.
Prior to having these, I would always come home from my week-long trip abroad with happy memories, a tan - and blistered feet. I would take at least four different pairs of sandals, carry an extra pair with me every day so that I could change part way through the day, and put plasters on at the beginning of every day to try to prevent rubbing happening.
But, that routine was growing tiresome, and truthfully it didn’t work. Despite all my best efforts, I still came home with sore feet. So, I was thrilled to find that the FitFlop Gracie Crystal Strappy Back-Strap Sandals for up to 12 hours a day during my recent holiday to Crete - and for the first time that I can remember in ten plus years of foreign travel, I came home with no damage to my feet.
The first thing I noticed was how soft they felt straight out of the box. Usually sandals need breaking in, but these were comfortable from the first wear - which happened to be on the first day of my holiday as they only arrived a couple of days before my flight. I was cautious at first, and only wore them for a couple of hours on a short walk around the local area which lasted a couple of hours. I was pleasently surprised with how comfy they were, and thrilled to be able to just enjoy what I was doing without having to try to soothe my stinging feet.
As the week went on, I was getting more and more confident in the reliability of these beautiful sandals. By the last day of my trip, I spent 12 hours on my feet but still never had that horrible rubbing on my heels or toes that I thought I just had to accept with sandals and new shoes.
So, if you're after something stylish that still feels supportive and remains comfortable from morning till night, I can’t recommend the FitFlop Gracie Crystal Strappy Back-Strap Sandals highly enough.
They also look stunning as well as being practical and comfortable. I chose the silver crystal design, and the crystal detailing caught the light beautifully without looking over the top. That, coupled with the versatile silver colour, meant they worked just as well with floaty evening dresses as they did with shorts and linen trousers during the day. I loved that I could wear one pair of sandals that worked for daytime exploring and evenings out.
This was also ideal for when I returned home late from an excursion and there was no time to go back to the room to change before having my evening meal. I didn’t feel overdressed during the day, but neither did I feel underdressed in the evening. Shoes like these are key when you go on holiday because not only are you not always able to change your footwear, but you also have your baggage allowance to think of and you can’t pack every pair of shoes you own.
Plenty of other colours and designs are also available, including black, white, tan, berry and sage, so you’re sure to find something that suits your style.
Another big plus for me was the back strap. So many flat sandals slip around while you're walking, but these felt secure without digging in. The cushioned sole made a noticeable difference on hotter days when my feet would normally ache after hours of walking around quaint streets and shorelines, but not with these lovely sandals. I felt like I could just keep going and going. If comfort is your priority but you still want something pretty, these sandals are a great option.
They may be more expensive than some other sandals on the market, (they are £100), but having completely comfortable feet is absolutely worth that price tag. The older I get, the more I realise it doesn’t matter cheap a pair of shoes are, if they end up rubbing my feet they’re just not worth it. I’d much rather pay more money for one pair of sandals that I can confidentally wear time and time again, and year after year, than buy several cheaper pairs but continually have to put plasters on my feet, wait for blisters to heel and have to spend days every summer breaking them in.
These aren’t a fast fashion item that you may only wear for one season, these are an investment fashion piece that you will be able to wear for many years ahead. So, spending that little bit more money is a good choice, in my opinion.
I've only just got back from my holiday, but I’ve already started wearing them again now I’m back home during the heatwave we are currently experiencing in the UK because they're one of those rare pairs of shoes that don't need a recovery day afterwards. They're ideal for holidays, summer weekends, garden parties or even just everyday wear when you want something comfortable that still looks stunning.
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