Can anyone recommend some brands of shoes

[Lorien]

that are durable, not too expensive, and even possibly Blue?

I HATE shoe shopping, so most of the shoes in my wardrobe are pretty worn. I need sandals, black everyday ladies shoes, walking shoes, and boots (preferably not made of leather-trying to avoid animal products). Any suggestions?

[amazona]

1. I'm a believer in Kenneth Cole however they're leather

As far as durable, comfortable, and I think fairly priced (at least when you get them on sale) I'm a believer. I have several of the boots in different styles, not because they wear out but because they are so comfortable that I wear them constantly and abuse them in swamps, snow, desert, city streets, you name it. I've only had one pair of the sandals but they've lasted several years now which is DAMN good considering I sometimes go into salt water while wearing them. (Yeah, birdwatcher here) He has several times had advertising campaigns supportive of women's right to choose and other women's issues.

P.S. I just checked and they don't have the boots or the sturdy sandals online. I guess you need to check the stores? I hope they didn't discontinue them, my heart will break.

The conservation movement is a breeding ground of communists
and other subversives. We intend to clean them out,
even if it means rounding up every birdwatcher in the country.
--John Mitchell, US Attorney General 1969-72

[Lorien]

3. Actually, my oldest pair of dress shoes (heels) are Kenneth

Cole-and they're made of a microfiber material, so guess he has a few made made materials in his lines. I know that the discontinued styles end up at Off Broadway (a discount shoe store), so I'll check there. Glad to know that the rest of his line is as durable as my dress shoes!

:hi:

[melnjones]

2. I like New Balance

They make a high percentage of the shoe here in the USA, which means less outsourcing of jobs, less exploiting of people in impoverished countries, and products made mainly under our more stringent anti-pollution laws.

[Lorien]

4. I've only tried them on once-at Costco

they sold out of my size immediately-otherwise, I certainly would have bought them. Even the pair that I tried on (1 size too big) were amazingly comfortable. Good to know that they are more socially responsible than Nike. I think Reebok is a fairly responsible brand also, but their shoes don't hold up quite as well as I would like them too. How durable are New balance shoes?

[chaska]

8. I just retired a pair...

I wore them every day for a year, then walked 750 miles on the Appalachian Trail in them, washed them, glued the tip of the sole back in place and wore them almost three more years. There was a lot of track (exercise) walking in there too.

Does that answer your question?

I love 'em. I wish I could afford to buy another pair. I'm stuck in K-mart shoes right now because of finances and the lack of inexpensive shoes for wide feet.

[Lorien]

9. Wow-that's considerably longer than any of the brands I've

bought in the past ten years. I guess I'll have to keep an eye out for sales and discontinued styles. I have the opposite problem-AA narrow feet, so I hope they come in narrow sizes, too!

[fudge stripe cookays]

5. If you can find any of Donna Karan's

at an outlet store or something (they're a little high). She's considered blue-- she gave a bunch to the Democrats.

I believe she has shoes in addition to just clothes. Don't know much about their construction or materials though.

FSC

[fudge stripe cookays]

6. Actually, the more I read....

the more Donna needs to re-examine what being blue really means. $25,000 to the DNC, but still being accused of way too much sweatshop activity to be a good thing.

FSC

[Lorien]

7. Thanks for the heads up!

I like her clothes (don't own more than one item from a thrift store, though). I didn't know that she worked with sweatshops. :-(

[fabsfour]

10. Check out this site!

http://www.alternativeoutfitters.com/

I just read about it in the paper so I don't have any experience with them. I have browsed the site and it looks like they've got a pretty decent selection and many of the prices are good.

[Lorien]

11. Thanks for the link

cool site!

Welcome to DU, fabsfour! :hi: