I Found Mules I Can Actually Walk In

The V-neck opening and square toe of these are different from most of the rounded or almond-toed mules I’ve seen on the market, and while the shape was nice-looking, it was ultimately this pair’s downfall. The very low vamp doesn’t lay flush to your foot, making for a floppy (albeit blister-free) fit. As a result, my foot slipped and slid too much, which led to toe gripping, an issue I can only assume would get worse on summer days, when feet are apt to get sweaty. I had to walk pretty slowly to keep the shoe in place as much as possible, so I couldn’t walk far. That said, it’s a pretty shoe (even if the brown is a pinch lighter in person than it looked on the site), and the price point is good for 100 percent leather.

I’d never heard of this brand or tried any of its shoes but was delighted with this pair’s elegant details: apointe-shoe-likesquare toe, a grosgrain ribbon lining along the opening, the black-colored sole and heel. But they were ultimately quite painful. I immediately noticed they were too narrow (and I don’t even have particularly wide feet). My foot didn’t feel fully inserted in the shoe, so my heel slipped off the edge with every step, which didn’t make these speed-walk friendly. Within three hours of wearing them — first on my morning commute, then to a lunch meeting — I’d developed a raw, red blister on the corner of my right foot that was so bad I had to hail a cab back to my office.

I gave these a go not long after the blister from the Sister Soeur pair had healed, and I was relieved that their suede was soft against my still-open (though Compeed-covered) wound. These are even more darling in person and remind me very much of a pair byManolo Blahnikthat I’ve had on my wish list for ages, with their softly pointed toe, suede border along the shoe opening, and prim bow. The sole is surprisingly cushioned, and while these really were very comfortable to walk in, I found them a pinch narrow. If your feet swell throughout the day, these may not fit as loosely by the end of day as they do in the morning, which is what happened to me. And as beautiful as the navy suede is, it does attract dust and dirt and will need regular maintenance to stay in the best shape.

These are not only truly gorgeous but well-crafted, with comfort and fit details I didn’t find in any other pair, like a suede lining in the toe box to keep your foot from slipping. But be warned: They’re delicate in linen, and I’ve already scuffed them a few times on train commutes and while sitting cross-legged under tables. (While the leather version would likely fare better, I found the blue linen to be more elegant and ballerina-esque). They’re mostly breezy to walk in, though. The linen, much as it does on a body, stretches and molds to your foot, which makes the shoes more comfortable, even given the narrow, long toe. My feet felt secure in the shoes, and I could easily speed-walk in them without my foot slipping out. The heel is very sturdy underfoot thanks to about a centimeter of cushioning. And the bow is a nice touch; it can be tied to your liking to further improve the fit, and while it came loose the first time I wore them, it didn’t happen again.

These were the first ballerina mules I tried, ones I’d coveted since the brand collaborated with Alex Mill on this style. I first wore them after my feet were essentially slaughtered from the Giudicelli mules that first sparked this hunt, and they were miraculously fine — the higher vamp lined up with my tender blisters but didn’t irritate them and actually proved very soft against them. The shoe is entirely leather, from sole to lining to body, making for a fit that painlessly molds to the shape of your foot and toes after one or two wears. The high vamp and longer, but not narrow, toe shape cover the foot in a way that means I can speed-walk and stay on my feet in these for upwards of six or seven miles, even in light rain (speaking from recent experience). My toes never feel like they’re gripping, and the shoe only gets easier to wear with use. And I find the shoes’ highly functional, elongated shape to be very flattering, too.

With their narrow sole and footbed, patent leather, and exceptionally rounded cap-toe shape, I was convinced these would be among the most uncomfortable shoes I’d test. But they were actually one of the most comfortable. The first day I wore them, I walked over six miles, trekking from Long Island City to Astoria and up and down many subway staircases — and I had zero blisters to show for it. They never once slipped off my feet, either. The patent leather was stiff, but after one day of wear, it was broken in, and wearing them was smooth sailing thereafter. The immediate (and long-lasting) comfort is surprising for a shoe that essentially looks like a glorified house slipper — which I mean in the best way. Wearing them, I feel like Dorothy fromThe Wizard of Ozin the most pert of ruby slippers. The sheen on the lacquered red is so vibrant that it elicited compliments from two strangers a block away from me in Soho. I especially love the statement these make when peeking out from under my jean hems.

Zara’s shoes have surprised me yet again (the brand’s “jazz sneakers” earned high marks from me last month). This pair seemed too good to be true; the leather is really nice-looking (and white, at that) for an under-$100 shoe, and the front-seam detailing is attractive. But they were surprisingly great in person. They were comfortable from the jump, with super-supple leather and a very soft polyester lining that feels like suede. Nothing about the shape, the sole, or the leather was ever harsh on the foot, and walking in them was pain-free. My heel never felt like it was dangling off the edge, and my feet never felt like they were sliding around, even on especially hot and sweaty days. Although the leather did crease slightly after a few wears (which, at this price point, I assume will continue to worsen with wear), the pristine color has stayed unscratched or smudged after numerous wears. For the price, they’re a great choice.