I have a NEW favorite gardening shoe I'd like to share. I've travelled enough to know that the most important item to take is an extraordinarily comfortable and supportive pair of walking shoes. It's really one of my ultimate tests for shoes, and the good ones really stand out. I had purchased some slip-on Keen shoes (similar to their "Paradise Sandal" style) for my last trip to Europe as a secondary pair to my official walking shoes. However the Keens were so comfortable and durable that I ended up wearing them the whole time. I had bought them at an REI store, so I figured that I'd look for another Keen shoe to purchase for working around my home. As I said in my post above, my criteria is that the shoes need to cover my feet, slip on and off easily, have a thick enough sole to hold up to things like digging with a shovel while preventing anything from poking through the sole, and just generally be well made, comfortable and flexible. So then I found the Keen "Summer Golden Slip-On" shoes and have not looked back. They are perfect! I also really enjoy being barefoot, though it isn't always the best idea due to bothersome ouchies like grass burrs. However a friend of mine just purchased some shoes that were created to replicate the "barefoot experience". He's a physical therapist and loves the feel, the look and the whole barefoot rationale for these shoes called VivoBarefoot. They come in different styles for Men, Women and Children. He had purchased a style called "RA" and they looked attractive, beautifully well made and invitingly comfortable. So I may be trying some of them next, although those Keens I purchased for traveling seem very similar in construction and walking experience and have lots of life left in them. http://www.vivobarefoot.com/us/about-us/ Here is a link that might be useful: Keen,

goldgirl, i'm not seww, but Sanita's *are* Danskos. Sort of. (My first pair of Danskos have "Sanita" stamped on them, by the way. The leopards I linked to above are last year's Sanitas.) "Since the early 1990s until August 2007, all Dansko Professional clogs and all Dansko Stapled Clogs had been manufactured by Sanita in Europe. The distribution agreement between Dansko and Sanita ended in August 2007. Shortly after that time, Sanita began distributing the same products directly in the US under their own name. "If you have a pair of Dansko stapled clogs purchased before 2008, look at the bottom of the sole and you will see patent 0060240 engraved into the sole. This indicates that your clogs were made by Sanita according to their patented construction. If you have a pair of really old Dansko clogs, you may even see Sanita stamped on the bottom as well as the patent number mentioned above. "If the patent number is missing, then you have a new Dansko product that was introduced in 2008. The new Dansko clogs are made by various manufacturers around the world based on a re-design of the original Sanita clog. According to Dansko's printed catalog information, they have introduced structural innovations to enhance the performance of these clogs; improved lateral stability, better shock absorption, more secure heel strike and improved aesthetics. Visually, the clogs look very similar, however the new Dansko is wider across the heel and has a curved up sole in the back of the heel. "On the other hand, Sanita has been delivering the same product (as was previously distributed by Dansko), made by the same materials, by the same artisans, in the same Sanita owned factory. "So in summary, if you want to purchase the same clog that was sold in the US under the Dansko brand (pre-2008), then you would need to switch to buying the Sanita brand. "If you would like to try the new re-designed version, then give Dansko a try." Here is a link that might be useful: Sanita-Dansko link

On a long-time travel forum, where I've made many friends and met them in person, we had a famous 14-page thread about stylish, yet comfortable walking shoes! As a person who averages 8 miles per day when I'm in Paris, I know what has proven to work for me. Caveat -- when in Paris, where I have many friends, I tend to wear nicer shoes than when I'm in more casual locations. You only get one pair of feet, so I spend a bit more on shoes with comfortable arch supports. I've never found inserts to help much. I like leather insoles, or the Skechers Yoga Mat. Here at home in the US, and in London or UK Countryside, I like Skechers with Yoga Mat insoles. Usually, you can get these under $70.00. These are my current go-to Fall slip-ons in grey: http://www.belk.com/p/skechers-relaxed-fit-traffic-slip-on-dress-casual-loafer/290006649109.html?dwvar_290006649109_color=025255484238#q=Skechers&lang=default&start=23 For long walks with my dog on trails and sidewalks in my neighborhood, I wear these slip-on sneakers: http://www.belk.com/p/skechers-go-walk-sneaker/390004754152.html?dwvar_390004754152_color=007286627297#q=Skechers&lang=default&start=29 For wet walks on trails for miles and miles, I wear these here and wore them in the Cotswolds this summer: https://www.rei.com/product/128516/ahnu-montara-iii-event-low-hiking-shoes-womens For Paris (and nicer occasions here at home) -- I wore these L'Amour des Pieds in June in 98 degree heat on city sidewalks. I averaged 8 miles a day, but walked up to 12 miles one day. I didn't wear socks/hose/tights of any kind. These look good with black tights in cooler weather, or black leggings. 'Bane' Wedge (mine are black leather): https://shop.nordstrom.com/s/lamour-des-pieds-bane-wedge-women/4066786?origin=topnav&cm_sp=Top%20Navigation--Women--Comfort&offset=2&top=72&brand=9460 For nicer dining out with my friends, I wore these red sandals. They look good with flare-leg retro jeans, skinny leg jeans, slim ankle length pants, long skirts or dresses. https://shop.nordstrom.com/s/lamour-des-pieds-brenn-ankle-strap-sandal-women/4059232?origin=topnav&cm_sp=Top%20Navigation--Women--Comfort&offset=2&top=72&brand=9460 I don't know if they're still available, but in cold weather, I wear my Dansko 'Lola' ankle boots, or one of my three pair of Aquatalia ankle boots. Similar to this pair (I have black, taupe; and I also have a dark grey "moto" boot). I have worn both the black and the taupe in Paris for lots of walking. https://shop.nordstrom.com/s/aquatalia-franca-weatherproof-bootie-women/4794483?contextualcategoryid=2374961&origin=keywordsearch&keyword=aquatalia

I suspect washing realigns the fibers in the knit and puts them back to original shape more than shrinkage -- unless they are going too hot. Heat can seriously shrink or stretch out plastic. You said yours gave but you didn't think they really stretched much. I would not think you would have a problem, but I would not wash in hot water or even very warm. The plastic is not porous and doesn't need hot water to sanitize it. I felt the same way about the loafers, but I can wear black shoes a lot and I got an email saying today only. I guess that was just a one day preview if you were on the mailing list? Cuz they are still there. Anyway, I like them very much. I have suede smoking flats, but could wear these in weather where the suede would not work. And the black fabric is dark and rich in color -- looks dressier. Really flattering. My husband said they were his favorite, and he likes the taupe. I need to see when my 30 days is up. LOL One pair has to make the outdoor and running around test. May happen today. We are planning on going to an art festival and that front coming through has everything king of drippy in front of it. It is supposed to get colder while we are out, but not into the 40s until tonight. I hope I like them as much as you do.