Light-colored Footbeds on Sandals

SusieQ_2 · ‎03-27-2012

There's something about some sandals that drives me crazy!

I hate sandals, especially darker colors like navy, brown or black (but any color really) that have light-colored footbeds. No matter how clean a foot may be before putting on the sandal, eventually those footbeds become dark and stained, probably from oil & sweat, and they look terrible.

When you're standing in the shoe it's not too bad, but as soon as you sit down, or recline (as in a dentist's chair) the dark stain is visible to whoever happens to see it. For me it happens after wearing them for a season. I live in California so we wear our sandals a lot, but I'd like to be able to keep my sandals nice for longer than one season.

After the footbed discolors, I only wear them around the house or for the most casual of situations. It's frustrating!

xrayrox · ‎09-21-2011

I absolutely agree with you! This also drives me nuts! I will not buy any more sandals with a light footbed.

lovesrecess · ‎03-14-2010

I also agree..but I also wish they would not put a white sole on all the other slip-on shoes like sketchers or Ryka when the upper of the shoe is a dark color; it instantly makes it a "sneaker" and limits where I can wear it.

PINKdogWOOD · ‎05-13-2010

ANd the opposite is true for me - a white sandal with a black ftbd and sole, or a light colored ftbd with black. I won't buy these.

Colinka · ‎10-15-2011

@lovesrecess wrote:
I also agree..but I also wish they would not put a white sole on all the other slip-on shoes like sketchers or Ryka when the upper of the shoe is a dark color; it instantly makes it a "sneaker" and limits where I can wear it.

You have hit upon two of my pet peeves when buying shoes. Love all the Skechers slip on's, but not with white soles--just can't wear them to work because they look sneaker-ish. Have to have a black or matching color sole. And my Birki's--absolutely love them, but am slightly ashamed to wear them when the footbed becomes discolored. I feel like I have dirty feet. Wish they made a dark brown footbed, too.

SusieQ_2 · ‎03-27-2012

@xrayrox wrote:
I absolutely agree with you! This also drives me nuts! I will not buy any more sandals with a light footbed.

I'm with you on that! I recently saw a cute pair of navy sandals that I wanted but had to pass up because of the footbed. I couldn't justify the price, which was was over $100, when I knew they would look terrible after one summer of wearing them. Had I known they'd be wearable for a few years, like some of my boots, I would have bought them. But even on less expensive sandals I plan to be more choosy. I wish shoe manufacturers would take this into consideration. I hope they aren't doing it on purpose!

Nightowlz · ‎03-11-2010

I don't care for it either but I'm not going to stop wearing them. I don't care what other people can see or what they think.

SusieQ_2 · ‎03-27-2012

@lovesrecess wrote:
I also agree..but I also wish they would not put a white sole on all the other slip-on shoes like sketchers or Ryka when the upper of the shoe is a dark color; it instantly makes it a "sneaker" and limits where I can wear it.

I have seen some Sketchers with a black sole but it seems like they put a white, or light gray, sole on so many of the others. I just bought a pair of sneakers from Earth Origins A274425 that come in black, but even those have a gray stripe and are clearly sneaker-looking. I bought the pink for times when I want to walk my dog and don't feel like tying up my shoelaces. I have to say they're very comfortable although I've only worn them around the house so far.

KentuckyWoman · ‎03-13-2010

I agree with you and something else I can't stand is a dark shoe with white contrast stitcing. I think it makes a shoe look cheap. Not a good look.

SusieQ_2 · ‎03-27-2012

@PINKdogWOOD wrote:
ANd the opposite is true for me - a white sandal with a black ftbd and sole, or a light colored ftbd with black. I won't buy these.

Hi PinkDogwood! I think I wouldn't want a black footbed either, especially with white. I don't have a white sandal so I hadn't really thought about it. My lightest colored sandal is a light beige and I wouldn't mind a brown footbed. I'd really rather have the brown footbed than a light footbed that's all stained and gross. It would be great if they could come up with a footbed that is comfortably soft but doesn't stain. Yes, I want it all!