Shoes

[Annabellethecat66]

I have tried these shoes and they don't work for me.  However, it sure seems like they've gotten expensive compared to when they first started presenting them.

[Kachina624]

They're expensive and the ones I've gotten (Zulily) have not been well made.  You'd be lucky to get one season of wear from them.  Most of them are not comfortable for me, although I pronation so badly, I've had (unsuccessful) surgery for it. 

I'll put my money on Alegria any day for comfort and durability. 

[Gram W]

They have become more "stylish" now with dressier shoes and stacked heels. I like some of their new styles but I can no longer wear heels.  I still have my original Orthoheels and they are still in very good shape so they were worth the cost.   

Almost everything has gone up in price and the new vendors products are more expensive.  No guarantee higher prices means better products.  I have found I don't buy as much lately.  I wait for comments and reviews to make my decision.  I can't even count on the garment measurement charts for clothes any more.   They used to run pretty true to the item I received.  I don't need more of the same or similar thing in a different color.  I can shop my closets until something special comes along.

[Gram W]

@Kachina624.   I agree on the Alegria.  I have several pair and I can wear them all day. They have been my go to shoes since the snow melted.   My oldest still look like new top and bottom.  I am glad that they now make them so that you can replace the insoles.  I have a few sandals that the heels have sunken in after 2 summers.  Their insoles are not removable.  This winter I am going to see if I can find gel heels inserts that might work to bring things back.  Those shoes also are in great shape other wise.  I was glad to see that QVC sells the replacement inserts.

[Kachina624]

@Gram W  Call Alegria and ask if they have a solution for the sunken heel problem.  I think they have pretty good CS.  Be sure to get the official website. 

[mpobs]

@Kachina624 i agree!  my alegria shoes feel so much better than vionic

[RespectLife]

I have ordered vionics since they first debuted.  They have always been this expensive.

They look as good now as when I bought them a long time ago.  Money well spent as they have lasted and hold up to lots of wear over the years I have owned them.  I find them to be top quality, well made footwear.

Due to previous multiple foot and ankle breaks, I have never been able to wear any flats or thong sandals for 15 years....until I tried vionics.  The ortho design is very comfortable for me and enables me to wear flats once again.

I notice significant relief in my feet, knees and back.

[donovan]

I think Vionic shoes have been expensive from Day 1.  They work for me though, so I've bought a few pairs of sandals.

The Alegria shoes are too clunky for me, but I've heard good things about how comfortable they are from people who love them.  I find them just as expensive (if not more) than Vionics.

[Kachina624]

Alegria shoes are expensive and it seems as though they increase the basic price about $10., every year,  However, I buy most of mine at Alegriashoeshop.com on clearance at the end of the season usually for about $69.

Both Alegria and Vionic are featured on Zulily periodically at greatly discounted prices. 

[Moonchilde]

Vionics, like any shoe, will work for some and not for others. Individual feet, even in those with the same problem(s), will have individual reactions. Alegria shoes caused my Achilles tendinosis - which never goes away. My Achilles tendinosis changed my body mechanics and gait and that caused my plantar fasciitis.

Yes, they're expensive, and becoming more so because they're improving their materials - more leather & suede - and going into boots and more stylish shoes. But you either really need them to walk without pain, or you don't really need them and can wear many brands.

There are other shoe brands that sell very similar shoes with similar footbeds to Vionics - they are all priced similarly. None of them are in the Skechers price range - and some people think $65 for a pair of Skechers is expensive.

Aetrex, Therafit, Orthofeet, Kuru, Abeo BIO, to name those I'm familiar with. I own shoes from Aetrex, Therafit and Abeo. They are all good for my PF, all good quality materials and craftsmanship and they all are in the $90-$150 range (sandals may be cheaper). NONE of them have "worn out" or broken.

I feel that I'm getting more quality for the high price as far as leather with the Aetrex, Therafit and Abeo shoes, when the leather and look is important. I don't like that Vionic charges top dollar for non-leather shoes.

I'm at the point where I don't "need" to buy any more shoes - my bases are pretty well covered.  I did, however, just buy these a couple of hours ago from Aetrex. HSN now carries Aetrex BTW - smart move on their part as they are #1 competitor to Vionic. The Aetrex CS rep told me that their sizing is pretty matching to Vionic so I ordered based on that. Fingers crossed. I wear three different sizes in Vionic depending on sandal, slip-on or athletic shoe. These look like a nice soft leather. $99.