Valley Sole was almost my last chance for finding shoes that didn't have the librarian velcro vibe. They advertise that Valley Sole sells "healthy shoes that aren't old lady shoes". As I'm driving to the store I actually say a little prayer that they have one pair that will work. "Please, please, please have something".
I have special sizing needs for one foot - think Fred Flintstone - extremely wide. Think one of the ducks in Big Spring Park wide. But just one "messed up foot" (as my daughter calls it) It makes finding a pair that will accommodate both feet beyond challenging. Unfortunately, my prayer was not answered. I must have tried on literally 50 pair with very little luck.
Valley sole is a specialty shoe store but their specialty is healthy shoes, comfortable shoes for the average foot. I thought they also catered to those of us who have special fit requirements - that's where I was wrong. I needed a wide but most of the shoes even ran a little narrow. The salesgirl knew about each shoe, but apparently, didn't know anything about how to properly fit a shoe. She just handed me shoe after shoe that I thought might work but she never looked at my feet to try to determine what would work best. Had she been able to help with anything other than style/manufacturing advice, I think we would have both been less frustrated. I obviously needed wide sizes, the only option at all on most shoes was length. Also, I did run into a lot shoes that were out of stock in my size. I was able to special order but I had to pay in advance and could only return if they fit within their normal stock. So even if a shoe did come in wide, because it wasn't a normal size that they would carry, I was stuck with it. That absolutely would not work for me.
Know that comfort does come at price - the shoes at Valley Sole are expensive but they are well made and last. I have several pair that I bought here when my kids were in high school that I'm still wearing. (My baby is 31, you do the math.) A couple pair are still available - the design has remained the same for years. Costly? Yes. Worth it? Definitely. IF you can find a pair.
I thought I had found a few pair that might work - not the dress shoes that I came in for but I'd take even casual shoes. I purchased three pair. I was so excited to have found shoes. That excitement was short lived as I then took them home, walked around in them a little on the carpet and then, disappointingly, returned two of the three pair. (They do have a 14 day return policy). No amount of breaking in was going to solve my problem. I did keep a pair of Naots but I have buyers remorse even with them. They just don't fit right. Honestly, I felt bad for returning two pair so I let my emotions decide and failed to listen to my rational side as I kept the expensive, ill fitting shoes.
Bottom line, if your feet hurt - this may be the place for you, but if you have special needs - you may need to try somewhere else. And if you find that place, please let me know. I have one pair of shoes that actually fit and don't hurt. I am DESPERATE. read more