Alex P. Ah yes, Repetto! I've been eyeing some flats that on sale, I can only find in size 6 or larger and are pushing $200.

T N. when shoes are as comfortable as they are, i'll wear them forever. so if i factor in the life of the shoe with the cost, it's well worth-it, as opposed to the pairs that wear out quickly and kill my feet. i'm waiting for a pair of Cydwoq sandals too - but ideally on sale because they're pushing a couple hundred too. a friend of mine got a pair, and they look / feel great. http://cydwoq.com/womens/cydwoq-line/cydwoq-sandals/fence.html

Alex P. That is true...I suppose replacing the same kind of shoe 3-4 times a year ends up costing about the same as a nice pair. Although I don't take care of my shoes well and wear inappropriate flats to say go hiking..
Oh hey size 5, I'm already sold.

T N. that's not only bad for your shoes but also bad for your feet! don't do that.
the cydwoqs are really much nicer when you put them on, and there's a nice worn look to them that makes it seem like "heeeey someone just bought a $300 pair of shoes now." it's more like, "what? those were $300? that's crazy" but wait until theirs falls apart on them while they're hiking.

T N. i mean "doesn't make it seem like"

Alex P. Are there any decent looking hiking shoes? Not that I care, but I'm just worried about clunkyness. I have bad equilibrium. You're one of those sporty girls: advice?
I'll have to check those out in person sometime!

T N. i'm no sporty girl! i only run but other than that, i'm a mess. for hiking, i have a friend who swears by clarks and privos. but i still don't find the styles appealing. i thought the cydwoq boots were pretty cute...

i always wonder if i can pull off that "hiking boots with socks barely showing but noticeably there, mid-thigh canvas shorts that are rolled up a bit, tank top tucked in with braided belt and long-sleeve lumberjack button-up over it" look. i kind of like it on some girls but probably not on short, small footed asian girls such as ourselves.

Alex P. I've had a pair or two of normal Clarks shoes and they're just not that comfortable...I had to pawn them off on ebay for really cheap. So, never again.

The boots ARE cute. But alas, <= poor

Yeah, I'm going to agree with your conclusion there. My boss tells me in Taiwan though, girls go hiking on mountains with platform heels and dressy outfits - so hey...

T N. i actually have a pair of clarks artisan pumps, and they're the most comfortable ones i've tried on... but style-wise, i'd only wear them to work probably.

i figure you need how many boots as a woman? knee or thigh high black ones? cowboy boots? rainboots and hiking boots? anything else?

i guess we need to go to taiwan.

T N. i'd say - resist buying from forever 21, rampage or wet seal (i'm kidding!!) for a few months and voila, you've got a pair of niiice boots.

Alex P. you forgot deb! Yes, I'm working on a plan to get a really nice pair of nude pumps, I was thinking either cole haan or stuart weitzman (platswoon?) but I'm not sure if those are actually THAT comfortable (for platforms) anyway...
Any advice on such things?

T N. i actually bought an amazing-looking pair of stuart weitzmans a couple months ago. i wore them in the house for a day but they never felt comfortable and were returned. cole haan i've never tried... nude pumps, link me to a pair you like!

Alex P. http://www.zappos.com/cole-haan-air-violet-pump-90
They come in other colours too. They're very basic, but I'm hoping they'll be semi comfortable. The air violet pump 60 has a lower heel.

T N. whoa, i had no idea cole haans were that expensive. i always thought of it as like a bit higher end nine west. i guess i was wrong. but that's the kind of classic pump you'd wear for a while, i think, so it's worth it. i'm sure you could find a pair in stores to try on?

Alex P. Not where I live lol! Not easily at least that I know of, but it's on my checklist of "stuff to try on" when I go somewhere that has the bulk of those items available...easily

Alex P. I suppose I could just zappos it and chance the fit, but I don't want to have to keep charging and refunding $200 items...

T N. seriously? no department stores??