Regular readers of Practical Travel Gear know that I’m a fan of sporty shoes and Mary Jane styles, so it’s no surprise I was immediately attracted to Ahnu Footwear’s Olivia style: a two-inch wedge heel with a braided elastic strap across the top. As with all its styles — from aqua socks and ballet flats to multi-sport hikers and all-weather boots — Ahnu Footwear creates its shoes with performance in mind.
The Neutral Positioning System in the Olivia wedge is designed to keep the foot aligned and centered (for comfort, good balance and overall foot health), while a thick midsole promotes shock absorption and a grippy outer sole provides traction on uneven surfaces. There’s a rubber toe guard for extra protection and elastic mesh at the heel and on the sides for snugness.
Oh, how I wanted these wedges to fit like a cushiony glove right out of the box. Alas, after I recently wore them to a PTA meeting followed by drinks with the girls (maybe four hours total), I had a blister on the side of the ball of my foot — and soreness on the other one. By the end of the night, I could barely walk in the shoes, with some rubbing on my heel, too.
The second time I wore the shoes, to an all-day conference, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., I wised up by slipping on no-show ped socks as well. Though I felt like my Grandma wearing the little nylons, they provided enough cushion between my foot and the shoe to prevent any rubbing. No blisters at all!
Lately I’ve been wearing the shoes around the house to further break them in, and it seems to be working. I feel confident the next time I wear them out and about I can do so without peds or bandaids.
I think I’d sooner wear flats to do a lot of sightseeing or walking in an unfamiliar city while traveling — that’s just my style to opt for absolute comfort. (Plus, I’m 5’9″ and just don’t need much height in my shoes.) But I’ll absolutely keep these travel shoes on hand for versatile use on trips — I’d pair them with jeans or a skirt when I want to feel a bit more dressed up (or tall).
The Olivia shoes, which come in Smokey Brown, Loden Green, Mood Indigo and Black, retail for $100 at brick-and-mortar shops nationwide and online dealers like REI and Zappos. See plenty more women’s Ahnu styles on Amazon, too.
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