Customer Reviews Mephisto Helen

I’ve owned several of the Helen style in the past. This pair seems to lack the overall quality and comfort that I liked about Mephisto sandals. The size that I normally wear in Mephisto ran short on this pair. The hardware seemed cheap and flimsy. The quality of leather was lacking...thin and not soft. So disappointed especially considering the price. I may try another pair in the nubuck to see if there’s a difference in quality.

Loved the classic Helen look BUT . . . I ordered the beautiful Grey Etna color for two reasons: It's actually hard to find grey sandals, and because in the online photos the leather looked so buttery soft. Overall, these sandals ran a bit smaller on me than most 40s, and I also had to move the instep buckle all the way to the last notch to get my foot in comfortably. But the real killer was the leather itself, which was NOT soft and in fact had sharp edges everywhere. They cut into my toes and foot enough that I knew it would be a painful, blister-laden experience to break them in (if I ever did). So reluctantly . . . back they go.

Loved the look and footbed of these sandals; however, the leather between the toes was so stiff it hurt to even try them on. I do not think i could wear them long enough to break them in.

These shoes are so cute, but they don't fit like they should. The strap that is closest to the toes is not tight enough - and this is the strap that is not adjustable. I'm disappointed because I really liked the sandals.

I wear a 41 in Naot shoes and a 9M in SAS - although the sizing for these indicated 41 is US size 11 I decided to stay with the 41 - fit is perfect. However, I was looking for more blue color - this looks predominatley brown to me - not certain yet if I can make it work.

I think the sandal is well constructed and the leather was nice, but it was just too wide for my foot and it felt really stiff in the wrong places. I exchanged them for a Birkenstock in narrow and they are perfect from the minute I put them on!

I wish these were a size bigger.

I loved the look of these but the front of shoe dug into my toe and hurt. Return

I loved, loved, loved this shoe until I walked around in it. I have tighten the strap as snuggly as possible and the buckle dug into the side of my foot. A red spot and irritation after just a little walking around the house.

This is my 5th pair of the "Helen" sandal and it doesn't live up to prior pairs. Everything about this shoe feels cheaper, thinner, less well made. I even returned the first pair assuming they were knock-offs. Have to assume, given that the second pair is equally sub-par, that they just aren't as well made as in the past. I kept this pair but will start looking for a new favorite summer shoe. Suspect this will be my last pair of "Helens."

I have three pair of these sandals, they are comfortable right out of the box. This is the 2nd pair I ordered of this style this season, and these are noticeably narrower than all of my other pairs of Mephisto Helens. They are marked 6M, same as my other pairs, and this is the only pair in which my toes spill off the sides of the sandals. Also, the foot bed on these isn't as deep. Not sure if Mephisto changed their styling and/or sizing, or if this was a pair that didn't pass quality standards. Either way returning and won't risk ordering these online again. For the price, should be more consistent in sizing.

The shoe is very nice looking but they hurt my feet....I'll have to return....bummer!

I should have read others' reviews more carefully before ordering. The loop space for the big toe is NOT made for a "normal" toe at all. There is no way to get this sandal on my foot, or my friend's either. The strap opening needs to be bigger/cut more deeply or something so you can actually get the shoe on. Can't give it an accurate review if I can't get it on. The "leather" is also very hard and cuts into the foot. Love the look and I love Mephistos but I have to return this one. Quality is not what I would expect from Mephisto.

Gosh, I wanted these to fit because they are so cute, but these are at least a full size smaller than marked. And a bigger size wouldn't fix it because my toes hung over the sides and the top strap was too tight against my foot. If this is a birkenstock, it doesn't have the same values of Birk -- roomy toes bed? Nope. Plenty of room to spread feet? nope. Sorry...going back

I wear this style all the time- this leather makes the whole shoe fit tight- it is thin and way shinier than the pic. do not recommend. i returned them -

I have been wearing Birkenstock Arizonas very happily for years and was hoping these would be a more elegant upgrade, but they completely did not work for me. The leather was stiff and uncomfortable all around, especially between my toes, and the footbed was too narrow in the front. Two of my toes were hanging off the side, and my feet are not wide at all. I own another style of Mephisto sandals which are great, so I can’t believe how much of a miss these were for me. Back to Birkenstock!

Yesterday I learned that my big toes must be really, really fat. The toe "loop" was way too tight &, while I know leather can stretch over time, images of amputation were dancing thru my head. Returning. FYI - I could stand up in the sandals and that foot bed felt most promisingly comfortably for my high arches. I will be searching out other Mephisto styles next

Given the cost, I was very disappointed in this sandal. The footbed was very comfortable, albeit a bit stiff -- excellent for standing, not good for walking -- but the straps were the worst: stiff, not really adjustable despite the buckle (the buckle only adjusts one of the straps). I found myself having the overcompensate for the loose toe strap in ways that were not healthy for my foot, (made even worse by the weight of the footbed.) I also found the leather straps not extremely breathable. I kept on hoping that the straps would soften but a year later, they have not. I only wear them when I know I will be standing more than walking. I do regret keeping these, which I did because the footbed was so comfortable when I first tried them on.

I'll be returning. The diagonal strap is too long. It's like the Helen sandal is now for wider feet. And the leather between the toe was sharp.

I own several pairs of Mephisto Helen sandals. They are the most comfortable sandals that I have ever owned, and love them all - until I ordered the off white Helen! It is unbelievably uncomfortable, I did not want to walk further than across the room in these. I don't know if it was the stiff leather, or the fact that they felt a size bigger. Even the footbed felt uncomfortable. I exchanged for a nubuck leather in camel, and I am sure that I will love those.

I was looking for an extremely comfortable shoe to wear around Europe. I bought this one because of the reviews. I have not found these shoes to be comfortable. I've been trying to break them in, hopefully to soften them up and make them more comfortable. They gave me a blister on my toe the second time I wore them, while I was running errands. They are expensive, so I will continue to try to wear them. But I'm super sad they didn't work out. Not sure how/why other people didn't have problems.

I want to love these, I really do. The material is so pretty in person. The shoe is beautiful. But, oh my gosh, is it hard. It is so hard, it hurts just to stand still, let alone try to walk. The bump in the arch really hurts, and the bump at the toes does, too. I guess I need to keep searching for this style but with a softer sole. Someone told me to try Muk Luks, but Zappos, why don't you carry them? I found Muk Luks at Kohls.com and Amazon, so I'll have to buy them elsewhere. Zappos, please begin carrying Muk Luks.

Something has changed with these shoes. I have worn these same shoes for years. And this time the size is different. I had to order a size larger than I ordered before. And this is the first time that I have had to break them in. They still are hurting my feet. I am disappointed. No problem with Zappos however as their customer service is always great!

I love the Helen sandal and have it in several colors. They can be worn immediately with no "breaking in" period needed. This navy nubuck sandal, however, is the first sandal I have had problems with. Whenever I wear them, they squeak with each step. It appears the buckle rubbing against the nubuck material of the strap causes the squeak. I'm trying to walk in them indoors to see if I can break them in, but if not, I will have to return them. First time ever for a Mephisto sandal!