Customer Reviews Mephisto Helen

These shoes are extremely clunky and uncomfortable...since they were so expensive i tried to wear and love them, but I really don’t. I wish I could return them but some time has passed so looks like I am stuck with them.

I followed the sizing advice and ordered a size 9, as I am a solid 9 in all of my shoes. I received the Mephisto shoe quickly (before expected) and loved the style, but the shoe was not wide enough - my pinky toes landed right on the edge of the shoe. Unfortunately, this shoes is not offered in a wide size.

This is the 5th pair of Mephisto sandals that I have had over the years. Same style as the others. I couldn't walk through the house for even 5 minutes before the leather between my toes was unbearable. My feet are so narrow that I have found that all my summer sandals need to have a thong between my toes in order to keep the shoes on. Therefore, I am used to having that piece of leather there. Surely this is a black sheep of the flock. But too afraid to order another one.

MEPHISTO: PLEASE MAKE A SIZE 44 IN THIS SANDAL STYLE!! I wear a true 12 1/2 and ordered the 43... The sandal was almost 1 size too small. The 43 is not equal to a size 13 sandal; too bad for us ladies with big feet, because the sandal is attractive and high quality... and too bad it's not offered in "unisex sizes" because I think a lot of men who don't like clunky sandals would love the 'Helen' sandal!

The painted on flowers were already cracking when I pulled these sandals out of the box. Back they go! So disappointed! Didn't even try them on.

I find it really hard to believe this is considered a US size 12--I am an 11 normally but I sized up after reading reviews. This size 42/12 barely cleared my heel--no extra room at all. I would barely even consider it an 11. Looks like a well-made, cute shoe, but. Sadly returned.

I really needed a good walking sandal for a trip I'm about to take. Unfortunately I ordered a 38 and a 40 was shipping instead, so it doesn't fit (unless this is a shoe that runs insanely large and you have to order 2 sizes down). And now they are out of stock, bummer

I ordered these because of the insane amount of good reviews. I choose size 38 as i am always a size 8 in shoes. It ended up they were too small length wise but the cross strap and adjustable strap fit perfect. Excited to start wearing these I immediately order the 39. I slide my foot into it and the length is perfect but now the cross strap,the one that doesn't adjust, is way too loose. I can easily fit two finger widths between the cross strap and the top of my foot. Sadly these had to be returned. Maybe I received a weird pair. It seems strange that the cross strap between neighboring sizes would be so different. Oh well the search continues for a stylish/comfortable walking sandal.

This was an expensive mistake. After reading all the positive reviews, I took a chance and ordered the Helen. I wore the shoes out of the box and went for a long walk. The black dye from the leather stained my feet. And worst of all, I have a hole on the top left of my foot where the sandal rubbed and created an ulcer. I have no foot problems nor health problems whatever. I do not believe in "breaking in" shoes. It is not normal, and no woman should subject herself to such. I would suggest not buying these shoes unless you can try them on in a store and walk around a bit. I intended on taking these to Europe for long distance walking. As such, I cannot even wear them to the mailbox. If you have high arches, do not buy these sandals.

Very sad about the Mephisto Helen sandals. These ran narrow on me. The arch support is as hard as a rock! Ouch! Leather was scratched on top by the buckle. For this price point, no scratches or looking like previously worn please. Returned the same day they arrived. Love Zappos, but not this sandal.

This is the single WORST purchase I've ever made on Zappos. No idea how ANYONE is able to walk in them, but they are so uncomfortable that I literally wore them once to walk around the mall, ended up in excruciating pain and can never use them again...so am now out a cool $148 bucks. Worst part is that NO WHERE in the description on Zappos does it say to order over a full size larger! I only noticed after wearing them around and being uncomfortable and then googling the shoe fit info, that you're supposed to have a certain amount of space in front of your toes, etc. A friend mentioned that inside the box, on the inner lid, there is an explanation of this - but I'd already thrown the box away (who reads the insides of boxes??). In addition to the fact that these hurt the feet, they're not very visually flattering when wearing anything other than skinny leg jeans (awful with sundresses and skirts). I'm livid, and super disappointed in Zappos, which I usually swear by, in how they did not represent the proper guidelines for fit on their site. Absolutely massive waste of money.

As others have written, the Helen is now disappointingly narrow and uncomfortable. I thought that I would give these particular shoes - which came in wider widths in the past - one last shot, but they are much narrower than Birkenstocks. I have now completely switched over to Birkenstock from Mephisto.

The chemical smell of the Silver Nairobi was unbearable. They smelled like a cheap shoe store filed with plastic shoes. I've worn Mephisto shoes and sandals for many years and was surprised of the lack of quality in the particular style and am returning them.

Terrible odor! I ordered the Mephisto Helen in two versions: one with Dark Brown Waxy Leather straps, and one with "Silver Venise" straps. The Waxy Leather pair was super comfortable, but the Silver Venise straps were stiff and uncomfortable. Worse, the Silver Venise pair had such a strong odor that I had a headache after wearing them in the house for five minutes, sitting at a computer desk. The terrible smell made them impossible to wear, even if the stiff leather straps could be broken in.

I love the Mephisto Helen, however, after wearing them just two hours, the silver along the sides was coming off. I am returning them with a tear in my eye because I love the color, fit and comfort. I am going to order a different color - fingers crossed.

These shoes were so stiff that after I put on one shoe, I did not even bother putting on the other. Both the strip across the foot and the piece against the toe were so uncomfortable! I feel like there would be so many places to rub and blister! And the shoe itself was very stiff - there was almost no bend. I agree with other reviewers that these were very narrow. If I were keeping them, I might consider a wide width, which I very rarely need.

These sandals fit like a dream and are so wonderful to wear- however, upon receiving the light sand pearl patent sandals, I noticed that the finish was already coming off near the buckle. I don't know if this is typical of the patent leather or a fluke. Sadly, they will be going back and I will stick with the Mephistos I have had since 2005 in a leather nubuck.

I read about 50 favorable reviews regarding the Mephisto Helen, but the sandals were not comfortable for me. I wore the sandals, and by the end of day two, I was limping. The insteps are so hard that the sandals were painful. I even inserted footpads, but the hard instep part of the sandal was excruciating. It was an expensive and disappointing purchase for me. However, the will be donated to the Salvation Army, REd Cross or some other non-profit organization or homeless shelter, since a "worn" dissatisfaction does not warrant a credit/refund.

Okay, these are extremely comfortable and good looking. However, hasn't anyone else had the problem of the dye from the leather coming off on their feet? I tried these (the Black Nubuck) and the Waxy Black. Both pairs the dye came off on my feet! They are the only comfortable sandals I've found so it's really frustrating to send them back. I wear a 7.5M and the 38 fit well, slightly long, but I'm used to that. Not for wide feet, but perfect for me.

The sole of the shoe is the only good part. It is nicely formed for my high arches. The upper has stretched and the only way to keep the shoe snug on my foot is to further tighten the strap over the arch, which hurts after a while. It is the strap running perpendicular to the arch strap that really needs fixing. Furthermore, on all Mephistos, the strap that goes to the inside of the toe is too far forward, hitting in the middle of the side of my big toe instead of towards the base of the toe. This rubs blisters and, again, makes the shoe more wobbly on the foot. I wish I could return these shoes, but I have worn them too much trying to break them in. Only buy these if your toes are very, very short, and your arches high.

I have this same shoe in black and love it. This sizing must have changed, it is very uncomfortable.

I love these shoes but when I purchased them in my size I could not even get my foot into them. I have a fairly wide foot. I have recently seen that when purchasing, they need to be one size larger -- but would that help if the shoe didn't fit in width? I live in a city that is 2 hours from everywhere and no one in Lubbock carries these shoes. Because of my last experience I wish I could try them on before purchasing them again. I have always worn Birkenstocks but would like something more stylish looking, why are wide feet always discriminated against?