Customer Reviews Mephisto Helen

I really like the style and quality out of the box! But not only were they a full size too small (I wear between a 9 1/2- 10 and my toes hung off the 40’s...they are narrow. ? The sides of the widest part of my foot hung off and I normally don’t wear a “wide” in shoes. I like them enough to send back for the next size up (11s!!) and will hope they will also be wide enough. I can’t totally judge comfort yet because they were small, but I can tell they will need some breaking in like Birkenstock’s.

These shoes were recommended based on having hallux limitus. I loved the look of them and the color was nice. Unfortunately, even after sizing up, they felt very narrow on my borderline wide foot. The strap between the toe was fine but the part that went up and across the foot felt very restrictive and painful due to my foot issues. These are a nice sandal but not for my feet. I believe they would be very supportive for someone who has a more narrow foot. Would be great if Mephisto offered wide width.

These shoes are cute and extremely comfortable, however, they were too narrow. I have a medium to wide foot, and my small toes hung over the sides. The instructions say to order a size larger than you usually wear. I would say that is accurate based on the fit of these. I ordered my usual size based on the Zappos fit indicator and I should have gone up one size. With all that said, they were extremely comfortable and cute, but they had to go back.

I have have had these shoes in the Silver Nairobi color for over two years. Although they look beautiful on the foot and provide good arch support, the toe piece continues to rub and scratch the inside of my toe, even after two years of breaking in. I think this is because the Silver Nairobi color (and the other similar patterned colors like Dark Brown Nairobi) have some metallic threads that run through the leather to create the pattern but make it very rough on the edges. I tried wearing these on a recent trip but had to change my shoes because we were doing too much walking for these and they were cutting into my toes. It is a shame because the neutral colors woven into this pattern go with everything. Perhaps the suede or smooth leather options would be more comfortable, but at this price it's not worth taking the chance.

Don t buy, if you have a wide foot . First week you will bleed to death from the blisters you get in front of the shoe .After your foot get used to , is ok . Is very narrow for a person with wide foot and bunions . Amazing design and color .

What a disappointment, though I can't say it was unexpected -- just about every manufacturer is cheapening its products to increase profits. In comparing earlier versions of Mephisto sandals to this current model, I noted less cork, padding, and arch support, and likely fewer/thinner inner layers. My older Heidi/Hana sandals still cushion and cradle my feet, where as these felt flat and hard -- like walking on cheap composite board. I also found the diagonal strap to be quite loose, as if it was made for a high-instep foot. The gladiator model fits much better in this regard. Sigh. There are few sandals on the market that not only support but also look contemporary. No wonder these still sell in their sub par state.

Shoe leather was very stiff, why can't someone make a softer sandal with a toe-ring.

The leather upper in this sandal was incredibly stiff and uncomfortable. Because of the nature of the footwear, it would never soften and become comfortable. I had to return them.

I already own this shoe in another color and find it to be comfortable and a very good fit. Unfortunately, this pair does not fit the same. The right shoe seems to be wider than the left, so I will return them.

I love the look of the sandals but I can't walk more than 2 miles/day in them or I will get blisters the balls of my feet. Also, after a few months, the cork bed is cracking. I must admit I am disappointed, the other reviews are so good. Overall, I still wear them every day when I don't walk too much but I had hoped they would hold up better to daily use. Regarding the size, I am a 38 in Europe, so I went by that size. In the US, I am a size 7, occasionally 7.5, and I have a widish foot.

These are way too glossy! And, they felt a little smaller than the first ones I bought even though they were the same size. I purchased my first pair at a local store and they are unbelievable comfortable. I thought I'd order these, since they were quite a bit less than other colors, but the gloss on them makes them look like patent leather. Not sure why M decided to create glossy colors...who wears these glossy ones. They are not dressy sandals!

I bought this shoe hoping for extreme comfort and also to put on quickly when running out the door. However, the band going across with the adjustable strap cuts into my foot and caused blisters. When worn a full day it bruises that area, also. I have tried adjusting it, but it is not a comfortable shoe. It is, however, easy to put on.

Not for me (unfortunately)! I am on a quest for a really comfortable brown sandal that I can wear with jeans or skirts. I like the look of Helen, but not the pain! (I tried Hannel also, same problem.) I tried this one since so many of you raved about it. I have Plantar Fasciitis and high arches, and the Memphisto sole seems to be a good supportive shoe for that. But it's the top part -- so stiff, maybe I'm just a wimp. I've worn them on carpet for 2 days and the tops of my feet feel bruised (under the strap with the buckle). And I guess I just can't wear thong type shoes with anything between my toes. My feet must be extra sensitive. Also, I don't think my foot is very wide but the two smallest toes on each feet keep slipping over the outside lip of the shoe. These shoes are pretty heavy too. I wish I could wear them. But I can rave about Zappos - what a great web site, great selection, photos, and descriptions. And SUPERB service!

I have four of these Helen sandals. Something has gone wrong with Mephisto sizing. They are 1/4” shorter and at least that narrower!! The last ones I bought two years ago I just ignored this, and they hurt my feet. And here again, same mismeasurment! So upsetting!!

I've been wearing Mephisto Helen sandals for years. This pair thoroughly disappointing. The leather (?) is stiff, harsh, old?, and nearly cracking at the buckle. I wore them on an outing and got blisters. I won't be able to wear again without a lot of bandaids. My other sandals say where they are made on the inside; France...Portugal... Where are these made??? Mephisto, don't compromise quality please.

Leather very stiff

I previously wore the Hannel style and thought I’d try out the stylish looking of the Helen. Even though I wear regular width shoes, the Helen was way too narrow for me and my foot was hanging over the side. I tried going up a size, but even that was not wide enough for me.

I've been wearing the Mephisto Helen style for more than two decades, and I was really disappointed in the materials used in this Brown Panthera. The metal in the buckles felt extremely light-weight and flimsy and the leather in the straps was as well. I don't believe they will wear at all well over time. I can usually depend on several summers of wear out of these shoes. I'll exchange them for another pair in a different leather choice and hopefully they will be the quality I've depended on for so long.

Fit was great as always, but this leather was very stiff and the edges hurt my feet. Also, I anticipated a pinkish color, but these were more beige than anything near pink. So I am returning them.

Mephisto Helen has been my go-to Mephisto style for years, until now. I’m so annoyed with the Mephisto brand that I may never go back to it. The Helen footbed now feels more like the Birkenstock regular footbed—it’s as hard as a brick with no padding. Very uncomfortable. I tried wearing them around the house for a while but the sandal doesn’t bend with my foot at all, and they were making my legs hurt. This has never happened before. Is Mephisto trying to compete with Birkenstock for younger customers, or is it cutting corners to save money? I don’t know but I can no longer wear these shoes. I’m giving up on Mephisto.

I am trying to like/ love these but it's not happening. Would not recommend these for the money.

This sandal fit but the leather had sharp edges that dug into my big toes as soon as I put them on. I'm guessing it's this particular leather and maybe the other ones are more comfortable. I liked the stiffness of the sandal because I need a stiff shoe for my feet. The shoes had good arch support which I need with a high arch. Unfortunately had to send them back and will try some other Mephistos.

Ouch! I got these in my usual size in the Old Pink color. The leather top was unbelievably stiff, the edges sharp, the undersides scratchy. I literally could not even wear them to walk a few steps to look in the mirror when trying them on. They hurt not just in between my toes but also leading across the first metatarsal. Of course the insoles were butter soft, felt great, and were lightweight, but even if you paid me for these shoes I would not, could not wear them.

Very disappointing! I'm surprised so many seem to like these. The strip between the toes was annoying and the sandals felt heavy on my feet. I found my toes had to grip the shoe to keep it on when walking and I had to ask my husband to slow down so I could keep up with him, as I couldn't walk fast in them.