Customer Reviews Mephisto Helen

I wanted to keep this shoe, but alas it was too narrow at the toe area and I don't have wide feet! Was going to exchange for the Helen Plus as it is a wider shoe but all sizes were sold out. But Zappos is so awesome on returns and shipping I feel guilty for not buying something. Love Zappos.

How disappointing. I bought a black pair of these years ago and still wear them. The new ones fit terrible. Why did they mess with a good thing?

This one didn't work out for me, but it seems I'm in the minority. The shoes fit length-wise. My little toe was practically hanging off the side though, so the width was off. I am 7 months pregnant so I'm not sure if I am the problem because maybe my foot is wider than usual right now? But it seems kind of odd that the only place where the width is off is the toes. As for the comfort of the shoe, I was expecting more. The shoes felt hard and not cushiony at all. Strange since these are touted as comfort shoes. For the price I expected them to be super comfy. My cheaper Clarks flip flops feel better than these, so they are going back.

These sandals were comfortable but to me, the strap was too wide. I looked like a granny shoe to me! I ended up purchasing the Birkenstocks instead.

As pretty as this sandal is, it runs very small (order up 2 sizes) and very narrow (little toe hung over the edge of the cushioned footbed). Too bad - if it had fit better it would have definitely been a keeper.

When I put these shoes on, it was heavenly. The footbed is so comfortable: soft, with just the right amount of support. I thought they would be the perfect shoe to walk everywhere, and yet still be nice enough to wear to my casual office. However, I am having a little bit of buyers remorse now. The leather upper is rather stiff and while I like the fact that you can adjust one of the straps, you can't adjust the other one. I feel like there is not enough support around my toe, causing me to curl mine to hold the shoe while walking. Finally, for some reason pebbles get in and they don't come out. I feel like the princess and the pea whenever I stop to shake them out.

This is my 6th pair of Helens. While I ordered the same size, these are roomier across the the foot than all others. The shiny material (man made) is also the stiffest and least foot friendly. I have worked the underside edges with Vaseline as recommended by our cobbler and have even used a soft emery board along the under edges in an attempt to soften the top strapping. Thus far, little has helped but I love the glamour factor and will keep at it.

Love this shoe and have many pairs. They are handmade, so there will be inconsistency in the height of the arch or the length of the strap. Wish Mephisto could improve on this. I have made several exchange of the same size b/c of this. Thank goodness Zappos makes this so easy.

I ordered up which left me with the desired space past my toes, but it placed the arch at the wrong spot. If I moved my foot back onto the arch, my heel was flush with the back which I do not like. I was very hopeful given the many positive reviews; I ordered two colors. Neither is going to work. A note, however, one pair fit better although I ordered the same size. I liked the brown embossed look.

I love the look but, unfortunately, even when widened to the last hole, they are not wide enough for my very small, very wide feet...

I was so excited when I read all of the reviews about how great the arch was and how comfortable this sandal was, I couldn't wait to get it. It took 3 steps after I got it, to decide it was nothing short of walking on a board with very little arch support. I guess my high arches are higher than everyone else's. Comfort to me, means that the shoe bend with the foot. This shoe has absolutely no bend in it at all. By the way, it won't let me change the stars for overall, as I accidentally clicked on 3. It should be a 1 or 2.

I wanted a good arch support sandal. These are decent, but I'm overall not happy with the look, comfort and quality. They're not as attractive as I hoped and they often slide off, even though they fit. I would definitely opt for a different shoe next time. These feel very clunky. I'm going to try Olakai or Ahnu for a good arch support sandal.

I have been wearing 'Helen' since 2005 and it's predecessor with the same footbed before that. I have owned seven pairs. I just bought two more, and they and the pair I bought last year are of much lower quality from my older ones. There is much less cushioning and support, and the top straps are thinner. Some of my very old worn out 'Helen's' have more support and cushioning and arch support than these. I'm saddened by the deterioration and that the esteemed brand Mephisto would lower its standards.

Nice sandal and I live the off white color as it goes with everything. I kid size up as suggested and that was a good thing. My second toe is longer that my big toe and always have trouble accommodating those two digits. I also had a little trouble walking in them the first few times as I found myself catching the front and tripping on carpeted surfaces (the extra length maybe?!). The post between the toe irritates me from time to time as my foot slips back a bit. So I'm still "breaking" them in as I do not wear them every day. Great arch support and I get many compliments when I do wear them.

Probably worth a try to see if they work for you. For me, the footbed was too narrow (The outside edge of the cup heel rubbed my foot and my little toes tended to hang over the edge). However, at the same time, the straps were too loose (I had the adjustable strap at it's tightest just to hold the shoe to my foot, but at the same time the toe strap and other strap was not even touching the top of my foot it was so loose.) I normally wear an 8 medium in a sandal. In these I needed a 9. I liked the shoes and wanted them to work even at this expensive price, but they just didn't fit me well.

I love these shoes but the top strap stretched out immediately. I have to take them to a shoe place and get additional holes punched in the strap so I can make it smaller. I didn't get any blisters with these shoes and that is my main problem so I am happy about that.

My sister had a pair they looked so nice and comfortable I thought the sandal would be more comfortable. I would have returned them but I wore them several times thinking I had to break them in. They are still not comfortable.

Just the shoe I was looking for; however, the leather piece between toes cuts my foot no matter what I do. I have tried moleskin, etc. Other similar style shoes have worked well. A very costly error on my part.

These sandals are true to size but not cut small. They are cut narrower than previous years. These are made more for narrower to medium fit. If you have medium to wide feet, go with the Helen Plus. If you have wide feet, then good luck on toes hanging overboard! Overall these sandals are hands down the best in comfort. Just a little off when it comes to widths!

I am a true 8 (38) but I found the 38 just a bit too "perfect." My little toes did not have the 1/3 in that Mephisto suggests. Consequently, the straps are a bit tight around my toe and bunion joint. I am exchanging for a 39 as the Zappos information suggests. I don't think I'll try the Helen Plus that are supposed to be wider; they sound problematic. All told, however, these are adorable looking sandals that I think will be wonderfully comfortable if I get the fit correct.

Love the look of this, but right out of the box, the toe thingy was hurting my feet. Also, it was already cracked (beyond where it should have been) right in that v where it splits off to the side and down between your toes. Can only imagine that will get worse with wear. These are going back - sadly, as they are quite cute.

This shoe is perfect except for one thing...it runs at least a full size small. I measure just under a 12 and can wear 11s in many styles, even though my feet are wide. I ordered a 43 in this style (after reading some reviews that advised the Helen runs small), which Mephisto calls a 13, and it was easily a size too small for me. Too bad as there is not a larger size for me to order and I love the look of this shoe and am desperate for a sandal with good support. I wear Orthaheel but feel the need for more support around the top of my foot. I liked that the Helen has the adjustable top strap and that the straps are substantial enough to offer some extra support without looking overly orthopedic! I wish Mephisto would adjust their sizing. Those of us with large feet would be so grateful and I would immediately order several of these in different colors!

I wound up not keeping these because they were incredibly narrow. I have medium feet with high arches and they are skinny! These shoes were definitely made for comfort so no cramming my feet into them if they can't be that.

I generally love Mephisto, but the upper leather on these are so hard that it is a series of blisters waiting to happen.