Customer Reviews Wolky Why

These fit my feet extremely well and are one of only a few pairs of shoes that I can wear after a serious ankle injury requiring 4 surgeries. The side zippers are terrific and allow me to put on my shoes quickly. I’ve been wearing Wolky brand for 14 years and this particular style shoe for around 7 years.

Was looking for a comfortable red shoe that was stylish too. This fits the bill. I have to stand all day at work and can do it in these shoes. Have had numerous compliments on them.

The fit was great and I can stand all day in them. I have a Wider foot and they fit just fine.

I like the looks of this shoe/stylish and the comfort is great! A 10.5 women’s shoe with support is hard to find and this one fits the bill!

I love Wolky - they make solid and often gorgeous shoes. I'm returning these because I want to try them in another color (I got the antique cactus nubuck - which is beautiful!) so I'm going to give these another try. However, what i did notice was how snug/tight the shoe is around the ankle - I figure that this will break in over time. There is plenty of toe room (very important to me) and over-all a cute casual shoe that would fit on a hike and a trip to the store.

I seem to be unable to edit my prior review, so I'll add some points, particularly to explain the sizing of different colors. I have now tried Wolky Why in Antique Cactus, Antique Brown, and Dark Ochre. I have a 6.5W foot with an incredibly high instep and a narrow heel and am using these Wolkys with thin socks. As previously stated, my instep is so high that I have (in desperation) tried a few brands of granny shoes that come with multiple insoles/spacers and found those to be too tight over the instep as well as too wide on my heel. These boots are my miracle shoe! The Cactus in 38 is a perfect fit with a Spenco Arch Rx Cushion for insert. (These thin Wolky inserts do not have enough cushion or arch support for me on their own.) There was one area of discomfort on a seam, but it stretched in just a minute or two when I placed my forefoot with a thicker sock into the shoe and held it there. It is no bother at all now. And the shoe can be adjusted to be appropriate on my heel. It slips a little still but not in a way that should be problematic with such soft nubuck. The Cactus color is basically brown but has a very subtle distinction of green undertones. It does not look like it does on my screen, but it is nonetheless my favorite of the received colors. The Ochre is a notably larger size. Even the sole is visually larger. But this ended up working out well, as I was able to place the Wolky insoles from the cactus pair inside the ochre to double the insole up. And the doubled up insoles feels absolutely amazing for support, cushion and breathability. Between lacing and the stretchiness of this super soft nubuck, the volume can be increased with just a minute of walking. I'm not so keen on the ochre color, however, and the variations of its natural dying process are especially notable and look like errors. The Brown color has a similar sizing to the Ochre color, so I tried it with both thick insoles and doubled insoles. With adjustments to lacing, a variety of insole options seemed to work. However, even though the feet felt like they had room going in, no matter what I used as an insole and no matter how I laced them, the brown boot would make my left instep go numb in just a couple of minutes. There's something odd about the way the zip was designed so that if you have it laced securely enough it is going to press the foot funny. I think part of the issue seems to be that the nubuck of the brown is apparently thicker or less stretchy? But it's still very soft and stretchy. I don't understand why the Brown do not work, but they don't. The Brown color is almost identical to the cactus but not as sophisticated or interesting without that subtle green undertone. I have kept the Cactus and the Ochre. I would love to get a pair in another color, perhaps purple, if the sale price was right but would love to know how the sizing of the different colors corresponds to these ones. It would be great if Wolky had consistent sizing within a style or a line. As it is, it's very hard to sufficiently research the cut of the different styles and lines in America (features like width and volume generally vary by Wolky line). I'd also love to see these shoes come pre-sprayed with an initial waterproofing given how easily nubuck is damaged, include an extra insoles in these lines that have their thinnest insole style and that are meant to have a highly adjustable instep, and come in darker reds like cranberry or maroon.

Extremely well made, Portugal! True to description and beautiful suede leather. Not a fan of suede but only ones left in my size. Need more colors and thicker laces.

I have problem feet: wide forefeet, extremely high instep, narrow heel, arthritis, and plantar fasciitis. My high instep recently increased even more in its volume, leaving me with almost no shoes I can wear apart from fully adjustable sandals. In my desperation, I’ve been trying several brands of granny walking shoes that come with 2-3 removable orthotics. The problem is that if I buy them in wide, the heel is too big; plus, even if I remove the layers of orthotics, their volume height is typically *still* too small for me (I’m not kidding when I said I have problem feet!). Plus they’re uglier than ugly. Enter the Why! It takes some doing, but if you fully extend the laces, these can be adjusted for an extremely high arch. The stitching on the side in the cactus color cut into my feet slightly but readily stretched out. In fact this nubuck is sooo stretchy that I would advise never trying these on with high volume socks unless you intend to only wear them with high volume socks (they stretch out in no time). I got these from a re-seller in two different colors, dark ochre and cactus. The ochre ran larger, and then I tried them on with thicker socks. So now they are larger yet. My solution was to put both pairs of Wolky insoles in my mustard pair (doubled up!) and my usual thin Spenco ArchRX Cushion insole in my cactus pair. This turned out to be heaven. The Wolky insole on its own is not enough support or cushion for me. But two together are just unbelievable. I’ve never felt an insole like that. It makes me want to reach for the funky (too bold, imo, ochre pair) over the subtle cactus pair (which arrived looking far more brown/grey than green, to the point where I’m wondering if I actually received brown nubuck). So I would highly recommend this brand sell its insoles separately so that we can double them up for shoe heaven (also bear in mind what a miracle it is for someone who finds granny shoes to have too little volume to be able to wear *two* layers of insole). The side zipper is so great. I wouldn’t want to deal with narrow and away laces each time, but this way you get the exacting fit of laces with the ease of a zipper. I’m getting spoiled! Also the nubuck is perfect for extra sensitive feet that are prone to feeling “bruised” by shoes. They look sporty but not so much so that they could not coordinate with work slacks. The company recommends Carbon Pro waterproofing. At this price I wish they already came waterproofed. The lighter colors of nubuck will show marks and stains very readily and will already have natural variations in the color. I do like color in shoes but would prefer a burgundy to a red, etc.. So my only beefs over “style” have to do with their color selection. Given all my foot complications, I’m so in love and will be looking for sales on more colors and trying to figure out other Wolkys to try. My experience has not readily translated into other Wolky shoes (I tried two others). But I’m doing my research as best I can (given that this is not an American brand, so no reviews are available for many styles) as to understand how their different lines fit. The Why has given me hope that I am not destined to only wear grandma shoes as a young person. Not to mention, they are the only shoes I bought since my feet grew that actually properly FIT. My very high volume 6.5W foot with a narrow heel took size 38. It’s a bit long, but my feet don’t slide forward. Thank you, Wolky! I am wearing thin dress-type wool socks (Darn Tough) with both boots (now that I have two insoles in the ochre pair).

These are the lost comfortable shoes for walking EVER. Am not a real fan of the mustard color but kept these shoes because they are so comfortable. I like the idea of having a zipper so that the lace can be set and tied firmly and then so easy to take on and off.

it was great, but the arch support was too high for me.

LOVE this WOLKY. It is my first pair. Super comfy, SUPER CUTE! Thanks for combining comfort and style. Keep it up!

From the moment I first tried on these shoes I loved them. Have worn them constantly since they arrived. Excellent!!!!

These shoes are a great find. They fit perfectly, are comfortable, stylish with the clothes I usually wear, great support for my daily walks.

First pair of Wolky shoes. Very comfortable and a perfect Jean shoe. I usually wear a size US 6 or EU 37. I order the 37 and it feels a bit big. I have a slightly wide feet and the WHY seems to run more towards the wide side. Lots of room in the toe box. Only slight complaint - the shoe laces are waxed (?) and they stick. The only breakin was to manipulate the heel back and forth a few times because it pressed into my ankle. Now a Wolky convert.

Excellent ankle support which is hard to find and ample width. I bought a 2nd pair within weeks. I have the Loden-ish green and Mustard-ish gold which are neutral colors but add some pop to subdued wardrobe. Side zipper easy and adds some style.

Wolky is one of my favorite brands because i can wear them without orthotics. They very made and stylish. The cactus color is perfect for a weekend shoe. I’m a size 8 and would normally wear a 39 but had to return these and find a 38 at another retailer.

Good

I wore these right of the box for one week then on a trip to NYC. They held up well, were perfect with every outfit. Tights with skirts, pants, jeans. VERY COMFORTABLE! Lightweight and easy to adjust for when your feet need a little more or less room. The zipper makes them easy to get off and on. These are my third pair of Wolky shoes. I have never been disappointed.

Fit great, size ok. I have halux vulgrais on both foot and this shoes are heaven.

These are terrific boots. It takes time to get the laces where needed in feet like mine (wide and high arch) for the zipper to work easily. Once I was able to get the laces at the right tension I slip in and out without trouble and my feet look fabulous!

LOVE these boots-Right out of the box! Read reviews to select size. Fingers crossed and they fit absolutely perfectly. I'm a solid size US8. I ordered size 39- (7.5-8). For reference I wear a 38 in Birkenstocks and they fit perfectly. The Wolky's are extremely comfortable right out of the box. They fit perfectly, meaning there is just the right amount of space at the top, no toes pushing up against the ends. They have a nice amount of arch and feel extremely comfortable to wear. I'm extremely pleased with this purchase. Have never purchased Wolky in the past. Loved the style, so took a chance.

Ever since Mephisto discontinued the Nigata model - what were you thinking Mephisto? - I have been searching for a suitable replacement. Whew! I finally have found it. If anything, these shoes are even more comfortable and supportive. They even look a bit less like athletic shoes which is nice for me since I will be wearing them everywhere. I especially like the fit through the ankles which can be tightened enough to really make a difference in stabilization. By the way, they are much less clunky looking in real life than the photos might suggest!

Why, the size is perfect (got recommended size). Why, it's the perfect little ankle boot (in the most perfect red)! Why, they're very comfortable and have moderate arch support. Why, I'd prefer something I can wear in wet weather too...but love suede. Why called Why? Because why put a (functioning) zipper on a lace-up (why not?)? Why, because they have working zippers, I can get 'em on and off in a jiff!

Finally, after many try-ons, I do believe I found a pair of booties that fit and have support. My size 8 foot runs a little wide, but there are many brands that I can wear in a medium. This bootie runs wide, because a medium fits my wider than average foot. They are a little clunky looking, but that is the style. They have an excellent padded foot bed and arch support. I may even be able to put some inserts in if they stretch a little.

Not waterproof. :(