Need new barn shoes

I am in desperate need of new barn shoes. My bestest pair ever has finally died. They were an old pair of Birkenstocks that were roomy, I could easily slide on and off without using hands, but didn’t feel like they were going to come off ever.

What do you love? I don’t love Dansko. I loved the Birks because the heel was fairly flat. I don’t like too high of a heel. Sadly they don’t make the Birks in that style anymore.
Pictures from my shoes’ funeral :laughing:

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Both Twisted X and Ariat make loafers or moccasins that make great barn shoes.

Something like this:

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Riding Warehouse has some Twisted X and Ariat styles on clearance; free shipping over $75 and free returns for a year:

https://www.ridingwarehouse.com/catpage-EFOOT.html

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Last time this came up, someone (I think @Simkie) recommended Merrell’s Jungle Moc. I got a great deal on them from Amazon and love them! They have helped my plantar fasciitis a ton and have lasted about a year at this point, which is borderline miraculous around here. I burn through barn shoes.

Merrell Men’s Jungle Leather Slip-On Shoe https://a.co/d/8oKfnfJ

I bought the men’s size because they were markedly cheaper than the women’s.

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Yep, Merrell mocs for the win! I’m cheap and generally buy whatever is on sale (that’s also waterproof, some are not!) but wound up with a pair with protective toes a couple years ago, and now go that route exclusively even if it means paying full price (but I still grumble about it.)

I think I have these now:

But actually prefer these:

For the reinforcement where the toe meets the sole.

I also go with the mens. I did have a women’s pair but found them really lightweight and more “going to town” shoes rather than “slog through shit” shoes iykwim.

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And you are able to just slide your feet i these without using hands?

Yes, that’s the whole point. I need to step into my shoes.

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I’m still a fan of paddock boots, specifically Ariat zip ups

https://www.sloggers.com/

Love the Sloggers. The have slip-on w/o heels, clog-style with a low heel or ankle boots. Solid colors or fun prints. Good support and wear like iron. Example:

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I have Birkie rubber garden clogs for when it is too hot to wear my muck boots. I’ve worn out two pairs of cork insoles but the clogs seem indestructible. They slip on, but have enough of a back that shavings don’t always fill them, only sometimes.

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I got a nice pair of Nord Trail hikers for under $80 that are comfy and waterproof, at TSC.

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I have paddock boots too, but looking specifically for shoes I can just slide on easily

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LL Bean muck shoes?

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Thanks for all the suggestions! I’m going to try and head to cabella’s today and try the Twisted X. It looks like they stock them.

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Good idea to try them in person, especially slip-ons that aren’t adjustable, like lace-up shoes are. :+1:

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Something I find pretty vital in barn shoes is being waterproof, and the TwistedX options don’t seem to offer that–in case that’s also important to you.

I wound up with a non waterproof pair of merrell mocs once, and that was a really unpleasant surprise!

Went to Cabellas and alas they didn’t have the twisted X at my local store. I tried the Merrel Mocs, and didn’t love them. If they were at a lower price point, I would make them work at least as a backup, but the arch part of the instep was quite steep and uncomfortable. They had a pair of Keens that looked interesting, they didn’t have my size in the store, but based on the half size smaller I tried, I think they may just work. It’s weird, in the past I couldn’t wear Keens, the toe box never worked for me, but my feet have changed shape so much, I tried them on a whim, and was surprised at how well they fit!

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I vote for the Blundstone 500 Chelsea

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I’ve always loved the way the Keen mocs look, but alas, they are too tall in the ankle for me and bruise the sh!t out of my ankle bones. Still gave it a solid try, but was relieved when that pair died. IIRC, they held up okay, though. Not a bad way to go if they work for your feet!

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Ohhh you SUCK