Reddit mentions of Merrell Women's Encore Kassie MID Waterproof Fashion Boot, tan, 9.5 M US

TL;DR: I MACGYVER MY SHOES

So this might seem counterintuitive but hear me out. I buy xero or merrel or keen in lightweight minimalist style 1/2 to one size too big, and then I build up the soles.

I have a slight leg length discrepancy (left leg shorter in femur) and this is what got me started thinking this way.

For the lefts I use a 1.5 cm solid heel lift and glue it down to actual base of shoe after removing insole. I then cut various liner materials to fit using insole as pattern. I have so far macgyvered 5+ pairs permanently as follows:

1. Camper beach sandals: rope sole and leather straps.
   These I loosened/detached the toe strap and resewed them about 2 cm tighter for both feet. (Because shoes larger size/ toe strap not adjustable.) Sewed a deerhide backing onto underside of both toe straps. Created a wool felt heel lift and attached this and covered with deer hide at heel. Sounds clunky but my heels are hidden behind leather pieces that have ankle straps at the top. This was first DIY shoe remodel and was very fun but time consuming (hand stitching through leather, hello carpal tunnel mega spaz).
   
   
2. Merrel boots ( Merrell Women's Encore Kassie MID Waterproof Fashion Boot, tan, 9.5 M US https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078NKP121/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_nOR4CbGEM6J9S)
   
   Bought 1/2 size larger (7). I just glued in a 1.5 cm flexible heel lift on left and added one layer of boot liner cut to fit under both insoles. These my fave so comfy boots. Can walk in or stand. They dont yank ankles, feet fit snug with thicker wool socks or cool and loose in thin ankle socks.
   
   
3. Various sneakers: have built up left sole with various materials and shoegoo/ gorilla glue: old yoga mats, mouse pads, silicone hot pads (kitchen), cardboard of various weights, thick wool felt and once, spare sorel winter boot paks which are like 3 cm thick springy wool felt.
   
   
4. Bogs rubber mud boots. I live in AK and mud on all the things always (or snow, ice, sand, etc). These are HEAVY but somehow the design plus wool socks keeps the weight suspended from my calves rather than the ankles. I like the added sturdiness here for tromping about in forest or on beach. These have left side lift glued to bottom of insole and a gel liner on top, both sides. Makes them snug and hard to get off but super safe feeling on my feet.
   
   
5. Poor quality or dress shoes: I am 5'2" 140 lbs 45yo woman. Have ruined my poor feet which are ultra flexy. I finally got rid of all heels, pointy toes, hard soles, and any pair that "make things worse" or that I'm just not comfortable in. This endedup being all my dress shoes. I now buy ballet flats similar to tieks style, wide toe box, flexible and bouncy/grippy sole types. Then as above I create better conditions for my own comfort.
   Faves now are xero wool grey lace ups, (Xero Shoes Pacifica - Women's Minimalist Wool Shoe - Barefoot Inspired, Zero Drop Sole - Charcoal https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07H2PJZXG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_I8R4Cb79KD40G) they go with my super minimalist Alaska mom wardrobe and can wear with black tights for dressy events.
   I also have a silver pair of leather ballet flats I slip a heel lift in with double sided tape ( I wear 2x/year lol)