OK, I’ve always been so far out of the fashion loop that there are extraterrestials who know more about what’s “in” than I do, so maybe these have been around for a while, but this summer I’ve been noticing women wearing these “sneaker mule” things. Essentially sneakers with no backs. Now in my mind, these combine the sexiness of athletic footwear (zero), with the capability for athletic performance of a clog (none). Granted, they may be quick to slip on and off, but I think most of us have time to tie our shoes if necessary, and it seems like you’d spend all your time trying to keep your damned shoes from falling off. So why wear these things? Are they insanely comfortable? Am I minority in thinking that they’re as ugly as the Pontiac Aztek? Or is this a continuation of the male hegemony dominating women by saddling them with impractical footwear in the name of fashion 
?
I think they’re hideous and am completely baffled by their popularity as well. I can’t wear clogs or mules because they fly off my feet, but I guess some other women are just better at keeping their toes clenched than I am.
They are a fashion disaster AND comfortable footwear. It’s easy to kick them off, but I really can’t wear them unless they are at least one size larger than I normally wear. Unfortuately, I do not have prehinsile toes, so I tend to shuffle. And I hate that.
I am wearing them right now! :o
I like shoes that I can slip on and off, and I am allowed to wear them to work, but not open toed shoes or sandals. I don’t wear them when I want to look really good or put-together, but my office is very casual. If I had a choice I wouldn’t wear shoes at all, and with these I can slip them off under my desk.
Why are clogs or mules harder to keep on than most sandals? They slip on and off easily but I don’t have a problem with them falling off when I walk.
They are a fashion disaster AND comfortable footwear. It’s easy to kick them off, but I really can’t wear them unless they are at least one size larger than I normally wear. Unfortuately, I do not have prehinsile toes, so I tend to shuffle. And I hate that.
Fashion statements aside, I believe they are DANGEROUS for kids. I’ve seen kids running around in them like they were wearing real sneakers. Then they get hurt because the stupid things fall off. I saw a kid twist and ankle because of this.
If adults want to look silly, that’s their problem. But please don’t buy these for kids.
I was at Payless the other day, to buy some shoes for my 5 year old daughter, and saw a couple of pairs of them in her size. I thought the same thing about the safety thing, but then noticed that on the little kid sizes(at least the one’s there at Payless), they had a thick elastic band on the back, to keep the shoe from sliding off the foot.
I still did not buy them, however.
~V
I kinda think they look cute. Sporty, in a non-sweaty sort of way. 
I don’t personally own a pair, but when I see other people wearing them with the right outfit I think they look good.
I live in 'em. I am comfort based these days, and I think the older I get the uglier my shoes get. This goes for clothing in general… I used to care if it was fashionable, now my biggest concern is that it’s not stinky.