Customer Reviews Mephisto Helen Plus

I ordered both a regular Helen sandal and a plus one to compare. I currently wear a regular Helen, but wanted to compare the two sizes. The regular width that I ordered was definitely narrower than the current pair I own. But the plus size, although just the right width, had a perhaps more serious problem: the leather around the toe was too tight and when I compared the two sizes it was apparent that in the Plus size the space for the big toe was much tighter. It seemed odd really in that the plus size should have been a bit bigger all around. I ended up keeping the regular size hoping they would sort of flatten out at the edges and returned the plus size, but in reality neither one fit that well. I am disappointed that the sizes are not more true, as my first Helen sandals, ordered a year ago, fit like a dream.

There's not a better, more comfortable sandal than Mephisto Helen. I have several pairs and wanted to move up to Helen Plus, ouch! the toe thong must have been designed to fit the index finger. It is much, much too tight and would cut into the skin if I were to wear them. Usually it's put them on and go. But not these and aren't I sorry.

Other mentioned that they felt the strap was too tight. I did not find that to be true with sandals. In fact, they fit just right. Just wish the wide came in more colors like the regular width.

I usually wear a 38 (7-7.5) in European sizing and was surprised to see that the sizing chart for Mephisto indicated I should order a 37. I did and the shoe felt short, tight and uncomfortable. I returned the 37 and ordered up. The 38 is just a tad long, but otherwise fits great in the "toe-box." And after a short breaking-in period, it's now hugely comfortable.

Very generous at toe-box/front of shoe. For been disappointed that Mephisto seemed to get narrower over the years, this sandal will be a pleasant surprise.

I started out with regular Helen sandals in beautiful grey nubuck. They were too narrow and a little short, so I exchanged them for Helen Plus in shiny black leather. (Helen Plus only has 3 choices, no grey nubuck, because apparently women with wider feet only deserve 3 leather choices. I would urge Mephisto to rethink this.) Anyway, the Helen Plus is a good-looking and comfortable sandal. As some people have noted, inexplicably, the leather around the big toe of the Helen Plus is tighter than the leather around the big toe of the Helen. I am keeping the sandals anyway and expecting the leather to stretch a bit. I am an old Birkenstock wearer. In Birkenstocks, I wear a 38 regular. In these Mephistos, I wear a 39 in the plus version. And the plus version is still a teeny tiny bit narrower than the Birks regular footbed. I think I will like the softer footbed of the Mephistos. Zappos exchange service was fantastic -- fast and convenient.

These sandals turned out to be very comfortable, but they definitely need breaking in. I needed these because regular Helens were too narrow for my toes. I have too many foot problems to mention including neuroma and plantar fascia. The toe area leather was a bit stiff and tight, but loosened with beeswax, gentle stretching and by my wearing the sandals. Other than that, they are very soft and comfortable while giving me excellent arch and metatarsal support. So--these are worth the time it takes to soften them up!

I like these sandals. The style is cute. I tried several different sizes and settled on the wide (or plus as they call it). I don't normally wear wide shoes but my little toe was touching to close to the edge of the shoe and was uncomfortable. I wanted brown but noticed they didn't carry the same brown color tone across the regular and wide (plus). So I just ordered the brown they had. I noticed the brown leather in the wide (plus) was considerably stiffer. As I said I kept the wide (plus) but there was some break in period because the leather was not soft like the other browns I had tried. I think that is why some people comment in reviews that there is a break in period and others say they were great out of the box. I'm telling you the difference in the leather was that great. One was soft and supple and the other was like a new horse bridal. But again it is fine now. I put leather softener on the straps a couple of times and it helped a lot.

I love these sandals! I own three pairs and am ordering two more this year. I wear them from April until October. The cork beds mold to my feet and I can walk forever in them! I accidentally left a pair out in the rain this summer and the next day just blotted the cord beds with a towel and put them in the sun and they were fine.

This is an all-time favorite; I purchased my first pair in 2007 and have worn them everywhere since. Straight from the box and on my feet they are super comfortable and great to walk in. This is my second pair and again, straight from the box and on to my feet. The first pair is now relegated to gardening, a little worn but still working!

I love Mephisto Helen and have in black, brown and tan. I don't get the plus either but has been a few years since bought my last Helen so don't know about their sizing. My new ones are definitely stiffy thus the four stars and will have to be broken in. I love the color so going to keep them. They last me forever so they are an investment for me in shoes. If this is your first Mephisto try the suede leather it's worth every dollar.

I have worn Helens right out of the box for years and years. They are my "go to" sandals, but since my feet are wide I was pleased to see the Helen Plus. What a disappointment! The left shoe fit, but hurt and the right foot was so tight I couldn't even get it on! The distance from the sole to the strap was about an inch. The toe piece was strangely placed, so that it dug into my toes (on the shoe I could get on, anyway). They are going back this afternoon. I do wonder if this pair is defective, but I'm afraid to try another.

I have a pair of 20 year old Birkenstocks. This Mephisto has been the perfect replacement so far. My neighbor asked me if I was sleeping in them as well. The support for the back, knees and feet is unsurpassed. Worth every penny! I accidentally ordered the Plus size, but it is what I needed after all. This was my first Zappos purchase. I was more than impressed with the entire process. Thank you.

I wear a 10 1/2 American but a 41 wide in the Helen. I buy a pair at least every year because the footbed is like wearing an orthodic. So excited to see it now comes in a wide version since my feet a flattening from yoga.

I love Mephisto sandals, but because I have wide feet and Mephisto makes medium widths, I usually cannot buy them. This one sandal is an exception I found. The Plus in the name means wide width. I am very happy with these sandals. I bought the Bronze color, which is beautiful.

I have several pair of Helen sandals and the next to last pair I bought seemed more narrow than usual so the last pair I ordered in the plus. I kept it but I don't care for the fit. The toe area is really wide and it appears that the sandal is too large for my foot. I won't order the plus again but I love the arch support in the Helen and that is why I keep buying these.

After reading other reviews, I wasn't sure which shoe to order, the regular or the Helen Plus. So, I ordered both! The Plus was a better choice with good arch support and wide enough for comfort. Unfortunately, I didn't break them in well enough before I wore them on a long walking tour and ended up with blisters from the toe straps. The thong is comfortable but the outer strap cut into the edge of my bunion. As someone else said in a prior review, the toe opening should be wider.

I love the shoe but sadly had to return it. The medium width Helens are too snug and I thought the "plus" would be perfect but it was wide at the toe area and not in the arch? Weird. Oh well.

Five star sandals! I am a 7½ or a 38 and the fit was spot on. The adjustable buckle holds onto the foot beautifully. They have a comfortable toe post. They are great quality and arch support. The width is perfect for me, I wish that I had more color choices. More wide widths, please! These are awesome!

Love my new Mephisto Helen Plus! I have been wearing the regular Helen for years, they are my go to sandal but they have always been a little narrow for me so this time around I went with the plus. I did not find that the toe hole was smaller like so many commented on, actually I have found that it is more comfortable than a lot of other pairs I have had to break in. As for width, well, it's definitely not super wide but just wider than the regular that they fit great and I love them. Now all Mephisto has to do is make them in more fun colors.

After trying to find the right size Helen for my narrow foot, I was about to give up on Mephisto. The toe strap was way too loose. I read the reviews about Helen plus having a tight toe strap but just couldn't imagine wearing a wide anything. I found them in a local shoe store and compared the two, the Helen plus fit better and the toe strap was just right! I ordered this pair from Zappos as soon as I got to my car! Finally. I'm so glad Zappos allowed me to order and return without shipping charges until I found the sandal that worked for me. :-)

For those whose feet are wider these are great. I had a pair of Mephisto sandals about 12 years ago, before they changed the construction to be narrower. These are like the old Mephistos and are highly recommended for anyone who's toes hangs off the normal size. I cannot find these in the stores, so Zappos is a godsend!

I ordered both the Helen and Helen Plus in the same size. Oddly, I ended up keeping the Helen because they seemed to fit wider than the Helen Plus! The widest part of my foot is at the joints at the bottom of my toes, and the Helen Plus didn't really seem to be wider in this area.When I held the two styles sole to sole it was clear that the Helen Plus was a little longer (maybe 1cm) and a little wider in the toe area (maybe 1cm at most). But the raised side part of the footbed on the Helen Plus was higher and slightly wider, with the end result that the Helen felt more comfortable at the widest part of my foot than the Helen Plus! Also, the material covering the footbed on the Helen was a smooth grey, and on the Helen Plus it was rougher brown material (I think suede?) - the smooth grey looked a little nicer. I kept the Helens and am really loving them - so comfy!

Bought my first pair of Mephistos several years ago in Italy and was able to wear them immediately with no break-in needed. So bought several pairs of them. Unfortunately, they are making them too narrow these days for my wider foot. So tried these. Although they are wide enough, they are also longer and the toe strap fits uncomfortably. The one on my left foot is smaller and makes my entire foot go to the inside edge which kind of rubs my heel. Wore them around the house a while and now the insole shows my foot prints so guess I will keep them and hope they break in because I've tried every brand I could find to get the support Mephistos have but to no avail.