The entire point of this guide was to look for footwear that is unusual in some way. We looked for funky shoes which are outside the norm, which make us keep glancing their way, thinking wow those are some shoes. This funky element can be achieved in two most common ways: through color and through construction.

Unorthodox color is probably the easiest to achieve. Manufacturers take a regular design, one which we know and love, such as the Crocs Clog for example, and infuse it with vibrancy, with loud, bold hues that demand attention. This is also the case with the Sam Edelman Loraine, the Steve Madden Cliff, and the Birkenstock Arizona, among others - all of these funky shoes can also be found in regular color variations, aside from these crazier ones.

When it comes to wackiness in terms of construction, that is where things get a little trickier: never-before-seen silhouettes are hard to come up with, mostly because almost everything has already been done before. Original ideas are few and far between - leading footwear manufacturers know how to recognize them and use them to their advantage, and as a consequence, this originality carries great value.

Designs which are funky in construction are those such as the Dr. Martens Jadon and the Calvin Klein Fernanda. These funky shoes come with an unexpected silhouette that we might not have encountered before, and they pique our interest, make us wonder how this shoe was built, who made it, and where we can get one of those, too.

The purpose of footwear like this, which is unconventional either in color or in construction, or both, is to freshen your looks up a bit. It is meant to revamp your style, to help you express your quirky personality, and to make everyone around you smiles when they see how daring you are in embracing new and innovative footwear choices!

Having a pair of funky shoes is all nice and dandy. It may find a special place in your heart, and you may find a place for it in your wardrobe, but what happens if it’s uncomfortable? What if your beloved new footwear choice pinches your toes or has a seam which digs into the side of your foot, or causes blisters?

This is why we put just as much emphasis on the comfort of a design as we do on how wacky it is.

There are several different things you should be looking at, when you’re in the process of figuring out if a pair of funky shoes is comfortable for you or not.

• Footbed
  The footbed is arguably the most important part when it comes to footwear comfort. It can be cushioned, either with memory foam or EVA or a similar type of material, and like that it provides cloud-like comfort to your steps, as well as shock absorption. Shock or impact absorption is necessary to protect your joints from too much impact force when you strike the ground with your heel. This type of force can cause long-term damage to your ankle, knee and even hip, and a cushioned footbed helps distribute it evenly through the shoe, preventing the damage.
  Another feature that a footbed can have are contours, or molds. This we see most prominently in the Birkenstock Arizona Papillio, which is famous for the contours in its footbed. This type of comfort ensures that your foot is gently cradled within a shoe, and that it is supported from all sides as you walk.
  Something that should also be mentioned in relation to a contoured footbed is that it can also have arch support, which is another amazing feature. Arch support reduces foot fatigue when you want to cover long distances on foot, and it also helps prevent medical ailments such as flatfoot.
• Materials
  The reason materials are important when it comes to comfort is because they come in contact with your foot, or even your skin if you are not wearing any socks. If the material isn’t suitable, it can rub you the wrong way, cause chafing, abrasions and blisters, and overall provide quite a painful experience.
  If you want to avoid these unpleasantries, something as soft and as malleable as leather or suede would be the best option. Genuine is better, but there are examples of synthetic leather which is just as comfortable, like in the Birkenstock Arizona. Lightweight materials, such as canvas, textile and mesh are also good choices for your funky shoes, since they are gentle on the skin and don’t cause any friction.
• Heel
  Finally, since a few of our funky shoes have high heels, we feel the need to mention this aspect in relation to comfort. Heels make us look elegant and elongate our figure, but they are also not very comfortable to wear for longer periods of time. However, there are things you can keep in mind when you’re choosing the best heel for yourself.
  Firstly, go for heels which are thick and chunky in shape. These provide stability and a good foundation for your steps, reducing your chances of stumbling and falling. The second aspect is that, if you want that all-day wearability, you should opt for heels which are three inches or lower in height. These don’t put too much strain on the front of your foot, and enable you to remain standing (and walking, and even dancing) for longer. Heels which are four inches and higher, and especially stiletto in shape, cause pain within the first two hours of wearing.

As you undoubtedly noticed while going through our list, there is no shortage of different styles when it comes to funky shoes. We have boots (the Ariat Fatbaby, the Dr. Martens Jadon), sandals (the Jessica Simpson Joselle, the Birkenstock Papillio Arizona), sneakers (the Steve Madden Cliff), and chic, business-appropriate flats such as the Calvin Klein Fernanda and the Sam Edelman Lorain.

We also included a water shoe (the Crocs Clog) and a Mary Jane (the T.U.K. design). There is literally a pair of funky shoes out there for everyone!

Which begs the question: how to choose the right one?

Fortunately, this comes with an easy answer. All you have to do is to think about what the purpose of this footwear will be. Where will you wear it? To work? To the beach? For a casual shopping trip with your friends? On a date night out?

Wherever you’re going, make sure to keep in mind the potential dress code of the place, as well as your level of activity, and to put together an outfit accordingly. If your workplace is strict, perhaps open toes are not the best idea; if you want to be comfortable, choose flats instead of heels; if you’re going to spend time in wet conditions, definitely choose water-friendly footwear.

The second thing you should take into account when shopping for funky shoes is what the season is. If you are looking at colder months ahead of you, those which will be filled with rain or even snow, then boots are the way to go. Especially the Dr. Martens Jadon which will keep you dry in the worst of rain showers.

But if you’re in the middle of a sweltering summer, then definitely reach for open toe funky shoes, for maximum exposure of the foot. When you’re wearing confining footwear in hot and humid climates, you’re running the risk of developing bacterial or fungi infections. Lightweight, breathable and open footwear is what you need to prevent this and have happy feet all summer long.

Lastly, after considering the purpose of the design and in what period of time you will be wearing it, don’t forget to match the style of the option with your own personal style. Think about what you have in your wardrobe, and match the new pair of shoes accordingly. Even if you are going for more eccentric than your usual choices - it is still important to stay true to yourself and to put together an outfit that is well-balanced between standard and funky.

When you have footwear that is all sorts of interesting and fun to wear, you are probably going to want to wear it anywhere you can, no? And we can’t blame you - when we’re in love with something, we want to have it with us as much as possible, and a great pair of shoes is no exception.

Versatility is thus another quality that we looked for in the funky shoes on this list. We wanted to make sure that you can enjoy your new shoes whenever and wherever you can, which is why we rated all of the designs according to this characteristic.

It is no surprise that the Steve Madden Cliff is the one which came out on top. Sneakers are ever the ubiquitous style, which you can easily match with any type of outfit - jeans, shorts, skirts or dresses - you name it! Sneakers work for practically any event, from the most relaxed of weekends all the way to an important business meeting, if it is a dress sneaker style.

Casual, laid-back designs like the Cliff, like the Birkenstock Arizona, the Sam Edelman Loraine, the Dr. Martens Jadon, are usually the types of funky shoes which are more versatile than those clearly constructed for special occasions. These options are comfortable and can be worn in most situations, with most outfit combinations.

Less versatile is the Jessica Simpson Joselle. Its sexy, open style as well as its high heel don’t make it so practical for everyday wear, and you’d most likely enjoy this heel better in a fancy, party setting.

Of course it is a given that versatility, as many other criteria here, is a subjective matter. Nothing should stop you from wearing the funky shoes you want on an occasion you want to wear it on, as long as it is appropriate and won’t get you sent home from school or something similar. We encourage you to experiment, to push the boundaries a little, and to learn which footwear styles work best in which situations.

As the last part of our Criteria section, we feel that it is necessary to explain a bit more about what makes a pair of funky shoes durable. Why do some items last longer than others? Is there anything that you can do to increase the lifespan of your shoe?

Durability depends on several factors: the type of materials a design is made of, the methods used in its construction, as well as how frequently you’re wearing it and how hard you’re being on your footwear.

Generally speaking, natural materials such as leather and suede are quite durable. They require a bit of care in the form of cleaning and conditioning, but footwear made out of these materials can last up to a decade.

Synthetic options, such as faux leather and suede, vary in durability. The Birkenstock Arizona, for example, is a very durable synthetic leather option, while most others are not, and are prone to creasing and flaking which no amount of conditioning could repair.

Lightweight materials, like canvas and textile, are even less durable; they fray easily, and tend to lose their form over time. In contrast, rubber and Croslite are extremely long lasting, and this is why rubber boots and Crocs remain in good shape for years.

Given that none of the funky shoes in our guide are meant for high-impact sports, you don’t have to worry about them wearing out too quickly. With regular wear, these options will last for a decent amount of time, especially those made from genuine leather. Don’t be afraid to use the most out of your refreshingly unique footwear! A shoe gets damaged sooner or later, there is no way around that, and you should enjoy it as much as you can before that happens.