Walking shoes

jomo70

Looking to buy some walking shoes, mainly for doing the school run and a bit of walking to try and get fitter.

Can anybody recommend there favourites? price isn't to much of an issue as they will be a birthday present from my mum and dad (its a big one!) but they must be comfortable, water proof and a bit trendy!!

Any comments would be gratefully received.

asset2004

I'll be watching this with interest. I walk to work (roughly 3 miles each way) and can't find any comfy shoes. I end up wearing trainers in and leaving my shoes at work as I can't get a pair that don'trub either my heels or my toes.
Recently I tried Gluv and Clarks both of which semed perfect in the shop rubbed me with 1/4 mile of leaving the house. I always carry plasters now just in case I need them.

Waterfalls

the gogh fitflops are the most comfy shoes ive ever worn

geri1965_2

New Balance or Merrell for me.

belfastgirl23

Ecco shoes are pretty comfortable. As to how cool they are, I think you'd have to judge that for yourself

inkie

I have a great pair of Hi Tech walking boots - they are have never blistered me, and are wonderfully supportive. Not too heavy either.

McKneff

Waterfalls wrote: »

the gogh fitflops are the most comfy shoes ive ever worn

Well, I just had a look and theyre not very waterproof. :rotfl::rotfl:

Hotspur

Depends what you mean by walking? On hard ground/towpaths or hill walking, fields and muddy paths.

Most waterproof and durable shoes/boots are leather and not particularly fashionable except in the hills. You can get flexible approach shoes with a gore tex or similar lining which will be waterproof in all but the worst weathers. North Face, Merrell and Salomon are but three brands to look for. You'll probably be looking to pay £50 - £100. Blacks often have a reasonable range.

Blacks Approach Shoes

Shoes are sized on different lasts so spending some time in a proper walking shop trying on different brands to get a good fit for your feet is time well spent.

elsien

Have a look at M and M direct. I've given up on ordinary shoes for walking as I was finding that brands such as ecco, the heel was wearing down in a couple of months, and I couldn't afford a new pair that often.
Proper walking shoes (rather than hiking boots) last me for months. They don't look as good, but it seemed such a waste to pay out for shoes that were worn out after a month or two - and that was just a couple of hours walking a day with the dog.

This is what they've got in at the moment, but you need to grab it while it's there. It'll say if they're waterproof on the individual descriptions.
The trade of does tend to be looks versus practicality, as a rule.
http://www.mandmdirect.com/ProductList.aspx

These are waterproof
http://www.mandmdirect.com/products-Karrimor-Womens-Equator-Low-Weathertite-Boot-Grey-Velvet_KM121.htm

http://www.mandmdirect.com/products-Karrimor-Womens-Bodmin-II-Shoe-Dark-Grey_KM140.htm
and these for a bit more
http://www.mandmdirect.com/products-Berghaus-Womens-Pro-Rush-XCR-Boot-Blue-Grey_BE505.htm

jenniewb

What sort of things do you walk on OP? are you talking about hard-core walking which is similar to hiking where you walk over EVERYTHING, or is this day to day walking where your walking on pavements to and from work?

If its the former, I'd go to a specialised running/walking store as it usually pays to take care of your feet in these sorts of extremes.

But if its the latter, what sort of styles are you after? do you need to be smartly dressed or do you prefer to look casual? and are you wary of style as this can often mean certain styles are not so good and its a personal choice.

In my experience, and I walk alot through London and on public transport (tubes are like rabbit warren holes but for people!) I wear fitflops, they now do trainer type shoes but I have only had experience of the boots and fitflops both of which are very comfy. They do promise tigher muscles but to be honest you only gotta look at how the soles crease with wear of more then a month to realise that any such promises are likely to be unlikely! But they are very comfy and soft to wear and I'd imagine (and experience) them to be better for joints then most foot wear.

Smart designs- have you tried M&S Footglove shoes? they come in many styles and although I have no experience of them, I used to work in a job where I and others were on our feet 8 or 9 hours a day. A few women reported them to help with foot pain they previously had as a result of the job and they seemed to last fairly well. Ecco shoes and some (but not all!) Clarks shoes fall into a similar category.

Trainerwise, I'd say look for shoes with gel inserts. The ones with big plastic tubes on which promise to be supportive and cushioning are rubbish and no better then if they didn't have these plastic tubing things, air-pockets tend to burst on trainers and can leave you with a strange noise each time you walk but gel inserts do tend to help with impact and trainers can be one of the most comfortable shoes around. Sports Direct have many in at cut prices, just don't wear the same trainers to the gym as day to day wear. You'd still need a different set for the gym.

Mayflower10cat

Spookily, I've also been in search of the perfect comfy walking shoe/boot that will cope with muddy country lanes, pavements and the odd field! So thi has been a useful thread for me, too. I've jut ordered a pair of these http://www.mandmdirect.com/products-Hi-Tec-Womens-McKinnley-Boot-Taupe-Plum_HI281.htm as they look like they'll fit the bill. Good price, I thought.