I need a solid pair of walking shoes

Nerdtendo

I'm on my feet a lot throughout the day. I walk to and from work, two miles each way, five days a week. I'm trying to find a pair of comfortable shoes that are durable, waterproof (I walk in the rain too), and won't cost too much.

A few people I know have suggested New Balance shoes, and the discounted prices aren't bad at all, but I think the shoes are hideous. But if they're comfy enough and last a long time, I just might go for those.

I pretty much just wear shoes until there's holes in the bottom, or they start falling apart. I'm willing to spend more if it means the shoes can put up with the punishment I dish out for quite a while, but I'd prefer to keep the price below a hundred dollars, unless we're talking about shoes that look nice, feel like sex on my feet, and will probably last longer than I will.

I'd Fuck Chuck Lidell Up

i had some nike airs that were quite nice. i used to play tennis, do parkour, play ddr, and run in them, they were also my work shoes. i wore the hell out of those things as they still lasted 2 years.

they're still technically good shoes, and i still wear them to play tennis

Imp

I've really enjoyed my current Skechers and my last pair, to toss my vote in. I work retail, and walk a mile both ways daily to and from work. Though I'm also in the market for a new pair, and wouldn't mind seeing what others think on this.

supabeast

I second Skechers, especially their shoes with a metal shank in the sole. Democrata shoes are great for walking, and their slip-ons are to die for, but the sneaker-looking soles can wear quickly. If you want to spend a few hundred dollars Mephisto shoes are incredible.

Kate of Lokys

I wear a pair of New Balance shoes, and while they are indeed ugly as sin (like, navy blue and grey with a giant N on the side), I have worn the shit out of them for a solid three years now, which is pretty good for something that cost me $40. I also have freakish hobbit feet, it's almost impossible for me to find shoes that fit me right, but New Balance is great about having multiple widths available for all of their models.

Some of their designs are marginally less hideous than others, especially the outdoor/hiking line. This, for example, is pretty much your basic brown leather lowcut hiking boot, with no stupid reflective tape or giant logos. It's even waterproof. A ton of discount / outlet places carry New Balance stuff, too, so it's pretty easy to end up paying $40-50 for a pair of shoes that retails for three times that.

You can absolutely find something better if you spend a little more, and mine are kind of on their last legs after three years, but I wore those fuckers through a Sudbury winter and they kept my feet warm and dry.

(And honestly most people don't even look at other people's shoes unless they already care deeply about shoes to begin with, and if that's the case, they're going to sneer at you for not wearing perfectly broken-in Chucks anyway).

Black Ice

Saucony, New Balance, and Asics are all great shoes.

Also, New Balance shoes are looking better and better. They're really trendy, at least here throughout the southeast. Just don't lace them tightly and they don't look ridiculous. The "cool" thing to do is have the laces wider, like skate shoes. Some people wear the laces so loose they don't tie them (although I know people that do this and I have asked if they've had problems, and they admit to having their shoes fall off sometimes while walking up stairs...)

For instance, the Gray MR993s were the thing to have a year or year and a half ago. I use them as running shoes and I have to buy a new pair this week. As someone that runs 6 to 14 miles per run, I can recommend them - I have worn these way longer than I should have, and I feel it while I'm running, but it's a testament to their durability. I should've replaced my shoes at least 50 miles ago. Apparently, they were also the running shoes that the Marines wore at the time I bought them (they may still be), due to the fact that they come in virtually every length and width - I think up to a size 23.

There are ways of making it "loose" so it doesn't look ugly, but making them practical and regular-fitting. Just experiment with the laces if you're that concious about looks...don't judge me for knowing this from experience, like I said, it's trendy here!

Szechuanosaurus

New Balance are great, but really they are running shoes - they are designed to be lightweight with some support but I wouldn't call them walking shoes.

What I believe you want are a pair of Merrells. They make actual hiking shoes (basically slightly lighter weight hiking boots without the boot part). They are waterproof (Goretex), provide real foot support, have exceptionally durable soles and generally are designed for walking all day. I want to stress that I wear Merrell sandals for hiking in the Swiss Alps in the summer, they are serious business will not quit foot wear. I'm wearing a pair of these right now. Normally a pair of regular casual shoes lasts maybe two or three months before starting to show serious wear and tear, after five to six months they are falling apart. These Merrells have been going strong for three years now and still look virtually brand new.

They do a great range of casual, more fashionable shoes as well, and whilst they are tougher and more suited to everyday street walking than the average sneaker they don't last quite as long as their serious business hiking shoes.

necroSYS

Szechuanosaurus wrote: »

New Balance are great, but really they are running shoes - they are designed to be lightweight with some support but I wouldn't call them walking shoes.

New Balance has an entire line of walking shoes and cross-trainers, both of which would be fine for the OP's purposes. The New Balance stores have the best selection (in non ass-ugly colors), but you can find their "basic" shoe in many other stores as well. I'd honestly advise that you plan to spend a bit more on good shoes. They're so, so worth it.

What I believe you want are a pair of Merrells. They make actual hiking shoes (basically slightly lighter weight hiking boots without the boot part). They are waterproof (Goretex), provide real foot support, have exceptionally durable soles and generally are designed for walking all day. I want to stress that I wear Merrell sandals for hiking in the Swiss Alps in the summer, they are serious business will not quit foot wear. I'm wearing a pair of these right now. Normally a pair of regular casual shoes lasts maybe two or three months before starting to show serious wear and tear, after five to six months they are falling apart. These Merrells have been going strong for three years now and still look virtually brand new.

They do a great range of casual, more fashionable shoes as well, and whilst they are tougher and more suited to everyday street walking than the average sneaker they don't last quite as long as their serious business hiking shoes.

Merrells are absolutely serious business. I love them too. For hiking, they absolutely cannot be beat. I think Teva's new river shoe may be a little better for whitewater, but otherwise, Merrells are absolutely my choice of footwear for hiking boots and sandals.

Djeet

New Balances look like butt, but I wear them because they come in wide sizes. If you have wider than normal feet, finally getting to wear shoes that fit comfortably is just awesome. I miss the looks of my old Puma's, but not having my toes not crushed beats out looks for me.

"D" is not a wide size, I don't get why some retailers/shoe-makers say they offer wide sizes but only have "D" in stock. blah.

xa52

I wear Merrells all the time, but boy, you want to talk about some ugly fucking shoes. You should get to an REI and look at those, and Vasque and Solomon too (similar shoes, different fits and styles) and just go with what fits best.

Hypatia

I bought a pair of Keens from the walking store and I have walked the crap out of them. They tend to be wider which is great if you have that kind of foot. Another bonus is that a lot of them look nice enough to pass for semi-casual-business-ish shoes if you're in a pinch. I love the fact that I can wear shoes in the office that are really nice for walking in.

Akilae729

I'm on my 4th pair of Saucony Courageous shoes. I've been wearing them since high school and they last me about a year or so before getting pretty ratty.

I'm real hard on shoes though.

http://www.zappos.com/n/p/p/7187512/c/4808.html

Thanatos

I, too, wear New Balance, because they're the only shoe company that sells a shoe to fit my foot without having to special-order them (14 EEEEEE, yes, that's six Es).

They're solid shoes. I do a lot of walking (usually one nine-mile day per week, and several shorter 3-4 mile walks), and they've held up great.

BrotherVoodoo

I dig Nikes, running and skate shoes. Often times Eastbay has decent deals. Skateshoes are heavier, but extremely durable. But Nikes running/walking shoes will do fine for a pretty long time too.

Nerdtendo

I found some New Balance cross trainers on a discount site for forty bucks. They look like generic white and black sneakers, which is better than most of their selection. I did see some designs that looked good, but they were either running shoes, or twice the price.

At worst, they should be at least as good as any other pair of sneakers I can pick up.

Shadowfire

Thanatos wrote: »

I, too, wear New Balance, because they're the only shoe company that sells a shoe to fit my foot without having to special-order them (14 EEEEEE, yes, that's six Es).

They're solid shoes. I do a lot of walking (usually one nine-mile day per week, and several shorter 3-4 mile walks), and they've held up great.

Yes. I wear New Balance as well, and again because I don't have to special order (15W). I've been wearing the shoes I have now for about five years, and they're just starting to fall apart. Seriously, buy some.

yalborap

New Balance all the way, man. Speaking as someone who would like to murder whoever decided pointy, toe-crushing tips are in, they're comfortable as hell. I tossed a pair of nice in-soles in mine, and it's fantastic.

If that isn't to your liking, I had relatively good luck with Nikes with shocks, but I know some people think they're hideous, and that was only for casual walking.