Help replacing Allen Edmonds for 20k steps day travel - b4 feet fall off?

[BrightRice]

We're about 2 months into an 8th month trip through Eastern Europe, and North Africa, and feet are killing me. I literally want to hit them with a hammer, or have a planet run over them... I need a change.

For several years I've been wearing my Allen Edmonds cause they have the Dainite Sole and are pretty tough to beat up. However, think they've seen their best days (leather is cracking, a hole in the bottom of one sole makes it wheeze when it rains, and no amount of inserts keeps me from screaming each night in the hotel room when my GF (thankfully) rubs my feet. Plus they look pretty dogged. I've put them through lots of snow, mud, trekking etc and some great speakeasy bars, museums and city life.

At 50yo, I just don't have it in me to wear Nike or (wringing hands) New Balance, when traveling. Yes, it would feel fantastic on my feet, I just can't do it mentally. We're typically out all day and then straight to dinner or some bars, so not going to go back to hotel to change from my 'sneakers' into dressier shoes.

I need something (single solution) with more cushioning than the AE's provide, but that still have a classic cap toe, or wingtip 'feel'.. I did some research and thought that Ecco had some passable shoes (pics below) in their 'hybrid' line. But when I went to store today here in Sarajevo - they were as flat on the bottom as a pair of converse. Just super thin sole that felt like it would be torture to walk on all day. This may not be the case?

Avg day is 15-20k steps, so the more comfortable the better. Any ideas on what brands or shoe(s) to look for?

Failing any advice will probs just buy another AE a size larger and buy some better inserts.

(pic - my AEs after light hiking around the top of a mountain today, and after about 35 countries.)

 

[LA Guy]

I think that you probably would feel better with something with a crepe sole. Still not nearly as good as sneakers (and new Balances are super hot right now, especially the Kith and Teddy Atlas makes), but that only works if the rest of your wardrobe fits.

I would highly recommend Sanders Chukkas, the style that Steve McQueen popularized but they also make a chelsea boot, and also a derby. I think that Stuarts of London has the best prices: https://www.stuartslondon.com/search/sander-crepe

but in my experience, End Clothing has the fastest shipping:

Sanders | END.

Shop the latest Sanders at END. (HK) - The leading destination for style, sneakers, culture, community. New Products added daily

www.endclothing.com

Crepe is key!