Comfortable Non-Sneaker Walking Shoes

[DC Office Hack]

Originally Posted by david123

No listen to the previous poster: go to the web site and call or email their shoe banks. They are really nice and will probably even send you a spreadsheet of what is available. They will likely be discounted in the Nordstrom sale based on past experience, but are a lot cheaper from the shoe bank.

That's right. CALL the ShoeBank (you can find the number by googling, and I'm sure it's easy to find on SF or Ask Andy. Tell them what you're looking for and your size. They can probably suggest several models (I recommend the Wilberts for walking (solid goodyear-welted shoes on the 1 last), but they probable have some options for you. Very comfortable. And they'll last. Clarks are semi-disposable and offer little in the way of support. I like wearing the Clarks around the neighborhood, but for serious walking I put on my Wilberts.

The ShoeBank sells factory seconds and closeouts (you might score Wilberts that are factory firsts but a discontinued color, for example). The seconds carry minimal risk, since you can return them if you decide the flaw bothers you. Most people can't ever figure out what the flaw is, let alone decide it bothers them. I've bought seconds with no detectable flaw (wearing them now) and a pair with a huge flaw, that I returned. They even gave me free shipping on the return. Oh, and the folks at the Shoebank are super nice.

Those Peal DBs are nice, by the way, and I'm sure they'll last longer than the Clarks. Still, they don't offer the performance of something like Wilberts. I have heard good things about Rockports, but I have no experience with them, and I prefer proper welted shoes (made in Wisconsin!) to rubber Chinese gear any day.

 

[stevent]

Tom's are casual and comfy and helps kids.

 

[greyinla]

..

 

[jrd617]

Crepe soles/sneakers or bust. There is NO such thing as a leather soled walking shoes. Terrible on your feet.

Desert boots have crepe soles. So do some of the more recent Aldens.

 

[AlexWb]

Originally Posted by stevent

Tom's are casual and comfy and helps kids.
TOMS rip after 10 miles, and is a useless company that gives free, low-quality shoes, to people that actually need money, running water, etc. I hate companies that try to do this. You're better off donating money directly to an organization. I owned a pair of their shoes, and I highly regret it. I went ahead and bought $25 Espadrilles from Soludos. They are not only more unique, but lighter and also more durable. OP, whatever you do... don't buy espadrilles. Those will not last for long walking

 

[stevent]

The original Toms don't last but I've heard good things about the boots and cordones? I think they are called.

 

[An Ex Parrot]

Originally Posted by newyork20

I strongly support getting Dr. Scholl's even if the shoe is comfortable it will make it a million times more comfortable. Especially if you'll be doing lots of walking.
Query: I've tried the Dr Scholl's gel pads. Like the feel, but they are so thick they make my shoes too tight. Am I doing something wrong? Thoughts? And I may pick me up a pair o' them spiffy Wilberts. AEP

 

[DC Office Hack]

Originally Posted by An Ex Parrot

Query: I've tried the Dr Scholl's gel pads. Like the feel, but they are so thick they make my shoes too tight. Am I doing something wrong? Thoughts?

And I may pick me up a pair o' them spiffy Wilberts.

AEP

The wilberts have a touch of padding of some sort, I think, sandwiched under the leather insole. Plus the #1 last is a little roomy by design perhaps to make thicker casual socks more doable than with AE's other lasts. That might mean that Dr. Scholls will work well. By the way, I've never heard of people having issues with the #1 last the way they do with, say, the #5 that's used with the Park Avenues. Perhaps that slight roominess makes them more forgiving of different foot shapes?

 

[Knucklehead]

+1 on Clarks DBs or some other crepe-soled shoe