I Need Walking Friendly Dress Shoes

[StephenB]

I'm moving to NYC and my new job will require a lot of walking the city.

I'm willing to spend $400-$500 on a nice pair.

So my question is: what's your favorite walker friendly dress shoe?!

Thanks!

 

[patrickBOOTH]

Originally Posted by StephenB

I'm moving to NYC and my new job will require a lot of walking the city.

I'm willing to spend $400-$500 on a nice pair.

So my question is: what's your favorite walker friendly dress shoe?!

Thanks!

I would say any good dress shoe is walk friendly. Every day here in NYC I walk about 2 miles in dress shoes. No issues. For your price range I would look into Alden. Most people here will highly recommend getting at least two pairs and rotating them.

 

[ktrp]

I walk min. 3 miles a day in dress shoes. No problems. Make sure they fit correctly. Too big is not good.

 

[Patek]

As other posters have stated, a good quality dress shoe that is properly fitted will work just fine.

I'm a fan or leather soles. Just remember, most good shoes have to break in before they become comfortable.

 

[patrickBOOTH]

Originally Posted by Patek

As other posters have stated, a good quality dress shoe that is properly fitted will work just fine.

I'm a fan or leather soles. Just remember, most good shoes have to break in before they become very comfortable.

FTFY

 

[poissa]

Along with the rotation, don't forget shoe trees! Toe taps might be useful. If so, see bnelson shoe corp.

 

[StephenB]

Thanks everyone for your input!

 

[acecow]

Just got back from NY. I was there as a tourist, so I walked much more than 2-3 miles a day. After 3 days I had blisters on my toes, because my shoes creased more than usual (I didn't have my shoe trees with me). My point? I'm not really sure... But at home, when I rotate my shoes and keep shoe trees in I never have problems walking long distances in them.

Also, I would recommend a shoe with softer leather.

 

[Reevolving]

I'll chime in from the practical, real-world camp: Get rubber roles.
And do not get shell. Get leather that is soft and pliable.
eg: My $100 J&M shoes with thicker rubber soles and massive liner "bubble" padding.
You can literally sprint in these shoes. (Yes, I have...)

 

[laufer]

Originally Posted by Reevolving

I'll chime in from the practical, real-world camp: Get rubber roles.
And do not get shell. Get leather that is soft and pliable.
eg: My $100 J&M shoes with thicker rubber soles and massive liner "bubble" padding.
You can literally sprint in these shoes. (Yes, I have...)

Indeed, NY streets are unforgiving. Yes get something with rubber soles Ecco or Rockport, majority of people will not care. Get something that is comfortable.

 

[michael_legeek]

I'll echo the above comments that fit matters above all else.

I am somewhat more comfortable in rubber soles than leather over distances, but opinions vary.

I'd suggest you start with Allen Edmonds. Yes, you can go higher-end in style and luxury, but: AE carries a good selection of widths in nearly all of their sizes, so if you can get to an AE store or a well-equipped shop that carries them, you are almost guaranteed to find a good fit. AE offers quite a few rubber-soled models (I think the Van Ness, currently on sale @ $199, is quite attractive), so you can easily go rubber if you wish to. And AEs are well-built and long-lasting, and can be recrafted when you eventually need new soles and a touch-up on the uppers. Finally, they're suited to your budget. With careful shopping you can afford two pairs on your budget so you can give each a day's rest between wearings.

As others have said, don't forget the shoe trees.

And finally as others have said, break-in matters. Don't let your first wearing be a full day on the streets. Give them a few hours around the house, just relaxing in them and letting them start to conform to your feet. Let them rest a day and repeat. Let them be old friends by the time you are spending a full day on the job in them, and you'll have the pleasure of spending a day on your feet without thinking about your shoes at all.

 

[deveandepot1]

Originally Posted by StephenB

I'm moving to NYC and my new job will require a lot of walking the city.


How much walking are we talking about?

 

[Boswell]

So long as they fit correctly they should be 'walk friendly'.

My most comfortable shoes have often been dress shoes.

 

[bing]

put a pair of arch supports in

i had back issues in university for a while (a lot of walking) and we couldnt figure it out... MRI's done, chiropractors, physio... etc.

in the end it was a pair of arch supports that had the biggest impact on my feet and as a result, my back.

made this recommendation to two other colleagues with very good results as well.

probably not 100% what you're question was looking for necessarily, but definitely had a positive impact on me.

 

[Timeless Fashion]

Originally Posted by acecow

Just got back from NY. I was there as a tourist, so I walked much more than 2-3 miles a day. After 3 days I had blisters on my toes, because my shoes creased more than usual (I didn't have my shoe trees with me). My point? I'm not really sure... But at home, when I rotate my shoes and keep shoe trees in I never have problems walking long distances in them.

Also, I would recommend a shoe with softer leather.

I think it is different walking in NYC as a commuter vs. tourist. A lot of commuters walk 2-3 miles in NYC, but a tourist can walk 10+ miles. A well fitting pair of shoes that is comfortable at 2-3 miles, may not always be comfortable at 10+ miles.