OK, OK, I know, an overdone question. But every time I come home I think "I have to do something about this".
I have a LOT of shoes. Too many some might say. But apparently almost all of them are "pretty is as pretty does"... I'm still not completely successful in finding shoes that are both comfortable for long term walking (think, 5-8 miles per day in the city) and at least semi-stylish (read not clodhoppers) and that will not give me blisters or turn my ankle.
My "best" walking shoes are hiking shoes (not boots, shoes). I love 'em, they fit me so well and I can walk forever. They are also clumpy and huge and too hot for anything other than cooler temps for long periods of walking. They are even better for my feet than walking around in sneakers.
I usually wear a pair of Ferragamo loafers on the plane which are good for dinners out (I get semi-dressed up on the plane in black trousers and a nice top). They are OK for some walking but frankly they are dress shoes, notwithstanding that they are flat.
I have a pair of Born sandals, almost Dr. Scholl type although much more cushiony. They are actually really comfy for a certain period of time but I find after a full day of walking a blister is just starting to form near the friction points on my feet so I have to set them aside for the next day so that it doesn't become a raging blister (usually a day's break is fine). They are also a good 1.5, maybe 2 inches thick (not a heel, think literally two inches of cushy rubber platform on which you rest your feet). That poses a turned-ankle risk and in fact in Paris I did, ever so slightly, turn it - not all the way down, just a little sideways so 3 days later my ankle hurt.
I also have a pair of Privo loafers, which, in 2007 when I bought pair number one, actually were pretty good for all-day walking. In 2008 they had been worn enough that I got some major knee pain just by a 3 mile walk with them. They just weren't supportive enough. I bought new ones thinking it was just an old-shoe issue. Nope. This trip to Paris was the first test for them and my knees just were not happy. They really are just loafers.
What do you do? I just want a pair of black shoes that can go for an all day walk but still look decent with jeans. Sandals would be good too (preferably something supportive but lower) but those do tend to have more friction points than shoes.
I have a LOT of shoes. Too many some might say. But apparently almost all of them are "pretty is as pretty does"... I'm still not completely successful in finding shoes that are both comfortable for long term walking (think, 5-8 miles per day in the city) and at least semi-stylish (read not clodhoppers) and that will not give me blisters or turn my ankle.
My "best" walking shoes are hiking shoes (not boots, shoes). I love 'em, they fit me so well and I can walk forever. They are also clumpy and huge and too hot for anything other than cooler temps for long periods of walking. They are even better for my feet than walking around in sneakers.
I usually wear a pair of Ferragamo loafers on the plane which are good for dinners out (I get semi-dressed up on the plane in black trousers and a nice top). They are OK for some walking but frankly they are dress shoes, notwithstanding that they are flat.
I have a pair of Born sandals, almost Dr. Scholl type although much more cushiony. They are actually really comfy for a certain period of time but I find after a full day of walking a blister is just starting to form near the friction points on my feet so I have to set them aside for the next day so that it doesn't become a raging blister (usually a day's break is fine). They are also a good 1.5, maybe 2 inches thick (not a heel, think literally two inches of cushy rubber platform on which you rest your feet). That poses a turned-ankle risk and in fact in Paris I did, ever so slightly, turn it - not all the way down, just a little sideways so 3 days later my ankle hurt.
I also have a pair of Privo loafers, which, in 2007 when I bought pair number one, actually were pretty good for all-day walking. In 2008 they had been worn enough that I got some major knee pain just by a 3 mile walk with them. They just weren't supportive enough. I bought new ones thinking it was just an old-shoe issue. Nope. This trip to Paris was the first test for them and my knees just were not happy. They really are just loafers.
What do you do? I just want a pair of black shoes that can go for an all day walk but still look decent with jeans. Sandals would be good too (preferably something supportive but lower) but those do tend to have more friction points than shoes.
