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Original poster

Walking shoes that don't look ugly.

29 replies

MrsTerryPratchett · 08/10/2013 16:36

I don't normally venture into S and B, but I need your help. I'm going somewhere quite adventurous in a few months and need some shoes that will stand up to walking a lot (not up mountains but rough pavement and some very gentle walking 'off-road'). I HATE most walking, hiking and running shoes. Nasty, either horribly colourful or boringly practical.

Last time I went into the wild I wore DC skater sneakers which are surprisingly hard wearing and practical. I am a good ten years older now and can't get away with that any more. I keep thinking Vans or Converse but I think they they may fail by being completely impractical AND a bit young.

I throw myself on your mercy.

OP posts:
SeashellHoarder · 08/10/2013 20:25

Berghaus if you can afford it, are fabulous. I live in mine and they are I think ok style wise.

Original poster
MrsTerryPratchett · 09/10/2013 00:12

But they aren't pretty . They actually don't look dreadful but I want to look more normal than walking 'forriner' IYSWIM.

OP posts:
MsFanackerPants · 09/10/2013 01:15

What about some Merrells? Maybe something like thisI had a pair for easy hikes (Lake District, walks in woods etc) They were great although I recommend some with goretex if hiking in wettish areas.

I love my Berghaus boots for more intense walking, but the Merrells were lighter.

PrincessRomy · 09/10/2013 03:18

What's the weather like where you're going, and what else do you like wearing? I walk a lot and this autumn have a great pair of flat, biker style ankle boots to wear with skinny jeans and tights and boots. How about some clarks ankle boots? I can't link to any as the site is closed for maintenance at the moment but they usually have good, sturdy looking flat boots.

Original poster
MrsTerryPratchett · 09/10/2013 17:44

The weather, annoyingly, is anything from tropical (where I shall trip about in flip flops so doesn't need to be taken into account) to mountainous highlands. This is all in a two week period BTW. I will be wearing mainly skinny jeans/cords in the cold places.

Lighter is better because I've naturally hot extremities. I like the biker boot idea. The problem with Merrells and Berghaus is that they look like walking shoes. I want to look 'normal' walking down the city streets but be able to climb a hill or two and a bit of the Great Wall of China without getting blisters and sore feet. I also only want to pack the flip flops and be able to wear whatever I take from plane to plane and everything in between.

OP posts:
herbaceous · 09/10/2013 20:00

What about the sort of trainers the young people are wearing these days? Nike Blazes, or whatever. Comfy, yet passably trendy.

travailtotravel · 09/10/2013 20:51

I am a fan of the FitFlop canvas sneaker - can walk for miles, have a coversey vibe. don't look too clunky ....

Thistledew · 10/10/2013 08:34

Something like these?

www.tkmaxx.com/view-all-shoes/black-suede-ankle-boot/invt/39632051

Thistledew · 10/10/2013 08:38

Or these?

www.tkmaxx.com/view-all-shoes/ecco-grey/invt/39103501

Plumpcious · 10/10/2013 12:09

What about Ecco? Although not cheap.

www.eccoshoesuk.com/products/1057-ecco-chase

www.eccoshoesuk.com/products/1100-ecco-biom-grip

Plumpcious · 10/10/2013 12:10

Sorry, forgot to convert the links:

www.eccoshoesuk.com/products/1057-ecco-chase

www.eccoshoesuk.com/products/1100-ecco-biom-grip

Plumpcious · 10/10/2013 12:16

Or these from Clarks, although it depends on your definition of ugly:

www.clarks.co.uk/p/20301123

www.clarks.co.uk/p/20339386

PlayedThePinkOboe · 10/10/2013 12:19

Helly Hanson.

TheWomanTheyCallJayne · 10/10/2013 12:21

What about Dms?

Original poster
MrsTerryPratchett · 10/10/2013 14:25

I love www.tkmaxx.com/view-all-shoes/ecco-grey/invt/39103501 by Thistledew. DMs I also like but wouldn't have time to break them in before and I had the worst blisters in my life from a pair of cherry red ones Grin

Thistledew, I like the look and they would be practical. Thanks!

OP posts:
Thistledew · 10/10/2013 14:30

Sorry about the lack of links! I posted from my phone.

Discolite · 10/10/2013 15:43

I find my Clarks brogues v. comfy and I walk around outside a lot. If yo were climbing small hills i think you'd feel like an Edwardian lady explorer Smile

FrauMoose · 10/10/2013 15:51

Denim/skinny jeans are rubbish for walking because denim is a nightmare when it gets wet.

Walking in unsuitable footwear for the terrain is a spectacularly bad idea because of the risks of slipping/falling and/or damaging your feet/acquiring blisters/twisiting your ankle/the footwear not being waterproof/the fabric not breathing so you get horribly sweaty..

People who are 'fashionably' but unsuitably dressed, and who are attempting to walk anywhere more demanding than a short, flat path round a National Trust property in the Home Counties tend to look a bit daft.

eurochick · 10/10/2013 15:55

I love pretty shoes but sometimes you just need practicality. I have some Berghaus walking boots that aren't too ugly and have been really comfy since the first wear. They actually look quite good with jeans or "Jungle" type trousers. If you wear them with straight legged trousers rather than skinnies, they just look like trainers peeking out.

Mine have taken me around the jungles of Belize and Borneo as well as winter walks in England and have been great for all weathers. The ankle support bit is really handy on uneven ground.

If you are heading to the Great Wall, personally I think you need to just bite the bullet and get some proper walking boots.

Original poster
MrsTerryPratchett · 10/10/2013 23:29

It should be relatively dry because it is outside the rainy season. I know I need to be a bit sensible or suffer Grin I'm only doing one day at the Great Wall, the main trip is not hiking/trekking. I just want a middle ground between sensible and cool.

Frankly, I have long thought there is a gap in the market for running/walking/hiking shoes for people who like shoes more than running/walking/hiking.

OP posts:
Original poster
MrsTerryPratchett · 12/01/2014 03:25

I'm reanimating this thread. None of the links work any more. I'm going in three months and still have no shoes/boots. HELP!

OP posts:
laraeo · 12/01/2014 03:49

I love Wolkys. They ain't cheap but is can walk all day in them and they give excellent support. I virtually always pack/wear a pair when I'm traveling. I've got shoes & sandals from them and love them all.

I really like the look of the Impact II in the Outline range. Also Rosa under Courage. They're at www.wolky.com.

I'm jealous of your trip!

footyfan · 12/01/2014 07:06

Do you know which section of the wall you are walking? You'll find locals at the touristy bits in high heels, so don't be too worried about wearing hiking boots!

I'd look on the Merrell site for something lightweight.

Original poster
MrsTerryPratchett · 12/01/2014 15:12

You'll find locals at the touristy bits in high heels. Grin Perhaps that is the shoe for China then. I will be at the touristy bit, it's only a tiny day trip since the real adventure is Yunnan.

OP posts: