Supportive but nice shoes - Converse?

[Vida]

I'm off to New York next month and will be doing a lot of walking I imagine...

Looking to invest in a new pair of shoes for this. I wear a lot of ballet flats and sandals, but I don't think they'll cut it, support wise. I walked about three miles through London in the heat this week in a pair of flat strappy sandals and my feet were pretty achey after.

Any recommendations for ballet and sandals that aren't hideous?

OR I was thinking something a bit more trainer-like, but not as bright white and bulky as my actual running shoes. How are Converse and similar for support? Any suggestions for a not to bulky, probably canvas, supportive shoe?

I LOVE these and these as they are supportive, glam enough for lunches and drinks in the evening should you find yourself still out as night falls plus you can scrunch them up in a day bag.

Converse are great but also Adidas Gazelles- lightweight and the suede is very stroke-y.

Converse are a bit overdone and the whole world is in Stan Smiths sadly. Here is a lovely article on great white plimsolls and trainers.

Sperry Topsiders are super cool as are the original white canvas ones worny by John Lennon when he married.

I found converse really unsupportive. I now have some camper trainers which are much better.

Definitely not Converse. I like mine but wouldn't wear them for a day out. Been in Keen sandals now its sunny, they're comfy.

Converse arent a bit supportive. I wear them all the time but put insoles in them. I wore Birkinstocks in NY and trainers as a back up. Wouldn't reccomend Birkies unless you have a pair broke in though.

Thanks so much! Avoid Converse then, got it! Camper looks promising. And I like some Birkenstocks too. Those pumps are lovely, Phantom.

Any more suggestions welcome - I'm planning to head into town to try some of your suggestions on probably on Sunday.

Also: I can't believe Adidas Gazelles are back in fashion - I used to wear them when I was 14 ha! You know you're getting old when a trend comes round again... I remember they were very comfy though, so will definitely give them a look.

People in work rave about the Sketchers Go Walk but I can't vouch for them personally.
I would say that make sure you wear whatever you get in, NYC and blisters dont go .

Defo not Converse! I love mine but avoid wearing them when I need to walk a lot as they rub at the back and generally have no support.

My Toms are a lot more comfortable. The soles are very springy. They feel tight (almost too small) at first but they've stretched out a bit and now fit perfectly.

Toms have better sole support than Converse I find.

Oh god yes Coco, I know it might be cheaper to buy there, but I definitely want to make sure they fit well before I go! That's why I want to actually try them on in the shop too.

I am NOT having my holiday spoiled by achey feet and blisters!

I have a great pair of Addidas trainers from Sports Direct. They're really comfy and are material/mesh so are nice, and cool. They are royal blue and lime green

Have a great time, I'm very .

I love my converse 4 pairs but no way for lots of walking.

They're too narrow and flat

I have a pair of v old Pumas which have great arch support. I'd go for something like that.

Skechers Go walk are amazing. I have the ballet flats and the walking shoes & they are just so comfortable. I really wish if had them when I went to Vegas because my feel were so painful after days of walking around. I really think the Go Walks would have helped so much.
The walking shoes are a bit ugly but they are so incredibly comfortable I think it's worth it. The <a class="break-all" href="http://m.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10701_10001_052010810043?CMP=SSH&tmcampid=28&tmad=c&sku=7236852&ci_sku=7236852&ci_src=18615224&gclid=CI-wgL76zr8CFXDLtAod6jMABQ&m-referrer=www.google.co.uk/aclk?sa=l&ai=CkXz0Wx_JU6qzL-WljAaDt4DoDqefztUD9_HckcoBt8SixJwBCAQQASD4mYsSKARQsdHviPj_____AWC7vq6D0AqgAcm4idkDyAEHqQK8B7E5Y628PqoEJ0_QajnGc-Yf7cOHbesLaACVoygg9XHVALfinyDCkxaIMlnG6Ld8QYAFl-C8C8AFBaAGJtgGAoAHn8f2JpAHA-AStsDJxaG13-qjAQ&sig=AOD64_1ZzatX-GKiPXH2h1mXjE-uRuCBlg&ctype=5&rct=j&q=&ved=0CCAQwg8&adurl=clickserve.dartsearch.net/link/click%3Flid%3D93700005039714733%26ds_s_kwgid%3D58700000301065516%26ds_e_adid%3D54193724767%26ds_e_source%3Dpla%26ds_e_product_target_id%3D42019103287%26ds_e_product_id%3D7236852%26ds_url_v%3D2%26ds_dest_url%3Dwww.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10701_10001_052010810043%253FCMP%253DSSH%2526tmcampid%253D28%2526tmad%253Dc%2526sku%253D7236852%2526ci_sku%253D7236852%2526ci_src%253D18615224" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">ballet flats look fine.

Birkenstocks are NOT brilliant for miles and miles of walking unless you have worn them for a long time and you are habituated to them.

A pair of crepe soled platform sandals or shoes would support and give you some bounce on the city streets. Also platform rope soled espadrilles with canvas uppers and laces- not the slip on type are very comfy. I wear these in the city and they let my feet breathe and keep soles off hard pavements.

All those style photos of women wearing three thin straps of leather and a toe post are of style bloggers, celebs and the people who want to be in the blogs. They rarely walk more than three feet most of the time, spending most of their time posing on street corners hoping to be spotted and photographed. They don't really wear those shoes to walk in :)

I would just get proper trainers really. Gazelles aren't that supportive either

Converse are not at all supportive.

Merrills are good for comfort when doing alot of walking

Thanks all!

I've got some Nike free trainers, they're proper trainer type things (and mine are bright green, so not exactly subtle)

But... They are amazingly comfortable, so light and they're a very thin fabric so they're not too hot.
They have weird bendy soles but don't let that put you off.

I wear mine with boyfriend jeans rolled up and if I was going to NY or similar, I'd wear those.
And just have a nice pair of sandals in my bag incase I needed to smarten up for a restaurant etc.

And... I've washed them in the machine today because I fell into a stream last night and they still look like new.

Lucky can you add a link for them please

Hmmm - I think it depends a lot on your feet. I have these converse and can happily walk many miles in them without any issues - m.office.co.uk/view/product/office_catalog/5,20/2515120742

Nike free for Veins

I love my Converse (but I have freakily narrow , flat feet ) but they are not for full on walking, very little support.
Sketchers are nice, I wear a pair for work (they are lightweight and springy)

I can wear my converse all day too, but it did take about 6 months to break them in!

Seriously, I've never done more walking on holiday than I did in New York. I would have been so much more comfortable in decent shoes... Infact, next time it will be trainers. The Nike Free trainers look perfect, and I would second Merrill. A bit 'hiking shoe' but fit for purpose.

Sketchers "go walk" are amazing, I bought them for increasing my walking but didn't want to wear trainers and they look really nice.
I walk so well in them I often overtake people it's so funny, they can be machine washed too.