Help me find some 'New York walking shoes'

[AngieM2]

Hi S&B experts, hope you can help. Off to NY for 4 days, walking a lot. My usual style is smart casual so would normally wear skinny jeans, knee length boots and layered knits type things in autumn/winter time. Was planning on a nice pair of ankle boots and have ordered 2 pairs (links to follow) but my mates think I'm being stupid and think I should go down the Converse/Vans route (I'm usually of the view that pumps should only be worn by kids and trainers belong in the gym!). I'm also a bit conscious that my feet look big in these type of things. But today I've tried on pair of white, leather Converse high tops and have also seen some Ash Virgins on here, both of which are swaying me a bit. I want black, grey or navy leather, no cloth, no sued. Can I have your advice as I don't want to look unstylish or a plonker in the big apple. I'm 44, shoe size 5-6, 5ft 4, clothes size 10-12. Will post links to the stuff in a minute as my links keep failing.

Had forgotten about camper. No idea how comfy they are, but these are nice.

I would definitely go for one of the Fitflop trainer styles.

To be honest angleM2 they are not my thing either! Jones Bootmaker has a good range of flat Chelsea boot type styles which might be better?

I spent a weekend in Paris recently and wore a pair of ankle boots from Jones. we covered 30 miles in 3 days and my feet were fine, if a little weary.

No way tethers could i do a pair of Nike trainers. I would look a right dick. Anyway ladies, keep the suggestions coming. I'm just off to work now for a nightshift (walking NY should be a breeze for an NHS worker) so i may not repost til tomorrow. little I've done lots of city breaks in normal footwear so maybe I'm just over reacting this time.

The Skechers Go Walks are nice I think. Sooooooo comfy. On city breaks I tend to wear trainers though. Cool ones. Converse are plimsolls essentially and not supportive. You need some proper trainers. New Balance do some nice ones in various colours.

Angie, I hear you. I do. I bought my first ever pair of trainers last spring at the age of thirty six. It's like floating on air. I NEVER thought I'd wear trainers, ever. But there we are.

If you just don't look down at your feet, you're fine

I'm going to buy some plain black Nikes before our next city break, I think - should be fine with skinnies, I think.

Have relatives in Manhattan who wear trainers (no idea what brand) for their commute to another part of Manhattan and they change into their 'office' footwear on arrival. That's all I can tell you, except when we visited Manhattan a few times this seemed to be the norm, so women in rather lovely suits virtually power walking in trainers.

There's a LOT of fabulous walking to do so make sure your footwear is right. In the evening, I would wear my comfy walking footwear, keep the alternative in a 'pretty' rucksack and change before getting to the destination.

I agree with the trainer wearers. I always wear my sneakers if I'm taking people sightseeing in NY, because they're comfortable and great to walk around in. People dress very relaxed here, except for work. You can always spot British tourists because they're the ones looking as if they've seen one too many episodes of SATC! I'd save your money for the dressing up at night shoes and sling on a pair of Nikes.

Love those Camper boots. OP - you would not look a dickhead in the Nikes at all.

I'm loving the Campers.

I'll probably get flamed for this, can't believe what I'm about to suggest in S&B, but for a couple of London long weekends I've done recently with miles of pavement slogging it was my Hotter ankle boots which won the day by a million miles. They have some ok styles in and amongst the grandma sandals and your feet will thank you for it.

I like these but not ankle boots
ok these are rather 'sensible' but I bet you'd feel like you were floating on air
these are the ones I have for winter city breaks and might even be wearing now

Totally get that they ain't edgy chic. But your feet will be able to let you change into heels for dinner if you are sensible in the day.

I'm only 35 old gimmer

Oh and I also have these from summer breaks:
clarks trainers

How about wallabees

www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000WCUEL6/ref=redir_mdp_mobile/192-5295871-0946836

Or desert boots

www.desertboots.com/mens-c73/suede-desert-boots-c77/sahara-unisex-tan-p3245

Or these

www.clarks.co.uk/p/20358010

I've got clarks brogues that I've walked miles round lots of cities in. Come in lots of colours but I've got these ones

m.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10701_10001_052010814682_-1?m-referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.co.uk%2F

(Links for the styles not suppliers.)

Buy them whilst you're there the shops in NYC are awesome.

Remus what would you wear with a skirt/dress with opaques instead of skinnies? (I tend to always like your suggestions.)

remus what would you wear instead of the Nikes I mean.

Hi, Coumarin. Thank you. :)

Ankle boots, I guess - but even they aren't the best thing for walking miles and miles over several days.

I was thinking ankle boots Remus. Wonder if I could get away with padding them up with gel insoles...
The suggestions above have terrified me slightly.

I have some M%S Footglove ones which are fairly inoffensive and also fairly comfortable.

These pixie boots look not too hideous.

Remus Actually those aren't too bad. I'd have to see them in rl I think but they're on the list. I've had foot glove ones for work before and they are really comfortable. Thank you for the suggestion.

:)