Do comfortable but stylish flat shoes exist?

[msfreud]

I've recently started walking a lot more (moved house and have a longer walk to station etc.) and my feet are not happy... My go-to shoes for style this time of year are usually ballet flats (but not the super flat cheap type, usually something like Clarks or Clarks Originals) or brogues. Both are too flat and not supportive enough for walking more. I have Ash Virgin hi-tops but they also feel too flat/hard to be really comfortable.

Is there a comfortable shoe for walking that doesn't look out of place at a smart casual work place? I wear a lot of skinny/slim leg jeans and trousers or when the weather cools down a bit more, knee length skirts (Boden, White Stuff) with opaques. I'm 31 and don't want to look like I'm wearing my mum's shoes although I don't exactly dress "young" either...

I can't very easily do the wearing trainers for the commute and changing shoes at work thing because my working week is currently split between 3 different locations, so would need to be carrying the flats etc. with me all the time and I'm sure I would forget them in the wrong place. I could get away with trainers etc. in the office but some of my work is literally client facing as I'm a counsellor/psychotherapist.

Have a look at the en brogue blog :)

No!

The short answer is no.

I´ve never found any.

The best I can advise is to have at least 3 different pairs and rotate each day so that general foot pain never gets a chance to develop from one single pair´s failings.

Also put your feet up as much as you can, if you work at a desk for any part of the day get a footrest and at home try to elevate your feet whenever you´re sitting.

p.s. or go with the ugly ones that are actually comfortable. (I´ve been shopping several times with this intention and always come home with the beautiful, painful ones).

Ugly ones aren't comfortable either. The only thing I can walk long distances in are trainers.

I walk quite a lot and wear Birkenstock madrids when it's hot, or Clark's unstructured flats when it's a bit cooler. Both are comfy and smart enough for my office.

Clarks seem to have spent done time on developing their flats goes this year, so they come in more than one style. There's still the slip on/off risk though. And clarks shoes aren't for everyone...

I have Dr Martins in black patent lace ups love them

In winter you´re better off as there are flat leather boots that are beautiful AND comfortable for walking. (If you happen to visit Italy or even Spain you´ll have an even wider choice of styles, often at better prices too. However in the U.K. you´ll still be able to find some).

Some of the Skecher styles (Ribboneer and Go-walk Mary Jane's) might be suitable and I can vouch that they are the comfiest shoes I've ever worn - and I walk a lot during my working week.

A second vote for Sketchers Go Walk. They aren't stylish, but the most comfortable shoe I have ever worn. They are extremely light and would pack away into a bag if you wanted something smarter when you get to work.

Yes, you can get pumps with rubber soles and padded insoles, and also driving shoes (ie loafers/moccassins). I live in them in the spring & summer because I do a lot of walking.

I like Kennel & Schmenger, these for example.

Gabor are also good and slightly cheaper.

Geox do similar.

Have a look on Shoon which is specifically for comfortable shoes that are also stylish.

I also bought a pair of these Coolers Mary Janes

I bought them to wear on the treadmill as I don't like trainers, I wasn't originally intending to wear them out of the house because I thought they looked really ugly. But actually they look much better in real life - less like weird trainers and more like sporty Mary Janes. Anyway they passed my style test & I've worn them out & about, they super comfortable.

I really like those Gabor shoes. Pity we don't have a Shoon store near us though. I won't buy shoes over the internet as I have to try on hundreds of pairs before I find any that are comfortable.

Ecco and Gabor do some nice on your feet all day shoes. If your feet are wider, Rieker are good. Hotter have some nice, not too old lady, styles which have removable insoles if you find that insoles with arch support make the amount of moving about on your feet more bearable.

I'm still stuck, though, since I can no longer tolerate pressure on the back of my heel. I currently rotate between Nike running and walking trainers (a pair of each) when I'm walking a lot, Vivobarefoot when I'm all over the place with lots of sitting in between and crocs around the house. I wear Rieker Eike boots in winter. I've been searching for some smartish shoes for over a year because my Ecco shoes now cripple me and I tend to fall over in them. I've realised part of the problem is that, since injuring my right foot, over a decade ago, I can't tolerate pressure on the back of my heel, so need mules, boots or a cutaway heel like in a trainer. That doesn't seem to exist in a smart-ish shoe, unfortunately.

What about Camper?

I also worked in the City til recently and always found Jones had a few good styles in for me. I have a major back injury (metal work, bone grafts etc) and have to be careful about weight distribution so I am pretty used to buying flats.

If you can afford them, one pair of Tod's will last you a loooong time - they are fantastic, but v v expensive too.

Office always has a few flats in although they can be a bit too trendy.

If you have a Sole Trader near you (there's one at Freeport Braintree in Essex) then they stock Rocketdog shoes which are brilliant sporty Mary Jane or pump styles.

But seriously, M&S do a huge range of their Footglove shoes now - have saved my life on a few occasions.

I find Tod´s quite painful for any long periods of walking but their boots are nice (check US website for wider range of styles, they do ship to Europe, and you can try other styles on in a UK shop to check your size, as the sizing is consistent).

I second Camper. I have just bought shoes from Clarks for work and they are very comfy - here. They look much nicer in real life and are very 'me' but they had quite a few nice styles that I liked.

I still maintain that if you're groomed and well dressed, you can get away with slightly sensible shoes (well that's what I tell myself .......) if walking/travelling is required.

Try Russel&Bromley.

I wear Lanvin flats as they have an inch in built at the back so you don't feel as if you are tipping backwards and are very comfortable with enough support, but they are pricey.

I like Fly London low wedge piat shoes. They are very good for walking miles. They have low wedge boots as well with the same rubber sole construction.

Next sludge boots (they do long or short) are incredibly comfortable and I can walk miles in these. Never needed breaking in either. I have problem feet and these are good.

Do you live anywhere near Somerset? Basil Powells in Wells is an amazing shoe shop, one to one service and they only sell comfy shoes!