Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Shoes for city break - walking miles!

31 replies

AllTheUserNamesAreTaken · 10/01/2019 20:46

I’m lucky enough to be going to New York for the first time in May for my 40th birthday and will no doubt be walking a LONG way in 3.5 days of sight seeing.

Any suggestions for really comfy, supportive shoes that will look nice? I get achy feet quite easily and also so many shoes rub me.

Average temperature is about 24 degrees whilst we’re there.

OP posts:
legolimb · 10/01/2019 20:58

Trainers.

I find that they are my most comfortable shoes - I bought a new pair of running trainers which have a LOT of support and I have taken to wearing them most days for leisure.

Good for temperature control too.

NotExactlyHappyToHelp · 10/01/2019 21:00

They’re not the prettiest shoes ever but Sketchers Go Walk are 100% the comfiest.

They got my friend through a walking holiday in Rome and she has ‘seriously dodgy’ (her words not mine) feet. She did miles and miles on cobbles in them.

If they’re not to your taste I’d go for Stan Smiths maybe? I live in my Toms in the summer but they might not be supportive enough for you.

bella1426 · 10/01/2019 21:01

Sketchers the comfiest by a mile. Their go walk range is nice and their flip flops are really comfy without looking like granny walking sandals

chemenger · 10/01/2019 21:04

Sketchers Go Walk are 100% the comfiest shoes ever. I have terrible feet, always aching, but I can walk and stand all day in Sketchers. I have worn out two pairs and seldom wear anything else.

Redlocks28 · 10/01/2019 21:05

I walked for miles and miles in Birkenstocks when we on a similar holiday recently-v comfortable, but that’s what I wear all summer long anyway.

GreenEggsHamandChips · 10/01/2019 21:05

Hmmm....

Sketchers go walks can be good but actually for distance i find i need more arch support than you get with the go walks. I had a holiday with a lot of walking last year, i took the sweetpea go walks but ended up in my crocs flip flops for the support.

SpeckledyHen · 10/01/2019 21:07

Sketchers . Like walking on a cloud . I have numerous problems with my feet and getting shoes to fit , but these are amazing for city walking .

iamamug · 10/01/2019 21:12

I've been twice and failed epically to pack good shoes first time. Bought Skechers there and bought more on second trip. It's all pavement pounding so good soft support crucial and trainers or Skechers is the way to go.
Everyone else will be wearing them too so don't worry about being stylish, the workers carry their fancy shoes in their bags!!

PaulHollywoodsleftbollockhair · 10/01/2019 21:32

Birkenstock that are well broken in before hand

ChippyMinton · 10/01/2019 21:34

Agree, just get some trainers that fit and more importantly break them in well before you go.
No need to dress up in NYC.

Cherrypie32 · 10/01/2019 21:51

I have seriously dodgy feet including having had surgery but walked all weekend in London over new year without a problem in my Nike Air Max. Just plain black, go with everything. Will also get white for summer.

AllTheUserNamesAreTaken · 10/01/2019 22:03

I guess it looks like i’ll be buying a pair of sketchers then! Seems almost unanimous.

Probably take some other trainers as well

Good to know there’s no need to dress up in NYC

Thanks everyone

OP posts:
Sarcelle · 10/01/2019 22:36

I made the mistake of wearing comfy boots the first time I went. Throbbing feet, had to take ibuprofen. 2nd time I got a pair of....you guessed it, Skechers.

Ginkythefangedhellpigofdoom · 10/01/2019 22:44

Skechers here too but I like the chunkier ones rather than the likes of go walk because they have more support for the arches and they are slightly higher for the ankle.

LoniceraJaponica · 10/01/2019 22:46

Another vote for Sketchers. I know that most stylish people sneer at them, but once you have walked miles in Sketchers nothing else is as comfortable. They are like walking on cushions.

MDFalco · 10/01/2019 22:57

These are comfortable and supportive: www.allbirds.com/

Upper made from merino wool, and breathe well (I can't stand my feet feeling hot and trapped) and can be thrown into the washing machine to clean. Good sturdy soles.

Cynderella · 10/01/2019 23:00

I have issues with walking and shoes but have just bought a pair of Clarks unstructured shoes. Very comfortable from day 1 in a job where I'm on my feet most of the day.

LunaTheCat · 11/01/2019 10:12

I second Allbirds too - funky colours and so comfortable.also merino breathes.
Foracitybreak would take 2pairs shoes though as days in same pair becomes uncomfortable whatever the shoes - I would take sneakers and Birkenstocks.

florriepeck · 11/01/2019 15:35

I walked for miles in the June heat of Rome wearing my trusty Converse, with trainer socks to prevent rubbing: they look nice with any outfit; I wore shorts or dresses with mine.
As PPs have advised, make sure that whatever you choose is worn in beforehand.

chemenger · 11/01/2019 15:55

Stopping wearing Converse was a revelation to me, they were making my already dodgy feet agony. Before the menopause destroyed my feet (nobody tells you that will happen) I lived in Converse and mourn them.

LoniceraJaponica · 11/01/2019 17:19

"Before the menopause destroyed my feet (nobody tells you that will happen)"

Because it doesn't as a rule. I'm 60, and, my feet are fine.

chemenger · 11/01/2019 17:31

I'm not sure why your anecdotal evidence disproves mine Lonicera? Foot problems of various kinds are quite a well known symptom of menopause (google it) but not one that I had heard of before it happened to me. I'm glad your feet are fine but that won't stop mine swelling painfully when I'm on them for a long time. I never had hot flushes, that doesn't mean they don't happen to other women.

Ginnotgym · 11/01/2019 17:39

I walked 100k (yes, 100k) at Disneyworld last May and lived in white superga canvas plimsoles. Super comfy. Washed them in the machine most weeks through the summer (I work in London and wore them to work most days) and they came up good as new.

LaPampa · 11/01/2019 18:51

I took Birkenstocks and ankle boots to NYC last year for last weekend in April. Somehow previously broken in and very comfortable Birkenstocks gave me a little blister and the ankle boots made my arches hurt so I bought black nike running shoes which were perfect.

This year we are off to Paris in Feb and I have no idea what to take. Will be too cold for trainers.

AuntyJackiesBrothersSistersBoy · 11/01/2019 18:52

Skechers Go Walk with the arch support. Light as air.