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Comfiest trainers/walking shoes that will actually last?!

27 replies

BigThree · 13/09/2020 06:37

I do a good amount of walking every day (10 miles plus) up lots of hills in all weathers for school runs and work etc.
In the last year I’ve gone through a pair of sketchers, Adidas cloudfoam shoes and even my trusty Asics are fraying. Seems the mesh material at the top is the first thing to break for me!
Can’t go to a shop and try on shoes to get the perfect fit due to Covid obviously. So, hit me with your comfiest or sturdiest shoes that will get me through the winter!

OP posts:
MrsBennetsnerves · 13/09/2020 07:11

I find Teva Arrowwood very comfortable. They seem very durable and waterproof but that said, I don't walk anywhere near as far as you do.

Ffsffsffsffsffs · 13/09/2020 07:17

The advice for runners is that even the most robust trainers should be replaced at least every 500 miles (as they lose the support/bounce etc); if you're walking 10 miles a day this sounds like they need replacing every couple of months. Why not visit your local camping/walking shop where they might advise you about walking boots?

Ffsffsffsffsffs · 13/09/2020 07:20

(500 miles is ten million steps incidentally, not bad going for any footwear!)

OverTheRubicon · 13/09/2020 07:21

Hiking boots are so much better than trainers if you're really doing the miles, most of them are also waterproof or at least water resistant for winter. Chunky boots are also fashionable enough for winter that it will look decent too.

Timberland are expensive but a bit more on trend and last forever or local outdoors shops will have great stock and will probably be very grateful for your custom!

Didiusfalco · 13/09/2020 07:22

I used to go through sketchers every year. They are really comfy but not robust. However, M&S do a version called I think ‘light as air’ which are much more durable and basically the same. Assuming you are not worried about them being waterproof? If you are, then mountain warehouse waterproof walking shoes are good - but not lightweight.

Celticdawn5 · 13/09/2020 07:34

Keen is very good especially if you need more toe room.
If you sign up for their emails they do flash sales otherwise a tad pricey

Summerhillsquare · 13/09/2020 07:36

I bought some cheap Gelert shoes on a whim in April, and they were fabulously comfy straight out the box. Still look like new and I walk a fair bit, not at your level though!

CarrieFour · 13/09/2020 08:00

Nike Air Force One are very comfy, leather and strong wearing in my experience. Have. A few pairs and happy with them all.

fruitpastille · 13/09/2020 08:00

You can try on shoes in most shops if that helps.

For cheaper options sports direct has loads of both trainers and walking shoes. They have some good brands such as merrell in stock. The mesh on my running trainers has also recently got a hole in. So annoying when the rest of the shoe is ok!

BigThree · 13/09/2020 08:13

Wow thank you for all the recommendations! @Ffsffsffsffsffs this is actually really useful to know, I thought it was just me having poor luck with shoes but maybe it’s not that then and it is just the amount of wear they get! I don’t drive and live in a really hilly area so they do get put through their paces (no pun intended haha)
Any more recommendations? Think I may split between a good pair of boots and trainers, that way I have a more weatherproof solution and may eek the wear out a bit longer if I’m swapping between two pairs

OP posts:
Branleuse · 13/09/2020 08:15

Nike air force one. The leather ones

balzamico · 13/09/2020 08:33

I have a Salomon walking shoes, light, comfy, waterproof and have a cleat on the laces that makes them really quick to put on (which is why I wear them all the time)

slipperyeel · 13/09/2020 09:46

You need proper walking boots or shoes. Go to an Outdoors shop if you can. I have a pair of lightweight Merrell boots and they are brilliant.

travailtotravel · 13/09/2020 10:01

Scarpa Mosquito

ramarama · 13/09/2020 11:09

If the OP is walking rather than running, she should get more wear out of them than the 500 miles guide - because you don't need to worry as much about impact on knees and spine. I'm guessing here, but that makes sense to me.

Buying both walking boots and trainers is a good idea, to alternate between the two dependent on the weather

MrsVeryTired · 13/09/2020 12:51

Agree, Merrell and Salomon are fab, get to an outdoors shop. Walking boots can often be hard to "wear in" trainers are usually easier, and if you aren't hiking then trainers should be fine.

XingMing · 13/09/2020 17:29

Seconding the recommendations for Merrell and Salomon because they are my preferred boots/walking/trainers too, but it may be because they fit me so well. Salomon has a narrow heel that suits my foot, but DH swears by Berghaus. I think you need to try them on in a shop where there's a good selection.

Flupibass · 13/09/2020 18:18

I recently bought a pair of merrell walking boots from gboutdoors . Cheaper prices and free returns which is handy when trying on a few pairs of boots. I ordered 3 different makes, saloman, merrell and oboz. The merrell just fit my foot the best and were comfy from the off. Refund was quick. There’s no way I could walk that distance in anything other than proper walking shoes or boots!

Parker231 · 13/09/2020 18:21

Skechers Go Walk - they have been all around the world with me.

wifflewafflebiscuit · 13/09/2020 18:23

Can I ask those that know their trainers/walking boots, which ones are very wide? Thanks

BigThree · 13/09/2020 18:26

Fantastic, thank you for the recommendations everyone! I assumed shops like go outdoors weren’t allowing customers to try on shoes or clothing (on the basis that primark aren’t!) but I may head into town over the next few days and have a good browse anyway. I have looked at Merrell before but never purchased so again, thanks for those suggestions!

OP posts:
stickygotstuck · 13/09/2020 18:32

Ecco Biom range. Expensive, but they last. Have had mine for 6 years - dint't pay full price though! My reasons for expensive shoes are also environmental. Fewer pairs (usually for less money) = less to landfill Smile.

Here

They will lose elasticity and bounce over time as PP say, but if you are walking rather than running they should be fine after a few years.

LoeliaPonsonby · 13/09/2020 20:46

+1 for Salomon or Scarpa. For that mileage you need proper walking shoes, nothing fashion related. And I wouldn’t count Nike as reliable exercise shoes.

tonsattingforbjudes · 13/09/2020 21:10

@wifflewafflebiscuit
I have very broad feet, especially the right one! Coupled with narrow ankles and high insteps they are tricky....
I do a lot of walking/hiking and have found Meindl Boots the best for me. Keen have quite a broad toe box but they don't really work for me as the heel slips.
I wouldn't buy without getting properly fitted, if anyone will still do that. Cotswold are pretty good of the easily available places or an independent outdoor shop should be ok.

BexR · 13/09/2020 21:17

I got some £30 walking boots from decathlon. Waterproof and comfortable. They came in half sizes too. You could try shoes on in the store.

www.decathlon.co.uk/p/women-s-waterproof-country-walking-shoes-nh150-mid-wp/_/R-p-171852?mc=8493370&c=BLUE