I've never needed special transit shoes, and we take the trains or walk basically everywhere. I just wear what I'm wearing that day (summer flip flops or flats and winter flats or riding boots).
I mean this in the nicest way possible, but seriously: not helpful. Bully for you and your 23-year-old feet.
I can't wear flip flops for more than a stroll down the block to the corner store. And as stated in my OP, the flats I'm wearing are not working for walking to and from the train. The shoes I was using as commuting shoes have broken twice since I've gotten here.
I'll join you in the old lady feet club. I'm having foot surgery soon for arthritis in my big toe joint, aggravated by an old injury. It's a common problem, just not for people my age! I'm also short and the thought of wearing flats all the time is depressing to me, but I'm excited to see people have posted some cute, comfortable shoes.
I find they are not too offensive looking with office clothes and they are lightweight if I need to carry them around in my bag or something. This particular pair is minimalist, which I love, but you might want more support. I really love Merrells for these kinds of shoes though, they seem to be very high quality and last forever.
I didn't read the other responses but I wore Keds to my last job, where I walked 1.5 miles each way. I kept a pair of flats and a pair of heels in my desk.
I *think* Keds are slightly more fashionable than running shoes and you can wear socks. Others are free to disagree but I'll be a little butthurt about it LOL.
Another Dansko-wearer here in mid-weather. There are a lot more clogs now than there used to be that are OK as commuter shoes without socks. See for example
For winter, I wear boots, and for summer, sandals. People seem to be pretty forgiving about commuter "styles."
I used to walk about a mile and then take the subway (there was a stop directly outside my doorstep, but I liked the fresh air!) I just wore regular shoes, unless it was heels in which case I would wear flats or sneakers and change. When I would walk all the way (4 miles?) I would wear sneakers and change when I got there. In the winter I would wear wool socks and wellies, but my max walk would cap out at a mile if that because Boston in the winter is brutal.
Thank you for the Puma Zandy suggestions, posters. I have been looking for a pair of slip on walking shoes - just ordered a pair.
ah- when I lived in DC, I commuted in regular old athletic sneakers like everyone else there. Around here, I wear things like the Puma Zandys - rubber soled ballet shoe style sneakers (or flip flops). I like them because they fit in my bag better than sneakers (I'm often going directly from home to the courthouse/meetings, so there's nowhere to dump my sneakers off). Plus, the weather is better, so I'm rarely concerned about my feet being cold in them.
But, given a choice between sneakers and a fugly comfort commuting shoe, I'd choose sneakers. The reason is because nobody thinks the sneakers are part of your final outfit - they are obviously commuting shoes.