I second that you need supportive insoles. I was going to recommend Superfeet, I see you previously tried the superfeet easyfit, but I think you really need a full insole that will provide arch support. The color you get depends on what kind of arches you have; I have flat feet so I have superfeet black in my figure skates.
I also second that you have to get used to wearing them in advance of the trip you want them for. Your feet have to acclimate to them.
I was also going to suggest Superfeet. My podiatrist recommends the green inserts as a good basic insert for everyone; but they definitely take breaking in.
Superfeet green are high profile and high volume. That means they're meant for people with high or fallen arches. They would kill me with my flat feet (which I learned the hard way after shelling out $50 for superfeet yellow - high profile, low volume - for my skates). They're also high volume which means they'l really take up a lot of room in shoes.
Others will probably have better suggestions but mine is: just wear tennis shoes. Get a nice pair of the monochrome soft leather ones (like Greats or Koio if you have money to burn — or even Cole Haans).
I can’t think of a conference these days where I don’t see people wearing sneakers. Even the [well-known bank] investor conference this week (that’s filled with New Yorkers) — I saw both men and women swapping out designer dress shoes for designer kicks. The CEO of [UK-based multinational] was spotted wearing gold tennis shoes.
If you can’t quite bring yourself to do it ... I agree with the Zerogrand not-quite-sneakers suggestion.
My coworkers and I were talking about this topic this week, and it was duly noted that a ton of tech CEOs wear designer sneakers for keynotes now.
I was googling out of curiosity and apparently one of the favored brands is Lanvin, which can run $500-ish dollars a pair. CRAZY.
Paired them with black athletic socks that covered my ankles, and was good to go (was wearing leggings all those days). If you have to do tights, you could add some padding for the shoes by putting a pair of socks over them too.
The most comfortable pair of shoes I own are Clarks Cloudsteppers. I can walk all day in them, and they go with pants or dresses. Mine are a few years old, and I don't remember what style they are, but they look a lot like these. www.clarksusa.com/c/Ayla-Low/p/26137787
I can't really speak to the ballet flat version, but I am so impressed with my Allbirds runners and would assume other versions are also comfortable. I've been in Italy all week, averaging around 17k steps a day with a ton of other standing and shuffling in museums, and my feet are tired but not painful. I've never had this good of luck with shoes for something like this. And I had only worn them a couple of times, for short periods, before this trip.
I have also found my Rothys loafers very comfortable but haven't walked quite that much in them.
wildriceisabel I’m convinced to try a pair of Allbirds for walking to/from work etc. Do you have the wool runners or the tree runners? Which are the starter shoes haha. How is sizing? This sounds super naive but the wool isn’t itchy like a sweater is it? Do you wear them with socks?
wildriceisabel I’m convinced to try a pair of Allbirds for walking to/from work etc. Do you have the wool runners or the tree runners? Which are the starter shoes haha. How is sizing? This sounds super naive but the wool isn’t itchy like a sweater is it? Do you wear them with socks?
Mine are wool! I have been wearing them with socks so i dont find them itchy at all. They are true to size for me...i was worried they were a bit snug when I got them, but they dont feel too tight walking and i think stretch a little.
This is my first pair amd I've only had them a few weeks so I am not a great authority on them, but over 100k steps in i am very happy!
I wore the AllBirds tree skippers all over France and loved them, even with my notoriously sensitive feet - I would imagine the runners are even more comfy.
Post by darthnbjenni on Jan 17, 2020 7:51:55 GMT -5
I wear the trendier Dansko and OTBT heels and wedges to work (teacher). The last time I took kids to Washington, DC and was doing 22k steps a day, my Nikes hurt my feet more than my Dansko heeled booties. They really are like tiny feet clouds. I typically only wear dresses or tunics and leggings, too.
wildriceisabel I’m convinced to try a pair of Allbirds for walking to/from work etc. Do you have the wool runners or the tree runners? Which are the starter shoes haha. How is sizing? This sounds super naive but the wool isn’t itchy like a sweater is it? Do you wear them with socks?
The wool is not at all itchy. I started with the wool runners and got a pair of the wool loungers and tree runners for Christmas.
They only do whole sizes. It took me a week or so of wearing the wool ones to feel like they weren’t too snug, but they stretched out great and are perfect. The customer service people will tell you the wool ones will stretch to fit your feet and that was absolutely true in my experience. I didn’t notice the same breaking in period with the loungers or tree runners, but that may be because I’m used to the fit now.
I wear my runners (both styles) with socks usually, but sometimes wear the wool ones without. They’re very comfortable either way and haven’t gotten stinky after a year of near daily use! I don’t wear socks with the loungers.
You didn’t ask this, but I find all three pairs to be very supportive.
I also wear a lot of Life Stride shoes! I recently wore a pair of the booties around NYC for a day in the rain, and I was comfortable and dry. I was kind of shocked how well it went.
I’ve tried so many comfort brand heels and I’ve had the best luck with Clarks. If you aren’t used to wearing shoes most of the day, that can make it more difficult. I notice a difference when I have a week of flip flop wearing vacation and then go back to work shoes. A pair of loafers with a boxier toe is good for those days, although that’s not great with a dress. I’d prioritize packing space for shoes and bring 3-4 pairs so I could alternate a couple times a day. Also soak your feet each night.
isabelwildrice yay thx for the reviews! I’m thinking also about the wool mizzle since I live in a really rainy climate
I would definitely do the mizzles. I wore my wool runners in the rain in Chicago and it was not comfortable! The mizzles seem like a great solution for that.
isabelwildrice yay thx for the reviews! I’m thinking also about the wool mizzle since I live in a really rainy climate
I would definitely do the mizzles. I wore my wool runners in the rain in Chicago and it was not comfortable! The mizzles seem like a great solution for that.