Good walking shoes, casual or work?
After taking more public transport I am walking more often and my old Converse and other sneakers are maybe not up to the task. I’m looking for some walking shoes that could be used for both casual and in a casual office environment. I have been looking at different options from On and Hoka. Any suggestions or recommendations?
40 Replies
new balance 574s comes to mind from experience
I like their style but have heard they might not be the best for walking
reebok club c 85 also an option if you have narrow/reg feet
i can only speak for myself but i've walked in them for several miles without issue
These are my favourite 574 colours
Something with a wider fit than a typical sneaker would be nice
i have borderline wide feet and 574s are fine
the choice of color depends on your wardrobe and how much your 'casual' workplace allows for colorful sneakers
I often wear Converse and if I walk more than 3km they start to rub my toes and sides
but try them on in person and see; 990s are also an option
You can see my #wawyt posts for examples of my typical outfits from recent
pick whichever color you prefer
both are fine imo
For example I maxed out at 9km today from general walking town and I would prefer no rubbing and tightness if I could
Probably the green as it’s different and more fun
it sounds like you know what you must do
What?
find a pair of 574s to try on, if they fit, buy the green ones, wear the green ones and enjoy
Would they be an improvement on Converse or Sambas?
Just for comparison
they have more cushioning than converse and sambas
and i guess to address your actual first question onclouds and hoka shoes also have a lot of cushioning but i have not worn either to verify their actual foot feel
That’s fair
I might for other people to comment before I make a decision
I wore 574s as beater shoes for years, including on a trip to Japan where I was walking like 20-30km a day. A well fitting pair of shoes should be fine to walk in. If they're not you either have poorly fitting shoes or some foot health issues IME.
I do have loose ankles which can cause some issues. For example flat footedness can happen as a result of my ankles when I am tired or exhausted
Hokas imo are peak if you’re into the chunky aesthetic. I also love my NB 530s
These are my favourite Hoka designs from my local sneaker store
Another option is to buy some Adidas running shoes
These being my favourites
Any thoughts?
I can't see any of these working in anything but the most casual of office environments (ie. One where there is no dress code at all).
https://discord.com/channels/1116793467654381685/1292132949860417578/1292137364612976712 this is my thought
in terms of comfort whatever i mention is less important than foot feel; if you have the ability to try and or all of these on do so
in terms of style they're all virtually the same in that they all look like running/walking shoes. if your workplace is fine with that then choose your favorite design - you almost certainly have one
My office is pretty casual. Just expects you not to wear graphic tees, have rips or tears in clothes, or shorts unless there’s a specific work event, or it’s a Friday where regular casual clothes are fine (except shorts)
Other people in my office wear running shoes sometimes as it’s a somewhat active environment, I work in ESL in the Tertiary sector for international students (teaching English to international students)
I've just checked your waywt posts and I can't see the Hokas working. The Adidas might, NB 574s (they do a wide fit) would likely be my choice over those for your wardrobe though.
But you're best off trying some stuff on if you have specific foot issues.
Good points. I appreciate that
There is also this pair of Made in UK NB which is sorta a perfect medium https://www.subtypestore.com/au/products/new-balance-u1500grk-grey-030-gry?ref=dx9L6_&sizeSystem=usMen&size=8
They are almost twice the price of other options tho
If you wanted to look at/try Hokas for the cushioning the Clifton L might be a better option. https://www.hoka.com/en/gb/lifestyle/clifton-l/1160050.html
also just to clarify are insoles an option for you?
Almost all my shoes have insoles for extra cushioning and arch support
np, moreso seeing if you were looking for more comfort out right of the box
That’s fair. I often try to balance style with comfort the best I can with using aftermarket insoles
For example my corduroy Vans are surprisingly comfortable after swapping to a better insoles, moreso than my trusty old Converse
But I don’t think my Vans would be smart to wear often, especially in humid weather
They’re great for winter when I don’t want to wear boots tho
same here - i typically get cool shoes then find good/great insoles to accommodate them
574 + insoles for me gives the right mix of comfort and stability and are decent year round
there's a few hokas (i think the clifton L linked above) that might also fit the bill
If they are better for humid weather I’ll definitely consider them
Just to double check, would the NB 574 be a significant upgrade in comfort than Sambas or Converse?
nobody can answer this for you because it's so dependent on your feet and preferences.
try them on
Fair enough
but broadly speaking, the 574 is a newer design of specifically running shoe that ought to provide a little more cushion and support than sambas or cons which are both quite old indoor sports court shoes with minimal cushion and support. How that actually works out in practice with the shape of your feet is an open question though.
What’s left is my own investigating. Thank you for the advice