Moderately stylish women's casual/waking shoes

March 13, 2021 9:16 AM

I'm *finally* going to force myself to go on more walks around my neighborhood this spring. However, I don't own a good pair of shoes for walking long distances in? I hate the look of running shoes, so if you own a pair of moderately stylish women's casual sneakers/walking shoes, what kind of shoe are they?

I'm not sure why, I find the look of regular running/athletic shoes to be aesthetically unpleasing. I know, it's a bit of a ridiculous opinion to have. I don't care about wearing them if I'm working out, but other than that I hate how they look on me (so clunky!!!).

I'm looking for a shoe that would be good for taking long walks in, but also good for just going out and about on daily errands. I know the term "stylish" is kind of vague, but... I really just mean, something that doesn't look like a conventional running shoe.

A local shoe store here sells Cloud Footwear and I thought the Aika shoe looked like something I could see myself wearing, but there has to be more variety out there (and they're $190, so I'm looking for other options).

posted by VirginiaPlain to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (31 answers total)

Nordstrom Rack has what seems like a permanent sneaker sale online--I personally like the Golas, but you should be able to find a variety of sneakerish shoes for under $100 and sometimes a lot less.
posted by kingdead at 9:24 AM on March 13, 2021 [1 favorite]

I pretty much only wear Skechers (generally Go Walk, On The Go, and Flex models) slip-on shoes now, including their walking flops (some of which are actually cute, many at least non-offensive), but even for work I have ones like this or these. They have some boots, mary janes, and slide/clog/mules, as well.
posted by Lyn Never at 9:30 AM on March 13, 2021 [5 favorites]

I'm a dude, but one of the best workout decisions I've made in the last few years was to start buying dedicated running shoes to jog/walk in. They last longer, because I put them on to go jogging and don't put wear on them otherwise, and I don't have to care that they're neon green and grey because I just change into other, more situation-appropriate shoes for other situations. I ended up with Brooks, after trying a bunch of other things. They're significantly more comfortable than other "general purpose" sneakers when actually walking. I know that means you're now looking for two pairs -- some athletic shoes, and some stylish errand-running shoes -- but I think that might help you enjoy both activities more.
posted by Alterscape at 9:36 AM on March 13, 2021 [5 favorites]

I don't know if anyone would say these are stylish but I have found them to be extremely comfortable, given my foot and back issues.
posted by Lynsey at 9:45 AM on March 13, 2021

These Danskos are great.
posted by onebyone at 9:49 AM on March 13, 2021

Keds and vans are great for this, comfy shoes that are good for going for a walk. They won't last forever, but they come in fun colors often have cool collaborations and are good enough for walking 3-4 miles a day for me. (NYC pavement/pace)
posted by larthegreat at 10:01 AM on March 13, 2021 [3 favorites]

Ariats are great. I have the Brown Bombers and love them. Very comfortable and they provide lots of support. The insoles on almost all Ariats are removable to accommodate custom orthotics or other insoles.
posted by Dolley at 10:11 AM on March 13, 2021

I seem to recall that you're in Canada, so I would consider looking at Call It Spring if there's one near you (they exist in the US, too, but in much lower numbers). They sell fairly trendy footware, generally in the under $100 price point, and it's all vegan if that's a thing you care about. They have a few different things that are similar to the thing you posted that have comfort foam insoles in them so should be good for walking.
posted by jacquilynne at 10:23 AM on March 13, 2021

Type of shoe - try going barefoot. Won't work in stores, but it's great for walking around the neighborhood. Plus it feels good.

On forcing yourself - it works better if you can figure out how to enjoy yourself. Wikihow has some tips on enjoying your walks.
posted by aniola at 10:31 AM on March 13, 2021

I like Ecco sneakers. They're not small or dainty, but they're more stylish than say, New Balance. They're also extremely comfortable. I have high arches and my feet tend to get sore fast, but I can walk around in my Soft 7's for hours.
posted by Stoof at 10:44 AM on March 13, 2021 [6 favorites]

I think Sauconys are pretty good, especially the “original” styles.
posted by vunder at 11:15 AM on March 13, 2021 [2 favorites]

Another vote for Sketchers, I really find their durability for the price to be pretty hard to beat. Also in Canada, and I can find them on sale quite frequently. I have some GoWalks and DeLites (probably more sneaker-ish than you are looking for however) that have been worn for daily walks for years, but there are a ton of other options as well. Sketchers are pretty much all I buy these days.
posted by cgg at 11:21 AM on March 13, 2021 [1 favorite]

I have this Nike pair in black. It’s not particularly clunky; in fact, it is very lightweight, and all black except for the white logo.
posted by redlines at 11:23 AM on March 13, 2021 [2 favorites]

I've become an Allbirds convert. They're really comfy. They've carried me through nightmarish bar shifts, walking all day at Dollywood, and just general pandemic walking outside.
posted by astapasta24 at 11:31 AM on March 13, 2021 [3 favorites]

I've bought casual walking shoes--sneakers, but not athletic sneakers--from Comfy Moda. You can buy them direct from the company (they're Canadian), or from Amazon.ca. They're lightweight, supportive, very comfortable, and reasonably priced. I bought the Sunshine style in grey.
posted by angiep at 12:02 PM on March 13, 2021

I also just don't like the look of running/athletic shoes unless I am running or doing something athletic, and recently bought a pair of high-top Allbirds for daily walks and errands. They are a little pricey, but comfortable, and they have that kind of neutral, invisible look I personally find quite stylish, people comment that they have a Japanese aesthetic, I think because the specific colorway I have has a matching sole and upper, so it is completely monochromatic, and even less of that sporty vibe than if the sole was white.
posted by nanook at 12:04 PM on March 13, 2021 [2 favorites]

They are regrettably quite pricy but I think of Veja trainers as fitting exactly this remit, being decent for actually walking in while still looking stylish.

Depending on how sporty you'd go I also love Adidas Sambas, a timeless classic!
posted by Lluvia at 12:30 PM on March 13, 2021

Merrell is my go-to for walking shoes but this winter I got a pair of Manitoba Mukluks boots (indigenous owned!) and they are so awesome, I ordered moccasins (with the Vibram soles.)
posted by warriorqueen at 12:39 PM on March 13, 2021

If you’re looking for something more stylish, there’s no need to limit yourself to a sneaker. I walk long distances on sidewalks in combats and ankle boots all the time. I find Cobb Hill and Munro as comfortable as/more comfortable than sneakers as they have ankle support.
posted by kapers at 12:58 PM on March 13, 2021

I have a couple pairs of Allbirds (slip on and lace up wool ones) and really like them for casual wear, especially with an arch support insert inside—they don’t have great support on their own. But quite often I end up just wearing a pair of Chelsea boots like these Blundstones for walking around and running errands and such. Stylish and comfy, good ankle support, I get lots of compliments on them, and you can find them discounted sometimes (I think mine were shoes.com) so they’re not always quite so pricey. BZees are not amazingly stylish but very lightweight, extremely comfortable, and don’t look like typical running shoes.
posted by music for skeletons at 1:25 PM on March 13, 2021 [1 favorite]

I wear Keen Newport H2s once the weather is at all decent. They are comfortable and my feet are as happy as they get. I wear a women's 6.5, and a Big Kid's 4 fits well and is way less expensive for the same quality. Keen makes prettier shoes and sandals that are also comfortable. I dance when there isn't a Pandemic, Keens have been terrific.
posted by theora55 at 3:46 PM on March 13, 2021 [1 favorite]

Dunno if these count as stylish but I live in these Merrell Jungle Mocs. I have worn them fairly regularly for a year, walking probably 2-300 miles over that time, and they still look essentially new.
posted by 2 cats in the yard at 3:48 PM on March 13, 2021

Merrells might be a good choice. For a casual look, maybe something like this?. Plenty of other options online too especially if you are okay with the hiking shoe look
posted by piyushnz at 3:50 PM on March 13, 2021

I have a pair of (men's) blue leather Eccos that are plain but have garnered occasional compliments. They're supportive and durable. They do generally run over $100 but IME that's true for most truly comfortable footwear. Here's their women's classic sneaker, but they have lots of other styles. These are a little more fun.
posted by wintersweet at 4:09 PM on March 13, 2021 [1 favorite]

These are technically approach shoes for climbing, but I wear them everywhere. Comfy but not over- the- top athletic looking.
posted by geegollygosh at 6:27 PM on March 13, 2021

Stylish might be a stretch, but in normal years I go for walks at lunchtime from the office, and I've bought multiple pairs of shoes from safety step. I wear the deirdre's but they have multiple varieties at different levels of dressiness, all aimed at people who people who are on their feet all day. I generally go through about a pair a year walking several miles a day; but that's because I scuff them to much for the office more than because the soles wear out. They are particularly good if you might hit anything slippery, and cheap enough that it's fine if you trash them. (The only problem with them is they don't fit really narrow feet; the lace ups are fine, but the mary-janes are sadly too wide for me, a shame as I would live to have shoes I could wear with a dress with and still walk a few miles in).

I also like the Merrell Jungle Mocs linked above, but they are heavier and warmer if that makes a difference.
posted by Dorothea Ladislaw at 7:05 PM on March 13, 2021 [1 favorite]

I like a pair of Kodiak boots-they’re comfy and black lace ups
posted by azalea_chant at 8:58 PM on March 13, 2021

I just recently got a pair of Suavs - specifically the Zilkers - and I love them so far. They're really comfortable and breathable. I wear them to work, where I work with kids and have to move around a lot. I've also worn them on long walks and my feet have felt totally fine afterwards.
posted by yeahyeahrealcute at 12:07 PM on March 14, 2021

Onitsuka Tiger's are my absolute favourite for this. They come in zillions of different colours and styles.
posted by Pademelon at 2:12 PM on March 14, 2021 [1 favorite]

Pretty much any Keen shoe I've ever worn has been fantastic for walking, and every season they have a selection of fairly fashionable women's shoes.
posted by liminal_shadows at 8:04 PM on March 16, 2021

Not going to abuse the edit window, just wanted to add that Keens also have a lot of clunky ugly shoes, which you're more likely to see first. Keep looking. They have cute and fashionable shoes too. Go here and scroll: Keens
posted by liminal_shadows at 8:09 PM on March 16, 2021