Comfortable Walking Shoes for Grad School

[Emilee]

Hi all,

I am going to commute via public transportation to my new grad school, so I'll need comfortable walking shoes that look professional. Any suggestions (e.g. brands to look at, stores to try)? Note that I am open to scandals that are closed-toed, but I need high quality shoes since I usually walk holes in cheap shoes after a few weeks. I am also trying to avoid tennis shoes.

Thanks in advance!

[coyabean]

Hi all,

I am going to commute via public transportation to my new grad school, so I'll need comfortable walking shoes that look professional. Any suggestions (e.g. brands to look at, stores to try)? Note that I am open to scandals that are closed-toed, but I need high quality shoes since I usually walk holes in cheap shoes after a few weeks. I am also trying to avoid tennis shoes.

Thanks in advance!

You have to get a pair of Clark's. http://clarks.zappos.com/artisan.zhtml

[Jae B.]

I also commute via public transportation, and I've walked miles across hilly Berkeley (and SF and the East Bay in general) in a pair of black, closed-toe flats with ankle straps by BC Shoes this past semester. (I don't see them on their website anymore, nor on Free People's site -- they also carried them.) They were dressy enough for my to wear to my graduation, and even matched my gown. They are light and super comfortable.

I'm still wearing them, commuting to an internship, and they still look new.

A friend of mine wore BC Shoes' Stormy Weather boots (still available) practically every day all year, so I assume those are comfy as well! Very cute, look like a cross between Robin Hood boots and vintage ice skates.

When it rains, I wear a pair of dressy brown knee-high Grace Gift boots from Asia, with low wood heels and replaceable rubber traction glued on the bottoms. I did not expect them to be good for walking, but they've been an absolutely excellent rain boot-alternative. And I get the most compliments for these.

When I'm not in my flats, I wear velvety-soft pitch-black Adidas' sneakers with little white details. I've worn them regularly for 4+ years and they still look like new, I still get compliments on them, and they're perfect for lots of walking. I've paired them with tons of black outfits for dress occasions and interviews, and they've always looked appropriate.

I do a lot of walking and plenty of other shoes have failed me over the years, so these are really good! (I just wore holes into a cute pair of trendy jazz flats. )

My former favorites were Naturalizer Sport low wedges made out of a unique breathable mesh fabric with stretchy straps across the front and Dr. Scholl's jell inserts built in. Talk about shoe nirvana. Those were the most comfortable shoes I've ever owned -- like you never think about them except that your feet never hurt and they're so cute -- and they were perfect for everything. Mine were white with details in my favorite shade of green. I finally wore them out after wearing them nearly every day for about two years -- the jell inserts kind of collapsed into the wedge heels, not visibly ruining them, but they made a hilarious squeak noise and caused me to walk a little funny. But I can't find anything else like them. I so wish I'd bought two pairs when I had the chance!

I tried a pair of Naturalizer Sport high wedges (non-Dr. Scholl's) without any straps, and gah, they may be cute but they're painful after two hours...so not all Naturalizer shoes are made equal!

I also have a pair of professional-looking Softwalk low-heeled boots with cushy jell insides. They feel good for the first three hours, but after that my heels still ache.

Edited June 8, 2010 by Jae B.

[rising_star]

You have to get a pair of Clark's. http://clarks.zappos.com/artisan.zhtml

I second the Clark's endorsement. I have Clark's slide ons that I wear all the time. Other options: The Mary Jane style Tevas. I rock those all the time and people tell me they are very cute (in addition to being comfortabe). Born and Sofft are also known for making comfortable shoes that come in a variety of styles.

Or, you can bring the nicer shoes with you and wear other shoes for your actual commute. I know a bunch of people that do this.

[Infinite Monkeys]

Naturalizer is good if you're willing to spend a little more on shoes. They're pretty comfortable but still dressy enough for days where I have to be "business" me for work, and they've lasted a good eight years now (but I don't wear them very often).

Mostly, though, I stick with running shoes, which is what my doctor's told me to go with. I have mobility problems, so running shoes correct for some of that and give me a little more range of motion. I'm hoping I can get by with wearing those even while TA-ing, because most other shoes leave me limping and in pain by the end of the day. The Naturalizers aren't so bad, but they still lack the support of my running shoes.

[psycholinguist]

My favourite shoes are all from Rockport; I walk a lot and each pair I've had has lasted more than five years. (If there's one near you, I'd recommend actually going to a store; the online catalogue isn't an exhaustive list of their products.)

[Genomic Repairman]

Merrell shoes are pretty comfy and I sport those when I don't wear tennis shoes. And I'm on my feet all day running around working in the lab and these things just feel great.

[TheSquirrel]

Naturalizers are comfortable enough for short distances but not that great, I find, for long distances. I do wear them when I have to appear more professional, but most of the time I just wear my Converses. Most of the profs in my department don't stick to a professional dress code anyhow, ditto for other PhD students.

[socialcomm]

I agree with Clarks and Naturalizers. Also ECCO and Dansko but those can be a bit more expensive.

[Golden Monkey]

Don't know if Keens will be formal enough for you, but they're about the most comfortable shoes I've ever had.

[equinox]

Hi all,

I am going to commute via public transportation to my new grad school, so I'll need comfortable walking shoes that look professional. Any suggestions (e.g. brands to look at, stores to try)? Note that I am open to scandals that are closed-toed, but I need high quality shoes since I usually walk holes in cheap shoes after a few weeks. I am also trying to avoid tennis shoes.

Thanks in advance!

Naturalizer, Aersoloes, Merrell, Sofft for formal occasions. Teva, Rafters for summer. Simple makes really nice eco shoes.

DSW, 6pm.com, and endless.com are my favorite store to shop at. Born (b.o.c.) is another GREAT company for shoes. You want leather so they last.

[qbtacoma]

I like Earth shoes myself.

[Behavioral]

Another Clarks endorsement here. I have maybe 3 pairs of different style Oxfords and they're all extremely comfortable (I used to be a wedding photographer, so standing/walking around continuously for 12 hours was the norm).

Wait for one of their BOGO 50% off sales and pick up a couple.

[ogopo]

Campers are fantastic, comfortable and in my humble opinion, stylish. They're pricey but really, I can't tell you how comfortable they are.

[meowmix]

Anybody know of any snow/winter shoes for schools in places that snow?

[communications13]

Anybody know of any snow/winter shoes for schools in places that snow?

My best advice for cold weather, esp. if you will be walking, is good old fashioned waterproof and clunky snowboots. They last longer than traditional "waterproof" shoes and give you good foot support. Although, break them in before the snow as they can be slick on ice at first!

[socialpsych]

The only ballet flats I've been able to find that aren't incredibly uncomfortable are a shoe called Festive by Corso Como. The sole is thin but if you don't mind that they are really comfortable. They come in several different colors. I got a couple of my friends on to them, so I'm not the only one who thinks they're great!

Edited March 12, 2011 by socialpsych

[psycholinguist]

My best advice for cold weather, esp. if you will be walking, is good old fashioned waterproof and clunky snowboots. They last longer than traditional "waterproof" shoes and give you good foot support. Although, break them in before the snow as they can be slick on ice at first!

This.

My boots are from Naturalizer. They're very warm, very comfortable, supportive enough that I can walk in them for hours, and cute!

[michpc]

Anybody know of any snow/winter shoes for schools in places that snow?

Female? If you want to look nice: Merrell and Keen make nice tall leather waterproof boots that are also insulated. If you keep them polished, they should last for years, and are super comfy. Great with jeans or tights and a dress. For pure snow protection, something like Sorel Joan Joan of Arctic (I totally want these if I end up at UVM or EMU), or something from LL Bean perhaps. I love my Bean Boots because they are good in spring and fall rain/mud with thinner socks, and winter with warm wool socks. Another thing I love for pure comfort are Goretex sneakers, which are great when the sidewalks are damp/snowy but you don't really need half your legs covered. Can you tell I like footwear?

[FionatheFeminist]

I'd recommend TOMS. They're SO comfortable... honestly, they're more comfortable than being barefoot. They're not super dressy but they come in a lot of solid colors that I think can pass for work appropriate shows. They also have wedges that are super comfortable too. AND when you buy a pair, they donate a pair to a child in need. It's really a great company!

http://www.toms.com/

[Nurse Wretched]

Danskos. Worth every penny and more. Bonus: if you keep them in reasonable condition, you can wear them with jeans and dress pants alike.

For winter, I have a fondness for my Columbia boots, but they are NOT CUTE.

[pete011]

Well, it depends on each and every person

If you are interested in walking boots, I can recommend Mammut Mt trail boots,

For shoes maybe Brasher or Merrell

[rising_star]

I used to have a pair of London Fog winter boots and they were great. Fleece-lined, thick sole, etc. They probably kept me from dying on black ice numerous times. Then, one sad day, I split the part near the toe and they were no longer waterproof so I had to toss them.

[Eigen]

I have a pair of Keen's that I like a lot- they look professional enough (mostly leather) to wear with a suit and tie, but they're exceptionally comfortable walking shoes.

The best part of all, in my opinion, is that they widen towards the toes- lets you have a relatively tight shoe at the heal that still has room for the toes to move.

[eat.climb.love]

Sperry Topsiders. I have collected a few and wear them with jeans, shorts, work pants etc. There are a few variations on the style but the ones with the soft leather are the best. If you check the Macys sale section, you can sometimes find them for real cheap! I used to walk to and from class and around campus and was fine (3 miles a day!)