Walking Shoes

[Steve Williams]

Thinking of Amir's plantar fasciitis got me to thinking about comfortable walking shoes.

Is it pretty much Ecco and Mephisto vs everyone else

I have several pairs of each of those and they are very, very comfortable and stylish as well

 

[Johnny Vinyl]

I had plantar fasciitis for about 6 months a few years back. It was excrutiatingly painful for a long time, especially in the morning. I got some orthotic (?) insoles and also a pair of Mephisto slippers that I wear in the house only. It hasn't re-occurred, so I think for me it helped a great deal. I need to get a new pair of insoles this year (thankfully work pays for it).

John

 

[Jay_S]

No recommendations but it's good to see what works for others. I had P.F. on both heels some years ago. The solution for me (but not necessarily others) was to lose some weight. The P.F. is completely gone and hasn't returned.

 

[Steve Williams]

Ron Party is far from overweight. If Ron lost weight he would disappear

 

[Dimfer]

Clarks and Mephisto for me

 

[kach22i]

I have been wearing Ecco's for the past 18 years, however when some style is called for..........

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I custom ordered some Converse as summer driving shoes off their website. I put in a rigid arch with athletic gel pad inserts by Dr. Scholl in them.

I have driving moccasins for hot days but they are not good everyday kicking around and walking shoes.

 

[rblnr]

Cole Haan makes some shoes with Nike air soles that look pretty nice. Wore Eccos through a couple of three month jobs in Africa -- that PU footbed is always comfortable.

 

[Johnny Vinyl]

I have been wearing Ecco's for the past 18 years, however when some style is called for..........

Image hosting, free photo sharing & video sharing at Photobucket

I custom ordered some Converse as summer driving shoes off their website. I put in a rigid arch with athletic gel pad inserts by Dr. Scholl in them.

I have driving moccasins for hot days but they are not good everyday kicking around and walking shoes.

Those are kick*ass, George! I can't see myself sporting those on this 56-yr old body though! I'd think I would look rather goofy!. LOL!

 

[JackD201]

I got a pair of Geox shoes, they saved my HK trip.

 

[docvale]

I share Jack's appreciation for Geox shoes. At a higher price point, I would recommend Hogan shoes (it's a brand of Tod's).

For a more sporty style, I like the sneakers from Adidas Originals: I've own the GoodYear, Porsche Design and Vespa series and they're all very comfortable

 

[LenWhite]

I've used a pair of Sketchers for the past year during my walks and I believe they have helped my posture. They take a little getting used to because of the unusual curved bottom.http://www.skechers.com/info/fitness-walk-mens

 

[LL21]

Thinking of Amir's plantar fasciitis got me to thinking about comfortable walking shoes.

Is it pretty much Ecco and Mephisto vs everyone else

I have several pairs of each of those and they are very, very comfortable and stylish as well

Both are comfortable...be very, very wary of Ecco hiking boots. For years, they had sourced very poor quality rubber soles (which on the newer models you will have seen are completely changed)...and they fell apart. I went to AFrica hiking...and literally ripped the entire soles off both boots in 7 days. I then heard enormous numbers of complaints on the web about this exact same problem. They were the most comfortable boots...and i bought a 2nd pair (with the new rubber). Just be careful.

 

[Phelonious Ponk]

My favorite walking shoes have always been running shoes, and I prefer New Balance. I'm sure there must be something wrong with that, but it works for me.

Tim

 

[JackD201]

Unless one's definition of running is sprints, I don't see why there should be anything wrong with that! I have narrow feet so NB doesn't work as well for me. I prefer Adidas but Mizuno is my favorite. The only thing about running shoes when traveling is that one doesn't always get a chance to change and dress codes in some places do not allow athletic shoes.

 

[mimesis]

I've found that using a quality non-custom insole has made a difference in all my shoes. I use Superfeet in my running shoes and comfort casual/dress shoes. For me, arch support is key and I have average arches. My impression is that the soft insole of most shoes, despite their shaped arch support, provide no actual support due to flexing or compression. As for comfortable walking shoes, mephistos are nice but I find their leather uppers to be below par for the price (they discolor or wear too easily). I am a fan of Prada shoes with the red stripe and rubber bottoms, Gucci sneakers and Heschung shoes. As far as best shoes I've worn - John Lobb.

I also like Asics for running shoes, especially since they offer a nice selection of shoes in 2E width.

 

[garylkoh]

They are ugly, but I swear by my MBT's: http://us.mbt.com/Home/Benefits.aspx

Sometimes, when I have a backache, I'll put them on and walk around the block a couple of times. They are what I'll usually wear at shows when I'm on my feet a lot of the time. But they are terrible on stairs.

 

[Ron Party]

Both are comfortable...be very, very wary of Ecco hiking boots. For years, they had sourced very poor quality rubber soles (which on the newer models you will have seen are completely changed)...and they fell apart. I went to AFrica hiking...and literally ripped the entire soles off both boots in 7 days. I then heard enormous numbers of complaints on the web about this exact same problem. They were the most comfortable boots...and i bought a 2nd pair (with the new rubber). Just be careful.

I had soles on 2 pairs of Eccos completely disintegrate and threw them away. Ecco apparently has a policy whereby one can send the shoes to Ecco and for $45.00 have the shoes resoled. I wish I had known that before I tossed them.

 

[Ron Party]

My favorite walking shoes have always been running shoes, and I prefer New Balance. I'm sure there must be something wrong with that, but it works for me.
Tim

New Balance 1012 is an excellent shoe for those with plantar fasciitis. Ditto for Brooks Addiction 9. Ecco? Not even close and I state that as one who currently owns more than a half-dozen pair.

 

[Ron Party]

I've found that using a quality non-custom insole has made a difference in all my shoes. I use Superfeet in my running shoes and comfort casual/dress shoes. For me, arch support is key and I have average arches. My impression is that the soft insole of most shoes, despite their shaped arch support, provide no actual support due to flexing or compression. As for comfortable walking shoes, mephistos are nice but I find their leather uppers to be below par for the price (they discolor or wear too easily). I am a fan of Prada shoes with the red stripe and rubber bottoms, Gucci sneakers and Heschung shoes. As far as best shoes I've worn - John Lobb.

I also like Asics for running shoes, especially since they offer a nice selection of shoes in 2E width.

I also like Asics for running shoes and own about 4 pair. The New Balance 1012 and Brooks Addiction 9 are superior for arch support and stability.

I tried and still own Superfeet as well as more than a dozen non-custom inserts and two custom inserts. When it comes to inserts, there is no one-size-fits-all (no pun intended). Superfeet didn't cut it for me. Currently I'm using some non-custom inserts I found at a medical supply store.

BTW, The Walking Company has its own brand of shoes, Abeo, which for each size has 3 different shoes, i.e., 3 different arches depending upon whether one is flat footed, high arched or in between. Highly recommended. Way more comfortable that Ecco although currently they do not have very many styles from which to chose.

 

[rsbeck]

I am a Cole Haan and Keen kind of guy, although I will venture out for Timberland, Merrill, Ecco, or Sperry Topsiders once in awhile. I'm generally looking to go sockless most of the year unless hiking or attending a funeral. Had some Clarke's for awhile -- they were okay -- not an eager rebuy for me.