I make absolutely no compromises with my feet - and walk a lot. All my shoes are comfortable and pretty much go the distance - 4 to 12 hours of walking. I also have a few pairs of "sitting shoes" because the heels are too high. They come out for weddings and formal occasions when all I have to do is walk to the car and loo.

Not enough! Actually, I have very few truly comfy shoes at all. Lately my feet have been extremely fussy but it's been a challenge to find anything decent in my price range. For the summer I bought a pair of knock-off Vans slip on type shoes and some arch support insoles which are at least tolerable. Fortunately I lead a pretty casual lifestyle!

I buy all shoes assuming that I will be able to walk all day in them. If I don't think I'll be able to, I don't buy them. I went out on a limb hoping that is the case with the Okalas because they seemed comfy in a way that no heel has ever felt on my feet, but I have yet to wear them to know for sure.

Unfortunately, I make a lot of mistakes in judgement! All of my shoes are not fit for walking all day, but many are.

I currently have 20 pairs of shoes/boots. Four of these have a heel higher than 1 inch, and are not worn daily or used for heavy walking. The remaining 16 of these are my daily shoes/boots and can be walked in all day.

Great topic. Janet's response was exactly what I have to say. My tolerance for high heels has gone down, especially since I got a fitbit and a standing desk at work. I still like pretty shoes but from now on they have to be pretty AND walkable for at least a mile at a stretch or 4-5 miles spread throughout the day. I'm so glad to be in good company of other low heel fans on the forum!

for 4-5 hours of "doing up the town", i probably have 5 or 6 pairs --and my true athletic shoes would NOT be on that list. my favorite heel for all day comfort is a cowboy/cuban heel

Let's see: My fake crocs, four pairs of slip ons, one pair New Balance, one fashion running shoe, leather walking shoes, three "birks" sandals, one pair of "danskos"... that's seven shoes that I walk-walk in.

Then there's the next level of shoe which I will walk-walk in, but the soles are a little thin for it: two pair Converse, two more *converse,* espadrilles, three flats, two ankle boots... that's ten.

Wow, do I really have that many shoes? Well, I seriously walk. I'd have to buy a new pair every week without that many.

Since being without a car a lot, and alternately in the snow the times I have a car, most of my footwear is stable and low. I guess maybe 6 pair are heels over 2.5"? With only one pair of true pumps and one pair slingbacks in that lot. The rest are ankle strap sandals or boots or shooties, which makes the heels more walkable than pumps IMO.

Sorry that it's taken me so long to get back...had a very long day today!

This has been a very interesting read. As Echo pointed out, it's not the same to have to walk three miles consecutively as is is to walk three miles at work spread throughout the day. I do think that our circumstances dictate a lot of what we would consider to be "comfortable."

Lisa, thanks for the link to your blog! I really enjoyed reading about your shoes and what you purged and why.

I will admit that I am surprised at how many fabbers have managed to find shoes that are fashionable yet comfortable! Angie of course takes the prize, with almost every single shoe being good for all-day wear. My shoes, except for one or two pairs, are all OK for at least, say, a two-hour shopping trip at the mall. But if I were going to spend *all day* shopping or sightseeing, I would wear one of my two pairs of "comfort shoes" or else my relatively flat-heeled boots. I wouldn't last all day in any of my heels, especially the three-inch ones. And I'll admit that even if the shoe itself doesn't cause pain, it can be exhausting rushing around wearing heels, period, since they cause you to have a shorter stride. It's just a lot of extra work to get where you're going, IMO!

Thanks again, everyone, for contributing.