Recommend a walkable shoe/bootie, please

Ivy

Hi all,

I've been extra busy lately because I got a new job! I am super excited. This means I'll go from commuting in a car to commuting via subway & walking. All my current work shoes aren't practical at all for walking. It's a business environment, more formal than business casual & less than formal than full suits required every day.

I could just wear commuting shoes & change at work, but I don't want to have to do that every day. So please, I would love to know of any flat booties or shoes that accommodate fussy feet well (more specifics: high volume, wide foot, prefer orthotics but at least need great arch support).

Thank you!!

8 years ago

Shopping

11 replies

Latest reply was from Jane

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Congratulations on your new job, Ivy!

You might start by looking at Angie's footwear recommendations for the NAS. http://youlookfab.com/2016/07/.....cessories/

I am not sure which brands work best for your particular set of requirements but I have had good luck with Ecco and I walk a great deal. My feet however are medium width and volume, not wide, and I have a narrow heel. For the past year I have been battling plantar fasciitis. And I walk a great deal -- from 3-7 miles a day, with 4 or 5 being average for me. I wear my regular footwear to do this. With inserts for the PF that have helped to some degree.

Another brand that might work well is Sofft. Paul Green gets some rave reviews. Munro in a wide width could be good.

8 years ago

Traci

Veteran

I think I tend to skew a little more casual and chunky in my footwear choices, so these may not be refined enough for you. My most comfortable pair of booties for walking are the find below. Last year I had Dansko booties in the second find that worked really well for me with dresses and trousers.

It's so much trial and error!

Nordstrom

Bogs 'Kristina' Waterproof Chukka Boot (Women)

$149.94 $99.90

Sale

View Info

Top Pick

Nordstrom

Dansko 'Bonita' Leather Boot (Women)

$184.95

View Info

Top Pick

8 years ago

crazyone

Veteran

How far will you be walking? I always commute by public transit or by walking--but the footwear that is fine for public transit+walking is not always ok for just walking (2 miles each way). Honestly there are very few truly dressy looking shoes that stand up to the latter for me, even though they are totally fine for 10 mins of walking+public transit+standing off and on at work.

One exception: I can walk quite far in my tall boots, though not usually in my heeled booties.

8 years ago

barbaraq

Active Member

Your feet sound like clones of mine. I bought the Born Adia at NAS and am finding them quite comfortable clomping around the house to make sure they will work. Low enough heel to be walkable and plenty of room for my very high insteps. I totally agree with Crazyone's comments, though, about walking 2 miles in any presentable "dressy" boot.

8 years ago

Jenny H

Veteran

While my feet are different from yours, I also have fussy feet and wear orthotics (I have low volume and narrow feet but need great arch support). I second Munro-- they have removable insoles and are available in multiple widths. They have some actually cute styles.

For bad weather, I have LL Bean boots-- they have removable insoles.

I have some Cobb Hill boots I wear without my orthotics and I do pretty well-- the ones I have tried have decent arch support. I've had my eyes on some other boots/booties that I haven't tried that come with removable insoles, but since I haven't tried them I don't know if they are worth recommending. I typically find them by searching for boots with removable insoles on Zappos.

I also cheat and use Birkenstock half insoles in dressier styles that don't have removable insoles. They aren't as comfortable as my orthotics, but for the amount of walking during a commute it works for me (My commute is about 1 mile each way).

I also recommend the BarkingDogShoes blog. She reviews shoes for people with problem feet.

8 years ago

Elle

Veteran

I'm constantly looking for the same thing - walkable yet dressy shoes. I have high volume feet

(yes, with a bunion)

and can't stand heels over 1 inch. These are brands I've had success with - Josef Seibel Faye 05 booties (although you may need an insert), El Naturalista, Beautifeel, and some of the more flexible Borns. I second the recommendation for Barking Dog Shoes.

Congratulations on your new job!

8 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Ivy, do you need to wear a wide size? These were really comfy at the NAS, and accommodated wider feet.

Nordstrom

PIKOLINOS 'Andorra' Water Resistant Boot (Women)

$199.95

View Info

Top Pick

Nordstrom

Hinge 'Villa' Perforated Bootie (Women)

$119.95 $71.95

Sale

View Info

Top Pick

8 years ago

Cerinda

Veteran

I think we may have similar feet. My best commute boots are Fluvogs, Aquatalias, and Uggs, even without insoles. Franco Sarto and Sam Edelman second, with.

ETA: I've got the NAS AGL boots, too, but don't know yet how well they'll trek.

8 years ago

Ivy

Active Member

Thank you all for the congratulations, recommendations and finds! I'm hoping to try a few new booties before the NAS is over.

I do need a wide size and will probably need to walk about half a mile (maybe more some days).

It's heartening to know I'm not the only one who's on the lookout for walkable yet dressy footwear; I hope some one else finds this thread helpful, too.

8 years ago

Roxanna

Veteran

I have wide high volume feet as well and walk a lot, so i can relate. I got the Pikolinos Angie mentioned in black and even thought they have a heel, they are super comfortable. My other go-tos are Aquatalia as well as Sorel (though those are more rugged.)

8 years ago

Jane

Veteran

I wear these to walk the three or so miles of my daily commute but I do change when I get to the office. I've got used to changing my shoes now, but it did feel off to begin with.

Congratulations on your new job and good luck with your search Ivy.

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8 years ago

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