trad footwear question (with qualifiers)

1324 Views 24 Replies 13 Participants Last post by Hayek, 8 d ago

thepassenger

Discussion Starter · 25 d ago

I'm wondering what sort of shoes others wear in warm weather if you know you're going to be walking a lot. I've tried just about everything, but over the past couple of years I've found that many of the warm-weather styles that I like and have are not shaped properly or are not supportive enough for being on my feet for any significant amount of time. I've run into problems while on vacation because the shoes I brought with me were inadequate.

A friend who has logged multiple miles a day for years suggested that I should be wearing running shoes. I tried some and found them to be much more comfortable than anything else. My dilemma is how they look—often like clown shoes or spaceships these days. My overall aesthetic favors shoes that are low-key and minimal, like Jack Purcells or blucher mocs, but these don't work for me if I'm spending a lot of time walking (wrong shape, not enough support).

I'm okay with how running shoes look when it's not warm out, but I feel like the styling of any of them is too at odds with the rest of my casual look in spring/summer. Also, I'm approaching 60 and my feet tend toward wide, so there are some things I can't wear and others that I won't wear.

Reactions: 3

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oxford cloth button down

· #2 · 25 d ago

The answer is grey miusa New Balance. They are about as minimalist as technical running shoes can get. There are quite a few styles available. Maybe something like this one: MADE in USA 990v5 Core - New Balance or this one Made in USA 998 Core - New Balance

Reactions: 3

oxford cloth button down

· #3 · 25 d ago

Or these that Katon posted recently: MADE in UK 576 35th Anniversary - New Balance

Reactions: 1

thepassenger

Discussion Starter · #4 · 25 d ago

I should have specified that I am looking for suggestions other than running shoes. I already have ones I like quite a bit, but the styling is what I don't like. Does function have to win over style, or is there a compromise shoe?

Reactions: 1

smmrfld

· #5 · 25 d ago

New Balance 990s…you can wear them just about anywhere. They’re not running shoes…no real runner would ever wear them for running.

Reactions: 1

Mercury7

· #6 · 25 d ago

It appears New Balance released version 6 of the 990 sneaker last year. It was originally introduced in 1982 and often previous iterations are re-released. What is everyone's favorite version of the 990 and how does it compare to the 993?

smmrfld

· #7 · 25 d ago

Mercury7 said:
It appears New Balance released version 6 of the 990 sneaker last year. It was originally introduced in 1982 and often previous iterations are re-released. What is everyone's favorite version of the 990 and how does it compare to the 993?

Not a whole lot of difference in the last few versions. All this trad/preppie cosplay is amusing.

Vecchio Vespa

· #8 · 24 d ago

All of my footwear other than my running shoes is fine for walking, with Rancourt Camp Mocs, sized wide, topping the list. Once they were broken in, I found Alden LHS and tassels, both shell, very good for walking, too. I'd put miles on them downtown at lunch.

Reactions: 2

blue suede shoes

· #9 · 24 d ago

If you need walking shoes with support, try the Alden All Weather Walker

www.theandovershop.com

Alden All Weather Walkers

The famous Alden all-weather walkers. The exceptional insulating quality of genuine plantation crepe makes it an ideal outsole for winter dress, with reinforced leather tip for long wear. Styles: #947 The Original All Weather Walker in Brown Alpine Grain Calfskin#949 The Original All Weather...

www.theandovershop.com

www.theandovershop.com

Reactions: 1

Theoden

· #10 · 24 d ago (Edited)

thepassenger said:
I'm wondering what sort of shoes others wear in warm weather if you know you're going to be walking a lot. I've tried just about everything, but over the past couple of years I've found that many of the warm-weather styles that I like and have are not shaped properly or are not supportive enough for being on my feet for any significant amount of time. I've run into problems while on vacation because the shoes I brought with me were inadequate.

A friend who has logged multiple miles a day for years suggested that I should be wearing running shoes. I tried some and found them to be much more comfortable than anything else. My dilemma is how they look—often like clown shoes or spaceships these days. My overall aesthetic favors shoes that are low-key and minimal, like Jack Purcells or blucher mocs, but these don't work for me if I'm spending a lot of time walking (wrong shape, not enough support).

I'm okay with how running shoes look when it's not warm out, but I feel like the styling of any of them is too at odds with the rest of my casual look in spring/summer. Also, I'm approaching 60 and my feet tend toward wide, so there are some things I can't wear and others that I won't wear.

If you're really going to put lots and lots of miles on them, it's kind of tough. The more suited to long distance walking and providing cushioning and support, the less "aesthetic" or sleek the shoe.

You can nix canvas sneakers.

Aim for something like a tennis shoe or soccer shoe. A compromise shoe.

Something with a cool vibe would be Adidas Sambas, https://www.adidas.com/us/samba. You can read up on them to determine if you think they'll provide enough support. It looks like something between a converse and a new balance. You can consider other Adidas shoes too: The 11 Best adidas Walking Shoes for 2022 The Stan Smiths https://www.adidas.com/us/stan-smith-shoes/Q47226.html?pr=product_rr&slot=2&rec=mt and Superstars https://www.adidas.com/us/search?q=mens superstar shoes&pr=product_rr&rec=mt&slot=2 also have a minimalist vibe.

Maybe Tretorns Men's Sneakers | Nylite & Rawlins Sneakers have a similar vibe?

I've getting nothing but rave reviews about Allbirds from my friends. Allbirds Men's Shoes | Shop Sustainable Footwear for Men Comfortable, minimalist style.

You might also consider Atoms, which are more fashion-forward but minimalist. https://atoms.com/products/000-white?gender=m&size=m%209%20%2F%20w%2010.5

Best of luck.

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thepassenger

Discussion Starter · #11 · 24 d ago

blue suede shoes said:
If you need walking shoes with support, try the Alden All Weather Walker

Alden All Weather Walkers

The famous Alden all-weather walkers. The exceptional insulating quality of genuine plantation crepe makes it an ideal outsole for winter dress, with reinforced leather tip for long wear. Styles: #947 The Original All Weather Walker in Brown Alpine Grain Calfskin#949 The Original All Weather...

www.theandovershop.com

Good shoes, but not ones I'd wear with shorts.

thepassenger

Discussion Starter · #12 · 24 d ago

Vecchio Vespa said:
All of my footwear other than my running shoes is fine for walking, with Rancourt Camp Mocs, sized wide, topping the list. Once they were broken in, I found Alden LHS and tassels, both shell, very good for walking, too. I'd put miles on them downtown at lunch.

In the past I would have been able to walk in camp mocs, but my feet aren't having it anymore.

thepassenger

Discussion Starter · #13 · 24 d ago

Theoden said:
If you're really going to put lots and lots of miles on them, it's kind of tough. The more suited to long distance walking and providing cushioning and support, the less "aesthetic" or sleek the shoe.

You can nix canvas sneakers.

Aim for something like a tennis shoe or soccer shoe. A compromise shoe.

Something with a cool vibe would be Adidas Sambas, https://www.adidas.com/us/samba. You can read up on them to determine if you think they'll provide enough support. It looks like something between a converse and a new balance. You can consider other Adidas shoes too: The 11 Best adidas Walking Shoes for 2022 The Stan Smiths https://www.adidas.com/us/stan-smith-shoes/Q47226.html?pr=product_rr&slot=2&rec=mt and Superstars https://www.adidas.com/us/search?q=mens superstar shoes&pr=product_rr&rec=mt&slot=2 also have a minimalist vibe.

Maybe Tretorns Men's Sneakers | Nylite & Rawlins Sneakers have a similar vibe?

I've getting nothing but rave reviews about Allbirds from my friends. Allbirds Men's Shoes | Shop Sustainable Footwear for Men Comfortable, minimalist style.

You might also consider Atoms, which are more fashion-forward but minimalist. https://atoms.com/products/000-white?gender=m&size=m%209%20%2F%20w%2010.5

Best of luck.

I appreciate your suggestions. I already have Sambas, Stan Smiths, and a pair of Allbirds. (I did say I've tried almost everything.) The adidas are stylish but don't work for extended periods of walking. The Allbirds are reasonably comfortable, but the wool uppers get warm quickly so they aren't going to work for warm days. The perforated version (and the Atoms), I just can't get behind that look.

oxford cloth button down

· #14 · 23 d ago

Vecchio Vespa said:
All of my footwear other than my running shoes is fine for walking, with Rancourt Camp Mocs, sized wide, topping the list. Once they were broken in, I found Alden LHS and tassels, both shell, very good for walking, too. I'd put miles on them downtown at lunch.

I love my camp mocs but anything over 1 or 2 miles would get uncomfortable. Let alone the 3-5 I would typically do on a city walk. If you can do 3-5 in the above you are a better man than me. Which brings me to a question for the OP. How many miles are we talking here?

Theoden

· #15 · 23 d ago

thepassenger said:
I appreciate your suggestions. I already have Sambas, Stan Smiths, and a pair of Allbirds. (I did say I've tried almost everything.) The adidas are stylish but don't work for extended periods of walking. The Allbirds are reasonably comfortable, but the wool uppers get warm quickly so they aren't going to work for warm days. The perforated version (and the Atoms), I just can't get behind that look.

I'd say go for the tree piper mesh Allbirds. But you don't like the look. Dunno - I'd try them. I personlly don't like the tree-runners, they look to much like a New Balance shoe.

What are you aiming for? Look at the Alden All Weather Walkers. Hardly sleek, but not running shoe in it's aesthetic. Maybe too warm.

What do you mean by extended walking? One hour, two hours, half-day? I'm nearing your age and when I'm walking for over an hour non-stop at a good clip, I'm either wearing trail shoes (Merrell) or perhaps some Ecco bluchers (for church). But Ecco bluchers are not sleek or stylish, they are kind of country squire look, and not super great in the summer. I've seen Ecco penny loafers with more of a sneaker sole, but my suspiscion is that it's not going to be any more supportive than Adidas or suitable for long periods of walking. I can spend a whole day in camp mocs, but it would be start and stop, window shopping, and not walking 5 miles or more in one straight clip.

Sleek and supportive are probably not going to mesh (pardon the pun) here for you.

If you're going to walk, buckle down and stick with a good walking shoe.

If you're going to try and be sleek, wear camp mocs, or penny loafers or Sambas, but don't expect to do miles in them.

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thepassenger

Discussion Starter · #16 · 23 d ago

oxford cloth button down said:
I love my camp mocs but anything over 1 or 2 miles would get uncomfortable. Let alone the 3-5 I would typically do on a city walk. If you can do 3-5 in the above you are a better man than me. Which brings me to a question for the OP. How many miles are we talking here?

I don't know how many miles of walking per day, but it's several days in a city where I know I'm going to be on my feet for the bulk of each day, even if I'm not walking x number of miles all at once. The last time I did this in warmer weather, I had camp mocs and two pairs of retro-style sneakers (flat sole profile, no heel drop). All of them gave me problems eventually.

I think I'm going to try getting some insoles and putting them in the shoes I already have.

Theoden

· #17 · 23 d ago

thepassenger said:
I don't know how many miles of walking per day, but it's several days in a city where I know I'm going to be on my feet for the bulk of each day, even if I'm not walking x number of miles all at once. The last time I did this in warmer weather, I had camp mocs and two pairs of retro-style sneakers (flat sole profile, no heel drop). All of them gave me problems eventually.

I think I'm going to try getting some insoles and putting them in the shoes I already have.

My podiatrist recommended Superfeet insoles for OTR. I imagine those or Dr. Scholl's can help.

I had a pair custom made to wear in my high impact, long-walk hiking shoes to give my knees some support (I'm flat footed). He also said I can have thinner, sleeker ones made up for dress shoes, perhaps boat shoes.

Best of luck to you.

thepassenger

Discussion Starter · #18 · 23 d ago

Theoden said:
My podiatrist recommended Superfeet insoles for OTR. I imagine those or Dr. Scholl's can help.

I had a pair custom made to wear in my high impact, long-walk hiking shoes to give my knees some support (I'm flat footed). He also said I can have thinner, sleeker ones made up for dress shoes, perhaps boat shoes.

Best of luck to you.

Another good recommendation that I appreciate. Based on conversations outside of this forum and additional research, Superfeet is what I'm going to try.

Sese

· #19 · 22 d ago (Edited)

I love to wear old style hand made "Hungarian" brogue shoes. Have several pairs of Dinkelackers myself:

www.heinrich-dinkelacker.com

Janosh K Full-Brogue FC - Black

Opulent decoration meets premium Swiss calf and a robust rubber lug sole, presenting the handcrafted, double-stitched full-brogue Derby shoe for men.

www.heinrich-dinkelacker.com

www.heinrich-dinkelacker.com

The key point for me is the rubber sole that will work on wet floors and which is good for very long walks. I typically walk very long distances outside on airport aprons (not inside terminals) and this will kill any leather sole fast.
I tested their comfort at hot places between Singapore and Brasil. They can even be worn with a suit* (however brogue is not perfect for truly formal evening events) but compared to the sneakers crowd (not criticising them) you will always look very elegant. They last for almost forever and can be repaired. Look for the sales periods for lower prices.

If you travel to Vienna or Budapest you have an even bigger selection of similar styles in old school quality.

*mine are fully black inclusive upper sole and stitching

sissonads

· #20 · 12 d ago

I depend on Fisherman Sandals in black from Mephisto. In black. During the day airy and cool, at night add black socks for a dressier look. For wider feet, consider fisherman sandals from Ecco.

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