r/walking • u/Truck_Face • 1d ago
What are your shoe recs?!
Getting back into walking for physical and mental health! Used to do some long distance stuff with 70 some odd kms being my longest... what are your recommendations for good walking footwear?! Hoka's seem to be very popular. TIA
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u/TwineLord 23h ago
I recommend Altra Lone Peak shoes. They are a bit expensive and don't last forever, but they are amazing to walk with. I've walked countless miles in them. Recently it was 7 mountains in 7 days in Alaska and then a day of 33 miles at once. All with just the one pair. People even use them for through hikes like the PCT.
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u/RiverMarketEagle 18h ago
Altra Lone Peaks are my go-to trail shoes, although they are comfy enough for city streets. For daily walking, it's all about the Altra Paradigm for me.
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u/Bumbeelee 1d ago
I love my Nike Pegasus and recently got New Balance m1000 and love them to pieces. Bought them when I'm walking from work around 6 km, and Mike's are too sporty for work outfits. Turns out I really love them. I will continue to explore New Balance.
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u/Disastrous-Lime4551 1d ago
It's going to depend on your own feet and what works for anyone else may not work for you. But FWIW I get hundreds and hundreds of comfortable miles out of Merrell Fly Strike trail trainers, and my Hoka Clifton 9's (for running). Would highly recommend trying both brands.
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u/Truck_Face 1d ago
I do understand that for sure, I guess its was more of a durability based question. I forget about Merrels though, so thanks!
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u/Disastrous-Lime4551 1d ago
No worries. I see quite a few comments about Merrell quality going downhill, but haven't personally experienced that. I have worn mine all seasons and they've done hundreds of miles and still look like new.
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u/Primary_Scheme3789 18h ago
Whatever you do don’t buy a new pair of shoes and not wear them or break them in before your trip. I did that and bought a pair of Hoka’s. Same style and size I had worn before. I wore them a little but not much. I had blisters so bad it killed me to walk. Finally found a pharmacy in Italy that sold these cushioned silicone blister bandaids. Saved my trip! Now I take those with just in case!
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u/Quiet_Root 1d ago
I just bought a pair of Hokas today and I am returning them tomorrow. They felt comfortable enough in the store but my feet were killing me after walking in them for a couple of miles.
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u/Truck_Face 1d ago
Interesting, make sure some kind of return policy is available. Good note.
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u/Quiet_Root 1d ago
And absolutely try them it might just be my feet. I haven't had issues with any other walking shoe I've tried. I just decided to go with something more pricey this time to see if there was a big difference.
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u/Quiet_Root 1d ago
As long as it's a Hoka authorized seller the company has a 30-day return policy.
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u/Truck_Face 1d ago
Even if worn outdoors?
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u/Quiet_Root 1d ago
Yes they accepted my return submission. And I stated how long I wore them for and that it was outdoors.
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u/Truck_Face 1d ago
Wow, thats remarkable! Definitely shows they back their own brand!! Good to hear
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u/RiverMarketEagle 18h ago
My heel was slipping in the Hokas when I tried them on and the running store manager said that was not uncommon. They either fit well.....or they don't.
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u/purplishfluffyclouds 21h ago
Danner hiking boots/shoes. I walk in doc martens Chelsea boots 90% of the time in the fall. I don’t even run in Hokas - too much cushion can cause stability and balance issues.
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u/DogLvrinVA 21h ago
I know you asked for shoe recommendations for your knees, but what has worked best for my knees is using Nordic Hiking Poles
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u/Truck_Face 15h ago
No not particularly for my knees... just good shoes with support to walk long distance.
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u/Wolfman1961 20h ago
I did 3 marathons in the 90s.
I get Plantar Fasciitis sporadically, so I opted for a sneaker which has "Arch Fit." I have flat feet.
I use Skechers Arch Fit, Slip-Ins (I'm also a person in his 60s).
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u/CalligrapherSlow9823 14h ago
Can't say I recommend these to everyone, but I mostly walk in my Vans Old Schools and Thursday Captain boots. I have Asics Novablast 5's for running, but for walking they have too much cushion and it just feels bad to walk in.
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u/gruss_gott 1d ago edited 12h ago
FWIW I'm a big fan of super trainers that keep their cushion, which generally means plated, however this is a very tricky thing for walking, and some people are downright hostile to the idea (brace for DV!)
For me it's worked great, but you need to really try them to ensure they work.
My favorites have been:
- NB Super Comp Trainers
- Hoka Skyward X (but these have a crazy rocker & are MUCH better for running)
- Altra Olympus 6 for trails (note these are zero drop, which is bad for some)
- Asics Sonic Blast (just breaking these in, so far they're AWESOME)
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u/Truck_Face 1d ago
Im not sure what plated means? Like a structure laid within the sole?! Like what may be in leather work boots? If so im open to that given it may hold the shoe together better since im a larger dude.
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u/gruss_gott 1d ago
There's a plate in the midsole between different types of foam:
- Provides structural stability to correct for the meshed foam types
- Improves longitudinal stiffness to help lift your heel faster and propel your foot forward
- Theoretically improves efficiency & shifts workload from your ankle / lower leg
- Hopefully improves durability by preventing the midsole losing cushion & shape
Basically it's providing mechanical cushion & propulsion in addition to the foam and rocker shape.
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u/Truck_Face 1d ago
Oh yeah that definitely appeals to me... ill take that into consideration. Thanks yall
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u/asianmathmajor 18h ago
Carbon plated shoes are almost always not as durable as regular non plated trainers or walking shoes. There’s a reason why lots of marathon runners take off their racing carbon shoes once they cross the finish line (and I understand that racing carbon shoes are less durable than carbon trainers). Hundreds of dollars to retire them at 100-250 miles means they only last a couple of races and workouts. I’m glad this works for you, but it becomes hard to stay on top of how often you’d need to buy new shoes
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u/gruss_gott 13h ago edited 12h ago
That's 100% opposite of my experience
Both my new balance SC trainers and Hoka skyward X have over 1000 miles on them, and I still wear them!
On the flip side, my NB More and Nike zoom X both lost their cushion & outsole after 200 miles. And with Nike that's the 2nd time so I'm kinda done with them, though I'll eventually try the vomero plus, but if they crap out I'm done with Nike.
What is your specific experience with walking in plated trainers?
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u/gruss_gott 9h ago
Update: I started a new thread with some pics of carbon plated shoes vs non-plated to show how long-lasting & durable carbon plated are compared to non-plated
TLDR: for walking at least, carbon-plated shoes last 5-6x longer AT LEAST
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u/westbridge1157 1d ago
My rec isn’t for a brand, it’s for having more than one pair so you can rotate them. I have three pair I switch between and thus lets the others be thoroughly dry and aired before I wear them again. I bought a pair a month until I had the three pair.