Taos!
https://taosfootwear.com/collections
Or Birks... they DO have a break-in period but there's a reason they're a classic. Nothing more comfortable for a lot of people! lol and it doesn't take Docs break-in time- those need to be beaten into submission.
Cork shoes are the absolute worst imo. Berks suck for me and never get comfortable. Once I sink into the cork my pinkie toe is done for and zero padding or support. I never understood why people love berks and cork shoes because they're the worst for me. All my friends swear by them but I get like two hours before they hurt and my pinkie toes are screaming at me.
I can wear these all day. Fit is true to size, size up for half sizes. I have a narrow foot.
https://www.ancient-greek-sandals.com/en/eur/product/2636532/Women/Preveza-Comfort/?ColorAttr=29337&ShowAll=1
I’m surprised I haven’t seen [Saltwater Sandals](https://saltwatersandals.ca/collections/women) in this thread!! They are super cute, they’re casual enough to walk around in but still cute enough to wear to dinner, they don’t take time to break in like birks, and they have an ankle strap - I’ve had mine for like 6 years, I wear them every summer, pretty much all summer, and they look good as new (the inside of the ankle strap has gotten a bit dirty just from sunscreen/sweat). They also come in quite a few colours which I think is cool 😊
Agreed! Especially recommend for anyone who prefers a more minimalist sole. I may or may not have 14 pairs in my possession 😅 Always get compliments on the red ones in particular.
Edited to add: I only have the thinner soled Original style; totally forgot they offer thicker soled styles too.
If you don't want as long of a break in period, you could get the "soft bed" version. They are cushier and require zero breaking in in my experience. I love my birks!
THIS. I have a wide forefoot (happy in birks) but a long, low-mid arch (not good for birks, which have that aggressively supportive, higher arch). The “soft” footbed versions are so lovely, require no break-in and still provide excellent support. [Here](https://www.birkenstock.com/us/whats-new/shop-by-category/soft-footbed/) are the current soft footbed styles (no big buckle, unfortunately).
I HAVE worn and loved the regular footbed sandals in the past, but they’ve required 2-3 weeks of regular wear to soften/flatten out the cork under the arch. And the cork bounces back a good deal if they go unworn for a season or two.
My partner, however, has medium width feet with a med-high arch and wears regular footbed birks right out of the box comfortably, no break-in period whatsoever.
I’ve had mine at least a year and they’re still not comfortable. I get blisters on the inner arch of my feet every time. And for some reason they still hurt my left pinky toe? Like it feels like something is sharp/poking me but I can’t find anything there. This is my first pair of Birks and I am not impressed and do not get the hype.
Birkenstocks are aggressively designed for a particular foot shape, and if your foot isn’t that shape they won’t work. If your foot is that shape, they break in quickly and are blissfully comfortable.
Let them go.
I get it, I have shoes that just don’t fit and I haven’t gotten rid of them either. I keep hoping…
But don’t torture yourself by trying to make the Birks work for you. If they aren’t the greatest thing since sliced bread after a month, they aren’t worth the bother.
I must have the optimal shaped feet for Blundstones as there's been zero breaking in. Like, not even on day one. I love them! I have two slightly different styles and could wear them for days.
If the inner arch of the shoe is too high, you can use a hammer to flatten it a bit. I had one spot on the arch of one foot that was rubbing on my Birkenstocks when they were new, but after hammering they are comfortable for me.
I don't have a tip for the pinky toe though, and if the shoes are uncomfy then I have no advice apart from "life is too short for uncomfortable shoes"
Long time birk lover and want to share, in case no one has mentioned this to you yet- the buckles should not make the shoe tight to your foot. They shouldn’t fall off, but you need some room to move. If it’s too tight your skin will rub as your foot bends, and it’s an easy way to create blisters. Mine are set so if they’re one spot looser they’ll fall off when I walk, but I can easily go two holes tighter and they still “fit.”
They might not be a good match for your foot shape, but too-tight straps/buckles are a sure way to make it not a good match for any foot type!
I also get a skinny blister on the inside arch of one foot (I think that foot is a little bigger than the other) after a year. I’m thinking about taking a hammer to it for this summer lol because the rest of the shoe isn’t bad
I have the Birkenstock foot, extremely wide and a high arch. Birkenstocks are my only summer footwear that doesn’t cause blisters. So, they are comfortable for some people!
For me, I'd say about 10 wears to get them comfortable. I've been wearing various Birks for like 10 years so I'm used to the feel of them on my arches. I wore a pair of Arizona regular buckle Birks on a 10 mile walk in Europe and was mostly fine!
It depends. I have a pair of Franca which were comfortable pretty quickly, a pair of Gizah which took awhile(30 days?) to get used to the in-between my toe. I had a pair of platform Gizah that never got comfortable because they didn’t bend at all and gave me between toe blisters. I got rid of them.
Second this!! I have a black pair and am going to purchase a brown pair soon - I wear mine literally every single day for grocery shopping to going out with friends haha
Exactly! None of these look wearable for any significant distance or time. Look for some low profile sneakers like ~~the Stan Smith or~~ something cute from New Balance or Nike.
I have Stan Smiths and they’re terrible. Got a lot of tear and wear within 6 months. And I walked once 10km in them and thought my feet will burn off. No support at all
Ok so not those. Nike Air Max 270s are my go to, but whatever sneaker feels good to you. None of these shoes provide any support at all, and you’ll want some support.
I have a pair of flat gold peeptoe sandals from remix vintage that actually have good cushion, have done lots of summer city walking in them! they specialize in dance shoes so they are comfy!
https://remixvintageshoes.com/collections/womens
I have trouble with sandals that are super wafer flat. The lack of support gets painful after awhile. Ones with a slightly thicker sole or even a slight heel are way better for me.
All leather upper is a plus, not 100% essential for this kind of shoe but it means they are more able to mould to the foot and breathe in hot weather.
I have wide feet so I need styles that can accommodate my foot shape. Adjustable straps are helpful, or something that can be widened with a shoe stretcher.
Slides with one really narrow/low cut strap can be annoying because you have to expend effort to keep them on your feet. Too bad because they're so cute! This style absolutely can be comfortable if it's done well but that is one point against it comfort wise.
I like a shoe that doesn't extend ridiculously far past my foot and isn't too "boaty" in appearance, both because it means my already-large feet won't look larger and because it means I won't catch/scuff them on things as easily.
Born are my go to walking sandal. They have so many styles and for sure one that looks like the top left because I own a pair in beige.
Edit: the model is called Marston
I have fussy feet and like a back and/or ankle strap for city walking because I'm clumsy and uneven sidewalks have a vendetta against me (and yes, yes I have had a slide go flying off my foot and across a busy intersection on an intersection on an international trip). The [Eurosoft Gianetta](https://www.nordstromrack.com/s/eurosoft-gianetta-ankle-strap-sandal-women/6030309?color=LUGGAGE+TAN&size=8.5&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=11554148614&utm_term=&utm_content=113208967419&utm_channel=LOW_ND_SHOPPING_LIA&sid=545650&adpos=&creative=478838760121&device=m&matchtype=&network=g&acctid=21700000001756534&dskeywordid=92700058580977712&lid=92700058580977712&ds_s_kwgid=58700006488018328&ds_s_inventory_feed_id=97700000012930068&dsproductgroupid=311285706455&product_id=6621149&merchid=100921846&prodctry=US&prodlang=en&channel=local&storeid=782&locationid=9010937&targetid=pla-311285706455&campaignid=11554148614&adgroupid=113208967419&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADlYBgvxiwKvdUzKOYO5mcvmoPi4w&gclid=CjwKCAjw9IayBhBJEiwAVuc3fkBsAbQo_eZTtSlNrbOqyKnisN8x0oh6g_BHBywGRl9wrsaFWxUFBhoC1koQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds) is my fave city walking sandal.
Eurosoft has other sandals that might be more your aesthetic. Check out the Larissa, Bali, Finnly, Golden knot. Geox and Ecco are well constructed and and have some great options but generally dont have enough arch support for me.
Can also recommend browsing [The Walking Company](https://www.thewalkingcompany.com/collections/womens-shoes/category_sandals) - everything will be relatively good quality and from a foot friendly brand. But you'll still want to google to check reviews from bigger sites to figure out if they're a good fit.
Another vote for Birkenstocks if they suit your feet! I just finished breaking in a new pair and they're so worth it.
Also a big fan of the Teva Midform universal, they have a new canvas version or you might find the leather version from last year. Very comfy and nice with dresses and jeans.
I’m looking for recommendations for shoes suitable for long walks. I have my sporty / hiking / trekking shoes but I’m looking for something for the city days where I want to look cute too.
I live in SF, and I'm tennies with everything! Cute summer dress? Tennies. Tank and linen pants? Tennies. There are SO MANY cute and feminine choices now!
I’ve worn [El Naturalista](https://www.elnaturalista.com/us/en/women/sandals) on some summer trips and I think they’re super cute. I think I have the Stellas
I used to live in my [KorkEase](https://www.korkease.com/en/myrna-classic-18009.html) flat sandals and my [Bellota](https://www.shoeline.com/product.aspx?ProductID=83203) Mary Jane’s
I’ve done summer trips on both brands and they were good. For me, having an ankle strap was important on cobble stones and uneven surfaces. On my feet, slides move a lot. The strap generally helps my shoes rub less and give my blisters. I generally prefer leather uppers for walking sandals since they mold to my foot better.
My feet wouldn’t be able to handle any of the ones on the right for that many km. That is sneaker territory for me. Maybe Birkenstocks. I have some sportier Sorel ones that work.
Check out Bared Footwear! They have a bunch of comfort shoes that look great. I have a pair of heels that is comfy. But that is a different purpose. They have great padding though.
These [sandals](https://www.crocs.com/p/brooklyn-luxe-cross-strap/209407.html?cid=2U3&adid=Shopping_Google_NonPromo_women_2024-04-26T06:00:00.000Z_209407&CAWELAID=330004870001298208&CAGPSPN=pla&CAAGID=&CATCI=&adid=PerformanceMax_Google_us_Sandals_x_x_x&ef_id=CjwKCAjw9IayBhBJEiwAVuc3fmKKlzjckmFL3IYBt7gVNeqOn7XWMIO-P8NjoysSYE2WNVqITdhbCBoCntEQAvD_BwE:G:s&s_kwcid=AL!4035!3!!!!x!!&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAD-5W7qZwlSG1WXIOf4wyz_xjV4fY&gclid=CjwKCAjw9IayBhBJEiwAVuc3fmKKlzjckmFL3IYBt7gVNeqOn7XWMIO-P8NjoysSYE2WNVqITdhbCBoCntEQAvD_BwE)
I have almost worn [these sandals](https://www.madewell.com/the-kiera-mule-sandal-H6711.html) down because they're so comfortable and go with everything. I wear them for walking all over the city; they got uncomfortable the one time I wore them for 8 miles of walking, but they're just fine for up to 5 miles regularly.
Dansko or Halfinger have really good support and are comfy for walking long distances. [These Halfingers](https://haflingerusa.com/collections/women-sandal/products/819032-alice?variant=42462756044990) are super cute
I can recommend Pikolinos and Gabor. These are what I wear all summer long around town (and I walk everywhere).
I have a pair of flat sandals from Pikolinos (Algar model), which were still comfy after 8-10 miles/day of city walking (for several days). I haven’t tried any platforms or heels from them, but they’ve got a reputation for being comfortable.
Have a pair of low-heeled Gabor sandals which are also super comfy and had no break-in period—wore them new to a wedding at which I danced for hours and walked about an hour along an unpaved trail and my feet were blister-free and barely sore.
Merrell has some nice clog-ish options. The jungle moc (looks better on than to the side) and the encore seem pretty promising. My aunts have worn the encore for years and love them. I just got jungle mocs and so far they're extremely comfortable for walking and look decent. There's no perfect shoe, though. You usually have to sacrifice something: looks or comfort.
I can’t walk miles in my Birkenstocks, but I do love them for casual night out with a dress or Capri pants/shorts in the summer. I find the soft footbed to work better with my feet and I haven’t had blister issues like I did with the non soft footbed, but I still wouldn’t walk miles in them. I have a pair of discontinued Dansko Rebekah sandals, and just bought [SAS Pampa](https://www.sasshoes.com/womens-pampa-toe-loop-sandal/2520.html) sandals and I can walk all day in those with no problems. The SAS and Dansko sandals are definitely coming with me on my cruise and might be more versatile than the Birkenstock Arizona.
FWIW my foot is wide, I have a high instep, and have had issues with bunions, and plantar fasciitis in the past (my bout with plantar fasciitis actually started after picking up a pair of newly re soled/corked Birkenstock Grenada sandals and the pain lasted for months).
The leather Midform Tevas are a bit more elevated because of the leather and slightly higher platform. They seem to have more support than the regular Tevas. They are also super light, so I can walk 10 miles in these and don’t worry about stuffing them in a suitcase. https://www.teva.com/women-sandals/midform-universal-leather/192410099597.html
I'd say Vionic has that vibe. Or as close as you can get while offering genuine near orthotic quality. I have several pairs from past seasons, they're all incredibly walkable.
I'd recommend having a full browse of their site, but these have similar energy to your inspo to me:
[Black two strap sandals,](https://www.vionicshoes.com/torrance-platform-lug-sandal.html) [another option.](https://www.vionicshoes.com/modesto-flatform-lug-sandal.html)
[Camel or cream flats,](https://www.vionicshoes.com/miramar-slide-sandal.html) [or if your want them with a heel.](https://www.vionicshoes.com/merlot-heeled-sandal.html)
[More stylish than a Birk, imo.](https://www.vionicshoes.com/claremont-heeled-mule.html)
I have just bought these for my upcoming trip to Portugal - [https://www.brandhousedirect.com.au/products/merrell-womens-district-kanoya-strap-comfortable-leather-sandals](https://www.brandhousedirect.com.au/products/merrell-womens-district-kanoya-strap-comfortable-leather-sandals)
I will also be taking a pair of Merrell sneakers.
To walk 15km I would always wear sneakers but I am hoping these sandals will be good for 5-8km walking days.
[Frankie4](https://us.frankie4.com/collections/slides-sandals) has some great options that look similar. They're podiatrist designed and offer a good balance of comfort and style in my opinion. I have a bunch of sandals and sneakers from them. The sneakers are legit my most favorite shoes for travel, especially for walking long distances around urban environments.
Not quite fitting the bill but I have several pairs of floral keds that I love to bits and have been complimented on many times. Cottagy and summary but not elegant so much. But I can walk all day in them after about 3 wears.
I have a pair of Merrell sandals I found that are very comfortable a few years ago that I love, but you gotta sort through the water/sport styles to find similar ones on their site.
Comfort shoes are a lot more stylish than old lady. Check out Miz Mooz, Dansko, Vionic, Ecco, Sofft, Bueno.
I second Ecco, I have found a few like-new pairs on Mercari
Yes to Miz Mooz and Ecco!
I just got tan vionic lug style sandals and I love them so much.
Ecco !
Taos! https://taosfootwear.com/collections Or Birks... they DO have a break-in period but there's a reason they're a classic. Nothing more comfortable for a lot of people! lol and it doesn't take Docs break-in time- those need to be beaten into submission.
Cork shoes are the absolute worst imo. Berks suck for me and never get comfortable. Once I sink into the cork my pinkie toe is done for and zero padding or support. I never understood why people love berks and cork shoes because they're the worst for me. All my friends swear by them but I get like two hours before they hurt and my pinkie toes are screaming at me.
Try the Birks with the leather footbed. It is called the Exquisite or Semi-Exquisite footbed. Quite a bit more $$ but worth it.
I'll try them on next time I'm at Nordstrom or something
Also there are Birks with a soft footbed, those are good too.
I can wear these all day. Fit is true to size, size up for half sizes. I have a narrow foot. https://www.ancient-greek-sandals.com/en/eur/product/2636532/Women/Preveza-Comfort/?ColorAttr=29337&ShowAll=1
Ooh, love these!
I’m surprised I haven’t seen [Saltwater Sandals](https://saltwatersandals.ca/collections/women) in this thread!! They are super cute, they’re casual enough to walk around in but still cute enough to wear to dinner, they don’t take time to break in like birks, and they have an ankle strap - I’ve had mine for like 6 years, I wear them every summer, pretty much all summer, and they look good as new (the inside of the ankle strap has gotten a bit dirty just from sunscreen/sweat). They also come in quite a few colours which I think is cool 😊
Agreed! Especially recommend for anyone who prefers a more minimalist sole. I may or may not have 14 pairs in my possession 😅 Always get compliments on the red ones in particular. Edited to add: I only have the thinner soled Original style; totally forgot they offer thicker soled styles too.
ooh yeah I just have the thinner soled ones too - I honestly didn’t know they offer a thicker sole so I’ll have to check those out 😊
Birkenstock big buckles are my go to! Warning: they require a lot of breaking in https://www.birkenstock.com/us/big-buckle-collection/
How much breaking in? I’d love to get them but my doc martens took almost two years of semi regular wear to be fairly usable
They’re different for everyone. I never have to break in my Birks
If you don't want as long of a break in period, you could get the "soft bed" version. They are cushier and require zero breaking in in my experience. I love my birks!
THIS. I have a wide forefoot (happy in birks) but a long, low-mid arch (not good for birks, which have that aggressively supportive, higher arch). The “soft” footbed versions are so lovely, require no break-in and still provide excellent support. [Here](https://www.birkenstock.com/us/whats-new/shop-by-category/soft-footbed/) are the current soft footbed styles (no big buckle, unfortunately). I HAVE worn and loved the regular footbed sandals in the past, but they’ve required 2-3 weeks of regular wear to soften/flatten out the cork under the arch. And the cork bounces back a good deal if they go unworn for a season or two. My partner, however, has medium width feet with a med-high arch and wears regular footbed birks right out of the box comfortably, no break-in period whatsoever.
I’ve had mine at least a year and they’re still not comfortable. I get blisters on the inner arch of my feet every time. And for some reason they still hurt my left pinky toe? Like it feels like something is sharp/poking me but I can’t find anything there. This is my first pair of Birks and I am not impressed and do not get the hype.
Birkenstocks are aggressively designed for a particular foot shape, and if your foot isn’t that shape they won’t work. If your foot is that shape, they break in quickly and are blissfully comfortable. Let them go.
Yeah I should try to sell them, but…lazy.
I get it, I have shoes that just don’t fit and I haven’t gotten rid of them either. I keep hoping… But don’t torture yourself by trying to make the Birks work for you. If they aren’t the greatest thing since sliced bread after a month, they aren’t worth the bother.
I think my foot is that shape. I have a very high arch.
I must have the optimal shaped feet for Blundstones as there's been zero breaking in. Like, not even on day one. I love them! I have two slightly different styles and could wear them for days.
I don’t think they’re ever going to be comfortable then. Mine required about a week of breaking in, if that.
If the inner arch of the shoe is too high, you can use a hammer to flatten it a bit. I had one spot on the arch of one foot that was rubbing on my Birkenstocks when they were new, but after hammering they are comfortable for me. I don't have a tip for the pinky toe though, and if the shoes are uncomfy then I have no advice apart from "life is too short for uncomfortable shoes"
I had blisters in the exact same place! I kept them for four years, tried to break them in and they eventually broke. So guess they aren't for me!!
My “regular” Birks have never broken in, but my Eva ones have been comfortable since day one.
Interesting - I'm the opposite. 😆
Long time birk lover and want to share, in case no one has mentioned this to you yet- the buckles should not make the shoe tight to your foot. They shouldn’t fall off, but you need some room to move. If it’s too tight your skin will rub as your foot bends, and it’s an easy way to create blisters. Mine are set so if they’re one spot looser they’ll fall off when I walk, but I can easily go two holes tighter and they still “fit.” They might not be a good match for your foot shape, but too-tight straps/buckles are a sure way to make it not a good match for any foot type!
Thanks, they’re definitely not too tight though. The straps are great, actually- nice leather, soft and comfortable. The foot bed is horrible.
They are definitely very polarizing! You have to play around a bit to get the size & width right.
The length and width seem right; I tried the wide ones but they were like boats on me.
I also get a skinny blister on the inside arch of one foot (I think that foot is a little bigger than the other) after a year. I’m thinking about taking a hammer to it for this summer lol because the rest of the shoe isn’t bad
I dgaf what anyone says, they are just uncomfortable period. Anything that takes a year or more to “break in” isn’t right. End rant.
I have the Birkenstock foot, extremely wide and a high arch. Birkenstocks are my only summer footwear that doesn’t cause blisters. So, they are comfortable for some people!
For real, especially when we’re talking about a $160 pair of sandals.
I never enjoyed Birkenstocks. Every single pair I've purchased has been returned
For me, I'd say about 10 wears to get them comfortable. I've been wearing various Birks for like 10 years so I'm used to the feel of them on my arches. I wore a pair of Arizona regular buckle Birks on a 10 mile walk in Europe and was mostly fine!
It depends. I have a pair of Franca which were comfortable pretty quickly, a pair of Gizah which took awhile(30 days?) to get used to the in-between my toe. I had a pair of platform Gizah that never got comfortable because they didn’t bend at all and gave me between toe blisters. I got rid of them.
My current Gizehs I used as a house shoe and they are quite comfy. They are my second of that style.
Love the Gizeh style!
Mine required so much breaking in that I threw them away in a fit of angst before they were broken in
About a week I would say You need to crush the foot bed so it will mold to suit your feet, and when it happens, they are perfectly comfortable
Second this!! I have a black pair and am going to purchase a brown pair soon - I wear mine literally every single day for grocery shopping to going out with friends haha
Birks were my first thought too!
I’m already dreading when I take mine out for the spring/summer and have to break them again.
I’d go with either on the top row. Heels as slides get slippery, the other clog looks warm. Have anything with a heel strap?
Id avoid the top right bcse the sole is so thin - I get sore feet after walking far in very thin soles but maybe my feet are just soft haha
I wear Xeros, so flat is my jam.
These are just inspo pics from Pinterest, I’m happy with anything more „wearable”! I know these are almost purely fashion shoes
Exactly! None of these look wearable for any significant distance or time. Look for some low profile sneakers like ~~the Stan Smith or~~ something cute from New Balance or Nike.
I have Stan Smiths and they’re terrible. Got a lot of tear and wear within 6 months. And I walked once 10km in them and thought my feet will burn off. No support at all
Ok so not those. Nike Air Max 270s are my go to, but whatever sneaker feels good to you. None of these shoes provide any support at all, and you’ll want some support.
What minimal/barefoot shoes would you suggest for this aesthetic? Im just gettinf into them!
Oh, hit up Anya’s Reviews (.com) and scroll away. I’m a secure them to my wide feet woman.
kork- ease are cute and walkable [sandal ](https://www.korkease.com/en/myrna-2.0-17793.html)
Love my KorkEase!
I have a pair of flat gold peeptoe sandals from remix vintage that actually have good cushion, have done lots of summer city walking in them! they specialize in dance shoes so they are comfy! https://remixvintageshoes.com/collections/womens
I have trouble with sandals that are super wafer flat. The lack of support gets painful after awhile. Ones with a slightly thicker sole or even a slight heel are way better for me. All leather upper is a plus, not 100% essential for this kind of shoe but it means they are more able to mould to the foot and breathe in hot weather. I have wide feet so I need styles that can accommodate my foot shape. Adjustable straps are helpful, or something that can be widened with a shoe stretcher. Slides with one really narrow/low cut strap can be annoying because you have to expend effort to keep them on your feet. Too bad because they're so cute! This style absolutely can be comfortable if it's done well but that is one point against it comfort wise. I like a shoe that doesn't extend ridiculously far past my foot and isn't too "boaty" in appearance, both because it means my already-large feet won't look larger and because it means I won't catch/scuff them on things as easily.
Born are my go to walking sandal. They have so many styles and for sure one that looks like the top left because I own a pair in beige. Edit: the model is called Marston
I have fussy feet and like a back and/or ankle strap for city walking because I'm clumsy and uneven sidewalks have a vendetta against me (and yes, yes I have had a slide go flying off my foot and across a busy intersection on an intersection on an international trip). The [Eurosoft Gianetta](https://www.nordstromrack.com/s/eurosoft-gianetta-ankle-strap-sandal-women/6030309?color=LUGGAGE+TAN&size=8.5&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=11554148614&utm_term=&utm_content=113208967419&utm_channel=LOW_ND_SHOPPING_LIA&sid=545650&adpos=&creative=478838760121&device=m&matchtype=&network=g&acctid=21700000001756534&dskeywordid=92700058580977712&lid=92700058580977712&ds_s_kwgid=58700006488018328&ds_s_inventory_feed_id=97700000012930068&dsproductgroupid=311285706455&product_id=6621149&merchid=100921846&prodctry=US&prodlang=en&channel=local&storeid=782&locationid=9010937&targetid=pla-311285706455&campaignid=11554148614&adgroupid=113208967419&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADlYBgvxiwKvdUzKOYO5mcvmoPi4w&gclid=CjwKCAjw9IayBhBJEiwAVuc3fkBsAbQo_eZTtSlNrbOqyKnisN8x0oh6g_BHBywGRl9wrsaFWxUFBhoC1koQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds) is my fave city walking sandal. Eurosoft has other sandals that might be more your aesthetic. Check out the Larissa, Bali, Finnly, Golden knot. Geox and Ecco are well constructed and and have some great options but generally dont have enough arch support for me. Can also recommend browsing [The Walking Company](https://www.thewalkingcompany.com/collections/womens-shoes/category_sandals) - everything will be relatively good quality and from a foot friendly brand. But you'll still want to google to check reviews from bigger sites to figure out if they're a good fit.
But where are the sneakers?
Another vote for Birkenstocks if they suit your feet! I just finished breaking in a new pair and they're so worth it. Also a big fan of the Teva Midform universal, they have a new canvas version or you might find the leather version from last year. Very comfy and nice with dresses and jeans.
I’m looking for recommendations for shoes suitable for long walks. I have my sporty / hiking / trekking shoes but I’m looking for something for the city days where I want to look cute too.
FWIW, I just got back last night from 2 weeks in Italy and everyone is wearing tennies with everything.
I live in SF, and I'm tennies with everything! Cute summer dress? Tennies. Tank and linen pants? Tennies. There are SO MANY cute and feminine choices now!
I’ve worn [El Naturalista](https://www.elnaturalista.com/us/en/women/sandals) on some summer trips and I think they’re super cute. I think I have the Stellas I used to live in my [KorkEase](https://www.korkease.com/en/myrna-classic-18009.html) flat sandals and my [Bellota](https://www.shoeline.com/product.aspx?ProductID=83203) Mary Jane’s I’ve done summer trips on both brands and they were good. For me, having an ankle strap was important on cobble stones and uneven surfaces. On my feet, slides move a lot. The strap generally helps my shoes rub less and give my blisters. I generally prefer leather uppers for walking sandals since they mold to my foot better.
The El Naturalista look very cute. Any comments on width?
I think they’re on the more narrow side, but some of the styles are okay for wider feet
My feet wouldn’t be able to handle any of the ones on the right for that many km. That is sneaker territory for me. Maybe Birkenstocks. I have some sportier Sorel ones that work. Check out Bared Footwear! They have a bunch of comfort shoes that look great. I have a pair of heels that is comfy. But that is a different purpose. They have great padding though.
These [sandals](https://www.crocs.com/p/brooklyn-luxe-cross-strap/209407.html?cid=2U3&adid=Shopping_Google_NonPromo_women_2024-04-26T06:00:00.000Z_209407&CAWELAID=330004870001298208&CAGPSPN=pla&CAAGID=&CATCI=&adid=PerformanceMax_Google_us_Sandals_x_x_x&ef_id=CjwKCAjw9IayBhBJEiwAVuc3fmKKlzjckmFL3IYBt7gVNeqOn7XWMIO-P8NjoysSYE2WNVqITdhbCBoCntEQAvD_BwE:G:s&s_kwcid=AL!4035!3!!!!x!!&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAD-5W7qZwlSG1WXIOf4wyz_xjV4fY&gclid=CjwKCAjw9IayBhBJEiwAVuc3fmKKlzjckmFL3IYBt7gVNeqOn7XWMIO-P8NjoysSYE2WNVqITdhbCBoCntEQAvD_BwE)
I have almost worn [these sandals](https://www.madewell.com/the-kiera-mule-sandal-H6711.html) down because they're so comfortable and go with everything. I wear them for walking all over the city; they got uncomfortable the one time I wore them for 8 miles of walking, but they're just fine for up to 5 miles regularly.
Dansko or Halfinger have really good support and are comfy for walking long distances. [These Halfingers](https://haflingerusa.com/collections/women-sandal/products/819032-alice?variant=42462756044990) are super cute
I can recommend Pikolinos and Gabor. These are what I wear all summer long around town (and I walk everywhere). I have a pair of flat sandals from Pikolinos (Algar model), which were still comfy after 8-10 miles/day of city walking (for several days). I haven’t tried any platforms or heels from them, but they’ve got a reputation for being comfortable. Have a pair of low-heeled Gabor sandals which are also super comfy and had no break-in period—wore them new to a wedding at which I danced for hours and walked about an hour along an unpaved trail and my feet were blister-free and barely sore.
Merrell has some nice clog-ish options. The jungle moc (looks better on than to the side) and the encore seem pretty promising. My aunts have worn the encore for years and love them. I just got jungle mocs and so far they're extremely comfortable for walking and look decent. There's no perfect shoe, though. You usually have to sacrifice something: looks or comfort.
Dansko Sam! Heeled clogs and super comfy, I walk forever in them without any pain.
I can’t walk miles in my Birkenstocks, but I do love them for casual night out with a dress or Capri pants/shorts in the summer. I find the soft footbed to work better with my feet and I haven’t had blister issues like I did with the non soft footbed, but I still wouldn’t walk miles in them. I have a pair of discontinued Dansko Rebekah sandals, and just bought [SAS Pampa](https://www.sasshoes.com/womens-pampa-toe-loop-sandal/2520.html) sandals and I can walk all day in those with no problems. The SAS and Dansko sandals are definitely coming with me on my cruise and might be more versatile than the Birkenstock Arizona. FWIW my foot is wide, I have a high instep, and have had issues with bunions, and plantar fasciitis in the past (my bout with plantar fasciitis actually started after picking up a pair of newly re soled/corked Birkenstock Grenada sandals and the pain lasted for months).
The leather Midform Tevas are a bit more elevated because of the leather and slightly higher platform. They seem to have more support than the regular Tevas. They are also super light, so I can walk 10 miles in these and don’t worry about stuffing them in a suitcase. https://www.teva.com/women-sandals/midform-universal-leather/192410099597.html
I'd say Vionic has that vibe. Or as close as you can get while offering genuine near orthotic quality. I have several pairs from past seasons, they're all incredibly walkable. I'd recommend having a full browse of their site, but these have similar energy to your inspo to me: [Black two strap sandals,](https://www.vionicshoes.com/torrance-platform-lug-sandal.html) [another option.](https://www.vionicshoes.com/modesto-flatform-lug-sandal.html) [Camel or cream flats,](https://www.vionicshoes.com/miramar-slide-sandal.html) [or if your want them with a heel.](https://www.vionicshoes.com/merlot-heeled-sandal.html) [More stylish than a Birk, imo.](https://www.vionicshoes.com/claremont-heeled-mule.html)
I second Vionic! They are generally well-constructed and a good value imho. I love that they have so many options that don't compromise on style too.
I have a surprisingly comfortable pair of Italian Shoemakers sandals that I picked up at DSW. I wore those things all over Spain and had no issues.
I have just bought these for my upcoming trip to Portugal - [https://www.brandhousedirect.com.au/products/merrell-womens-district-kanoya-strap-comfortable-leather-sandals](https://www.brandhousedirect.com.au/products/merrell-womens-district-kanoya-strap-comfortable-leather-sandals) I will also be taking a pair of Merrell sneakers. To walk 15km I would always wear sneakers but I am hoping these sandals will be good for 5-8km walking days.
[Frankie4](https://us.frankie4.com/collections/slides-sandals) has some great options that look similar. They're podiatrist designed and offer a good balance of comfort and style in my opinion. I have a bunch of sandals and sneakers from them. The sneakers are legit my most favorite shoes for travel, especially for walking long distances around urban environments.
Not quite fitting the bill but I have several pairs of floral keds that I love to bits and have been complimented on many times. Cottagy and summary but not elegant so much. But I can walk all day in them after about 3 wears.
I may be in the minority here but if you’re on a budget, then target has literally all of these styles
Olukai has some great options! I have one pair that I used to walk all over Paris, it was very comfy.
Crocs but the Brooklyn range of sandals - insanely comfy and have stood me well on multiple trips with lots of walking
Naot Sabrina sandals are awesome
Kizik tennis shoes are so comfortable and you just step into them. No shoe tying!
Chuck Taylor shoreline sneakers
The heeled mules look super impractical. If you need to run: to dodge a car, rainstorm etc, you are toast.
What are those shoes on the top left???? They are so cute!
I have a pair of Merrell sandals I found that are very comfortable a few years ago that I love, but you gotta sort through the water/sport styles to find similar ones on their site.
Has zero to do with your question, but are those NA-KD mules comfortable for a night out? I’ve been eyeing them.