Comfy Shoes for Long Walk to Work..

Personally, I swear by Teva sandals, however I'm not living in a cold climate. On a side note, it's great that you are making the opportunity to walk! It's so good for the mind and body. Good luck finding a shoe which works.

I personally wear Sketchers sneakers often, and used to have a commute where I walked on average a mile or close to it, to catch a train. In snow, I have Totes boots, in which I put another insole, to keep my feet dry and warm.

I'd go to a good running shoe store, not a mall outlet that employs non-athletes. If you don't know of one, ask the high school track coach or athletic director if they have an arrangement with a local store - many give a 10% discount to student runners, and that indicates a dedication to serous running. Then go to the store and tell them exactly what you are looking for - that you aren't a runner but you want to do serious walking. They will either take you out on the sidewalk or put you on a treadmill, and watch you walk. They'll look at your stride, whether your pronate, etc. They will help you choose a shoe for your foot. (They will not just deal in running shoes - they will have cross trainers and footwear for tennis and basketball players, but they will have some knowledge and not just be selling you what they have the largest profit margin on. That's what the chains do, with untrained staff.)

If you will also use the shoes for other things - aerobics class, zumba, whatever, share that info. The store should also provide you with a free evaluation of your used shoes - you can go back in any time and have them check the cushioning and flexibility of the shoe, giving you an honest assessment of how much life they have left in them. They may also have a used shoe program where they take your old shoes and give them to really poor folks in other countries who have nothing to wear. That's a pretty well-connected store.

Naot!!! Expensive but last for years and years and years. So comfortable.

Sketchers Go line. They are comfortable and fairly sturdy. May not be the best for rainy or snowy weather but are nice walking shoes.

I actually also enjoy my Sketchers sneakers great for all weather use.

Clarks walking shoe. It is better than any sneaker.

since you are in Illinois you may need more than sneakers. I love my Haflinger clogs. Cork bottoms with rubber and boiled wool tops (water resistant). The fabulous thing about these clogs, besides their incredible comfort, is that they are warm even when wet, and dry out quickly if they do get wet. Leather or other materials, once wet, are NOT warm and especially leather will take a long time to dry.
For long walks in heavy snow (I am in a Boston suburb) I wear my Bogs boots that are fully waterproof and insulated. While they look like rubber boots, they have comfortable insoles and lots of toe room, and I wear my pants inside the tops so no amount of muck is too much.

As Diane B recommended, go to a specialty running store. They will also have walking shoes and can evaluate your stride, your alignment, etc. I got fitted for my running shoes (I mostly walk and jog in them) a couple of years ago and it was well worth the trip. I needed to go half a size up and get a shoe with a totally different level of support. Once I did, my foot problems disappeared.

FWIW, I used to wear Asics but their replacement for their most supportive shoe (I over-pronate and am heavy) was poorly reviewed so my most recent pair are New Balance. Both are excellent, but your needs may mean that a different brand is better for you.

Ditto Kimberly F. I just bought a pair of Go Walk from Sketchers. We have an outlet store by our house. They are *awesome*! They are like walking on balloons. I have joint pain in my feet and a bad knee so I have been shopping around. I don't like paying a lot and paid $50 on sale for them but won't go back to cheap walking shoes ever again. Good luck.

I recommend either New Balance or Saucony sneakers. If you want shoes. You can also get Totes boots. I have 2 pair of Saucony sneakers that are over 15 yrs old and are still comfortable with great support. I also have a pair of basic Totes boots with a pile lining so they are really warm for winter. They are about 10 yrs old. They are my stand by boots for snow blowing and wearing when it's super cold or icy.
I do have 4 pair of dress boots, no warm lining and high heels. They look great but I don't wear them when it's icy, too easy to slip and fall.
Since you are changing shoes once you get to work I would be more concerned with arch support and comfort than looks.

I have Skechers but not from the GO line. Shoe Carnival didn't have my size. Anyway, they have memory foam and are very comfortable. I have foot problems from a car accident last year and these really help. I am actually able to walk more now than I did a few months ago with regular walking shoes.

I walk everywhere. I wear Lands End All-Weather Mocs. I've even done marathons and obstacle course runs in them. They suit my feet better than any athletic shoe.

at my last waitress job (hopefully my last one ever!) i splurged on a pair of DSW shoes. they were pricey but insanely comfortable and durable. for long stints on the dogs, i highly recommend 'em.
running shoes are entirely different. i wouldn't look for sports shoes to do a commuter walk daily.
khairete
S.

I love new balance and dansko's. In fact, I go on long walks in one of my pairs of dansko clogs. They are way more comfortable than sneakers.

Go Walk! By Sketchers.
Clarks.
Merrells

I just bought a pair of Hoka today. I was at running store, need a good stable shoe for walking, etc

I'd heard these were great shoes and before they sold them to me, they analyzed my walk, had me try 3 other types if shoes first.

Tomorrow will be day one wearing them. I have a 30 day warranty as well

Check them out at better specialty running/foot stores

Good luck

I have gotten a pair of Salomon shoes recently - they're kinda a cross between a trail shoe & an athletic shoe. Great support, rugged tread, I love them! I've been walking about 3mi/day (park & walk to campus & then back after classes), & they have held up well for the past 3 months. They are on the pricier side, but so far, worth it! T.