Best sneakers for walking long distances

Well, what works for me may not work for you. I wear Altra zero-drop athletic shoes. I generally get the Lone Peak model if there is a color that is not too jarring to me. I've walked as much as 8-10 miles in these and they are perfect for my feet. You may not want the zero-drop minimalist platform. IF you decide to try them out you need to work your way into them well before your vacation.

I also recommend exploring MELT Method balls - I have the hand and foot kit. These are soft and hard balls, 2 different sizes that you roll or press into your feet in a specific sequence. The developer, Sue Hitzman, says they rehydrate the fascia of the feet. I bring them with me every trip and do use them at night after a long day of walking even if my feet aren't stiff.

You may receive as many replies as there are brands of footwear. Read the replies and pay attention to the reason why a poster prefers a brand and match your priorities. I need a narrow heel, adequate toe box, laces, good support, and grip on wet surfaces. I prefer a shoe that does not scream that I just ran a race or came from the gym. I want to walk/stand all day then dine at a nice restaurant without looking too touristy. My Munro Traveler is my only pair without laces that I am certain will not come off my feet if I trip/fall. My Ecco and Vionic sneakers have taken me on many long miles/hours of standing and walking on uneven surfaces and hard museum floors and stairs. To make them less sporty/casual I swap out the white laces for a color that matches the sneaker. Make your purchase well in advance to allow yourself time to break in the new shoes.

I agree with you on the Allbirds and I’m glad I walked in mine first instead of just taking them with me. I like my Brooks Ghost which I walk in a lot at home. I’m more concerned about comfort for long distances on my feet than looking touristy in Athletic shoes. You might go into some place like REI and try several types of walking shoes to find what best fits your feet.

Every foot is different, so try on ass many as you can. For me, Saucony and OnCloud are both great for many miles of walking. I have worn Saucony for half and full marathons (walking) and they always serve me well. The OnClouds have gone on various trips with me and they are very comfy as well. I like the OC's as they are water resistant vs the Saucony's that I have.

I agree that you are going to get many many suggestions and every one of them will be different from each poster.
The shoes you have mentioned aren’t really known for being extra supportive, at least from what I have read. For long walking trips I take Brooks Ghost model # whichever one is most current, I think they just came out with #16. I always buy the black one with white sole. These shoes accommodate orthotics well, have a roomy enough toe box and can take the 20,000 + steps a day that tours throw at you.
Happy hunting!

I walk 10 miles a day and wear New Balance shoes. They have shoes specifically designed for walking, not running. They have several versions of their walking shoes at a variety of price points. They are so comfortable that even when I complete my 10 miles I sometimes keep them on.

I have worn running shoes made by Asics and Mizuno. Both are great. Now, it's hard for me to go back to other shoes.

I have wide feet and wear Rykas for daily 2-3 mile walks on a mix of concrete and dirt paths. For a comfortable pair of hiking shoes I love Nortive 8 light weight hiking shoes available on Amazon. I sized up to 7 from 6.5. I found them comfortable for both urban and trail hikes since they have extra padding in the inside as well as lug soles. I've worn them on 5-7 mile hikes without foot pain.

Another vote for checking out OnCloud, which are even considered stylish right now! I am also an Allbirds fan so maybe our tastes align. I have terrible old buniony feet, a huge walker wherever I am and average 15,000 daily steps, often more.
The sizing is consistent in OnCloud and the toe box wide enough for my needs. I use the bouncier thicker sole version for running and their "everyday" styles otherwise.

Look at Trail Runners. They are a cross between a running shoe and a hiking shoe and they work really well on wet pavement and cobblestones.

I currently wear On trail runners. I liked this pair of On Cloudventure trail runners so much that I bought a second pair.

https://www.on.com/en-us/products/cloudventure-32/womens/black-cobble-shoes-32.99257

Regardless, you need to try shoes on. Do you have an REI near you? I bought some AllBirds over the internet during the pandemic and found them so incredibly uncomfortable that I gave them to Goodwill. I know some people love them, but they didn’t work for me. I won’t buy shoes I haven’t tried on anymore.

"I won’t buy shoes I haven’t tried on anymore."

I SO understand this, which is why I'm a devoted Zappos fan. I can get free shipping and free returns with them. I've not found a local place who stocks shoes in Size 11 (-->mentally insert eye roll emoji here!). Men's shoe lasts are too wide in the heel if they fit in the forefoot. If I'm ordering a new brand I order 2 sizes at the same time so I can compare as you would in a brick and mortar store.

I am currently on a trip in Spain walking 8-10 miles a day. I have been wearing Brooks and am not having any issues.
Last year in London I was wearing Nikes also walking 8-10 miles and developed plantar fasciitis.

Hi Maggie…I just want to comment on the Vessi sneakers. I bought some for an Ireland trip last fall…I wanted them to serve a dual purpose of walking long days with possible wet weather. They felt wonderful trying them on, and were super supportive on our trip…but…I wish I had worn them longer at home. The upper heel area is very high, really rubbed on the back of my ankle (waaay up there!) and I had to use multiple layers of bandaids to get through the day. Not sure if all Vessi shoes are similar or maybe just that particular style. And I don’t ever have issues with shoes….just a reminder to really test things out at home.
On the other hand, my Allbirds ballet flats got me through some very long days in Dublin and are coming with me to Italy next month. Go figure!

Hokas! They have so many styles but I'm on my fourth pair of Hoka Kawanna. Good luck!

Also an Allbirds fan, but they just don't last, which is an issue I am finding with "sustainable" shoes and socks. The soles of the wool and tree runners are also pretty bad on slick surfaces, although the trail runners are an exception (and seem to last better, both for the uppers and the soles). I bring wool runners just for lower mileage days, shorter walks to dinner, etc. I also usually bring my Remonte Liv hightops - they are a leather sneaker, water-resistant, and look a little dressier than trail shoes. Great tread for cobbles too. I now have a pair of Merrell Morphlite sneakers to add to the mix, which are surprisingly comfy - Merrell's don't normally fit me well, but these are nice and cushy. Not a big tread, but should be OK for cobbles, I think. Also have a pair of Saucony Peregrines, a trail shoe which I am really liking for hikes but probably would not pack for city walking.

As Pam said upthread..."what works for me may not work for you." So I won't make any assumptions.

New Balance is what I wear and have been delighted with. They were recommended by my podiatrist after he diagnosed me with various foot problems. He suggested I wear nothing but New Balance, so I have several pairs.
My podiatrist only wears New Balance so that tells you how much he believes in them.

They have been great for pounding the pavement walking around London and the English countryside and standing for long periods of time in museums. My feet never hurt and are never tired.
So I do suggest you try a pair of New Balance.

I have found that my Dansko Paisley shoes (lace up) are more comfortable on museum days than sneakers. I think the firmer sole provides more support on the concrete or marble floors. I wore them all around Rome on our RS Rome Tour last year and my feet and legs held up well.

Thanks for all the suggestions! I don’t know why I forgot about brooks…have had good luck with those in the past. Will definitely look into the OnClouds too. The melt method balls sound like they would absolutely help.

I’m so curious about the Vessi’s…seems like they would be great for wet days, but I wish I could have tried them on before spending the money! It’s free returns, but that’s still a pain. They’ll be here in a week…I’ll let you all know what I think & if I keep them.

I have a heel spur and have had surgery on my toe joint (where a bunion would be)...so shoes really matter for me. I bought two pairs of Hoka Bondi 8s after doing a lot of research. So far they are good for me.

I recommend going to a running shoe store for a fitting. They will analyze your gait and recommend the best shoes for your feet. I've been doing this the past couple years and it's made all the difference.

Skechers Arch Fit Citi Drive sneakers have seen me through 2 years of intense walking . Last year 6 to 14 miles a day in Italy. No break in needed! At least not for me. They not the most long lasting but the arch fit support is great and it has good shock absorption which really protected my back and an ankle that can b cranky. I have a narrow foot and was surprised how well they fit. Never a blister. Also they are leather (more or less) which is helpful on rainy days. I spray waterproofing on new leather walking shoes before I wear them also. Keeps feet dry in rain and they stay cleaner. Might want to give them a look.

Look at the Keen brand of shoes.

Not cheap but cured me of plantar fasciitis so I swear by the brand. See if either the Explore or the waterproof Terradora ll are of any interest.