Good women’s walking shoe recommendation

OP, typo in your title but suspected shoe instead of show.

Look at the Keen brand of shoes. I’m a walker/hiker.
I have 8 pairs: lace up, slides, boots, sandals. My Keens have been to Havana, Lake Tahoe, Mt Shasta, Yosemite, London, Paris, Rome, Florence, Venice, Lake Como, and San Francisco.

Costly, sturdy, durable and comfortable.

Claudia, eek - thanks!

I edited the title…

Wow, your Keens have taken you all over the world! Sounds great - I’m going to check them out!

Thanks again!

Yes, my Keens suit me. FYI I spent 30 years as a film and tv Location Manager. 16 hour days on set.

Keens made those hours bearable.

When I’m in London I’ll wander 2-6 miles a day. Firm believer you discover the best spots by walking about.

I love my Dansko Paisley shoes. They are great on cobblestones, comfortable if standing in a museum, keep my feet warm and dry, and could probably do some light hiking although I almost have my hiking boots for that. I actually prefer them to sneakers for anything in Europe.

Claudia, maybe I’m just messing up on terminology - but the walking shower on Keen’s site look like sneakers - even the bottoms. Stupid question - is this typical?

And, they’re numbered - is there a difference?

I really want to be doing so much more than I do at home - exploring areas in some depth.

Thanks!

There's a whole section on this topic. Lots of different ideas.
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/best-travel-shoes

Never bought any sneaker via the Keen website.

The Keens I own and wear are the Targhee Presido, the Targhee slide, lime green and light blue Uneek sandals and a pair of blue Newports.

Liz, thank you! I’ll do a deep dive on that !

Shoes are a highly individual thing. The width of your foot, the height of your arch--it all matters a lot.

For the UK I'd be getting something waterproof, because I don't like walking around in shoes that squish. However, the trade-off is that your feet may get sweaty since the shoes may not breathe very well. That simply doesn't bother me much at all. YMMV.

Because I'm on my feet a lot, averaging about 800 miles over the course of a 4-1/2 month trip (not to mention all the standing on hard museum floors), I really appreciate a cushioned sole. Serious hiking shoes tend to have stiff soles; fortunately, I don't need that kind of footwear for my trips.

If you're going to be walking on unpaved surfaces very much, you may need shoes with sturdy outers--leather or something similar. Lightweight shoes will likely have some fabric components, and they may not stand up well under frequent contact with brush, etc.

Claudia, thanks! They were listed under hiking shoes-boots

Looking at now!

Acraven, that’s a great point! I’ll have to find which ones suit me best among all these great choices

I think waterproof is far more important for me than sweaty feet. I can get good socks to try and account for that…

I definitely don’t beee serous hiking shoes…and I agree that a sturdier outer will be best, not lightweight fabric

Doing a deep dive now…

Thank you!!!

I like Taos sneakers for walking. They’re low-key looking and have great arch support. A good alternative to full on athletic sneakers. Not waterproof but they have canvas or leather option. I find the leather ones hold up well in the winter, with getting a little wet, but probably wouldn’t keep your feet dry in a downpour. I can stand/walk all day in them and be comfortable.

I also love Dansko shoes, as recommended above. I don’t have any of their casual shoes, but I have the clogs and some dressier ones. They’re always good to my feet!

Barbara, thanks - I’ll look into!

Someone on another board actually suggested that he’s had best luck using his ordinary sneakers

I DO have a pair up lace up Sketchers that I don’t wear that often because I prefer slip ons…but they are very comfy, and got me through long days at Walt Disney World, lol. I did have to wear two socks on each foot to prevent blisters, but that’s not on the shoes - that’s just par for the course at WDW, lol

So I wonder if I should supplement these with Sketchers Go Walk 7 or some other version - since I know I love the brand

Or even go with a bit of a boot - which would come in handy in iffy UK weather

Someone had suggested Chelsea boots. I read a blurb on a Doc Martens - they sound great, but apparently take a very long time to break in

Thanks
read a blurb on a Doc Martens - they sound great, but apparently take a very long time to break in

I agree with a previous poster about the waterproof Dansko Paisley shoes. I used them for all walking and light hiking (6-8 miles most days) in Switzerland this past June.

Thanks, Barbara!

I think I might get one of those, and a Blundstone Chelsea boot …

I really like Orthofeet shoes. For a waterproof shoe, I am using the Orthofeet Carmel boot. Very comfortable and slip- on! I have wide feet and need a shoe that had wide widths.

Hi Betsy,
I like Merrell’s JungleMocs.
However, they are made slightly differently nowadays to a pair I’ve had and still wear, from 20 years ago.
My new ones were a bit slide-y on my feet, but I fixed that by adding my own insoles.
They have good traction and are warm but not hot and I walked all over London in them in Dec ‘23.
I wear them in light snow here….they're like tractors on your feet!

MLS and SJ - thanks for the tips; I’ll check them both out!

My god, the choices are overwhelming, lol

Keen Sandals are great because they have a closed toe so that you do not stub your toes on the cobblestones. They also have a sturdy sole that does well on cobblestones.

Brooks athletic shoes - either Adrenaline GTS or Ghost shoes offer great support. I have not done well with Skechers since they do not give me as much support, and the soles are not as sturdy as other choices.

Merrell Siren Edge or Merrell Siren Sport are good low hiking shoes with great soles.

Have a wonderful trip and enjoy your walking!

Hi, Betsy, when I was in the UK for 6 weeks (and Scotland the year before for 3 weeks), I wore my Oboz Low-Leather walking shoes, which I love. They are NOT waterproof (although Oboz carries waterproof shoes) but they are water resistant and worked fine for me. I like them because they feel very secure and snug on my feet, and have a higher arch but wide toe box, which I need. I have 3 pairs now and alternate wearing them when I go for longer walks or hikes. I don't think they carry the design I have now but they do have others that are very good.

For what it's worth, you can find them to try on at REI and other major sporting goods stores.
https://obozfootwear.com/en-us

Another vote for the Dansko Paisley! I’ve worn them on two tours (Italian Hill Towns and the Adriatic), and with those and my Keen Rose sandals I’m ready for anything! Waterproof, supportive, great on cobblestones, and in lots of fun colors. Spendy but worth every penny.

Kay, thank you- I’m going to look into all of these!

Sooooo many good walking or hiking shoes out there. But it all depends on what suits your foot best. And there's only one way to find out. If you have a couple of good shoe stores near you, then head out and try a bunch of them on. If you find one or 2 that you think you like, take them home and wear them to see if they actually do work for you. Nothing worse than to find out while on your trip that they start rubbing after a few hours, or don't really have the arch support you need.

I was in Scotland and England for 3 weeks last fall and had 2 pair of walking shoes. A sketchers go walk slip on that was like wearing slippers, even on a long walk, and a pair of Clark's leather loafers for city wear. If you like Sketchers, they do make waterproof ones.

Hi Mardee - thank you!

Do you know the name of the shoe? Was it Katabatic?

I have a long big toe - would the shoes suit me?

Dbottle, that’s at or near the top of my list / o have it up on my phone, just haven’t bought it yet

I have a long big toe - would the shoes suit me? I need a shoe that won’t …well, squeeze me, for lack of a better term, lol

Thanks!!

CJean, that’s a good idea.

I was thinking of buying a pair on-line, but it’s hard to argue with you

I have a pair of Sketchers that I love, but while o don’t wear them much, I’m not sure how they’ll hold up because they’ve taken a pounding twice at Disney World, lol. I could ask a shoe salesperson if they’re ok…if so, I’d get another pair of walking shoes to supplement

Thank you!!!!

Betsy, I think mine were just called Low-Leather shoes. They were not the ones you mentioned—probably the closest to them would be the Sypes, like this one. I would really go to a good shoe store (or someplace like REI) and get fitted in something.

Betsy, how soon are you leaving?

Since you haven't purchased new shoes yet, and you aren't a long distance walker, I would suggest you take the lace up Skechers that you already know are comfy.

You don't have a lot of time to break in new shoes. Walking around the house in new shoes is totally different that walking a mile or 2 or 4.

Stick with what you know.

Just my two cents.
Jeanm

Mardeee, thanks! I’m definitely going to a shoe store - the sooner the better too, lol

Jean, those Sketchers are definitely coming with me

I’m leaving on April 3, so…not much time!

Thank you !!