Walking shoes

[SpuffMonkey]

Hi - any walkers amongst you?

 

My 20 year old is looking for some comfortable, reasonably priced footwear for doing a lot of holiday sight seeing when he goes off to Japan in the summer.

 

He's got quite weak arches and his feet ache a lot after he's been on them for a while - so is looking for some that give plenty of support, but look OK (in a Converse lo-top type way) and are not too hot to wear as its going to be very warm and humid.

 

Anybody got any suggestions for decent ones to go and look for?

[hardtailstar]

Try Berghaus or Solomon.

 

Tried both and found both to be comfortable.

[caffrey]

+1 berghaus, I walked around NYC for a week in a new pair and my feet were fine (And I'm not used to walking) I wear Merrells at the mo and they are comfy too

[Mr_Jiminy]

One word; Merrell

[mikeprice]

I had some Merrells a few years ago and they lasted for ages

 

they also do 'walking sandal' - might be worth looking at if it is going to be hot

[mjk]

I'd recommend Altberg:

​Alt-Berg | High Quality Hiking Boots & Walking Boots

[E_G_R2]

+1 for walking sandals

[synaesthesia]

Being a heavy set fellow, as you know, I've found the Karrimor stuff surprisingly good value. I'm always on my feet and they support well with plenty of comfort. Cheap but not nasty.

[hardtailstar]

A lot of my friends use Merrell too.

 

If you have an Outdoors shop near you then your son can try boots etc on to see whats comfortable for him.

[admars]

I'd say Merrell as well, if not used to them probbaly be best to go to a shop, rather than keep an eye on hotukdeals where there's been a few bargains on them recently, if there's a Go Outdoors near to you they often have deals on Merrel and Saloman walking shoes, and Blacks can have good deals, I got some North Face trail trainers 1/2 price which are perfect for walking around all day in, no idea how good they are for trail running

 

Contradicting above, but I'd avoid Karrimor these days, I've got some which are fine for the park when it's a bit rainy, but the brand got bought by Sports Direct and they're a cheap brand these days, not the quality walking boot they were years ago.

[Narwhal]

I wear berghaus and they are comfy but quite hot if the weather is warm. I also have a pair of Salomen boots that are very hard wearing but a little hard on the feet. My 20 year old son has a pair of merrells that he loves but none of the one mentioned so far were under £100. I also have worn Hi-tec and karrimoor and have found them to be even lighter and more comfy than the expensive ones as they feel more like trainers but they are not properly waterproof. Any of the enclosed shoes/boots are going to be hot if the weather is warm and humid. Walking sandals are way more comfortable in that weather but don't offer so much in the way of foot protection.

[mikeprice]

I fine Karrimor to be fine, comfy and very light

 

but they don't last all that long - probably great for a holiday

 

but also - I second the idea of going to a shop and trying them on - especially if the person wearing them has sensitive/unusual feet

[E_G_R2]

yes a proper walking/outdoor shop should have a fitting service and test ramp so that you can check that the shoes/boots fit and don't slip or rub. Maybe a good idea if as you say they have a foot problem. Of course you may have to pay a bit more!

[gomalley]

+1 for Merrell

 

Karrimors are "cheap and cheerful" and if you want decent arch support don't go there, my knees felt so much better within weeks of changing from Karrimor to Merrell last year that i'm never going back.

[Kenny_G]

+1 for Merrell

[Vegas]

I just bought a pair of these, awesome so far, use them most days for my 4 mile round trip to school.

adidas TERREX Swift Solo Shoes - Blue | adidas UK

[casey]

If your son has a real problem with his arches it might be worth visiting a branch of Foot Solutions. They measure your feet and can get custom insoles made to help support arches.

 

Both my wife and myself have these and they are very comfortable. However these are not cheap nor are the shoes they sell. It depends how much help your son needs.

 

I did wonder if it's a bit of a con, being so expensive, but my wife can now walk further and more comfortably than she ever could before.

 

We are off to Japan as well - tomorrow!

 

Some of the styles can look a bit 'middle aged and chunky' but then so do I. They do sell Brooks running shoes as well, they can be pretty comfortable for urban walking.

Edited March 31, 2017 by casey
additions

[SpuffMonkey]

Thanks everyone - much appreciated - looks like we'll be going to try on some Merrells!

[rad]

I have just purchased a pair of Solomons walking shoes, normally I wear Merrell but was unable to find any waterproof ones I found comfortable.

 

One thing to do is pick them up and bend them like your foot will. Some shoes are set out to be more like Walking boots so very stiff. I had to return a pair I bought online as they were too solid for everyday use.

[Andrew_C]

If your son has a real problem with his arches it might be worth visiting a branch of Foot Solutions. They measure your feet and can get custom insoles made to help support arches.

 

Both my wife and myself have these and they are very comfortable. However these are not cheap nor are the shoes they sell. It depends how much help your son needs.

 

I did wonder if it's a bit of a con, being so expensive, but my wife can now walk further and more comfortably than she ever could before.

 

We are off to Japan as well - tomorrow! [emoji23]

 

Some of the styles can look a bit 'middle aged and chunky' but then so do I. They do sell Brooks running shoes as well, they can be pretty comfortable for urban walking.

Orthotics - If the foot condition is serious enough can be prescribed by a specialist.

[elsiegee40]

Orthotics - If the foot condition is serious enough can be prescribed by a specialist.

 

I agree. My son had them specially fitted by a physio for several years.