These Boots Were Made for Walking

My mother used to tell me the only proper shoes for traveling were Adidas sneakers, and for the longest time I believed her. Those of us with unsteady arches are familiar with the pains that accompany a day of walking in heels or flimsy flip flops, even if itÂ’s just around the office or boardwalk. The problem is, so many of the fashionable shoes of our time are not made to properly support the arch and roll of the foot, so after thousands of steps (which is quite feasible in a day of touring a museum or even bar-hopping) our feet are screaming for relief. To find well-made, supportive shoes ready for serious walking require a trip to a totally different type of store: usually, the hiking or heavy-duty mountaineering departments. It may sound strange, but these designers have started to develop shoes with the same support of a hiking shoe, but lighter materials and a more fashionable look. Give them a try, and your feet will thank you for it:

Some Favorites:

The Merrell Zodiac: fun, flirty, and lightweight, with a good grip and the sturdy Merrell hiking tradition to hang your hat on ($80).

                                                         

The Athleta Siren: a funky take on the sneaker: not your ordinary lace-up ($80).

                                                               

The Chaco WomenÂ’s Intersect Sandal: A little bit more of an investment than your normal kick-around sandals, but theyÂ’re totally worth it ($30).

                                                           

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for more Merrell gear.
                                        Shop for more Chaco gear.