Advice from walkers

I wear Fitflop sandals and shoes because of the thick soles, they are so comfortable.
My holidays were mostly spent in country areas of France and it can be hard on the feet.
I have tried Sketchers but found them a poor fit and not as comfortable as I would like.

I have found Sketchers to be a life saver for my feet pennyh47 after suffering the agony of Plantar fasciitis . They do a range of shoes, trainers, boots and sandals which have a raised memory sole offering a cushioning for the bottom of the foot. Their range of sandals always sell out so you have to be very quick off the mark once they have them in stock.

As for comfort they are liking walking on air . Do try and try them in store if you can because I usually get away with a size 5 but occasionally need a 5.5 which can make all the difference. Good luck .

I recommend trying Hotter shoes. They now do some good shoes/boots for walking, and they go up to a size 9 in Women's styles. Also they have some styles in different widths. As gillybob says, it's worth trying them in store , if you can. (But the company are good about "returns" if you buy online.) I've worn Hotters for years and I have happy feet!

I regard Sketchers as a very guilty secret, and wear them on holidays abroad that include a lot of walking and my oldest pair for dog walking. They are extremely comfortable. for use when i'm likely to be seen I have some lovely gold coloured Geox trainers, which have been much admired by my sons friends and are perfect for long treks round galleries or shopping/sightseeing. I have a totally illogical hated of Hotter, but maybe one day......

Pavers are very comfortable and supportive. Ideally I need 5.5 but a 5 wider fit is good. Better than Hotter as more flexible.

I used to be a Hotter fan but have recently preferred Josef Seibel for all types of footwear. I walk the dog all year round so need good quality, comfortable shoes.

I love my sketches, and they do some pretty ones. I have a pair of flat ones with a strap over, needed as I have narrow feet. They are fancy woven black fabrics and I've worn them with summer dresses, and black evening trousers.
For walking, I bought a pair of fairly lightweight shoes from Cotton Traders which are really comfortable. I have tailors bunions (little toes) and most shoes or boots are uncomfortable and rub on them.

I have around 17 pairs of Hotter shoes, sandals and boots. They suit my feet and are as comfortable as my slippers! However, my everyday black flats are beginning to look 'tired' and I can't identify an alternative style, so far. I need to visit a favourite shoe shop that stocks different brands. However, I still have my Skechers trainers which are comfortable and supportive - and I got them from a discount shoe store!

I have arthritis in my feet and wear Sketchers and Fitflop shoes/trainers a lot.
I'm on my feet a lot and they have been a lifesaver!

Fitflop have some lovely designs which are "dressy" although more expensive than some.

I love my Sketchers as I am also in between sizes. I think they are quite smart and do not care too hoots who sees me in them. I find Fitflops too narrow. I also have some very good heavier walking boots for this country but abroad I swear by Sketchers. We have a Pavers outlet near us where you can buy them at half the price so shop around.

I had Plantar Fasciitis in the past and started to wear Skechers. Now that I have arthritic feet, I don't find anything else comfortable. I wear them for walking and every day activities and also as slippers indoors.
Last week I had a sort out of shoes and found myself left with only Skechers, donating everything else to charity. I have the full range of slip-ons, trainers, sandals and boots. My only complaints are that very few are waterproof (i.e. leather,) and many have white soles which show the dirt.
I tried my first ones on in Sports Direct to find my size, and thereafter have bought them on line from Ebay, which also has a S.D. store.
I hope you manage to find something attractive and comfortable.

Same here with Skechers. I can't wear leather shoes or boots any more as they rub up my corns.
Like others I have several pairs. For walking outside I wear their laceups plus warm socks. They're not waterproof but soon dry out if you get them wet.
Look online for them - cheaper than in the Skecher stores.

Thanks for a your replies and advice. I have Hotter sandals but they are not as comfortable as I hoped they would be. I’ll look into Sketchers, fiflops and Pavers which I hadn’t heard of. Lots of research ahead so thanks again

I swear by Ecco sandels and shoes. They are quite expensive, but last for years even when used daily.

I have walked el camino de Santiago from Roncesvalles to Compostela in the same pair twice! That's how good they are.

Puma sandals are good too. Both will be cheaper in Spain than in many other countries.

If you are asking about shoes fir walking you need good support so trainers or proper walking shoes/sandals are the best option. No need to spend a fortune, I get mine in Aldi and they are fine.
However trainers aren’t that pretty with dresses etc.

As a matter of interest When i mentioned Skechers to my podiatrist he advised against them, because they don’t give sufficient support.

Re a bag I use a cross body lightweight one or a small backpack. Also find two walking poles help.
Happy walking.

Interesting about walking the Santiago route as we have friends in Spain who did it last year for charity. Also v interesting the podiatrist advising against Sketchers. Even more food for thought now! Thanks ladies

Cotton Traders are really good, all my sandals come from there, nice wide fitting, and their walking shoes are excellent.

If you are walking any distance, even in a sun dress, you need to wear supportive properly fitting shoes.

Since the fashion is to wear trainers with every thing - even party clothes - I shouldn't worry about mix and matching summer dresses and what we would probably call 'sensible' shoes. You can get sandals designed for walking distances.

I cannot recommend any specific brand as I wear trainers for walking that I buy in a local shop, no particular brand but posters above have all recommended well known brands who have many supporters.

The main thing is to wear properly fitting and supportive shoes, that protect your back and forget about vanity.

I recommend fitflops.They have a really good sale on at the moment.I have just bought some with a 70% reduction so definitely worth having a look at their website.

Sketchers are comfortable for everyday but not durable for serious walking. Fitflop are very good and I like Merrell trainers. It's just not possible to walk long distances in pretty sandals without suffering the consequences.

My mother was more concerned with looks than comfort and ruined her feet, knees, hips and back. I'm not going down that road so I'll happily wear trainers with a dress. I gave up handbags long ago too!

My elder son goes to Profeet in London for gait analysis and specialist fitting to prevent knee and back pain - cheaper in the end than injury.

I pretty much buy Fitflop for all seasons now I've discovered they do winter footwear as well. Have just ordered and received some ankle boots, because although I have quite a few with a small heel I no longer find those comfortable to walk longer distances with. These new ones are perfect and look better imo than say a trainer. Fitflop are always mailing me, like most brands they have constant sales, so I take full advantage when they do, I don't think I've ever paid full price for anything.

For summerwear they probably have more lines, including, plenty of strappy type sandal that would go with a dress if that's what you are after.

Turning to handbags, they can be a hinderance when walking, I recently purchased a small purse/clutch bag from Radley, large enough to contain phone, a small wallet with cards, as well as some loose change, lipstick, keys. Very handy large loop, so can hang on the wrist.

I’d recommend Teva. I have several pairs and find them very comfortable and supportive, especially the ones without toeposts, which can take a bit of wearing in.

Penny, I haven’t tried Fitflop before but had a quick look on their site, after so many GN’s mentioning them.
Their sale is still on and the price reductions are sizeable. I just ordered a pair of flat ballerinas (not literally of course) reduced from £90 to £34.

So if you are thinking of giving them a try ... now might be the time. ?

I am another Ecco fan. So comfortable