I like to wear my walking boots a lot. Especially in the weather and the fact I live in Manchester. My partner however would like me to be able to walk into a nice place if we so wish whilst out and about and has asked me to find some better looking shoes.

My flat feet mean trainers just hurt to walk in, even with insoles. So a strong sturdy shoe is what I’m after. I tend to prefer buying UK made stuff and don’t mind paying the premium for that, but most of all – I want durable. I want to walk my Great Dane in the rain and not have wet paper mache on my feet at the end.

Any advice on these things?

21 comments

  2. > My partner however would like me to be able to walk into a nice place if we so wish whilst out and about and has asked me to find some better looking shoes.

    and

    >I want to walk my Great Dane in the rain and not have wet paper mache on my feet at the end.

    Buy two different pairs of shoes.

  3. Go into an outdoor shop (Cotswold Outdoor, for example) and ask them to help you find good walking shoes that fit your feet properly. You’ll probably want shoes with Gore-Tex. Be open to the fact that some of the best brands for walking shoes/boots are not British. My favourite and most comfortable pair come from Germany.

  4. Decathlon have a few ranges of walking shoes that look fairly casual and would be able to handle damp ground.

  5. I think your post title has thrown us off here by describing them as walking boots.

    Whereas it sounds like you want some boots to take the dog out in comfortably but when you wander into the pub it doesn’t look like you’ve been bagging Munros.

    A lot of ‘Chelsea boots’ should fit the bag, but be aware that many won’t be waterproof. Dr Martens are probably a good shout, but an acquired taste.

  6. I have a pair of Roclite shoes from inov8 which I use if I’m going to be doing a lot of walking such as on a day trip or something. I have worn them in wet and muddy conditions and they’ve been absolutely fine. They’re the most comfortable shoes I’ve ever worn. The sales assistant described them as like a pair of slippers and he wasn’t wrong! They’ve got Gore-Tex so they’re waterproof. They look good too, I think. They’re also a British company.

  8. Altberg for British practicality – some of their police boots are quite nice imo

    Lanx for something a bit more stylish but still weatherproof (not UK made iirc)

    And an appointment with a podiatrist because trainers hurting sounds insane.

  9. Fashionable rarely equals properly functional, let alone actually good for your feet. If you’re flat-footed you need proper walking shoes not “fashionable” ones. Don’t forget to get your boyfriend to pay for them if he’s being that snobby about it and looking down on your shoes. Be kinder to your feet please!

  11. Solovair.

    So Solovair are basically who used to make Doc Martens in the 80’s and 90’s, you know, when they were good instead of cheap? they are the ones responsible for the epic soles. (sole of air)

    Go have a browse on their website, keep your wallet/purse at a safe distance until you’re sure what you want, but classic docs, monkey boots, and even Hiking boots.

    Important to note, modern docs have crap soles with massive air gaps and no shank, Solovair have excellent soles with a close air gap (more support) and a shank, the shank is what’s going to give you that mid sole support and stop it sagging over time.

  14. Hoggs of Fife. I’ve literally not worn any other footwear since I got them a year-and-a-bit ago!

  15. I wear Merrell hiking trainers in the winter – they look like fairly nice trainers, but have a goretex lining, so will keep your feet dry. They are comfortable and supportive for my (awkward) feet and have decent grips for icy weather etc. Most brands now do the equivalent. Just go into go outdoors or somewhere similar. Also, Clarks tend to do a small range of goretex lined boots and shoes, including some nice looking leather ones. You may need to go into a shoe shop…

  19. fairfax and favour is a nice UK brand that does leather boots and they have a collaboration with le chameau who do waterproof wellies as well.if money is not an issue I would greatly recommend those

  21. I’d suggest looking at Karimor shoes
    I had a pair that were fully waterproof but didn’t really look any different to regular trainers.
    And they come in high and low variants

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