Travel/Walking shoe recommendations

[ychuck46]

Ummm if they are stolen they will tell you?? [emoji28][emoji1787][emoji23] eBay can require anything but flash mobs are not honest people. Just my 2c

I was a finalist in the 2022 Uruguayan International Sarcasm Championships. Seriously.

 

[RunningBum]

They are lightweight and highly cushioned. If you notice now other manufacturers have copied the ultra cushioned look. It has become a trend.

Yes, and being the first to do it Hoka got a lot of brand loyalty. Not that many people, especially runners, will switch away from a shoe that works for them unless there is a strong reason to. People who wanted more cushioning were willing to try Hokas. But why switch to another high cushioned brand unless they have problems with the Hokas.

Since they stood out compared to any other shoe, others would ask about them, and I think a lot of Hoka wearers were happy to recommend them.

I hesitate to draw comparisons to a hotly debated topic, and there are differences, but in some ways it's like how a certain car maker remains the leader in EV sales.

Personally I tried Hokas but they didn't fit my feet well--too narrow, at the time. Altras work very well for me, with more room for my feet to spread out (avoids issues with my Morton's neuroma) and I still get the extra cushioning. But I don't suggest it unconditionally to others. The only way to know is to try them for fit and feel. A good shoe store that specializes in running and walking should be able to guide you to the right shoe.

 

[explanade]

Yeah I noticed Hoka doesn't offer extra wide sizes. Or is available for any less than $125 in my sizes.

I ordered a pair of ASICs Tiger shoes on Amazon which were highly rated but it squeezed in my feet from all sides, so I felt inflammation in the heel as well as the toes.

 

[Rianne]

How can I be sure that when I buy something on a site like ebay that the item wasn't part of a flash mob pilfering?

I hadn't thought of pilfering. I guess that could happen, shows how naive I am.

I do know my dear cousin used to go to garage sales and buy name-brand clothes, mostly baby clothes for less than $1. Wash, iron, and put them on eBay for close to what they'd cost a discount in a store. She made a killing since she was a stay-at-home mom before going back to work. And she had a high rating, meaning satisfied customers.

 

[explanade]

Someone posted a video just the other day of some gang of people going into a Nordstroms in LA and running off with over $100k in merchandise.

 

[Katiek]

See a lot of talk about Hoka.

What is their main feature? Heard of lightweight soles.

I first tried Hokas when I was listening to the Orthopedic show on Doctor Radio on Sirius XM . The two orthopedic surgeons were laughing about how people would think they're endorsed by Hoka for how often they recommend them (but they weren't paid). They liked them for their lightweight structure and cushioning. (Yes, I realize how dorky listening to that makes me sound )



I got a pair after that and found them supportive but light weight and they fit me well, but obviously people's feet and preferences are different, so I agree with the recommendation to go to a store where you can try on some different options and see what works for you.

 

[COcheesehead]

How can I be sure that when I buy something on a site like ebay that the item wasn't part of a flash mob pilfering?

Look at the feedback and what they have sold in the past. That will give you some clues.

 

[brett]

I have trouble getting shoes. Wide foot, high instep.

I find that shoe lasts on many leisure shoe brand are not consistent. As a result I buy what fits regardless of how much I might like the style.

We walk a lot at home and when travelling. A comfortable shoe is the most important item for me.

 

[gutterman]

Over the last two years I have been walking 2-3 miles every day, and then bike about 15 miles every other day after walking. Good shoes are expensive! I just ordered a pair of Saucony Men's Cohesion 16 off Amazon for $45 and have been walking in them for two weeks. Good shoes for what I paid for them.

 

[ychuck46]

Over the last two years I have been walking 2-3 miles every day, and then bike about 15 miles every other day after walking. Good shoes are expensive! I just ordered a pair of Saucony Men's Cohesion 16 off Amazon for $45 and have been walking in them for two weeks. Good shoes for what I paid for them.

I have been a runner for about 55 years now. I never pay more than $39.99 for good running shoes (that is my cutoff and so far I have been able to get multiple pairs per year at or below that price due to sales, etc). I pretty much wear nothing but Saucony Cohesion and ASICS Gel running shoes. Good stuff.

 

[Montecfo]

I have wide feet and find the Hokas fit me well. As much as I wear them I am ok with the price but will probably come down as more companies mimic them.

 

[brett]

We were in Athens a few years ago. It was the end of a nine week trip. I needed a new pair of walking shoes. Wide feet, high instep.

Went into a likely looking store. The owner hummed and hawed. He brought out several styles/sizes.

After about 20 minutes, as we were about leave, he scratched his head, smiled and said wait. He went to the back and brought out a pair of Clarkes. I was not keen on the style but I tried them on.

They fit like a glove, and were light. I left the store wearing them. I still wear them. Cannot find a similar shoe anywhere, including on the web. Might be a good reason to return to Greece!

My father also had a fit challenge. He used to go the UK every two or three years. That is where he would buy his shoes. And his jackets.

 

[Chuckanut]

Alas, I had to return my $86 Hoka shoes. They were a tad too tight where the little toe hits the side of the shoe.

 

[harllee]

Alas, I had to return my $86 Hoka shoes. They were a tad too tight where the little toe hits the side of the shoe.

They do make Hokas in wide, but probably not for $86

 

[tutan]

I have bought into the hype of bareoot or at least minimalist shoes. It seems that human anatomy has not changed the last hundred thousand years let alone last few decades. Or could it be that humans have greatly gained in size and weight recently that necessitate thick cushy soles? Anyways I have been wearing these for jogging or just walking. They have quick-release laces plus a velcro strap. Other brands are out there of course. YMMV as always.

WHITIN Men's Minimalist Trail Runner | Wide Toe Box | Barefoot Inspired https://a.co/d/drHQLNT

 

[explanade]

Hmm, I wear slides inside the house, otherwise used to go barefoot.

Can't imagine doing so any more.

I have a pair of Oofos recovery slides.

Really feel it on the soles of the feet if I walk barefoot on even hardwood.

Lot of places I stay in when I travel have hard tile floors as well as rock solid stairs. Just seems like the harder flooring surfaces would be harder on not just your feet but your whole skeleton.

 

[Surewhitey]

I'm a Sketchers guy. Sometimes walking 8-10 miles. I wear holes in them before getting new ones & they're easy to break in. They aren't long lasting, but I get many miles from each pair.

Relaxed fit denim materials...

 

[braumeister]

Yeah I noticed Hoka doesn't offer extra wide sizes.

They do, at least in some models.
DW has been raving about her Hokas for a few years, so I decided to look at them recently. Found a pair I liked, but they were too narrow to be comfortable. I normally wear a standard D width in other shoes, but these didn't make it for me.
Told the shoe guy I needed something wider, and he brought out the same model in wide (EE) and they felt great so I bought them. Time will tell if I'll like them long term, since I've been a New Balance fan for decades, but I can at least give them a try.

 

[MC Rider]

Skechers here too. Comfortable and they have wide shoes that fit my feet.

 

[Jeffman52]

I wear Brooks most of the time. I am an avid runner so my old running shoes become my kicking around shoes. I usually buy new running shoes at about 250 to 300 miles.

I have worn Merrells a few times and they are good shoes that can take a beating.


I wear Timberland boots in the winter and an old pair of the same when I work in the yard. The issue I have with them is that the sole wears out faster than I would like.

 

[EastWest Gal]

I had plantar fasciitis. Bought some Hokas. They were like walking on a cloud. No more plantar fasciitis-pain gone forever in two weeks. I also got a larger size which helped with the fit.

 

[explanade]

There are so many models and probably many models are made in different factories with different standards, within the same brand.

I had a pair of New Balance running shoes that I've had well over a decade. Since 2020, I did a lot of walking with them. Earlier their year, I saw that they had a big hole in the soles. The holes didn't go all the way through but for some reason it was as if a piece of the sole dropped out. From the side they looked normal and felt good, still a lot of cushioned feel.

So I got rid of them and bought a NB trainer. Within 2 months, there are holes on the sides because the mesh materials are poor. The soles are mostly still there though they don't feel as cushioned as my old NB joggers. I had to buy some Dr. Scholl gel insoles.

So two vastly different experiences with NB shoes.

And I never paid more than $50 either time.


I've had two pairs of Sketchers and the first pair lasted me years. I still have them though the soles are mostly worn so I'll probably toss them.

Then I got a pair last year and put a lot of miles on them. The soles are rounded on the edges so they're wearing out but the canvas uppers are intact, unlike the NB trainers.

I wonder though, as heavily as Skechers advertises on TV, whether they have consistent quality across all the models.

They promote the max cushion models and the other day I saw some ads about work shoes where they all can be slipped into and out of, without reaching down with your hands or using a shoe horn.

 

[GenXguy]

I had a pair of Sketchers shoes that started following apart after wearing a few times and continued to fall apart worse after wearing more. I'll never buy Sketcher's again. The absolute worst quality shoe I've ever bought.

Looks like the deal for the Hoka shoe doesn't offer free shipping. And don't forget tax. Adds up.

 

[Gallaher]

Hokas are great shoes but not for me. I have a replaced ankle joint that makes me pretty picky. I like a high heel and stiff sole. Hokas meet the need for high heel not stiff/rigid sole.
Bought a pair of Hoka trainers for the gym. In the gym five hours a week. Padding on heel cup wore out in less than a year (250 hours). The shoes were otherwise fine, had to toss them.
Also have some Hoka hikers that are okay. Not a lot of support but very cushy.
For the money ($30) I’ve been wearing Walmart brands for the gym.
My honey only wears Hokas has about five pairs.

 

[Jerry1]

I have bought into the hype of bareoot or at least minimalist shoes.

You gotta try these.

https://www.vibram.com/us/shop/fivefingers/men/v-trail-2.0-mens/M76_BlackYellow.html