Walking Trainers recommendation

[TheDoggingFather]

Good evening people of Pistonheads.

Post lockdown, realising I had maybe taken the edge off the slightly depressing situation with a bit too much Ben and Jerry's, so I started an evening walk around the block and it just escalated

I now walk in the region of 9-12 miles a day, and I am ruining the soles of my trainers every 3 months I've tried a few different pairs of Adidas walking trainers, Reebok too. Over the winter I had a pair of Vans hybrid walking boot/trainers, same result. For my latest pair I tried some Sketchers trainers , thinking that may be more suitable as they seem to be raved about and possibly more suitable for my mostly tarmac routes. Truth be told, they have probably been the worst shoes I've had, they started off giving awful blisters, then from a few weeks in they started squeaking and then died in a similar fashion.

So, I need to purchase another pair of shoes, I'm just not sure what to buy next. I've no idea what to get next, thw main stipulation is they must be black, as I need to be able to wear them when I go in to the office too.

As they say, over to you...

[Hoofy]

It may be cheaper to find a pair of trainers that is comfortable (based on your experience) and as the sole wears, you stick a new sole on it. You can buy replacement undersoles from Amazon etc.

Also worthwhile noting how comfy and supportive it feels after 3 months as the unseen part of the sole will also wear out.

Thing is, you could get something that lasts longer but it will have a harder sole and harder cushioning so may be less comfy and even feel a bit like a clog to walk in.

I've got some Nike court trainers and they seem pretty sturdy with a tough/hard rubber undersole. I'm sure they'll last longer but it feels like wearing clogs. This is why I prefer crosstrainers with a softer, more grippy undersole and cushioning... but they wear out far more quickly on artificial grass.

[wyson]

Get yourself to a hiking store and buy a pair of walking shoes. Usually the staff in there are pretty clued up and will be able to advise you. Those shoes are designed for walking in all day and are built differently.

[Actual]

For many years I am a big fan of North Face Men's Hedgehog Fastpack GORE-TEX® Hiking Shoes

Unfortunately that particular shoe is replaced with North Face Men's Hedgehog FUTURELIGHT™ Hiking Shoes which I don't like as much.

[595Heaven]

I walk about the same amount (17k steps/day) and have the same issue.

I wear Adidas Terrex trainers and get 6-8 months out of them, by which time they are literally falling to bits. Very comfy though!

These ones, but never full price! https://www.adidas.co.uk/terrex-swift-solo-2.0-hik...

Would be interested if anyone has some better suggestions!

[wombleh]

If you don’t want hiking boots then I would think your best bet will be approach shoes from a “proper” outdoor company, like merrell, scarpa, la sportiva, etc.

Stuff from fashion or sports brands is not really intended to be hard wearing over big miles, not what it’s designed for.

[Hoofy]

595Heaven said:

I walk about the same amount (17k steps/day) and have the same issue.

I wear Adidas Terrex trainers and get 6-8 months out of them, by which time they are literally falling to bits. Very comfy though!

These ones, but never full price! https://www.adidas.co.uk/terrex-swift-solo-2.0-hik...

Would be interested if anyone has some better suggestions!

Doesn't look like there was much underneath to start with if the other shoe is anything to go by?

I wonder if just slapping a new generic undersole will enable you to get more out of your shoes, if it's still comfy.

[Bonefish Blues]

There's a big comparative test in one of the walking mags this month. Oboz came out very well - this is the cheapest site I found

https://www.outdooraction.co.uk/oboz-sypes-low-lea...

[R1gtr]

Scarpa/Salewa/Meindl are decent walking shoes in the more traditional style. If you want even more comfort and grip but maybe not quite as durable then Adidas Terrex or Salomon. I always have a pair of Salomon's and Terrex lying about, as soon as they wear out I order more, in fact these arrive tomorrow....

[595Heaven]

Hoofy said:

Doesn't look like there was much underneath to start with if the other shoe is anything to go by?

I wonder if just slapping a new generic undersole will enable you to get more out of your shoes, if it's still comfy.

The soles on these are pretty hard. The old shoe had done about 3,500 miles so I’m not too worried. Think I paid £50 for the newer ones which is decent value.

I destroyed a pair of Keen walking boots much faster!

[Alickadoo]

https://www.regatta.com/mens-edgepoint-life-walkin...

[wyson]

Don’t hardcore runners recommend against that? Running shoes should be kept for running. Have a separate pair for walking because of differences in wear between running and walking?

[BoRED S2upid]

595Heaven said:

I walk about the same amount (17k steps/day) and have the same issue.

I wear Adidas Terrex trainers and get 6-8 months out of them, by which time they are literally falling to bits. Very comfy though!

These ones, but never full price! https://www.adidas.co.uk/terrex-swift-solo-2.0-hik...

Would be interested if anyone has some better suggestions!

Even not at full price even at half price that’s insane that you literally wear them out in 6 months.

Get a decent pair of walking boots or if you want to go a bit more trainer like then Merrell do some softer hiking shoes. Should last years no matter what abuse you give them.

[a311]

I basically buy what's discounted, Sportsshoes.com are pretty good.

Spring summer I tend to ware walking/trail running trainers they get a lot of miles 4 miles walking the dog per day on a mixture of concrete and forest trails, I also will use them on fell walks where I don't need the ankle support, I tend to get about 6 months from them. Winter I wear walking boots but thinking of investing in some wellies next winters as this destroyed some good walking boots.

Normal trainers will just slip and slide in anything with mud that remotely damp. trail running trainers do a good job as they've extra grip but ones with a softer compound sole will ware quicker on concrete/tarmac but won't be like bambi on ice if it's slick.

I've had a couple of pair of Salomons stay away from Speed Cross and they wear too quickly.

Innov8 they've got a tare in one of the seems pretty quickly but refunded under warranty

Terrex, sole wore pretty quick but the upper shoe looks like new still.

Curerntly on a pair of Merrell's they could be the sweet spot-comfoy and wearing well thus far.

[Richonenope]

Got myself some north face hedgehogs - they were cheaper direct than the shops in town at £84. Also picked up a walking habit after eating too many crisps in lockdown.

https://www.thenorthface.co.uk/shop/en-gb/tnf-gb/m...

[Jamescrs]

Me and the guys I work with buy walking trainers all the time for work because we can find ourselves anywhere and often the improved grip is very useful.

Solomon are a popular brand

I’ve been wearing Timberland for the last couple of years almost daily as have a couple of others and they are holding up very well, they are often on sale too if you are not too picky on colours.

[Randy Winkman]

I'm another one saying to go into a shop and not buy on line. Off road running shoes might be a good option. Like running shoes but a bit tougher and with slightly more robust soles.

I've used Merrell but others are available.

[CharlesdeGaulle]

For a very similar use-case as the OP, I use a Merrell walking shoe from Decathlon.



Full price is around 80 EUR but they're periodically on offer for around 55.

[Randy Winkman]

CharlesdeGaulle said:

For a very similar use-case as the OP, I use a Merrell walking shoe from Decathlon.



Full price is around 80 EUR but they're periodically on offer for around 55.

I walked 31 miles in a pair of those on Saturday in the North Downs Challenge. Really comfy.

[triggerhappy21]

BoRED S2upid said:

Even not at full price even at half price that’s insane that you literally wear them out in 6 months.

Get a decent pair of walking boots or if you want to go a bit more trainer like then Merrell do some softer hiking shoes. Should last years no matter what abuse you give them.

I walk alot, I've lost count of the number of brands I've tried. Boots, trainers, shoes etc. If I get 12 months out of a pair I'm happy. Most are done by 6 to 8 months.

I see them as an consumable now. I'm slim built so fairly light on them, but they are worn and used for hours every day. Realistically, they'll only last so long.