Dress shoe help for long days of walking
 

I go to a big conference every year in August. It is long days, a lot of walking, and business attire is expected during the day and semi formal or formal wear in the evening. The past two years I have DESTROYED my feet, even with shoes I normally wear with no issues. I am determined to figure this out for this year so at the end of the week, I cam still walking normally.

What are you tried and true recommendations for flats or slight heel that look nice with skirts, dresses, or slacks?

Also, any tips for protecting your feet? Things like, wear bunion pads on the rub spots, etc. I am willing to try it all.

Thanks!!!

I walk 2-4 miles daily as part of my commute, so good shoes are essential.

Any kind of dress shoe that I'd wear for that distance of walking, I carefully break in first, by wearing with socks (yes, this looks dorky, I do this on the weekend on supermarket runs or to the farmers market) for a few miles first. And then usually with band-aids on the heels for the first few runs to work.

How dressy is your field? I can get away with these, which are essentially sneakers, but I work in the academic non-profit world:
https://www.skechers.com/en-us/style...rs-step-up/BBK

If that's too casual, look at clarks, or merrells, or born, or naots.

Something like this? http://www.zappos.com/merrell-veranda-black

Another thought (although probably not appropriate for August) -- could you do ankle boots? Very in right now, and you can wear socks underneath.

Keen makes some nice "dressy" shoes that are comfy and good for walking. I know it'll be hot in August, but if you have ankle issues, I suggest boots of some sort. My issue is usually not my feet, it's my ankles, and when I know I'm going to be doing a lot of walking/standing, I wear boots that I can lace around my ankles.

You know, I was thinking I should just wear boots for part of the time as I can put on my nice cushy socks and give my feet a break. It if it was fall, they would look great. So it is my own vanity getting in the way.

The sketchers I couldn't do (although I do see everything, including people who are under dressed) but the Merrell's would work really well.

I haven't been too hard on my heels, yet, but it seems to be my pinky toe and the top of a couple others that really suffer.

My day job is in academic research - mostly sitting at a computer. But once a year I work a trade show for my husband (who owns a manufacturing company) As I get older, it is SO MUCH harder on my feet (legs, lower back...) to stand on concrete all day during the show. I feel your pain!!! Over the years, I've worn various loafer styles, and old Merrell, or newer Rockport work best for me. I'm now starting to look at better insoles to make it even better (my Rockport loafers with a slight wedge have a gel insole in them, but I'm looking at Spenco or others with even more support.

Ankle boots (in general) do nothing more for me than a shoe would, though I have some Keen ankle boots I love - they're great for walking and I usually bring them with me for fall/winter travel when I expect to be walking a lot during the day. Found out they aren't as great for just standing - they're one reason I want new insoles.

For heels (which I rarely wear), I have some really great Dansko (another brand that works great for me - normally I'm wearing sandals for summer touring) The heels are the most comfortable I've found, but because I'm not used to heels, I can't wear them too long.

Good luck!!

OK, some actual ideas. I can't wear Cole Haan - they run too narrow for me - but they have comfort versions. Used to use Nike air technology but I think that partnership has ended.

Rockport & Adidas owned by same company so many Rockport shoes have Adidas comfort/support technology, like these.

Merrell don't fit me anymore - they changed their last a few years back and the arch now falls too far forward on me :(

Keen sandals don't work for me but shoes & boots do - but I buy up half a size.

Clarks also too narrow for me, but Privo fit me nicely (probably because I don't buy the stiff all-leather options)

Ecco - love love love. But some styles don't fit me and others do. Sadness. Love they offer goretex options in shoes for women (I feel like no one else does that!) http://www.shoebuy.com/ecco-sculptur...657226/1344935

This is Ecco but my (old) Rockport loafers are very similar

For a professional conference I attend most years, I like an open-toe wedge. Professional but good for warmer weather. I have a pair from Sofft and one from Anne Klein. This from Rockport is cute and comes in a few colors

These are the Dansko I have (in black) but they're not available (at least, not at Sierra where I bought them...)

I like Beautifeel shoes for comfort
They have memory foam insoles and I like the styles
Great for lots of walking, standing

Have to agree with the Ecco recommendation. They are my current go to brand. I have a pair of Mary Janes that are my daily work shoe, when it's too cold for sandals.

SAS shoes are very comfortable and they have styles suitable for business wear. They are also very durable. I don't believe they are sold on line or in shoe stores - you have to go to one of their own stores.

Wearing Dansko Olivia to work today - I have the black polka dot, which doesn't seem to be an option at Sierra Trading Post right now (I also got mine 40% off, so, a great deal) Super comfy if your foot is medium to medium wide - won't work if you have narrow feet.

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/dan...colorFamily=03

(dang, I really love that metallic leopard colorway....I do NOT need more winter shoes:p)

Look at Hotter Shoes. They have a broad range of shoes from dressy to not. I find them to have a lot of cushion and they stay comfortable during extended wear.

You can start with one of their shoes that are on sale right now. This summer shoe looks as though it would go with both skirts and slacks.

These have turned into my go-to shoe for walking/on my feet all day. They're a lot more dressy than pictured. It pairs very nicely with slacks. The upper has a suede-ish feel to it and it has some soft cushioning. I wore them for a full day right out of the box with no issue at all.

https://www.nordstromrack.com/shop/p...ACK%2001&size=

I love SAS flat sandals, although they may not be dressy enough for you. But I could run a marathon in them (if I could run a marathon!). In the summer, I teach at a lot of conferences and usually attend a professional conference that involves several days of walking miles in a convention center. My feet are always happy in these sandals.

Can't buy them online, but you wouldn't want to anyway. I wear a longer size in this brand. Some non-SAS shoe stores carry them.

Wow, those are super cute. Do they have any kind of arch support?

Very little, but the insoles are very soft and they offer more support than normal flats. I have high arches and these don't bother me at all compared to other flats.