The Best Walking Shoes for 10,000-Step Spring Days

I’m already a big walker, but as the temperatures rise and the sun comes out, my innate urge to frolic always increases—and so does my step count.

Living in NYC requires lots of walking, no matter the weather, but pretty spring temps make me extra prone to long ambles, taking the scenic route, and skipping the train to just walk instead. So the need for truly comfortable, supportive shoes is even more dire, because nothing will spoil the joy of a beautiful day faster than a fresh blister. That particular risk is even higher for spring and summer shoe styles that are meant to be worn without socks.

Not every style is up to the challenge of regular 10,000+ step days, as evidenced by how torn up my feet were after testing out contenders that didn’t make the list, but that just means the ones that passed muster are all the more impressive for how well they performed. These pairs were the ones that let me happily run around town on nice days, and ones I keep coming back to as spring arrives and sticks.

Andre Assous Brielle Mules

I’ve been spreading the gospel of Andre Assous since I got my first pair from them a few years back. The soft leather and minimalist cut of those square-toe mules constantly had people asking if they were The Row or Celine, and I was always delighted to be able to tell them that they were actually a very reasonably priced designer instead. They were in heavy rotation in my wardrobe until an Act of Cat tragically forced me to retire them. They were already sold out by then, so I’ve been stalking Andre Assous new arrivals for my next flat mule ever since, and I found my new go-to with this perforated leather pair.

There are so many good things about this shoe: The tiny sliver wedge means there is more sole between my foot and the concrete, and my foot is sitting at a more natural angle, while still feeling like a flat. The elastic detail on the slingback portion lays flat against the heel and doesn’t rub. The pointed toe isn’t too severe, and my pinky toe didn’t even feel squished in them on the first wear. The only thing to note is that the leather piping around the top needs a bit of breaking in, but nothing too severe. I wore them without socks on my first wear and didn’t end up with any irritation, but I would still recommend wearing them with socks the first time if you want to be all the way on the safe side. I’ve since worn them four more times (most recently for a 9,500-step day), and they just get better with each wear. I expect these will be on repeat all spring and summer, especially since they look so good with one of my favorite trends of the year: Balloon pants.

Franco Sarto Oakes Ballerina Flat

I didn’t initially plan on including these Franco Sartos in this spring shoe review, both because I’ve previously featured the brand in my first list of comfortable faves and because the brown suede of my pair can lean a little bit more autumnal, but their newest colors include some gorgeous pastels that will satisfy even the strictest spring audit, and I’ve found myself wearing these so often for their comfort that it would be wrong to leave them out.

Unlike many ballet flats, these do not feel like you are walking on cardboard (or worse, directly on pavement). This Oakes style has built-in arch support and cushioning, while keeping the flexible sole that makes them feel so natural on the foot. The suede is supple and flexible, which means zero rubbing at the heel, even on the first wear! It also has a built-in convertible back, so if you want more of a mule vibe, all you have to do is fold it down. The only thing to keep in mind is that the leather version is a little less soft, so definitely stick with the suede if pliability is important to you.

The style is also spot on for this year: Mary Jane styles are going strong, and the square toe feels very modern and cool. I’m not the only one who thinks so, either: Katie Holmes was recently spotted in this exact pair!

Naturalizer Elaine Slingback Heels

I had high hopes for these heels from the minute I slipped one on and immediately said something I’ve never said before about heels: “These feel good.” The soft built in arch support was immediately felt, and the fact they come in wide widths takes them to the next level of comfort in my book (no pinky toe squishing, something particularly appreciated in a pointy toe silhouette!)

Naturalizer is known for its comfort, but until recently had a reputation for more function and less form. Lately, though, the brand has stepped up its style, offering more on-trend colors and silhouettes. Take this pair: Everything about it, from the croc print to the high vamp to the pastel pink, is right on trend this season, and given what I saw during the Fall/Winter shows, will continue to be for the foreseeable future.

I styled them with a sleek strapless black dress from ASTR the Label, an Alexis Bittar bangle, and an iridescent hardshell bag for a Bridal Fashion Week event and felt amazing, especially since the cut and color of these pumps make my legs look much longer than my 5’4” height would suggest.

Considering that these are heels, I didn’t quite do my standard day of walking in them. I still took public transit and walked a good amount, but the step count ended up being right around 6,000 (just over 2.5 miles), not my regular 11,000+. Still, a pair of heels that are comfortably walkable for over two miles as someone who isn’t usually a heels girl is major, and I’m now eyeing other colors of the same style, along with a pair from style icon June Ambrose’s excellent collab with the brand.

Beek Gallito Slides

When the weather really warms up, I tend to find myself reaching for slide sandals: Easy to slip on and go, comfortable, and perfect for when the idea of something strappy sounds like foot torture. My usual go-tos are classic Birkenstock Madrid Big Buckle slides, but sometimes those are simply too casual for the look or the occasion, so I’ve been on the hunt for something similar but slightly more elevated.

So when I saw the Beek Gallito slide in sleek metallic leather, I was intrigued. The simple one strap slide is classic, and the contoured memory foam footbed was just what I envisioned. The fully leather-covered sole doesn’t read too beachy or like a poolside slide, and the clean lines promise wardrobe versatility. I tried on a few different outfits with this pair, and they worked with everything from cropped denim to flowy maxi dresses to this coordinating poplin button-down-and-skirt set. All that was left was determining comfort.

The rave reviews I’ve seen of them online gave me hope (the phrase “like walking on a cloud” was spotted more than once!), so I was excited to put these to the test. I definitely was pushing the limits of sandal season with my first wear in March, but I take wear testing seriously, so I withstood the stray side-eyes I caught on the subway to give them a full day of wear around town. The weather was surprisingly beautiful, so we ended up walking a lot, and even after walking about four and a half miles on the first wear, there was only a tiny bit of rubbing on the upper edge of the band - frankly quite impressive for a maiden voyage with that many steps! In subsequent wears, I haven’t had any rubbing at all, and now I’m reaching for them more and more often. The price point on these is a bit higher than the average slide, but after putting them through the wringer, I can see why.

Bonus sneaker faves:

For the fashion girl who wants hiking-ready support: Merrell Mary Jane Speedarc Hiking Sneaker

I’m a big fan of the “hiking-adjacent” shoe trends in the fashion world lately, both for the unexpected style friction they can bring to a look and for the combination of form and function (my sweet spot for style). This lacy Mary Jane hiking sneaker is the perfect example. Merrell has long been known for their functional hiking shoes, but lately their selection has included more fashion-forward options, all while keeping the supportive comfort intact. I’ve worn these with cute dresses and baggy jeans, and they look good with both. They are comfortable with and without socks, but I do recommend socks on the first wear just to be on the safe side for the initial break-in.

For the runner/avid walker who loves color: Saucony Progrid 7 Hi Octane

I’m a swimmer, not a runner, but after seeing the premiere of the beautiful short film The Runners, I was coveting both the vibe and the shoes. And although I’m more likely to achieve flow state in the ocean than I am on land, these vibrant sneakers feel just as amazing for long days of walking. The cushioning is intense, in the best way, and my feet feel both supported and cradled in these. We ended up effortlessly walking over 14,000 steps on the first day I wore them (zero breaking-in period required!) The electric purple and neon colorway is so fun too, and looks great with an easy jeans and tee look. But if you’d prefer the same comfort in something more neutral, don’t fret: This style comes in a good range of colorways, including classic white with subtle blush pink accents.