“What to walk in.”
For those of us in constant pursuit of stimulation and forward motion, a stroll can be sacred. A quick turn around the block proves a welcome interruption to the repetitiveness of a workday, and sights seen while ambling evoke sensory pleasure. Our pandemic era only reinstituted the idle stroll as a worthy pastime, and yet, nearly all of us have walked — with and without purpose — forever. Serious thought has long been given to the historical functions walking has held and what urban trekking can say about a society. Consideration, too, has fallen upon the differences between walking aimlessly and with purpose, in cities and outside of them — with the concept of the flâneur arising as a uniquely meaningful mover in modern life and, more recently, tinkered with to welcome a more feminine focus into the fold.
So what does this all mean? It means that when we walk, we do so within a long lineage of those who have paced before us to stumble across novel discoveries. Taking walking as serious business, then, requires a little preparation — in the form of finding fitting footwear. As we always do, we asked the women of passerby what they wear when stepping out. Whether taking to the mountains to hike amongst the sights and sounds of nature or into the rapid flow of city streets, to be engulfed in sensory experiences of a different sort: the following recommendations all promise not to compromise practicality nor style, so your attention can turn to the important business of walking.
Hoka Running Shoes
Recommended by Lynette Nylander, Kerrilynn Pamer, and Jenna Saraco
A good sneaker is a much sought-after gem: it’s at its best when sleek and refined without being relegated to the merely functional part of your closet. All of these Hoka models belong to this distinguished class of running shoe — while the epic proportions of the Hoka One ensure its place in the wardrobe of even the most ambitious streetwear aficionado, the waterproof Challenger is ‘perfect for winter strolls’ according to photographer Jenna Saraco.
Nike Space Hippie 04
Recommended by georgie greville jasper and marina sulmona
The Space Hippie is an otherworldly take on sustainable footwear. Design references are plentiful: while borderline psychedelic hues are reminiscent of ‘60s flower children, the cratered foam sole and Space Waste Yarn body, made out of 75% recycled materials, are decidedly futuristic. A streamlined silhouette counters the pull of gravity and makes both purposeful stepping and casual wandering a breeze.
Prada Loafers
Recommended by ly ngo and Kristi Garced
Nobody does loafers like Prada. Just preppy enough without traveling into the saccharine territory of schoolgirl uniform, and sleek enough to sidestep the grandpa label, they strike a sartorial sweet spot. Pair them with a dress and ankle socks for warm-weather meanderings and jeans or knee-highs as the cold creeps in.
Birkenstocks
Recommended by Maria Geyman and clemence poles
In 2022, neither suburbanite dads nor style-conscious city dwellers are strangers to Birkenstocks. Though collaborations abound, the classic design is unparalleled. In the words of naturopath Maria Geyman, “I’m always in my neighborhood in my Birkenstocks with socks.” In the case of this carefully contoured cork number, moldable to every foot, un-sexiness is part of the appeal.
LABUCQ Boomer
Recommended by Puno Dostres
A fisherman sandal taken, quite literally, to stratospheric heights, the LABUCQ Boomer is charmingly indiscreet. The chunky lug sole, crisscrossing Italian leather, and of-the-moment colorways — metallic silver and radiant orange serve as a counterpoint to the comparatively demure cream and brown — captivate both devout maximalists and experimental minimalists. Meanwhile, the cushioned insole and substantial tread make it a ‘friendly, outdoorsy city walker,’ as stated by LABUCQ.
Nike Lahar
Recommended by rachel nguyen
These boots are designed for movement: a trek across a precipitous mountain, a hike through winding trails, an afternoon spent maneuvering uneven sidewalks and potholes. The shoe is a riff on the Nike ’89 Lahar Escape Boot, and the ruggedness of the substantial tread, paired with metal eyeholes, has a nostalgic effect. It is a case study in stylish functionality.
Margiela Replica Sneakers
Recommended by fran miller
Margiela’s Replica sneakers, like many of the house’s storied designs, have an almost mythic origin. Adapted from the Cold War era, government-issued German Army Trainer, the shoes were introduced in 1998; 10 years after the Berlin Wall came down, the German sneakers secretly slipped into the public domain. Margiela-devotees can now choose from the irreverently paint-splattered variety and the more subdued white or black versions, each pair characteristically devoid of branding.
Viscata Espadrilles
Recommended by carolina santos-neves
The espadrille is synonymous with sun-splashed summer afternoons spent either exploring or channeling the Mediterranean — elegant but unfussy, classic but still visually interesting. Viscata’s version is made in Spain, where the obligatory jute rope sole is hand-wrapped by traditional artisans, and the styles are plentiful enough for an entire wardrobe: flats, wedges, slingbacks, platforms, and mules are all equally beguiling.
Asics Gel Contend
recommended by karolyn pho and clémence polès
There are times when you just need a shoe that can perform. Enter the Asics Gel Contend: while its expertly constructed gel and foam sole will buoy you through even the most strenuous of morning commutes, the ‘solid rubber outsole’ and ‘breathable mesh’ make it durable — and comfortable — enough to withstand much rougher terrain than city streets. Potholes and rocky trails alike have met their match.
G.H. Bass Weejuns Penny Sliders
recommended by ly ngo and clémence polès
G.H. Bass was founded in 1876 with a deceptively simple mission: ‘to make the best possible shoe for the purpose in which it will be used’. Leap forward several decades, and the Bass Weejun — timeless and chic, with the requisite beefroll detailing and a goes-with-anything appeal — is a shoe closet mainstay. Worn by everyone from Audrey Hepburn to Michael Jackson, they are the brand’s pièce de résistance.
Or, find your footing in JW Anderson Black Chain Loafer Slides (recommended by Sukey Novogratz), New Balance 327 (recommended by Ariel Roman), Yatay sneakers (recommended by Tina Bhojwani), Keds Women’s Champion Originals (recommended by Natalie Guevera), Van Authentics (recommended by Ariel Roman), McQueen sneakers (recommended by Abby Pucker), Salomon XA-Pro Fusion Advanced (recommended by Clémence Polès), Nike Cortez (recommended by Christina Crawford), Creepers (recommended by Ly Ngo), Acne Bertrand Hiking Boots (recommended by Georgie Greville Jasper), Prada Boots (recommended by Beverly Nguyen), or Rivieras (recommended by Lindsey Tramuta).
Words by Sydney Russo