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If the shoe suits … it still might not be the proper match for an NYC commute.
Between speeding to catch the practice, pounding the pavement and navigating mysterious sidewalk substances, it’s tough to discover footwear that’s snug, sturdy and (ideally) trendy enough for a day in the Big Apple.
So here at The Post, we put 15 footwear through their paces to discover out which are actually commute-proof. The take a look at? Walking from Columbus Circle to Battery Park (about 5.5 miles) — on a sweltering summer season day, no less.
Now, numerous steps and several blister Band-Aids later, the outcomes are in. Whether you’re wanting for sensible sneakers or cozy heels (not an oxymoron, we promise), the beneath types are a step above the relaxation.
See our full testing standards
Best boots
Best general: Margaux The West Chelsea Boot
Made It Here Margaux The West Chelsea Boot. David Yang/New York Post
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Commerce Reporter Miska Salemann completed the entire route with out giving in to the temptation of taking a taxi or practice — a feat made simpler thanks to these luxe, suede Margaux boots. In pursuit of shoe-testing glory (and a prize at the end line), she even ran for half of the trek. And while these aren’t really designed for sprinting, it’s significantly spectacular how properly they held up.
“I thought the traction was fantastic,” she said. “I didn’t slip once, even after putting them through pretty much everything an NYC sidewalk can throw at you — subway grates and plenty of cracked pavement. They felt planted and solid underfoot, which was especially nice when moving quickly through crowded streets.”
But they’re not all consolation — they look stylish, too. Margaux’s emerged as a favourite among vogue editors, and the West Chelsea Boot is no exception. In addition to Miska’s brown suede choose, it also comes in three other expensive-looking colour choices.
Size vary: 3.5-14
Best (comparatively) budget-friendly: Steve Madden Jones Boots
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Don’t need to foot the invoice for a luxurious choice? Commerce Partnerships Manager Georgie Olmeda examined out these zip-up Steve Madden boots — which look strikingly related to The Row’s $1,490 pair, for less than half the price.
“They still felt somewhat comfortable after the 70 blocks it takes to get to Battery Park,” she said. “I walked comfortably for around 20 blocks before I started to feel rubbing on my left heel, and 35 blocks before the right heel joined in.”
The under-$130 footwear helped her come in second. (“I was jumping into puddles, walking over cobblestones and weaving through hundreds of tourists and New Yorkers at high speeds,” she quipped.)
Size vary: 5-14
Best sturdiness: Blundstone Vegan Originals 2115
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Blundstones are identified for being water resistant and further sturdy. But, as Commerce Reporter Erica Radol proved, they’re not just for rugged outings (or liberal arts faculty campuses) — they’re also trendy enough for an NYC commute.
Erica made it two miles completely pain-free, saying, “It was truly impressive how I had zero blisters while nearly every other shoe tester I walked with did.”
While she admitted they’re not the first pair she’d seize primarily based on appears alone, they scored main consolation factors. “There’s nothing cute about wincing in pain,” she said.
Size vary: 5-16
Best ballet flats
Best general: Madewell The Greta Glove Flat
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Sr. Audience Optimization & Discovery Analyst Alana Bracken managed to make it six miles in these flats — including jogging a block — with shockingly little discomfort.
“For someone with extensive foot problems from years of dance injuries, I went into this walk a little concerned that my left foot would be hurting by the end,” she said. “I planned on stops and the occasional call to the first aid kit for Band-Aids and Advil. Instead, I hustled all the way down to Battery Park while essentially only stopping for red lights.”
She discovered the model was not only cozy, but it also didn’t slide off her heel on stairs as some flats do. “I’m absolutely in love with these flats,” she said.
Size vary: 5-12
Best star-worthy model: Reformation Bethany Ballet Flat
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From Jennifer Lopez to Sarah Jessica Parker, a lot of modern New Yorkers put on Reformation — so the model’s ballet flats were a shoo-in (or should we say shoe-in?) for our testing.
While the Mary Jane design is stylish and on-trend, Social Media Editor Brooke Matalon only made it 10 blocks before blisters began to kind. That said, she did respect that they had first rate support and didn’t “feel like walking directly on the floor,” as many ballet flats do.
All in all, we wouldn’t ditch these solely — but they’re not our first alternative for a commute that includes a ton of time on your toes.
“These are very cute and great for a dinner where you won’t be doing too much walking, unless you have the patience to break them in!” Brooke concluded.
Size vary: 5-11
Best colour choices: Vivaia Square-Toe Margot Mary Jane 3.0
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Vivaia has also racked up legions of celeb followers, from Katie Holmes to Pamela Anderson. But while these colourful Mary Janes appeared nice on, Commerce Reporter Nishka Dhawan tapped out early due to blisters.
“I would wear these for a regular workday and for my regular commute, but I wouldn’t wear these to walk multiple blocks across a city,” she defined. “We had to stuff tissues in my shoes just so I could make the subway ride.”
Size vary: 5-11
Best heels
Best general: Sole Bliss Carmen
David Yang/New York Post
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Lifestyle Director Natasha Pearlman ditched her Louboutins for the day in favor of these Sole Bliss pumps, which promise actually superior consolation. And while they might not be as trendy as crimson bottoms, they didn’t cause much redness and swelling, either.
“I walked about two miles before the blisters really kicked in,” she said. “There are no other heels in my closet I can walk that far in without blisters. And they are incredibly comfortable after a full day in the office.”
While they’re not excellent for navigating small cracks in the pavement, she famous that the base of the heel remained firmly in place — unlike some of the other pairs she’s tried. (She could also dash “surprisingly fast” in them, excellent for catching a practice.)
“The price of the shoe buys you comfort rather than catwalk style, but it’s the highest level of comfort I’ve ever had from a heel,” she concluded. “I find myself reaching for them now over my other heels on a daily basis. And with some smart styling, they’ve really grown on me!”
Size vary: 5-11
Best block heel: Inez Frida
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Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the comfiest of them all? To discover out, Photo Editor Anissa Lorenzi Boukourizia put these silver, mirrored pumps to the take a look at. And while she didn’t make it all the approach to Battery Park on foot, she did discover they had a “pretty surprising” quantity of traction.
“Despite my constant complaints and plot to immediately tap out, I did manage to walk nine blocks, take the subway and transfer at Times Square, wander around the Oculus in search of food, walk across the cobblestones and hop back on the train to make it to the finish line — all in these shoes!” she said.
“At no point did I feel like the shoes were slippery on the concrete, train stairs, escalators, or platforms, or walking through the Oculus — which, for a place with newer floors, had the potential of slips!”
Size vary: 6-10.5
Best for shorter commutes: Aldo Alicieaa
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Commerce Partnerships Associate Brooke Parker was head over heels for the look of these Aldo footwear, which have padded insoles and are half of the model’s “Pillow Walk” line.
That said, they earned much greater marks for vogue than operate. While she appreciated the model’s relative stability and traction, Brooke only made it 20 minutes before she began experiencing blisters.
“I think I suppressed any initial signs of pain because I loved the look of them so much,” she said. “I think they are a perfect style for transitioning from meetings to an after-work dinner.”
Size vary: 5-11
Best loafers
Best general: Quince Italian Leather Soft Loafer
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These loafers were another testing breakout star — with just about no break-in interval. While our tester, Sr. Audience Optimization & Discovery Analyst Meaghan Seward, is admittedly blister-prone, she adjusted to this Quince model far sooner than she expected.
“As I walked, the soft leather stretched and molded to my feet; I expect this to benefit the comfort of the shoes in the long term,” she defined.
While she wished they had a roomier toebox — and a barely trendier design — she was general impressed by the luxe supplies.
“The loafers are timeless, with quality and supple leather, but I’m deducting points since they’re missing a level of design that would transform them into a pair I would frequently reach for, or at least a little easier to style,” she added.
Size vary: 5-11
Best timeless basic: GH Bass Grace Penny Loafer
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With these loafers, good issues come to these who wait. While VP of Brand Partnerships Ru Wolle said the leather-based feels “substantial and clearly high quality,” she discovered it a bit stiff (and blister-inducing) at first.
On the shiny facet, the model held up to gentle rain and sidewalk puddles — and general felt “much more resilient than a delicate fashion loafer.”
“I do think they’re worth it if you’re willing to commit to the break-in period,” Ru concluded. “The quality of the leather, durability and styling versatility make them feel like a long-term wardrobe shoe rather than an instant-comfort purchase, and once the leather softens, they’re a real treat.”
Size vary: 5-11
Best patent leather-based: Coach Leah Loafer
Stephen Yang for NY Post
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When it came time to take a look at footwear, Page Six Style & Shopping Director Elana Fishman said, “put me in Coach” — in more methods than one. As a vogue professional, she loves that these loafers are “beautifully made” and simple to costume up or down.
“I made it from 59th Street to 28th Street before the shoes started feeling uncomfortable, which I consider a pretty strong performance for brand-new loafers,” she shared.
Fishman also owns a pair of the easy leather-based Leah Loafers — and loves them so much, she’s walked 20,000 steps in them with out any blisters. While we used the patent leather-based model for this take a look at, the winner might have been completely different had we gone with the leather-based ones.
“I even wore my smooth leather pair to a friend’s rehearsal dinner in Scotland, since I knew we’d be spending time on grassy lawns and gravel paths and needed something that could handle that type of terrain,” she said. “The patent leather version requires more break-in time but feels inherently more formal, so it’s [an even better] option for dressier occasions.”
Size vary: 5-11
Best sneakers
Best general: Nike Pegasus 42
David Yang, New York Post
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Unlike the heel testers, our sneaker group was actually set up for success at the beginning line. And while all athletic footwear aren’t created equal, if you’re considering about splurging on this Nike basic, just do it.
While Senior Audience Optimization & Discovery Strategist (and marathon runner) Sarah Berman had already run six miles (!) before beginning the shoe take a look at, she still made it over 5 more miles in these sneakers pain-free.
“These shoes are very comfortable to toot around NYC in,” she said. “I have very low arches and I will definitely benefit from having a more supportive shoe when I’m going on a casual walk.”
Though she famous she wouldn’t put on these to the workplace, they’re excellent for a fast change pre- or post-commute.
Size vary: 5-12
Best weather-proof: Hoka Transport 2
Stephen Yang for NY Post
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While these water resistant sneakers are designed to transition seamlessly from a mountain climbing shoe to avenue sneaker, Commerce Deputy Editor Holly J Coley solely examined them for the latter.
“For the person whose primary concern is comfort, there’s no better pick,” she declared. “I’d say they’re comfier than a basic flat, because they’re more supportive, and their build makes them perfect if you suddenly have to run or are walking in bad weather.”
“My only con is that these aren’t, in my opinion, a style shoe,” she added. “While I do know at least two women who could make me eat my words on this point, I think most would agree that they wouldn’t pair these with a LBD or a suit.”
Size vary: 5-11
Best model: Alo Sunset Sneaker
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These 100% suede kicks are named after Sunset Boulevard — but when it comes to pounding NYC pavement, they aren’t the most supportive choice. Commerce Reporter Carrie Berk beloved the look, but wished they had more cushioning.
“Although they’re super cute, I’d stick to wearing them in the short term — i.e., bringing them to change into at a concert or at the office — rather than commuting long distances in them,” she said.
If you’re after something a bit more substantial, the model’s Runner and Recovery Mode footwear might be a better option.
Size vary: 5-14.5
Commuter Shoes in contrast
How we examined
Fashion testing isn’t always as glamorous as it sounds. Stephen Yang for NY Post
While everyone’s NYC commute appears a little completely different, we tried to create the final take a look at with our hours-long stroll across Manhattan. While placing each shoe through its stress take a look at, we saved the following components in thoughts:
Not every shoe made it the entire approach. Stephen Yang for NY Post
It was all fingers (er, toes) on deck for our Made it Here testing. Stephen Yang for NY Post
Which is value it? Final verdict
The verdict? 15 footwear, 5.5 miles and many blisters later, there’s one we’d add to cart in a New York minute: the Margaux West Chelsea Boot. It’s snug, sturdy, and — in true New Yorker vogue — it appears nice, too.
If you’re after something a little more reasonably priced, though, Quince’s best-selling idler was our runner-up. Thanks to the smooth Italian leather-based, it supplies a nice worth for the under-$85 price.
That’s not to say the other footwear in this roundup aren’t value your hard-earned {dollars}. Of course, no one shoe will be excellent for New Yorkers of all walks of life (or for all strolling distances), so we set out to take a look at a well-rounded checklist.
Meet our testers
Team Boots
Miska Salemann, Georgie Olmeda, and Erica Radol (left to proper). Stephen Yang for NY Post
Team Ballet Flats
Alana Bracken, Nishka Dewan and Brooke Matalon (left to proper). Stephen Yang for NY Post
Team Heels
Anissa Lorenzi Boukourizia, Natasha Pearlman and Brooke Parker (left to proper). Stephen Yang for NY Post
Team Loafers
Meaghan Roche, Ru Wolle and Elana Fishman (left to proper).
Team Sneakers
Sarah Berman, Holly J. Coley and Carrie Berk (left to proper). Stephen Yang for NY Post
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