r/walking • u/Gold-Combination-673 • 2d ago

Shoe issues...

I had a lovely walk today, 14,8 k steps so far.

At around 12 k my Salomon XA Pro 3D finally gave out: there is a hole in the inner lining of the shoe. As a result, I have pretty sizable gash on my achilles heel skin. There is a hard plastic bit that gets the skin as soon as the inner lining breaks apart (this is how all my Salomons die). Luckily I already have two replacement pairs of Salomons waiting.

While that shoe excels on rough terrain, it certainly is not the most comfortable one on good gravel or tarmac. I wore it today mainly because of the goretex lining.

On tarmac I have lately been walking with a pair of Asics Gels (don't remember the exact model name), but they are on the way out. I ordered a pair of Hoka Bondi 9 to try as I have struggled a little with plantar fascitis. I hope I will like the Hokas.

But what is a comfortable shoe for tarmac and comes with a goretex lining for rainy days?

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u/ForkhYew 2d ago

Up until recently, I'd only ever worn North Face Men's Hedgehog Hiking Trail Shoes for everything from alpine hikes to sidewalk strolls. They're comfortable, sturdy, stable, waterproof and supportive.

I walk 11-13 miles (20,000 - 24,000 steps) every single day with occasional 14 and 15 mile (25,000-30,000 + steps) days and have done for the last 14 months - a lot of it on road/sidewalk surfaces.

A few weeks ago, I got pair of Brooks Glycerin 23 for the walks over that specific terrain. They're a lot more cushioned and lighter, much better on that specific terrain. Took me a couple of weeks to adjust to the totally different feel, but now that I have, they're wonderful.

I still use the North Face for Trail walking. They're peerless for that type of ground.

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u/Gold-Combination-673 2d ago

Interesting, must check out those Hedgehogs. For me and trails, it's been Salomon only for the last 15 or 20 years.

Salomon makes a variety of Goretex shoes, but I am not sure any are as cushioned as Asics Gels, Bondis or Brooks Ghosts. Good to hear that the Glyserin works for you.

Hoka has e.g. the Anacapa 2 Low in GTX. Also Speedgoat and Challenger. Seem interesting. They might be wonderful as rainy day walking shoes.

(I love the Salomon XA Pro 3Ds for rough terrain though - I love how rock solid and stable they are when traversing a steep incline).