New York Post may be compensated and/or receive an affiliate commission if you click or buy through our links. Featured pricing is subject to change.
If the shoe fits … it still might not be the right fit for an NYC commute.
Between rushing to catch the train, pounding the pavement and navigating mysterious sidewalk substances, it’s tricky to find footwear that’s comfortable, durable and (ideally) stylish enough for a day in the Big Apple.
So here at The Post, we put 15 shoes through their paces to find out which are truly commute-proof. The test? Walking from Columbus Circle to Battery Park (about 5.5 miles) — on a sweltering summer day, no less.
Now, countless steps and several blister Band-Aids later, the results are in. Whether you’re looking for practical sneakers or comfy heels (not an oxymoron, we promise), the below styles are a step above the rest.
Best boots
Best overall: Margaux The West Chelsea Boot
Made It Here Margaux The West Chelsea Boot. David Yang/New York Post
Pros:
Cons:
Commerce Reporter Miska Salemann finished the whole route without giving in to the temptation of taking a taxi or train — a feat made easier thanks to these luxe, suede Margaux boots. In pursuit of shoe-testing glory (and a prize at the finish line), she even ran for part of the trek. And while these aren’t actually designed for sprinting, it’s seriously impressive how well 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 comfort — they look chic, too. Margaux’s emerged as a favorite among fashion editors, and the West Chelsea Boot is no exception. In addition to Miska’s brown suede pick, it also comes in three other expensive-looking color options.
Size range: 3.5-14
Best (relatively) budget-friendly: Steve Madden Jones Boots
Pros:
Cons:
Don’t want to foot the bill for a luxury option? Commerce Partnerships Manager Georgie Olmeda tested out these zip-up Steve Madden boots — which look strikingly similar to The Row’s $1,490 pair, for less than half the cost.
“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 shoes 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 range: 5-14
Best durability: Blundstone Vegan Originals 2115
Pros:
Cons:
Blundstones are known for being water-resistant and extra durable. But, as Commerce Reporter Erica Radol proved, they’re not just for rugged outings (or liberal arts college campuses) — they’re also stylish enough for an NYC commute.
Erica made it two miles totally 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 grab based on looks alone, they scored major comfort points. “There’s nothing cute about wincing in pain,” she said.
Size range: 5-16
Best ballet flats
Best overall: Madewell The Greta Glove Flat
Pros:
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 found the style was not only comfy, 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 range: 5-12
Best star-worthy style: Reformation Bethany Ballet Flat
Pros:
Cons:
From Jennifer Lopez to Sarah Jessica Parker, plenty of fashionable New Yorkers wear Reformation — so the brand’s ballet flats were a shoo-in (or should we say shoe-in?) for our testing.
While the Mary Jane design is chic and on-trend, Social Media Editor Brooke Matalon only made it 10 blocks before blisters started to form. That said, she did appreciate that they had decent support and didn’t “feel like walking directly on the floor,” as many ballet flats do.
All in all, we wouldn’t ditch these entirely — but they’re not our first choice for a commute that involves a ton of time on your feet.
“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 range: 5-11
Best color options: Vivaia Square-Toe Margot Mary Jane 3.0
Pros:
Cons:
Vivaia has also racked up legions of celebrity fans, from Katie Holmes to Pamela Anderson. But while these colorful Mary Janes looked great 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 explained. “We had to stuff tissues in my shoes just so I could make the subway ride.”
Size range: 5-11
Best heels
Best overall: Sole Bliss Carmen
David Yang/New York Post
Pros:
Cons:
Lifestyle Director Natasha Pearlman ditched her Louboutins for the day in favor of these Sole Bliss pumps, which promise truly superior comfort. And while they might not be as stylish as red 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 perfect for navigating small cracks in the pavement, she noted that the base of the heel remained firmly in place — unlike some of the other pairs she’s tried. (She could also sprint “surprisingly fast” in them, ideal for catching a train.)
“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 range: 5-11
Best block heel: Inez Frida
Pros:
Cons:
Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the comfiest of them all? To find out, Photo Editor Anissa Lorenzi Boukourizia put these silver, mirrored pumps to the test. And while she didn’t make it all the way to Battery Park on foot, she did find they had a “pretty surprising” amount 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 range: 6-10.5
Best for shorter commutes: Aldo Alicieaa
Pros:
Cons:
Commerce Partnerships Associate Brooke Parker was head over heels for the look of these Aldo shoes, which have padded insoles and are part of the brand’s “Pillow Walk” line.
That said, they earned much higher marks for fashion than function. While she appreciated the style’s relative stability and traction, Brooke only made it 20 minutes before she started 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 range: 5-11
Best loafers
Best overall: Quince Italian Leather Soft Loafer
Pros:
Cons:
These loafers were another testing breakout star — with virtually no break-in period. While our tester, Sr. Audience Optimization & Discovery Analyst Meaghan Seward, is admittedly blister-prone, she adjusted to this Quince style far faster 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 explained.
While she wished they had a roomier toebox — and a slightly trendier design — she was overall impressed by the luxe materials.
“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 range: 5-11
Best timeless classic: GH Bass Grace Penny Loafer
Pros:
Cons:
With these loafers, good things come to those who wait. While VP of Brand Partnerships Ru Wolle said the leather feels “substantial and clearly high quality,” she found it a bit stiff (and blister-inducing) at first.
On the bright side, the style held up to light rain and sidewalk puddles — and overall 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 range: 5-11
Best patent leather: Coach Leah Loafer
Stephen Yang for NY Post
Pros:
Cons:
When it came time to test shoes, Page Six Style & Shopping Director Elana Fishman said, “put me in Coach” — in more ways than one. As a fashion expert, she loves that these loafers are “beautifully made” and easy to dress 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 smooth leather Leah Loafers — and loves them so much, she’s walked 20,000 steps in them without any blisters. While we used the patent leather version for this test, the winner might have been different had we gone with the leather 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 range: 5-11
Best sneakers
Best overall: Nike Pegasus 42
David Yang, New York Post
Pros:
Cons:
Unlike the heel testers, our sneaker group was really set up for success at the starting line. And while all athletic shoes aren’t created equal, if you’re thinking about splurging on this Nike classic, just do it.
While Senior Audience Optimization & Discovery Strategist (and marathon runner) Sarah Berman had already run six miles (!) before starting the shoe test, she still made it over five 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 noted she wouldn’t wear these to the office, they’re perfect for a quick change pre- or post-commute.
Size range: 5-12
Best weather-proof: Hoka Transport 2
Stephen Yang for NY Post
Pros:
Cons:
While these water-resistant sneakers are designed to transition seamlessly from a hiking shoe to street sneaker, Commerce Deputy Editor Holly J Coley solely tested 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 range: 5-11
Best style: Alo Sunset Sneaker
Pros:
These 100% suede kicks are named after Sunset Boulevard — but when it comes to pounding NYC pavement, they aren’t the most supportive option. Commerce Reporter Carrie Berk loved 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 brand’s Runner and Recovery Mode shoes might be a better choice.
Size range: 5-14.5
Commuter Shoes compared
How we tested
Fashion testing isn’t always as glamorous as it sounds. Stephen Yang for NY Post
While everyone’s NYC commute looks a little different, we tried to create the ultimate test with our hours-long walk across Manhattan. While putting each shoe through its stress test, we kept the following factors in mind:
Not every shoe made it the whole way. Stephen Yang for NY Post
It was all hands (er, feet) on deck for our Made it Here testing. Stephen Yang for NY Post
Which is worth it? Final verdict
The verdict? 15 shoes, 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 comfortable, durable, and — in true New Yorker fashion — it looks great, too.
If you’re after something a little more affordable, though, Quince’s best-selling loafer was our runner-up. Thanks to the soft Italian leather, it provides a great value for the under-$85 cost.
That’s not to say the other shoes in this roundup aren’t worth your hard-earned dollars. Of course, no one shoe will be perfect for New Yorkers of all walks of life (or for all walking distances), so we set out to test a well-rounded list.
Meet our testers
Team Boots
Miska Salemann, Georgie Olmeda, and Erica Radol (left to right). Stephen Yang for NY Post
Team Ballet Flats
Alana Bracken, Nishka Dewan and Brooke Matalon (left to right). Stephen Yang for NY Post
Team Heels
Anissa Lorenzi Boukourizia, Natasha Pearlman and Brooke Parker (left to right). Stephen Yang for NY Post
Team Loafers
Meaghan Roche, Ru Wolle and Elana Fishman (left to right).
Team Sneakers
Sarah Berman, Holly J. Coley and Carrie Berk (left to right). Stephen Yang for NY Post
For over 200 years, the New York Post has been America’s go-to source for bold news, engaging stories, in-depth reporting, and now, insightful shopping guidance. We’re not just thorough reporters – we sift through mountains of information, test and compare products, and consult experts on any topics we aren’t already schooled specialists in to deliver useful, realistic product recommendations based on our extensive and hands-on analysis. Here at The Post, we’re known for being brutally honest – we clearly label partnership content, and whether we receive anything from affiliate links, so you always know where we stand. We routinely update content to reflect current research and expert advice, provide context (and wit) and ensure our links work. Please note that deals can expire, and all prices are subject to change.
Source link
