A reader asks: Where can I find shoes for pounding city streets?

Does walking city streets in stylish shoes have to be an uncomfortable experience? Grey Fox investigates a reader's question:

Dear Grey Fox,

So here is my dilemma, I want to walk 15,000 steps a day on the hard streets and pavements of London. It keeps my weight down, and the “fresh” air is good for me. While explorer chic works for the thirty-somethings and perhaps Ran Fiennes, I still want to look the  English Gentleman. So what shoes should I choose?

Approach shoes, comfortable but 'look s**t'?

Stout north country farmer's footwear, bought in Penrith, work but they are tough going on the heels and spine. I've tried some chukka-style boots, but not that much support.  George Boots from Crockett & Jones are lovely, but lack shock absorption. Walk-in boots are comfortable but look s**t.

Regards

JC

Dear JC,

Many thanks. I agree about walk-in boots (by which I assume you mean approach shoes), which take me back to my pre-Grey Fox days of fleeces, cargo trousers and chunky walking shoes. These all have a place on the Cumbrian fells or the walk to Machu Picchu, but not striding along Fleet Street, Queen Street or Fifth Avenue.

My first suggestion is to keep your chunky brogues, but wear them with impact-absorbing insoles. I find these very good, although you tend to pay a lot for the best. You may need to remove the existing insoles, or buy shoes slightly larger, but the benefits are clear.

Harry's of London calf leather with comfortable injected rubber soles

Leather-soled shoes will be less shock-absorbent than rubber ones, such as Vibram, Dainite or the equivalent. If good Goodyear-welted rubber-soled Northampton-made oxfords, derbies or boots don't provide comfort, try a thicker sole like those found on Doc Martens.

An interesting brand that is relatively new to me is Harry's of London whose beautifully-designed footwear places great emphasis on sole comfort with their injected rubber soles and high quality leathers. I've been wearing their Sebastian calf leather derbies (pictured above) and find them ideal for pounding the city streets, while retaining urban style.

Grey Fox