I put three pairs of the “most comfortable shoes” to the test. They did not disappoint.
Decades ago, when I was a young 20-something, I wore high heels everywhere. But then, as it does for all of us, time caught up with me. Seemingly overnight, I’d need to spend a full day in bed after an evening in three-inch pumps… but what else could I do? Resign myself to a life of bathrobes and orthopedic nursing shoes? I refused to accept this foot-fate: Fashionable footwear is the hill I will die on. But I also could not spend another evening weeping over my gnarled and blistered toes.
While plenty of footwear brands boast about offering “fashion and function,” in my experience, those two categories don’t often overlap. But after yet another day of tearing up my toes and another trip to the podiatrist, I decided enough was enough. So I took one for the team, and sold my soles for an experiment: I’d spend three active, jam-packed days wearing Easy Spirit shoes.
When I first heard Easy Spirit fans boast about how comfortable and cute they are, I was skeptical. I was sure people would either assume I was a vacationer taking a walking tour of New York City, or I would spend my weekend nursing a crop of newly bloomed blisters. There was no world in which one of these two scenarios wouldn’t play out…or was there?
Day One: Loafers
Full disclosure: I’ve never been a “loafer” girl. No shade to all my loafer-lovers out there (Katie included), but I’ve always thought of them as dowdy. However, when I tried on the Valina flats, I was shocked by how cute they are. They’re easy to put on, and didn’t slip off when I ran (which wasn’t something I’d intended to do, but the day I wore them I was extremely late for my train, so I didn’t have much of an option).
These slip-ons are a bit more elevated than a casual sneaker, and they’re comfier than most casual sneakers I already own. They also match practically everything in my wardrobe, and as a chronic over-packer, I was pleasantly surprised at how flexible and lightweight they are: They hardly take up any suitcase space, so they’re ideal for travel.
Most fashionable feet on the train.
Another reason I’ve had trust issues with loafers in the past is because I have trouble walking in shoes with a flat sole. At this point, I walk right by the no-heel section section when shoe-shopping. But when I slipped the Valina Flats on for the first time, I felt like Cinderella…though these flats are definitely more comfortable than glass slippers. They’re equipped with Easy Spirit eFlex technology, so they’ve got both arch support and a padded footbed, which is apparently what I’ve been looking for all my life. I never thought I’d say this, but I think I’m a loafer-lover, too.
Day Two: Sneakers
If you’ve been following Katie’s Instagram, you know that Katie Couric Media recently went on a company retreat in upstate New York. Those two glorious days of fun and sun came at a price for non-athletes: a company-wide pickleball tournament. I’ve never played pickleball in my life, but I’m never one to turn down a friendly competition. How hard could it be? Well take one guess as to who was assigned to play with Katie, the self-proclaimed queen of the sport and once-covergirl of InPickleball magazine?
Spoiler alert: It was me, and we lost. Spoiler alert number two… despite my poor performance, my feet felt amazing after the game. I wore a pair of Easy Spirit EMOVE Walking Shoes, so the one thing nobody could fault me for was my sporty-chic look.
If you’re looking for a pair of sneakers that will magically turn you into an athlete, I’m sorry to say they don’t exist (that I know of). Lucky for me, there were plenty of other outdoor activities during which I could prove my athletic prowess: These Easy Spirit EMOVE Walking Shoes carried me through an entire day of nature strolling, leisurely bike riding, and even a very heated game of kickball. At the end of a long day, although my muscles were burning, my feet didn’t hurt in the slightest.
To say these sneakers are comfortable is an understatement. They require absolutely no breaking in, and they’re perfect for everything from bouncing your way (clumsily, in my case) across the court to trekking through a new city for hours. The reason why they’re more comfy than any sneaker I’ve worn before is because they’re equipped with EMOVE technology: they provide maximum support, super-soft cushioning, shock absorbing outsoles, and arch support. They come in multiple widths and have even got a removable footbed, so they’re feet-friendly for everyone.
I also love that they’ve got a bit of lift on the sole, making them look much more fashionable than the average walking shoe. I will definitely be wearing these sneakers with shorts or a casual dress this summer, just in case anyone calls me up for an impromptu pickleball game.
Day Three: Dress Sandals
Whether you’ve been happily married for years or are single and ready to mingle, there’s nothing more exciting than finding the perfect date-night shoe. Unfortunately, wearing my stiletto heels from 10 years ago requires asking a stranger to gently carry me to a location where the only functions I can perform are standing up and sitting down. And most of the so-called “comfortable” heels I’ve tried are actually platforms, which make me feel like I’m wearing a Spice Girls costume. Plus, I live in a city known for its public transportation, but about half a mile from the closest subway — a walk which can be exhausting in even the coziest pair of shoes. Since I can’t bring myself to show up at a nice restaurant in a pair of flip flops with dress shoes tucked into my bag, I had high hopes for the Easy Spirit sandals…and they did not disappoint.
I know I sound like a broken record here, but every pair of Easy Spirit I tried fit like broken-in sneakers, and the Easy Spirit Danica Heeled Sandals were no exception. For a recent night out, I picked the Danica in denim, a color that’s both unique and neutral — and just like a pair of jeans, they go with everything. The back strap isn’t too chunky and it’s adjustable, so my foot didn’t lift out of the shoe with every step. The block heels are a bit dressier than a platform, and they provide the stability your feet need for a night of strolling from the bar to the restaurant (and back, maybe). They’re the perfect height for any occasion, and the knot across the toes gives the shoes extra flair. Most importantly, on my walk to the subway, my arches felt so supported that I considered walking all the way to my destination (the key word here being considered). As someone who hits her daily step count just to get to the closest train stop, finding a pair of shoes I look and feel great in is a huge win. Maybe not a “dominating at pickleball alongside Katie at the company event” kind of win, but I’ll take it nonetheless.
