The Most Comfortable Pair of Shoes You Own

Hey all,

Just wanted to reach out to everyone to have an understanding of what your most comfortable pair of shoes are.

I recently purchased a pair of All Birds from the States and I have to say that they definitely live up to the hype, being marketed as 'The World's Most Comfortable Shoe'.

I've been wearing them everyday for last 3 months and now wearing anything else doesnt close plus the price tag is affordable at $140 AUD.

I'm considering buying like 3 more pairs to rotate but before I do, just wanted to see what my options are out there.

AU website

Let me know your thoughts!

Poll Options

  • 6
    Buy more All Birds
  • 49
    Buy a pair of Ultraboosts
  • 5
    Buy a pair of Birkenstocks
  • 3
    Buy a pair of Gucci Slides w/ Socks
  • 12
    Buy a pair of Crocs

Comments

  • +11

    I find anything that's the "worlds most" anything eventually goes to cr@p after not too long - "Worlds softest Towel" - soft in store, wash it once and its like sandpaper on your genitals.

    I hope this isn't the same as your shoes because if not I'll be getting a pair :P

    • You have to stop buying the ribbed towels

      • +4

        Well they need to stop advertising them as being "for my pleasure"

        • +1

          I do get your point. My towels always dry out scratchy no matter what softener etc I use. Would love some pointers from people who manage to keep their towels fluffy.

        • +1

          @try2bhelpful: I actually think the trick is to put them in the dryer…..so if you don't own one (like me) = scratchy towels.

        • +1

          @Fergy1987: I have a dryer, I just don't use it. Its function seems to be to fill the hole next to the washer. Will have to give it a go and see.

    • Haha I didn't believe the hype until I tried them on.

      Now I'm a believer.

      They're extremely comfortable (it's like walking on clouds).

      They're supportive and you can wear them without socks.

      You can machine wash them and they look pretty good.

      100% rate but can't comment on durability as I've only had them for 3 months.

      • Hey,

        Just so you know, All Birds actually arent that supportive longterm. It's a bit of a gimmick. The upper material is far too soft and gives really quickly and the ensity of the sole is low, meaning it gives way very quickly and doesn't hold your body weight. They're comfortable like their walking on clouds for that very reason. But they've done very well :)

  • a pair of aldo suede sneakers from the iconic for 70 bucks. Soles so soft and cushy.

  • +1

    the Nike Epic React Flyknits have been very very comfortable for me.
    I rate it more comfortable than my Ultraboosts or Yeezy 350v2s which were really comfortable as well.

  • +2

    I have a wide foot and it has to be New Balance wide fitting running shoes. They never require that you break them in, you can just wear them straight from the store with no problems like blisters or tightness. The Asics wide fitting running shoes on the other hand are awful initially, lots of misery getting them broken in.

  • -1

    $10 KMART

    Bargain > Comfort

    • Same for me, but as per OP

      plus the price tag is affordable at $140 AUD.

    • +2

      I used to think so too, but after doing a lot of walking, and my getting older, I find my ankles are less resilient to the impact. Those $10 shoes will cost you more in the long run if you're using them for more than pulling the wheelie bins out.

    • I know you're having a laugh, but I don't get why people cheap out so much on things like footwear.. It's one of the few things worth spending extra on.

      And I don't mean on some ridiculous $200 limited edition shoe or whatever people are in to these days

  • RMs?

  • +1

    RM Williams comfort

    Best mens shoes in the world. Seriously the comfort is amazing and they can be worn with jeans or a suit.

    • RMs look good, are versatile, and definitely tough (got my brown pair finally re-soled after a decade, blacks still going strong), but they're definitely not the most comfortable; there's no proper insole, so support is non-existent.

      • I agree. They are very tough. I generally wear business shoe most days, but occasionally wear the RMs with a suit for work.
        Not amazing comfort but quite good if you need a boot that goes casually and business at the same time. Cost is high.

        • +2

          Cost isn’t high though

          They are like $300-400 for something that will last 10+ years

        • +1

          Yeah I've been considering the RM Williams for a while. I've heard they're very good and are extremely durable.

          Maybe it's time to bite the bullet and get a pair.

        • +1

          Go into a store for a fit test (then buy them from Nungar), they're very well-built, versatile, and require little upkeep to shine. My browns are good as new after a decade after I re-soled, and I have a black pair for suits. They'd be an unreserved thumbs up… except you're asking for comfort, and I wouldn't stand in these all day.

        • I agree RMs are nice shoes and I think they look good but they are certainly comfortable. After standing around all day in them my feet swell up badly because there is no arch support or cushioning.

        • I wear RMs to work and I find them comfortable. I'm a teacher at a school with a lot of portable classrooms so I walk a lot - indoors and outdoors. Having said that, I am a woman so maybe they are just incredibly comfortable compared to women's shoes.

          I paid $12 at Salvos and they had just been resoled. Now that's a bargain. I have resoled them each year at my local cobbler. I've also seen RMs at the outlet stores, so that might be worth considering if you are unsure about the price-tag. Or you could become a cop - the AFP get discounts…

        • @1mmy1mmy: For a period I wore them at least 10 hrs a day 4 times a week constantly on the move walking and commuting. No other shoes would hold up to that, and wore them with stockpile socks

        • @SirMurduck: I had more standings shifts when I worked retail, and no arch support or cushioning meant I almost never wore my RMs to work. For long standing comfort, they just didn't rate vs Red Wing rangers or even Docs.

      • +1

        The Craftsman with dynamic flex soles are very comfortable with good arch support. I rotate between 2 pairs and wear nothing else (except for Hoka One One for running).

  • You're comparing trainers vs sandals vs clogs? All Birds are all social media hype. They're fine, but definitely not worth the 'world's most comfortable' title.

    Best sneakers I own are Spingle Move. I picked up a pair in Hiroshima a few years ago, and ordered two more pairs from Rakuten. They use kangaroo leather in their entire range, like football shoes, but with a vulcanised rubber sole that's melted over the upper, so it feels like a second skin, without the heel pain of other ultra low-profile shoes like Vibram.

    • I idly looked up the Spingle omg they are expensive on Amazon https://www.amazon.com.au/s/ref=nb_sb_noss/357-6482654-48280…

      • Wow. 3rd party sellers. I bought my first pair for $150 in Japan, but Rakuten (Japanese Amazon) has them for about $220. They're definitely expensive, but the craftsmanship and comfort is amazing.

    • Oh interesting.

      Can you try on a pair here in AU?

      Would like to see and try them before I buy.

      • Unfortunately not. It's a pretty tiny company but have a dedicated fanbase in Japan

  • +4

    Old grandpa slippers from big w. Wear them inside all winter. I love them. $12

  • +1

    Nike Air Force 1

  • +1

    Doc Martens 8 hole boots

  • Skechers Go Walk.

    They're comfortable but they provide FA arch support and if you're planning to walk over 15 minutes, get some proper runners.

  • +1

    2$ Thongs from kmart

    • +1

      We're talking shoes not underwear

  • +1

    Converse

    • +1

      I can't say I'm a fan of Converse.
      Had a couple of pairs but after a day of standing/walking around your feet start to hurt.

  • Pair of cheap (Nike) joggers that've been broken in for about 5 years.

  • +4

    Nike Huarache lows, retro ones from the 90s. Still amazing. They have like a sock liner fit. Slip on an off. Great shoes. I would wear everyday if it was acceptable.

  • Vans slip on especially the Ultracush model but i cant seem to find them for sale anymore

  • KEEN shoes are worth a look if you want comfortable rugged type walking shoes. Didn’t have to break them in before trekking around Europe. My Geox sandals are really comfortable. My problem is I wear my most comfortable shoes into the ground and then look for the replacement. Now if I find a comfortable shoe I buy several pairs - of course whilst the sale is still on.

  • birks/rms are the comfiest footwear I own

    • Birks are so good.

      All these recommendations with RMs maybe its time to jump on the train but will need to wait for a sale!!

  • Rockport ? Fit my budget and pretty comfy

    • I had a pair of Rockport but after like 3 months of wearing it on and off, they fell apart.

      Not sure if they were faulty or not but can't say I'd go back…

      • I had a super comfy pair of Rockports that I wore to work for about 5 years. Totally worth the $200 I paid for them.

        • Yep I’ve got the rockport “dressport” some model starting with an A. Straight up best shoe I own and I have a significant collection

  • Stretchers for casual and Ive worn doc martin yellow stich for work for ages. They have rubber soles full leather. Not cheap though. But then again they do last a lobg time.

  • Moccasins

    /endthread

  • +1

    I suffer with plantar fascia so i hunted down some comfortable thongs which i wear constently and i found Cobianin america incredibly soft and you feel you are walking on air. Paid around $60 but worth it

    Ten times better than memory shoes

    My plantar fascia is almost gone now. Some ppl have had them for ten years so they take a lot of wearing out

  • +1

    asics gel evolution

  • I was given a pair of Rivers leather boots (4363 MBOOT) in 2014. They have a sneaker-like sole and feel like wearing slippers.
    They were being cleared for $15.00 (found receipt).

  • I will vote for Hoka One One's https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoka_One_One. Not cheap but exceptionally comfortable. A wide range of fitting options, excellent arch support and impact cushioning. Many podiatrists recommend them to their clients with chronic foot complaints.

  • +1

    I like Ecco as they are comfy. I tried rockport but the sizing in my opinion is just out of whack.

  • The best shoes I ever had was a $10 pair of generic green and black sneakers I got from Walmart while touring the US in 2012. I swear they were the most amazing pair of shoes I ever had.

  • +1

    I complained I had no shoes, till I met a man who had no feet.

    • That's nothing, I couldn't even meet a man, no feet or not!

  • Bought a pair of Nike Air Max 2016s a couple years ago and while they were extremely comfortable they were outrageously expensive. They're also quite fragile, I have known several people that have popped the air bubble on them.

  • I have a pair of 'Maddox' shoes that I bought for 40 something dollars from Myer. They are close to 5 years old now and almost in tatters. They are the most comfy shoes I have ever owned so I haven't thrown them out. Unfortunately doesn't look like these shoes are made anymore :(

  • +1

    Airmax 90s

  • +1

    I recommend buying a pair of New Balance 247. They're so comfortable.

    • +1

      Got a pair of New Balance 410s on right now. Got them for $10. They are legit the most comfy shoes I've ever had.

  • You should try some Sketcher's Air Cooled Memory Foam range. Bought a pair when I was in Japan and they're so comfortable. Same stuff available in Aus, so I bought a second pair.

  • I have used five-ten low hiking shoes (camp four) for close on 10 years straight (onto my second pair). Perfect for me all around the world, the bush, the shops etc

    Then they went and changed the design…

  • I collect the shoes stuck over powerlines. Almost new everytime and very comfy plus free

  • +1

    I bought a pair of All Birds but because at the time they were unisex they were far too wide and looked like grandma orthotic shoes. Maybe now the range is bigger I’ll try again… they were easy to return and the refund was processed quickly.

    • The style do look kind of boring but if you are into the norm core look it might work for you

  • +2

    Barefoot :)

  • My feet :) I feel much more stable walking in bare feet. Get a peice of glass or something stuck in foot maybe once every 2.5 years, but I have a GP who is quite competent with digging needle in to remove any foreign object.
    For long walks (over 3km) I usually go for asics Kayano joggers, as I have a back injury and get sore knees sometimes, and also walk with my ankles rolling somewhat. The Kayano's are very supportive, keep ankles from rolling, and cushion impact on both back and knees.
    The Kayano do have an issue with the part at ankle sometimes wearing through too quick, then digging/cutting into ankle. Return to store for warranty replacement if this occurs after minimal use, it is a known issue so replacement should be offered.

  • Nike free run are likesocks, but they are flimsy af. Stillworth if you can getthem around $60

  • I can get away with wearing black new balance 624's at work. They are comfortable for me.

    My fitbit iconic says I do 10,000 steps per day at work.

    I also take them on OS holidays with me as I typically do a lot of walking when OS.

    At home I wear bare feet.

    (You should only buy 624's when they are on special for half price; heh like all the time).

  • Italian dress shoes with dr scholls put in

  • I'm a fan of the foam base, like the Allbirds, and also the Nike Roche's. I find the Air cushion in Nikes to be a gimmick.

    Got my Roches 2 from ozbargain, loved the foam base since then - and I've also got another Ozb pair that were comfortable

    The Lunar Epics were also nice and soft, they are runners but cushy.

  • +1

    Brooks Beast

    • Yup. Gone through 2 of them. Looking at a 3rd. Ugly af though, the price of comfort.

  • Go to Spendless and checkout the Volley shoes. Used to be dunlop but sold off years ago, the quality declined. Sales followed and today they are much improved, if not as good as, they used to be.
    The most comfortable shoes I've ever worn and cheap. I feel positively bouncy in them.

  • RM William boots are very comfortable - I've got 2 pairs.
    If an one else has tried it, Cole Haan is also very comfortable with lots of styles including black leathers. I think David Jones has a limited range. You'd have to go to the States or Asia to find a store for full range.

  • Hey OP, which Allbirds did you buy? I'm thinking of trying them as well, I'm always on the look out for comfy shoes. I've got several pairs of Skechers, they've been my go to shoes these days, I wear them everywhere, even to work (black ones) since I'm on my feet all day

  • The thing that sucks for me is that I have to wear orthotics and they're hard af, they're literally made of carbon fibre. So it completely defeats the purpose of most comfortable shoes, like ultraboost, air max and vapour max. If I take them off, my flat foot begins to go, NOPE, get f'd m8 I'm gonna induce pain in your feet

  • Sketchers for me. Can walk for hours and no sore feet or back.

  • Skechers memory foam series. Legendary.

  • Running: Brooks
    Walking/Casual: Ultraboost

  • Not ecco $220-ish, they were great at first but then only lasted a month… stretched too much and I ended up twisting both ankles.

    Would love to see a poll/board for the ladies, fashionable and comfortable.

  • Kinsei 4/5, Kayano 15/17, Ultraboost uncaged, Epic React. These shoes were the ones that constantly made me feel like I'm 'Walking on clouds' every time I came back to them after wearing other shoes.

  • ethnicspirit, super comfy

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