The 7 Chicest, Most Walkable Shoes I Love Wearing in NYC

By wazup on August 12, 2026 No Comments / 9 views

If you live in a metropolitan area like I do, then you know the woes of choosing the right shoes for a full day of walking. We’ve all been there: the blisters, the arch aches, and the final straw of taking your shoes off altogether. Not all shoes are created equally, especially when it comes to walking all day. You want go-to shoes that work with all your outfits without compromising comfort. This sounds impossible, but trust me. As a New York local who is often traveling by foot, I know the chicest shoe trends that are both walkable and versatile.

After walking miles in uncomfortable shoes, I now know the top seven styles that I would recommend to anyone. Think chic, elegant, relatively timeless shoe trends that are reliable, comfortable, and easy to style. Each shoe trend has been worn by me and my many fashionable friends and colleagues in the city. Keep scrolling to learn more about each walkable shoe trend and shop the best picks.

Slide Sandals

Slide sandals don’t usually get described as exceptionally stylish shoes, but contrarily, they are. Sometimes, it’s because of their ultra-casual, sporty nature, but trust me. Slide sandals are such a cute shoe trend to wear with outfits, especially in the transitional weather. I find these really comfortable on my daily walks to the park, for running errands, and when grabbing dinner with friends. They were my go-to for the summer, and now that it’s almost fall, I won’t be putting them away just yet.

Shop Slide Sandals

Vagabond Shoemakers

Effie Slide Sandals

Vince

Sadie Suede Slides in Cacao Brown

Tory Burch

Pierced Slides in Brown

ANCIENT GREEK SANDALS

Amfiliki Suede Slide-Ons

Birkenstock

Madrid Big Buckle Raffia Sandals

Ballet Pumps

I stand at only 5’0″ and would love to be that girl who can wear stilettos to the functions, but I simply cannot be bothered. I will always prioritize comfort. That’s why ballet pumps have been such a go-to for me. The block heel gives me that slight height increase that I look for, and the overall silhouette is so chic. I love hearing the slight click wherever I walk around the city, and it’ll be hours and hours without a single ache or issue. That’s why ballet pumps have become a mainstay in my closet.

A woman wearing a pink dress, and black heels.

Shop Ballet Pumps

Massimo Dutti

High-Heel Ballerinas

AEYDE

Onda Bow-Detailed Leather Pumps

Reformation

Terry Ballet Pumps

Tony Bianco

Maddi Red Nappa

Margaux

The Ada in Espresso Crinkle Patent

Slingback Heels

Slingback heels are shoes that elevate literally any outfit, from a T-shirt and jeans to a knee-length skirt with a jacket. They’re just so elegant to that point. I especially love how short the heels are on slingbacks because I feel just as dressed up as I would with a pair of stilettos. I turn to this trend when I’m going out with friends and need shoes that will make me look intentional and chic.

Shop Slingback Heels

Sézane

Serena High Heels

J.Crew

Robin Wide-Slingback Heels in Leather

Reformation

Calista Slingback Heels in Chocolate Croc

Stuart Weitzman

Georgie Patent Leather Slingback Pumps

ZARA

Leather Heels

Leather Flip-Flops

Now, I know flip-flops are extremely casual, laid-back shoes, but they’re beloved by fashion people in NYC. All of my favorite dressers wore leather flip-flops with their outfits throughout the summer. They’re sturdier than the usual flip-flops and add a certain put-together essence to an outfit too. Now that fall is approaching, I’m not putting away my pair just yet.

Shop Leather Flip-Flops

A.EMERY

Kinto Leather Flip Flops

Massimo Dutti

Flat Leather Sandals

Prada

Logo Flip Flops

Toteme

Naplack Flip Flops

Wedge Sandals

Wedge sandals were such a fun shoe trend to wear throughout the summer. I wore them to every block party, for lots of errand runs, and on tons of hot girl walks. Whenever I wanted added height with zero drama, these were the shoes I would throw on, and they looked cool with every single one of my outfits.

A woman wearing a black long-sleeve top, polka pants, and platform sandals.

Shop Wedge Sandals

St. Agni

Leather Wedge Thong Sandals

Jude

Lucille Leather Wedge Thong Sandals

Chloé

Swimming Cool Patent-Leather Sandals

Tory Burch

Pierced Leather Wedge Sandals

Reformation

Jessie Wedge Thong

Chunky Sneakers

Chunky sneakers are by far the best shoe trend for walking around NYC all day, every day. I have a few cute pairs I love wearing to catch up with friends, walk to the park, on brave days when I walk from Brooklyn to Manhattan across the bridge, and when I don’t feel like overthinking an outfit. Chunky sneakers will never fail me.

Shop Chunky Sneakers

New Balance

9060 Sneakers

adidas

Adistar XLG 2.0 Shoes

Nike

Air Max Muse Sneakers

Asics

Gel-1130 Jewel Mesh Sneakers

Salomon

XT-Whisper

Ballet Flats

The tried-and-true shoe trend of them all will always be ballet flats. They make any outfit look pretty and elegant with minimal effort, and they aren’t too hard on the feet either. I love slipping them on to walk to my local stops and shops and even on nights out. They’ve become quite the dependable shoe trend. The best thing about them is that they are perfect for the transitional weather going into fall too.