I Walked for Miles in 15 New Pairs of Shoes—These 7 Were the Most Comfortable

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(Image credit: @_sierramayhew)

Buying shoes online has never been easy, but thanks to associate fashion editor Sierra Mayhew, now it is. She zips around the stores of New York City trying on all the trending shoes to report on the comfort, fit, and style so you never have to make a return again.

Anyone who knows me knows that I love a good pair of shoes. I am at a point where I have so many that they line the walls of my apartment. While I'm on the hunt for a new storage solution to keep tabs on my collection, I'm still shoe shopping, of course. 

As a New Yorker, there's nothing more important to me in a new pair of shoes than comfort. I love wearing heels, but I also love walking home, so I'm picky when it comes to which style I'll buy. I recently updated my shoe collection with a few new styles to determine what might be the most comfortable to wear this winter. I'm at a point where I know what to look for when buying shoes, so it was surprisingly difficult to narrow this down, but behold the seven styles that made the cut.

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(Image credit: @_sierramayhew)

There isn't an item that's more difficult to shop for than heeled mules. It's a challenge to determine their comfort level simply by looking at a photo online. The brand Larroudé is dedicated to making shoes as comfortable as possible, so I always trust anything I buy from it. 

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(Image credit: @_sierramayhew)

Stretch boots are having a major comeback, and I'm here for it. They're the kind of boots that hug you in tight and make your legs look super long. Most styles I've seen are ankle length, so this knee-high pair is different and cool.

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(Image credit: @_sierramayhew)

Not that long ago, I had a pair of brown croc boots that I was obsessed with. I wore them on repeat to the point that they totally broke and were unsalvageable. I pleaded with my cobbler, but it was a lost cause. Finding these boots from BY FAR was the best thing ever. They're much higher quality than my original pair, and I already know that they go with everything.

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(Image credit: @_sierramayhew)

Who says you can only wear boots in the winter? I still love wearing my heels on frigid days with a good pair of tights or socks. Since my entire body was as covered as possible, wearing a pair of heels like this brought my look together.

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(Image credit: @_sierramayhew)

If you're really serious about comfort, you already have a pair of lug-sole boots in your closet. They're the most comfortable shoes anyone could ever own. Sometimes, they feel extremely casual, but something about this all-white pair is just so elevated to me. They were designed by Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, so that's probably why.

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I legit walked for miles the first time I wore these, and it felt like walking on a cloud. All of my co-workers have raved about Vagabond, and when I finally tried the brand myself, I immediately understood. We're seeing puffy footwear from Prada and Loewe, so you bet I'm wearing it now.

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Just when I thought I'd seen it all, I found a pair of boots that come with a built-in anklet. I'm not over my obsession with heavy chains, so I fell in love with these boots immediately. Plus, I love the slouch.

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Up Next: We're Fashion Editors—These Are the Most Comfortable Heeled Boots We Own

Associate Editor

Sierra Mayhew was always destined to work in fashion, but she didn't know it at first. Growing up with no choice but to wear a rotation of school uniforms and activewear, her love for fashion really blossomed when she moved away for college and was able to finally define her very own personal style. Shortly thereafter, she interned at Elle magazine and instantly knew that editorial was for her. After graduating from the University of Notre Dame, she worked for ShopBazaar, contributing regularly to Bazaar.com, and finally made her way to Who What Wear, where she is an associate editor. When she’s not working, you can catch her always trying to catch a flight, trying the latest fitness craze in New York City, or exploring luxury vintage boutiques.