I tested four shoe options on three city trips with daily steps between 16k and 25k. Instead of lab metrics, I logged how my feet felt at noon, dinner time, and next morning.
Pairs tested:
- HOKA Clifton
- New Balance 990v6
- On Cloudsurfer
- ECCO walking/casual model
Midday comfort notes
HOKA reduced fatigue fastest on high-step days. New Balance felt most stable when streets were uneven. On was light and easy to style but needed careful sock pairing. ECCO was best for mixed "walk all day then casual dinner" schedules.
End-of-day reality
This is the true test. By 9 p.m., HOKA and New Balance were still comfortable. On felt great early but could create hotspot risk for me if I pushed long walking windows. ECCO stayed reliable, though less energetic in stride feel.
The mistake I used to make
I used to pick shoes mainly for airport look. Now I pick for day-three foot condition. You can hide ugly blisters under good photos, but you cannot enjoy a city with sore feet.
My practical recommendation
- Max comfort and easy adaptation: HOKA Clifton
- Stable all-day support: New Balance 990v6
- Lightweight style-forward option: On Cloudsurfer
- Versatile casual-travel profile: ECCO
Extra tip
For 5+ day walking trips, bring two pairs and alternate. Even great shoes feel better with recovery time.
Your best travel shoe is the one that keeps your last evening as enjoyable as your first morning.
Socks changed the result more than expected
When I switched to better moisture-managing socks, hotspot risk dropped across all models. That reminded me shoes are only half the system.
Before replacing a pair, test one week with better socks first. Sometimes the issue is friction control, not shoe foam.