I Hated Walking Until I Tried These Cushy, Podiatrist-Approved Sneakers

I have a friend who walks miles every day with her dog — and enjoys every step. I, on the other hand, spent the majority of 2023 hunched in my chair with my movement consisting of the occasional 10-minute trot, usually to the wine shop.

While I’m painfully sedentary, I’m also partial to toe-pinching, blister-brewing shoes and have always erred on the side of sacrificing comfort for style under the guise that the two are mutually exclusive. It wasn’t until I tried Klaw’s 528 sneakers that I realized walking could, in fact, be enjoyable.

The Klaw 528 sneaker is a cool-girl platform trainer designed for utmost comfort. In fact, the walking shoe is equal parts stylish and comfortable. I’ve actually come to enjoy long walks as a result of its cloudlike, cushy feel. Not to mention, I’ve received numerous compliments from friends and strangers on the platform style and funky edges. The shoes are, IMO worth every cent, but you can snag $20 off one pair when you use the code NEWYEAR20 at checkout.    

Klaws are podiatrist-approved and approved by the American Podiatric Medical Association thanks to their carefully considered, comfort-forward design. For instance, they feature a deep-cup heel, sturdy arch support, and cushioning unlike any I’ve felt in my 30 years of wearing shoes. They feel surprisingly non-bulky despite their pillowy interior, and a lightweight midsole adds to their springy feel. The cloth interior feels notably soft against the skin, making for minimal heel blister risk. The shoes are also rainproof, meaning no mustiness if you accidentally step into a puddle.

Available in six hues, you can stick to basic black, white, or slate gray or get a little fun with pastels like buttery yellow, baby blue, and blush pink — my pick, which is statement-making yet surprisingly versatile. In the vein of optionality, the shoes come in both standard and wide widths, and half sizes are also available, making the fit size-inclusive and comfortable for virtually any foot shape or size. 

The first time I slipped them on was to drop off a letter in a nearby mailbox. One hour later, I found myself a mile or two from my apartment in a fascinating old book store without realizing I’d been walking for over an hour. The following day, I stepped out in the shoes again to simply relive their cushiony, cloudlike comfort and walked for the duration of two podcast episodes with no particular destination in mind. 

I’m hardly alone. One shopper says they “will be going on long walks again” thanks to the shoes. Another who first wore the shoes for six hours straight at an amusement park calls them “extremely comfortable,” while another fan praises how they “look great with almost any outfit.” Finally, a nurse whose feet typically ache in other shoes says “I wore the sneakers for two 12 hour consecutive shifts and had no problems.” 

For a stylish shoe that may literally change your relationship with movement, as it has for me, shop the Klaw 528 sneakers while they’re $20 off. You’re guaranteed to get compliments, too.