finding the perfect all-day shoe for work and hiking
I’ve been wearing the same pair of Air Force 1s for what feels like forever. My brother gave them to me for free (he works at Nike, lucky me), and I’ve been putting them through the wringer—12-hour shifts on my feet at work, then hitting the trails on weekends. Honestly, I don’t even mind the blisters anymore. I just keep wearing them until the soles are flapping and there are holes everywhere. Fashion? Not my concern.
But now, these shoes are barely holding together, and I’m finally thinking it’s time to invest in something that can handle my daily grind: long workdays, mountain hikes, city walks, and even the occasional run. I want a pair that’ll last me a few years, not just a few months. I’m in Portugal, so my options for trying shoes on in-store are basically zero—ordering online is my only shot.
I’ve been eyeing the Lowa Zephyr MK2 mid (non-Gore-Tex) and the La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II, but I’ve never tried anything like them before. It’s a bit nerve-wracking to drop serious money on shoes I can’t even try on first. Has anyone else been in this situation? Have you found a shoe that can survive both endless work shifts and rough mountain trails? I’d love to hear what’s actually worked for you, especially if you’re tough on your shoes like I am. Sometimes I wonder if there’s even a shoe out there that can handle all this, or if I’m just doomed to keep patching up whatever I can get my hands on.
#shoerecommendations #hikinglife #workshoes #Travel
