One of the best parts of living in a city is being able to walk around to all of the different neighbourhoods and sights in a short amount of time. Over time, that means you are putting a lot of miles on your feet. While it may not seem like something you need to invest in, if you are spending a lot of time walking through a city, you need to have good shoes to protect your feet. You also want your feet to be comfortable so that they don’t get tired out while you push on to visit that record shop across town. Finally, depending on which city you are exploring, you may want to make sure that you are protecting your feet from the elements. In this article, I am going to talk about three very different shoes that all have some great advantages for urban exploration. Read through all of them to see which one is right for you!

Natural World Eco Friendly Shoes

If I were only going to buy based on looks and emotional feel, I would choose Natural World Shoes every time. Natural World Shoes arrive from Spain looking like you have worn them like a good friend for ten years, and I don’t mean that they look worn out, they just look perfectly worn in. As I said, these shoes are made in Spain and come with a European ethos of environmental stewardship. Most of the shoes that Natural World sells are some combination of fair trade organic cotton and natural rubber. There are a few that contain leather and other materials, but they are the minority. I am not sure what they use to scent the shoes, however when you open the box there is amazing almost candy scent, I love it and makes me enjoy putting them on every time. As most of the shoe uppers are made out of cotton canvas, there are usually many colorways to choose from. When you buy these shoes you feel good about doing it due to the company’s ethos and when you get them you feel great about the way they look and smell. When you own them, you will love the way they feel on your feet. The pairs that I have owned have been sturdy, yet light and comfortable. The only downside is that it does take them a little while to arrive all the way from Spain. I do wish they still had stores stocking them here. Still, it is not too big a chore to go on the site and get to look at all the amazing options that Natural World Shoes have to offer, sometimes I even go on there when I don’t need a new pair. Make sure to check out their website here and get to know Natural World Shoes.

Vessi Shoes

Vessi shoes have been around for awhile, however, it has only been in the last year or so that they have begun to be more broadly popular. Vessi Shoes are designed in Vancouver, Canada, a city known for its abundant rain and Vessi shoes are designed precisely to be worn there. All of the shoes made by Vessi are made to be 100% waterproof. As you can imagine, living on the west coast of Canada where it rains almost half the year, having a waterproof shoe is definitely a good investment. Despite starting from a premise of making a shoe that is completely waterproof, the design of Vessi Shoes is where they really shine. The shoes are all completely unique looking, yet very stylish and comfortable too. Also despite being completely waterproof, the shoes remain breathable, so it is not like your feet are locked in some galoshes or rubber boots all day. Vessi also has a great corporate ethos, which focuses on sustainability and lessoning their impact on the environment. Really if you are looking for the Swiss Army Knife of urban walking shoes that can look great and not make you sweat in the summer, while protecting your feet from the wet in the winter, Vessi Shoes should definitely be on your list to try out. You can have a look at their website right here.

Saguaro Barefoot Shoes

While barefoot shoes aren't for everyone, their popularity has surged in recent years. Many wearers find that the minimalist design and natural feel of these shoes offer a unique experience that resonates with them. Some of the potential benefits that are reported from wearing barefoot shoes include improved foot strength, flexibility and comfort. While some barefoot shoes are focused on the truly converted and are extremely expensive, Saguaro shoes balance price, style and comfort. For those looking for a barefoot shoe experience for walking around the city, Saguaro shoes and many different options to look at. For those concerned about the perception of barefoot shoes having thin soles and thus not appropriate for wearing on sidewalks, don’t be, Saguaros have good soles that are designed to provide protection for your feet while still giving you the barefoot experience. Take a look at the Saguaro website here and check their many different types of shoes.

Remember, the best way to take in the city is on foot and having a good pair of shoes that works for you will let you see even more sights when you are out walking.