I Wear These Sneakers For Every Hot Girl Walk & They Offer The Perfect Amount Of Cushioning


I love going for walks—and living in New York, it's also one of my favorite modes of transportation, whether I'm headed to the grocery store or friends' apartments. There was a time that I could slip on a pair of sandals and head on my merry way, but over the years I've learned that mode of thinking is only a recipe for discomfort the next day—and pebbles in my shoes!
I've cycled through a wide range of sneakers over the years on the hunt for my perfect fit, but it was serendipitous that I came across my absolute staple shoe for all my hot girl walks: the Altra Escalante 3. After trying out the sneaker on a guided run a few months ago, these shoes have quickly become a mainstay in my footwear lineup as they're not only adorable (who can resist a floral design?) but also provide a wide toe box, giving plenty of room for my feet to breathe.
Why I love Escalante 3.
It's no small task finding a pair of shoes that work on both my hot girl walks and training runs, and there's nothing I find less comfortable than a pair of over-cushioned sneakers. Contrarian, I know. The Escalante 3 came along at the perfect time, when my former favorite sneaker underwent some major changes in terms of padding, and I was in need of a shoe that actually allowed me to feel grounded, lest I struggle with increasing hip pains.
The Escalante 3 is designed with a breathable sock-like design that doesn't feel restrictive on my feet when I take these babies out on hotter days, and they also feature Altra EGO™ midsole foam, so while they aren't overly padded. I also don't feel like my soles aren't being supported; this is essential if I want to zone out and listen to my hot girl tunes (a must.)
Since the Escalante 3 has a Balanced Cushioning™ platform, the shoes are also designed to help improve alignment naturally. That means whether you pronate, supinate, or have a neutral foot, you'll be supported from all angles, causing no excess strain on the body.
An added bonus? I'm especially prone to blisters, and I can confidently say that this has not been an issue in my Escalantes—even after running in the rain!
The takeaway.
The importance of a high-quality, comfortable sneaker should not be overstated, and regardless of whether I'm going for a long walk around the city or just a short stroll to the grocery store, the Escalante 3's are the shoes I'm reaching for. I'm partial to the floral design, but if you're looking for a more muted shade, there are plenty of options and size ranges to choose from so you can hit the streets for your hot girl walk in a shoe that lets your toes breathe.

Merrell Readman is the Associate Food & Health Editor at mindbodygreen. Readman is a Fordham University graduate with a degree in journalism and a minor in film and television. She has covered beauty, health, and well-being throughout her editorial career, and formerly worked at SheFinds. Her byline has also appeared in Women’s Health. In her current role, she writes and edits for the health, movement, and food sections of mindbodygreen. Readman currently lives in New York City.