Since I’ve been in Washington, I’ve been taught a lot of tricks of the journalism trade. But there’s one important lesson I’ve learned on my own — wear comfortable shoes.
As a one-man-band broadcaster, I regularly haul bags of heavy equipment through Washington on tight deadlines. But when I’m in impractical shoes, I hobble and wobble back to the office at snail’s pace. It’s an easy mistake but costs plenty – in lost time and tender toes.
To help my female colleagues reporting around Washington, I’ve compiled a guide to broadcaster-friendly footwear that can get anyone to those Capitol Hill hearings and White House press briefings.
The trick to forgetting about your feet is preparation.
Keep a variety of shoes at the office. Different stories call for different levels of formality and activity. Under my desk right now, I have a pair of red flats, black open-toed wedges with wood detail and a pair of black patent leather high heels ready to go at a moment’s notice. You wouldn’t know by looking at them, but they are all insanely comfortable.
The flats are casual, weatherproof and durable. Featuring rubber soles, they’re perfect for stomping through rain or slick conditions, but look nice enough to wear to a business event. The selling point: I can easily run in them. A reluctant interview subject will never outpace me.
Wedges are preferable to heels because they provide an extra level of stability, which comes in handy when you’re juggling a camera, tripod, batteries and several microphones. A good pair will fit snugly but comfortably.
In general, high heels are a treacherous no-no. Stilettos, heavy cargo, a deadline and a sidewalk grate could be your fast track to the emergency room. But if you must, there are some tall shoes out there that will actually allow you to feel your toes after a day of live shots or taped interviews around town. If you’re willing to make the investment, Cole Hahn makes journalists’ dream shoes. The classic designs look chic, effectively hiding the cloud-comfy soles that are manufactured by Nike.
The right shoes can make the difference between walking and hobbling, between tired feet and feet that feel like they’re about to fall off.
But for reporters, they also can make the difference between running for that last interview and missing it, and most importantly—between making your deadline and blowing it.