Peteralan

I try to do some exercise walking ( more brisk rather than power! )most mornings and later this year we will do a lot of walking in Italy. Can anyone recommend a good place in Sydney to get the appropriate shoes and even what brand? Many thanks.

lavici

hi peteralan i can't tell you where in sydney but i can tell you: you first have to know if you're a pronator, neutral or suppinator... do the brown bag/wet foot test, and then go and be fitted at a runner's shop ( jogger's specialized shop) i'm a neutral with a slight pronation and i use asics nimbus 9, or asics kayanos. specially with all those cobbled streets da l'italia. ciao bambino... jjj

Bokhara2

Hi Peter,


I'm guessing you're looking for something that will do double duty to get you around Italy comfortably, and look respectable at the same time?


For walkers (not joggers/sneakers) ...
Have a look at the Sebago range
http://www.sturrocks.com.au/page/boatique_products.html. at Ruscutters Bay. I have a pair I've worn EVERYWHERE for about 5 years and they're fantastic.

Also, Rivers, Colorado & Rockport for good walkers/loafers/'boat shoes'.

For joggers, have a look at The Athlete's Foot (Probably one in the shopping centre at B.Junction) and Foot Locker. I think they have some sort of device that indicates whether you're pronator, neutral or suppinator. Lavici's "Brown Bag/wet foot" test sounds like a good idea.

Over this side - excellent advice & shoes at
Northside Runners in Sydney Road,Manly. (5 min walk from the ferry). My trainers & most of their clients go there because the guy is just so professional & helpful. He will help you sort out exactly what you need and doesn't rush you into a purchase. I recently bought some Nike Frees for sailing and they're fantastic - very light & airy. I think for heavy duty walking though, I'd like something a bit more structured & with a thicker sole. (I'm using Reeboks - fit like a glove & aren't the size of the box)

I've generally tried not to take sneakers/joggers away (packing light!) & have found my Sebagos do the trick nicely. As have my country friend's Rivers (when I can get him out of his RM's We walk a lot - both sightseeing & the early morning exercise type and have managed without the sneakers very well.

Of course, there are serious walking shoes/boots & others more dedicated & knowledgeable than me (not a big call (LOL)) will chime in here. I'd probably look at Paddy Pallin or Kathmandu for those.

I'm guessing you're looking for something that will do double duty to get you around Italy comfortably, and look respectable at the same time?

lavici

hi peteralan. bokhara is right, check out the sebagos, depends if you wanna look nice too instead of like a tourist ... ja ja ja.
but, remember the cobblestones, the hard marble floors at the palazzos, and all the yummy pasta alla carbonara and gelato you have to walk off(lol).
anyway, for whatever it's worth, in europe: campers ( looks are super cool) and geox are also excelent, nice looking, and really comfy and they have an airy system which won't heat up your feet.
bokhara what are RM's?
besososoxososososo... janine

Bokhara2

Lavici: RM's = RM Williams, very famous Australian outfitter.
RM Wlliams are the benchmark riding, work & dress boot in the country. They fit like a glove & last generations (LOL)

http://www.rmwilliams.com.au/

lavici

i will check them out asap bo. please tell me besides these what other things would you feel are "should/ must/worth it" buys when in australia? thanks again... jjj

Peteralan

Thanks lavici. I think I have been told I pronate. What is the brown bag,wet feet test?
Thanks also Bokhara . Lots of helpful info there. I sometimes go to see a friend in Manly so I might give that guy a try. You are absolutely spot on. Yes I am trying to get something that will do the duty but will also be acceptable in a restaurant or cafe. I really don't want to cart more than I have to this time. Thanks to you both. I have some serious sleuthing ahead of me!

lavici

ok peteralan: here's the test: you put a brown paper bag flat on the floor, and next to it a have a shallow dish or pan with only enough water to wet basically your soles: first your right, then the other. you're using the brown paper bag to mark an imprint of your wet feet. so, if you pronate your imprint would look more flat footed more "sole", if you're high arched then it´s going to look like two islands barely connected, it would mean then that you would be a suppinator or that your feet lean more on the outer ridge than on your arch, and if it's a 'normal foot imprint' then you're a neutral. there are shoes for each type of runner but as you need something dressier these are for using at home for your morning walks. if you want to buy shoes that do both deeds, still go in and ask about your foot type and /or buying special "soft" insoles that you can put inside the nicer shoes to make it easier on you feet, but you'd have to try them on with the insoles already in and the type of socks you use. do it in the afternoon when your feet are more swollen than the morning. it's better if you go to a pro just in case. happy feet are your most valuable resort( besides your wallet( lol ) to make the most of a trip that involves a lot of walkingjj

margo_oz

Peter Shepherd, in Centrepoint, has some mens' shoes, including the US brand, Merrells. which is said to be excellent. I used Ecco's from Germany, on my last trip, and a pair of Sperry Topsiders, in black.

lavici

merrel's are absolutely
d i v i n e mmmmmmmmmmm the first day i wore my bushwalkers to break them in, i had them on for 12 hours straight, like slippers. i had forgot to mention that. so there now you have sooooo many different kinds to choose from! bye bye jjj

Peteralan

Wow ! What great advice from you both. Will try the test lavici.Margo, I have bought shoes from Shepperds before and been happy with them so will check out the Merrels. Also on Friday I am going to Manly and will check out the shop Bokhara mentioned. Spoiled for choice now!

margo_oz

I might even check out the Merrells myself, before my next trip (whenever will that be?????)

Interestingly, the Sperry Topsiders, with the thicker or stiffer sole, I found better for Italian cobblestones. Like Janine says - I tried all those things (and some others! - developed a taste for prosecco and pecorino, as a sundowner - or whatever!)

Don't worry how you look - you'll never look as stylish as the Polizia - several versions. I caught one fellow eyeing off his figure, in tight trousers with stripe down the side, in a shop window. Can you imagine the Oz cops doing that?

lavici

hola margo.. . i haven't arrived yet in oz or ever seen it's cops even on Tv, but, i assume the carabinieri watching himself either was -like the pecorino e il prosecco: molto bellissimo, or at least he thought he was... beautiful. they always almost are, absolute 'eye drops' as we call them here. ja ja ja ja ja jjj