Hi Tripgirl, I've been intrigued by those Geox ads too but I haven't been able to find much. They have them at Nordstroms, but not much choice. I did see that there are quite a few choice on Zappos.com Check them out. Free shipping. Personally, I'm really happy with my Eccos (which you can get on Zappos too).

Don't know Geox, but you might want to look into Dansko's--they have good arch support and lots of styles, including sandals. I have oxford types (not what you're looking for, I don't think) but I have gotten compliments on them. Of course, it's whatever fits your foot best.

I'll stick w/ my ECCO's as well - sure, I'd like a little dressier sometimes but not willing to kill my feet.

The best shoes are the ones that fit your feet--what works for other Fodorites might be all wrong for you.
I do a lot of walking and generally wear one of two brands--ARA (which is German) and Stuart Weitzman (which I guess is American but the shoes are made in Spain). I have a couple of pair of mock croc medium stacked heel shoes from SW that I can wear for hours...they look pretty good too. I'm just starting to see the SW spring/summer collection and there are some shoes that look good, but I haven't tried them on yet.

The most comfortable shoes I've ever owned (and I have sensitive feet with low arches) are a pair of $10 thongs from Old Navy, with cloth straps. I'm going to wear them all over Europe this summer - they look just fine with casual skirts, shorts, and capris. But, like somebody else said, what works for one fodorite doesn't necessarily work for all fodorites

I got a pair of Geox shoes at Nordstrom last fall. They are without a doubt the most miserable shoes I have ever had on my feet. I didn't get them for style but for comfort. They meet neither requirement. I, too, am an Ecco wearer and I have a fairly fashionable and somewhat fashionable pair of Mephisto sandles. I'm afraid comfort has trumped style in the list of priorities at this point. I also have a pair of Murrells (sp.) - they are nice looking but not as comfortable as the Eccos.

Second Dansko sandals. They are sooooooo comfortable, have worn same pair to formal dinners, hiking, horseback riding..I get them cheaper at danskooutlet.com, never have been able to detect the flaw, but should try some on at a mall first to make sure size is right.

I would definitely give Zappos a look. They have a whole "comfort" category. I just ordered 2 pair of shoes from them last night -- they arrived today. One pair is made by Clarks, for dress pants and such, and the other pair is made by Naturalizer, for the riguers of travel walking.

The Naturalizers are nice looking, not at all like "old lady ground grippers" as my Mom calls "confortable" shoes. They are very comfy and will look good with jeans and khakis.

Both pair are comfortable, and I am very picky when it comes to finding comfortable shoes that are still stylish.

The free shipping, in both directions, is a huge plus.

Happy shopping.

Promise me anything ,But Give me SAS shoes..They are handmade and the leather is so SOFT..

I've had good luck with the same shoes as you, but lately I've branched out and used Naturalizer and Cole Haan shoes. Not walking shoes in the strictest sense, but I've put lots of city miles on them with no complaint.

Thanks! Now I have a whole new bunch of shoes to look into! I got a pair of Softwalk shoes and they have to be the most comfortable shoes ever. They have a large line with all different styles.

I also wanted to add another online shoe store: shoebuy.com - free shipping and free returns. I was an early Zappos customer, but I found that Shoebuy has a larger selection of hard to find sizes.

I got a pair of slipon Merrells a few months ago that have been excellent. I had thought that slipon shoes would not work well for miles and miles of walking, but these do.

Hmm. I was planning on to wear my Camper pelotas on my upcoming trip, but after reading this thread am questioning the decision, cause i don't think they'll cut ir--anyone else have a pair of campers thery've travelled in??

Naot has the most comfortable shoes on earth (that I've tried, anyway!), and they make hundreds of styles: boots, sandals, athletic types, and even dressy-ish shoes. Pricey but worth every penny.

www.naot.com

I agree with BTilke that "walking shoes" need not necessarily be walking shoes. I have worn a pair of Italian shoes by Roberto Capucci with mid-high heels through a goodly part of Italy,
including the cobblestone streets of the historical centre of Rome without experiencing the slightest discomfort, let alone pain.

Many years ago, when I was much younger than I am now, I walked through half of Europe and most of Egypt in a pair of high-heeled, strappy sandals by Amalfi.

Trust me I have tried everthing from mephisto,SW,Ecco's,Murrel's and Pliner but it all comes down to the shoes themselves. I leave next week for europe and are wearing mephistos taking another pair of mephistos and a pair of Pliner. I have bad feet and need good shoes. So just try what feels good to you. I did find the info on Goex interesting because I was going to try a pair and now will pass. God I love this site.

I swear by my Finn Comfort shoes handmade in Germany. I usually take two different pairs of shoes with me but always end up wearing my Finns. This next trip it will be those same Finns (with new soles) and a pair of birkenstocks.

I am wearing my Geox suede slides right now .. they are so soft and comfortable. But they are a loafer without a back so I am not sure about Geox as a walking shoe.
My favorite walk all day shoes right now are Munroes. I am taking mine to Paris this trip as well as a pair of boots that look good and will no doubt cripple me.
I also agree that Merrels are comfortable for long spells of walking.
My Pliners hurt after a while.
I have a pair of Cole Hahn/Nike slides that I wish I could take to Paris but what if it snows!?

Have you looked on www.shoes.com? It has loads of brand names and free shipping.

What's so interesting about this conundrum is that not only the same brands aren't the best for all of us, but that our feet change and what worked for us once may not now or in the future. I had a pair of Mephisto sandals I wore all over Italy in 1998 and after I got new leather uppers put on them (sent them back to Mephisto), they've never been as comfortable. Since I developed plantar fachistis (spelling?) last summer, the Dansko's are the most comfortable for me (flat shoes are a killer) but who knows for how long? I've also had Eccos and Cole Haan that were comfortable for a time but then not. It's enough to make you want to pull your hair out.

Another I like is Born.

Another vote for SAS shoes. They're comfortable right away and available in many sizes. I've given up style for comfort. Although with a little polish, they look pretty good.

FYI, shoebuy was having a 20% off sale on sandals. I am always looking for the most comfy and good looking(seems an oxymoron). I have very tender feet and blister easily esp on vacation even if I have worn the shoes all the time beforehand...must be plane ride!

I bought a pair of Geox last year for a trip to France and wore them everyday. They are probably the most comfortable shoes I've owned. They were black with both suede and smooth leather. I picked them up at Nordstrom. I found them in France too. They make them for children as well.

I love my munros! Some good and comfortable boots are made by our old friend Carlos Santana, I think I got them at Nordstrom. I used to like Cole Haan but something has happened to them lately and they hurt after a while, so I have wasted some money on these new styles.

Oh yes, I just bought some Puma shoes and they are great, they have support but are really light. They look like trim sports shoes so not really for dressy occasions.

Now I'm going to add shoebuy.com to my Favorites. Shoe shopping tips -- what a great thread.

tripgirl,
bought a pair of geox and they are way comfy. when clubbing i wear them until the wee hours of the morning. no problem. as a guy with high arches, i say they are really good. they have breathable soles, so your feet don't get hot. gonna buy me some more when in italy this year.

but as for sneakers, your missing out. try some puma, ascics, diesel, or new balance. they all make comfy shoes that are not sneakers at all. they just happen to be made my them. look awesome and feel good.

try nordstroms for a great selection of all kinds of shoes. great return policy...no lenght of time or questions asked.

SeaUrchin, I got my Santanas at Nordstroms too..those were the best winter boots I ever had!

I know that whatever shoe you wear and no matter how comfortable it is, after days of sightseeing, your feet will hurt..bring plenty of moleskins and pads and soft thingees for your toes and feet.

I love my Geox shoes. Have done some heavy duty hiking and no blisters. I've had some horrendous blisters in the past (10 to 14 mile hikes). Bought them at Nordy's on sale. Best purchase I've ever made.

I love my Merrills and can't find anything else to fit my narrow feet. (I wear socks with them) I would love to wear Eccos, etc. but I go to the Walking Store or elsewhere and they tell me they don't carry narrow widths.

If someone can help me to find some I would love it. Usually I wear my black New Balance sneakers as thank goodness, they do come in narrow widths.

loisco-
I have the opposite problem - I have wide feet. That's why I order online- the selection is much larger. Like I said before, I shop almost exclusively at shoebuy.com, pretty much because of the free returns. I think I've returned more shoes than I've kept!

Check out Zappos and shoebuy- I think you can search by narrow widths so you don't fall in love with a show that's the wrong size.

Nobody knows about Taryn Rose? She is an orthopedic/stylish designer. Has stores in NYC and Beverly Hills, etc., but also sells at Norstrom's. Warning: they are very expensive. They also last forever, and feel great from the moment they go on your feet, and are stylish. I have reduced my shoe wardrobe to less pairs, and wear mostly hers.

Taryn Rose is sold in most department stores now but the shoes are still about $400-600 ..
Actually, I tried some boots before we moved to Fl (in NYC) and they were not comfortable! I was shocked, I expected them to conform to my foot and be Fabulous
They are a real 'splurge' shoe .

I have lived in Dansko's for about five years now. Beware they have an excellent arch support but they are mostly made for long days on your feet. They are not made for lots of walking. Found that out the hard way when I took two broken in pairs to Paris with me. I like my stonefly from Italy and I love my Finn Comfort and Think from Germany for walking shoes.

We have two shops that carry a few models of Taryn Rose but for a larger selection: http://www.zappos.com/n/es/d/722091247.html

Alot are under $300.
Did you Taryn Rose fans see her on Oprah last year?

Thank you one and all!

Wow, now at least I have a good list.

I'll start in person at Nordstroms and then I will go from there.

hugs and kisses

thanks a mil....

Tripgirl, if you do not have a Nordstroms in your area they have lowered their shipping to $5 on standard shipping for the majority of all orders. Re: shoes, my feet have been happiest traveling around in Eccos, Joseph Seibels and Timberland

i had a pair of Mephistos that i was happy and then on one trip they suddenly gave me blisters on the heel
i recently bought a pair of Merrells (Merrills?) that so comfy.
i will need a more lightweight pair of shoes for this summer, but i generally don't like sandals so i'll be searching again for a warm-weather walking shoe

I swear by my Josef Seibel shoes! http://www.josef-seibel.com/

I bought them in 2002 for a long weekend in NY, then 2 weeks later took them on a long weekend in Paris. Both trips, these were the only shoes I brought and it was like walking on a cloud. Not one pain in my feet and all we did on both trips was walk, walk, walk. I'm wearing them right now!

I also recommend Danskos. They are awesome, and even their clogs are comfortable for walking all day. They are heavy and very stiff and don't seem like they would be comfortable, but they are. I believe that chefs and doctors and nurses, people who are on their feet alot, wear them.

I bought Propet walking sandals from Zappos and wore them for 20 days in a row of nonstop walking around the Mediterranean. They were great. Actually, I wore them constantly for the following three years as well. They are really focused on the serious walker, but they are less pricey than, say, Eccos. Everybody has different feet, but these are worth a try.
http://www.propetusa.com/

Just thought I'd mention after reading this thread I went searching to have a look at the Geox shoes and found a website

walkingonacloud.com

It's a Canadian co., has many of the brands mentioned here, also has free UPS shippping and no tax. Seems to have a large selection and different widths in some styles.

I too bought a pair of Santana boots several winters ago not realizing how good they were. Amazingly waterproof for leather. At the rate things are going here, I need another pair

Ah, the endless search for "magic" shoes - I am very familiar with it.

It seems that for every trip I am in search of a better pair - have tried SAS and Rockport, but they didn't work for me. I've currently got Merrells, Eccos and 3 pairs of Mephistos. I like the Mephistos the best so far - but I've been eyeing the Danskos for a while.

I think I've resigned myself to the fact that after walking for an entire day, my feet will hurt no matter what shoes I buy. It's how my feet feel the next morning - still sore or pain free and ready to go that makes the difference in shoes for me.

I didn't care for Taryn Rose shoes either.

Merrells cripple my poor husband.

Nike bought Cole Haan a couple years ago and now Cole Haan makes very stylish shoes with a Nike Air bottom.

http://www.colehaan.com/colehaan/catalog/category.jsp?categoryId=300239

http://www.colehaan.com/colehaan/catalog/category.jsp?categoryId=300266

It's the best of both worlds.

This #*^%&$@*&% thread has gotten me "occupied" all day. Anyone tried Paul Greens? Some awfully good looking ones on Zappos.

http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/2503495/c/19005.html

another vote for josef seibel "the european comfort shoe." i just bought my second pair of the "tia." i have high arches as well and these feel great - inside, as well as the adjustable strap over the top. they do sandals which obviously would look better with skirts, etc.

i also love my santana boots. they're waterproof!

OK here's the deal:

I used to find the Aerosoles shoes the answer to my prayers, but now the soles seem much too thin (I can feel every brick and cobblestone) and the toe boxes are too tapered. Get along well with Clark's and Ecco's sandals, but seem to be right in between sizes for their oxfords -- if heel stays on, toe is too tight/tapered; if toe is right, heels fall off.

Used to get along just fine in slip-ons and loafers, now my feet and legs get tired too soon unless the shoe grips across the long arch.

I have high long (instep) arches, narrow heels, and apparently the ball of my foot has spread so I need a wide, UNtapered toe box; and cushioned but solid soles. So far, the only shoes I can count on are cross-trainers and serious walking shoes.

Is it hopeless to find a less athletic-looking shoe to walk a mile from hotel to dinner in Italy in May?

I love my Eccos too but look forward to checking out some of the links posted.

Cassandra, have you tried Easy Spirits? I find them to have more narrow heels than some of the imported brands.

I loved reading all the suggestions and recommendations. I bought several pairs of Arches boots at Nordstroms several years ago but they no longer carry them. I found them very comfortable and always take them traveling because they are stylish and waterproof as well as comfortable. Anyone know where I can find them here in Calif?

Chepar--My black croco leather Finn Comforts came with removable insoles. At the end of the day you take out the walking insole and replace it with a reflexology insole that massages your feet for about 20 minutes. Dansko is great for standing all day with good arch support. I do not prefer them for walking though. I also like my mephisto's for walking.

Thanks for even more suggestions!!

I went over to nordstroms yesterday so I could see alot fo the brands you all suggested up close.

Tried on a pair of nice looking sandals from Clarke; very comfortable.

In all of your opinions what I am after is a nice sandal or closed shoe to go with pants that are semi dressy, heel needs to be on the low side but need a heel. Then I need a pair of sandals or closed shoe for shorts and capris for the long walking around during the day wear and then I am thinking a closed loafer, ballet or moccasin type for jeans, for casual events but has some walking involved.

Out of what you all prescribed here, which brands would be the best bet for my needs.

Thanks a mil.....

Until just recently Geox were considered in Europe to be the "nerd" shoe, sort of like the Rockport walkers are in US. But now they are hot hot hot. Are they any good? I have no idea. I will just happily continue to wear the best shoe bar none, Josef Seibel.

I'm looking for the exact same thing, tripgirl.

Right now, I'm thinking of Puma Contres for the casual shoes... they have a tennis shoe bottom, have a ballet shoe look, and are fashionable.

I'm still hunting for a shoe to go with dress pants and skirts that has a heel. Let me know if you see something. A couple of the Clarks on zappos.com looked ok, but I don't know. Ididn't see any Geox with heels on the zappos website. I don't know if you can find them other places.

One more thing, tripgirl. At this point, I'm also considering getting a shoe in whatever style I want and then putting in quality insoles. You might want to think about that too.

ewt,

yes and you do the same if you find anything. I buy shoes in person at a store rather than online, but I'll give anything a try.

Anyone else out there who has the best lead on the brands mentioned that would fit the loafer/ballet shoe look? I really like the look of a tailored loafer for one of my needs.

I think the sandals, for the next of my needs, might be easier. The Josef Seibel's while they look incredibly comfortable, the ones I saw looked chunky and clunky; could I be wrong and there are other styles I am not aware of? Like I mentioned I did try on a pair of the Clarkes that was a very nice sandal I believe I could go out to dinner with. It had a wide black strap across the arch, open back and nice detail. It has a low heel and I could see walking short distances to dinner with, but not sure about all day.

I want to stay away from the clunky, chunky ( and too informal ) look. Prefer higher fashion with lots of comfort.

Anyone want to share the types of shoes they have and what they use them for?

Thanks a mil....

Interesting thread as I need some spring/summer shoes too that will be good for a lot of walking.

I have Clarkes thongs that are fantastic. But of course one cannot use them for every type of clothes and occassions.

I would like to find some ballet type that are also good for a lot of walking.

I have a high arch, seem to need a good arch support in my shoes. And a bit of padding in the shoe. But want attractive of course.

I am afraid to order online as I always need to try on shoes before I know whether they will fit or not.

Oh the joys of shoes (which I love!)

It seems that the more comfortable a shoe is, the uglier it is! I plan on going to DSW this weekend and hopefully I can find some good walking shoes for myself that don't look hideous. I bought some born mary janes which are very comfy, but at 50, I decided that they'd look kind of silly on me and I've never worn them.

A subject close to my heart.

Spent waaaay too much time yesterday reading this post and looking at on-line shoe store sites. But the manic focus was in place - bought a great pair of shoes last night while my youngest was at soccer practice: Ecco "Globetrotter", #15153, black (of course). Slim-looking but very comfy, padded sole, the double stitching and zipper give it great style. I am a happy woman. My bank account is not: CAD $159.95 plus tax (which for you Americans equals about $1.95, right?).

So, I went to try on shoes today! I wonder if the shoe market has been busier since this thread started, lol. The store I went to didn't have the color I wanted in stock, but I'm eyeing the Naot Sonia (black) for my Italy trip. I wonder, though, if I need a more rugged, grippy sole for the vertical streets of Positano? I was also looking for something suitable for hiking yet lightweight, and the salesperson directed me to the Chaco line and their "performance sandals." Pretty cool--they're fabric strappy sandals with a hiker sole. I'm not sure it's what I want, but it might be good for someone out there to know.

Happy shopping, everyone!

At our Ladies Who Lunch day today we got on the subject of comfortable shoes and the ladies voted hands down for the
brand Soft Walks from Nordstom and Zappos. I had never heard of them but four women agreed on them so what are the odds? These are women who are on the go at their jobs from morning to night, A types, so they should know.

hmmm, there are some cute styles:

http://store.nordstrom.com/category/cat_medium.asp?category=2376778~2372811~2380896&origin=leftnav

(They said they don't need breaking in, you put them on in the store and keep on walking)

Very cute shoes, SeaUrchin! Thanks for the heads up.

Yes, Sea Urchin, they do look good. I have had shoes on my mind this week (first February in ages we stayed home!) so I looked around for shoes (sandals more or less) for our trip to Portugal in July. I'll have to check on the ones you mentioned. Next will be some new clothes!

So which pair did you buy for Italy?

Hi, I liked the boot Oxnard and the Laguna slipon, but I would like to go over to Nordstroms and try them on. I really really don't need any more shoes though (I keep telling myself that!)

>I am afraid to order online as I always need to try on shoes before I know whether they will fit or not.<

LoveItaly-

If you haven't already, check out Zappos.com.

I also was very hesitant to buy shoes online, but the very generous return policy of Zappos convinced me to try them. I believe you have close to a year to return (unused, of course) and all return shipping is FREE! Yup, the free return shipping was the clincher for me.

Many of their shoes come with free shipping to you - I bought a pair of Eccos and Mephistos from Zappos - both with free shipping.

Zappos also has a 110% price guarantee - I found the Mephistos cheaper at onlineshoes.com - and Zappos refunded me the difference plus 10%.

If the shoes you're interested in have free shipping to you - and as I mentioned, all the return shipping is free - it's pretty low risk if the shoes don't fit right.

LoveItaly -
I second chepar. Try ordering a pair online- it's wonderful! I mentioned shoebuy and they have the same qualifications - free shipping and free returns. Between zappos, shoebuy and onlineshoes, I'm hooked!

Seriously, the most inconvenient part is shipping the shoes back and even that has gotten easier with the increasedaccessability of UPS and FedEx. For me and my fat feet, it's so much nicer than going into a store and finding nothing that fits!

I have to print out this thread and go shopping. My husband will wonder why I need more shoes!

Will it be too cool in early April in Sorrento, Florence and Venice to wear sandels or slides? What are women wearing for day and going out at night in these areas?

Thank you! I am convinced. Tomorrow I will check out these websites.

I don't have access to great shoes in my town, so shoe buying always seems to be when I am out of town (usually on a trip) and near a Nordstrom store.

Again, thank you all. Oh my, this could be dangerous :

ok, so got back from the club...brain is so pounding...make the music stop. but them geox did me right.

Tried to go to Nordstroms site now, but it is closed down for repair,,,,,horrorsLOL.

Zappos.com is a great site. I had to return a pair and they sent me a shipping label to send them back free. I also like that you can see various angles of the shoe. I wear size 11 and it's hard to find shoes at the stores. I shop online all the time. I'm hooked on Mephistos Hana and Merrill Primo Breeze. I can walk for hours on those shoes.

I agree with Sharon and parisnow - Finns are great.

Sierratradingpost.com sells Geox and others at very reduced prices. They are an outlet, so merchandise goes fast.

Thank you wliwl! I just found some nice looking Geox sandals I've ordered. Very inexpensive (compared to Nordstroms).

Another vote for Danskos! True, the clogs aren't best for multi-mile walking (at least for me), although I loooove the sport clogs for kicking around town or standing all day. But their Golden Gate line (more cushiony, less stiff, seems to have more of the "rocking" motion) is excellent for all-day, multi-mile walking and standing. Love them for city walking.

grasshopper:
Glad I could help! When I was looking through it I saw Eccos on there too and some other well-known brands. I buy from them all the time - usually for my son, because they have a lot of tall man stuff. They always have good prices, but you have to check them often because they always have new merchandise in stock and then they sell out fast. By the way, they are an old company and way pre-date the internet.

I wear only ADIO Kenny Anderson Pro's
skater shoes but there like tennis or running shoes and my feet never hurt or get blisters.

I'm in the Merrill camp. I've bought three pairs so far. The plain leather clogs work best in terms of style. I can walk all day every day in them.

I saw a cute pair of Softwalks (the Hermosa ones), but the heel is a little thick. Tripgirl, you should check them out and see. They are actually sandals, but I think they could work with skirts.

One more. These are Paul Green Euros that I saw on that Sierra Trading Post site (thanks for the link, by the way. its great!)

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/xq/asp/base_no.69577/dept_id./qx/product.htm

Is this a women only thread? If not, My wife bought me some Mephisto sandelss and for the first time my feet were comfortable outside of my boat shoes.

Machin, Apparently this is a woman's only thread as your entry signalled the end of this fascinating discussion.

I am off to Nordstrom South Coast Plaza (generally acknowledged to have the best/largest shoe selection in S. Cal) and have alloted 2 hours (!) to trying on shoes for my upcoming 2.5 week trip to China.

I look forward to trying on all of your suggetions.

Lost track of who posted about Zappos but now I don't know whether to thank you or make a voodoo doll with your name on it. Wonderful. Now have to check out shoebuy and onlineshoes.

Sharon-
I know what you mean about Zappos, onlineshoes, and shoebuy. My husband actually applied for a job at Zappos recently and I have my fingers crossed. I'll be in shoe heaven if I can get an employee discount! Then again, my husband may never see his paycheck...

jbee, that sounds like a dream job
Good luck!

I have Nordstroms cataloge in front of me with all the spring shoes. sighing.
I want the Munore "girl print" sandals. I know they are the most comfortable shoes in the world, I have them in black, but look at the print!
They are like the Icons but not even close to the price.
I shoes

yes, I know I gave catalog a new way of spelling

Scarlett-
I think it was the last Nordstrom shoe catalog, but did you see the moon boots on the back? I was thrown back to my childhood - I've never wanted a pair of ugly shoes so badly! The bad news (other than the ugliness) was the price tag - $450 or around there... Eek!

Mephisto

Gawd I've looked at some of those shoes and cannot believe how ugly some are. Am I the only one wearing the Cole Haan Nike Air shoes?

I've had Ecco, Born, Naturalizer, Pliner, and Teva's. The TEVA's lace up/closed toe hiker shoe, is by far the most comfortable/sturdy shoe I have ever worn. trekked 30 days in Italy on them. 2nd-place--Ecco's.

I have been wearing Reebok DMX Walk Ultra walking shoes for 10 years and have been able to work up to a walking habit of 25-30 miles a day with no foot or leg pain or even tiredness. I wear them on the street, in the Sierra and Hawaiian jungles. They have an ingenious MIT developed technology with air which circulates between two huge front and back air compartments via a transmission tube in between. I have tried every walking technology and none compare! I buy them at Reebok Factory Shoe outlets for their standard 3-for-2 offer which at around $49 pair less a 20% AAA discount ends up costing less than $30 a pair for the best shoes ever created. They consistently last 500 miles which for me is 20 days walking - I rotate the 3 most recent pair until I feel the ground which means they are going flat. If there is ever a defect, squeaking - anything at all - they cheerfully replace them no questions asked. They have a 800-number Shoe Locator service available thru the Factory Stores which will ship your order for no charge via UPS. In fact I use that service to keep myself supplied and only go to the stores now to try the latest Walk Ultra and comparable editions. Unfortunately they are entering a phase where the DMX Walk Ultra Plus has a foreshortened front air compartment (probably not noticeable except to a walking pro) so I am now using the even cushier DMX Walk Max which are $5 more.

I love Zappos! They have a good selection of walking shoes, in many sizes and widths, among them ECCO shoes. I also like their return policy. You print off a shipping label, and take it to a UPS drop off or a USPS label and drop it at the Post Office. I recently purchased a pair of Born shoes, and unfortunately, they didn't fit my feet well. I printed up a shipping label, popped them back in the box, and took them to the Post Office -- my account was credited within days. Shipping is free. The first pair of shoes I bought from them was a pair of ECCO, and they're one of my favorite pairs of shoes. I wear them all the time!

Sandy

Rant (well, it IS Friday): a.) Morton's Neuroma (anyone else out there afflicted?) b.) Big feet, so any shoe remotely clunky (as so many comfortable ones are) looks waaay clunkier on me.

Rave: Fodorite shoe enthusiasts!

I'm browsing shoebuy.com at the moment and have made notes on all the other good information here. Would love to find a comfy shoe that could take me from a day of sight-seeing right to a just-a-bit-dressy dinner....the quest goes on.

Dear Tuckerdc,
I love having quests. For awhile, it was for the perfect pair of taupe shoes, then it moved to perfect walking shoes, then to the perfect pink bag. Now, as I get ready for my trip to Italy and France, I have several quests: taupe leather gloves, 18K gold earring with either old coins or old glass in them, the same lipstick that I bought in Paris 5 years ago. Ah, the search continues. "This is my quest..."

I bummed around Eastern Europe for 10 days in my Easy Spirit mary janes, and had no problems. They're widely available; I got mine at the outlet mall for about $40. They work well with both jeans and long, casual skirts.

Tuckerdc, I have a Morton's Neuroma also and my feet are wide in the toes and narrow in the heel! I've done a lot of walking in my Merrill's. I've started inserting a pad to shift my weight a bit on the foot with the neuroma - helps quite a bit. I also like my Franco Sarto loafers with an oblique toe. Neither the Merrill's nor Sarto really look nice with skirts but the Sarto's are OK with slacks and a dressy top - just barely! If you find that perfect shoe, let me know, it might be mine to.

I bought a pair of Dankso Mary Jane's from Zappos for our upcoming trip and they are really comfortable except for the strap across the top. I'm hoping I can break them in and stretch the strap out a bit before I go since they are really cute and will look good with pants and/or skirts.

I also bought a pair of Tsubo shoes at Zappos and they are super comfy! They come in all different colors and are a bit more dressy/stylish than regular trainers but will look cute with jeans.

Has anybody seen the Mephisto Allrounders 'Nero'? I just tried on a pair and they were REALLY comfortable. Pretty casual for Europe though (especially on a 48 year old)...But the red ones are really cute!

Check these super cute sport shoes out!!! I just bought a black pair for a 2wk backpacking trip to Italy next month! Very comfortable and stylish

http://www.softmoc.com/us/systemshow-item_I21548%20LPPK

>Has anybody seen the Mephisto Allrounders 'Nero'? I just tried on a pair and they were REALLY comfortable.<

The most recent pair of Mephistos I've purchased is the Allrounders 'Nevada'. I'm taking my daughter for a few days to Disneyland this year, so I wanted a pair of comfortable shoes that will stand up to 3 full days at the parks.

They're incredibly light and the soles are much thinner than another pair of Mephistos that I took to Europe last spring. I hope the soles have enough cushion so my feet aren't dying of pain.

airynfaerie:
Those are VERY cute!

What do you think about these:

http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/4198723/c/16671.html

i love born too. have you looked at keen? they are a little dorky but i love my mary jane's! i can wear these w/o socks. just bought the newport h20s to hike this summer too...

http://www.zappos.com/n/es/d/722063229/show_all/1/page/1.html

Those keens are a lot cheaper! I sure wish I had someplace around here to try them on.

wliwi-

i've seen keens at nordstrom and rei if you have those stores nearby.

I love my Dansko's!!!

I have the Professionals, Aubrey, Mikala, and I just bought a pair of Erika's today and wore them all over for 4-5 hours of walking.

Love them!!!

Will take them to Paris next month!!!

Latest pair purchased: Keen, Seattle model, in red. Great for when I'm on my feet all day conducting training, but not really a summer shoe.

In the past, I've had success with Zeeta, Clarks, Josef Seibel, Born, and Dansko.

My gripe about my Danskos (and I have 3 pairs) is that if my feet sweat underneath the leather due to heat or friction from long walking days, it irritates my skin. But that's what a second pair is for!

Currently looking for a good looking pair of black sandals for Sicily in May. Thanks for all the suggestions!

Well I don't know if it's an accomplishment but I eliminated some brands today...Ecco too wide in the toe box altho the heel was ok..ditto the Joseph Seibel you are all talking about...that was way to wide in the heel.

I think I am back to New Balance for my 7 1/2AA shoes. Of course they didn't have Dansko so I couldn't eliminate that.. On a better note, hubby bought ECCO so he is set.

Please if anyone knows of a shoe that has narrow widths would appreciate it.

I have "STONEFLY"s, I liked them so much I bought 2 pairs in different colors. They have pretty fashionable ones for skirts also.

Also, "Clarks" are pretty comfy too but not as stylish as stoneflys. But they do have something more stylish under another name. I can't recall at the moment...but it will still have the little clarks under the name.

Hope this helps.

The zappos.com website has a helpful feature. If you click on "narrow widths" on the right sidebar, you can put in the exact size you're looking for and the general style (dress, casual, athletic) and the site will generate a list for you. That may give you some ideas as to brands that haven't been mentioned yet.

Thanks so much. Will get on Zappos...! it's really a problem. The department stores never have narrow widths and I salivate over the shoes I see. Only Nordstroms has some narrow widths.

I remembered now. Indigo by Clarks, they came out with some more stylish sandles last summer.

I also wear a 7 1/2 and have very narrow feet - and the only pair of shoes I have ever found that were incredibly comfortable for long periods of time were my Naot leather clogs.

april, that's funny, because I have wide feet, and my Naots fit me better than most brands. Their new Essence line seems to be too narrow for me, though.

While looking for a pair of sandals that would be good for both city walking and hiking, I came across the Chaco brand. They look like they would serve both purposes quite well. Has anyone here worn Chacos on their travels, and if so - what model (lug soled? toe loop?) and how did they work out?

I found a pair of fantastic walking shoes in of all places, Loehmanns. They are Diego Della Valle brand, made in Italy. I looked him up on the Internet and apparently he is a designer for Tods. They are great with pants, have a rubber soles and are terrific on cobble stone streets. They don't carry them at Zappos, but I have not checked all the other shoe sites.

I tried several different brands of shoes recommended in this thread, in advance of our trip to Italy this May/June, but none of them worked for me. Finally I stumbled on the Ariat brand at Zappos and love them! They are made of wonderfully soft leather on a well cushioned, yet sturdy sole, and fit great right out of the box. They also have excellent arch support if that feature is important to you.

everyone has mentioned the best comfort shoes... the Goexs mentioned on zappos no where mention comfort! the question was comfort/walking shoes that are "fashionable" (to europeans not nurses) .All these shoes look ridiculous with dresses etc...
I will not take my good outfits and wear dorky shoes..Id rather take them off under the table and switch out for sandals to walk back to my hotel. Naots are best walking shoe beside mephistos and eccos and they have fashioable casual shoes. Jimmy Choo and Manolo Blanick dont make walking shoes..and if they do let me know..cheak out the site http://www.israelishoes.com/html/naot_mission.html

Have any of you ever bought like 5 pairs of shoes from Zappos and then returned 4 of them? I'm thinking about doing that! Honestly, we have NO place to try on good shoes in my city. It is so bad. Thanks.

Birkenstocks.

I have bought many shoes at a time from Zappos and returned most of them - no problem. It's impossible to shop for shoes online otherwise - one might have to try 10 pairs in the store before deciding on the best one, for an online store it means you order a bunch, try them on, and keep the ones that fit.

As for fashionable comfort shoes, the closest I have come are Borns. I take their sandals (3" heels) all over Europe and they work well with casual skirts/dresses. I also bring dressier shoes for evenings. We do a lot of city walking but not hiking.

I've tried many different brands and now have found a pair of Keds slip ons in the May Company dept. store, Kaufmann's. They are incredibly comfortable and offer nice support too. Boy, were they cheap compared to all the $ I've spent on Ecco, Prevada, Clark and Andre Assous. Andre Assous' sandals are the most comfy of all sandals but I haven't found any loafer type with that brand.

forgot to add, when i go to the getty museum in LA, i always see the tourists in running shoes...for the most part. my preference is the NB 856...run 9 miles a week in them...good enough for walking 9 miles per day then.

I'm agreeing with BTilke and going for the Ara brand. Mine are like slippers. I'm just about to polish them up again for another few weeks. Also Rockport loafers as my back up.

Someone asked about Paul Green shoes and I have a couple pairs of them which I love and are very comfortable walking shoes. They are somewhat hard to find but sometimes Nordstrom will have them and also Harry's in NYC.

Here's the ending to my story!

thanks all for a wonderful thread and by your contributions, my story has a happy ending...

I ended up at Harrys, a shoe store in NYC, while visiting there this weekend ( here in DC I have not found a store like this!). My aunt who only buys from Harrys took me there.

What I was planning on doing was to compare prices on the shoes I originally wanted with Zappos. com and see what came out ahead.

But lo and behold, the ones I wanted were actually all wrong for my feet!!!

We had an amazing salesman who really took the time to explain what I needed given the high arches, pain, etc.

I originally thought of buying:

Geox for a loafer
Born Riche for Casual sandal
Naot gentle for walking shoe

What I ended up happily with instead:

SAS casual sandals ( like pillows, clouds... ahhhh!!!)

Munro dressier sandals: just darling and oh so comforatable that will look great with skirts, dressier pants, etc

Finn walking shoe for overall closed walking shoe.

Harrys shipped everything and I saved the $40 tax since I am not a NYC resident ( at least anymore, left NYC 20 yrs ago, but still love it!).

All in all, without you guys telling me all about the brands, I would have been lost, so hats off, I'm happy and so are my feet!!!

Thanks a mil.....

wliwl - You must have read my mind! Last week I ordered five pairs of shoes from Zappos for an upcoming trip. Unfortunately, none of them seemed just right so I ordered three more pairs (about $525 total). I ended up keeping two pair and sent the others back today. It was very easy to return, and free. I'll post again if they give me any problems with returning that much, but I doubt it. I've seen several people have gotten refunds in a week or so.

Softwalk, Softwalk, Softwalk.

I walked all over Europe in the hot summer two years ago and I never blistered, never cramped, and never thought about my feet. I've been wearing them and other Softwalk styles ever since. I'm going back to Paris next week, updated the Softwalks, and am trying Clark and Born shoes, but it will take a lot to beat the Softwalks. I get them from Zappos.com, the best company I've ever ordered from - two day service, free shipping to you and also for returns, made very easy.

While in Italy on that trip, I bought two pairs of Italian leather shoes, because - hey, it was Italy. But neither come close to feeling as good as the Softwalks.

sangrail...am intriqued by the Taryn Rose... Sierra Trading Post has some for 250$ regularly 400$ or so...How good do they feel ? for that amount they should feel like heaven and be gold plated to boot.....I am thinking of ordering but they do not ship back free as Zappos does..I guess if one can afford them who cares right...they still look like a comfort shoe to me....

My Finn Comforts failed me in Rome (they are being punished as I write this) but my Birkinstock clogs came to my rescue.

Tripgirl, you make me want to make a trip to NYC just to go to Harry's and have a salesperson who knows feet and could steer me to the right shoes. I have fairly high arches also and have been wearing only Dansko's for the past six months due to plantar fascitis. I bought a pair of sandals for our trip to Italy next month and am praying that they'll be good to my feet. As you live in the DC area, you know it's been too cold here this spring to try the sandals out yet.

lowriegirl, thanks a lot. I'm exhausted and it's all your fault. I saw your post, and checked out the website zappos.com. I was up till 2am "shoe shopping"!

Really, thanks alot! It's a great site.

Dansko's rule - they have lots of style for dress up or casual. I also wear a pair of Timberland hiking boots, great for exploring ruins or tramping for hours up and down ancient, european streets. And lastly, I have a pair of MBT (Masai Barefoot Technology) shoes. But I have learned about a bunch of new brands from you guys! Thanks for the recommendations and I am going to look at these brands you all recommend.

This has been the most amazing thread. I am going to England and France for 3 weeks and was just dreading looking for the 'comfortable shoe'. But then I saw this thread, copied off websites and shoe names and went shoppin' both online and in-store. How wonderful! I found all the shoes more comfortable then many I had tried previously. Eccos seemed to be my shoe---tho' not all styles. It definitely comes down to what works for your foot and needs (I have arthritis). With this thread I really have a much greater chance of finding a shoe that works for me within various brands. Thanks!

Tripgirl: Eccos has a sandal called Noir which is looks pretty dressy when you put it on. Definitely could be used with skirts.

Question: I don't see much about Birkenstock in this thread--just a couple of references. I had always heard that was a real comfort shoe. Is it not?

topping for Marksalot256.

Birkenstocks are definitely comfortable--but attractive, mostly not.

Without a doubt...

Beautifeel. They are made in Israel but not available at Zappos or most discount places. A bit pricey but worth every penny.

Your feet will actually be so comfortable in them that you won't want to take them off. Like walking in down feather pillows. Very chic styles for walking too.

I just got the ugliest shoes! SAS "Relaxed" sandals - and they are the most comfortable shoes I have ever worn - like slippers. (I actually asked the guy if there is such a thing as shoes that are too comfortable - he'll be chuckling about that for a while to come.) They'll do fine until the evenings when I will switch to something a bit more stylish (if I can tear myself away from them!)

My husband and I bought Crocs ... they too aren't the 'cutest' sandal/clog out there .. but I have to say they are very very comfortable and seem to be the only sandal my husband can wear w/o his back hurting after so long.

I walked 6 - 8 hours a day in Paris in my slip-on Merrills and never had a moment of discomfort. Plus they were the light weight weave kind, so my feet never got hot. This is a very old thread, but I guess such topics never get too old!