Ladies Fashion Help: Shoes w/ Heels for Paris that you could walk at least 2 miles in?

Well, I never heard of them but am sure going to buy those Veronica shoes!

Girl after my own heart, those are the ones I like too,LOL. I wonder if they would kill your feet? These are all supposed to be "comfort" shoes, but that's sooooo subjective.

Hi ladies, I have the veronica pumps by sofft. They are great, but not for distance IMO. The heels are a bit high. I think you would do better with wedge heels. The are usually more comfortble. I have some by Clark's that are great. QVC has a lot of them online.

I have had good luck with Aerosoles and with Liz Claiboune's Flex.

thanks checking QVC now!

Is this too ugly for evening footwear? I know Josef Seibel makes really, really comfortable shoes.

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3000886/0~2376778~2372808~2374961~6011340?mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6011340&P=2

Sorry try this one http://tinyurl.com/4wpolf

Shoes ... one of my favorite subjects. For dressy travel, I like a dressy ballerina-type shoe. If you go to Zappos and click on womens and skimmer/ballerina, you'll find dozens of super cute options. I've tried short, medium, and serious heels with little positive results as I walk a LOT in cities.

They look nice to wear with jeans. But if you think they are ugly would you wear them?

Everyone's feet are so different I'm not sure making suggestions helps, but I'm a total devotée of Unisa shoes. I not only walked miles all over Paris in a pair of their slingback suede shoes with 2" heels, I did the same all over Nairobi!

Course, I've never had any foot problems and can walk for days on end without discomfort - as long as I'm in the right shoes.

I really like Munro's. I have quite a few pairs and they are all so comfy.

I can vouch for Josef Seibel being super comfortable - at least on my foot, and I have a very high arch. I have some of their loafers that I have taken to Paris. If it wouldn't be too cold for a sandal, look for the JS Zee. I can walk all day in them!

BeautiFeel and Arche are both excellent options. Really and truly made for walking distances (and relatively expensive, but you get what you pay for).

I've already noted I no longer wear heels, but even if I did, I probably wouldn't do it for travel now, because ballerina flats are SO popular--in Paris, at least--that you can get away with a cute pair of black patent leather, comfy shoes that will be much more comfortable, yet still stylish.

I like the way ballerina flats look, however, they hurt my feet, I think they are too flat, and also, my jeans are hemmed very long, since I never wear flats. I just feel prettier in heels and I would only need to walk a maximum of a mile, I would be surprised if we had to walk more than 2 miles. I think flats look better on really skinny girls, ie not me!

These are the shoes I always take to Europe, I've walked 100 miles in these I swear and they make my feet feel fab AND they have a heel! But, as you can see, NOT so pretty for dinner in a sweet little bistrot!

http://tinyurl.com/3fwnc4

FYI, if anyone is looking for amazing walking shoes, these are a huge winner!

The most comfortable shoes I own (or have ever owned) are Beautifeel. But, I've bought only the sandals, slides, etc., as I've never found a dressy style I like.

The only dress shoes I've found which are comfortable enough for a relative distance are Munro's. The style was discontinued, so I save them just for travel.

Everyone's feet are quite different though, with regard to what's most comfortable.

More problematic is that shoes that feel like a dream, even right out of the box, often do not go the distance, especially after hours and hours of pounding pavements in your most comfortable walking shoes.

Zappos is terrific - for the reviews, and the free shipping in both directions.

if you're wearing those shoes with pants then yes, they will work. I like "pointy shoes with dress pants. it depends, get Dr. Schollssp?

I actually think ballerina flats have almost zero support and are terrible for walking long distances, just about like flip-flops. I actually don't think any "dressy" shoe is appropriate for walking miles, nor any shoe with a high heel. That is bad for your feet.

Now I have jeans hemmed a bit long that I wear at home with about a 2 or 2.5" heel (I rarely wear higher) and they are okay when I travel with a mule or shoe with a kind of built-up heel and sole that isn't quite that high, but is enough so they aren't dragging 0on the ground. Sort of like that photo you posted from shoes.com but not quite that high a heel, really. Lots of stylish mules or even the many variations on casual shoes know have sort of a rubbery/flex sole that is about an inch thick with a slightly built up heel. Those work okay.

With pants, your shoes aren't showing that much that you need dressy high heel shoes, IMO, and you shouldn't need to be walking miles to go out to dinner, should you? aren't you just walking a couple blocks to/from some metro stop or something?

So I'd go with some kind of clog/mule thing with a couple inch built up sole/slightly higher heel but not get into dress shoes. And I agree with canning the ballerina flats for walking around miles.

I bought a pair of Josef Seibel ankle boots at Nordstrom (Bee I think is the model name) for my recent trip to Paris and they were very comfortable for walking--I wouldn't use them as all day shoes since they have a bit of a heel but they worked great for going out at night even when we were walking or using the Metro.

Have you tried looking at Geox shoes? Zappos has a good selection from flats to wedge to mid to high heels. I love the brand and think they are comfortable and most of the new styles are pretty sharp. I've trekked around cities in several styles of Geox without foot damage or pain.

I bought these in July, and they are my new favourites for work (where I'm on my feet a lot). I'd never heard of the brand before, but then I usually shop in rural Canada lol.
The "Deeka" (mine are silver)are really comfy, but for me that means no more than 2" heel.
http://www.whitemt.com/styles.html
I know sexy stilettos will dress up jeans, but there is no way I could walk for miles in them--and walking for miles is usually what I do on holiday.

Christina:Unfortunately I'm terrible at gauging distance,I would imagine we would walk at least several blocks. We try to use the Metro as little as possible because we love walking in Paris, we're big "vacation walkers" often walking 10-15 miles a day on an easy day, now that I only know because I have a silly little GPS watch that calculates mileage. So I'd like to have the option to walk to the restaurant and not have my feet get wrecked, but you're right, we could just take the Metro.

Do you think with long jeans, and just the tip of my shoe showing that those clogs would look ridiculous with a dressier top and jacket? I just feel like even if they don't show very much I still know that they are big and clompy!LOL

Here's my take on non-clunky shoes:

Ballerinas are absolutely useless for me, as I need a little bit of a heel, and those that actually look cute have soles that are too thin and offer very little support. By definition ballerinas are supposed to look pretty delicate, and there's just no way to make a really delicate shoe be anything else.

So, having settled on a heel, note that the heel doesn't actually have to be very high. The shoe just needs to look like it's got a high heel, and the way to get this look is to have a tapered toe and a shoe that fits your foot well, hugging your instep.

Lots of shoes like this, unfortunately, have narrow little kitten heels, and these are again pretty much useless, as all of your weight is distributed over a very small area. Ideally you want a chunkier heel, but one that doesn't look chunky. The ideal heel, then is a shaped, louis heel.

So, there are my criteria. Since you're not wearing these with skirts, Giulia, I'd actually choose a bootie or shoe-boot style, as that will provide even more support. If you do go with a shoe, choose one with a strap of some sort, as much of the work of walking in heels comes from the effort involved in keeping them on your feet.

Happy walking!

Oh, and I routinely walk for a mile or so in shoes like the ones I describe.

Thanks Therese, I agree, and I think that based on your description, those Josef Seibel mary janes should be fine that I posted earlier. I will see how they feel, I'm going to try to get over there tonight and try them on. Thanks for your help.

I have an older style of Sofft (from 2 or 3 years ago) that looks similar to the Veronica. They look cute but kill my feet even just getting to and from work, so I would bring them for travel.

Re: "...only taking jeans, dark jeans, so I'd like to dress them up with heels..."

Have you considered the opposite approach-- a dress/skirt with low shoes/boots. Much more comfortable, and lighter to pack.

left out a word-- meant to say I would NOT bring my Soffts for travel.

I agree about the ballerina flats not having much support, but I thought we were comparing them to heels, which usually have thin soles, as well, and you only wanted to walk under 2 miles in them.

I'm sure getting lots of good web sites off of this thread, so thanks, Giulia!

Well, I don't often wear skirts and the one year I wore a skirt in Europe in october I froze, even though it was a fitted long skirt that practically went down to my ankles! Also, a skirt will show more of the shoe and I'm so not into the look of "comfort shoes", I'm more ok with it if I'm wearing pants. Also, there's another dilema, my husband is emphatic about only traveling with 1 small carryon bag/backpack whether it's a 2 month trip or a 2 week trip, scary I know. So I typically don't pack a variety of clothes. As it stands, if I bring a pair of dress shoes, my running shoes and dress shoes take up half my bag! I'm only bringing 2 pairs of jeans, one that I will travel in and one extra, thankfully we have a washer AND a dryer which is so unusual in Europe. I guess I'm saying that this is a sacrifice to take up little precious space that I have for another pair of shoes, so they have to be amazingly comfortable and worth it.

I just got the Ecco mary janes in black patent. So far so good walking around the city here at home. They have a very small heel and felt more comfortable to me than ballet flats. I have wide toes and a narrow heel so some of the geox flats are too narrow.

I am following this thread closely as I need boots as well as dressier shoes to wear with skirts and black tights (but it would be nice to also have the option to wear with jeans in case I just don't feel like wearing the boots). So anyway I just came across these at Nordstrom - yes they aren't the most adorable shoes ever, but they look comfy and like they might provide a bit more cushion for longer distances, yet still provide the height you are looking for. I think I am going to order them myself!

http://www.qvc.com/qic/qvcapp.aspx/view.2/app.detail/params.item.A83673.desc.Naturalizer-Leather-Wedge-Heel-Elastic-Strap-Maryjanes

Okay... I'm going out on a limb here which I do not normally do on "fashion" threads. Salvatore Ferragamo makes a number of "ballet" and other styles that do have a small heal. They are ferociously expensive, but you'll never have to buy another pair again because they last forever and they are oh, so classy:

http://tinyurl.com/43dk7a

www.berenshoes.com/fa0686-gld-cf/p/FA0686_GLD_CF/c2p/ppv/

www.berenshoes.com/fa0645-blk-kd/p/FA0645_BLK_KD/c2p/ppv/

When you wear these, you will feel beautiful and every Parisian woman will look down at your feet and nod with approval!

Another idea would be to go shoe shopping in Paris... that would make a wonderful souvenir and be much better than those little Eiffel Towers that you have to keep dusting off.

Best Regards,

tw

GiuliaPiraino,
I sympathize completely with your dilemma! I'm always searching for a pair of comfortable heels for travel.

Here are some that I've tried (actually none of these is the exact style I've had, because they change them all the time, but these are close)

I have some Steve Maddens that are very similar to this that I find very comfortable, and under jeans give the impression of a higher heel than they are.
Steve Madden
http://tinyurl.com/549gz5

I LOVE these Cole Haans, and they are better than you'd think for walking, with the Nike Air cushioning, but realistically you can only be so comfortable in a 3" heel.
Cole Haan Nike Air
http://tinyurl.com/ColeHaanHeel

I just bought a pair of this brand, but not exactly this style, and I have high hopes for being able to wear them in the evening in Europe. At least in the store (Nordstrom, btw) they seemed super comfortable.
Fidgi
http://europeandesignshoes.com/item.php?id=37

I have never found any heels that are comfortable for walking that far. If you don;t want real flat then go for a shoe or botoies with a wide 1" wedge. Will give you a little height and let you walk forever. Then wear a pair of real shoes in the evening, when you can walk a little before cabbing back to the hotel.

Aaack! I posted too soon!

I meant to add that my sister has great luck with Aerosoles, although they've never worked for me. They might be worth looking at.

Good luck with your search, and have a great trip!

www.tarynrose.com

I personally like Donald J. Pliner shoes. But I'm leaving my heels home and taking 2 or 3 pairs of ballet flats (red, black and maybe navy) to Pairs. I'm 5'7" so I don't feel short when I wear flats, but there's no greater feeling than wearing a pair of 3" or 4" heels. But let's face it, there's no way you can walk 2 miles in heels like that without having an appointment already made with the podiatrist or orthopedic surgeon when you get home.

I've walked two miles in certain Steve Madden shoes. Generally the platform shoes with wider heels are the most comfortable.

Love the Walking Company link, though! I'm definitely eyeing a pair of cute mary jane Clarks... I just wish Zappos had them in my size!

I think the wedge heel is going to be the best bet, I wish I could do the regular heel or even a stacked heel, but I tried them on and they were comfortable but not comfortable enough to go any reasonable distance. Ballet flats dont make me feel short (i'm also 5'8") I just don't feel like they give any support at all, I must have a high arch or something. The things we do to our feet to look pretty, so sad!

I'm thinking about the Caine, although they are not as pretty as I'd like, I think they'll work and they look like they wont take up too much space in the suitcase.

http://clarks.zappos.com/n/es/d/722685833/page/1.html

Check these out:
http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/95115,84280_Ecco-Victoria-Pumps-For-Women.html

I haven't tried for travel, but they are very comfortable and I love the retro '40s look and metallic leather detail. Great price too!

I have a pair of black wedge-heel shoes that I now call my Europe heels, because they work so well on the cobblestones, and are comfortable, and look good. I've walked up to a mile in them with no problems. I've also gotten a lot of compliments on them. I meant to check who the manufacturer was, but forgot; I did buy them at Nordstrom's, if that helps at all. They are narrower than the Clarks Caine, and a bit dressier.

Mel: Those are really cute and I like Ecco, I have a lot of their sport shoes that I use for domestic travel, you know here in the states where you can wear dress sneakers to dinner and not get stared at! LOL

I wore Sofft sandals and boots all over the place in Barcelona, and I thought they were great. I have a bunion (gross I know) and these never made it hurt.

bookmarking - I need comfy shoes too...and I'm short so I like some height.

Thanks everyone.

gruezi

Sofft and Born have some nice shoes. I even found a couple of pairs of nice Clarks heels that were comfy.

I have a pair of Ellen Tracy heels that are comfortable, but I don't know if I'd want to walk in them for miles.

I plan on buying a pair of Sofft or Born heels for Paris.

Ok, I went to the Walking Company Tonight and tried on all of their heels. Not surprisingly, Dansko were the worst. I dont know why everyone says they are so great, I found them painful, but everyones feet are different. I tried on 2 pairs of BeautiFeel heels, they were about 2", and not comfortable enough to warrant the $250 price tag. I was suprised, since they were the lowest price, that the Sofft shoes were incredibly comfortable. I settled on 2 pairs, both under $100, and even if they didn't work for the trip I'd still enjoy having them. Both were comfortable AND attractive for evening.

The mules felt buttery and very cushy and soft, and the pumps were just as comfortable.

Mules
http://www.thewalkingcompany.com/common/Product.aspx?ProductID=7550&pagetag=women_sofft&source=Brand

Pumps (in black)
http://www.thewalkingcompany.com/common/Product.aspx?ProductID=7543&pagetag=women_sofft&source=Brand#

I felt like I could walk a lot in these shoes. I'm going to try them out by walking around the block. They don't look like much here, but I thought they both looked lovely with jeans.

Congratulations on finding shoes, but you should test them for at least two miles and not just around the block. Some shoes feel comfortable for a while, but then NOT. I also like to test them on hard floors (such as a mall).

And, you may want to consider some footwear accessories. Ball of foot cushions are useful (neither of those shoes has a very thick sole), along with heel inserts (in case the pumps stretch a bit after wearing them a lot and the heel starts to slip). Footsmart.com has a lot of amazing products.

Whenever I dress up for dinner, but want to do a lot of strolling afterward, I wear the comfortable walking shoes and carry the dressier pumps in a tote bag, then change and check the tote bag.

Also get a pedicure just ahead of your trip, paying special attention to callouses...

I love the ones you found! I think I am going to order the pumps in tan. I have a new favorite shoe website, called www.shoebuy.com

They have free shipping (even on returns), no sales tax, and after making just 1 purchase you are considered a member and get 10% off, in addition to their many other great sales. And they carry Sofft!

BeckyTx: Thanks for the link to the website, I think I like the Kensington better than the Kenal now! I am going to order from here and save the tax!

Josef Seibel makes very comfortable shoes. I have a pair of clogs/mules that are marvelous, I wouldn't travel without them!

I just bought a pair of shoes/clogs from Softspots and are real soft and comfortable. Great with jeans.

They are in a Wide size also, which I need.

They are alot more comfortable then my Clarks.

Can anyone tell me if the Privo shoe posted above runs true to size? I won't be able to try it on - I'll be ordering by mail.

Thanks!

gruezi

Gruezi, are you talking about the one that I posted? The clog? If so, I believe it does run true to size, I wear and 8.5 US and that's what I took in that shoe. I also have Privo clogs that I also took an 8.5 and they fit great. What you can't see in the photo is that the soles have little rounded nubs all over it, so it's like a massage on your feet. They are SO comfortable. Those shoes have traveled hundreds of miles over at least 4 countries and they still look and feel great. I love Privo, it's one of my favorite "comfort" brands. Although I'm thinking that Sofft is going to be my new "comfort dressy" shoe brand!

Thanks Giulia.

Do you think I could fit a thin sock on at my regular size? I don't like knee-hi's.

I hope these shoes will be a find for me too. I get very sore feet and I'm short so I hate to wear flats.

I actually love Dansko (am a nurse and they are my favorite work clogs) but I think they just scream "clog" if you know what I mean.

gruezi

Gruezi, I never wear these without a thin cotton sock. If you try to use a sport sock, it's a bit too big, but a regular tight weave cotton sock is just fine, plenty of room to wiggle around. If you want to try them you should order from a place like Zappos or Shoebuy that has free return shipping, that way there's no risk! Good luck!

Thanks Giulia,

That's just what I needed to know.

Unfortunately, most places don't ship internationally so I'll ship to a friend who will reship to me which is why I need to get the size right - I'm in Switzerland. Worst selection of shoes here you have ever seen...

gruezi

Camper makes some comfy shoes. I recently purchased their "Helena" model in red.
http://shop.camper.com/producto.xhtml

I think these shoes are really comfortable and would work for a night out with light walking. I wear them to and from work and they feel great.

One caveat: the button that holds the strap popped off after I wore them just two weeks. They gave me a new pair so no harm but I can imagine that would be a real pain if it was to happen while you were traveling.

Just thought I'd mention it in case another one of their pairs looks good to you. Some do not have great arch support (especially their boots)--you might want to add a little insert.

Hey Katie -

Looks like Camper doesn't allow deep linking into their product pages. Do you have the name of the shoes? (I'm about to leave for a trip to Italy and am looking for a VERY comfortable, stylish pair of heels.)

Thanks!

It's called the Helena. Though I am a little worried to recommend it and have the button pop off.

Those are cute! I wouldn't worry about the recommendation... we've all been duly warned about the button.

Sometimes the overall quality of a product is more important than one little flaw. For instance, my boyfriend's iPhone has all sorts of problems, but I still want one.

I have to say, I completely second the Cole Haan shoes with Nike air technology. They are the most comfortable shoes. I bought a pair of sandals this summer from a Cole Haan outlet and they have a wedge heel and really do feel like you are wearing a sneaker.

I also just bought a pair of Circa Joan and David shoes that are ridiculously comfortable as well. I wore them to go out one night in New York City, the day I bought them, and they were amazing!

Why not a pair of Ferragamo pumps? They are very comfortable.

There are some great recs here what a great thread!

My vote for the best looking comfortable shoes goes to the selections from Trophywife. I wish I could afford them, but I am just too hard on shoes they never last long enough to justify $300k or more.

If you are looking for a pair of basic pumps for walking these look great. The key to some of these is the sole and Poly heel, which is so much lighter than wood and cushions the walk. Chic? No but also not your average clunky "altheisure" travel shoe:

http://www.footsmart.com/P-Comfortology-Womens-Insolia-Series-Classic-Pumps-II-72877.aspx

I didn't read the whole thread - but TW's shoes are exactly what I had in mind! I can vouch for this - Ferragamo is very comfortable and classy chic.

Here's what might be the easiest solution to this problem. Big handbags are in fashion now, so carry your "nice" shoes in your bag. Wear your comfortable walking shoes 'til a block or two before your destination..then change into your other shoes. I've used this method on two recent trips to Italy and it worked like a charm.Of course, you do have to get over wearing somewhat non-glamourous shoes with an evening outfit while walking. I also recommend Merrells for any walking- I've had surgery on both feet and love to wear my merrells!

AmyRum: That is a great idea, I have a huge LV handbag that can fit a small pony inside, perfectly French for a night in Paris, LOL.

Okay... based on your advice, I just went on a shoe hunt for my trip to Europe tomorrow and, after about 10 pairs, settled on these:

http://clarks.zappos.com/n/p/dp/41583649/c/3.html ($100 at Macys)

They're incredible... they're so cute, yet I feel like I'm walking in slippers.

ALMOST bought these: http://zeta.zappos.com/product/7491550/color/14004 ($79) They were so light and comfortable, but surprisingly enough, I found the Clarks MORE comfortable and cuter.

Third were these Eccos: http://zeta.zappos.com/product/7424131/color/72 Cute on the rack, but they looked kind of frumpy on. Comfortable, though.

I tried on the Veronica by Sofft... elcon is right - I could tell that they'd get painful after a few hours.

Wow, those Clarks have a high heel! How far do you think you will be able to go in those? I love Clarks, I know they are very comfortable!

I splurged on 2 pair of heeled wedge sandals Sofft for our trip to Italy and they were stylish, extremely comfy and handled cobblestone streets very well.

I would definitely recommend Sofft.

Do you know which Sofft shoes you bought AdventureSeeker? I just bought 2 pairs for my trip, they haven't arrived yet.

I'm still undecided, now I saw these two Merrell shoes that I like, anyone tried these?

http://www.thewalkingcompany.com/common/Product.aspx?ProductID=7765&pagetag=women_Merrell&source=Brand

http://www.thewalkingcompany.com/common/Product.aspx?ProductID=7766&pagetag=women_Merrell&source=Brand

Sofft:

Prima http://www.zappos.com/n/p/p/7296044/c/19027.html

(I love the neutral red which goes with almost every color. This style looks stylishly fab w/ dark jeans. This sandal gets alot of compliments. It looks much better in person.)

Cordova
http://www.onlineshoes.com/productpage.asp?pcid=71383&gen=w

(I actually bought this in a neutral Sienna Brown trimmed in Gold)

Good luck!

GP,

I like the Merril "Petunia". I'm a Mary Jane girl and you just can't go wrong with a pair of MJ's!

Just a note: I wear my Dansko clogs to death during Fall/Winter and was told by a pal who is a seasoned Euro traveler to leave them behind since the clunky heel (altho very comfy and broken in) isn't "cobblestone friendly" and could actually be dangerous and cause twisted ankles. I heeded her advice and left them behind.....while on my trip, I could totally understand what she meant.

My Sofft shoes just arrived yesterday, I am definitely taking the Kensington, they are very, very comfortable. I also noticed that there is a Camper store in Barcelona, so if I want to get another pair of shoes, I can always pop in there.

Chie Mihara makes great shoes that are often (not always--depends on the style and your foot, of course) extremely comfortable. They aren't inexpensive but they really last. I believe she is a Spanish designer so you may find shoes of hers while you're in Spain. Have fun!

chiemihara.com

Just got back from a week in Paris where we walked miles and miles every day.
I wore these Clarks boots almost every day and they were fabulous!
http://www.zappos.com/n/p/p/7414624/c/72.html
They have a nice wedge heel.

Kristina the toe box looks kind of narrow but they look great. Were they roomy enough in the toes?

Bookmarking...