tngran11

I need advice on comfortable shoes/boots for a trip to Paris at Christmas. I think the weather will be cold and rainy. I will be doing a lot of walking and need shoes with cushioning. Would like them to look nice too!

DalaiLlama

Huge discussion of shoes for travel at www.ricksteves.com/graffiti/graffiti92.html

Therese

And lots of discussions here at Fodors at well. Short answer is that waterproof boots are ideal, as they keep your feet nice and dry, provided excellent support (and will accept an orthotic if you use one), and can very elegant (depending on what you like).

Likely brands include Santana, La Canadienne, and Aquatalia. You can specifically search these brands, or waterproof styles, at various online merchants (including zappos.com, my usual).

Guenmai

Mephisto has a great pair of knee boots- model:Ziuti(sp?) at nordstrom.com. Also boots by the company called Sofft are very good. Check out the shoes/boots at The Walking Store. They're located in most malls...at least they are here in L.A. and the rest of California. I don't know about other states. Happy Travels!

zeppole

When it's rainy, I live in my La Canadienne ankle-high boots, and I live in a part of Italy that is extremely hard on the feet -- but I discovered from painful experience that I have to go into a shoe store and try on shoes rather than take internet recommendations or do online purchases.

Once, following internet recomendations, I purchased a pair of shoes that to all appearances looked designed for maximum shock-absorption and comfort. I ended up with hideous back spasms! I now use the shoes as a herb planter! (And they weren't cheap.)

So go to the best shoe store you know -- fast! You want to have broken in the shoes you buy well before you leave. But try them on before you buy them.

zeppole

PS; I just read a good deal of that Rick Steves' message board thread, and several people recommended the shoes that gave me back spasms -- Mephisto's -- and other's recommended a summer shoe that I indeed found comfy but really STANK UP quickly -- Merrell's.

A lot of people recommend shoes because they have high arches (I don't) or because they need a very rigid sole (which ends up giving me back pains).

I like my Le Canadienne's because they are warm with good cushioning but have lots of flex (I live with lots of staircases).

But like I said: You need to try them on. Or consider this: If you already have waterproof shoes that you know are comfortable, use them for sightseeing, and only wear your pretty new shoes out to dinner.

lennyba

I bought a wonderful pair of Josef Seibel boots at Nordstrom last year that are perfect for that sort of weather and walking. Do you have one near you?

Therese

Zeppole's comment re trying on shoes is an excellent one: one person's comfortable shoe is another one's agony. I also cannot wear Mephistos, for instance. Most shoes billed as "comfort" types don't work for me.

I don't usually spend much time looking in stores, though, as I find that it takes a lot of time and effort, and often gets me nothing, as stores may or may not have what I like, and even if there's something I like I may not be able to find it in my size.

So instead I order on line, and typically order more than one item and often in more that one size. I keep what I like and send the others back. Zappos will let you do this many, many times, and do not charge a separate shipping fee (though obviously some of this cost is built into the prices).

susanna

I love this Ugg boot. It is not as boxy as their others, has a small heal, great support, very good for walking, which I did all over Paris last Feb.
http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/22956103/c/72.html

suze

I'd buy La Canadienne boots (ordered from zappos).

Guenmai

It's unfortunate about your Mephistos giving you back spasm. I probably have around 10 pairs of them now, have been wearing them for years and have never had a problem. Happy Travels!

tuscanlifeedit

I wear Merrells all the time, and they never stink. Winter ones with fleecey lining, too. No stink.

LouisaH

Really, as others have commented, the "perfect" shoe is a very individual thing. I don't have foot problems per se but I do have high arches and there are certain shoes I cannot wear. However, I absolutely love Mephistos and have several pairs and always take at least two pairs whenever I go to Europe. I can walk for hours without any problems. There are very few shoes I can do this with. I do have a wonderful Stuart Weitzman ankle-type boot with fleece lining that is warm, waterproof, and extremely comfortable that I would wear for a Parisian Christmas trip.

danon

Aquatalia shoes are waterproof - I have several pairs. They have some nice styles now days, but not cheap!

Mephisto works for me - have boots and shoes ( and very problematic feet). Also expensive.

LoveItaly

It is so true that what works for one person does not work for another person.

I have a pair of Aquatalia boots that I love except for the fact that they slip up on and down on my heel. I have a narrow heel and consequently the Aquatalia boots are most miserable if I wear them for any length of time.

A pair of low cut boots that I purchased at Nordstrom's are wonderful for walking around a city all day. I just checked to see what the brand was tngran and I was surprised that they are Daniel Green. The style is Munchens. They have a rubber sole with a tread. I bought them a couple of years ago and really hadn't worn them until last month. I had them on for over 13 hours in San Francisco and they were perfect. I do have a high arch.

I have several pair of Ferragomo shoes and they are always "perfection" for my feet. They are very expensive but they last forever if one takes care of them (one pair is over 20 years old). And a pair of boots that I have that work wonderful for me is an Italian brand which is Gravati, again quite expensive but they will last forever it taken care of properly.

But what is comfortable for one person is not comforatable for another person of course. I would immediately start looking and buying now and wearing what you buy so that you know what you take to Paris will be suitable. If you have a Nordstom's near you they usually have a good selection of footwear. Best regards along with wishes that you have a wonderful time in Paris!

zeppole

I dont think Mephisto or Merrell shoe wearers should feel the need to defend the brand. I've not a doubt in the world that their choices suit them (and that Merrell makes styles of shoes that can be worn without socks and that don't stink up).

The point is not that they work for you. The point is that tngran is going to Paris shortly and her feet might not be like yours. . (The Merrell's were summer mesh shoes, so she's unlikely to make that mistake).

There's no such thing as the "perfect" shoe.

lukesaunt

I second the suggestion for Aquatalia boots. I bought a pair for a trip to Europe last year. They are waterproof, but don't look like it-- in fact, mine were a beautiful black suede, and very stylish. They were also very comfortable. I wore them to walk around all day in Munich and Salzburg, and then also took them up to the Alps skiing. They still look new!

cw

tngran11,

As everyone has said--shoes are different for everyone. I just wanted to add that boots, while stylish, are certainly not necessary in December at Christmas time, unless you're from a warmer climate and might be cold.

If you don't take boots, take two pairs of good walking shoes, so if one pair does get wet in a shower, you'll have another pair to wear. My Ecco mary-jane flats worked best for me last December.

I find that if I walk a lot, I like a good pair of lightweight footwear.

beaupeep

Well, I can tell you what NOT to wear. Beautiful leather boots. Which is the only shoes I wore to Paris one Christmas when a friend lent us her apt. It rained every day, the downpour kind of rain and my boots were ruined. So get something that will hold up to possible bad weather.

grandmere

Loveitaly, are you sure you don't mean Paul Green shoes? They are made in Germany and have some styles that are very comfortable for walking. Even their stylish summer sandals have arch support.