What kind of shoes are the best for travel?
Sep 22nd, 2008, 05:31 PM
#1
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What kind of shoes are the best for travel?
I wear black light weight day hikers. I pack a dressy pair of low black boots with a small heel. Does anyone have input as to brand name & style that works particulary well for them and is comfy & looks good?
Sep 22nd, 2008, 07:17 PM
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I love my Merrells. I started with the Jungle Mocs which are very comfy, but they are pretty casual looking (although I love the gunsmoke color).
Then I tried their Spire Emme style. It is a MaryJane style with a 2 inch heel, but does not feel like a heel at all. I can wear them walking around all day on any type ground without a problem.
As I liked the Spire feel so much, I decided to try a pair of sandals with the same basic footbed. I got the Sundial Charade sandal. It is much dressier looking than pretty much any other "comfort" sandal and is still a joy to wear all day on my feet.
My main rule for comfort shoes is that the heel has to be slightly higher than the foot. I tend to put all my pressure on my heels and this forces me to distribute the weight a bit more evenly. Both the Spire Emme and the Sundial Charade do that.
Now, I bring 2 or 3 of the above depending on my needs for the trip.
Then I tried their Spire Emme style. It is a MaryJane style with a 2 inch heel, but does not feel like a heel at all. I can wear them walking around all day on any type ground without a problem.
As I liked the Spire feel so much, I decided to try a pair of sandals with the same basic footbed. I got the Sundial Charade sandal. It is much dressier looking than pretty much any other "comfort" sandal and is still a joy to wear all day on my feet.
My main rule for comfort shoes is that the heel has to be slightly higher than the foot. I tend to put all my pressure on my heels and this forces me to distribute the weight a bit more evenly. Both the Spire Emme and the Sundial Charade do that.
Now, I bring 2 or 3 of the above depending on my needs for the trip.
Sep 22nd, 2008, 07:29 PM
#3
I take lightweight Vasque hiking boots for daytime, as I need the ankle support. I change them off with Birkenstocks (I need the arch support) and if I'm headed for cities I take black flats for evening.
Sep 23rd, 2008, 03:24 AM
#4
I am with toedtoes, I love merrell brand shoes. I seem to find a shoe that is comfortable for every season. I do like sneakers as well, but merrell usually has a great city walking shoe. I have never been uncomfortable while wearing one of their shoes and we walk a lot on vacations!
Sep 23rd, 2008, 07:21 AM
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I LIVE in my Merrills. I have several pairs, clog like ones that are "fur" lined for winter..... easy to slip off when going through airport security.
I don't pack boots, no matter how light weight. Too hard to get on and off and the support isn't that different from my Merrills.
I don't pack boots, no matter how light weight. Too hard to get on and off and the support isn't that different from my Merrills.
Sep 23rd, 2008, 07:32 AM
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There is no "best"; rather several brands that folks swear by and frankly, what works for my foot may not be ideal for yours.
If I need a closed toe shoe, then I wear one of my pair of Keen's -- Keen shoes tend towards a broad "toe box" .... great for those with average to wide feet and especially, if you have any toe issues and don't want shoes that press down on them.
Sandals? It's all about the Birkenstocks .... and even for that brand, there's a variety. I prefer the 'Birki's' or 'Papillio' models. For a good place to purchase Birkenstocks, I suggest QVC --- http://www.qvc.com
They offer more stylish models than what you may find locally.
Lastly, this topic is opt-discussed on Fodor's Forums and here's a thread >>>
Suggestions on Walking Shoes
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35124676
If I need a closed toe shoe, then I wear one of my pair of Keen's -- Keen shoes tend towards a broad "toe box" .... great for those with average to wide feet and especially, if you have any toe issues and don't want shoes that press down on them.
Sandals? It's all about the Birkenstocks .... and even for that brand, there's a variety. I prefer the 'Birki's' or 'Papillio' models. For a good place to purchase Birkenstocks, I suggest QVC --- http://www.qvc.com
They offer more stylish models than what you may find locally.
Lastly, this topic is opt-discussed on Fodor's Forums and here's a thread >>>
Suggestions on Walking Shoes
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35124676
Sep 23rd, 2008, 07:38 AM
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Oh, and if you do want to seek out Keen's shoes, I've purchased mine at REI >>> http://www.rei.com/category/4500006
Sep 23rd, 2008, 09:00 AM
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I swear by my Keens - I bought them through Zappos.com because I have small feet and couldn't find my size in the stores. Zappos has a great return policy (don't have to pay for shipping).
I've also got a pair of ballet flats from Naturalizer that work great for evenings and days when we aren't walking so much. I like them for the plane too because they slip on and off easily.
I've also got a pair of ballet flats from Naturalizer that work great for evenings and days when we aren't walking so much. I like them for the plane too because they slip on and off easily.
Sep 23rd, 2008, 06:59 PM
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I swear by my Birkenstocks, have been wearing them for years...however i just bought a pair of Keen's...Not sure about them yet, they feel kinda weird so far..we'll see how they are when i go on my next holiday in November!!
Sep 24th, 2008, 08:08 AM
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I LOVE my Merrels but this summer found something new.
LL BEan makes something called a Beach Sneaker. These are So light and airy and incredible support. I have a bad back aggravated by walking. I took these to France and never had any problems with my back in spite of many, many hours on my feet in Paris.
One caveat - they have holes in the bottoms - I guess because they are made for water sports - so they are not great in the rain. My feet got wet, but dried very fast.
Greatest thing? They only cost about 35 dollars PLUS no tying laces. Just slip on and off - perfect for swelling airplane feet.
LL BEan makes something called a Beach Sneaker. These are So light and airy and incredible support. I have a bad back aggravated by walking. I took these to France and never had any problems with my back in spite of many, many hours on my feet in Paris.
One caveat - they have holes in the bottoms - I guess because they are made for water sports - so they are not great in the rain. My feet got wet, but dried very fast.
Greatest thing? They only cost about 35 dollars PLUS no tying laces. Just slip on and off - perfect for swelling airplane feet.
Sep 24th, 2008, 08:52 AM
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I have a pair of Keens that I love. The first time I wore them (had only tried them on for size before) was to trek up to the top of the Acropolis and they were extraordinarily comfortable! For something a little dressier I have a pair of black MAry Janes from Cole Haan, they have a line of shoes that have Nike Air technology so they are super comfortable.
Sep 25th, 2008, 04:56 AM
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I also love my Merrell Phoenicias but they don't have enough support for me while walking cobblestone streets in Europe (have a torn tendon in foot) and recently bought a pair of Dr. Scholls sneaker mules out of desperation from Walmart and they offered me more support than any other shoes I have tried but when I looked for another pair they have been discontinued and the replacements are not nearly so comfortable. Have tried online to find the old ones without luck. Any ideas? thanks
Sep 25th, 2008, 06:11 AM
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The salewoman at Nordstrom said teachers (on their feet all day) buy Patricia Munro, made in USA. I bought a pair of the 'Tatum' model in black and walked 8 miles in Rome one day with no problem. An inch and a half heel, so suitable to night dressing for a restaurant, and very comfortable. I have another pair in brown I bought for travel comfort too, and when I'm not in my Merrells, the Munros are great.
