Appropriate footwear?
 

I am planning for my 1st trip to Europe, which includes 5 days in Paris, 5 days in Perpignan, 5 days in Dublin & 5 days in London this June. I have drop foot in both my feet & wear orthotics & braces in order to get around. The friend I'm going with who has traveled quite a bit, says that I can't wear them in Europe because they are not acceptable and/or fashionable & that I won't be allowed in many places...so now I'm fretting that rather than getting around freely, I'll be stumbling all over the place.

Can anyone give me the real scoop, whether I can or can't? Everything I read says no white tennis shoes & that they are very fashion conscious, but my braces will only fit in laced up walking/running shoes. (they aren't white, they're actually black, if that matters) .

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

Your friends a fool! It doesn't matter... You wear what's comfortable, for you.

Actually, that should be "your friend is a fool!".

You'll be fine! You'll even see people In white running shoes.

Sorry but your friend sounds like an insensitive jerk!

B.S.!!! I don't care how much your friend has traveled...

Wear what allows you to go where you want to go, see what you want to see, with the most comfort possible.

Have a great trip!

"<i>The friend I'm going with who has traveled quite a bit, says that I can't wear them in Europe because they are not acceptable and/or fashionable & that I won't be allowed in many places...</i>"

That is so absolutely ridiculous - UNBELIEVABLE!!

OK - and I mean this seriously: Do you <i>really</i> want to travel w/ such a clueless putz?

It sounds more like the 'friend' is embarrassed to be seen w/ you. S/he is a total idiot.

It's your feet. And your shoes. You are the one who has to walk in the shoes. Wear what you feel comfortable in. It is NOT fun to walk anywhere if your feet hurt.

If you want to go to upscale restaurants that won't let people inside with running shoes I guess you can wear nice shoes for that one evening and take a taxi to the restaurant. For the rest of the time it is better to be sensible and comfortable.

I am not going to make any judgment calls on your friend, who I have never met, but agree that no-one cares about your shoes. Comfy shoes are most important for an enjoyable visit to Europe.

"<i>If you want to go to upscale restaurants that won't let people inside with running shoes I guess you can wear nice shoes for that one evening and take a taxi to the restaurant.</i>"

Absolutely unnecessary. No restaurant would turn away a diner in braces because they had the 'wrong' footwear.

"<i>I am not going to make any judgment calls on your friend, who I have never met,</i>"

I don't need to meet someone to know that telling a friend >>I can't wear them in Europe because they are not acceptable and/or fashionable & that I won't be allowed in many places...<< means she is clueless or maybe has a screw loose.

<B>kiv427:</B> You'll laugh about this when you get to Europe - you will see every sort of footwear imaginable.

I think I'd prefer to say that OP's friend has been seriously misinformed somehow. Someday it might be interesting to find out how it could have happened, but as one who lives here, let me say that orthotics, braces and the like are not exactly unknown here. One of my neighbours (male) has had a long-term foot problem. much helped by special orthotic shoes, which look from the outside like any other plain black lace-ups.

Who goes round looking at anyone else's feet, for heaven's sake? In the unlikely event of anyone taking any notice of such thing, such a place isn't worthy of your custom anyway, and there will be plenty of others.

Thank-you all so much. I feel so much better. I have only recently been fitted for these braces, in order to help my ability to walk without falling...to me they look rather like Forrest Gump braces but my son told me to just wear a striped long-sleeved shirt and that people will think I play soccer. I do believe that my friend (and she is a good friend) was just trying to save me any embarrassment but believe me...falling flat on my face is way more embarrassing than wearing my braces, which actually have allowed me to return to walking without further injuring my back and hip (I don't have feeling in my feet so they just help the front of my foot lift up).

I will take the advice of wearing appropriate shoes to go along with a dress but for everyday walking, I'm glad to hear that I don't have to worry.

Thanks again and although it's far off...I'll report back so you all know how it went!
k

I don't know where your friend has traveled but you need to wear shoes that will work for you.

Many people world over have problems and wear equipment when they are blessed to have the equipment.

While white running shoes are really outdated there are some pretty cute shoes that lace up.

Would a mary jane type work for you?

http://www.zappos.com/biom-natural-m...mperial-purple


Have you considered a modern day shoe to wear with dark jeans?

http://www.zappos.com/cole-haan-alis...me=zap_pdp_acc

Or a leather lace up?
http://www.zappos.com/born-arletta-c...me=zap_pdp_sub

Well, how about these? The don't lace but seem like they may adjust.

http://www.zappos.com/clarks-kessa-b...dp_sub#prdInfo

I'm sure you're friend meant well but sometimes a little direction is better than scaring you.

http://www.zappos.com/naot-footwear-...me=zap_pdp_sub

Sounds like you'll be wearing the brace for awhile so you'll want to find a way to "rock" an oxford :)

Your friend is freaking nuts, no matter what her intentions. I am an OLD Paris hand and just came back from a trip there where I was on crutches, with a brace, and nobody blinked...in fact, people were double-kind to me everywhere. EVERYWHERE. No questions asked. Parisians are incredibly sensitive to handicaps, as I found out. I'll be going back in March, probably with a brace and ugly shoe on the left foot at least also, and expect nothing but kindness and welcoming attitudes on the part of Parisians all over the city.

Don't give it a thought.

Feet can be such a problem when travelling so be comfortable and wear whatever you find the best for you.."A friend???" for how long will this be the case.??? don't even consider buying new ones as you may increase your problems..You own you part of the the world so enjoy it!!!!

If your Friend is too embarrassed to be seen with you being comfortable then travel Solo. The problem is not yours it's theirs.

Agree that your friend is an idiot.

This is not an issue of fashion - but of health - and you should wear whatever shoes are most comfortable with braces, as would any european with the same problem.

Don;t know how far you can walk, but we find that in european cities we often do 8 or 10 miles per day - although the older we get the more often we take short cabs rides between sights. So comfort is paramount. And if you're not lucky enough to be comfortable while wearing cute walking shoes - then wear what works for you.

It's true that giant white clown sneakers are not the height of fashion (frankly they're not the fashion here either, except for kids or someone actually running) but health trumps fashion every time.

My advice is to wear the shoes you feel comfortable walking around in at home. If you must buy new footware for the trip, give them a good tryout before you leave home. No sense waiting until you get to Europe to find out they aren't good to walk in.

In politically correct Britain no one would dare turn away a customer wearing braces, and if they did, they would probably be committing an offence. No one gives a hoot what kind of shoes you are wearing. :-)

We don't know how the friend actually put this or what the OP is usually given to wear. She's not judging her friend maybe we shouldn't either.

Seriously, if you were going on a trip don't you want to look your best? Even if you're not traveling.

The brace will be an issue for the OP otherwise she wouldn't have mentioned it, she would have blown off her friend from the jump.

Look into some options so you'll be comfortable.

The real question is how comfortable are you? I always found that when I've done my best with what I have then I can be comfortable.

If I'm comfortable in big white sneakers and black pants, then it will reflect in the way I treat others, not the way they treat me.

I want to repeat what nytraveler said. That you will do a lot of walking in Europe, maybe not 8 or 10 miles/day, but a lot. Europeans expect people to walk and to climb stairs. And then after a long day on your feet, you go to bed, get up and do it again.

So comfort is of prime importance. You're spending a lot of money. Concentrate on enjoying what you're seeing and doing, not on what others might -- or might not -- think.

In addition to St Cirq's testimony, you might like to read the inspiring trip report from a woman who has trouble walking but traveled to Europe on her own: http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ling-woman.cfm

Twenty years ago, I was told I would be pegged as an American if I wore my most comfortable footwear, my running shoes. I opted for comfort and never worried a second. I was able to walk all day, see the sights. And, yes, I am a proud American! ;-)

As someone who has traveled a fair amount, I would just like to say that the whole, "If you wear white tennis / running shoes, then everyone will KNOW you are an American" thing is grossly over-rated.

They are going to know, anyway -- Changing your shoes is NOT going to fool them!

Go with what works. Be happy and enjoy.

Bob

"<i>I will take the advice of wearing appropriate shoes to go along with a dress . . . </i>"

IMO that isn't necessary. If you should use the braces when walking, that means using them whenever you are walking. When you are out and about. Even at restaurants, even at 'nice' restaurants, even at the opera, even . . . well you get the idea. I personally wouldn't risk leaving the braces off for the sake of 'fashion' - nor for your friend's comfort level.

I wouldn't consider your friend to be a friend any longer.

Let's not be too harsh on kiv427's friend — she is probably well meaning, but another victim of the "white sneakers myth". I've never really understood why people are so worried about looking like a tourist, or looking like an American. More important (when in Britain) to remember to look to the right before stepping off the pavement into the street. ;-)

How do otherwise sensible people come up with these weird ideas?

5 minutes thought would surely convince your friend that there must be people in Europe with foot problems [and loads of other problems too.come to that] and they aren't banned from "loads of places".

wear what you feel happy and safe in - once you are here you'll find out that no-one cares what you are wearing, we just want you to have a good time.

Kiv427, not sure where your “friend” is coming from. Last summer I went on a tour to Paris/Normandy which included an older gal (frail but feisty) who wore a leg brace and used a cane. She did not let anything stop her.

When we arrived at the Eiffel Tower, our tour leader told us that no one could ascend the tower using a cane or walker. So this gal with the brace folded up the cane and proceeded to join the group. She just linked arms with her daughter and moved right along.

Enjoy your trip…

You can't imagine how excited I am for this trip & appreciate all your responses. I'm not as worried about anyone knowing I'm American as offending the locals by not being appropriate. In my friends defense, when she traveled is was for more formal events & she tends to lean more to fashion rather than comfort. I feel confident that Europeans will be just as ok with my maladies as anyone else. As far as walking, with these new legs of mine, 10 miles or up hills will be no problem, so I'm thankful for them. Thanks for the shoe suggestions but they won't fit nor work properly, so I'll stick with my running shoes.

Thanks again!

Why would any local be offended? You have nothing to worry about, so have a wonderful trip!
:-)

"I've never really understood why people are so worried about looking like a tourist, or looking like an American."

It is silly but I'm a lot more worried about wearing ugly shoes.

Enjoy your trip kiv427. You won't offend anyone. Spend your time learning a few words in the local languages.

I'm learning French right now and hope to be fairly fluent by the time I leave.

Good for you kiv! I've been trying to learn French for years but so far every time I speak French someone will say, "let's just do this in English." :)

LSky - we must go to some very different places. We stayed at a B&B in Brittany last year which had a single breakfast table so we all ate together and none of the other guests spoke any english at all, nor did our hosts.

our french got a very thorough work-out!

annhig, I've only ever been to Paris. Of course, I practiced French and can write it, so I carried a notepad in case things got hair because my pronuciation is terrible.

People were very nice and helpful. There were a few times when I had to speak very slowly. I am always impressed how patient people can be with a stranger and how helpful.

I'm fairly good with German and love it when that gets a workout :) It's so much fun isn't it?

LSky - when we first went to Paris more years ago than I care to remember, I found that very few locals would speak anything other than french, even if they could, as a matter of principle. Now they are much more relaxed about it, in fact Paris is becoming more like the rest of Europe where trying to get them NOT to speak english is a struggle, IME.

I think that you would have more chance to practice outside Paris, especially in the countryside.

also like you, i suspect, my german is better than my french, so i tend to get a better chance with that, and as for the italian, I'm pretty good til someone talks back!

kiv - good for you. in the case of non/miscomprehension, a smile goes a vey long way. and there are few people in France who will not appreciate it if, when you enter a shop, you say "bonjour" and pepper your speech with "merci" and "s'il vous plait". [forgive me if I am teaching y granny to suck eggs, BTW].

I always try to learn a little of a language for any country I travel to, and if it is a language I like and might find useful, I study more. However, one can't become fluent in any language in six months. So it is nice to learn a little, but it won't be any problem in Paris, so many people speak English, at lest the ones a tourist typically deals with in the center. I've been going to Paris about 30 years and even 30 years ago, it seemed to me a lot of waiters, hotel personnel, etc. wanted to speak English rather than letting you speak French. And I was there to study French at the Sorbonne, although I didn't know it as well as now, but I wasn't incompetent. I can understand not wanting to plod along with someone who only knows a few words, that would be difficult and time-consuming. It is a lot easier to speak it without interruption (if a foreigner) outside Paris, but not in Paris.

In case you get stuck, there's google translate for smartphones and tablets.
You write it in English, it translates to whatever language you choose.
Works great at places like the TIM store, where you can ask questions like, How could I possibly have used up 5 gb of data already? And how can I buy some more? Worked for us in southern Italy! :)

"I'm pretty good til someone talks back!"

OH Yeah! LOL

Last Spring we were in a small town in Germany and the parking machine wasn't working. A young couple was getting out of their car so I asked in German what I should do after explaining about the machine. She said in German that I should write on a piece of paper "ANKUNFTSZEIT" with the time and put it on the dashboard. That's when I lost it and cried out in English, "I've never even said that word!"

She laughed and said, "Ah! English! I was wondering what language you spoke!" Her husband saved the day and had an extra ANKUNFTSZEIT and gave it to me. It has become one of my prized souvenirs of all time.


I didn't think people minded when I murdered their language. They didn't seem to be patient with the effort. If someone approaches me in English, I don't mind helping them in Spanish. It improves my Spanish and gets them on their way a little faster.