Best Walking shoes ever!
 

Ok... After years of trekking all over Europe I am in need of new walking shoes.

Have used Eccos and Mephisto for most of my needs but now need something different.

I need a more fashionable looking shoe to go with skirts, capris and shorts and need a really good shoe to support my really high arches. I walk ALOT!

I've read about a shoe called Geox: anyone have them, know about them.

Do not want anyting resembling sneakers or something that is ugly.

thanks a mil.....

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.
((c))

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.