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.

What's so interesting about this conundrum is that not only the same brands aren't the best for all of us, but that our feet change and what worked for us once may not now or in the future. I had a pair of Mephisto sandals I wore all over Italy in 1998 and after I got new leather uppers put on them (sent them back to Mephisto), they've never been as comfortable. Since I developed plantar fachistis (spelling?) last summer, the Dansko's are the most comfortable for me (flat shoes are a killer) but who knows for how long? I've also had Eccos and Cole Haan that were comfortable for a time but then not. It's enough to make you want to pull your hair out.

Another I like is Born.

Another vote for SAS shoes. They're comfortable right away and available in many sizes. I've given up style for comfort. Although with a little polish, they look pretty good.

FYI, shoebuy was having a 20% off sale on sandals. I am always looking for the most comfy and good looking(seems an oxymoron). I have very tender feet and blister easily esp on vacation even if I have worn the shoes all the time beforehand...must be plane ride!

I bought a pair of Geox last year for a trip to France and wore them everyday. They are probably the most comfortable shoes I've owned. They were black with both suede and smooth leather. I picked them up at Nordstrom. I found them in France too. They make them for children as well.

I love my munros! Some good and comfortable boots are made by our old friend Carlos Santana, I think I got them at Nordstrom. I used to like Cole Haan but something has happened to them lately and they hurt after a while, so I have wasted some money on these new styles.

Oh yes, I just bought some Puma shoes and they are great, they have support but are really light. They look like trim sports shoes so not really for dressy occasions.

Now I'm going to add shoebuy.com to my Favorites. Shoe shopping tips -- what a great thread.
((c))

tripgirl,
bought a pair of geox and they are way comfy. when clubbing i wear them until the wee hours of the morning. no problem. as a guy with high arches, i say they are really good. they have breathable soles, so your feet don't get hot. gonna buy me some more when in italy this year.

but as for sneakers, your missing out. try some puma, ascics, diesel, or new balance. they all make comfy shoes that are not sneakers at all. they just happen to be made my them. look awesome and feel good.

try nordstroms for a great selection of all kinds of shoes. great return policy...no lenght of time or questions asked.

SeaUrchin, I got my Santanas at Nordstroms too..those were the best winter boots I ever had!

I know that whatever shoe you wear and no matter how comfortable it is, after days of sightseeing, your feet will hurt..bring plenty of moleskins and pads and soft thingees for your toes and feet.

I love my Geox shoes. Have done some heavy duty hiking and no blisters. I've had some horrendous blisters in the past (10 to 14 mile hikes). Bought them at Nordy's on sale. Best purchase I've ever made.

I love my Merrills and can't find anything else to fit my narrow feet. (I wear socks with them) I would love to wear Eccos, etc. but I go to the Walking Store or elsewhere and they tell me they don't carry narrow widths.

If someone can help me to find some I would love it. Usually I wear my black New Balance sneakers as thank goodness, they do come in narrow widths.

loisco-
I have the opposite problem - I have wide feet. That's why I order online- the selection is much larger. Like I said before, I shop almost exclusively at shoebuy.com, pretty much because of the free returns. I think I've returned more shoes than I've kept! :)

Check out Zappos and shoebuy- I think you can search by narrow widths so you don't fall in love with a show that's the wrong size.

Nobody knows about Taryn Rose? She is an orthopedic/stylish designer. Has stores in NYC and Beverly Hills, etc., but also sells at Norstrom's. Warning: they are very expensive. They also last forever, and feel great from the moment they go on your feet, and are stylish. I have reduced my shoe wardrobe to less pairs, and wear mostly hers.

Taryn Rose is sold in most department stores now but the shoes are still about $400-600 ..
Actually, I tried some boots before we moved to Fl (in NYC) and they were not comfortable! I was shocked, I expected them to conform to my foot and be Fabulous :)
They are a real 'splurge' shoe .

I have lived in Dansko's for about five years now. Beware they have an excellent arch support but they are mostly made for long days on your feet. They are not made for lots of walking. Found that out the hard way when I took two broken in pairs to Paris with me. I like my stonefly from Italy and I love my Finn Comfort and Think from Germany for walking shoes.

We have two shops that carry a few models of Taryn Rose but for a larger selection: http://www.zappos.com/n/es/d/722091247.html

Alot are under $300.
Did you Taryn Rose fans see her on Oprah last year?

Thank you one and all!

Wow, now at least I have a good list.

I'll start in person at Nordstroms and then I will go from there.

hugs and kisses

thanks a mil....

Tripgirl, if you do not have a Nordstroms in your area they have lowered their shipping to $5 on standard shipping for the majority of all orders. Re: shoes, my feet have been happiest traveling around in Eccos, Joseph Seibels and Timberland :-)

i had a pair of Mephistos that i was happy and then on one trip they suddenly gave me blisters on the heel
i recently bought a pair of Merrells (Merrills?) that so comfy.
i will need a more lightweight pair of shoes for this summer, but i generally don't like sandals so i'll be searching again for a warm-weather walking shoe