Best walking shoes for Paris and Provence
 

Help! I need advice on the best type and brand of walking shoes or boots for Paris and Provence. We leave at the end of March. I prefer loafers but am not sure they'd be sturdy enough. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. We intend to wear slacks and skirts for the most part so style is a consideration. <BR>Thanks a lot for all your help!

Hi Julie - <BR> <BR>The shoe game is a very personal issue. Many people prefer tennis shoes others like to have a little "style" when they're traveling. The most important thing is to be comfortable. <BR> <BR>Myself, I like the Mephisto brand of walking shoes. Funny enough, these are a French brand of shoes. Actually, when I bought my first pair I had never heard of them. I found them on a markdown rack and bought them. Fell in love with these shoes and now I own 6 pair! <BR> <BR>My husband likes either his Mephisto's or Doc Martins. We both like to wear black (or brown) because these colors are most neutral and they don't show dirt. <BR> <BR>Some people like Birkenstocks, you might also check into those. <BR> <BR>Have a great trip. I might pass you in the street because we'll be there from 29th to April 4th!

I would highly recommend Mephisto for walking. I would worry more about comfort than style, unless you're getting dressed up and going out. For touring and visiting the sights and attractions - don't be too concerned about style - believe me you'd be overdressed compared to everyone else. I would take a second pair (but also very comfortable) for evenings or dining in better rstaurants.

Julie - <BR> <BR>I almost forgot, make sure you get a pair quickly no matter which one you buy. The last thing you want to do is buy them 2 days before you go and break them in on your trip. <BR> <BR>Always break shoes in before you go so you are certain that they are comfortable and you can spend a long day in them. <BR> <BR>Bye...

<BR>I wear Aerosoles, very comfortable for walking, and can be dressy too for nights.

I'm an east spirit person myself :)But comfort is the primary concern. Be sure that whatever shoes you *do* take are broken in! <BR>

Hi, I wore Mephisto walking shoes, the brown leather Holiday style, for 12 days straight walking all over London and Paris all day and night long. They were great and my feet can tend to hurt after awhile but not in the Mephistos. I was very careful to break them in over a couple of months (slowly at first then wore constantly the last couple of months before the trip. They are terrific shoes for my feet.

Can Mephisto walking shoes be purchased in Texas? If so, where? Thanks, CS

I'm in retail and I'm on my feet running around all day long. I swear by Naturalizers. They make a brand called Naturalsport. They are casual shoes (loafers etc.) and have a built in arch support. We were recently in Rome and I only brought one pair of shoes with me- black suede loafers. They went with everything I brought and truly felt like slippers. They are on average about $50-$75 for a pair but are worth it!

You're right to worry about the sturdiness, because all the stairs, cobblestones, etc. in Paris will really try your feet, especially if you don't normally walk a lot on a hard surface. Everyone has their favorite brands--I personally like Aerosoles and a new brand I've found that is waterproof, Munro American. Give a thought to tie shoes with good arch and ankle support and closed heels. I made the mistake of taking old comfortable shoes last March to Paris, and within two days developed heel pain (plantar fasciitis) that took MONTHS to clear up. You can find most of the brands mentioned here at any shoe store--I find Nordstrom has a huge shoe department and good clerks, for example. <BR>With some of the European brands like Mephisto, you might find that the arch support or last or whatever they call it in shoes doesn't really hit you in the right place.

I like my Doc Martins (broken in)because they withstand the elements. But I always bring two different pairs. If you get blisters, you need a second pair that puts pressure elsewhere. My second pair is Rockports. Then I bring a little pair of black Cole Haan flats for dress.

Add another vote for Mephistos and one for Sudini (made in Italy, sold at Nordstrom).

Julie: <BR> <BR>As most of the posters agree, Mephisto is top of the line for walking shoes. Also, be advised these "cadillac of shoes" come with a commensurate price tag. They usually cost at least $150 and more towards $200, and rarely go on sale. However, they are great (I have a pair). In Texas, you can find them at Nordstrom's. If you live in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, there is a Mephisto store in Preston Center (on Berkshire Lane, just off Preston Road, south of Northwest Hwy.) <BR>Additionally, I'd check out Dillard's - the Dallas store @ NorthPark Mall has a HUGE shoe department. They stock several very good walking shoes (Ecco, Naturalizers) which are more reasonably priced. <BR>

Thank you all for responding to my question. I am very happy to say that I have ordered a pair of Mephisto(you've got to like that name)Roslita I believe walking shoes. <BR>I ordered them on line from a store in Denver which I found by going to www.dogpile.com and entering the search words Mephisto shoes (just in case anyone esle is wondering how to find them) AGAIN - thank you all for your replies. I leave March 23 and can't wait! <BR>Julie

Ecco "Softs"!! Not inexpensive (around $85-90) but much less than Mephisto. Support, great sole for cobblestones and sidewalks, and incredibly LIGHTWEIGHT. I've worn them all over London, Provence (coincidentally), Alaska, Washington DC, and Disney World. They have been a Godsend for my hard-to-fit feet.

Bought my wife a pair of Ecco boots before our last trip to the UK and she walked everywhere in them. They look like a dress boot but feel like a very comfortable walking shoe. Cost $125 worth every cent.

I want to add a vote for the Murno American's mentioned above. I now have about 4 pair and I love them! I wore them all over London last spring with no problems. I have high archs and they have great support!

For future reference re buying Mephisto in Texas: I think all Nordstrom stores carry them. The Galleria store has big supply. Stanley Eiseman shoe stores, too,and the one already mentioned in Dallas' Preston Center.

One more thing: I, an enthusiastic, long-time Mephisto fan, have not found the lesser Mephistos (i.e. second-string and cheaper) any better or indeed as good as their less-expensive Rockport, Ecco, etc. counterparts. They offer no better support or comfort. Go full-tilt boogie for the Holiday and Rush styles, I say; they're the ones that'll make your heart sing and your feet sigh.

Another vote for Munro. My first pair have been to Europe twice and many other places. Now I have two more, one pair of boots and one of sandals. I like them because they fit my small, but wide width feet and they didn't even need to be broken in.