If you can find SAS walking shoes you'll be very comfortable in them.

I have several pairs of Mephistos (mephistoxpress.com) and many pairs of Rockports. I get the Rockports at Rockport outlet stores. However, I love Finn Comfort. I just ordered another pair of them at finncomfort.com. Last year I ordered the Soho style in black with white. I just ordered the same ones in blue. They're incredibly comfortable. Happy Travels!

I have a pair of Privo shoes that I love and just went out and bought another pair today. It was the Jodie style -- on sale for $60 at the Clark's store. http://www.zappos.com/search/brand/4...r/%22Womens%22

Questions like this always spark my curiosity. Why is it that so many people think they need different shoes for travelling from those they wear at home? In my experience the shoes that are comfortable, good for walking etc at home work just fine in Europe.

Jeff-For me, personally, I'm not walking on cobblestones here in L.A. as I am in Europe. Although I do walk a lot here at home along with driving a lot, due to the vast size of L.A., I'm walking on a different surface here and definitely in a different climate...I don't have to worry about pouring rain very much.

Plus, at home, I'm at work and not out walking 5-9 hours a day as when on vacation. Therefore all of my shoes that I wear at home are not perfect for walking in Europe or other places in the world that I vacation in, no more than all of my clothes being appropriate for all the places that I travel to.

I also spend a lot of time in S.E. Asia. At home I walk in tennis a lot, but not there as it's too hot and my feet get too hot in tennis, especially the bottom of my feet. So, I pack the Rockports which stay cool on the bottoms. Happy Travels!

Finn Comforts are the best shoes to get. The Finn Comforts offer general toe room. Another good brand to look for are Waldlaufer shoes. Waldlaufer also offer generous toe room like the Finn Comforts. Another brand to look for is Ganter (from Austria). I found the Ganter's toe room to be a little skimpy for my feet. If you have narrower feet, the Ganters will probably be great. Ganters do not seem to be available in the United States (only in Canada on the North American continent). If by chance you are in Germany, the prices for Finn Comfort are quite reasonable (as are the Waldlaufer and the Ganters).

I used to buy nothing but Eccos but I recently bought a pair of SAS and now I like them best.

Seems will be looking into Ecco and Rockport and the rest of sites. Will be in Paris for a week in Dec, hence lots of walking.

For men´s walking shoes I wear Mephisto both at home and when travelling. While they can be expensive, they last a long time and the factory will recondition and resole them if like.

For those who may be travelling near Sarrebourg, visit the Mephisto factory store for real bargains in quality footwear:

Carlton Mephisto Sarrebourg
Route de Sarruemines B.P. 286
Open: from Tuesday to Friday 9h-12h et 14h-18h30
Saturdays 9h-18h

jeff: The answer to your question is that at home, many people do little or no walking, so their everyday shoes may not fit the bill. I can tell you that I once made the mistake of taking work (desk job) shoes on a trip to London. The shoes felt perfectly fine when I was at home, but nearly killed my feet after a day of walking around the city.

As for a recommendation, and at a cheaper price than Mephistos, etc., I bought a pair of Clark's men's loafers that really held up well on a trip to Venice in which I must have walked 100 miles, cobblestones and all. Plus, they went with everything -- dress pants, jeans -- so I really needed only one pair of shoes, a real plus because we did carry-on only.

There is no best shoe, only a best shoe for one's particular feet. Personally I love Aravons, made by New Balence to be as comfortable as runnibg shoes but in stylish form. I would go to a comfort shoe store and try on a million styles, or order from Zappos. I also like El Naturalista and Keen, but again, that is my feet, not yours.

Great thread.
A secret I learned from a Disney forum has served me well whenever I do alot of walking.
Rub "BodyGlide" on your feet before you put on your socks and shoes for the day. It cuts down on chafing and blisters big time!
http://running.about.com/od/injurypr.../bodyglide.htm