This may seem like a silly request but I really would like recommendations on comfortable sandals. Nearly every waking minute of our last trip to Europe was spent on foot. We're planning a longer trip this September and I want to make sure we're better prepared. All advice appreciated! Ideally, the sandals would come in women's sizes and be available in Canada. Thank you!

Ones that you buy NOW and are definitely well-broken in before you leave!

intrepid, you're right on the money on that one! Otherwise bring a stock of bandaids... To clgarbas: take a look at rick steve's website. He has a good article about walking shoes that should prove helpful to you. I myself prefer Ecco shoes. The Ecco Cosmos model is my sandal of choice.

I love my Tevas (ugly and sporty) and when I want to look nicer, I wear Clarks. They have been great and I haven't needed any breaking in period.

My Tevas are the early kind before they started adding all that rubber cushioning at the heel and other places, so if you should get some, get the simplest ones.

I like Birkenstock's Papillo line (the uppers aren't leather, but they come in a lot of very funky colours and patterns). They may seem a little lumpy at first, but the insole (which is leather) quickly moulds itself to your feet. They run around $100 Canadian depending on the style.

A couple of caveats. I have a wide foot (C-D) and the regular width is fine for me, so if your foot is B or narrower, you probably won't be able to wear them. The other is that any kind of sandal that requires a lot of gripping with the toes is very uncomfortable on cobblestones or hills (a friend who walks miles each day in
Winnipeg made the mistake of wearing Dr. Scholls to St. John's and the hills practically killed her). I have a pair that are a backless thong type, but they have a wide strap that goes over the toe, so hills aren't a problem for me.

If you do get blisters, gel bandages are a lifesaver--well worth the cost.

Clarks, the three strap variety. I have a wide foot and you adjust each strap accordingly. I also wear them in the winter with heavy sox. I have a pair in every color (two in black.) Have worn nothing else since I discovered them and we walk everyplace (at home and on trips.) We walked 8 to 10 miles a day on a recent trip to Paris. I admit that I took my hiking boots to the Cinque Terre (and am glad I did.) CJ

I wear Clark's "sunbeat" style sandals - they have three straps, I believe that this is the style the previous reply was about. Although I have a very high-arched foot, with a broad front of the foot and narrow heel, these shoes fit marvellously, and give me so much arch support that I can even power-walk in them. I have never had to "break in" a pair of Clark's shoes or sandals. And the Clark's brand is available in Canada.

Yup... It's not the brand so much as making sure they are broken in ahead of time.

Personally I have had good luck with Merrell, Ecco, Munro and really hated one pair of expensive Mephistos.

Also I take little cotton print or colored ankle socks. Looks a bit silly, but this *really* helps so you don't rub blisters.

Also be sure to have at least two pairs so you can change back and forth.

I've been told by shoe experts that a pair of shoes nedn't be broken in, it's supposed to feel comfortable from the get-go.
Even the most comfortable shoe can rub in places, especially when feet are perspiring or grit gets inside. So yes, take bandaids, socks if you want, and an alternate pair of shoes, preferably a closed pair in case of rain.

CarolJean, you beat me--I have those sandals in white, camel and navy! Yes, Luna, it's "Sunbeat." I got two pair on sale last year at zappos.com and darned if they aren't on sale again: $49.90, free shipping until 7/11. White, navy, brown, camel, red I may have to get another pair.

It's on page 4 and 5 of the clearance sale listed here: http://www.zappos.com/n/es/d/722001003.html

As you can see here, what is comfy for one person's feet may not be for another. I am wearing my Mephisto sandals for the third summer; I bought them for a trip to Italy 2 yrs. ago, and they served me well walking all over the Amalfi Coast, hill towns, Florence, etc.

I love and wear Clark's back here at home, and don't know why I haven't used them for Europe; next time!

"Lola" sandals by Munro are a dream. Got my first pair in Montreal, second form Norstrom.com (still new in the box, though the first pair is on their third year). I've tried Mephisto, Easy Spirit, Clarks, and others. Munro "Lolas" are incredible. Come in lots of colors too.

Agree with Elaine - must feel terrific right out of the box, and no matter how comfortable, after a lot of walking you could develop blisters and tender spots.

I wore a pair of Born sandals while in London--the type is "cozumel." They were really comfortable, but I did take another pair of shoes along to switch out with (Joseph Sobel clogs with a moveable back strap). The Born shoes were fastened with velcro instead of metal, so they were also great for the airports.

For about a month or so before my trip, I walked on my treadmill with these shoes on for at least 15 to 30 minutes at a time. This really helped get my feet used to them before the trip. No matter what kind of shoes I wear, I tend to get a few blisters or sore spots the first few times I wear them. By breaking them in early, I didn't deal with this at all in London.

All of the above are good if comfort is your only concern. Personally I am too much of a fashionista so comfort adn fashion are important to me. Try anything from the "Cloud 9" line of shoes put out by Nine West or for dressier comfy shoes try Aerosoles. Another tip, you don't have to necesarily buy new shoes, I wore my favorite black boots to Ireland last year, I just bought a Dr. Scholl's cushion insert and added it to the shoe to make it extra comfy!

Lee4's advice to walk in them for 15-30 minutes several times prior to the trip is key.

When I get a new pair of hiking boots or walking shoes, I do my 30 minutes on the treadmill in them for at least a week. My husband thinks it looks silly, but who cares? I don't want my feet to hurt on my trip.

I have worn Clarks, Born, Aerosoles, and Lifestrides when traveling, but the ones most comfortable for my feet are SAS.

I'll "echo" the suggestion for Ecco sandals! Mine are the suede and lycra style, and will be going with me to Europe in September. They walked me through many hot miles in Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon last year, and still look like new.

I wear Dr. Scholl's. About $15 to $22 at WalMart.

I absolutely adore my mephisto sandals (style:alina) that I used in Italy last year. I can walk for miles in them. I have also had good luck with SAS sandals. The main point is that you go try on a variety and see what works for you as all feet are different.

And even styles within a brand. The mephistos that I hated (and returned to the store) were a brand-new style with a strap that was just plain BAD. the clerk noted i was not the only one with this complaint! I did have another pair of mephistos that served me well.