Looking for comfortable walking shoes ideas!
 

I know that there was a travel thread that deviated to talk regarding the most comfortable shoes to wear while traveling. I can't seem to locate it because I can't recall the original topic! Can someone share with me any suggestions or ideas about the best shoes to look for to wear on my trip to Paris? I plan to do a lot of walking although my knees may not want to cooperate...but I'll do the best that I can...and locating comfy shoes will be a great help to start. TIA!

Did you try a search for shoes?<BR><BR>You'll get recommendations for Ecco, Mephisto, Rockport, Easy Spirit Aerosoles etc... Best thing to do is try them on in a store -- I'm an easy spirit/rockport/ecco person myself.

I swear by a brand called SAS- they are open like a wedge sandal and have a cushiony wedge heel that feels like you are floating on air--look great with skirts and don't look too much like old lady shoes----<BR><BR>My hubs swears by this Mephistos and he wear those orthoics in his shoes normally and DO NOT need them in his Mephistos...<BR><BR>Mephistos make shoes for MEN and WOMEN --Go try both of these brands on-==They are usually sold in stores that specialize in "comfort shoes".

Reebok makes a great walker if you're going to be in jeans.

You guys are fantastic! I noticed some sweetie brought the topic that I was searching for up to the top, so I'm going to go copy down all of your suggestions and start looking to purchase these shoes online quickly. I appreciate all of the help that I've found on this board. Thank you.

I also love SAS. I bought a new pair for my trip to Paris in September. I also called them to purchase a new insole (cushion foam like walking on air) for my old pair and they very graciously sent me a pair free. Made may old shoes feel like new. Try SAS

I'm going to go see if I can find the old thread. In the meanwhile, what I remember is a thread I participated in (not sure if I was using this name consistently at that time) which included a lot of talk about Arche shoes.<BR><BR> They are among the very very comfortable shoes of the world, AND they come from France. At least at that time, the opinion was you could get them at a better price (they are expensive, probably over $200) in Paris.<BR><BR> Since then I've had a pair of Ecco shoes which I find to be about as comfortable as my Arche shoes, and half the price. I'd gotten addicted to Arche as I live in NYC and walk everywhere, and Arche shoes are good-looking (to me!!), mega-comfortable (if the style you want happens to fit you, only some of them will), and washable (we put them in the washing machine--really--tho not the dryer. Cold, with woolite or Ivory Snow). <BR><BR> Also--research incomplete--if you want to spend a lot of $--there's a line called Hogan that is super-hip & has a great comfort reputation. I don't know what country they come from.<BR>I looked at them in Soho recently but I will have to wait for the sale.

Saw many styles of Arche shoes at Galleries Layfayette last week for 129-149 Euros. Unfortunately, I blew my shoe budget in Italy, before reaching Paris.

Um...make that Galleries Lafayette.

Ohhhhhh Betsey==Arche at those prices is a BARGAIN---I wear them over here with my funky casual clothes--<BR><BR>but they don't give me enough support for all day walking,esp.on cobblestones

SAS shoes are for men too. their 'time out' model is excellent. I have put on a new pair and walked 10km without the slightest pinching. They have a great selection of sizes and widths - i take 13wide.<BR><BR>If you can visit their factory in San Antonio Texas, you can get a great deal.

My family has been wearing Merrell's since the spring and loving them! They make kids', ladies' and men's shoes, are way comfortable and reasonably priced, especially compared to Mephistos.

Look for Josef Siebel's shoes they are the best my wife and I have every owned for walking. They are also fairly stylish. I have mine on now while I am at work. I love them.

I like Merrills. I bought a pair of the "jungle mocs" in black and wear them with black pants when I travel (no one can tell what you are wearing and I have women's size 9.5 feet so they are noticeable naturally). I also wear them to and from work so I can walk and be comfortable but don't look like one of those white sneaker with a suit ladies. Something to keep in mind. get good socks as well. I sometimes where hiking socks with my merrills for even more support.

SAS also has outlet stores. There is one in the outlet shopping center in Ellenton, FL and I'm sure there are others.

I bought the only decent looking pair of women's Ecco shoes I could find last year, and they were the most comfortable things I'd ever worn, outside of the $100 running shoes I fork out for every 2 months.<BR><BR>However, when I went back to get another pair (yep, paid $120, and they wore out after a year--but I did wear them almost every day), the salesman told me they had stopped making that style. He agreed with me that the style I was looking for were in the only non-old-lady-looking Ecco shoes. I have seen some much better styles on the Ecco website, but they're only sold in Europe. So I'll have to pick those up in December.<BR><BR>Ecco has a much better range for men in the US.

SAS free time walking shoes they are the best!!! I am 40 and they are not a fashion statement but feel like sneakers when they are shoes.

I take along one pair of Easy Spirit and one pair of Ecco boots on my travels. I find that if I switch back and forth during the trip, my feet don't get sore. But you need to shop as much for style as the shoe manufacturer. While I really like my Easy Spirit loafers and boots, I tried the tennis shoes and hated them. Just go to a good store that caters to walking shoes and try on a variety of brands and styles.

Renee<BR>I strongly recommend that you not purchase on line before trying on several different brands in a store.<BR>Some or one of the most popular brands may be comfortable and just right for you,and others equally popular may be all wrong for your feet.<BR>I speak from experience.

I just spent the last week researching shoes and bought Dansko clogs. They are approved by the Podiatrist's Association and incredibly comfortable. I looked at all the usual suspects and didn't like any of them. Thought about Campers, but they're a little trenday and the trend has passed. Arche shoes are fantanstic, but very expensive. I live in NY, going to Italy, so I'd rather spend my money there. Almost every brand has a mary jane style, which looks very cute. Oh, but I am a clog convert now!