Therese

I'm also a light packer who takes up to three pairs of shoes (plus the pair I'm wearing. A lot of my travel is work-related, so I need dressier shoes. But I'll also be going out walking some, so I need more comfortable shoes. Somehow I manage just fine. I've even taken an evening dress (and black peau de soie dancing shoes), and still fit everything in a carry-on size bag.<BR><BR>I would not do just one pair of shoes ever. Shoes need time to breath in between wearings. Hiking would be the exception, I suppose, but then it would be the socks taking a lot of the beating.

Capo

Hi Steve. Bringing an extra pair of shoes is wise (IMO), not a waste of limited baggage space. In fact, I always bring three pairs. As Elvira alluded to, it's far easier to buy another piece of clothing, like a sweater, than it is to buy a new pair of shoes...since a sweater doesn't need breaking in, whereas most pairs of shoes do.

J T Kirk

Therese, I've gotta ask - How do you do it? One carry on? Three pairs of shoes? evening dresses? How do you do it? In my mind, I'm a light traveler, but I still haven't gotten it down past one carry-on and one checked bag. (This is for a 7-10 day trip.) I keep saying it's because mens' clothing/shoes weigh more than womens', hence they take up more space.

Gaia

Italy has the best shoes in the world. I would go there without any shoes!

s

I too drool at the shoe store windows in Italy. But they are still WAY above my budget. At home I spend up to $80 on a pair, but everything I see in Italy is double that!

kate

Having just heard of a lady who took sandals on a trip where it rained and she had to go to a store,buy new shoes and break them in, I will stick to my packing of several pairs for comfort.<BR>If they fit in the bag, they can go to Europe with me, truth is,what difference does it really make? one pair of extra shoes does not make the bag to heavy for the airplane,take up too much room in a hotel closet,and it is a pleasure to have them there if I need them,rather than wishing I had brought them.<BR>If two people fly, each person is allowed two suitcases.I bring one and my husband brings one. Why is there"limited baggage space?"

Steve

Our "limited baggage space" is more a function of our desire to avoid excess (read unnecessary) weight, and is not really related to the available space in our bags. We also want to leave some empty room to bring a few things back with us. Finally, it's also easier for my wife to pack two or more pairs of shoes than it is for me, since I wear a size 12.5 shoe. <BR><BR>Anyway, I just wanted to get some thoughts from more experienced travelers on whether people regretted either bringing or not bringing an extra pair or two of shoes. Sounds like the answer is a resounding "yes" Thanks to all. <BR><BR><BR>

ja

Burning question here, but I won't lose any sleep over it, one way or the other - if I bring flipflops and aqua socks, are they counted as "pairs of shoes" or are they "extra stuff"? Not that the fate of the free world depends on this, and I'll still take those items, anyway.<BR>ja