I've just retired at 52 and am off to see the world! Unfortunately, all the comfortable walking shoes I've found are either running shoes to be worn with jeans or shorts or look like they're made for the over-the-hill generation, and of course, I'm not!! Are there any lightweight walking shoes (not the lace-up kind) that go well with pants/long skirts and look fashionable instead of huge and clunky? Thanks in advance!

Good for you, Lynn and congratulations.<BR>I love shoes(what woman doesn't) and I just bought a pair of Rieker black shoes. I think they are stylish, but some younger women might disagree. I never wear running shoes, unless I am running or playing sports. I also think that comfortable and stylish shoes are compatible.<BR>There are some great styles out there IMO.<BR>Try Zappos.com, just for info.<BR>Judy <BR>

Lynn; Take a look at a website called:<BR><BR> shoecomfort.com<BR><BR>Many of the stylish walking shoes are there--listed by brands on the left. That will give you a good idea of what's out there and there's also many more brands and styles at Nordstrom's and shoes stores that specialize in good, fun comfortable shoes. We have one in Santa Fe, called "On Your Feet", if you ever come here. It's great. Also, on this forum, if you do a search for walking shoes you will find lots and lots of information. It seems that we are always talking about our favorite walking shoes here! Good Luck and congratulations on your retirement.r

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I always take two pairs of shoes (three if going to warm places and need sandals)<BR><BR>For serious walking I wear Mephistos - clunky but heaven on the feet. And for everything wlse I wear Soft Spots. They have several styles that are not "for the over-the-hill generation" (but some are).<BR><BR>They look like flats or pumps but have very good arch support and wonderful soles that are good on any sort of surface. I even wore a pair of soft spots to a formal event (royal gala performance of Hey, Mr producer in London). The ones I wore that trip are plain black leather flats and I clipped some glittery earings on the vamp and they looked just like evening slippers.

One good choice is anything made by Josef Siebels.....very European in style , since they are made in Germany and other European countries, great comfort, great shoes. I love mine.

I have seen some very stylish Mephistos but they are hard to find. By the way, where can I find josef siebels?

You may hear recommendations for Ecco. This brand is very comfortable, but unfortunately, aside from a few styles that you can't actually buy in the U.S. any more, they are definitely old lady shoes.

Lynn:<BR>Another brand to try is Trotters. I wore them all over Paris. Looks good with slacks or skirts. I got them at www.martyshoes.com. Have the time of your life!

Hey Ann, I'm offended! I'm 37 and I love my black Ecco sandals! Lynn, my very stylish, globe-trotting, 59 year-old mother-in-law swears by her Josef Siebels and her Merrills. Is there a Walking Store near you? Lots of options there. For me, besides good padding I look for a lightweight shoe. Happy travels!

Lyn: My wife (54) is convinced Brinkenstocks have saved her back and legs. She has a few pairs that she wears with dresses or pants. They look great and she always been pleased with them. Average pair around 150.00.

Lyn: My wife (54) is convinced Brinkenstocks have saved her back and legs. She has a few pairs that she wears with dresses or pants. They look great and she always been pleased with them. Average pair around 150.00.

You might try looking at a Naturalizer catalog or store, they have some stylish shoes with what they call "Euro soles" which are very good for walking. One style I have is called Millenium and has a short lace (a few holes) but they are definitely more stylish than shoes that look like running/athletic shoes. I don't think I'd wear them with skirts, but there aren't hardly any walking shoes I've seen that look good with skirts (some comfortable shoes do, but anything I'd call a "walking shoe" is too casual). I have a German friend with a fashionable pair of Eccos but they aren't really heavy-duty walking shoes, anyway, she may have gotten them in Germany. I have another good pair of walking Naturalizers which don't have laces but the monk's strap kind of thing--I wouldn't wear them with a skirt, either. They have Joseph Seibel in a store near me (Fashion Shoe Warehouse, Washington DC, or some similar name) but I found them very painful even to try on and walk a few steps in, the ones I tried were shaped very weirdly and had lumps that stuck into your sole in funny places. Another woman in the store said the same thing. So, some people like these a lot, but I would advise you never buy them without trying them on.

Over the years while travelling in Europe I have never had any problem with my Ettienne Aigner or Easy Spirit leather walking shoes and I've done a lot of walking!

I tried to do the same thing 2 yrs ago - find a good walking shoe that wasn't a lace up old fashioned looking thing. I spoke with the owner of a good quality, comfort shoe store (they stocked Clarks, Rockport, Mephisto, Ecco, etc. He told me that all good walking shoes need to be lace ups to assure a proper fit on your foot for heavy duty walking. I ended up buying lace up Eccos (fit my feet right)-not pretty, but no back or leg pains after 12 hrs or so of non-stop walking through Paris. I also bought a pair of Clarks sandals with buckles across the top for several adjustment points. They were attactive enough to wear with sundresses in the summer and comfortable enough for being on my feet all day with a lot of walking around. However, after trying a marathon walk session in them one day, I could tell the difference in how my back felt with those versus a lace up shoe.

Lynn--<BR><BR>Go to the website sierratradingpost.com. It is a great site with a wide variety of discounted items--including a lot of shoes. I have bought Josef Siebel and Birkenstock shoes there. You have to look around, as you may not like the available sizes and/or colors, but the savings--wow. I have also found comfy shoes at travelsmith.com--but on sale. They would have been overpriced had I paid full price. Also, shoe shopping while actually in Europe has yielded some great buys--my favorite, most comfortable pair came from a shoe store off the Leidseplein in Amsterdam. Good luck!

Barbara, I'm with you on Clarks and Eccos (except in the summer I wear Tevas for lots of walking). And Judy, thanks a billion for the Zappos.com rec--I finally found the Hush Puppies I was looking for. (I find that less is more as far as support goes.)

I just purchased a pair of Munro, Barletta's. I love 'em! And, I have a hard foot to fit. I have been wearing them the last couple of days to see if they are going to be okay for Italy. I think they will be spot on. I love the style! Finally, a good looking shoe that works for walking.<BR>I would certainly go in for a fitting, however. <BR>Good luck and happy traveling, lynn!<BR>

Love my Merrell Primo Breeze Slip-Ons in black (www.nordstrom.com). I think they are stylish enough for day. For night I have Donald J Pliner Women's Ardith in black (www.shoes.com).

Your welcome, Sue.