in a word, yes! and tell him to keep his feet off the table if he's gonna dress that way. Shined tennies - I never! Bring back the good old Ked days - you shined those babies, and people would wonder what kind of pauncey boy are you.

Wow...what a variation of replies...and so many!<BR><BR>Based on all these suggestions, we have decided to do 1 pr of walking shoes that are sort of "athletic" as well (kind of like sneakers, but dark grey in color). Also, a pair of dark colored walking shoes that are slightly dressier, but will also be fine w/ a pair of lightweight casual pants for sightseeing.<BR><BR>Everyone has their own sense of what they are comfortable in, and while those were well-meaning suggestions, but my husband is not a black reebock or a closed-toe sandal w/ socks type of guy. Thanks for taking the time anyway.

I found the perfect shoe for you, I bought them at Nordstom's this weekend and I'm wearing them at work right now. Cole Hahn upper, Nike Air soles. They are slip ones, look sort of like Moshins (sp?) but no buckle, they come in brown or black, there are two styles, one dressier than the other, and they feel like running shoes. PERFECT for walking all day and then wearing out to dinner or clubbing at night.

Topping for laughs!

Sorry, but guess I have to commiserate with your husband. Mostly because I hate wearing the same pair of shoes a WHOLE day (morning, afternoon, evening and night), and equally awful, 2 days in a row. Shoes get "wet" not just from our own perspiration but also from the elements. I'd pack: 1 pair casual/walking shoes for the day; 1 pair more "formal" shoes for the even.; 1 pair of (walking) sandals to go sockless (have just discovered what a pure pleasure this is...); and, yes, a pair of sneakers or something like it for "exercise". You COULD reduce the weight/volume of the sneakers by taking instead some watershoes/slip-ons - I think Nike and people like that make them, they're for walking through streams and are basically made from a light fabric and have a thin rubber sole. They'll look a bit different at a gym, but to be honest, who cares what you like at a hotel gym? And, in Europe, people wear all sorts of things.<BR>Anyway, if it's just doing some weights and riding a stationary bike, no big deal, you don't need sneakers...<BR><BR>How else to reduce luggage weight/volume? If you bring books on vacation, have you ever noticed that you hardly get to read anything? It's normal: in a place like Italy, I'd be out wandering around and soaking up the culture/towns/cities/countryside rather than sitting with a book. And if you've got down-time traveling or in your hotel room, read newspapers and magazines. Or buy an English book there if you really want one. <BR><BR>P.S. I great exercise to do is, once you're back, to separate out all the stuff you took along and NEVER USED - and make a note of this, of course, so next time you pack less. It's worked for me...

I only take one pair of shoes and they are on my feet. I bought a pair of Ecco's and they are good for walking all day and look good enough to go out in.<BR><BR>Just my humble opinion.

My husband takes Mephisto sandles. They are his favorite walking shoes and he also wears them with dinner jackets. He also took a pair of Ecco soft soled shoes and wore these alternatively with the sandles in case one pair was wet.<BR>We have been to Italy numerous times and he finally gave up on any leather soled shoes. If the cobblestones were wet, he felt like he was slipping everywhere. <BR>Check out Mephisto and Ecco or Rockport.

Sandles with a dinner jacket??? Oh lord...what planet is he from?

Hmmm this thinks me think of a new product we could patent and sell on the travel sites and get filthy rich. What I am thinking of is some sort of zip on shoe covers that can be put over any pair of shoes, zipped up, and voila, a new pair of shoes. So you wear one pair of shoes, take along several zip on shoe covers, and change them as you see fit. One cover can simulate a nice pair of sneakers in any selection of colors from white to pink, anothe can simulate a muscular set of hiking boots, another could be a nice simple black pump for evening wear, one could be brown wing tips, etc. etc. etc. What a marvelous idea this, so I plan to patent it right now. Remember, this idea is copyrighted as of this point so DO NOT STEAL IT!<BR><BR>(c) 2002 ShoeCovers, Ltd.

The written expression can be copyrighted or trademarked unless it is just a generic description. A patent requires an application and the deomnstration of uniqueness and innovation of an invention.<BR><BR>Don't believe that you have either.<BR>

I agree, you need to switch off at least every day, but surely 2 pairs should be enough. Wear the heaviest ones on the place, pack the others.

I know Marlboro Man is passe - but golly gee, did I get the willies when you said "we" decided what hubby would take. Can't we have our soft side, ladies, and still get to choose our shoes? Don't flame me for thinking rad!

Sorry the shoe cover idea has already been done- the final season of 'Felicity'

Do you have some issues RnR?

Real, you mean live issues? Nope, not really. Do think it's interesting the shoe discussion always gets a big play on the site. It's one of the fun, interesting aspects. Ironic, of course, the degree of energy involved. But shoes ARE important!

Kristen, seriously, Merrill makes a very nice looking walking shoe in black or brown. They aren't suit dressy, but are sport jacket dressy and go with jeans as well. In fact, if I saw them on a man, I'd look twice - at the man. Found them in Magellan's for about $80 last year. Although he could probably pick up some lightweight, very soft leather slip-ons in Italy - but would probably pay a fortune. However, my philosphy is always: if you pack it, you tote it. Have fun in Italy.