This is sort of OT, but I figure a bunch of travelers will have good recs for travel shoes. I am due for new brown shoes this season, and I figure it's a good time to pick something that I can start breaking in for our Europe trip. Any recs for a brand that makes good walking shoes (I mean something cute and stylish, not like athletic shoes)? Preferably one that makes wides, or at least isn't known for being ridiculously narrow.

Thanks!

for men or women?

I like ecco

http://www.eccousa.com/?utm_source=g...FSZdagodtSAIAg


and puma

http://www.shop.puma.com/on/demandwa...urce=marketing


But preferences vary.

I am sure that you will get many good recommendations. I have abused my feet being a nurse for over 30 years. For me the most comfortable are Easy Spirit shoes or Teva style sandals. On a recent trip to Paris I wore a new pair of Easy Spirit shoes that I had thought were broken in. I should have broken them in better. My feet hurt! I personally think that you have to find a pair that feels comfortable when you try them on, has good arch support, and make sure that you wear them a lot before the trip. This is the first time that this has happened to me on a trip and I should have known better. It won't happen again, that is for sure.

The shoes I wear depends on the season, of course. When we were in Italy, I wore my Teva sandals during the day when sightseeing ie: Pompeii and Herculaneum, and wore nice sandals in the evening for dinner. Worked out well.

In closing, I think it is far more important to be comfortable than to be fashionable after this last experience. With careful planning I think you can have both.

My Naot sandals were perfect for me. I read reviews of just about every brand of shoes and tried several. I'm so glad I bought the Naots. There was absolutely no breaking in necessary. They were comfortable from day one. No friction or rubbing anywhere. They were also pretty cute and I was able to wear them with casual dresses. I'd add these to your list to try when you are out shopping.

Looks like great shoes. Called the company and found two stores that carry them near me. Can't wait to try a pair. Looks so comfy! Great tip, Gina.

Check out Finns. I am one of those people who think if I have to "break in" a shoe it will never feel good.

What time of year are you traveling? As someone who also seeks wider shoes, I find it so much easier to find great comfortable and stylish sandals versus shoes.
Dansko used to make fantastic shoes, but I find they have changed their manufacturing and are not as good--but still worth a shot.
I've had good luck with Born, Ecco, and Clarks, as well as Keen (they do less athletic shoes also--really cute ballet type flats).
Zappos is indispensable because you get free shipping AND free shipping on returns.

Thanks for all of your replies. I did neglect to mention that a) I'm female and b) we're traveling in April 2010-May 2010. I will investigate every brand recommended, thanks!

"you have to find a pair that feels comfortable when you try them on, has good arch support, and make sure that you wear them a lot before the trip."

Go to a good shoe store and start trying on shoes. A certain brand may be perfect for one person and uncomfortable for another so don't rely on what you read here. And when traveling comfort trumps "cute" but you might get lucky and get both.

I wear Cole Haan's with Nike Air Technology. I have several pairs from winter to summer styles. They are cute and very supportive and come in a wide range of styles.

I have one pair of Ecco's I like as well but the Cole Haan's are just more fashionable and work better for me when walking 10 miles a day on uneven streets.

I'm always banging on about them but take a look at La Canadienne. You won't have to break them in. Something with a rubber sole would be good on potentially wet cobblestones. You can order them from zappos.

http://www.lacanadienne.ca/

hi eton,

don't make the mistake I made on our recent trip to Barcelona. as it was warm, [as it may well be in april/may in Rome, or at least let's hope so] immediately we arrived I changed into sandals [that I was sure were comfortable for walking in, not just sitting around looking pretty] and proceeded to rub the biggest blisters I've ever seen.

so for the entire rest of the trip i had to wear my trainers, even when we went out in the evenings.

this is my new rule - comfy trainers for day-time walking, sandals/fancy shoes for evening strolling.

how is your rome planning getting on?

regards, ann

I usually wear Keens for casual spring travel (e.g. http://www.zappos.com/keen-sydney-ii-brown).

Last year, my now husband and I went to Italy on an engagement trip and I was determined to find a pair of heels I could walk long distances in. I finally decided on Clarks (http://www.zappos.com/clarks-passion-black-leather) and was totally amazed to find they were just as comfortable for long distance walking as my Keens! They have a ton of styles in brown wide... for example, http://www.zappos.com/clarks-metti-s...-brown-leather , http://www.zappos.com/clarks-malta-dark-brown-patent

I have the same issue until I found Munro shoes.

Check this out: http://www.munroshoes.com/ProductDetails.aspx?id=169.

Normally, it takes time to break them in, but not this one. In addition to this, I wear my Brighton mules on the plane and through airports. It's comfy and classy.

Hope this helps.
pdxlinda

I really want to stress what others have said.

Advice on here may not help at all, its really YOUR feet.

For example, those ColeHann's recommened above. I REALLY wanted to like them. I have tried on several differnet pairs.. TORTURE on my feet (wide ball)

I have had good luck with Eccos but my favories right now are Merrills. Murno is also nice, but not as comfy for me.

I've had good luck with Clarke, SoftWalks, SoftSpots, and Merrell primarily. There are some website like shoebuy, zappos, and a couple of others that have these brands and it enables you to get a look at some of their shoes. I like shoes that are also light weight. I took a pair of Clark boots with me on a trip and honestly, by the end of the day, I felt I was draggin weights so didn't wear them the rest of the trip. I have some Merrell ankle height boots that are great and I wish I'd had those with me.

Go to footsmart.com and read the reviews on the shoes that look like something you want. My choices are Propet, Merrill, Clark, Ecco and New Balance for walkers. Footsmart usually has a good selection of wides.

My favourites are Ecco and Geox. I have a black pair of Eccos with velcro, not laces, which look smart enough to wear to dinner with black pants, and a pair of Geox hiking sandals. I have recently returned from a 4 week trip to Europe with only these 2 pairs of shoes, plus a more dressy pair of heeled sandals. The Ecco shoes were the most comfortable walking shoes I have ever had. Some days I walked for 7 hours and although my body ws ready to drop, my feet were fine (I am 58). The velcro straps made the shoes look like ordinary shoes, not "tourist" shoes. Not cheap, but well worth the cost. The Geox sandals I bought in Italy, and have worn them for 2 years when the weather gets hot, and it's still like walking on air.

Mephistos are just about literally the only shoes that I can walk in for more than half an hour, but then I have a number of foot problems.

The advice to go to a good shoe store (especially a walking shoe store) and try on lots is spot on. One person's ultra comfort is another person's torture, and vice versa. I pay whatever I have to to get the most comfortable shoes.

I had one trip significantly impacted by sore feet, aching arches and blisters - to the point of skipping sights I really wanted to see because I couldn't bear walking the half mile there and back. I decided after that trip that it was a false economy not to buy great shoes. $200 (or whatever) for shoes is a small investment compared to what your trip costs.

For the last few years, I have been wearing exclusively Cole Haan w/Nike Air; or Puma. I travel half a dozen of times every year and I walk A LOT.

Both styles (lace-ups) have worked well for me; however, their soles are on the thin side. So, after walking 8-10 miles every day for several days, my feet/ankles do get tired. But I've never, ever had blisters from wearing those. The up side is they are lightweight and compact to pack.

I know you're not wanting athletic shoes, but after all these trips I've taken wearing Puma or Cole Haan, for my upcoming trip to Barcelona, I've finally decided that I'm going to wear a pair of Adidas instead. They are running shoes and more bulky and less stylish (than Cole Haan or Puma), but they have excellent cushion so I know my feet and ankles won't be tired at the end of the day. I wear these Adidas for my daily 6 mile walk, so I know they are comfortable. The ones I got are for wide feet.