re: <<...tell you what NOT to wear. Beautiful leather boots.>>

Not necessarily. Zappos has many gorgeous waterproof leather boots.

I too agree with taking a look at
www.zappos.com

Last year I bought 2 pair of La Canadienne ankle boots and love them. Was hesitant to spend the $$ but bought one pair and after wearing all winter while living in the Pacific Northwest was sold. My favs are the Felicia ankle boot, very comfy with a wedge heel and look good with jeans or slacks.

Good luck.
Susan

This is the story of my (traveling) life - trying to find the "perfect" shoe.

I have boxes and boxes of shoes in my closet that were purchased in search of the perfect pair to travel (and walk for miles) in. Out of all those boxes, there is only one pair of shoes (Mephistos) that I really like.

Based on the success of that pair, over time I purchased 3 other pairs of Mephistos. None of those pairs work as well as the first pair. So for me at least, different styles within the same brand also make a difference.

The problem is that when I try the shoes on in the store and pace back and forth, they feel good. But when I actually take them out for some "real" walking, that's when I discover what I don't like about the shoe. By then it's too late because the shoe has been used.

It's been a very expensive process for me to find another shoe that I really like.

>>This is the story of my (traveling) life - trying to find the "perfect" shoe.

I have boxes and boxes of shoes in my closet that were purchased in search of the perfect pair to travel (and walk for miles) in. Out of all those boxes, there is only one pair of shoes (Mephistos) that I really like.
<<

I have a similar problem, though I walk around in normal life, not just traveling, I buy all kinds of shoes and never wear them, the solution--when you find a pair you like, buy a 2nd pair, when they go on clearance, buy a 3rd pair if you can. They will last forever. One hitch with this--my new favorite pair were $700, and i did buy the 2nd pair :<