Shoes for Paris in April
 

Please don't respond negatively if fashion isn't your thing. Thank you. :)

If the weather is chilly when we go in April (I'm from south, chilly is low 60s and below), will people still be wearing boots with their leggings and skinny jeans? I have a comfy pair of riding boots, but not sure to take them during spring time or stick to ballet flats. Thanks!

Take both. You'll probably see both worn on the streets of Paris at that time of year. Perhaps the boot wearers are all from the south!

If you think that low 60s is chilly then take your boots

If you plan to do a lot of walking (which is the best part of Paris) take something comfortable and save the riding boots and ballet flats for evening. Fashion is high on my list, but below comfort.

I would never haul knee length boots around Europe - except in midwinter. If you think 60's is cold and you want boots (50s and rainy is likely) - bring ankle boots that are both comfy and waterproof. Also a pair of cute waterproof walking shoes. leave ballet flats - or wedge heels - for evening. (High heels aren;t great unless you know how to walk in them on cobblestones and uneven pavements.)

I love riding boots for any temp under 65 - they are my sturdiest, most reliable walking boots. I'd take those. I wouldn't do ballet flats unless they have a thicker sole because cobblestones and uneven pavement are tough with thin, flexible soles.

Riding boots would take up half my suitcase. I am in Paris almost every year in March, when it can be even rainier and colder than in April, and I have never needed knee-length boots. I usually take a pair of comfy ankle boots for rainy days and really heavy-soled fashionable flats for the rest of the time. My ankle boots also have sneaker-like heavy soles, but are fashionable to pair with just about anything I need to wear. The soles blend in with the rest of the boot so you don't even notice they are almost an "athletic"-like boot.

Beautiful walking weather in Paris at the moment. Heavier soled casual shoes (eg Keens) and jeans are fine for non fashionable males. As for females, well you'll have to compete with the exquisite locals. If the legs are cold just step up the walking pace and before you know it it'll be time for another 'best hot chocolate' or whatever.

Yes, people will definitely still be wearing boots and if they're comfortable for you and you have room to pack them, you'll fit right in.

I wouldn't think twice about taking knee boots if they're comfortable. The last time I was in Paris in the spring, it rained every day and was cold. I wish I'd had boots. My daughter (39ish) wore knee high boots day and night when we were there last fall. That being said, if you're not comfortable wearing them on the plane (and taking them off at security), I'd pass. They do take up a lot of precious space in your baggage.

Take the boots. Wear them on the plane to avoid taking up all the room in your suitcase with them. Ballet flats are not adequate footwear for sightseeing in Paris (take them along if you want for evenings or for in your hotel room).

I would also include a 3rd pair of shoes that is more practical.

I brought those heavy rubber soled black almost like sneakers but not, with the velcro closings and wore heavy socks. Nobody noticed with jeans or black slacks. Not so fashionable but Saved my feet cause Paris is a lot lot lot of walking. Cant imagine doing all that walking in hard leather soled boots. Saved the high heels for going to dinner by taxi :)

Riding boots are great for riding. Not very comfortable for walking miles and miles (even if they are just riding-style boots). I would take something both stylish and more comfortable.

Take the shoes/boots you would wear in New York in April. Best bet: buy shoes there.

I was there in November (granted almost winter so they were more stylishly acceptable then) and wore my riding style boots with a low flat heel almost every day. As long as they are broken in and you are used to walking ridiculous amounts in them you should be fine. I do strongly recommend bringing more comfortable (but still stylish) shoes if you go out to Versailles though and as a back up. I wear mine all the time around NYC and Philly with no issues but after 30 mins on the cobble stone at Versailles my feet were killing me! You might hit 60 degrees in April but it will most likely be colder than that still and raining. I would take them. I packed mine in my suitcase but stuffed them with undies and socks so they weren't wasting space. You may want to bring a plastic bag to put your shoes in for the trip home though. The amount of dirt and grunge that builds up on your shoes in that city is amazing! Personally I didn't want to put my nasty dirty shoes against clean clothes for the trip home. Have fun!

I wore ankle boots and flats last April and both were fine. It is more important that whatever you wear is comfortable. Most people we saw on the street were in expensive brand name sports shoes.

I'm into fashion and always take my knee boots when there in spring. Although I go to Paris during different seasons, I have been there in April at least a dozen times. It will still be a bit cold and will probably rain.

By wearing knee boots, my legs stay warm. I also wear tights with the knee boots and Paris has a great collection of tights, so I always end up picking up a few new pairs; especially the Wolfords and a few other brands.

I wish I could find a great pair of riding/polo boots, but with a side zipper. I've been looking for a pair for a couple of years. I should have had a custom pair made while down in Buenos Aires. If I had a pair, I would definitely wear them in Paris. I love boots and mine are extremely comfortable and give my feet and legs great support to walk all day in. Happy Travels!

Knee length boots are my staple wear here in Glasgow, dead comfy and I can wear them with trousers, jeans, skirts and dresses. I'd never wear walking boots in a city unless there's a lot of snow on the ground...

St. Cirq, would you share your brand of shoe that is both heavy soled and fashionable? I have trouble finding both in one shoe!

I'm no slouch in the hoofing it department, but I've got to say I've been surprised to be overtaken a few times this week by Parisian women wearing either short boots or classy (definitely non sporty) shoes - perhaps they do it in short bursts when overtaking disreputable looking types and that, plus the disappointing cigarette puffing, keeps them thin, if not fit.

Thank you all for the nice replies.

Could someone post a link for the ankle boots?

If the weather warrants, I will happily take my boots and enjoy another opportunity to wear this year. Yes i am in the south and already breaking out the flip flops and sandals. :)

I have a low-cut type of boot for casual riding. I Choose one that has a back zipper and fits your foot snugly, but comfortably. This type gives great foot stability and is a good choice for boots when you are just riding.

shoesfact.com

Following on what TweedyX said, the streets of Paris are dirty and many times what you encounter is not dirt but dog do. There seems to be a real lack of concern about allowing dogs to do their business on the sidewalk and then it's just left there for others to step in. No matter which shoes/boots you decide to take, keep your eyes on where they are stepping.

I've spent the last ten days walking all about in Paris and must say I've been surprised how little dog business there is on the footpaths. Also have to say that the highest incidence of what little I've encountered (there's always tomorrow) has been in the swank 6th and 7th - perhaps the dogs and their owners there haven't developed the same social skills as elsewhere.

We are going in April for the first time. How about my comfy sneakers? Are they ok? I walked miles and miles in them last year in NYC.

For my first trip to Paris I followed all of the travel advice about comfort over style for shoes, and taking old underwear and throwing it away to lighten your luggage, etc, etc. I was comfortable but felt frumpy in my sensible shoes. I was smarter the second time. Why? Because it's PARIS. No one wants to be in chic Paris in hideous shoes, you will look and be treated like a tourist. For my trip in January '11 I bought one pair of tall black leather Clark's boots with a 2 inch heel, and a pair of Clark's black leather ankle boots with 1 and 1/2 in heel. The heels were synthetic so had some "give." Easy to slip out of for security, warm, and even chic. Bought inserts for both for added support, and with black slacks or black skirts with black tights felt comfy and chic. I normally wear 2-3 inch heels every day, so the height did not bother me at all. Felt much more confident wearing my own type of clothing (and fancy underwear) this trip.

I sure wouldn't want to be hit by a Parisian bus and end up in the emergency room in "sensible" underwear. I always buy new, lacy undies for the trip. They don't take up that much room in my suitcase!

Paris is the perfect place to buy lingerie... ;)

LOL, my MIL and SIL made the leave the underwear behind to make more room comment when we went to Italy. I asked "how big is your underwear?"

Joy, please don't wear sneakers in Paris. There are hundreds of kinds of shoes that are comfortable and look good. I know because I pack beautiful shoes and have never had any problem getting around - meaning walking for hours. Whether you wear heels or flats, there are just too many styles of shoes to even consider wearing sneakers. IMHO, this is an unforgiveable American sin. Leave the athletic shoes at the gym.

tty

Thanks for posting this, it's just what I was looking for, since I've heard that it's pretty warm for April in Paris and I'm panicking about footwear for a trip next week. I, too, am most comfortable in my tall, equestrian-style Born boots and need them for walking up to 10 miles a day. I'll be wearing a pair on the plane and sticking a second pair into my carry-on-sized spinner!

P.S. Don't forget to pack a scarf, or go shopping as soon as you hit the bricks. A scarf is an essential part of the street uniform of Parisian ladies.

Well, I'm back, and I can report that plenty of women in Paris were wearing boots last week. Ankle boots, knee boots... the weather was great but still cool enough that boots were comfortable. I'm very glad I brought three pairs (tall, medium, and ankle) because we walked 53 miles in 4-1/2 days, and my feet survived because I was able to switch from one pair to another every afternoon before we went back out. I wore the tall ones on the plane and the others fit easily into my 21" spinner.

The other style I noticed: sneakers. Nothing remotely like an American athletic shoe, of course, but dainty, thin-soled, old-fashioned "Plimsolls" in faded colors or prints, or Converse. I should have gotten a pair.

And, yes, scarves are ubiquitous to the point of cliché. I noticed that many French scarves are quite boring: plain lengths of solid gray or black gauze, for example. It's all about how they are tied. Men wear all kinds of scarves, too.