BabsB

I am always on the hunt for comfortable shoes and socks. My feet hurt constantly no matter what so I take this subject seriously. I have shopped until I dropped and found that Rockport Robin Point shoes are the most comfortable for me if I am walking any distance. I like a slight heel elevation and shoe strings. I also wear gold toe socks and think I will try them inside out. I have also seen shoes with the "fancy" heel piece. What are they thinking! Thanks for the idea.

SeaUrchin

I was just sorting magazines and came across a catalog by Footsmart.

They have seamless socks, foot tubes (the pedlike things), sandals and all sort of foot supplies. Their web site is:
www.footsmart.com

wliwl

I've already bought and returned 3 pairs of shoes for my Europe trip! Thank god for Zappos (which I learned about on here!). I have ended up with a pair of Asics "Metro Walker" I think they are called. They look just like a soccer shoe! They are a little funky, but really comfortable so that's what I'm wearing. I'll also bring nice sandals for dinners etc. We do pretty casual stuff no matter where we are, so since my husband will not be bringing a sportcoat I figure dinners won't be anything too elaborate.

People always rave on and on about women in Europe wearing high heels all over those cobblestones - but, you know, it is different when you LIVE someplace. You have a route you take often, you don't walk NEARLY as far in one day as you would when touring, and you're at WORK most of the time! I don't see too many tourists in NYC wearing fancy shoes!

Scarlett

I tried the Taryn Rose boots one year for a trip to Europe and found them very uncomfortable ( not to mention the pain of paying $600 for them).. These days, they charge more and scrimp on the quality in most brands.
I still love my Munroe sandals..I got the new ones that look like Icons and wear them every day- no breaking in period. They have no seams and no labels on the inside, only the softest leather.
Try them

kvadragon

In terms of comfy socks, I can wholeheartedly recommend Smartwool socks. I originally bought two pairs for hiking and thought they were fabulous. In addition to hiking socks, they also make a type called "Adrenaline" and "Casual Crew" which are great for long days of walking. They are very supportive, fairly cushiony, and they keep your feet cool and dry. Granted, the price tag is a bit steep for a pair of socks but they are worth it.

I also just bought a pair of sneakers (style "Sugar&quot by a company called Simple. They are tan suede and they have sort of a retro look to them (they don't look the dreaded "white trainer&quot. They are very comfortable as well.

vivi

During my first trip to NYC several years ago I felt practically crippled from bad shoes/too much walking as I just refused to wear white athletic shoes out on the town.

I bought a pair of Easy Spirit (Meddle) they have a built in cushion that is very comfy. At first I thought they were dorky but I actually had many compliments on them! I wore them in NYC and walked for miles and miles with no blisters or sore feet. I ordered 2 more pair in different colors as stuff I like always gets discontinued! This AM I started breaking in a new pair for my European trip!

I tried some Clarks and sone Danskos but they just didnt fit right. I think the key is finding the perfect shoe for your unique foot! And then buy several pair so you aren't disappointed when you cant find them again.

Tulips

Fratelli Rosetti's Flexa shoes are extremely comfortable, and stylish as well. And I have a pair of black DKNY sneakers, with perforated sides, that are very lightweight, very comfortable. Just bought them in NYC since it was too hot for my (Flexa) boots.

benitakaren

I have found that Dansko's work very nicely for me. I have recently had knee surgery - putting off eventual knee replacement so shoes are upmost importance for me. I walked for ten days in Paris with my Dansko's. My knee was sore but my feet were fine. Had dress shoes I bought from Travel Smith that were very comfortable. Will probably be buying all Dansko's from now on. Incidentally, I use orthotics and they fit very nicely in the Dansko's. Don't use them in my dress shoes.

sunny16

I live in NYC, and my inlaws were in this past weekend, so I played tourist and packed a full set of camera gear to carry around town. We probably walked about 3 or 4 miles on Saturday, me carrying maybe 10 - 15 pounds of camera gear and wearing Rockports. Ouch! Towards the end of the day, there were times when I thought I wouldn't make it home! Yesterday I did the same thing, only I wore Timberland shoes, and I was much more comfortable (although I didn't walk as much).

For our trip to London in late May, I will wear my trusty Tevas all over town during the day - I walked the 7 miles home during the 2003 blackout without a blister! In the evening I will probably switch to my dressy leather flipflops.

Kate_W

I have a pair of Josef Siebel shoes (not sandals) that are extremely comfortable and not too dorky-looking. Lots of cushioning, very little heel, very smooth inside (something I always check) and a small elastic gore at the side to help with fit. I've been wearing them for months without any trouble; I also just put them to a heavy-duty roadtest this past weekend by walking 6 miles in them.

My pet peeve when it comes to sandals is thongs. There are lots of pretty sandals out there, but most of them have that nasty little thong thing that rubs between your toes. A recipe for blister disaster as far as I'm concerned.

Scarlett

Ouch, Kate, you remind me of the walk from the beach to our house one year in a pair of those thong flip flops. By the time we got to the house, I had blisters on both feet. I don't see how anyone wears the thong sandals with a heel on them

ejkonz

I have always had shoe "issues" as my feet are very wide ... usually resort to my well broken-in birkenstocks for walking when the weather is warm ... an assortment of good sturdy walking shoes (a variety of makers) for other uses. Never bother with dress up while vacationing. I did, however, see in above posts, several references to band-aids. While I always travel with some for "bloody" emergencies, I have found that duct tape is indispensible for the prevention of blisters and the maintenance of comfort. Simply place a strip on the area where rubbing occurs and you will find that little discomfort and no blisters will occur. I learned this trick from my daughter who spend a summer back-packing through Australia ... she went through a full roll during the eight weeks she was there and has never travelled without is since ... it also comes in handy for other things as well!

althom1122

kvadragon:
Thanks for the tip on Simple Sugar shoes. I found them on the Web and like them a lot. I'm thinking, I'm thinking...

http://www.shoes.com/product.asp?cat...p;PartnerId=CJ

kvadragon

Karen-

I bought my pair of Simple Sugar at Sports Authority...maybe you can try them on if you have a location near you.

kvadragon

djkbooks

I thought I was such a nut for spending half an hour removing the sewn AND glued in tags on the underside of a pair of clogs...

TexasAggie

Merrill sandals are quite comfortable, but they are very casual. Think TEVA sandal casual.

I have a pair of Nine West sandals (perhaps $75?) that has a thick soft 2 inch heel... like bouncy rubber, for lack of a better description. I wore them around Rome last summer in the evenings when we were going out to dinner and for a night stroll. They were perfectly fine for these 2-4 mile walks, though I imagine they would have been uncomfortable for the 12+ mile walks we did during the day!

I also love heeled thong sandals, but they give me a blister as well. If I really want to wear them I put a bit of moleskin in between my toes. I don't think I'd take them on a trip though.

Angela_m

How could one have such a dilemma with shoes, but count me as that someone. I've bought and returned no less than six pairs for my upcoming trip to France. Since I only want to bring one pair, they had to meet several criteria. I wanted something cute that I could wear with a skirt as well as with capris and pants and they had to be comfortable. I finally got a pair today that I ordered from Zappos. They are Campers and so far, wearing them around the house they feel great and they have no little patch on the heel. No one has mentioned this brand so I thought I'd pass it on as a possiblity.

suze

No matter how comfortable, I would NEVER travel with only one pair of shoes. I will skimp on clothes, no problem. But always take 3 pair of footwear (1 on my feet, 2 in the suitcase).

Even with the most comfortable, I like to have a change from one day to the next, or after a long day of walking to slip on something different for the evening.

sundowner

This won't apply to all shoe problems but I have "saved" a couple of pairs of shoes with an emery board. Just file away on the things that bother you. Label sewn on the heel and it bothers you - file it down. Edges on the straps of sandals seem sharp or the toe part of flip flops has a ridge that hurts your toes - file it down.

RobynFrance

You are my people! Each of you has described a misery I have encountered with shoes--If I had the cash for the all bad shoes which cost a bundle, another trip would be in the offing.

I have never understood this desire to sew a label exactly where one's footbed is--an incredibly stupid idea--and usually done with glue which I can't get completely off or nice sharp nylon thread. What are they thinking? Will follow up on some of your suggestions. Thank you.

Take care,
Robyn France