slangevar

Hi Fodorites,

My husband and I are finally going on our honeymoon - the Netherlands over New Years and Spain in early January (Woo!). As we live in California, this puts me in a shoe crisis.

I'm looking for two pairs at around $150 or less apiece:

PAIR 1
Black walking shoes
Medium heel and/or platform
Waterproof
Stylish (good with jeans)
(I usually travel in these http://www.zappos.com/keen-sydney-ii-black, but they're too short for pants)

PAIR 2:
Black ankle boots (or high boots for 16" calves)
Medium heel
Waterproof & warm
Stylish (can be worn with skirt & tights)
(I love the Clarks Peraltas http://www.zappos.com/clarks-peralta-black-leather, but can't find a size 7)

Any ideas? Thanks, ladies!

yk

Sorry, but I don't think either one is appropriate for this trip.

The Keen looks comfortable, but not warm enough for Amsterdam. I'd wear something that at least covers your whole foot; preferably ankle boots. Your toes and feet will freeze. (Trust me, I live in Boston and have traveled to Europe many times in winter.)

I won't call the Clarks "medium heel". They are 2.5" high. Perhaps you're used to walking around all day in 2.5" heels, but I know I won't last more than 30 minutes.

I think you should prepare for wet weather, and think about walking all day on cobblestones. Your feet will freeze with the Keens, and your feet will hurt with the Clarks (if you don't twist your ankle first with those 2.5" heels).

My suggestion is: short ankle boot with thick soles (which helps insulate your feet from the frozen ground), but no heels.

yk

Amsterdam's Jan temperature is in the 30sF.

Invest in a few pairs of cashmere socks as well. Nothing is more miserable than a pair of frozen feet while sightseeing.

slangevar

I don't think the Keens are right for the trip either... too summery and flat.

What do you think about the Danskos for walking shoes (http://www.zappos.com/dansko-profess...er?zlfid=111)?

As for boots, I know the Clarks seem high, but I wore a similar height Clarks heel in Rome last year and they were more comfortable than my Keens!

But I would consider a thicker heel if the ankle boot was attractive... any ideas?

GREAT advice on the cashmere socks... I will definitely get a few pairs.

hetismij

The keens aren't suitable, the Clarks are Ok if you are used to heels, but remember cobblestones are not only uneven but slippery when wet - and it could be icy too in january.
The danskos look like leather clogs, also not really suitable for Amsterdam in winter, nor for that matter in parts of Spain - Madrid can be a lot colder than Amsterdam for instance.

There are plenty of fashionable ankle boots on that site that would be more suitable. You need shoes/boots you can wear socks with to keep your feet warm, especially coming from Ca.

yk

Hi slangevar,

I own a pair of Danskos clogs, but I would never wear them on trips. They are too heavy, and not particularly comfortable (for me).

I bought a pair of ankle boots last year from Cole Haan. I don't think that model is available anymore, but it's similar to this year's Air Addison. It is flat, has thick soles, waterproof, and I wore them all winter in Boston, stomping through snow and slush. Paired with cashmere socks, my feet were warm even when it was 20sF out. However, the Cole Haans are a bit over your budget, and you may not find those shoes too useful in CA, esp if you live in Southern Cal.

If you had worn Clarks with those heels before in Rome and had no trouble, then go for it. Do they come in 7.5? After you put on a pair of cashmere socks, you may need half a size up.

As for cashmere socks, my favs are from Garnet Hill. I bought a whole bunch last year when they were on sale, but I just looked and they're $28/pair right now. I LOVE them!

SUMMAGOLD

i wore ugg boots while in amsterdam in dec. my uggs are about 3 inches, stacked heel so they were very stable and quite comfortable. the stacked heel is what gives it the comfort, and the ability to walk in cobblestone streets... it has sheepskin insole and lining, so i didnt need socks. very warm. (and no they are not those flat uggs that everyone wears with sweats. although i did wear mine in italy on a january a few years back, they were quite cute back then) my boots are very similar to this: http://www.zappos.com/ugg-ashur-tan

i dont think you need waterproof honestly..

bring a pair of cute pumas for those days when you dont feel like wearing heels...

you definitely need a coat, scarf and gloves. burrrr!!!

tejana

Think wet, cold, cobblestones. Uggs would be my first suggestion, but i'm sure there are many different brands that would be acceptable.

slangevar

hetismij, can I just hire you to plan my trip for me?

Okay - sounds like everyone is voting for the ankle boots.

Yk - I've been wondering about the Cole Haans... if I just buy one new pair, I can bump the budget a bit. Will check those out, and the Peraltas with socks (great idea!).

Summagold & Tejana, I'm totally with you, but the other day, we saw some teenager in Hollywood in Uggs and my husband said, "I'm so glad you don't wear those." *sigh*

yk

slangevar, I'm a huge fan of Cole Haan shoes - those with Nike Air soles. I have bought at least a dozen of them in the last 3-4 years. I have their summer sandals, slip-ons, maryjanes, lace-ups, boots... Most of them have very thin soles, which make them very light, but still comfy because of the nike air soles. But they do hurt my ankles after walking many miles a day. However, those winter boots I bought last year are different - they've got the thick soles.

BTW, many ladies on this forum swear by La Canadienne shoes/boots. I thought about getting a pair last year, but there are very few stores that carry them in Boston, and they are a bit out of my price range. http://www.lacanadienne.ca/

slangevar

I like these... why don't they have them in the US? http://www.clarks.co.uk/find/Departm...ct-is-20332745

These aren't bad, but just kind of bland...http://www.zappos.com/cole-haan-air-...ort-boot-black

Why does everything made for cold weather look like the snow boots from my childhood?

slangevar

I love the Charlize from La Canadienne! I had been going for something a bit more tailored, but now I'm finding myself gravitating towards the chunkier black boots.

yk

slangevar, see this thread re: La Canadienne boots
http://www.fodors.com/community/fodo...pres-momdd.cfm

eyemom84

I have also been looking at the air addison & air sara short boot...for walking around Rome in late December. Also looked at Arche and Taryn Rose, but they were so high priced I got a nosebleed
The Keen winter boots look functional & yes, a bit like childhood snowboots, so not versatile enough - http://www.zappos.com/keen-charlesto...lack?zlfid=111

slangevar

Hmm... I'll have to go and try them on. The two styles I like the most were featured in video reviews on Zappos and it looks like they might not work so well with my body (short and not skinny).

But I'll go and check them out!

slangevar

eyemom84 - nosebleed comment made me LOL (I feel your pain).

I also love those flat boots, but I just can't wear them. I have short, curvy legs that just look awful in anything under a 2" heel. Even my running shoes have over a 1" lift!

eyemom84

i dont like flats much either. that's a product of size 91/2 feet since age 10...i've grown into them like a puppy but still prefer at least a 1 & 1/2 inch heel.

slangevar

That's my sister's frustration, too. The funny thing is, I'd kill for larger feet... my size 7 feet seem too small for my legs. The grass is always greener!

elberko

slangevar,

www.footsmart.com has the boots you're looking for in size 7:

http://www.footsmart.com/product.asp...010%2013%20070

~Liz

laurie_ann

How about either of these:

http://www.zappos.com/product/7554392/color/72 (nice tread)

http://www.zappos.com/rsvp-emmet-black-burnished (nice wedge)