Shoes for winter trip to the Netherlands

Old Oct 15th, 2009, 03:49 PM
  #21  
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elberko - you're so clever! I looked at tons of sites, but never saw Footsmart.

laurie_ann - those are cute, too!

I wish I didn't feel so guilty about returning shoes... I'd love to order a few of these and then send back the rejects.
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Old Oct 15th, 2009, 03:58 PM
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Sorry - you need either flats or low wedges - no more than an inch. You will be walking miles and miles - often on cobblestones or uneven pavements - and sometimes icy or slippery. Also - I would only do low booties - high boots will be very uncomfotable after 4 or 5 hours on your feet.

Also, be sure these are well broken in before you go. As in, be sure you can easily walk 3 or 4 miles in them without any blisters or discomfort.
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Old Oct 15th, 2009, 05:50 PM
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nytraveler - thanks for the tip on the low boots. It's been a LONG time since I've spent a lot of time in cold weather and I couldn't remember if tall boots were good or bad. Low boots, it is.

As for the heel, I agree I at least need a chunky heel or a wedge, but I've walked miles and miles in well-made 2-inchers and felt better than in flats.
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Old Oct 15th, 2009, 05:55 PM
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Long boots are fine....I wear them all day frequently, and they are a good way of keeping your legs warm!
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Old Oct 15th, 2009, 06:56 PM
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This is terrible... I keep going back to the La Canadienne "Charlizes" and they're almost $400! Someone please talk me out of them.
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Old Oct 16th, 2009, 12:38 AM
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Ok I'll do that for you - think what you can spend all those extra $$$$ on in Amsterdam! Think how often you'll actually get to wear them after your trip.
Honestly go for something comfortable, and not too expensive - we wont notice what you have on your feet, but you will after a day walking round Amsterdam in the cold, if you choose the wrong shoes. Think about how much wear you will get out of them after the trip No point in spending 400 bucks on shoes you'll wear for a week.
But them I'm a grandmother and being sensible here

If you need help with the planning part give a shout and I'll try to help.
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Old Oct 16th, 2009, 06:58 AM
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"Sorry - you need either flats or low wedges - no more than an inch. You will be walking miles and miles - often on cobblestones or uneven pavements - and sometimes icy or slippery. Also - I would only do low booties - high boots will be very uncomfotable after 4 or 5 hours on your feet."

geez you make it sound like amsterdam in december is like going to war. its a city afterall. i was there last winter, NYE, and no i didnt need waterproof shoes, no icy and slippery anywhere. and i was able to walk in the cobblestone streets with 3 inch stacked heel boots, and in and out of museums. the trick is to get a good quality shoe or boot, with good heel support. i think its important to stay stylish especially while traveling. no granny wear for me.

slangevar, go with the heel. youll feel better about yourself. worst case scenario, your shoes start to hurt, so you buy a new pair in amsterdam.
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Old Oct 16th, 2009, 09:16 AM
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I didn't say no heel - if you are used to heels that is fine, but $400 on a pair of boots seems ott to me, when you could spend that money on your trip, and may not get the wear out of them at home. But that is just me. There were some lovely boots with heel on the website. I wish I had that choice here!
There is no saying what the weather will be - it could be warm, cold, freezing, wet, dry snowy, or any combination of the above. Cobbles can be very slippery when wet and even more so if it has rained and then freezes. We have had ice rain on NYE before now which turns the streets into ice rinks.
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Old Oct 16th, 2009, 09:32 AM
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In European cities they make a great effort to make sure that the streets and pavements don't get icy. You will find women in all European cities in winter walking about in high heels and surviving just fine. It's a personal preference. Given the current fashion for 'stripper heels'(4" minimum and up to 6") I'm not expecting the good ladies of Glasgow (or many other places) to stop wearing them because it's wet or cold....
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Old Oct 16th, 2009, 09:37 AM
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In European cities they make a great effort to make sure that the streets and pavements don't get icy. You will find women in all European cities in winter walking about in high heels and surviving just fine. It's a personal preference. Given the current fashion for 'stripper heels'(4" minimum and up to 6") I'm not expecting the good ladies of Glasgow (or many other places) to stop wearing them because it's wet or cold....
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Old Oct 16th, 2009, 09:47 AM
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Alihutch trust me in the Netherlands the de-icing priorities are first the motorways, then the bus routes, then the bike tracks and routes to school. The pavements never get treated. Never.
I doubt very much that Glasgow wastes money on salting pavements either.
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Old Oct 16th, 2009, 09:54 AM
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Er...yes they do.....and even if they don't doesn't stop the girls wearing their heels!
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Old Oct 17th, 2009, 11:56 AM
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hetismij - you are a total delight. I will definitely take you up on your offer to help!

I'm also taking your advice to save the $400 for a great dinner in Amsterdam and look for something with a bit of a heel in my price range.

Your suggestions have all been fabulous! Now it's time for some in-store research. I promise to post when I've found the winners!
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Old Oct 17th, 2009, 10:56 PM
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slangevar,

Your shoe fetish has stirred up a storm here. I suggest that you go barefoot and buy your shoes when you get to Amsterdam. Wooden shoes are sold everywhere.

There is a mini factory at the Zaanse Schans where you can get the real article. Also get some thick woolen socks. Wooden shoes are surprisingly easy to walk in, albeit somewhat noisy.
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Old Oct 18th, 2009, 12:13 AM
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LOL! I can just imagine how fast I'd get thrown out of the Rijksmuseum... "CLOP CLOP CLOP!". That said, I'd breeze through airport security at LAX. ;-)
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Old Oct 18th, 2009, 05:43 AM
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slangevar,

I'm happy you took my comment in the spirit intended. A good sense of humor will go a long way in Amsterdam.

Being a geezer I know zero about women's shoes but I suggest that you get footwear with rubber soles, preferably ribbed. The sidewalks will be wet but probably not icey. Make sure you break the shoes in before you go.

I've been there many times but I don't know where the cobblestones are located in Amsterdam. Sidewalks are flat concrete slabs or red brick with occassional breaks. Amsterdam was noted in the past for dog poop but that is pretty much gone. Do not walk in the bike lanes and look both ways before crossing one. Same for the tram tracks.

For a repose I suggest the Cafe Luxembourg at the Spui. There are several brown bars in the area also. My favorite is the Hoppe a couple of doors away. The restaurant Luden on Spuistraat is very good with resaonable prices and good service.

You're going to love Amsterdam. Take a day trip to Haarlem also. It is less than 20 minutes by train.
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Old Oct 18th, 2009, 09:32 AM
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Why would someone feel "guilty" returning shoes? That's what Zappos.com is all about. And it's fabulous. Order the 4 you think come closest to your needs, and return the ones that don't work.
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Old Oct 18th, 2009, 09:34 AM
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Oops for our OP, I don't think the Keens are closed in/warm enough. And the heels don't look like anything I'd want to be walking around in for 8 hours a day in wintertime. I'd keep looking.

A low flat or low heeled black boot by LizFlex, ColeHann/Nike Air, La Canadienne, or other.
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Old Oct 18th, 2009, 09:43 AM
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Spaarne - it was so funny, I read it aloud to my husband! He liked the idea, too, since he'd never have trouble finding me.

Re: the rubber soles, that's exactly what I'll be looking for. If something is at all slippery, I will be the first one to fall, so I need something with some spring and a bit of a grip.

Suze - as always, you have impeccable taste. If I can't find anything less expensive, I'll go for the wallet-stretching La Canadienne Charlizes. (Must resist urge to look at them again...)
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Old Oct 18th, 2009, 09:45 AM
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If you are used to heels, buy all means wear them, you will be more comfortable. Flats don't work for everyone and are not neccessarily more comfortable. To wit - I cannot wear flats to save my life, I find them uncomfortable.

I am going to go against the grain and advise to to go with the more expensive shoe, but only if it is something you will wear all the time normally and can really afford it. You get what you pay for and a better made shoe - they will last longer. It really makes no sense to buy a pair of shoes that are specifically for a vacation - that is a waste of money to me.
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