Shoes - I am a runner & have to wear custom-made orthotics in my running shoes. Need dark walking shoes for Europe.
 

I will be headed to Paris, Munich & Prague in late September. I plan to walk the majority of the trip & take very few metro rides. I am a runner that can handle mileage, but only in my running shoes that have custom orthotics. Has anyone bought walking/Europe shoes that do not already have much arch support, so I can input my own? Or maybe that are made for custom orthotics to fit into?

I'm a little confused by this question. Don't the orthotics come out of your running shoes? I used to have to wear orthotics ALL the time and I simply moved them from one pair of shoes to the other depending on which shoes I wanted to wear. The biggest PITA was the fact that for several years I had to wear shoes that had backs! No sandals or sling backs.

Yes, the orthotics come out of my running shoes, hence the reason for asking if anyone has bought any walking shoes that have no arch support and/or are made to have orthotics inserted. Most shoes that people recommend for Europe already have a huge arch support built into the shoe. If I insert my orthotics into that shoe I will be uncomfortable & practically lopsided!

Merrells have removable insoles. Simply take theirs out and put your custom orthotics in.

Whatever you do, don't buy shoes in Munich or Prague or Paris... unless you want to spend twice as much as at home :D for the same thing.

This may seem like a dumb question but can't you use your running shoes for walking, too?

my daughter is getting custom orthotics for her cheer shoes but they said that they would/could go in all her shoes. Why not just bring shoes from home and then put in your othotics - not sure why you need to buy them there?

Sorry if I am confused.

I don't think the OP is looking to BUY the shoes in Europe, just looking for recommendations that allow for orthotic inserts.

I would review the recommendations you've found so far and look for "removable insoles". If they have those, then you can switch them out with your custom orthotics. As I mentioned before, I know Merrells does. I'm pretty sure many of the others do also.

I've been all over Europe in my Merrell's. I have several pair. I would definitely recommend that you try your orthotics in a style that you like and find comfortable.

The way I read your question is that you want to purchase walking shoes for your trip (not necessarily ON your trip) that will fit a custom orthotic. Is that correct?

Are you male or female?

I have custom orthotics and face this question for every shoe I put on my feet. I can give some suggestions of what has worked for me (I'm female.)

As a start, Merrills, Keens, some Timberland, some Birkenstock lines, some Naots have removable innersoles. You'll need to figure out which are comfortable for your feet. I can't wear Merrills, Keens or the Birkenstocks.

The biggest challenge for me is to find shoes that will still fit me when my orthotic is inserted because it is deep. I end up having to buy wide shoes. The Footsmart catalog has an extensive selection of shoes for problem feet and notes which ones will accept orthotics. You will not win any fashion awards for wearing them, however. I do buy some wonderful very THIN arch supports from Footsmart that I can put in many of my ordinary shoes (instead of the orthotic which doesn't work in many of my shoes) and can wear successfully for several hours at a time.

I have a pair of Munro shoes that fit the orthotic and work very well for walking. NewBalance used to make walking shoes, but I think they discontinued them. The advantage of NewBalance is that they come in widths, but that being said, I think their widths run narrow - I've had to end up with the men's wide.

If you have walking shoe stores in your local mall they are a great place to browse around. I've also ordered some shoes online - many of the German/European lines have lots of room and removable footbeds.

I have the same problem. I find that SAS shoes work well with my orthotic. I buy the nubuck, black, lace up oxford type and remove their insole and put in my own. Have walked all over Amsterdam, Paris and Rome with them. Not stylish but comfortable and unobtrusive.

Take a look at http://www.naot.com The Naot line is orthotic friendly according to their catalogue. The shoes are very comfortable and well made.

check out the J-41 shoes on zappo.com - they have removable insoles and i think can accommodate an orthotic.

Thanks so much for all of your help! Very true, I do not intend to purchase shoes while in Europe.
sshepard:
Yes, I can wear my running shoes, but I would rather not have to do that since they are specifically made for running & I like to only put running miles on them.
dawnnoelm:
Currently, most of my shoes from home do not accomodate my orthotics. When an arch is built into the shoe & not the insole then it makes them uncomfortable to wear when I insert my orthotics.
noe847:
I am female. I wish NB still made walking shoes. I wear NB running shoes.

Again, thanks for all the help. I now have a starting point for my shoe shopping!

New Balance separated their women's walking, etc. shoes to another brand name:
http://www.aravonshoes.com/

Haven't tried them yet, though.

~Liz

I have five pairs of Mephisto shoes and a pair of Mephisto sandals.

The dress shoes and sandals have permanent arch supports.

The walking shoes all have removable insole/arch supports.

These shoes are incredibly well made and can be rebuilt indefinitely, even here in the US. They cost a lot, but I have one pair I bought in 1994 and still wear regularly.

Mephistos give tremendous support for walking, particularly for people with pronation problems, on rough surfaces and cobblestones, like really good hiking boots.

The downside is that like good hiking boots (Limmer's, for example) they take time to break in because they use thick leather. This means that buying shoes to wear on this trip could mean some discomfort. It would not be a problem if you wore them mornings and something different in the afternoon. You definitely want something softer when you get home at night.

Also, some -- but by no means all -- models have a very European fit (Americans tend to have narrower heels, so many European shoes slip in that area).

And sorry, logos999, I have never found Mephistos for less in the US, and I am always looking. You do get the VAT back when you wear them to the airport.

As SharonG said, SAS are great. I've worn them for years with my orthotics. I remove the insole they come with and insert my orthotics. I've tried many other shoes and for me it is SAS.

I've done this for years. Running or trailrunners are so much lighter and more comfortable than WALKING shoes as such. Walking shoes are bulky, less flexible etc.

The trick is to find black athletic shoes. Nike has them, as does New Balance.and Asics have some gray ones. I wear black and dark polyester slacks, but we usually travel in fall or early spring.
All athletic shoes have removeable liners, THEN add a flat cushioned liner from Spenco or Dr. Scholls etc. THEN the $300+ custom orthotics.
Works fine and looks great. I've gone to the opera in Venice in the winter with black athletic shoes, black slacks, long black all purpose coat etc.
Sometimes Men's shoes work better for women,,,a tad wider (for orthotics), a better "last", and sometimes easier to find in Black.

I have a pair of aravon shoes that I took to Paris last year. Very comfortable.

One word: Keens