Shoes....I need advice from people who have bad feet like me!
 

Okay, I asked about this in another post but it was more of a side note.... I am going to Germany this summer for a month and a half. It is a school program so I will be taking classes in the morning and going on "excursions" in the afternoon. I expect a lot of walking and we have been warned about cobblestones. I have a tendency to get blisters on my heels so I prefer heelless shoes with natural foot beds. I really only want to take 2 pairs of shoes max on this trip b/c hopefully I will buy some :)

I tend to and plan to wear mostly skirts so a tennis shoe can look weird on me esp since I am very peitte....

Any suggestions would be extreamly helpful! I am always on zappos reading reccomendations but I hesitate to order since 90 % of shoes bother me.....

Have you considered Birkenstocks? I took two pairs of shoes to Europe last spring. One was from Finn Comfort which I wore with my orthotics. Got a huge blister which came as a shock since I've had those shoes for years. Thank goodness I took my birkies cause I used them for the rest of the trip with no problems.

Delirious-

I have a pair of birkenstock sandals... but I don't think they are sized correctly b/c I get blisters on the sides and bottoms of my feet like around my heels and ball of my foot

There will be different opinions on this issue. I am now in Provence with only 2 pairs of shoes: slip on Memphisto, which I wore coming and black SAS(no lace) shoes. No problem at all and I have foot problem. I had to pack light this time because I travel alone and mostly by train. I did not check in any luggages. Both shoes work well with all outfits, pants or skirts. In my experience, SAS shoes do not require breking in.

I never buy new shoes for a trip. I wear the ones I already know fit me and are comfortable.

I've never been to Germany, but everyplace I've been in Europe, women wear backless shoes. Clogs come from Germanic countries!

If you worry you won't be able to walk on cobblestones in your backless shoes, don't order new ones over the internet. Go to a shoe store and buy something you know fits.

Blisters can happen whenever you spend all afternoon walking, even in your most comfortable shoes. Take plenty of large bandages and moleskins. Dr. Scholl's is your travel buddy. ;-)

I have "bad feet" too but have learned over the years what woks (usually Danskos) For you, one pair could be a cute pair of sandals from a good walking shoe company such as Dansko or Mephisto; something with a backstrap to hold your foot securely. I just bought a pair of these and they are very comfortable, but they haven't been truly tested yet:
http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/3...For-Women.html
They have another cute Stonefly model (with backstrap)as well---get to the brandname page and go from there. For Danskos, I like the "non-clog" type of sandals, also with a back strap. Something like this:
http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/3...For-Women.html
Whatever you choose, make sure they are well broken in. Even then, you can get blisters on a hot day if your feet get (gasp!) sweaty. So take a break now and then to let your feet cool off. With some styles, you can wear one of those little "foot-sleeve" things---they cover the mid-foot but leave your toes and heel uncovered; in the right style of sandal they don't show at all but help with blister avoidance. the shoe department at stores like Nordstrom or Macy's has them.

Spend some time in a store with knowledgable sales staff who will work with you to get the right shoes, preferably a store where you can return merchandise if they don't work out after wearing around the house for a few days.

When you have the right shoes, break them in well at home; then you can wear them to shop for more shoes while you are in Germany. Have a wonderful trip.

Hi - I get blisters also and have a pair of Clark's sandals that are so comfortable. They are the Clark's Suntrek. Mine are black leather, not nubuck like the photo. I could wear them all day and evening without complaint.

They are lined with neoprene (sp) so no leather or stitches touch your feet - just the smooth cloth. I did not get one blister and actually word them 15 hours a few days.

Here's a photo -
http://tinyurl.com/mdgqv

Teva came out with a dressier sandal this year. It is similar to the Clark's one I mentioned.

Have fun!

A few more thoughts---blisters are caused by rubbing. If you get blisters on the bottom of your feet, your feet are sliding around in the shoe. I have found the best way to avoid this with sandals (worn barefoot) is to have (1) adjustable straps that hold my foot securely, and (2) a nubuck or suede top on the footbed where your foot rests.

Liz Claiborne shoes are absolutely fabulous and comfortable. I can not absolutely wear heels except in Liz Claiborne. I can walk a day on those heels. Please, do yourself a favor and listen to me...go try them on and walk happy!

To all: thank you so much! Im not worried about getting over there and the shoes nto working b/c all i have to do is wear a pair to school one day( i walkto and from home to campus to work to home again! And in LA your feet are going to get sweaty!

One of the post mentioned the mesphito and it was really cute looking... do alot of people have success with this shoe brand? I have used Arche before and loved them but cannot find a style right now that I like....

Ziana- I will def try to find some!

On another note has anyone tried Chacos? I saw some here recently in a birkenstock store.... But haven't heard much about them.

Don't forget you can return anything to zappos, so order them, try them out (inside only!) at home, and return them if you don't like them. Free shipping and free return shipping! I have bought a couple of pairs of Merrell's (not on zappos, though) recently that have a back, but are "relaxed fit", so no rubbing. Took a little getting used to, but now they are very comfy indeed.

I like my Chaco's but I use them mostly for river rafting and other water activities.

Have you looked at any of the Taryn Rose shoes on Sierra Trading Post? The shoes look comfortable and are dressy.

Kurieff- I have looked into Taryn Rose at Sierra trading post..The only thing is I have never even tried them on and no one I know or have spoken to has a pair... they are expensive so I hesitate to try them until someone can give me real feedback...

Also- My instructors for this trip have been very adament about how inappropiate flip flops are but on other posts I see people telling of how young italians and other europeans are wearing flip flops... Are they a no or a yes??? If they are a yes I won't be so concerned as I live in flip flops!

I have picky feet. I just bought a pair of Merrell Primo II Moc's yesterday in black suede. Absolutely the most comfy pair of shoes these peasant feet have ever been in. They have great "insides" with support. I don't know how to do that tiny url thing - maybe this link will work

http://www.shoes.com/product.asp?p=5...riant_id=28856

Do not buy Taryn Rose. I made the mistake of buying a few pairs at one time and they are really not more comfortable than my much more reasonably priced calrks which i love! Also, i learned this in Italy once for blisters- it sounds ood but works- put deodorent all over your feet, this prevents blisters really well.

You might want to try Footsmart.com. I got their catalog in the mail and they have lots of products for problem feet and a variety of shoes that might work for you.

ddumaine - It's hard to give a good recommendation without knowing your personal style. But, here are the comfy shoes I choose for myself :)

Josef Seibel mules
http://tinyurl.com/ztr9p

Dansko sandals
http://tinyurl.com/jvfnk

HappyCheese - To make a tiny url you copy the link you want, go to www.tinyurl.com and past the link there to convert ;)

Happy cheese head- Did you wear yours barefoot? If so... did your Merells stink? I have a slip on pair and b/c its not a natural footbed they got really stinky no matter how many times I washed or sprayed them with oder stuff. I love these shoes but they smell so bad!

I just ordered the new Teva sandals from Zappos so will report back on how they work out.

Okay, I have looked at all the shoes reccomended, the mesphitos are cute but I worry they could look kind of grandmotherly? I love the Joseph Siebel but Sierra trading post is out of my size :(..... I will keep looking for a pair but they are much more exxpensive on other sites.... There is a pair of Teva leather sandals I may order and try them out... If none of this works I am going to resort to my flip flops and ignore my instructor.... I am still interested in the Chacos since I have heard good things baout them.... There are some styles that arent so adventure sandal styled...but I do like their slip ons... would that be an appropiate shoe???

http://www.chacousa.com/products/Pro...D=4&pID=27

Any opinons?

The important thing to remember is that in Germany you are in the clutzy footwear capital of the world.

Men wear socks with sandals!!!

And they all have foot problems. If you want to feel like a real German, go to a clinic and ask what they can do about your feet.

They'll probably prescribe a tea.

I can't recommend a particular brand, but the shoes must be well broken into, and preferrable have a thick sole. They should be a little lose on the foot, so a t-strap will hold best.

Also, soft cotton socks should be warn all the time. I also apply dry skin lotion twice a day.

I second the Merrells. They are perfect for my extremely picky feet.

I also bought Taryn Rose and regretted it. A very expensive lesson. The idea behind them sounded great...designed by a female orthopedist, the sole flexes below the ball of the foot, BUT why the thin sole? I found they have no support, you can feel the cobblestones through the thin sole. And don't even think about mail ordering unless they have a postage free policy because you have to go waaaay up in size as they are sized very small. I tried 3 times before I got the size right.

I've had good luck with Donald Pliner but I just got back from the store that sells them here and all they had were the dressy ones. I don't know if they still make the microfiber ones but I've worn out 2 pairs of those over the years.

Thanks for the opinons on Taryn Rose I was about to order some... I liked the idea behind them also... Glad I was saved by this forum from that expensive mistake!

I live in SAS so I'll have to ditto the poster above who recommended them. I have many of the loafer styles in all colors & they don't need to be broken in. I've heard lots of nurses wear them. They have all kinds of styles, too.

Also, I need a sandal or a mule like slip on b/c I cannot stand to have sweaty feet...or feel like I am lugging around bricks on my feet.... I hate that not only my feet but also my head and eyes are so picky.... But this forum has been great! I have gotten lots of ideas. Also does anyone have a site for these SAS shoes? They are nto coming up on a google search.

Both SAS and Dr. Scholls shoes are great, as are brands that you will find in Germany, such as Berkman--incredibly comfortable. My favorite style, which hasn't been available in the U.S. in recent years, is a sandal/clog with a heel strap but not a closed heel. My pair finally fell apart, and I still miss those shoes!

Some Clarks styles are also good, as are SoftSpots.

ddumaine - I don't know what size you wear, but I will tell you that Josef Seibel runs small. For instance, in most all European sizes I wear a 38, but in Seibel a 39. Maybe this will help!

I bought some SAS shoes at the outlet in Pigeon Forge TN and absolutely love them. They are very light. Here's the company number that was on my invoice: 210-921-7415. Couldn't find a website. Hope this helps.

I usually wear ballet type shoes and mules for dressy, but for walking with my bad feet Misphisto and Born works for me. No matter what we all say, only your feet will tell you what is right for you, buy, walk around the house (after taping the soles as not to get dirty) and see how they feel. Shoes are the worst to shop for unless you have perfect small feet. Not me :) No wonder I love handbags,

Oh, one more thing: when you buy shoes, see if you can bend them in half.

Look at the shoes on this website called Comfort Corner. I am thinking of ordering a couple of the styles here.

http://comfortcorner.com

Hi ddumaine:

Well, I only bought them yesterday, and they don't stink yet, LOL

I wore them to work today with hose, as I wanted to make sure they felt good all day before I take them to Paris next week. They did.

In all this talk about shoes for travel(I love my Eccos and will take a maryjane with me on my trip later this month) but no one has mentioned what I consider to be THE BEST travel shoe.
Crocs. http://www.crocs.com/home.jsp $30. with sox or not. I wear strap forward.. black to go with my black travel clothes. I first bought a pair for gardening 3 yrs ago but immediately started wearing them all the time..wonderful for the plane and frankly, hard to get me out of them. The blk ones look ok, the rounded european broad toe look but when you love them you will hate to give them up.

Since it is your heels that give you problems, you can wear a variety of shoes that just slide on or are like espadrilles that tie on.
I wear Munroe sandals all summer and they cover a lot of your foot..nothing on the heel though.
You need a good sole and covering, your feet will be filthy and sore and your ankles can get twisted easily on stone streets/sidewalks.
Munroe is good, Merrell, I hate Taryn Rose shoes lol..they kill my feet!, Paul Green , Cole Hahn and Nike got together and came up with Cole Hahn Air shoes...look like sneakers but slides..like walking on air!
Take one pair of closed shoes for a rainy day, or cold day or a day that you might be hiking and will fall out of a slide.
Hope this helps.
Oh and it is still no to the flip flop.. :)

Scarlett- I appreciate it. I will def try to find a pair from the brands you reccomend! I am kind of insulted from the language used in the other post....It was just a simple question raised by these boards themselves..... Guess I need thicker skin to be on here with all the wise experienced know it alls who can't just say I still fin the flip flop esp the cheap generic kind to be inapporpiate


Sorry- Thank you so much though!

I had a pair of clog type shoes from Clarks that were great. Also, a pair by Anne Klein. Bought both at Marshalls!

I also posted on the other thread - I say bring your flip flops anyway! ;-)