JillDavis

Hello! I wanted to get people's opinions on what kind of shoes they wear when sightseeing and being on your feet all day. I am 5 feet tall and rarely wear flat shoes. I always wear some sort of wedge. I will be traveling to Paris in the summer so it will be hot. (also Venice, Lake Como, Cannes) I am sure the most comfortable option would be to wear tennis shoes, however I do want to have some style. Any sugesstions or certain brands of shoes that will look good and perhaps give me a little height?

PJTravels

I have had great success with Theresia sandals for European city travels. They have a wedge type sole. I also like the thong type sandals with a cork footbed that Think makes. Some people love Mephistos, but they are not as supportive for my foot. I believe there was a very lengthy discussion of this topic on the Rick Steves website.

jgg

I'm 5'2" and have the same problem. I love Danskos as they are very comfortable and have that wedge so give me the height. I just checked their website and they don't have my exact style anymore but there are a lot of other cute ones - I got mine in a light pink patent leather and loved them and found they went with a ton of stuff. They are closest to the Dankso Sunny style.

suze

Wear your regular shoes from home. Whatever's comfortable and nice looking that you would usually wear in the summer. It doesn't make sense that you need anything special for going to Europe.

november_moon

We do a lot more walking on trips than we do at home (we both have desk jobs), so choice of footware is important. Last summer we went to Belgium and the Netherlands and I took 3 pairs of shoes.

Black loafers from Naturalizer - they have a wedge sort of heel and the heel and sole are rubberized.

Black ballet flats also from Naturalizer - these are a little more substancial than regular ballet flats with a good rubber sole.

Black sandals - don't remember the brand at the moment, but they are a flip-flop style but with a good sole and footbed and a leather upper.

ThinGorjus

Christian Louboutin.

www.christianlouboutin.com


Thin, Foddie Winner 2009

MonicaRichards

The only clothes I buy anymore are ones I can travel in. I like the "water shoes" in mary jane shoe style from Lands End, they are mesh "tennis shoes" but much nicer than regular tennis shoes and comfy too. A good walking shoe mary jane or ballet shoe works too. You want something that looks good with capris and shorts and skirts but that you can still walk in. I would be afraid a wedge would slip on rocky terrain, like cobblestones.

danon

although I love Thin's suggestion, I have traveled in Mephisto shoes ( in black with gray trim) all over Europe. they look good with skirts and pants

http://www.mephistoonlinestore.com/W...s-Bayka_1.html

starrs

Mephistos

christabir

Now might be a good time to figure out your feet. Until recently I could wear anything but now I have foot pain. Turns out I have really high arches. So of course I assumed I needed arch support. Wrong -I need soft shoes (who would have thought?). Now that I know and buy the right shoes for my weird feet, I have MUCH less pain and can really enjoy cities.

http://www.ehow.com/i/#article_2034330

Then buy shoes for your foot structure that are cute. Break them in before you go.

sheri_lp

Thin - the Louboutin website is a trip!

sarge56

Jill, instead of buying new shoes, I was talked into a pair of "Superfeet" insoles. I just take the insoles out of my shoes and replace them with the Superfeet insoles. I buy mine from REI:

http://www.rei.com/category/12221601

I cannot live without them. They are the best thing I have ever purchased for my feet (I use the Berry High-Impact for Women). Yes, they are rather pricey at $35-45. But worth every penny. And this way, I get to wear my own comfortable shoe and get added support from the insert. Not only could I walk 10x as far without foot/heel pain, I also noticed that I did not have any back pain! That was an added benefit.

Can't say enough about these. If you have an REI store near you, go try some on for size. They provide incredible arch support and heel support. I love mine!

tony8028

What about for Winter though? Coming from Australia, I wont have anything in my wardrobe that would ever have had to endure snow, sleet etc etc...

Any recommendations ?

love_travel_Aus

Hi tony8028 -
what about trying some of the outdoor type shops for not too costly shoes/boots with soles that have a good grip and a waterproof surface?
We get great stuff here in Adelaide at Trims, or there is Mountain Design, Ray's Outdoors, Kathmandu....etc.
I wear these here when walking in the bush in the cooler and wetter months - and they don't cost a fortune.

Or - there is RM Williams if you are feeling flush - but not with the leather soles.

Good luck - just make sure you use some waterproof spray as well - a good bootmaker will help you with the best kind - be a shame to mess up new boots.

Also - nice merino socks keep feet cosy and are great to wear here all the time. Look at Icebreaker for a start.

tony8028

Thats good advice...thanks.

Am loathed to spend too much on shoes that will probably never be worn beyond the next 3 weeks of my life ! We don't get a lot of snow here in Sydney....although I wish we did...the humidity just kills me here!

I think the Kathmandu boots is probably the way to go....

Would Blundstone's not cut it ??

love_travel_Aus

Just had a quick look at the Blundstone's - might work - they claim to be non slip - need to be a bit flexible - guess you can try them and get something else when there if they don't work.

I have managed in snow in all sorts of boots and shoes - including very high heeled designer ones many years ago when younger!

Just make sure they are comfortable for long days - and waterproof.

Try not to worry too much about this type of thing - it can spoil the pre trip pleasure of reading and deciding where to go.
After all - you can get things in most parts of the world - so relax and enjoy the planning.

We are expecting 40C here tomorrow - so only sandal weather here.

Also - have a look at temperatures in Europe - things aren't too bad!

tony8028

Oh no , this isnt spoiling my trip....trying to arrange travel by train in Europe is totally spoiling my trip - its doing my head in! Go to 4 different sites, get 4 different prices, 4 different sets of terms and conditions, price variation by 100 euros.....and the there are all the different passes to consider...honestly, never again !

That's encouraging that the weather might be looking up in Europe! Anything over zero will be lovely !

suze

Winter shoes when you're coming from a hot climate is a bit of a trick. Could you get buy with sneakers/trainers at the start and pick up something after you arrive.

Back to our OP, even though fashion is your goal, I also always take a pair of sneakers (like I'd wear at the gym). I've never walked so much in my life as when I'm in European cities. I use these as my walking shoes. Along with two pair of comfortable but nice looking sandals (Naot, Ecco, Cole Haan, etc.).

There's no way to know except to try WELL in advance of your trip. I hate Mephistos, for example. A couple times I've even bought a pair (both times sandals) but had to return them there were so uncomfortable for me. Same for Munro which is supposed to be some great 'comfort' shoe. But not for me.

Mimar

Tony, you just have to consider the expense of shoes part of your trip expenses. After all, if you miss some of the sights because your feet hurt or your footwear isn't up to the weather, you've wasted part of your expensive trip.

Mimar, always able to find reasons for new shoes

FACS

Christabir: the ehow link did not work...what was the article about? I have been wearing Danskos for a year now due to my very high arch.
Innersoles vary, some provide better support than others for your particular needs.