AmiLynn

I know this question has been asked on here before, but I am still having a hard time finding answers I need.
I will be in Italy (Florence/Rome/Amalfi Coast) May 28-June 7 and I am trying to find good walking shoes for my trip, as we plan on doing tons of walking. A) do you recommend I go with a Sandal (will it be warm enough at that time for a Sandal?), or B) do you recommend more of a "tennis shoe" style (will it be too hot for a non-Sandal type shoe?). We won't be doing any "hiking", but we do plan on getting around by walking everywhere. Please let me know if you recommend I go with a Sandal or more of a "tennis shoe" style and please recommend the brand you like. I have been looking at Born and Clark's, but know nothing about them. Thanks in advance!

2Italy

My wife and I usually go to Italy in May/June or Sept/Oct. We normally take sandals and New Balance running type shoes. The temperatures in May/June are usually very conducive to wearing sandals. The temps in Sept/Oct are too, but sometimes at night it's a little cool
We take Ecco or Josef Seibel sandals. I can jog in them with no discomfort. Teva, Born, and others make good sandals also. Many people like Clark's, Merell, and others, and we do also. We've just settled on the ones we like. Get yourself some that you like and feel very comfortable in and start walking to try them out and get them broken in.

wliwl

I don't know how old you are, but how about sort of a cross between the two? That way you could have a sandal with you that is a little dressier, that you don't wear all day. I don't really like touring in sandals - feet get too sweaty and dirty.

How about something like these:
http://tinyurl.com/ljn2v
or
http://tinyurl.com/pofjd
or
http://tinyurl.com/odn8s

bluehonu

I have some great Munro sandals that I picked up at Nordstrom a few years ago. They have back straps and are great for walking. They are way better for my duck wide feet than the other brands mentioned. You may have to order direct from Munro or special order from Nordstroms.

RufusTFirefly

We never wear sandals when sightseeing anymore. A couple of bashed toes and twisted ankles that severely limited our mobility on a couple of vacations cured us of that.

Now if you're just out strolling, fine. But not for real sightseeing in places where you'll ofter be walking on cobblestone streets or uneven walkways.

Luisah

Why not both? Tennis-style for sightseeing, long walks and a comfortable sandal for evenings, dinner, or short walks.

I like Munro, Mephisto, Stonefly, Sesto Meucci, but they may not work for you. I have some super comfortable Cole Haan's with a Nike air heel. You can check them out on Nordstroms online but you should try to find a shoe store to try them on for proper fit.

WestonTraveler

I have Ecco sandals that are the most comfortable shoes I have ever worn! I have worn them on several trips, and even after walking 12 miles in one day, my feet didn't bother me.

nytraveler

Sandals are not great on cobblestones (too many jammed toes) and your feet do tend to get really dirty. (Cobbelstone streets hold a lot more dirt than flat pavements.)

Tennis shoes look like you should be playing tennis.

Why not just get a casuale, comfy and cute walking shoe in a nice color (skechers have some nice MaryJanes that are good with pants, Capris or skirts- and comfy for walking forever). If you go to any Footlocker or similar - or even any dep't store) they have what they call "fashion" athletic shoes that fit this category.

suze

I take both sandals and walking shoes (either sneakers or something like a Merrell loafer).

The brand is not as important as how they fit YOU. I would do shopping early on, find a few different pairs you think might work, then wear them around at home. Whatever you do, you do NOT want to have brand new shoes for a trip.

Brands that work for me: Ecco, Merrill, Clark, Nike Air. Brands other people recommend that don't work on my feet: Mephisto, Joseph Sieble, New Balance.

suze

I pick sandals that you can also wear with a thin lightweight cotton ankle sock (I choose neutral colors like olive or lightly patterened ones). Sandals alone, even good ones, can rub on your feet after a long day.

grandmere

When I was in Italy at that same time (same places, too) of year, I wore my Mephisto sandals everyday, and they served me and my feet well!

Luisah

<Tennis shoes look like you should be playing tennis.>

I didn't think the OP meant the white sneakers used playing tennis, but a sporty/athletic style comfort shoe, of which there are hundreds now in an array of colors and are worn everywhere.

I agree with the posters who recommend closed shoes for walking on the cobblestones streets in Florence to save your toes; the stones are not level and it would be very easy to stub your toes. It could also rain and you'd end up with dirty, wet feet and a soggy footbed.

You will need shoes with a thick sole to cushion your feet and they come in both sandals and colorful athletic-style shoes. Sandals may be fine for Rome and Amalfi. You will have to try the shoes on to find the brand that works best for you. Proper fit is essential.

Suze wrote that Nike works for her but Mephisto does not. I'm the opposite. I like the Nike styles but have never been able to get the right fit and Mephisto's are perfect.

fishee

For winter: I loved my Aquatalia boots from Nordstrom ($119 on sale)-- red, completley water-proof suede with a 2 1/4 inch black rubber heel and decent tread with cushioned insole. They don't look like walking shoes at all -- style name, Julia.

I walked all over London, Paris, Milan, and Florence this winter in these great boots without a single hitch, whether on cobblestone or brick-paved roads, even icy pavement in Milan. (I took 3 cabs total so you can trust that I was walking a lot...) Worked great with both jeans and black dress pants. Aquatalia run true to size, for Santana Canada boots (incredibly warm and waterproof, many boots with 2 1/2 inch heels) go up one full size.

loisco

I have really bad feet... Last trip I took black SAS shoes but not enough support, so this trip I have black New Balance sneakers. I am not happy with the choice but at least they are in black. Comfort seems more important than style at this point....

TamaraEden

I just did my shopping for walking shoes this weekend. Nordstroms does seem to have the best selection in good walking brands. I found a pair of slip on casual but nice walking shoes made by Geox. These are super comfy, but they didn't have my size or the color I wanted. I looked online and found a company called: Walkingonclouds.com who ships for no fee. I searched all over the web for this pair. Nordstroms was out. I went ahead and bought a pair of Merrel's at Nordies just in case the pair I have shipped don't work out.

Anyway, Geox are made especially to prevent feet from perspiring, they have this air system. Sounds like a great idea for walking when weather is hot.

gard

Hi

My wife and I did a lot of walking in Rome last year. I think the most important thing is that you use shoes that you have broken in (or what the term is in English). I have posted a trip report with pictures and links on my homepage http://gardkarlsen.com/rome_italy.htm by the way. Maybe you can find some useful information there

Regards
Gard
Stavanger, Norway

Treesa

I've tried different brands and models. I finally found Geox shoes. No blisters even after walking 1-14 miles per day.

bookchick

I found a good shoe by Rieker-Antistress. It's called Susan I and comes in 3 different colors. It's very comfortable, and cool, although it's closed toe. I bought two pair.

You may also want to check out the huaraches, both open and closed toe, as well as a type of huarache lace-up "oxford" on Travelsmith. I think that may be my next purchase.

Buon Viaggio,
BC

suze

Forgot about them, I also like Geox but their sizing is a bit tricky. But very comfortable once you find a style and fit. You can see them at zappos.com

TamaraEden

Zappos didn't have the shoe I liked at Nordstroms, which is how I found that walkingonclouds.com site. Free shipping is a plus too