Which Comfortable Shoes?
 

Going to Germany for 2 weeks---doing a lot of walking but in business suits. Can anyone recommend a comfortable shoe that will work with suits?

Merrell shoes are the most comfortable, in my opinion. Maybe not dressy enough for suits.

Prada Sport loafers are all black leather, smart, but have a sporty rubber sole so are comfortable to walk in.

However, I'd never wear walking shoes with suits - they never really look right. You're best off with just a standard rubber soled or leather soled smart shoe - good shoes (for men) should always be comfortable, and not rub.

Hi Darbie,

I'm sold on Dansko clogs. Get some in leather and shine them up -- they'll look good enough for business.

s

Mmm...Darbie, man or woman? Women wear business suits too.
IF you are a women, I find that Rieker and ARA shoes are comfortable and look fine with business suits (both brands are popular in Germany). I also have a few pair of Stuart Weitzman stack-heeled shoes that I can wear for hours and still be ok.

A "woman" not "a women" unless, of course, your real name is Sybil.

Hi.

Ecco. Perfect.

B.V.

Male: Cole Haan/Nike have a line of men's shoes that combines the best features of these two brands.

Female: Arcopedio, Softwalk, Ecco all have normal looking pumps with walking shoe features (check travelsmith.com).

I just bought a pair of Josef Seibel shoes, and they're a top of the line shoe that goes very nice with suits and are very comfortable. I've been wearing them to work often and find my feet are never tired at the end of the day.

You can find them at Nordstrom.

Jules

I love my Ecco's but they weren't comfortable for my friend.

Try on several "makes" and "models" and spend some time walking around the store.

If you are male, Ecco makes a very comfortable black dress shoe. If you are female, several models have smooth toes and would work with slacks. I even wore a pair to the opera in Venice with a long skirt and no one noticed my practical shoes.

As a person who has suffered a lot of foot pain, expecially on cobblestones, I will put in another vote for ECCOs.

For men you can get as dressy (and still comfortable) as you want all the way to wingtips. I wear them every day and I even have a more casual waterproof pair that I wear in Europe in the winter. I think would have come in handy recently with all the flooding.

I bought a pair of MBT's for my upcoming trip. They are quite unique. Any surface you are on feels like it's padded.

Thank you so much! I am a woman and have been looking for shoes all over the place. I will take a look at all the suggestions. Have you ever heard of Geox shoes---or David Plinger?

..I am on my feet all day at work and have walked miles and miles over European cobblestones. I don't think there is one brand of shoe. I find that one brand which may work for someone doesnt work for me...a high arch, fairly wide over the ball of my foot with a narrow heel. I wear 1 1/2" heels all leather which I take with with me to Europe. They work well. The point of this rather long winded note is that find shoes that you would wear at home for a business meeting and that you can walk in for a mile. Make sure they are well broken in. These will work! there is no magic "brand". Use your common sense as to appropriate style, make sure they are good quality (no synthetic uppers), and wear them for a number of weeks before the trip.

I have several pair of Geox and they're great shoes (but I don't know of any of their styles that would look right with a skirt, if that's the original question). You can see the full line of Geox at zappos.com.

Joseph Siebel + my feet don't match, I keep trying on various sizes and styles because they seem so great, but aren't for me. Point being different makers work for different feet.

While you are testing shoes out, try Donald Pliner. I wear them a lot with business suits and certain styles are very comfortable. And, in the past, have even found Franco Sartos that were comfortable enough to walk to and from work in (about 6 miles roundtrip).

For more casual walking shoes, I love Born, Earth, and Dansko.

I can confirm the comfort level of Prada Sport. However, I doubt they'd match with the average suit. They're the most stylish comfortable shoes you can get though!

ttt

Bolo shoes can be very comfy - good padding. I bought a pair at Marshalls. They have a website, too. Just search that brand, and lots of stores where they are sold, as well as the official website will appear.

Hi Darbie, I assume you will be in Germany for business reasons. Is there any reason that you cannot wear what we in the US call "pantsuits" and in Italy what the Italian businesswomen call "trouser suits" while in Germany? If you can, and perhaps you cannot, that would sure simplify your shoe problem. Best wishes.