Dallas

Hi, kismetchimera. I, too, swear by SAS -- nothing else works for me. I've tried all of those grandmere listed except Arche and Naot. I really like the looks of some of the Rockports I've seen, but they are cut too high under the ankle bone for me. I don't know what I would do without my SAS!

Jun04ItalyHoneymoon

I just bought another pair of Merrell sandals for my trip to Italy. They are soooo comfortable. I also have a pair of Clarks that have walked all over Los Angeles, Orlando, New York City, New Orleans, and London that will be making another trip.

SUNSHINE1223

Josef Seibel or Born for me

Jackie

I need lots of arch support and have been wearing Danskos for years. With summer almost here, I just bought Eccos and Naot sandles. The Naot's felt like the perfect shoe as soon as I put it on. It has a cork shoebed and really good arch support.

margyb

I LOVE my SAS sandals. I've taken the same pair to Europe several times and wore them everywhere. We were in Paris during the horrible heat wave last summer and I wore them every day. You can usually find them in Red Wing shoe stores.

suze

I know my answer has already been touched on by others but I'll repeat it because it's so important! All the brands mentioned are good, but it depends what works for your own feet. And wear them aLOT before your trip. Even ones I thought I've had broken in, and seemed comfortable gave blisters after a hard day of walking European streets. Another tidbit... I take thin, lightweight cotton ankle socks, so your foot isn't in direct contact against the shoe all day. Believe me, that's saved the day.

Annie5304

Just returned from three weeks in Europe, I wore my Teva sandals in many places and they were wonderful!

rachel_s

This is a great thread -- I just got back from 3 weeks in Spain (lots of walking) and my biggest worry beforehand was shoes. I wound up wearing tennis shoes (tacky American, I know) and comfortable old sandals, but I never did feel I'd solved the problem satisfactorily. I'm going to make note of some of these suggestions for future reference. Thanks!

Fodorite018

Munro's are my favorite. I have worn the regular shoes of those to Europe several times and they were great. I do own the sandles as well and live in them in the summer, just have not been to Europe in the summer to wear them. I buy mine at Nordstrom.

MAP

Chickgeek,
I am just like you. Had severe plantar faciatis one year ago. The shoe that saved my life was made by Finn, a German shoe. Not cheap at $200 for sandals. However, they have a removable, sturdy arch support/sole that the Comfort Plus shoe store can build up to give extra support if necessary. With my very high arches, I needed the customizing. Now, I can walk for hours anywhere. Leather is soft and fit is great. I love my Finns!

kismetchimera

You can find SAS shoes in the internet also.They have a web site..I have been their customer since 1983...My feets thans them everyday

I was also in Paris last year during the heat waves..I brought two sandals in different colours. One navy blue and the other a chocolate brown..

Chicago_Heather

Dansko are particularly good if you need a harder sole. Some of the summer sandal styles run too wide for my feet, though.

Born and Ecco usually are great. I also have a couple of pairs of Reiker sandals that have really held up and are comfortable.

As others have posted, it's such an individual decision based on your feet. Mephistos shred my feet and Clark's tend to not give me enough arch support, and Birk's are too wide.

Chicago_Heather

Oh, and Nordstrom's ran a full-page ad in the papers here for GEOX shoes that have special "breathing" hole and soles. They claim to be very comfy. I was thinking of trying them out as the photos look fairly stylish and cute. Anyone tried this brand and have feedback?

Hee_hee_hee

The uglier the shoe, the more comfy it will be.

kimamom

I tried on the Dansko sandal at Gimre's in Astoria last month and fell in love with it. It goes for around $125 but if I buy them in Oregon, no sales tax. The leather was so soft and I felt like I was walking on air!! ***kim***

Scarlett

Sad but True-ugly shoes do tend to be comfortable
Chicago Heather!!
I tried the Geox on in Nordstroms back in the winter, they seemed very comfortable.. I would have probably gotten a pair if they had the style I wanted at the time..soft, very soft~

papagena

I got some Geox sandals in Rome a couple of years ago and they're the best walking sandals I've found. The style isn't exactly high fashion but it's inoffensive.

Given that my preference is for pretty, delicate, high-heeled sandals (which inevitably have me hobbling by the end of the day), when it comes to sensible shoes 'inoffensive' is quite high praise from me.

Chicago_Heather

Thank you, Miss Scarlett and Papagena. I'm going to check them out at lunch tomorrow!

SalB

Birkenstocks are my handsdown favorite. I've hiked miles and miles in them. They are not the hippy Birks of yesteryear. You can get all sorts of styles including a sling back wedgie and a Mary Jane. If you have high arches, nothing else comes close if you are planning to walk ten or more miles a day . . . easy to do in Europe! Many styles come in either narrow or wide widths which is handy.

coccinelle

So many brands, so many choices but as a few said, it is all in one's own feet that decides.A thank you to all posters.