tamtravels

I'm going next weekend and I've been shopping for shoes for awhile. I have to make up my mind this weekend so I can start living in them. Today I went ahead and tried on the Mephisto Allrounder in black, fabulous but quite pricey. I also like the Merrell Siren tennie type shoe in either blue or tan. They may make a good duo for Italy. I'm not big on sandals but plan to take a slipon of some type for shoe breaks.

Whatever I do, I'm definitely packing bandaids and moleskin. Been to Disneyworld for days on end, I know what to do in that regard. There are no cobblestones there tho!

geg5150

I cannot say enough about Keen shoes. I love the Sofia style, kind of an "athleticky" ballet slipper. And the Seattle Mary Janes are perfect for lots of walking. They have great insoles and sturdy soles.

Luisah

<<I thought athletic shoes were a no-no in Europe, but perhaps it's just the blinding white ones.>>

Then you'll be surprised how many you'll see there, even white.

nbujic

I recommend Allrounders highly, they are exp. but worth it.

suze

I really recommend trying to get something together so you'll be able to avoid blisters, bandaids & moleskin! It really puts a damper on the trip (been there done that).

tamtravels

I actually did pick up the Mephisto All-Rounder Niro in black today. Soooo expensive, but not so bad when you think how shoes can make or break a trip. Still thinking of getting the Merrell Siren tennies and haven't returned the Merrell jungle mocs yet. Just not sure about them. The suede looks like it might be warm, but everyone claims that the pigskin isn't bad...and they feel wonderful.

Thanks for the help!

cupid1

Shoes you KNOW your feet love are all that matters. More money doesn't always equal more comfort, either, and the shoe should breathe and feel great the moment you put it on.

I'm a big fan of Cole Haan Nike Air and wear the sneaker style (black suede with patent detail) working at a physical job for 12 hours or more, same thing with Privo (Firebolt style) and Mary Jane Crocs. I cannot be uncomfortable as it will translate into poor work. I've worn Merrells in the past and found after about 5 hours the comfort factor dropped.

Took the Cole Haans and Privo to Italy but left the Crocs home in consideration of fashion. Very sorry I did; they would have been perfectly appropriate and oh-so-comfortable. Saw several Italians in matte gold not-as-cute clog-style Crocs. Learned a fine lesson to wear what my feet want and not worry about what "they" would approve of!

SeaUrchin

The crocs are really that comfortable? Wearing them for hours walking on cobblestones? Sounds interesting.

I love the Cole Haan nikes too, so comfortable and sleek.

cupid1

My husband is an athletic man with foot and knee injuries. He wanted to pack Crocs, claiming he would wear them indoors only, as slippers, and thus not risk Fashion Polic arrest. Since they weigh nothing and squash flat, I couldn't say no.

However, after the second Crocs sighting he took them out and wore them all over Rome and was amazed to find that, unlike his Merrells and Adidas, nothing hurt at the end of the day. Wore them all day every day after that, except for a dinner.

I don't think the ballerina-style Croc flat could make this claim. It's still more cushiony than any other flat out there, but not nearly so much as the Mary Jane or clog styles.

SeaUrchin

Hmm, thanks. I must try on the wrong size in the stores, they flip flop and wobble and seem unsteady. But if they are that good I will try them again. I wish they had a deep gold, that should set me apart, lol.

normal1983

Hmmm...I've seen the Crocs, tried on the Crocs and can't imagine wearing the Crocs. They remind me of the "jelly" shoes my daughter used to wear as a small child. I just bought a pair of Joseph Seibel "Tanya" shoes and will be taking them to France in a week. They look good with jeans and although pricey I think they are comfortable. Can't wear them with much else though. Still looking for another pair of shoes that are a bit more feminine. And unfortunately I don't have much time to break them in but I have packed moleskin and bandaids. Hope I won't need them!

Betsy

I love my lime green Crocs. In fact, they're on my feet as I type this. But I just don't think they'd stand up to all the wear and tear you'd put on them walking on concrete and cobblestones on your trip.

tamtravels

Ok, now I have a silly sub-question to the original. For touring - if you wear a mary jane style shoe, what kind of socks do you wear? Do you wear those ped type things, otherwise known as little boats? Those leave the top of your foot exposed to the sun. Or do you wear a fuller sock that matches the color of the shoe? Told you it was a silly question.

RM67

I don't wear Mary Janes, and I don't think they're very common in Europe anyway. The only time I'd wear socks would be with boots, loafers or trainers - any open type shoe or sandal = no socks.

Do people really worry about things like this though? Unless I'm going somewhere culturally very different to the west (eg somewhere Islamic where I might need to keep more covered up) I would never obsess about clothes, shoes, levels of smartness or casualness, acessories etc. All I'd do is look up the weather and pack something appropriate.

Is all this worrying an American thing? 8-)

Luisah

<<Shoes you KNOW your feet love are all that matters. More money doesn't always equal more comfort, either, and the shoe should breathe and feel great the moment you put it on.

I'm a big fan of Cole Haan Nike Air and wear the sneaker style>>

So TRUE! My Cole Haan, Nike Air's are the most comfortable shoes I've ever had and they've taken me through several countries the past few years.

In my search for comfort I've bought Mephisto, Arche, Munro, Stonefly, Volkswalkers, Theresia (both German made), Rangoni and Sesto Meucci (my favorites for dress shoes). The Cole Haan with Nike Air heel (the thicker rubber sole style) were not the most expensive but are absolutely the most comfortable of all.

nbujic

"Is all this worrying an American thing"
I think so.
The question is : why?

I cannot imagine some Italian woman worrying about what to wear in Paris or New York.

toedtoes

<<Do people really worry about things like this though? Unless I'm going somewhere culturally very different to the west (eg somewhere Islamic where I might need to keep more covered up) I would never obsess about clothes, shoes, levels of smartness or casualness, acessories etc. All I'd do is look up the weather and pack something appropriate.>>

My logic has always been to find the most comfortable shoe that I like the look of. I don't worry if someone else thinks it's ugly. The same thing goes with clothing - if I think it's ugly, I don't take it; if I think it's cute and someone else thinks it's ugly, I do take it.

mari5

Comfort, comfort! But that is common sense, I guess.
We always travel in the late fall or early spring so I wear black pants AND ALL black "athletic" shoes. Nike makes a "trailrunner"...and others if you search. (and that has taken me to the opera in Vienna!)...no one looks if you are in all black...including an all purpose black coat if it is cold)
IF your feet and arches are good then you have a wider choice,,,,and if you are going in the summer then I'm not sure about the all black shoe with lighter pants.
If you have high endurance for walking..then you will know which of your shoes is the best. AND since you are leaving next weekend you might be sorry you didn't take some "old timers" (before they have broken down)

cupid1

Mari offers good advice to take an older, proven pair of shoes with you. If you are wearing trousers or jeans, probably only the top of the shoe will be visible, anyway.

Don't be a goof like me and listen to people who proclaim "such and such isn't popular over there" because you are going to see some of the craziest shoes ever on THEIR feet. And yes, this DOES include flats or pumps with a strap across the instep (aka Mary Janes).

SeaUrchin, here's the trick for getting Crocs to fit how you like, because I don't like the looser fit, either, but I do want the comfort:

If you are an in-betweenie size like me and want a 7.5 US, buy the 8's. Just always go up a bit size-wise. Then put them in the dryer with a few towels and run on high for about 3 minutes. Take them out and try them on while hot. Repeat until they are exactly the fit you want, then wear them around until cool. Now they won't slip around and are perfectly custom-molded to your soles.

Here's a link where you can see/purchase the gold ones we saw most often. I have seven pair, but no crazy colors except the silver ballet flats. http://comfortableshoes.com/item_preview.cfm?ID=2632

nbujic

Of course no one is going to stop you from entering a restaurant or the Opera because of your shoes or outfit, but..
I was in Paris one summer, , did not have the time to go to the hotel to change( I was wearing a linen shorts and shirt), and ended up at the Opera ( the new one ) in the same outfit.
Sure I got in, but I also got a lot
looks like " what the hell...