suze

SeaUrchin, Check out Naot sandals... they're the "new birkenstock" -lol! and not nearly as ugly. ~Suze

MademoiselleFifi

In spring and fall, I've walked miles in an old pair of Series-G (Cole Haan/Nike) maryjanes and these DKNYs:
http://www.zappos.com/n/p/p/7282242/c/231.html
For winter, La Canadienne boots are warm and waterproof.

artlover

LucieV, I think you're right..."these boots ain't made for walking..." (at least not in Europe) and they need to stay home.

ekscunchy,
I agree--Paul Greens are incredibly comfortable--infact, they are made for walking, plus they look good too, so they make the cut. They are pricey, but I picked mine up at Nordstrom Rack, so they were a good buy too. However, mine look great with pants, but not the skirts, so I'm still up in the air there. Lots of good suggestions here though, as usual.

artlover

P.S. SeaUrchin,
DD wears Birkenstocks and loves them...but she's 23, so...

Amy40

I just bought Munro "Jolie" in black suede and wore them in NYC for four days. They will be what I take to France in the Fall as well. My requirements include wide widths and a removable insole so I can switch out with my orthotic inserts. They kind of look like dressed up sneakers to me.

As for Birks, I wear Gizehs almost every day of the year. I took them to France a few years ago in the summer and the only thing I wish is that I didn't have that thong between my toes for two weeks. Otherwise they were completely comfortable. I have black patent ones that I use for "dressy."

SeaUrchin

Ha, since I am 23X? I get the point. I do like the Naots, thanks. I think they are the ones that I want, oo oo oo.

amsdon

High high heels & dancing have wreched my tooties. They swell when I travel almost a size!

But I still prefer a bit of a heel instead of a flat even for travel
more comfort, & won't need to have pants with all those different lengths.

I found the softer soles & heels are trick for me for me walking but it's been hard to find a higher heel in the man made soft stuff...

so I found "Faux stack heels"
1.Softspots "Missy" has a 1 3/4 heel
looks like a loafer with a higher heel. "Stacked look heel" is really that polyurthane or similar. Shock absorbing looks ok if you are that certain age.

Got them at www.shoetrader.com (all widths incliding Extra wide!)

2. Dansko Raphael also has the same substance for the heel and higherr too than most ....shock absorbing. More $$ $145. Looks good w/ pants only like a short boot.

I agree need the forum for the travel wear & tips...

Thanks all

luckie16

I am going to the Clark's store tomorrow. I really hope to find a comfortable ankle boot with at least a one inch heel. I leave for Paris next week. I will travel to Spain and Italy. I will report my results upon my return. I am going to post my own question regarding this. I need recommendations as well.

specs

I've had good luck with Clark's and if you are in the UK you can find lots of styles that are unavailable here. I buy a pair there every summer and there's no break-in period. Just buy 'em and go.

Sea Urchin, the main problem with Birkenstocks is your feet will be dirty in no time in the city and while walking on pea gravel paths in gardens & parks, you will find the birkies tend to toss the gravel right into the footbed of the sandal. I think I still have pea gravel imbedded in my instep from a trip in '94.

No one has mentioned the dreaded "museum legs". Some of the recommended shoes are great for walking but are not great for standing. I'm a docent at a museum and the general consensus among my peers is that a low shoe with good ankle support and cushioning is best for preventing leg fatigue and pain. I love my 3 pairs of Skechers, but there's not enough padding for standing. My Cole Haan/Air Nike slip ons stay at home too. They are nice and cushiony for brisk walking, but cause feet-puff (my word) when standing for any length of time.

I visit Zappos at all hours searching for the perfect blend of comfort and style. I have yet to find something that looks genuinely pretty with a summery dress or skirt. The search goes on.

scatcat

Amy40

I am thinking about buying the Munro Jolie too. They are available in 4A and it is really hard to find a decent looking narrow shoe. I'm getting them in taupe color and hoping they will look okay with capris.

mrkindallas

I recently purchased the Teva Noosa and it is my favorite shoe ever. I love the look of them, too. Purchased through Sierra Trading Post at http://tinyurl.com/2tnvey for $49.95. As a bonus, the inner sole pulls out and converts to a sandal. It's really only for indoor use, but it is a neat feature. These are probably technically walking shoes, but I think they are very stylish - not anything like the typical walking shoe. Also, these shoes are probably not right for narrow-footed people. I generally buy wide-sized shoes and was concerned about purchasing these, but they have a very roomy toe box and fit me perfectly...but probably wouldn't the narrow-footed individual. I plan on this being the only pair of shoes I take with me on my trip. They are actually more comfortable than my running shoes.

suze

SeaUrchin- at the Naot website. The two pair I had a love affair with last summer and thru winter beach trips...
"jessica" in copper and "ashley" in black.

noe847

Amy40, thanks for the tip on the Munros. I think I'll give them a try. I need wide shoes to accommodate an orthotic as well, and they're not all that easy to find. These are pretty cute.

mms

Just back from purchasing the Keen Portolas at REI. Needed something comfy for on the plane and for our days around Normandy. These are sooooo comfy!

McAllister

For those of you that are looking at buying Clarks, I suggest you check Marshalls. This weekend I bought a pair for $34.99 that are normally $60.00. They were actually pretty cute (the toe was not large and round) and I am VERY picky. (To be fair, I returned them because I did not find them all that comfortable but apparently they work for some feet!)

I am on a hunt for black Skechers now!

sandypaws3

Clarin,
Not sure I'd call them even "semi" stylish, but I don't think they're ugly. I swear by my SAS, but I'm 60 and more interested in comfort than style I have ECCO -- comfortable, but not good for the miles of walking we do in Paris -- and Mephisto. The SAS are the most comfortable on my feet.

Sandy

myst

Having just returned, I can tell you every woman in europe had jeans tucked into boots.

I took my Uggs, no arch support, because it was freezing last week and I was going to Alps to snowboard, but what I wish I had room for were my 9-West Herricks, available on zappos.com. These boots look high, but they are a rubber wedge heel and like walking on a pillow. I highly recommend you try a pair. Free returns on Zappos for 365 days, so pretty risk free.

They are stylish and comfy. I had pair of sketcher sneakers too, but only wore those twice as it was quite cold!

cigalechanta

It was rainy and cold last year in February and I was so glad I brought my 20 year old UGGS who are so warm, confortable and not as bulky as the ones they make now. Several French women asked were I bought them. I also wore my French Sole Ballerina flats and those I have been wearing for several years and are now so stylish. I love the Repettos, popular here and in Pars but not as much support and not so attractive in larger sizes.

Kealoha

I just came back from the mall and bought a pair of wedge (about an inch, maybe 1.5 inches heel) sandals made by Cole Haan. They have a Nike Air cushion. I have a pair also from Cole Haan with the same cushion but are flat mary jane style, and they ARE comfortable. I also swear by Merrells who came out with these nice Mary Jane looking shoes (which I also have). I wear them with jeans, and skirts. The Cole Haan (and even Merrell) can be expensive (since I've become a stay-at-home mom dropping so much money on shoes makes me flinch) but I think its a wise use of money. I figure we're spending X amount of money on a vacation, and I don't want to be miserable. Second, bad shoes can translate to bad back (I know, I've been to physical therapy). So I try to get the best shoes I can for my money. Good luck!

vanw

Besides the Keens (Barcelona - mary jane style) that I ADORE and raved about earlier, now that spring is coming I wanted to also mention Chacos sandals. Incredibly comfortable, mold to your feet, perfect for miles of walking on any surface.