BTilke

Anybody going to Germany, Austria, Belgium, etc. can wear their comfortable shoes and blend right in...the majority of women in those countries have a sensible attitude toward shoes and you won't see as many tripping around in high strappy heels (except for fancy occasions) as you might in the style centers of Italy.
German/Scandinavian brands work well...Rieker and ARA for example.

Stuart Weitzman also makes some stylish low heeled shoes and slides. I bought a couple of pair in London and they do well overall, although I probably wouldn't want to wear them all day every day on a trip that involved a LOT of walking on cobblestone streets.

Geoxx is also popular, but try them on to see how you feel about that "bump" in the middle. A friend really wanted a pair of Geoxx until she actually tried them on and found she just couldn't get comfortable with them.

elnap29

I also vote for Mephisto All-Rounders. They are less than half the price of the Mephisto "Rush" style (which is not attractive but a great walking shoe).

McAllister

Alright...I did it...I finally got my "walking" shoes. As a few people suggested, I tried on the Skecher Step-
Up and I love them! So, I bought those along with a pair of Aerosoles that lace up and are surprisingly pretty cute (with pants you can only see the toe). I am going to throw in a pair of cute black flats for dinner/dress-up and I am down to three pairs (including the pair I wear on the plane)!

FYI: I tried on a pair of Soft Walks that had the most amazing cushioning inside...seriously like walking on pillows! They didn't quite fit me right, but I suggest you give them a try! (They were not the most stylish shoe I have ever seen but for that insole, I would have sacrificed!)

P.S. I found both pairs at DSW and even though the Skechers were not on sale, they were still five or six dollars cheaper than normal. Definitely worth it if you have a DSW near you!

SeaUrchin

ding ding ding! we have a winner here.
I looked up Rieker shoes and they are cute! and look comfortable! Thanks!

nutjobz

re. Birkenstocks,
They make shoes too: their Footsteps line, which have a birky-type cork sole and come in 2 widths, narrow-about a B, and regular about a C. You have to break them in, but then you can walk all day.

SharonG

Just returned from Amsterdam and Paris with the TN Trio of Terror. The cobblestones are a killer in Amsterdam. Took two paris of SAS (yes the old nurse shoes) one in red leather and one in black nubuck (tied oxford style) and did fine interchanging their footbed with my orthotics. Also took a pair of Birkenstock clogs that I used in Rome two years ago and once again, I was glad I had them. Just kind of changed up among all three pairs. My feet still hurt after Amy's forced marches but they were always recovered by the next day.

cshellen

vanw - took your advice (and that of a few others) and bought a pair of the Keens Barcelonas through Zappos - I LOVE them! They're totally adorable, yet feel like my running shoes.

Zappos needs to pay this thread a commission!

schatzie8

OK, all you people out there - my problem is a "Neuroma", which I had operated on, but still can't ware shoes. All I seem able to ware is New Balance sneaker & even they hurt sometimes. Need a walking & dress shoe plus I have a wide foot. Any ideas?

pavfec

schatzie, what about a sandal? I've had operations on my feet as well and sandals seemed to be the best shoe to wear.

pavfec

A vote from me for Softwalks. I bought a pair of Softwalk mary janes last year before our trip to Amsterdam and Germany and they're great! They go well with pants and skirts and have the eggshell cushioning which makes them very comfortable.

I have large feet for a woman (size 12), so even if I wanted to try Mephisto or Ecco, I can't find any. It's a shame because they seem to be really comfortable.

llamalady

shatzie8:
I've got neroma woes myself - had the
op. last year and really, all it did
was alter the symptoms!

Anyhoozy, found Aravon sandals "Lena"
style. Made by New Balance but really
cute (even daughters noted the improvement in my footware!).

Not cheap (at least here in Canada)
but I have been loathe to take them
off my deformed footsies - and my
Merrills, Naots, Eccos, Wolkys,
Geox....on and on and on are all
relegated to 'back of the closet'
status.........

enzian

schatzie8, with a neuroma you may need an orthotic. Or try those "donut" shaped pads for your forefoot, the kind that support your foot around the neuroma without putting pressure on it.

Dress shoes will be hard because the incline of a high heel puts even more pressure on the tender area. Ouch.

You might look at the Cole Haan shoes that have Nike Air technology built in. Pricy, but effective.

noe847

thanks so much, llamalady - some of the aravon styles are pretty cute, and they have removable footbeds. May even work with my orthotic!!

The munros have been pretty good for an oxford-type shoe.

karenwliu

I highly recommend Camper Shoes. The styles are really cute (both flat and higher heel styles are available) but more importantly, they are extremely comfortable. Camper Shoes are available on Zappos as well. I've walked in my Campers for hours and hours and hours all over Europe without a bit of pain or suffering. The shoes are a bit pricey BUT they are comfortable and will last you for years.

GiuliaPiraino

I did 3 weeks walking in Italy wearing Privo Opanka Clogs (Made by Clarks). They were amazingly comfortable and I even was able to hike in them! They were also stylish enough, due to the 2.25" heal, to wear to dinner, etc.

http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/16232625/c/3.html

suzeeq52

http://www.zappos.com/n/p/p/7236880/c/6209.html

I just bought these Skecher "Biker Sightsee" MaryJanes for a trip to Italy in July, and they offer good support but are extremely comfortable! I live in flip-flops all summer but wanted something more substantial for lots of city walking. These have mesh which I hope will be a bit cooler than traditional MJs.

Zappo's has them for $59, but I got mine at DSW for $49

carolinabelle

I just got those same Skechers (the Sightsee) for my upcoming trip! I think they are very comfy & cute. I get very hot feet but they've been fine when I've worn them to work all day. I'm a teacher so I'm up and running around all day - looks like they will do well traveling.

suzeeq52

Well carolinabelle, you will look fashionable! I also work in a school; wearing my new Skechers from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and still feeling good was a true test of how they will work in Italy. Where are you going?

keepmoving

I absolutely love these Skechers too! Last year I bought a pair of these and a pair of shoes from the Walking Store. The shoes I paid a ton of money for at the Walking Store I only wore for 1 day and that was it. They just didn't cut it. So I put on the Skechers I bought and low and behold I wore them 12 - 14 hours in London walking and taking the stairs everywhere and they were fabulous. So much so that when I go to Paris in a few weeks I bought an updated pair in two different colors. Then found two newer ones that don't have the velcro across the top, but slip on. So now I am not sure which ones out of the 4 I am going to bring - definitely two pairs tho. Ah, such a dilemma LOL.

http://www.shoebuy.com/skechers-bike.../182474/410532

timetraveler1028

Carolinabelle Suzeeq57 and Keepmoving I am leaving in two weeks to spain and france and I bought 6 sckechers okay I will only take 3 pair but the others are for work. I am a Pediatrician and I am on my feet all day. I bought the ones that are http://www.skechers.com/catalog/brow...p;prodId=20658

My question is if you use the maryjane types with socks.?? I saw the ones with mesh and I suppose you don't use socks but what about the other ones? My feet sweat alot in closed shoes without socks so I prefer the sneakerhttp://www.skechers.com/catalog/browse.do? The callies are made of rubber and super comfortable. But I don't think they are appropriate for Europe function=displayProductList&gender=W&catId =5&index=0&viewAll=false&sort=popular& amp;prodId=8259&styleCode=21479
I bought 3 pairs of the sneaker type that slip on and don't have laces, but I plan to wear socks since I am a pants person. Except maybe at night I will wear some sandals I bought at nauralizer. This is a computer question how do I copy the link to the shoes so all you have to do is click on the site? I am very new to writing on these forums. thanks