Hey,

I'm going to Italy and Switzerland in July and August. The last time I was in Europe, Greece, 15 years ago, I wore flip flops and did fine...This time, being 15 years older and a few pounds heavier I'm thinking a more sensible walking shoe is in order. I don't like to wear sneakers unless I'm playing a sport as I think they're too heavy to walk around in. I will bring a pair for hiking in Switzerland, however I would appreciate any suggestions for a good walking sandal(an oxymoron?) for city and country touring.

Many thanks....

I just bought some cute hiking shoes at the Sports Authority today. Keen has some sporty sandals that look comfortable. Try Tevas or Merrills. They have lots of styles.

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I like SAS sandals -- nice looking enough to wear "out and about" and comfortable enough to walk in. In closed walking shoes I like Paul Green line (available through Zappos.com)

My mom is all about Keens, and I have seen some great Merrells. I like tevas, but only wear them for amphibian hiking and sailing as I think they are way too casual for city streets.

The Kenneth Cole Reaction line is really fabulous and I saw a bunch of their sandals at the mall the other day. Very attractive and comfortable.

Prada has a cheaper label called Miu Miu that my cousin swears by. She lives in New York and walks miles and miles a day, always arriving to her appointments looking great and without pain in her feet.

I have a wide foot and Enzo Angiolinis fit me really well.

Depends on what really foots your foot well. I really like Stonefly because they have a liquid gel in the soles for cushioning. Josef Siebel fit my feel well because they tend to run narrower than most European shoes. By the way, I think you'll probably want something sturdier than sneakers for Switzerland; a hiking boot would be more in order.

Ecco has always worked best for me.

Thanks everyone, I've been checking out all the suggestions and I'm heading out to EMS and REI this morning...I agree that a hiking boot may be more appropriate in Switzerland, but I'm not sure I'll have the space as we're trying to keep our packing to a minimum.

My sense is, if the hiking gets to fierce, I'll sit, have a beer and wait for everyone else!!!

I just bought a Paul Green sandal that I'm wearing around the 'Burgh and planning to take to France later this summer. It's very comfortable and attractive.

Wear the hiking boots on the plane and when you move around. This is the way to save space.

I just bought a pair of Northface Ultra 103 XCR's to use on upcoming trip. They are waterproof with very good support. They look like a running shoe and weigh abot 1 lb. 11 oz.The BOA version has a nifty cable system for laces. The clerk told me that this type of shoe has pretty much replaced the old,bulky hiking boot.You might have a look. There are several styles as well as other brands in this type of shoe.Go to Northface or Rei website.

I LOVE WALKING IN MERRILLS. THEY ARE THE BEST!!THEY ALSO HAVE DIFFERENT STYLES. I LIKE THE CLOGS. I WALKED ALL OVER ITALY, UP AND DOWN HILLS WITH THEM AND NEVER HAD A PROBLEM. THEIR SANDALS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE WONDERFUL, ALSO.

I like Earth and Born the best. Just returned from Italy, where we walked everywhere, and I was very pleased with both brands of sandals. Also, if you change your mind about sneakers, Merrell's are awesomely comfortable and stylish, and not at all bulky - at least the pair I have.

Birkenstocks are the best for my foot. They mold so perfectly, they are a must for keeping my plantar faceitis (sp?) at bay. Plus, there are many, many styles, colors and fabrics of Birkenstocks now, not just the old "hippie" style. I have some leather ones, some black fabric ones, off-white, etc. I couldn't do a walking vacation without mine. Of course, I wouldn't wear them for hiking in the Alps.
Have fun on your trip!

I just got three pair of Clarkes. They are really comfortable, have a nice foot bed, and are cushioned. I have NOT walked for miles and miles in them. I have styles that cover a fair amount of my foot. The give more support that way and fewer straps to rub somewhere. I did find that they run a bit large. I have one style that I probably could have gotten a half size smaller. The other styles are fine. I ordered from Shoebuy.com

Boy, there's nothing like to topic of shoes too bring women together!!! Well, because of all the help here I made great strides today.

First, I bought a pair of Keen Newports for trekking around Switzerland which are most definitely, the UGLIEST but most comfortable shoes I've ever purchased. Then, I picked the Merrill sandals and Teva corks for the Italian towns and cities...So, it looks like I'm all set. I'll have to revisit the other thread which asks women how many shoes they pack. I personally don't think flip-flops should count as a whole pair though!!

Again, many thanks.