Are these shoes too American looking?
 

Hi everyone, I'm a 22 year old female and going for 2 months of backpacking in Europe starting July 22nd (Spain, France, Germany, and the Netherlands). I have really comfortable shoes but they're running shoes. I've read that wearing running shoes can make you a target, but mine are dark Merrell shoes and I think they might be okay ( http://thumbs3.ebaystatic.com/d/l225...48483082_1.jpg ). If they look really bad, I could buy a new pair of shoes-- It's just that I wouldn't have time to break them in and I'm afraid of getting something that will end up being uncomfortable. Please let me know what you think I should do.

Thanks,
Aspen

Target for what? If you mean pickpocketing you should be wearing a money belt, not worrying about your shoes. I wear hiking boots....

Those shoes are fine.

But so are white running shoes. People in Europe wear white sneakers too you know. It's not your shoes that will make you a "target" or not.

Gosh, white running shoes. Gack.

The shoes are fine btw.

If you are "targeted" it would more likely be because you had a backpack with valuables kept where they aer easy to pickpocket, or walking around a crowded area with a wallet hanging out of the back pocket of your jeans, or you set your purse down on a bench in a train station and turn away, or walking around looking lost and confused... again, any difficulties IF you run across them, it's not going to be because of your shoes.

I have a pair that is similar that I've worn in various parts of the world! Last year, while riding a gondola in Switzerland, another woman and I both laughed because we were we wearing the SAME shoes.

IMO, trying to walk with sore feet is not only miserable, it makes you more vulnerable than walking in a pair of shoes that you find comfortable. Go with them and enjoy!

Wear your shoes and be comfortable. The fashion police have given up on tourists, especially since many Parisians wear whatever they want anyhow. Carry a light pair of something else as back-up, especially after a rainy day has soaked your main footwear. My black runners have been in some mid-range-toney restaurants, including Train Bleu, and elicited nary a gasp nor even a glance.

I've just been in Europe and wore my black merrell's almost every day. Apart from anything else they are the most comfortable walking shoes I've ever worn. Mine look very similar to the shoes in your link except mine have zips rather than laces.

Be warned they aren't waterproof. We were caught in an almighty storm in Rome and by the time we got back to our flat snd I took them off, I could literally wring out my socks! However, I stuffed paper towel into the shoes, popped them in front of a sunny window and they were dry by the following morning.

Those shoes look very cosmopolitan to me :-) Wear them and enjoy your trip!

For a 2 month trip, I'd want to have more than 1 pair of comfortable shoes with me.

I wore my black zip merrels to the Czech Republic in 2012 and laughed when the lady sitting next to me on the plane told me she loved my shoes and then held up her foot to show she had the exact same ones. I'm going back to Europe in a month and just ordered another pair. I've worn my so much the insoles are lost and I can't get them really clean, but they are still my faves. Thought I should maybe look a little nicer for the trip.

suze wrote: "For a 2 month trip, I'd want to have more than 1 pair of comfortable shoes with me." I agree -- a second pair can be a lifesaver!

good looking shoes. Just don't wear bright green t shirts that say ridiculous things on it like some people do! Keep that for the Frat house

I'd pack a pair of 'rollup' black flats too. Light, easy to pack and go with everything. Also, much more acceptable in restaurants than sneakers!

And yes, I think there's a better chance you would be targeted as 'tourist' but the big backpack you'll be carrying around...

The Merrells are perfectly fine; but I could never do one pair; pack a pair of padded black ballets (New Balance, Puma, MeToo are very comfy). Hmmm, the waterproofing can be an issue, I had an old slip-on black leather Merrell that was waterproof as are now my NorthFace low-hikers. But Clark Wave line also has cute waterproof ones (most Clarks would not be in my closet). And I am old....

I've worn my Merrells to 4 continents so far. Believe me, that's not what pinned me as a tourist- my luggage, foreign accent, and utter inability to quickly convert currency into USD in my head are what did it :) Enjoy your trip!

Lots of young Europeans wear running shoes. This summer fluorescent colors seem to be particularly popular.

<i>Just don't wear bright green t shirts that say ridiculous things on it like some people do!</i>

I see plenty of Germans wearing t-shirts featuring the F-bomb.

Wear whatever you want and realize that to minimize the chances of being targeted, you need to not make yourself a target of opportunity: be aware of your surroundings, keep your bags and such closed, wear a money belt or similar (if that's your thing), keep your purse in front of you (keeping it again the small of your back is not advised), etc. Criminals target easy pickings.

I really don't see anything wrong with these shoes. Just wear them and make the best out of your trip. You can wear anything you want as long as you feel comfortable and when traveling, this is the most important aspect. Just enjoy the trip and stop caring about what the other people say. It's less probable you'll see them a second time, anyway.