Best ladies walking shoes for Europe
 

We will be traveling to Europe and Ireland in late Summer-Fall and I need recommendations for
comfortable shoes to wear during long days of sightseeing. We would like something that would
help me blend in, not looking like a obvious tourist. I do have a decent pair of sneakers but I would like something else like a ballet flat or slip on shoes. Any recommendation would be greatly appreciated.

Ballet flats are fine for evening but NOT for "long days of sightseeing". You need something with good underfoot padding and support, WELL BROKEN IN!

I take over-the-ankle light hiking boots, but I need the ankle support. A good pair of sneakers, or something from an outfit like Ecco or Rockford should work.

You will look and sound like a tourist regardless of your footwear, don't worry about it.

>>would help me blend in, not looking like a obvious tourist<<

First of all, almost everything about you will say 'tourist' so what's on your feet will have no impact.

2nd -- the same sorts of footwear is worn all over the world.

Everyone's feet are different so you need to find a brand that fits <i>your</i> feet. IMO you definitely need more support than what a ballet flat provides. There are so many styles of shoes that have decent soles and arch support but aren't big trainers. Go try some one . . .

we were posting at the same time :)

Wear whatever you would wear at home for a day out and about on your feet.

Take the sneakers (everyone knows you are a tourist and no one cares what's on your feet).

Merrell, Aerosoles, Clark, Naot, Geox, all have sturdy comfortable options in loafers or slip-ons.

Ballet flats are fine as a back up (bedroom slippers, on the plane, out to dinner close by) but not good for any kind of significant walking.

I have had very good luck with Clarks, especially the Mary Jane style. They are as supportive and comfortable as sneakers but look nice. I spent two months in London, wore them every day, for walking and dressing up, and they were perfect! Enjoy!

Wear your most comfortable, well worn-in shoes.

Everyone wears sneakers, from my kids to my mother who's in her 80s. Bring the ballet flats to wear for dinner if you like. You are more likely to 'blend in' wearing Nikes than wearing Merrell or something like that. I don't know anyone who wears those.

A number of sneaker manufacturers carry ballet flats in unusual fun colors, some with 1-2 inch platform rubber-soled heels. I have successfully worn FitFlops strolling indoors or in downtown areas, they also make 2-3" heeled thong sandals in metallics with rhinestones which I have worn comfortably in less crowded areas where I don't run the risk of anyone stepping on my feet(I never sacrifice comfort over style unless I am driving door-to-door). I have had luck with broken in Aquatalia and I love my worn out Stuart Weitzman low heel boots for fall trips, I can walk 4-5 hours in NYC in them.

When traveling, I see many people wearing Merrells, Clarks, Aerosoles, Seibels, etc.

But that's irrelevant, IMO -- the most important thing is to make sure that your feet are comfortable, and that means well broken-in shoes that you know, for a fact, can be worn on even difficult surfaces for long periods of times and long distances.

Honestly, the single worst experience I've ever had when traveling was when I developed blisters from the way my shoes rubbed my feet early in my trip. I spent hours in pain every day. Not fun.

I agree for me sneakers (running shoes) are the best "walking shoe" for traveling. That's what I would wear if I knew I'd be walking for miles and hours on any given day touring a city.

But I'd want a second pair of something to back them up. These Merrell are slip ons and look comfy but sturdy:
https://www.zappos.com/p/merrell-enc...80536/color/27

Plus the ballet flats.

unfortunately the most comfortable shoe for long walks are sneakers!
Also many brand do sneaker like shoes but they look more of a semi formal style.

Why 'unfortunately'? Just wear them if that's what you're comfortable in. I assure you women where I live (Belgium and London) wear sneakers all the time.
I had another look at Merrell shoes online. I don't doubt that they are comfortable, perhaps they're good for hiking, but I don't know anyone who would wear that in the city.

A brand isn't that important. All brands I see in a store have a fairly wide range of styles.
What's relevant is functionality .. what you want to do when you say 'walking around'. Walking/hiking shoes are graded for the variety of activity they are best suited for.
When it comes to 'smart' .. not sure what you mean. For walking shoes that I use mainly for towns and casual countryside strolls, I have a pair that can pass as normal shoes rather than obviously 'sporty’.

Thanks for all the comments and suggestions. I have been looking at Sketchers since they have some comfortable and cute styles, as well as Aerosoles. I will definitely plan
on bringing a pair of ballet flats for evening wear.

Has anyone worn Born ballet flats walking around for several hours and if so how did they do?

It doesn't matter how anyone else did wearing ballet flats. We are all different. My feet would not be happy walking for several hours in ballet flats because they offer no support.

Floridapugmom, I did not do well in ballet flats at all, I non't wear shoes that are so flat. Recently when I was in Lake Como I bought these loafers/ballet flats from a store called Quelli della Pelle and I can walk in those for hours, they are as comfortable as walking barefoot. I have worm fitflop gold loafers comfortably for hours and they are like sneakers.
The good thing is you have several months to try out before you leave - you can try out one of the pairs you say you like and carry them if they meet your requirements.

It is easy enough to find out whether ballet flats will work for you - I certainly wouldn't wear them for sightseeing.

I see that you live in Florida. Spend a day (or two) in St. Augustine, sightseeing. Visit the house museums, the lighthouse, the shops, etc. If you have some way of measuring distance you should walk eight miles or so, if not, time it for six to eight hours. If your feet are still happy after that, fine, take ballet flats. If not, perhaps you will value comfort and support over appearance.

FWIW, and with many of the caveats above about not bringing new shoes on a walking trip and making sure they fit YOU, etc...

I am looking at these, because an old pair of Cole Haan/Nike ballerina flats finally fell apart:
https://us.shop.ecco.com/bluma-summe...na-230703.html

They are available on Zappos and Amazon with free returns.

I do see the value of a comfortable pair of not-sneakers. This is easy to do with boots or booties, less so in warm temperatures.

Of course people wear sneakers all over the world, but a tourist faces the dilemma of walking all day but wanting to look a bit smart at dinner, perhaps, a situation in which a local would do a wardrobe change but a tourist often can't.

Those are cute, how did I forget ecco.

"how did I forget ecco"

By not reading all the posts. I mentioned Ecco in the very first reply.

vipsha what was the name of the shoe brand that you purchased in Lake Como?

Hi floridapugmom, they were made in the store - Quelli della Pelle in Bellagio. The young woman who was also a sales associate sewed shoes when she was not attending to customers. If a size or color was not in stock, they simply made a pair in a few hours. I was surprised that the shoes felt as comfortable as they did because they were very flat and the sole was not cushiony. It is worth mentioning that I found the prices to be reasonable and comparable to some of the brands being discussed here.

I wear Merrells everywhere I go, including cities. My ex-pat daughter, my English son-in-law and my English grandson wore them when they lived in Sydney and when they lived in London and still wear them now that they live in Dorset.. Given the incredible array of footwear you will see in any major world city, I seriously doubt anyone notices.Wear something supportive and comfortable and don't worry about what brand it is.

Thanks Scooterr!

If you are willing to spend a bit, Paul Green shoes and Arche shoes are both good prospects.

I have worn minimalist PG black walking shoes (with short lace up) to walk for miles in Europe. Styles change but give them a look.
The Arche shoes (egads, even more expensive) are attractive, stylish shoes highly suitable for city walking and evenings/aperitif hour/dinner. Ballet flats work for dinner/evening stroll but not for a ton of walking.

Good sandals that fit well (Naot, PG, a few other brands) I wear in warm climates.

Most of my travel is in Italy and they do pay attention to "La Bella Figura" or taking care with your appearance to look good, and I do make the effort there, just as I work to speak Italian. When in the UK, Germany, Austria, Ireland, etc. I am more likely to wear the sneakers/trainers. Even if Italians spot you as a tourist based on other factors (like not wearing fitted clothing), they often appreciate the effort to present a good appearance.

Thanks annw. We will be spending 2 months in Ireland and I know to make sure to have a pair of water resistant shoes for there. lol

A few years ago, when I was getting ready for a trip to Europe, I googled "best shoe for cobblestone streets" and this came up: https://www.keenfootwear.com/p/W-ROSE-SANDAL.html
Great choice - I have two pairs now. I wore them all over Europe, as well as on a month-long trip to India. Very comfortable, and you can actually wear them with a skirt out for dinner, and they look fine.
The other wonderful thing about these shoes is that you can wash them in the washing machine. I discovered this after wearing them in small villages in India - was almost going to toss them out, but after a wash, they look great.
They are durable and last forever.

scdreamer, thanks for the link. I will be checking out more Keens; sandals would not work for this trip as we will be
traveling during Fall.

I LOVE my Keen Rose sandals. I've had them for a couple years and the are still in great shape.

floridapugmom - even in fall, I think the Keen Rose sandals could work. They are closed toe. I would imagine they would be as warm and sturdy as ballet flats ... and a lot more comfortable on uneven ground.

I recently wore my Sketchers on a vacation that included a lot of walking every day and my feet felt the best they ever have after a long day. Mine are slip on. They also got wet one day and were completely dry by morning. They are also super lightweight.

I think it's nice and I do try to dress well when I travel. But I honestly from the bottom of my heart don't believe Italians care if I wear sneakers with my outfit.

Good to see this thread still active. I was in Paris this last April and found repettos, They primarily make ballet shoes, but I find their regular super comfortable and stylish. I found out later that stores in the US sell them too.

Comfort depends on what fits your foot best.
I have to wear Birkenstocks, or my plantar fasciitis flares up.
They aren't my favorite for looks, but I can ignore the aesthetics, in order to keep my feet happy and healthy.

Birkenstock does make a ballet flat:
https://www.lordandtaylor.com/birken...SABEgI0B_D_BwE

I've switched to Keens since they have a wide toe box and decent support, which I need for my very flat feet.

They often have good half-price sales on their own website.

mlgb, I also love Keens. They are not often the best looking, but they offer support and comfort.

I prefer Ecco

Speaking of shoes there is a place called The Walking Company in a mall in Schaumburg. Il. I recently bought a pair of shoes (Abeo brand) with custom inserts and which I find very comfortable. You stand on and step over a pad which gives measurements of your specific pressure point and the analysis was spot on too. I don't know if this store is available where you are but to get a good pair of shoes with custom inserts to your specific pressure pattern should be and I think this is the way to go.
The cost is a bit high for the shoes and the inserts, around $190.00 but they should last a very long time, my wife likes them, a huge intangible, :p and then you have their comfort level too. For me it was worth it.

Abeo is the store brand of The Walking Company. and yes they are very good. I like their sandals even better than their shoes.