Travel Footwear
 

I have reached the point where my current "travel" footwear needs to be replaced. As I search the internet and stores for new footwear that's stylish and comfortable, I thought I throw out the question to everyone.

What footwear do you love to take on vacation? And to make this more helpful for folks, how about adding the general price range and store where they are available?

My last set were both Cobbie Cuddlers found at Kmart. I just went by this weekend and neither style is currently in stock - I hope they come back by spring.

The sandals are beige suede lace ups. Nice cushioned insole and thick rubber sole. Not great for a nice dinner, but fine with a skirt during the day. They ran under $20.

The walking shoes are chocolate brown with a zipper on the top of the foot. Easy to slip in and out of at the airport, very comfortable for all day walking and light hiking, and they still look a bit classier than a pair of sneakers. They also ran under $20.

Almost exclusively SAS loafer-styles which I have to get on ebay (I buy them new) because there's no SAS store here. I have narrow feet & they fit & are so comfortable, I forget about my feet.

My favorite travel shoes include a pair of Ecco walkers which cost around $100 and can be found at places like Nordstroms, Whole Earth Provision or on-line at Zappos. Also very fond of my Josef Seibels which cost around $120 and can be found at the above mentioned stores. They wear like iron so I expect to still be wearing them when I'm 90. :-)

Toedtoes (still LOVE that name), I invested in a pair of the low top hiking shoes (I say low top because they are not high tops), and LOVE them. They offer excellent support, plus are so sturdy and solid. I prefer the low tops because they're more like athletic shoes and not boots. Mine are Teva's but there are many excellent brands.

Thanks BayouGal! :)

Sounds like lots of good ideas for new shoes... back to the stores for me!!

Another comfortable and rather nice looking mule or clog is available from Keen on Zappo's.

I love my Merrill slip on sandals. When they get grungy, I put them in the washing machine, or if on vacation, rinse them in the sink. They are very comfortable on my feet and easy to walk on all day over all sorts of surfaces.

I take my Nike Airs that I wear to the gym. Seriously, I have yet to find a "walking shoe" that is as comfortable.

I like Ecco, Naot, Merrill, Geox for regular shoes or sandals.

I know exactly what you mean, Suze. In fact, that's why I'd wear my hiking shoes to the gym once or twice a week until they were broken in right. Now they're perfect on or off the trail while traveling. :)

Nothing compares to Arcopedico! You can actually wash them in the washing machine. The uppers are a very sturdy, dense nylon knit that I've worn in all kinds of weather. The bottoms are ergonomic, but not clunky like Birkenstocks, and they feel like a combination of cork and rubber. A Norwegian woman turned me on to them and they are my favorite shoes ever. Absolutely the most comfortable shoes I've ever worn, and great looking. I get them on eBay and in flea market malls, like Festival in southeast Florida. You can go to Arcopedico.com to view the styles. I prefer the knit slip-on, like a soft clog with open back (style is called "light"). If you get the beige color, they look great with jeans and match almost everything. There's also a closed model (called Classic Slip-On) that I wear in the gym or for long walks. They're about $60 retail but much cheaper on eBay or at discount sites.

KeyGal - those look very interesting and the price isn't screaming "but I could have stayed on vacation another night for that amount" :)

Tell me more, please. The ones with the back do they fit all the way to the top of the heel? I'm looking at the lace up styles in their Nature line right now.

Also, how much of a lip do the bottoms have in the non-sandal styles? I have a "thing" about hard lips at my toes... OK that sounded really bad but I don't know how else to say it. 8|

KeyGal, I'd like to hear more about Arcopedico too. I had never heard of them.

Toed, I too, only like soft, moist lips at my toes. :))

Thank you BG - now I don't feel so bad, my comment was far more innocent than yours :) :)

Says you, toed! ;-) I just covered for you since it was way obvious that your mind was in the gutter when you made that posting. LMAO

I live in Crocs. They are the most comfortable shoes I have ever worn.
Sort of funny looking but when I am traveling and walking all over creation I don't care....I won't ever see those people again!

At home I really don't care either but do coordinate them with my tank tops!
www.crocs.com
Spend the $30 bucks and get the real ones instead of the knock offs. You won't be sorry.

I buy new shoes (or sandals), wear for a while to work, on weekends, and if extremely comfortable, I put them aside for travels only.

My daughter who worked as a pastry chef swears Crocs are the best, too. We saw LOTS of people wearing them while in Yellowstone/Tetons. So they must be a good travel shoe.

My favorites are any type of shoe by Merrell. I've found everything they make to be very comfortable and durable. I find great prices for them on Ebay.

About the Arcopedicos -- the closed-back ones fit just like a regular shoe except they're soft. The back comes right up to the top of the heel right below the ankle -- they seem to fit me in just the right spot and never rub or slip.

The lip on the slip-ons (closed back) are only about half an inch thick and only around the top of the shoes, not around the toes (although I might have misunderstood whatyou mean by lip?).

Go to ebay and search for "arcopedico" and you'll see dozens of results for a fraction of list price. Plus the pictures are better than on most of the shoe sites.

The style I've been referring to is Classic. I have the Classic Light (open back) and Classic Slip-On (closed).

Thanks KeyGal. The lip I meant is when the bottom of the shoe cradles your foot - sort of like a crater rim. Those bother me because they rub on my toes... (be quiet BG :) )

They definitely sound interesting. I am still hoping that my Cobbie Cuddlers will be back at Kmart soon - I've gotten so used to them.