Hello Houstonians!

I'm looking for a shoe store that will offer lots of variety in quality walking shoes. I've already tried the major department stores at Memorial City and didn't find anything that interested me. I've also been to REI and Cole Haan stores on Westheimer.

I have discovered a store called the Walking Store at the Galleria but only had time enough to do a quick peek of their merchandise. When I return there, I'll go pop in to Brucette's to check out their merchandise.

Does anyone have a favorite store that offers "the perfect pair of vacation shoes" but doesn't look like I'm about to go hike up a mountain. As budget goes, I'm willing to spend up to $200 to find something that will leave me with "happy feet" upon return to the hotel room after much walking each day.

Thanks

Oh, and if the shoes didn't look like tennis shoes, that would be a big plus!

There once was a shoe store in Rice University Village called the European Walking Store...or something to the effect. Anyway, when I was in Houston three weeks ago they were no longer there but I'm wondering if they simply moved. They had a wide variety of walking type shoes in your price range.

I made a trek to my closest Nordstrom's to buy my Mephistos for my trip last year. If there isn't a Nordstrom's in Houston do a web search for Mephisto to see the closest store that carries that line. The store will probably carry other similar shoes. The Mephistos did the trick on the France trip and I wore them virtually every day once I got home. Worth every penny (I think $160)

Houston stores -
Nordstrom - 5192 Hidalgo
Harold's - West 19h
Larry's - Post Oak
Dillard's = Post Oak
The Walking Company - 5015 Westheimer

I'd go to Nordstrom first. They'll have lots of stylish options - but be sure to try on several pairs of Mephistos.

Several years ago there was a Mephisto store on Westheimer, near Highland Village. It could be out of business by now.

Jim

Maybe I'm cheap, but I got a wonderful pair of walking shoes for $30 at Payless Shoes. I added a pair of thick foam insoles for even more cushioning. They're brown leather, with a kind of gym shoe appearance, pretty decent looking with jeans or khakis. These were purchased for a trip to Ireland, and even after many miles of walking I returned home without a single blister. This is something that had always been a problem in the past. It might be worth checking out.

My favorite spots for purchasing vacation shoes have already been mentioned -- Walking Store (in the Galleria), Dillard's (next to the Galleria), and Nordstrom's (in the Galleria).

Susan

Just a quick update. I had a successful day at the Dillard's at the Galleria but wish there had been sales. I rarely find them at Dillard's but the selection is always good.

Thanks for the names of all the other stores. I look forward to checking out some of the other stores after the next pay check!

I haven't seen Mephistos on sale very often. I guess it's the old supply and demand thing.

I paid full price (which is FAR more than I usually pay for shoes) and they have been worth every penny.

They look strange, but I wouldn't be caught out without my Z-Coils. I bought mine at Crazy Coil, but there is at least one other store in Houston. I found the addresses on- line on the Zcoil website. I have plantar faciitis and wear my orthotics over their molded footbed. I bought the sport type of shoe. They have a few other styles, but not many. Worth every penny to me.

Nordstrom's on line is a great place to shop if you know the size and style you are looking for. Since we don't have a Nordstrom's where I live, I order frequently since they now only charge $5 per order regardless of $ amount of the order.

If I may be so rude as to ask-

I saw the Z-Coil shoes for sale at the Nutcracker market. I believe that they were selling in excess of $200. Was that the case of Crazy Coil too? The website posts no prices.