Which shoes were made for walkin'
 

Are Ecco brand shoes as comfortable and cushiony for walking around cities, Paris, Amsterdam as running-walking type? Sales people say they're great. I'm thinking of tying a pair but am accustomed to Rebok type.
Any experience out there?
Thanks,
Dari

You don't have to spend a lot for comfy shoes. We spent a month in Europe several years ago, never rented a car and walked almost everywhere. I wore a pair of black Naturalizer sandals most of the trip--not as stylish as some but not as ugly as most! They had very soft soles and great arch support. Last year our new puppy chewed them to pieces--and she had to stand up on her hind legs to pull them off a shelf with 12 other pairs--how do they always know your favorites?! They've been discontinued and I still haven't found anything I like better.

Hi dari--Yes, it has been my experience that eccos are really that great. I was in Europe for 5 weeks last summer and spent most of my time in a pair of black ecco walkers--the year before, I was in Europe for 4 weeks and spent most of my time in the ecco shaker--between the two the ecco walker wins hands down. While both are comfortable, the walkers have more cush so my feet held up longer. While traveling between cities I slipped on a pair of Timberland mules which were also extrememly comfortable but not always practical since the back is open. I hope this helps you :-)

I second the Naturalizer comments (although I've never tried Ecco).

I've worn my Naturalizer "Music" loafer-type shoes for my last several trips and conferences. Nothing (including very expensive tennis shoes/trainers) has ever been as comfortable.

They look OK - fairly nondescript and come in a good variety of colors.

I like them so much that I own them in 6 different colors. (No, I don't take all 6 on trips! 2 pairs is my max.)

Gayle

I agree Eccos are great and I alternated them with a pair Joseph Seibels which were equally as great. If you spend time on the Europe board a lot of the "fashion police" rail against wearing any kind of sport shoe because it identifies you as a poorly dressed American. It's pretty entertaining.

Thanks everyone,

I say je m'en fiche to the Fashion Police.
By the way, on my first trip to Paris year and a half ago the shoe that many women and men were wearing were designed around sport motif.

I love my leather Teva walking sandals. I have a hard to fit foot and have had a terrible time locating comfortable walking/hiking shoes for summer.
They have a wide contoured foot bed and cushioned straps that hold firmly. Also the sole is like an athletic shoe. I personally think they look good with just about anything. They cost between 40-70 dollars depending on where you get them...

I'm not sure an open toe would work, ran in the forecast.

2 years ago, I was having foot pain daily. Even with athletic shoes, I had heel pain. One pair of ECCO's later, no pain. I now have 7 pairs, some more stylish, some more "comfort" shoe with 2 pairs of sandals. (I hit a buy one get one half price at the outlet in Williamsburg leading to 4 of the pairs!)
I wear them for power walking, travel, shopping and my feet do not hurt. I love ECCO shoes and plan to wear the sandals and the walking shoes in Italy this summer.

See the "Other" forum.

Already discussed in depth at
http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...p;tid=34387159

Dari - I have some ECCO open toe mules that I got via LL Bean Traveler. They are comfortable, but they stretched out relatively quickly and became loose on me. I also noticed my feet sweat alot in them. Since I'm sure you realize they weren't inexpensive shoes, I wasn't too thrilled. I had two pairs of $30 Steve Madden sandals that I trapsed all over Italy in and never had a blister or a moment of discomfort. I think the key to happy feet is to mix up the shoes you wear (don't wear the same pair of sneakers every day on your trip) and also, take the time for a little pampering footbath (we brought Dr. Sholls foot bath tablets or packets) and did a nightly footbath to give back to our feet a little. If you treat your feet well, they'll be good to you too! Also for summer, I prefer open shoes that allow feet to breathe vs. closed up ones with stinky socks! Just MHO! Trish

I have several pairs of Ecco sandals which I have worn many times on vacation. They are very comfortable for long walks and have a decent amount of cushioning and support. They are awfully expensive though.

I agree with txtravelpro about Teva sandals. In the summer, I wear them as I would running shoes (walk the dog, walk myself) and they are every bit as comfortable.

Last fall I got a pair of black leather (soft as butta) Monroes. Never heard of them before, but they are so soft and comfortable, I word them every day! They were stylish too.
Now I find that they make lovely soft leather sandals, just as soft and perfect for walking, with a tiny bit of a wedged sole.
I got mine in Nordstroms and here in Fla at the Parisian.
Good luck!
What about Merrels (sp) mules?

I often obsess about the shoes I bring on European vacations (yes I cower in the face of the "fashion police"). Ecco are a great brand -- they fulfill both comfort and fashion requirements. I have a pair I walked all over Rome in. Aerosoles are one brand not mentioned on this particular thread. They have gotten snazzier and are very comfortable as well. Merrell also makes very sturdy good looking and comfortable shoes. I had a pair of Merrell slip-ons I wore all winter.

Check out zappos.com or sierratradingpost.com for good selection and price.

I live in Philly and walk alot, which is maybe why I obsess about shoes...

After wearing out my Prada walking shoes/sneakers, I found a great replacement.

The sole of the shoe is made by Nike Air and the top of the shoe is made by Cole Haan. They look like a tricked out pair of bowling shoes. I wear them with skirts, dresses, jeans, khakis, etc.

I bought 2 pairs of Eccoes about 4 years ago now. Three days after purchase I went to Paris for 2 weeks and walked and walked. One pair in particular has hardly been off my feet--with 3 other trips too. Pretty cheap buy at that.

After looking at the new Nike Air Cole Haans and ECCOs, why is it that a comfortable walking shoe has to be so ugly?

These are some of the ugliest shoes made.

Full disclosure: I don't buy nor wear Women's shoes.
However, some of the most stylish ankle friendly shoes for walking in the MX MT Vill of SanMiguel de Allende, on the irregular cobblestones and flagstone sidewalks are $27. at "Martha's" . Every woman in the town has a dozen pairs in different colors.
M