Best Color Shoe

I say wear what is most comfortable. My husband has Plantar Fasciitis and often ends up in shoe colors he's not thrilled about because a certain style works for him. It's all about pain management and the ability to walk/stand more comfortably.

I agree, wear what is comfortable.

One of my favorite boots that I have taken on many trips to Europe are bright red. They are SO comfortable, so I just make sure that whatever I pack will at least coordinate with them. The first time I took them, I was a bit apprehensive because of the color, but I got so many compliments on them. As we were boarding the plane, I could hear the lady behind us say to her husband "I like those sassy red boots". So that is what they are called now;) Go with what YOU are comfortable in, and it will all work out.

mikliz97,?
Curious, what is the brand name of your red boots?

I loved my white leather shoes in Italy and France in May. They stayed presentable in city and countryside, wherever we went including vineyards and dusty areas, and they go with everything including dresses and pants.

What mikliz97 said.

In fact, my KEEN Terradora II Waterproof Mid Hiking Boots in the Majolica/Tapestry blue color totally influenced my choice of scarf to use as inspiration for my travel wardrobe this summer.

You can see them here. I also have the red ones, but they were not made in the same place as the blue ones and I don’t think the quality is as good.

I've always loved blue shoes. Or really any color except black, but unfortunately it's often the only option for comfort.

Edited to add: The boots will be my main shoes. I'll wear them about 90% of the time. Being lightweight (about 26 oz for the pair) and breathable, they are very comfortable for all kinds of situations. I always take a pair of very light Abeo Mary Janes (about 12 oz for the pair) for around the hotel, the 10% left. I'd never wear those out and about because they are flats. Very comfy but no ankle support.

And as I have said many times, I always wear Sockwell moderate graduated compression socks for comfort and support with the boots. They work well for me in all kinds of weather. This link should take you to a search for them at the Sockwell website. Note that plantar fasciitis relief is mentioned. I wore pink dragonfly ones like you'll see in the results with some beige Mary Janes for our daughter's wedding in May. You can also find them on Amazon. I have an embarrassing number of pairs of these cute and practical socks bought from both sources, but I only use 3 on my trips -- one of which is on my feet at all times.

I would definitely go with comfort above all. However, if comfort is equal, I might choose the not white options. I brought my heavy duty hiking shoes similar to what Lo posted, but as a second pair I brought white Keens. They are really cute with pants or dresses and extremely comfy for me - but no longer as cute since I mis-estimated the mud on today’s walk….. hopefully the small amount of mud washes out but right now it’s not easy to try it.

I honestly don't think you need 2 pr of waterproof shoes.

Was one of the pair you took this spring the culprit in your bout of PF?

Like others I would wear what ever is comfortable. I suspect you may encounter some rain during your journey. Also anything to avoid a flare up of Plantar Fasciitis! At least you have some time to try a few styles.

I too am curious what “red sassy boots” that my friend Mikliz97 has! I love red boots!! Oh, are they Ilse Jacobsen’s? I have been eyeing them for a couple years! So cute. ;)

Andrea- I also like white sneakers (ECCO 7’s) & had planned to take them to Sicily in 2020!!

Thanks everyone. I’m mostly concerned about having options for keeping my feet dry, assuming we will have plenty of wet weather at our destinations. I haven’t received any of the shoes I’ve ordered yet. I just ordered a pair of Ecco’s (white, they didn’t have black in my size) that I can pick up at my local Nordstrom. I wear a medium width, but my toes are wide so not all shoes work for me. Of course arch support is important too. I’ll report back if any of them work out.

TexasTravelmom, I’m sorry to hear about your white shoe situation. I hope they clean up.

Pam, I don’t think my shoes were causing the PF. It’s a lot better than it was, but I’m worried that it won’t take much for it to reappear. We walk a lot while traveling.

Here are the red sassy boots;) The red is not nearly as muted as it looks in the photo. They are fleece lined so keep my feet warm. I bought them the night before a 2 week trip to Iceland, Denmark and Norway and while I brought another boot with me, I ended up wearing this pair every day except one. I bought these back in 2015 and they are still going strong, and I don't baby them at all, I love that they look like they lace, but have the zipper on the inside ankle. Right as the pandemic hit, we went to Dresden and Prague and this was the only shoe/boot that I took. We are headed back in October and December and again this is the only pair I will bring along. I always get compliments on them, but best of all they are super comfy and are great for traveling.

https://www.dromedaris.us/catalog/product/view/id/6846/s/kara-suede-forest/category/17/?shoe_color=33

Those are definitely sassy! Love them!!

Thanks Andrea! I might need to buy another pair in a different color. They are stunning in person. I found mine at The Shoe Mill at Bridgeport Village in Tualatin. I cannot go into that store without finding something I must have;)

If only I had known. I just drove through there when we were visiting friends in Portland. 🤦🏼‍♀️

My wife has severe Plantar Fasciitis, to the point she can't even walk barefoot in the house. She has tried maybe a dozen or more brands and always goes back to Hoka. They have waterproof running and hiking shoes, they are styled like running shoes so not much choice, but maybe worth a look, your feet will thank you.

Edit added: They are not cheap...but good shoes are worth the price.

-mikliz92, thanks for sharing the reference to your “red sassy shoes!” ;)

When travelling, I wear what I wear at home, currently some grey w/turquoise Keen sandals and a silvery black Bernie Mev. I recall on one tour, I experience shoe lust when one of our tour members trotted out different colored sneaker/running shoes each day. They seemed to make her outfits pop. I am a fan of the red, as well, and am looking at some pricey (darn), but long-lasting and practical Arche booties.

If you do end up going with white shoes, pro tip - bring a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser (or a small corner of one) along to wipe them down if they get dirty or scuffed. I do this with the white sides of the soles on all my shoes, and it keeps them looking almost new!

J.E., that’s a great tip. Thanks.

I’ve returned all of the shoes I’ve received so far and am still waiting for one pair to arrive. I picked up the white Ecco’s at Nordstrom this morning and I think they might work out. I’m wearing them around the house to try to be sure before wearing them outside. The shoe also comes in black, which I can order online. The black is probably more practical, but I have so many pair of black shoes that I hate to buy another. I don’t have any white shoes. The other colors the shoe comes in wouldn’t coordinate very well with my clothes. If I like them then I have to choose…black or white. Decisions, decisions.

Well, the Ecco Soft 7s would clean up somewhat easily. So if they feel good, go for it. I have 2 pr: pink and blue…..

I'm a big fan of the Ecco 7s, own them in 5 colors and they are great travel shoes. I'm not a white sneaker person, but tend to take a pair of black shoes or boots--Pikolinos Vicar are the current favorite--and then my alternate shoe is something colorful that works with my wardrobe--trip to London in April it was a pair of Fluevog ankle boots in a glorious shade of dark sort of kelly green. Too much black gets tedious after a few days, for me.

Andrea, yesterday I took a close friend, who does not drive, to Nordstrom to shop for good walking shoes. She specifically wanted leather. So many of the nice ones on display, in every brand, were white (which my friend did not want). We asked the salesperson who was helping us, a very nice and knowledgeable young woman, about this and she said that is the “in” color right now, along with pastels and prints. She said we might have to wait for fall stock to arrive to see the darker colors, or maybe they could be ordered online (which my friend did not want to do).

When asked about good brands, she specifically recommended Paul Green shoes, a German brand. She was wearing a nice-looking pair of Paul Green sneakers herself—-not in white because they were from last year. And the only Paul Green sneakers they had in the store (2 different models) were white. But here is what they have online (and on sale right now, but still expensive).

https://www.nordstrom.com/brands/paul-green--1166?utm_content=254209762&utm_term=aud-944257668433%3Akwd-403250281&utm_channel=low_nd_psu_supplier&adpos=&creative=572946314794&device=c&matchtype=e&network=g&acctid=21700000001689570&dskeywordid=43700049904713411&lid=43700049904713411&ds_s_kwgid=58700005468137999&locationid=9033282&targetid=aud-944257668433%3Akwd-403250281&campaignid=9395782&adgroupid=254209762&gclid=Cj0KCQjwidSWBhDdARIsAIoTVb3vWnHHH3GaGZvl4oSMWMjcbbjjHg1OVE2fmbnaaPzs8Fbn28M_XYMaAsZcEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds&filterByOccasion=casual

My friend asked about Ecco shoes and they had some, but not the sneaker. The saleswoman reminded us there is an Ecco store just a few doors down from Nordstrom if she wanted to try there. But she ended up with a pair of Mephisto leather/suede walking shoes in dark grey. She loved them right away and said they were very comfortable. Cost was $250.

Thanks for all the information. Good to know people like the Ecco’s. I ordered another pair of the white (I had a reward and can return the original pair) and a pair of black. My other shoes I’ll take are black and it might be nice to have a different color. Im not opposed to white as long as they will stay decent looking and not look out of place once the weather turns. I saw the Paul Green shoes and they are more than I want to pay.

I’m going to some factory outlet stores tomorrow so I will be prepared to look for shoes. Maybe I’ll find something.

Andrea, I hope the ECCO’s work well for you. I have 3 pairs- White, Black & Silver. I don’t have Paul Green or Mephisto sneakers. A number of years ago while shopping at Nordstrom a sales lady was wearing a pair of Paul Green boots. I loved her boots! They were sold out, but she said she would find me a pair. She did and they were 50% off. They were a great investment. I have to say they are the most comfortable shoes I have ever worn! I can wear them all day. I look forward to wearing them in the fall!

Good shoe suggestions! Last weekend we were in Toronto and I took my pricey new ECCO sandals. I got blisters! Thank goodness I discovered that now and not on my Best of Turkey in September. Now I'm considering my most comfy Mephisto sandals. I can walk for miles in them, but they don't have a back strap. That makes me worry about the tripping hazard!

Andrea, it’s a good thing you found that out about your sandals now. The shoe struggle is real. I’ve always had problems finding comfortable shoes and it has only become worse as I’ve aged. If I decide to keep the Ecco’s, I’m still wearing them just around the house, I’ll take some long walks to see how they are in real world conditions. The good things is if I decide they won’t work out after all they can be returned. Worse case scenario is I end up taking the same second pair of shoes I took on my 6 week spring trip. They won’t keep my feet dry but the other pair I’m taking are waterproof.

Lo, how thick are the compression socks? I have some Clark Mary Janes that have worked well as one of my pairs for travelling, but I don't think I could wear thick socks with them. I want to get compression socks, especially for flying.

@CanAmCherie - I am not sure Lo will see this right away as I know she is in Europe, lol. Is there an AAA in the TriCities? The one in CdA has Sockwells (but not all the cute designs) so if you’ve got one locally you could go feel the goods so to speak.