I'm thinking I should get some loafers to make going through airport security easier. However, I don't want shoes that I wear just on the plane. Does anyone have a good brand of men's loafers that can be used for walking around once I arrive?
Posted by
Massachusetts
715 posts
These are not loafers exactly but I would check out some Merrill slip-ons. Likely find them locally at an REI or an EMS or some other sporting store. If not they are available online.
Posted by
Northeast Ohio, USA
683 posts
Based on a recommendation in this forum, I bought a pair of Clark's Wave model loafers 3 years ago. In three consecutive summer trips to Europe (of 31, 26 and 23 days), I averaged 7 miles+ per day in them, with several days over 10 miles. They were great shoes, which I very reluctantly parted with recently as they were not going to be good for another trip.
I recommend this model of shoe very highly, and I also recommend (as is standard on the RS forum) that you try them on in a store.
You're right about going through airport security, loafers really help. BTW, these shoes were fine right out of the box.; I broke them in as recommended prior to leaving for Europe, but don't think it was necessary.
[Edit} And, they were water resistant!
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
15806 posts
But then again, how many airports are you going to have to pass through, and how many will you have to remove shoes for (not required at all of them abroad)? The comfort of your feet for the long haul trumps the minor inconvenience of having to unlace/remove/lace up your shoes if those are the pair that can carry you 10 miles a day.
Posted by
OP
Alexandria, Virginia, USA
504 posts
They won't be the only shoes I take. I do want to make more use of them than just on the plane.
Posted by
Tucson
4154 posts
My husband swears by Merrells. They were the only shoes he wore/took on our trip to Istanbul and Greece.
Posted by
Medford, OR, USA
5835 posts
"Loafers" are slip-on footwear. You may want shoes that you can run in during a crisis. Never know when you need to sprint to a airline connection or to train.
Posted by
TN, USA
2114 posts
Dav,
My husband always wears loafers when traveling/touring, etc. unless we will be going somewhere that requires an extremely waterproof shoe, then he will take his favorite MudChuckers (ordered thru LandsEnd or LLBean many years ago). which are basically a bad-weather, boot-type shoe. But, for normal travel (including when it is raining), he wears a rubber-bottom loafer, and he will typically select a leather that is not the typical business-type leather, and then he will put a coat or two of waterproofing on the leather. The rubber sole gives a better grip (less likely to be slick on Europe's marble floors or well-worn steps) and also provides a bit more cushion than leather soles.
Just Google rubber-sole men's loafers, and you'll see lots of choices.....just a matter of which ones you like and which brands give you the best fit. My spouse has an narrow foot, so he finds Johnson & Murphy to be the most comfortable and where he will likely find a B width. If you are a more standard size, you will have a much easier time finding something that works for you. HR Trask used to make a great loafer with the Ducks Unlimited logo, but it was discontinued years ago...there is a slim chance you could find your size thru an on-line liquidator. LLBean's shoes are a good quality, if they carry your size, and Johnson&Murphy shoes hold up well (and you might find a bargain if your area has a Johnson & Murphy outlet as Nashville does).
And, yes, he could take off running in his travel loafers, no problem. The key with any travel shoe is that it is sensible, fits well, and is comfortable for hours and hours of being on one's feet!!
My husband has his winter travel loafers (which fit better with a thick sock) and his summer travel loafers (for a thinner sock). He does not want to deal with shoelaces when traveling for all the reasons you likely don't want to.
Posted by
Houston, Texas
908 posts
I have a pair of Ecco Fusion slip-ons. On several trips of a week or more, they were the only shoe I took. Walked as much as 10 miles in a day; no problems.
Posted by
TN, USA
2114 posts
Dav,
This is similar to the type leather and rubber sole my spouse likes for travel shoes. Also the kind of leather that nicely absorbs a couple layers of waterproofing solution (and he uses a very good quality waterproofing solution).
And, once he finds a shoe he loves, it is not unusual for it to get re-healed 10 or more times and resoled multiple times. He tends to keep shoes forever (some I have to threaten to trash when he's not looking), as old shoes just get downgraded as new pairs take their place. He even took the left shoe from one old pair and the right shoe from another old pair to the shoe repair shop for new heals....the guy died laughing and both shoes looked like they were on their last leg (no, he does not travel in those, they are used for when we are painting rental properties, or working on messy projects here).
The cost to put on new soles and heals are about what most people probably pay for entirely new pair. But, it is not easy to find a B-width in men's shoes.