Men's Walking Shoe for Italy in July (hot!)

take a look at sasshoes.com

Look at the Keen brand.

I would say a good pair of running shoes with a good shoe insert (or orthotic) should be the best combo. For running shoes, I like Asics and Mizuno. For shoe inserts, you can get a full length one or a 3/4 length one. Visit a running shoe store to see what they recommend. Good luck!

I wear Timberland Hiking Boots that are mid cut instead of high tops. They're great for walking and very useful in Cinque Terre

I wear an Ecco City Walker that has a thick, lugged sole, with an interchangeable innersole. It is a smooth toe leather shoe that always looks good. I also wear a mid weight wool sock. Wool will keep your feet dry and changing the innersole daily keeps the shoe itself dry. Used that system for years with good experience.

i have been chasing shoes with good arch support since my twenties. my personal experience is that the shoe itself doesn't matter as much. I have tried many brands at different price points over the years. for me what counts is the insole. the green superfeet is my go-to type. for shoes have i settled on new balance.

I like Geox sandals. The sole is breathable but waterproof (I don’t know the technology). I bought my first pair 15 or so years ago in NYC. They are not easy to find here but abundant in Italy where they are made and there are many more styles. I take an older pair on each trip which I leave behind and buy a replacement. Extremely comfortable for walking long distance. Only certain models have an arch support.

I want to thank everyone for stepping up (pun intended :-)). I agree that one critical element in shoe comfort is the insole. And special recognition to Alan, who introduced me to a new shoe brand - Geox, which is definitely worth considering.

Stephen - I will definitely take a look at Sass. I know lots of people swear by this brand.

Claudia - Keen has their corporate office in Portland and I will definitely check them out.

Barkinpark - Thank you for the suggestion. I do have a sneaker that I find extremely comfortable - OnCloud. I am looking for that unicorn - a good looking, comfortable shoe that can be worn and walked in all day and looks as much at home on the streets of Milan or walking in the Uffizi, as it does just sitting at an osteria in Piemonte.

Uriengill - Thank you for the suggestion. I don't foresee needing mid-calf hiking boots this trip, but will keep this in mind for the future.

Frank - Ecco is an excellent shoe. I will take a look at the City Walker. Thank you for the suggestion!

Aloemaker - Couldn't agree more - the insole is the key. My favorite is still FinnComfort, but it is pricey.

Alan - Thank you for introducing me to a new shoe brand. I will definitely look for it when I am in Italy.

In Italy in July 2017 I wore a low-end street shoe that they don't make anymore (Clarks Votta Edge). It had no water resistance. Then I got smarter and wore Sketchers Outdoor shoes or Colombia Fairbanks hiking shoes on major trips in the last 5 years. I don't wear open toed shoes because my current preference is to keep my feet dry in case it is raining when I am outside or in case I step in a puddle or in a pile of mud or worse. I have no known foot issues and I never worried about or paid attention to arch support; actually there are models of Sketchers that are labeled as "arch support" - they immediately felt wrong when I tried them on. Actually a shoe feels disturbingly wrong to me if there is a high arch on the bottom inside of the shoe.

Thanks, Mike!

My ortho Dr. recommended Hoka brand shoes a couple years ago. I like them for walking, but the soles are too thick for driving. If you can find the all black or brown ones they don't look too out of place.

Thanks, KGC!

I ended up going with a sandal because of what I expect will be very hot weather.

I chose the Julius Naot sandal because of the cork footbed, which will conform to one's feet, and the arch support (which I need).

Good walking to you!

Keir

Kiziks. Stylish, slip on that look like tie, very comfortable for walking alot. The Lima or Athens models are very light and breathable.

For walking extensively in the heat of an Italian summer while also wanting good arch support and style, you might consider looking into men's sandals that offer both comfort and breathability. While it can be challenging to find a sandal that meets all these criteria, it's not impossible. Brands like Bruno Marc offer a range of men's comfortable dress shoes that include sandals designed with supportive features. I've purchased from their collection myself and found them to be both comfortable and stylish. You can explore their options here https://www.brunomarcshoes.com/collections/mens-comfortable-dress-shoes to see if there's a shoes that fits your needs for city walking and evening outings. It's essential to prioritize comfort, especially when exploring beautiful cities like those in Italy. Enjoy your travels!

My wife and I did the 17 day Best of Italy.. I wore a pair of Keen Newport closed toe Sandals every time I went out except once. I had envisioned the Keens as a back up, but they were so comfortable, and I found it nice to not have to wear socks. I wore them on trails in the Dolomites, on the very difficult hiking trail in Cinque Terre, and the uneven streets of Florence and Rome. On several days we walked over ten miles a day.