Need Summer Walking Shoe Recommendations for Italy

Keen Rose Sandals are a crowd favorite around here (and contrary to what Sarah Murdock thinks, they're not just a West Coast thing!) but I'm told they don't work for some feet. They were the only shoes I took last year on a trip to Spain at the end of May and early June and they performed as advertised-meaning my feet never needed any attention. The toe is closed in which really helps when walking.

I love these sandals. I have a tough time finding shoes/sandals that fit and support my foot well. These did the trick and they've been to Europe 3 times. https://www.amazon.com/Merrell-Womens-Terran-Lattice-Sandals/dp/B074N7J9ZN/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1529937651&sr=8-6&keywords=merrell+sandals+for+women

I like a mesh sneaker like these from Asics but I notice Merrell has some as well, and I have some similar from Columbia. They provide support and have a good sole, but they breathe. I would bring those and a sandal.

What Laurel said. It is best to take two pairs of shoes so you can switch off if one pair gets wet or starts to irritate your feet. For summer this would be one pair sandals and one pair mesh or other lightweight sneakers, or Mary Janes.

For all-day walking in sandals, my feet need a suede or Nubuck footbed. The plastic ones, whether smooth or textured, cause my feet to sweat and then the friction causes blisters on the soles of my feet. I have some Dansko sandals (not clogs) that have the suede underfoot and they are going with me this summer. For sandals that are otherwise supportive and great for walking, but have a plastic foodbed, I either wear a little nylon "foot tube" on my forefoot (Hue makes these), or have my local cobbler add a thin suede or leather footbed. He glues it right onto the insole of the sandal.

For our trip to Spain, I splurged on a good pair of walking sandals from The Walking Company: ABEO Fantine, https://www.thewalkingcompany.com/abeo-fantine-neutral-gold/34173. They were so comfortable and I wore them every day.

My go-to brand for all my travel/walking/everday shoes is Aetrex. I am sharing this with you because I went through a long extensive search for the 'perfect" summer walking shoe due to my tendency to develop Planters Facetious, and also my need for good ankle support. I purchased about 10 different pairs of sandals before finding this brand (they all went back).I never skimp on a good pair of shoes, foot problems can ruin a vacation. Here is the shoe I purchased and have used for two summers, which included a trip to Italy, that still look brand new and I am hard on my shoes:

http://aetrex.com/women/sandals-3/lori-adjustable-quarter-strap-cognac.html

Key features of this shoe is the Arch support that helps align your body, the wedge cork heel that helps with foot comfort and the Velcro straps that adjust to fit any width foot and light weight. With all the different surfaces I encountered on my trip I always I felt very sure footed in this sandal,Plus they are cute! I plan on purchasing another pair this summer to build my collection.

Take your Merrell shoes too! You may need that foot cover at night or when in transit on cold planes and trains. I actually take 4 pairs of shoes on Summer trips, my Aetrex Sandals, Aetrex Ankle boot, Sketchers pull on tennis type shoe and Orthaheel Flip flops (Orthaheel is also a VERY good brand). The flip flops are for the hotel room and any pool/beach. All my shoes, with the exception of the sketchers are orthotic and worth every penny! You can purchase Artrex and Orthaheel shoes on Zappos, which has a great return policy.

I’ve been wearing the Keen brand of sandals for European trips since 2006. For the last 7 years, it’s been the Rose sandal style, so I can get by with wearing them with a dress or skirt, too. I take a pair of flats for nice dinners or ballet/opera; otherwise, the Keen sandals are worn all day. The toe protector has saved me a couple of times from breaking my toe on a high marble threshold, etc.

You might try some of the tennis shoes made for waiters and nurses. They are MUCH cheaper and very comfy. I tend to go with the simple. Some brands I have had are Sketchers and just some no namers that really worked well.
(Just a note: we walk many kilometers per day on any given day so they get a good workout. And I usually go through a pair of shoes in 6 months or less no matter who makes them or how much they cost)
Good Luck

This is all so individual, varies by foot shape, walking patterns, size, and so many other factors.

I love these - keen sandals, but leather - brown or black. Called Ana Cortez t strap. More my style than other keens which I find too “athletic” looking for city wear. Very, very comfortable. The elastic holds it on my foot well (foot slipping around causing blisters is a big issue for me). And the footbed is nice and cushiony.

https://m.zappos.com/p/keen-ana-cortez-t-strap-brisk-espresso/product/8959173/color/715832?ef_id=WzFL6AAABSPJnoTA:20180625200912:s

I was in Rome in early July. Hot hot hot
I wore some Merrell hiking shoes called Enoki link. I loved them. I walked all day everywhere in them. Those type of merrell hiking sandals are good for going into the ocean also.
But on another trip to Bosnia where I had to hike over wet slippery rocks and then also for walking miles around town. I used the rose keen. They are my favorite. I wear them all the time.
The only downside to those super lightweight merrells is my pinky toe would get thrashed going mountain hiking (you may not have to worry about that). I also like how the keens protects the toes. They also can be used in the ocean.

So maybe try looking up hiking sandals because of the good grip on slippery surfaces (italy has a bunch of slippy stone streets).
Then bring a nice pair of flip flops to give your foot a break. I like a molded bed flip flop. Reef is sometimes good.
I would pack the hiking sandal and flip, then wear a everyday lightweight tennis shoe or slip on for the airports you already have. Or dont. You can do like my good friend and wear flip flops to the airport walking barefoot through security hehe

Anyway Italy will be very hot. Wear cotton dresses, a cute packable hat (or buy a hat there) bring sunblock and have fun♥

Thank you so much everyone for your feedback! I haven't heard of any of these brands so this was incredibly helpful for this newbie. I ordered one of the sandals mentioned and plan to look at purchasing a mesh shoe as well! 43 days and counting :-)