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Shoes for a guy in Greece/Italy in September?

We will be in Amsterdam for only 2 days and then on the Greece RS tour for 2 weeks in September. Then 2 weeks in Italy (Rome to Florence) on our own. My thought is to wear a pair of worn in Brooks running shoes. I run a lot and so can easily break them in. These shoes wash up nicely. I would also have some Teva sandals with good arch supports.

I know the Brooks (with some color in them) will not be stylish with slacks but they are comfortable when walking 6 to 10 miles in a day. I'm wondering about rain as they won't keep the feet dry in a downpour. I'm guessing if they got wet they'd dry out and I could always carry some spare socks in my day pack if I expected rain.

When we were in the UK in May I wore Merrill hiking boots but that was cold weather and probably they'd be too hot in Greece/Italy in September.

Do you think the Brooks and Teva sandals will suffice?

Posted by
16893 posts

Yes, I do think those two pairs will suffice. Even if it rains, the weather is likely to stay warm, so shoes and you will dry pretty well.

Posted by
162 posts

Laura, thanks for confirming my choices. Will now go forward with more confidence.

Thanks Roberto, unfortunately my wife nixed the Safeway plastic bags idea. :)

Posted by
255 posts

I like Keen hiking shoes. Not the most stylish but great for your feet and most are waterproof. I've worn them both times I went to Greece.

Posted by
2252 posts

Yes, I do. My husband and I both relied on our Keens for the Greece tour but I alternated with Teva sandals and he used Brooks runners for his alternate pair. I recommend you take a look at the Keens. As John said, they are really good (supportive) shoes and comfortable. You will do a lot of hiking/climbing over rocks, cobbles, etc. on that tour. Also, they are vented so cooler than a lot of other choices and dry out quickly. Roberto, I loved that post of yours and must admit, I have been known to have tried that method out of desperation in the past. Not so great......

Posted by
162 posts

Thanks for the info on Keens. When more stock is available in the spring, I plan on looking at these kinds of shoes again. One thought is to replace the Tevas with those sandles that have a lot of strapping and support. I don't know what they are called but they are in between very open sandles and shoes.