Shoes for fall in Eastern Europe -- with a heel!

Have you considered a good (traction) walking or hiking shoe with custom orthotics? Prague streets feature cobble stones.

I also like a bit of height to my walking boots, particularly if visiting cities with cobblestones, though I don't rule out a flatter boot. This past May I took a pair of Fly London Yel black boots with me to Poland and Prague and they were the perfect boot--laced ankle style, sturdy yet soft leather, snuggly lining, looked great with my skinny and bootcut jeans (and even with a casual skirt and tights) and their trademark wedge heel felt literally like walking on clouds, yet never felt unstable on the cobblestones. No blisters, rubs or foot fatigue either, they really made my 2 weeks of extensive walking very easy and comfortable and will thus be going on every trip I take--if I don't wear them out here at home!

Amazon and Planet Shoes have a big selection of Fly London, various styles with the same wedge heel and offer free shipping and returns. If you aren't familiar with European sizing, I got the 39 and I'm generally an 8, allows a pair of Smartwool or Wrightsocks.

Dana - I also suffer from plantar fasciitis. If there is a magic shoe, let me know. I'd also note that the locals really, really bristle when Vienna (and Prague) are referred to as Eastern Europe.

Hi Dana. After much searching I found two pair of Aravon shoes to take with me to Europe - we leave next Tuesday for five days on our own in Amsterdam and Bayeux, then will join our RS BOE Your Way Tour in Paris the 21st. Aravon shoes are made by New Balance and they feel incredible on my feet. I have foot problems, too, and these were wearable out of the box! The first pair is the Aravon Farren - 1 1/4 inch heel with a memory foam insert - they look better in person than online, made much like a black oxford and I will wear them with pants while sightseeing. The second pair is the Aravon Jodi - a Mary Jane style with a 1 inch heel. I've always shied away from Mary Janes, thinking I would look foolish, but I feel good in these and will wear them with knee length skirts and tights around Paris, without tights in Italy (from what I understand it is still hot) and out for dinner in the evenings. To add extra comfort to the Jodi style I have replaced the inserts with the memory foam ones from the Farrens. Are they expensive? Yes, but to me it's worth the comfort and peace of mind. Finding shoes that would work for me was the biggest challenge when planning for our upcoming adventure. Hope this helps and have a wonderful trip!

I agree with Christa about Fly Londons. I have 6 different pair of FLs all in the wedges and you cannot go wrong with any style that you like and feels good on your feet. Fly Londons snug your feet and provide the stability that you will need to walk over cobblestones. I cannot wear flats either and found Fly Londons after reading that a travel guide wore this brand so I tried them myself. I am not a big fan of hiking boots because they are too heavy for me so if I need something really waterproof, I got a pair of Blundstone boots. However, they do not provide as much of a heel that I like and really need even though they are comfortable for walking (just not as much so for my feet and back after many hours due to issues which have nothing to do with the boots themselves and everything to do with my low back). Hope this was helpful. Planet Shoes often puts Fly London on sale with 20% off and will send you emails of those sales if you sign up for them. This is helpful since they are expensive, but they are so worth it because your feet need to be ready for the trip. Good luck and let us know what you get. Another source for them is Online Shoes.com.

http://www.aapsm.org/plantar_fasciitis.html

2) Change and modulation of footwear

Footwear analysis is critical for evaluating athletes with
subcalcaneal pain.The footwear may be a contributory factor and can be
utilized as a powerful treatment modality.Athletesshould be placed
into shoes that have a minimal 1" heel height with a strong stable
midfoot shank and relative uninhibited forefoot flexibility.The
American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine has a list of
recommended footwear for the athlete that can be obtained on their web
sure: www.aapsm.org. It is well recognized that recent trends in
athletic footwear have actually predisposed to greater frequency of
plantar fascitis due to the fact that athletic shoes have weaker
midsoles with newer designs.The popular "two-piece" outsoles with an
exposed midsole cause a hinge effect across the midfoot placing
excessive strain on the plantar fascia in the running and jumping
athlete.These shoes must be eliminated if the injured athlete is
wearing them.Careful attention must be paid to having the athlete keep
shoes on in the house and during all standing and walking
activities.Barefoot and sandal-wearing activities are prohibited.

4) Custom foot orthoses

Intervention with semi-rigid custom foot orthoses has been well proven
in many prospective and retrospective studies showing successful
outcomes in patients with plantar fascitis.In the athlete, the use of
foot orthoses should be considered earlier than in the average
sedentary patient because of the fact that the athlete will be
subjecting their feet to greater stresses during treatment and
certainly after return to activity.Athletic footwear is more amenable
to semi-rigid and rigid orthotic therapy than are casual shoes worn by
sedentary patients.Sports podiatrists are more likely to employ arch
taping procedures as a precursor to or adjunct to orthotic
therapy.Athletes respond very favorably to the immediate intervention
and relief obtained by expertly applied arch taping procedures.

I also have PF and was told by my foot doctor that a small heel (Wedge) is the best for us PF folks! You also have to remember that arch support is also key. I am in love with the Aetrex and Orthaheel Vionic brand of shoes, spendy but oh so worth it. Here are my boots I purchased for our upcoming October Trip to Paris (rain and cold):

http://www.amazon.com/Vionic-Adrie-Womens-Casual-Ankle/dp/B00LQIZ88E/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1442620673&sr=8-1&keywords=orthaheel+boot

They look flat but have great arch support. I also do not and cannot wear flats, if I do they must have an insert for my PF.
If you search on Amazon or Zappos for either brand you will read many reviews from folks with PF who swear by both brands. I am a believer as I am 95% cured after only 6 months (as opposed to my last bout which lasted a year), by constantly wearing these shoes along with regular stretching, massaging etc. And I mean constantly, I never go barefoot any more. If the shoe is more flat looking BUT has a great arch support that will help your PF.

I bought these a few weeks ago at Kohl's. They are very comfortable and being we'll be there in December, I figured the sole will be good for potential snow on the ground, uneven streets and a full day of walking. Plenty of room for additional inserts if needed, and cozy socks :)
http://www.kohls.com/product/prd-2135579/sole-senseability-womens-comfort-wedge-shoes.jsp