Shoes for Greece in Sept/Oct

Here is a 'dumb guy' question

What do you wear at home for similar weather and activities?
Why do you think you need something different in Greece?

As you will be walking perhaps a lot more than days at home and on irregular surfaces, I disagree with Joe and I suggest good walking sandals or shoes. I went in the spring and wore slacks, so I wore my Abeo gym shoes and my unstructured Clark shoes. Frankly, I'd much rather have happy feet than fashionable feet, but that is just me.

Hi,
I like the Naot brand, Paris style, sandals with removable cork foot beds. You can get them through Zappos or Amazon. They have been my go-to for about 10 years. You can get them in a variety of colors. The burnished metal color is stylish for evenings, but is okay for daytime too. I need a high arch, and they are comfortable all day for me. Not sure how they will work with bunions though. When I travel, I like to take an extra pair of the cork insoles, so I can switch them out each day.

To Joe32F

I don't walk as far and stand on my feet as many hours and everyday for two weeks when I'm at home.
Thanks for asking.

I agree that happy feet are the name of the game. I found that having shoes with a good tread was my best friend in Greece. Lots of uneven terrain to negotiate. We were there the month of September 2017 and was glad I had comfortable sneakers and sandals. I usually hesitate recommending brands because we all have different needs. That said, I walk daily at home (up to 5 miles) and what works for me is an Asics Running Shoe. I also took a pair of Naot sandals (Kayla). My most recent trip to Central Europe I wore my ECCO Soft 7's and ECCO Flowt Flat Sandal. We logged 160 miles in 3.5 weeks. My feet felt great. My first trip to Italy in 2006 I wore Keen Newport Sandals. In fact most everyone in the tour group were wearing them! Have to say they were very comfortable. The one caveat is they were heavy to pack. Some contributors on the Forum recommend the Keen Rose Sandal. I haven't tried them (yet).

I take my Keen rose sandals on trips that require a lot of walking, uneven or slick surfaces, and toe stubbing stones. They have a nice wide toe box, good support and protect toes from stubs.

I'm a guy, but my advice is general. What you want to avoid is having to pack multiple pairs of shoes, a killer to packing light. At home, you can choose among all the pairs in your closet to go with all the variations in clothing that you have. Traveling, you need to narrow way down. Figure out at the most two pairs (one to wear, the other to pack) one should be a comfortable walking shoe, the other can be a comfortable sandal, but one sturdy enough to walk in. At the most, if beaches will be a big thing, pack a pair of water shoes as well. From there, look at the clothes you are packing, make sure they all work with the shoes. If you will be on the coast or an island, then going casual is no problem at all.

Advice to wear what you would at home is fine for home, but unless you are packing your whole closet, you need to give some thought to what you pack.

I’ve been wearing Keen sandals on trips to Europe since 2006, and specifically wearing their Rose Keen sandal each year since 2013. They are instantly comfortable for me, and on some trips they’re the only shoe I take. (Sometimes I also bring a dressier sandal for evenings and/or special events.)

Features I like about them:
The sole grips like a tennis shoe on uneven surfaces. The sole is thick enough for walking on cobblestones.

The materials can get wet with no issues. And, I never need to pack socks.

The toe protection has kept me from breaking a toe on two occasions.

I also am a fan of the Keen Rose sandal. As a matter of fact, I like them so much that I have acquired four pairs in different colors. I’ve walked on all kinds of terrain in them and the covered toe has spared me from many injuries. They can be washed and they dry quickly. And they look just fine with casual skirts.

I always wear lace-up shoes, short boots really, with ankle support. They have saved me from ankle sprains or worse many a time.

The ground is very uneven at major sites, like the Acropolis, and millennia old marble paving is very slippery. Dust and sand on it is as bad as rain.

The last time I was in Greece was October 2014. I can't count the number of women I saw on crutches with casts or walking boot things or in wheelchairs with some kind of injury to their lower extremities. I also saw them with arms in slings often with casts. Oddly, I saw absolutely no men with any evidence of similar injuries.

All I could think at the time and now is that the men had better shoes for the terrain. My advice is that you choose safety and practicality over fashion in your footwear choice for your visit to Greece.

By the way, check timeanddate.com to get historical data, not just averages, for the places you are going and the specific days you will be there. It was rainy and chilly some places in October. Electric space heaters were heavily advertised on the TV.

We went in May and it was extremely hot. I wore my cute little sandals everywhere and we walked miles and miles. Really is going to depend on the person.

I concur that it can be rainy in Sept/Oct. I also like Naot.

For sandals, you can wait till you reach Greece to get a handmade pair. THen, you will fit in. I particularly like their gladiator sandals. Very comfy and stylish.

Renee and other fans of Keen Rose Sandals, is this an appropriate shoe for hiking gorges in Crete? We will be there in May and would like to pack as few shoes as possible.

I also enjoy finding as pretty and comfy sandals as I can for dresses, as that is all I’m taking. I take 2 pair of walking sandals, wear one on the plane. I think it’s important to switch them out. You are lucky you don’t have high arches, as that limits you. I also take a pair of beige wedge peep-toe shoes for night. Matches all my outfits. Non-negotiable.

There are so many nice walking sandals. Take a look at The Walking Company. I like Abeo’s, but Taos makes pretty ones. The arch is not high enough for me. This year I’m trying Aetrex Jillian braided.

I can’t wear the Keen’s Rose. It bugs my big toenail, just hits at the wrong place.

I recently bought the recommended Keen Rose Sandal. As far as the fit of Keens, I have to go up 1/2 size for a better fit. I am testing them out around the house in anticipation for Hawaii next month. If they are as comfortable as some say, I will take them to Europe in the fall.

Do you have a favorite brand?
I prefer Asics or New Balance.
Maybe you can look at Asics vs New Balance that will give you some information about those brands.

Like others have replied, I also like the Keen rose sandal but I also take Keen Whisper. For me, the Whisper has a bit more "coverage" for my toes when walking on rocky surfaces. I did wear them exclusively for my last trip to Greece. I also just bought a pair of New Balance which I am breaking in and will be taking to Greece in April. They are so comfortable! As of now, I'm planning on the NB and the Keen rose for variety. Always subject to change!

I am adding Mizuno to the list of sports shoe brand.

Also, Arcopedico makes wonderful shoes and sandals. Made in Portugal, not somewhere across the Pacific from us!

Karen, I have worn Keen Rose sandals hiking in Switzerland and Austria, at Cinque Terre, on the Big Island of Hawaii, and covering much of Spain, Italy & France. If you’re walking in a small pebble terrain, expect to get some pebbles in your sandal occasionally. Otherwise, they’re perfect for solid footing. I like that they can get wet, too, and dry fairly quickly.