Alternate walking shoes for June tour

I have these in Cole Han sixty sneakers in black suede and can walk miles on pavement in them comfortably. I wear them with Smartwook “no show” socks, or regular lightweight crew socks. They will likely go to Spain with me in May for my “non-sandal” city walking shoe.

https://www.colehaan.com/womens-grand-crosscourt-sneaker-black-suede-white/190595369207.html?71700000038038405;s.a=GOOGLE;p.a=71700000038038405;as.a=58700004185325612;c.n=PLA_Brand_Female;p.n=PLA_Brand_Female;as.n=Female_Shoes;qpb=1;

Keen shoes are my favorite. See if you think any of their Mary Jane shoe options would work for you.

I don't have any clue where the BOE tour takes you but you might even consider a Keen Targhee, more support.

I'm not a into fashion. Merely a traveler who prefers comfort over style.

I wear SAS almost exlusively; they're very comfortable and last a long time. My regular everyday shoes are the "Take TIme" model; somewhat like a loafer, but with a bit more heel and laces. Here: https://www.sasshoes.com/womens-taketime/1690.html
It looks like they call it a moccasin.

Their "Siesta" model is very similar; I learned about these shoes when I was teaching and needed something I could wear standing and walking on concrete floors for hours at a time. They have a Mary Jane I'm tempted by; as soon as they have their spring sale I'm going to go try a pair.

SAS shoes come in a wide array (and I do mean wide - wide widths are hard to find in women's shoes, especially shoes that look good) of styles and sizes. And if it matters to you, they're made in the US of A!

I love the Cole Haan GrandPro Sneakers. I used them in my last three trips to Europe, logging about 5 -7 miles a day on a variety of surfaces (cobblestones are the worse on my feet). I love them so much, I bought them in grey, beige, and black. They offer great support and can be worn with skirts. Here is the link: https://www.colehaan.com/womens-grandpro-turf-ls-sneaker-black-leather-black-suede-optic-white/W15162.html?dwvar_W15162_color=Black%20Leather-black%20Suede-optic%20White&dwvar_W15162_width=#cgid=womens_shoes_sneakers&start=11.

I love these as an alternative to my New Balance sneakers and my Mary Janes from Noat.....https://www.zappos.com/p/keen-lorelai-slip-on-black/product/9145234/color/3

I love these recs but is there a store where I can try them on first? And what about Ecco Soft 7? I’ve heard good reviews about them.

I LOVE Bzees
! So cushiony and comfy. I literally wore the tread off on my last trip to Europe, have 3 pair on order as we speak for my June trip. You can get online through Nordstrom or Amazon.

I love the Bzees too. They were my 2nd shoe in Italy 2 years ago.

Jovie, I don't know what your nearest big town is, but SAS does have retail outlets. We have one in Tulsa, so just about 15 miles from me. And yes, trying them on is a great idea. Not all styles fit all feet.

And many towns have a higher-end shoe store or department store that will carry a range of brands. I'd be very reluctant to buy shoes online unless it was a brand and style I was already familiar with.

By the way, I just received a PM from a friend who wanted to know how much the SAS shoes weighed, so I dug out my kitchen scale. The Take Time moccasin/loafer weighs 1.5 pounds (for the pair.) I do have a pair of SAS oxfords that are heavier; 2 lbs for the pair. But they have a wider, heavier sole, and are my go-to shoes for slightly rougher terrain, like mountain paths. That style is called "Walk Easy." I've had them for years, and recently downgraded them to yard, wet weather, or work shoes. (Not office work; house upkeep and repair work.)

Jovie, I alternate between a pair of my tried and true Asics in black and Ecco soft 7. I walk about 5 miles a day at home and 10-15+ miles or more when traveling. My husband alternates between his favorites: New Balance and Ecco soft 7. Our favorite sock is Smartwool. For me, the no show "Hide & Seek" style is perfect.

I also came across a recommendation here on a different thread for the Ecco Soft 7. I alternated them with my Keen Targhee II across Austria last July. I did love them for an alternative nicer look and they worked well - but, of course, they aren’t as supportive as my Keens. :)

Thank you for the recommendations. I’m going to find a shoe store and try them on. I like them all but it would depend on which ones would feel comfortable on my feet. I’ll let you know! ☺️

Nordstroms and Macys has some of the brands mentioned. You can always order from Zappos as they have free returns if you can find a local store to try the shoes on in your size.

@Janis - regarding the no show Smartwool socks, I looked it up and the reviews said that they keep falling off the heel. Is this true in your case? They look pretty thin, do they have enough cushion? I wonder if the Run Light Elite socks would work instead?

I wear the Smartwool “Hide and Seek” no-show socks with my sneakers and they do not slip at all. They are thin (no cushion) but my shoes provide that.

https://www.smartwool.com/shop/womens-hide-and-seek-no-show-socks-sw0sw705#hero=0

I wear the Smart Wool "Secret Sleuth" No Show Socks not just when travelling but here at home from spring into fall. They are quite low cut, but I have never had an issue with them slipping off, they have a little silicone gripper at the back. I would always get a blister or two when travelling but since I started wearing these, not a single one, not even after putting in a full day of walking.

In fall and winter I wear Smart Wool crew socks - they're thin but they keep your feet so warm.

@Jovie, I have been wearing the Smartwool "Hide & Seek" for years and have never had an issue with fit. They have never slipped down. Cool in warm weather & warm in cold weather. I have them in 3 colors- tan, black and grey. I wait for a sale @ REI and stock up! I wear a 6.5 shoe and find the medium is a good fit.

I bought a pair of Blondo sneakers for my recent trip (Paris & Belgium). They were amazing, and more like a 'boot' than an athletic shoe. Total miles walked on my trip was about 55.

https://www.zappos.com/p/blondo-glenda-waterproof-light-pink-suede/product/9222511/color/12656

Update: So... I went to Macy’s and The Walking Company to try on some shoes. I liked the fit of the Ecco the best. It has arch support and fits my slightly wide feet. I liked the Bzees but found it a little narrow. I haven’t tried on the Keen brand yet; I really liked the slip on design. I might go to Nordstrom to see if they have it. The SAS is really not my style nor the hiking/trekking Keen designs. The boot looks very cute but might be too large to pack. Also got a pair of Cushion Smartwool Hide and Seek to try out. It has more cushion, has an athletic sock feel to it. We’ll see once I decide which shoe to purchase.

I'm late to this, but want to add my wholehearted endorsement of the Ecco Soft 7--I have them in 4 colors and they have yet to let me down--comfy right out of the box, walk 8-10 miles on vacation and good on cobblestones, never a blister or toe rub, plus they elevate the look of a sneaker to a casual oxford. They are very well-made and my pairs that are 3 years old still look great. Smartwool is my answer for socks.

Christa, they look great, and even come in larger sizes. But I don't see a range of available widths. I wear a W in SAS, and can't wear other styles that run narrow. Are the Eccos wider than other brands?

Jane, I’ve tried Eccos on and find they are too narrow for my widey-wide-wide forefoot. They have a lot of taper in the toe box. They do have some styles of the Ecco 7 at Zappos which is my go to for shoes in case you want to try them and can’t find them locally.

Thanks, Pam, but I think I'll pass. Even regular width shoes are too narrow for me, causing leg and foot cramps.

I'll probably just stick with my trusty SAS.

Allbirds, most incredible new shoe live
Only on line, easy return. Not for heavy duty walking but so perfect st end of day. No socks!!