The shoe question again

I have wide, short feet with a high instep, so I really struggle to find comfortable shoes. The very best I've found, for me, so far have been Legero shoes. I first bought a pair in Austria in 2014. (I still have these.) I just bought a second pair in Florence in November, put them on and walked around for a day in them right away. The ones I have are Gortex--both waterproof and breathable. Legero shoes are hard to find in North America, but you can get them in Switzerland.

Other ones I like are Portofino Shoes and SOME Clarks and Eccos. I have some Clark Wave Walk shoes that work really well for my feet. One really good thing about the Portofinos, and, I think the Legeros, is that they are orthotic friendly; if you use orthotics, you can replace the insoles with your orthotics.

Thanks so much.

You might also want to check out SAS shoes.

If your hiking shoes work for your feet and knee I’d consider wearing them in the cities you are going to visit unless they are boots that you think will be too hot.

I have awful feet and just wear my Altra Lone Peak low cut trail shoes every day. They accommodate my wide forefoot and my various accommodations (toe socks and CorrectToes) I need to keep my feet comfortable and healthy for long days with many miles!

Like Pam, I wear low hikers for walking miles in cities, too. My favorite brand, Asolo, tends to garish colors, so when they have an occasional subdued, me appropriate color, I grab them.

“so when they have an occasional subdued, me appropriate color, I grab them.”

@LizinPA…ain’t that the truth! Same with Altra. When they have ones that are mostly black I buy 2! My brother has 2 pr, lo cut and higher boots that can only kindly be described as “dried nasal discharge”. Yuck.

Pam: Thanks for the daily visual, “color of nasal discharge…” Yuck.
Victoria: “ditto” to what Pam and others advised about street shoes, unless your hiking shoes are really big and clunky. The blue-green hiking shoes I take to Switzerland look better than the ugly brown ones I wear on the local trails.
In addition to my low-cut hiking shoes, I like to take trail runners, in black so I can wear them in cities without too many disapproving glances, I hope.

Thank you for your responses. I have a pair of Merrel's and a pair of I think they are North Face. They are a bit clunky. I so prefer a sandal in the summer. I also find that my feet are happier when I change my shoes up. I have travelled in Birenstocks but I don't think they have enough support anymore.

Victoria, I think I understand your dilemma. I am weeks away from bilateral knee replacement. Last month I spent three weeks in Germany walking through rain, snow, cobblestones, slick subway floors, etc.
I did this safely and comfortably with a pair of Skechers Go Walk 5 black slip ons. I got them at Kohl’s for less than $50. They replaced BZees which were no longer made. Not cute like my JBU sandals, but not ugly either.
I am not one of those people who believes that $200 shoes are any better for my feet and joints. My joints are going to respond badly to anything with a hard sole. I need “ bouncy”.
It took me three tries ( and returns) and trips to a handful of outlets to find the Skechers. I just don’t value spending tons of money on shoes or clothes.
Good luck!

I guess I am getting older...I refuse to let this keep me from travelling. I am in Canada and we have fewer stores and brands it seems. The shipping fees and duty fees are so expensive. I really don't want to spend oodles of money, but I need to be able to walk.

I don't run, but wear good running shoes with removable shoe insoles. I then replace the insoles with my own orthotics, which don't always have to be fitted by podiatrists. I like Mizuno and Asics. Don't choose the low end models; buy the good ones that cost at least $100. I know this is not a small sum, but the benefits outweigh the costs. Most models offer different colors. I often buy black to make them seem less sporty.
For non-sports shoes, I like Sanita, Arcopedico, and Spenco.

Victoria - I'm in Canada too, so I feel your annoyance at our lack of selection. I was in Switzerland in December and May, and both trips I enjoyed wearing my Blundstones. Super supportive and comfortable (although I did have to wear in my second pair here at home). I think they'd be too hot in summer, and probably would look weird with summer clothes. I find them fairly easy to find though.

They aren't cheap, but I find that I wear them from Sept through May every year, so they are worth the $$

My favorite shoes are Oboz low leather walking shoes (made in Bozeman, MT). I took them on a month-long trip to Germany and wore them every day, and they felt great. They fit comfortably yet securely, and are great for people with wide feet and high arches (like me). They come with good orthotics but also sell the orthotics separately.