Women's shoes / sandals for September in Paris

You might like SAS. Try Notdstroms. Ruth

I think in the last month I've ordered six different pair from Nordstrom, worn them around the house and sent back the ones that didn't work. I went to the search function on the forum, picked out most people's favorites and then did the elimination process. I've loved Merrill, but none of their styles this year said, "France in August". I tried a Naot, a Vionic, a Geoxx, a Clarks, a Sofft,and one other. Right now it's between the Vionic "Amber" and the Sofft "Mirabelle" (thanks to Lola).

I've done the same thing as Patty but with Zappos. Thank goodness for their easy return policy!!

Rick Steves guide Sarah Murdoch has a terrific blog and did an exhaustive shoe comparison in the last month or so getting ready for her tour/guidebook update season. Here is a link to her blog. She has at least 3 posts recently on shoes.

http://adventureswithsarah.net/

I am SO glad you are getting started now! Yes, you need to know they are comfortable for miles and miles.

My feet love Keen Newport sandals with toe-protection. Have worn them in Paris several times.

I'd check out the Ahnu Karma. I posted a review in a previous post in the forum.

I'm personally not a fan of sandals for travel, but I may start trying to hunt a pair soon myself, but these are my "sandal alternative."

Also, thanks to Pam for the blog rec! I think her shoe comparison is great.

I usually travel with a pair of Dansko sandals and Keen sandals but for an upcoming trip (April) to Germany and Czech Republic I needed something that I could wear either with or without a sock and keep my foot fairly dry in the rain. I purchased a pair of Mary Jane Naots and they felt like heaven right out of the box. I know they are expensive (my husband thought I bought two pairs of shoes instead of one) but I wish I had just gotten over the sticker shock and bought them in the first place!!!

stmurray2, may I ask which model of Naot MJ's you got?

Thanks!

Cheers,
Vivian

I love ABEO sandals from the Walking Company. So many cute styles!

Vivian, I'm also a big fan of Naot mary janes- I have the Kirei shoe. I've taken these on 6 trips over 5 years to Europe (5 to Paris), in May, June, Sept., Oct. and Nov. I wear them both with and without socks and they're comfortable both ways. In Paris, I walk 10-14 miles/day (Fitbit stats), so clearly they hold up well. My feet are medium width, narrower in ankle/heel, slightly wider in toebox, so these shoes match my needs. I found them online on a discount site for "bargain" price of $135 - well worth it. They look nice with casual skirts and walking shorts.

I love Danskos and my current favorite is this, coincidentally named "Vivian":

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/dansko-vivian-gladiator-sandal-women/4440536

The footbed is nice soft suede, and the straps are soft leather---no blister potential like stiff straps on some sandals.

Sorry for the slow reply, Vivian. We just back yesterday from a ten day trip to Germany and the Czech Republic and I wore the Naot Kirei Mary Jane in black all day, every day!!! I wore them with trouser socks because it was chilly but I could have easily worn them with just a low cut Ped just as easily. I took another pair of shoes just in case and never took them out of my suitcase! My friend has the same shoe in gray suede which is very attractive.

Thank you, ladies! Oooooooo.... I LIKE the look of the Kireis. I actually have (and love) what I think are the "Matai", but I conside the leather upper almost too soft for European mileage.

Also, how could I NOT love the "Vivians". LOL.

Cheers!
Vivian