Women's shoes / sandals for September in Paris

I just bought a pair of these and really, really like them. The footbed is soft and non-abrasive, the straps are soft leather, and the cork sole very supportive. The Ruby coloris a nice cordovan brown, but the pewter and black are nice too.

https://www.dansko.com/womens/Footwear/View%20All/Vivian/Ruby%20Vintage%20Pull%20Up

You can find them online at Zappos, Nordstrom, Amazon, etc. but I have not found any on sale yet. Nor have I seen them in-store.

Hi Lisa, since you like basic, I'll share the sandals that I absolutely love for Summer and for travel. Keen's Rose Sandals in black. They're not stylish, but they are so comfortable, and the toe protection has saved my toes a few times - invaluable during a trip.

Ive beeen taking my Naots to europe for years . I like the "PARIS " ( yes thats the model name ) becasue besides being insanely comfortable , the platform heel keeps your feet out of dust and ,keeps those little pebbles that pave parks with from getting between your feet and the soles of your shoes.

One of the things to consider is that you will be walking a lot on many different types of surfaces from cobblestone streets, metro stairs to the sleek floors of museums so you want a shoe that can handle all of that in one day. My go to walking shoe is a Sketchers go walk, they look great with shorts, pants or a skirt you can also take out the insole and add your own if you want. My go to Sandal brand is Aertix or Orthaheel, both designed for foot comfort and durable and cute. I also take a bootie in case is rains and for cold nights. This combo worked for me in Paris and Rome.

Look into Naots, merrells, clarks brands which all have a nice selection and no toe separaters.
naots can be a little pricey but if the fit is gd maybe worth it up to approx $180. U will need a somewhat flexible sole to meet the varied surfaces in Paris. Best go to a Clarks retail store and many sport gds stores like REI have Merrells. This type of shoe should not be bought online without first getting a gd fit.
Once u decide wear them alot at home bef u travel.

When I was in Paris last September I just wore the same shoes I wear for walking around here- Nikes. In addition to that I took a pair of flats to wear with skirts or to nice dinners, they took up very little luggage space and gave me the flexibility I needed. I don't think you need to buy a pair of shoes specifically for your trip, just take something that you know works for you and your feet.

My sandal, at home or abroad, is Keen Newport H2O which is not as pretty as the Rose model but has great support, toe protection, substantial soles, and fabric straps which can go through water (or a washing machine!) and dry quickly. Eight summers on this pair. REI carries many models, sometimes on sale. (And yes, I have worn them in Paris several times.)

Thanks for all the great suggestions! I've tried wearing my regular comfy shoes on vacation, but just 2 days in Chicago had me wishing I'd selected a shoe designed for real walking. hadn't really considered a heel or wedge, but the "pebble" problem is real, and if that will help solve it & the shoes are comfy, sounds like a great idea. I haven't heard of a few of the brands recommended so I have some research to do.

I agree that it would not be prudent to order online, especially if I'm unfamiliar with the brand & fit. Looks like I'm planning for an outing to REI & a few other stores. Any other suggestions?

The Walking Company would carry many good brands of walking/comfort shoes, go to https://www.thewalkingcompany.com for locations.

I have found that I need a softer foot base rather than a firm foot base. The Keen sandals I wore on my Italy trip ended up giving me plantar fasciitis but many people rave about them. The sandals that worked best for me were Danskos with a cork base, but that style is a few years old and no longer sold. Just remember that everyone's feet are different and breaking them in really helps!

If you happen to have a rather high arch, as I do, you may benefit from replacing the inner soles in the shoes with something that adds arch support. Aetrix orthotics were recommended to me by a shoe-store staffer, and they (in conjunction with good shoes) kept my feet and lower back happy through a 4-1/2 month trip in 2015 and a 3-month trip in 2016. They are not inexpensive, however.

I wanted to add that I have noticed several styles of sandals (Keens, Tevas, etc.) for great deals on Amazon. The colors and sizes are hit and miss (perhaps they are last season's colors?), but if you know what you're after, it's worth checking out! I found a pair of Keen Rose sandals in my size for just over $50.

Lola, those Dansko sandals are cute! I love the pewter color. I may have to try those on.