Women's walking shoe... how athletic should they be?

Allison, It really depends on your feet! At my age, I don't want to wear sneaker type shoes - I think i look too American :-) I can walk on the cobblestones of Rome-type cities in ballet flats like the ones you are looking at (I use a Rockport ballet flat as it has good arch support). I've also comfortably worn sandals in Italy when it is warm. But my brother must wear an athletic shoe (Nike, New Balance, etc.) in order to be comfortable walking all day on cobblestones. If you've never walked for a long time on cobblestones, then it's best to bring something you know will get you through a day of walking, even if it's not attractive. You can bring the cute ballet flats for shorter walks or the evening. I have great admiration for the ladies walking all over Rome in 4 inch heels!

I love the Ahnu brand, but those Crissies would absolutely not hold up to the amount of walking and standing you will be doing. You have to plan on 6+ hours of walking and standing per day on most trips. They will be good for a change at night and shorter walks out in the evening on evenly paved surfaces.

This is most likely way overkill for you, but I wore these Ahnu Montara boots on our trip to Istanbul and Greece in the fall. They were fabulous. My feet were very comfortable. I got no blisters. I had no tired feet or legs or knees or back at the end of the day. And I felt very secure in them on the very rough cobblestones and dirt paths. I find that trainers or running shoes do not provide enough support for me. I may have looked like a dork, but one day I noticed more than one person on our RS Istanbul tour slip out of their shoes and stand barefoot on the cool marble at Topkapi Palace.

I wore the boots on the plane and packed a pair of sandals and a pair of flats. I found that the weather was not warm and dry enough in the fall for the sandals, so I didn't need to take them. However, you might find that Abeo sandals like these athletic ones would work for you in August instead of boots. If you go to the link and explore around a bit, you will find that there are many Abeo options at the Walking Company, including some that are lace-ups, but not too athletic looking.

The Ahnu flats that I wore at night are these Karma flats. I thought I would need some kind of shaped sole to go in them, but the form of the foot bed was just fine with my bare feet.

Everybody has their favorites. I have tried on all of the brands people list, bought and worn many of them, and nothing works better for me these days than the Ahnu or Abeo brands.

Having tried on dozens and dozens of shoes in preparation for a trip to Italy several years ago, I chanced upon a pair of Ahnu's and love them. They were great on the cobblestones of Rome and the hike along the trail in Cinque Terre. I am currently wearing them on a trip through southern Germany and just hiked up to Neuschwanstein Castle in them yesterday. Their biggest assets are their Vibram soles and the size of the toe box. I can walk all day without any problems. Had I found the shoe you are considering (mine have laces) I would have packed just one pair of shoes. I wore slip-ons just for the airport TSA and on the plane.

I like the sturdy feel of a laced shoe or ankle boot when travelling, not a sandal wearer at all since for me the key to happy feet is wearing a good pair of socks. I like Ahnu's Noe sneaker/oxford; cute, good color options and very comfy with arch support and cushioning. When I was in Vienna last summer I saw lots of women wearing this type of shoe, and when the boots I was wearing suddenly turned on me I ended up buying a pair of Legero leather sneaker/oxfords in a taupe/grey combo--turns out they're a popular comfort shoe brand in Austria and I absolutely love them, get lots of use from them year 'round.

Last summer I travelled in France and the UK and wore the following two shoes, though the Merrell sneaker was in turquoise and not the color shown below. The Bernie Mevs are lightweight, and I could feel the roadway under my feet. But, I love them, and I did wear them all day. Am on my second pair (they lasted me one very busy summer). When lunching at a tea room at Kensington Palace, I chatted with a British woman also wearing BMs. I felt international. They are kinda like the Crissy/Ahnu.

I took the Merrell sneaker because the year before I would sigh with envy every time a tour mate would whip a new colorful pair of sneaks out for the day. She had several. The colorful sneaks just brightened up any outfit. Colorful sneakers seem to be quite popular in France – or were last summer. Plus, these were for the slightly rougher terrain and Normandy beaches.

http://www.zappos.com/bernie-mev-charm-black

http://www.zappos.com/merrell-vapor-glove-2-bright-green-purple

In 2013, I took the two below, and maybe a cutesy v. light slip-on for evening. My Keen Newports were lilac. One of my favorites. I need to replace them after many years’ wear. The Jungle Moc has been a staple of my wardrobe since 2000. I must admit, they work for poor weather, but I am tired of them. So now, I have discovered the Jungle Glove. Much lighter in weight, cuter, and with the same barefoot technology as the Merrell sneaker.

http://www.zappos.com/keen-newport-h2-mineral-blue-vapor

http://www.zappos.com/merrell-jungle-moc-midnight-leather

http://www.zappos.com/merrell-jungle-glove-black

If you like the Crissy, I can see them working for many locations. Then, add a more rugged shoe for bad weather and hiking stability. Pack a cute flipflop or flat for evening as a change or for in the hotel room.

PS, I kept the closed shoes fresh with a tiny spray of Verbena from L’Occitane. At home, I throw the BMs, sneaks, and Keens into the washer.

When I was in Itally, I wore black Nikes during the day & had a pair of cute flates for dinner. I never felt out of place or too American.

I will be off to Italy in a few weeks. I am wearing a Sketchers black athletic shoe because I can't stand taking shoes off at the airport in bare feet and flying without socks. I am also taking a slip on pair of Cobb Hill made by New Balance. I almost always travel with a Cobb Hill that I regularly wear at home. I also love Bernie Mev I have a few pairs of those too. The main thing with the Cobble stone is to have a thick enough sole. The Cobble stone feels like it could come right through the bottom of your shoe. If the weather looks like it might get hot I will also through a light pair of sandals in.