A personal opinion about shoes

Whenever I go back to Russia, I just wear what I normally wear here. For the first few days of every trip, I stick out like a sore thumb not because of my shoes or clothes, but the American habits I've picked up, like involuntarily smiling at anyone I make eye contact with. I really hate that habit, but it's pretty inevitable here.

I guarantee the 4" heels were on an Italian! (No American would try to climb the tower in Siena in 4" heels. The Italian woman I saw trying to do this gave up!)You can tell American vs. European by the tennis shoe. Not the color but the sole. If the sole is totally flat - European. If it's got any kind of arch support or funky sole, it's American. As long as a shoe is comfortable, who cares? I don't try to fit in - it's obvious I'm not European. I normally wear black clothes and shoes for practical reasons.But as long as you're comfortable and not a spectacle it doesn't matter. They know we're Americans just as I can tell a Brit at Disney World by a man's short shorts, sandals and short, dark socks.

AMEN AND AMEN!

Comfort, sturdiness and practicality are my watchwords!

Stephanie you are well on the way to being a wise woman.

" If the sole is totally flat - European. If it's got any kind of arch support or funky sole, it's American."

It's never good to generalize. My friend arrived from Spain last month wearing a pair of shoes identical, except for color, to some my American son has. Same tread, shape, etc.

Once your feet start hurting you stop caring what your footwear looks like in a big hurry.

My worst shoe (style) experience is the time I took ages to purchase just the right comfort sandals for a trip to Poland. I didn't see anybody else at all in the same shoes -- until I ran into a nun in full habit with the exact same ones. My husband did tell me he thought they were unattractive!

James, Ansbach,Bayern Germany I think you got my post mixed up with another as mine was about shoes. I've never in any post stated "I've never been taken for an American" nor gloated about my skin color.

If I can just find shoes that I find not-hideous, I can walk in for several hours, won't make my feet swelter in Iberia in July and August, AND can work with more and less casual outfits so I just need them and flip-flops for the shower, I'll be happy. Is that really so much to ask? Probably.

Oh yes, let's plan a trip where we need to make a presentation to diplomats, hike across mountains, go to the beach, go on winery tours, and take tours of major cities. That will be easy to find one pair of shoes for!

I'm sticking with my Clarks. They were hideous when I was 39, but now that I'm approaching late fifties - comfort is job 1. And it doesn't hurt that they have improved their syles a bit.

Brooke---this T-strap by Spira comes close:

http://www.zappos.com/spira-mia-t-strap-black

Made with running shoe technology in the sole---I can walk for hours in them, and have even run a block or two if needed to catch a bus. The back is open so hopefu ansko "Lolita" sandals are also very good for walking, an dcan dress up or down.lly they would be cool enough.

They run a bit large, so for someone between sizes, size down.

http://www.zappos.com/dansko-lolita-zapposcom-exclusive-honey-veg-tan

I'll stick with your story too, Stephanie!

I think James was referring to Eli and comments she has made both on this thread and others.

Lola, I like the first one, and they look a little more hefty than these that I was looking at:

http://www.zappos.com/dansko-sissy-berry-gecko

Though I still prefer the aesthetic of the Sissy, I think they're more city/beach/winery shoes and less hiking through the mountains shoes :( I'll have to see if any of my local shops have Spira shoes. The last two pair of shoes I've bought gave me blisters, which did not make my walking heavy schedule easy! One pair is at least broken in now.

hey, I am on my feet most of the day in a school, and comfort comes first for most of us after a while. I do know young teachers that cannot even walk correctly without at least a 2 in heel....but you get to the point where a decent pair of walking sneaker (they make some really better looking ones now) or like Elaine said the tried and true Clarks and Merrell's are the best...especially on cobbled streets. My 29 year of just bought 2 pair of really good looking heels and sandles from Clark....I and had to fight to get her into the store for me! COMFORT!

Speaking of shoes, I'm holding off buying another pair of walking shoes until we get to Frankfurt. The best walking shoes I've found here are made in Germany. I'm hoping to grab a bargain. What are your thoughts Jo?

I struggle with arthritis in my big toe, have always had jobs where I had to be on my feet all day and walk all over town on multiple surfaces. Finding a pair of shoes was always difficult. I looked at the MBT's and wanted a pair, even though they looked a tad silly, but they cost over 200 euro. Finally, last July, I saw the Skecher Shape-ups and bought a pair for 99 euro. Have been wearing them ever since.

These are dream shoes for me. My toe doesn't hurt, I can walk for 8 or more hours without my feet hurting, and frankly, I could care less if people find them odd looking. Have never gotten a blister, even though on the first day, I wore them walking for 5 hours. They are great on cobblestones, and good in the rain and the snow. And guess what, they are also white!

This style of shoe with the rounded soles is becoming more over common here, as there are several different brands sold. I wear these in the summer too. Have purchased sandals, but find I get blisters with them and I don't like that sweaty feel. I just wear thin socks with my shoes and find this to be the most comfortable.

Foot Locker is big over here, Converse is very popular, and half of the shoes in the store windows are white, so really, just wear what is comfortable.

Brooke, I have a pair of Dansko's (clogs) and they are unbelievably comfortable. I tried on the ones that Lola recommends and the ones you cited and they are both incredibly comfortable.

Also check out Chaco's...I just bought these 2 for my upcoming trip to Paris...Amazingly comfortable.

www.zappos.com/chaco-hipthong-angles-blue

www.zappos.com/chaco-z-2-unaweep-black-2

I had no idea spelling "colour" assumed an air of superiority. Some of us non-native speakers were just taught to spell it that way.

Oh, and Dr.Scholls makes some incredibly comfortable black flats, by the way.

Dansko makes both clog-style (like the Sissy) and more conventional sole (like the Lolita). The Lolita is their "Golden Gate" sandal line which I have found very comfortable for walking. But they are quite heavy.

The Spira "Mia" is very lightweight, and needs no breaking in. I think having a slingback (rather than a closed heel) helps in that regard. No blister issues in the heel, and they breathe really well.

I'd even wear them for "light" hiking---they are, after all, a running shoe in the sole part. In that case, I'd wear them with socks.

For me no white tennis shoes (runners) is more about bringing shoes that are flexible and functional.

Tennis shoes are comfortable but white shows the dirt and they're likely to look soiled quickly.

Also I want shoes that can be worn in the evening. I'm not packing a full "quiver" of shoes, so each pair needs to cover as many potential situations as possible. While white tennis shoes may work great for walking around during the day, they aren't as functional for other things.

Instead of white tennis shoes, I'm more likely to pack a trail running shoe or light hiker in a neutral color that can double as a casual shoe with slacks.

I have the same concerns as Brad. White isn't as versatile as other colors. I am considering just packing my black Naturalizers flats to wear on less walking intensive days. For the conference and river cruise, they should work just fine. But then I still need beach sandals and hiking type shoes, so that puts me at four pair including my shower shoes! Yipes. I never thought I'd be that sort of women, carrying a bag full of shoes!

James, I don't care if people "know" we are tourists or not, but considering that in Spain, Belgium, France, UK, and Italy we were always asked directions by "locals", I will say we have never been taken for American tourists. The "ugly" American tourist you read about, and also the OP said: "So the bottom line in my personal opinion is not worry about blending in & being called out as an American by what's on your feet but wear what the heck you like & I guarantee you no one will care. That's my story & I'm sticking to it."

I am responding to that not "being called out as an American."

Got it now? Whether I am "white", "black", "brown" or tan is irrelevant. If people are offended that I am proud to not be targeted as an American, so be it. Clearly the OP understands something about this otherwise she would not have added that bit, would she?

By the way, I am however taken for an American here, LOL

P.S. James you said: "I've seen you state this in several different threads so you're obviously proud of this. Are you white? Consider some of us out there might not be so "privileged" to look like a typical German or Frenchmen or Scandinavian... I'm glad you gloat about your skin color, but just saying"...

And now all I can say is, that I can't help anyone who has a hangup about colour...just sayin.

What?!?! You mean all of those Nike and Adidas stores all over Europe aren’t just for American tourists? Unbelievable!

I love Dr. Scholl's shoes! Forgot about those Anna.