Best Walking Shoes for Around the World Trip

Why not stick with everwhat your favorite already is? I've been wearing semi-waterproof Merells for years since I do a lot of slogging. When they get rock-cut to pieces I go out and find another pair as close as possible to what just got thrown out. You've got to go for comfort, not brand.

I go to Europe every summer with someone who wears a different brand of shoes than I do. Bottom Line: what may be comfortable to one might be bad for another. You need to go start trying on shoes.

Ed and Charlie both make excellent points! I always recommend Doc Martens - because they are leather, incredibly (incredibly!) durable, extremely comfy (for my feet - perhaps for yours?), can be worn in heat and in cold, have grippy soles that don't slip in the rain and are thick enough to resist the torture of the worst medieval cobblestones, and.... drum roll... they look like REAL SHOES. :-)

Try looking at Keens.

People here can give you a list of companies a mile long, but it won''t do you any good unless you go and try on shoes. You are the only one who will know what fits well and gives you the features you want. There's no shortcut.

Charlie is correct - try on a lot of different brands because everyone's feet are different and while one particular brand may be recommended by someone, it could be totally wrong for your foot. Bring more than 1 pair of shoes on your trip. I understand the importance of trying to pack light, I did my own RTW and when you are traveling long term, it's even more important to keep your feet in good shape. Give your feet a break with a different shoe. Besides, if your only pair gets soaked in the rain, it's good to have an extra pair as backup while the other dries out. On my RTW I had 1 backpack. I spent a year doing a RTW & had to pack for multiple climates/seasons & for both cities and hiking trails. I brought Merrell boots for hiking on rocky, muddy trails (wore them on travel days as they were the heaviest of the lot), a Merrell loafer (for city walking) and Keen water shoes with a lug sole that were worn at the beach & also on lighter trail hiking in rainforest areas as the lug soles helped me climb over slippery rocks & tread through small streams. I also toted along a pair of flip flops for hostel shower floors which are kind of nasty, and, being a chick, a pair of strappy evening shoes for clubbing in big cities. Sounds like you are really sticking to just cities on your RTW, so bring along your NB tennis shoes and get yourself a loafer. Buy decent socks - I use Wrightsock which help prevent blisters from forming as they are double layer and wicking. Some people like Smart Wool which I find bulky which is why I get Wrightsock. If getting new socks is not in the budget (although they are worth every penny), get yourself a stick of Body Glide and put it on your feet every morning. Forget Nordstrom - try someplace like REI, especially if you are going to get socks & Body Glide.

The great thing about Nordstom's is their return policy. If you get something that you end up not liking you can return them. If shoes aren't comfortable to me when I first wear them (trying on in the store doesn't count) they go back. Most stores won't accept a return if worn outside, but Nordstrom's does.

Try out ECCO brand with a good pair of socks. As mentioned 'everyones feet are different' so just keep on testing. Good luck & good travels!

Since you already know new balance work for you why don't you start by checking out their walking and hiking shoes. We did 2 trips to Europe in New Balance. This trip my husband is using his New Balance and I'm taking a pair of Keens. I used to always try and take a 2nd pair, but when it comes down to it I never have room in the backpack for a 2nd pair. I've given up and resigned myself to one pair for the past 2 trips and have been fine. Only taking one when I leave in a couple of days.