Cute (and sturdy) walking shoes and what brand clothes?

I wore Teva sandals everyday for a month on our last trip to Paris. They were perfect for me. For the hiking we've done in the Swiss Alps and the French Alps I just wore my Birkenstock sandals. All the trails we went on were "groomed" and easy. Don't know what kind of hiking you plan to do though. I think a fleece is probably enough. Never know for sure about the Alps though. It would have been enough when we were in the Alps in June-July on many different trips, but every year can vary... anywhere you go, not just the Alps. I'd bring more than just one fleece to be on the safe side... or, if you need to, you can buy something there and have it as a souvenir. I'd definitely bring a light rain jacket though, as well as a fleece. Someone else will have to recommend brands of clothes. I just wear what I wear at home, mostly J Jill.

Julie, if the hiking you are planning on is on the tour, or even just a suggest walk , then really , you don't need "special" shoes, I would not wear sandals myself, just good walking shoes or runners.
As for best brands I have seen threads like this for years on this and other forums and the reality is the "best" brand for one persons foot is not the best brand for someone elses, you really have to go and try on a lot of them. Number one tip, please buy shoes at least 2 months before you go and WEAR them in really well. As for the tour, carrying your luggage etc. DO pack light one small bag (max 22 inches) will make your life so much easier.. you will never regret packing lighter half as much as you will regret packing too much. For Alps , a good wind/rain shell and a fleece should be fine I like Eddie Bauer or REI, North Face or Mountain Co-Op . Do not bother with a heavy jacket. If you are worried about being cold pack a silk long sleeved undershirt( available at most outdoor clothing stores) it can double as a pj top, they are thin and lightweight and don't add bulk .

Julie, Susan touched on a good point, weather can vary. I did a RS tour once and we visited Wengen in late July. The trails were dry and lovely, but the locals told us that there had been snow on the trails that year till mid June, which was unusual , so you never know. I still maintain a good pair of walking shoes should be ok though, unless you really plan some extensive hiking. If there is alot of snow on trails they do let you know( and they will close some) , they don't want people slipping around either.
Your tour guide will have all the latest info and will be able to suggest easy and safe hikes if you are on tour time.

I also just wear my Birkenstocks for casual hiking. They are actually the shoes I wear for everything (some are a bit cuter now) I have found I no longer get sore feet or back no matter how much I walk. As for clothes...definitely take as little as possible, just make it all work together. I would try to find some other layers for the cool weather, unless you can find a fleece that is really cute enough to wear in the cities. Otherwise you may be carrying it for nothing. A few thin layers will be as warm as a fleece, and a shawl can be wrapped around your neck for extra warmth, yet used to dress up. I would also bring a lightweight hat and glove liners if you think it might end up being really cool (more warmth and takes up less room than a fleece) I also do not buy a special brand of clothes for travel...I try to find things that will work at home as well as for travel. (I have bought that stuff before and it feels like I am in a costume...as it is not what I would ever wear) I stick to black and a nuetral and a few splashes of color in tank tops or scarves and accessories. I tend to wear skirts most of the time as they are cooler in summer and can be made warmer with a pair of leggings underneath...plus it just looks more like me.
I want to be comfortable when I travel but not look like a frump...clothes are part of the fun! Trying pathetically to look like a fashionable European!

I have some Merrell shoes that I wear all the time (today in fact for antik shopping in warehouses), sort of a tennis shoes/hiking shoe. You'll definitely need a rain jacket/shell.

I have some Merrell shoes that I wear all the time (today in fact for antik shopping in warehouses), sort of a tennis shoes/hiking shoe. You'll definitely need a rain jacket/shell.

Hi Julie-we go to the Swiss Alps for 2-week hiking trips, doing strenuous hikes, and I take my hiking boots, plus sandals for everyday and city wear. For what you are doing, you will be fine with a pair of sandals and a pair of walking shoes. Like Kathy above, I favor Merrills; they make lots of styles from sandals to slides to Mary Janes to running/walking shoes. I always take a microfleece jacket, one that is classic in stule and I can wear it in the city too. Patagonia "El Cap" is a good one but it may have been discontinued. You will also want a rain jacket. layer the two for the coldest times. You can find a great selection of shoes and travel clothing at REI-there is one in Sacramento. It is hard to recommend a particular brand because everyone's taste is different, but they have Patagonia, Prana, Ex Officio, and Royal Robbins, all of which are good.

I wear Merrells all the time, travel especially. They have some cute zip shoes
called Lorelei. I also like Mephisto sandals, both high end, very comfortable, cute shoes. Happy Travels!!

I love Mephisto sandals! So comfortable, so supportive and really cute.

Julie, have you been to one of the Rick Steve's meet ups there in Sacramento? I have gotten a lot of information from the folks at my local meeting including purses, jackets, shoes, bags and other gear. Plus it's a neat group of people. Judging from the posts from the Sacramento folks, they have lots of fun! If I am not mistaken they meet the 3rd Sat. and always post a notice here on the General forum noting time and place. They may have some good leads on where you can find things locally as well.

I second the vote for Mephistos, if you can find your size. I still have a pair of size 43's from six years ago. I also like Munros. They can be ordered on-line from Zappos.com or Nordstrom.com. Zappos has free shipping both ways. Nordstroms has free shiping to you and you can personally return them to any Nordstrom store.

Wow, lots of good advice, thanks everyone!! I don't think our hikes will be strenuous, but I will look for shoes at REI that can be used for walking and are water-resistant/water-proof. Rain gear I have, but living in NorCal means I usually wear just shorts all summer (lucky me), and the pants I have are slacks, so I will have to do some shopping there. I appreciate everyone's comments!!

Hi Julie! I just had to giggle :) I think age and style would play a part in this decision. I read a travel site that said I can't go wrong with converse in Paris. Yeah, maybe 20 years ago. And one that recommended Birkenstocks. Yeah, maybe 20 years from now. I second going to REI or Nordstrom and trying some on. Take them home and try them on with your outfits. Then wear them for a couple of weeks and see if you like them. Both stores have a 100% return policy. :) As for clothes I don't care how old you are Patagonia is the best. My entire family of 6 are packing their down sweaters. :)

Ah, Stacy, you are so right about age and style. I am guessing from your 20 years ago and 20 years from now comments that you are 39, right? Whatever age you are, I am so happy to hear your endorsement of Patagonia. I have been a fan for 40 years, since before they made clothing. I have watched the company evolve fro pitons and other climbing gear to surfing and travel clothes, but they sttill make great mountain gear too. My family members all know they are getting Patagonia for Christmas, from down buntings for infants to merino wool jackets to micro fleece for the adults. The 20's and 30's get yoga pants and travel-friendly clothes. I just wish I were young enough to wear some of the styles. Sigh.

Hello Julie. If you want to buy clothes that are not very high priced, look in the catalogs of these businesses. They can send the clothes to you, via United Parcel Service or Fed Ex or the United States Postal Service. L.L. Bean - on the internet at LLBEAN.COM LANDS' END - on the internet at LANDSEND.COM REI SIERRA TRADING POST
All those retail businesses have internet websites. Photographs of the clothes can be seen at those internet websites. And each of those businesses can send a printed catalog to you, for free. The clothes look much better in the photographs that are in the printed catalogs. Each printed catalog does not have photographs of all the clothes for sale by that business. L.L. Bean is likely to send out its SPRING season catalog in the month February. A comment about Sierra Trading Post : all of its clothes for sale are at discounted Prices, but many of those discounted prices are very high prices. Some items have low prices. Sierra Trading Post has good brand names such as Ex Officio, the prices are relatively low. Sierra Trading Post has many brands of clothing. Their clothes and other items are warehouse clearance items, and factory close - out items. They might have a small quantity of a clothes item that you want, in the color and size that you want. LL Bean sends items (delivery) for free. LANDS' END sends items (delivery) for free, some times. If LL Bean does not have a retail store in California, you would not pay Sales Tax. Some clothes having the LANDS'END label are in SEARS department stores, but not many LANDS END clothes items are in SEARS department stores

Hi Julie, I've been on that trip and the hiking is reasonable trails. There is no need for hiking boots, as you are not carrying a heavy pack. I would suggest a nice walking shoe with reasonable treads and then a nice dressy shoe. I like Merrell brand for walking shoes. If you are going in the summer then a good walking sandal is a reasonably nice alternative for dress shoes. Layering is the key to staying warm. You just layer up your normal clothing, add a rain proof shell, and you'll pretty much be OK. I like to bring a very thin silk long underwear top (3/4 sleeve, scoop neck) to wear under my clothing when it gets colder. I bring a pair of leggings/tights to wear under a dress/pants when it gets cold. A good merino sweater is a nice dressy substitute for a fleece and may be worn in the city too. I like to bring one pair of technical pants and one technical shirt for hiking in the mountains. You can get these from high end mountaineering places and they look like normal clothing (Patagonia, Columbia, REI, etc.) My technical pants roll up into capris and look "normal" when rolled down. My technical shirt has roll-up sleeves. I mix/match my technical clothes with my regular clothes to get a capsule wardrobe that can be worn many ways. Google "travel capsule wardrobe" to get hints at what works/doesn't. I would also suggest buying a small packable daypack like the Barefoot enterprises Wanderlite Pack. Get a collapsable water bottle, and bring extra zip locks for snacks. I bring a small headlamp, just in case. In spring/fall I would bring a pair of silk bicycle gloves and a watch cap in case it gets cold. The walks in the area are specatacular, and you will have a wonderful time, I'm sure!

Even in the dreadfully hot and humid summers of florida, I just can't bring myself to wear sandals or flip flops. To wear them in Europe, being out all day, walking around a lot, I couldn't handle just how dirty my feet and toes would be. I do chose breathable light shoes, such as Jambu, Merrell. But that is me...feet should neither be seen or smelled. As for Europe, since I have never been there during warm weather months, I am not sure if Europeans wear sandals or flip flops during the warm months. With the chance that more people are flocking to those parts of the world, I would also be concerned about people stepping on my toes; if they are out in the elements, ouch. I am not trying to change your fashion likes, but maybe bringing up some reasons as to why you should opt to keep the toes inside a shoe? The shoes you wear in the city could maybe be the same shoes you can wear in the Alps. I get a Merrell catalog and I see a lot of cute low top shoes that a person is walking on dirt terrain with. But I guess that depends on how intense of hiking you will be executing.
I am a weight and space freak; 2 pairs of shoes means I lose some space in my bag. Hiking shoes can add some weight.

Just remember that it does rain in June, so if you're wearing sandals you will have wet feet. Whatever you choose, make sure they fit your feet comfortably and are not what other people say fits their feet. Buy them soon, and break them in thoroughly (not just a couple wearings, wear them every day at home and several times a week all day long). I personally like Keen brand shoes and Ex Officio and Royal Robbins clothing. You can find them at REI - there is store in Sacramento 1790 Expo Pkwy, Sacramento, CA 95815, Phone:(916) 924-8900.

There are also REI stores located in Roseville, across from the Galleria, and in Folsom. You can see it from Hwy 50. I think you would take the E. Bidwell exit. There is a Merrell store at the Folsom outlets. I like buying shoes that must be comfortable at Nordstom's because of their excellent return policy. I have taken Teva sandals to Europe and they worked out fine. Do take some shoes, unless you don't mind getting your feet wet if/when it rains. We have a group from this Helpline that meets the 3rd Saturday of each month in the North Natomas area. A reminder with the particulars gets posted under General Europe, usually 7-10 days before the meeting. We would love to have you join us. Amongst us we have people who have traveled all over Europe and we might be of some help to you.

Yes, Europeans wear sandals in the summer. Never saw flip-flops on women (only men) but sandals... definitely. It's very common. And if it rains in June, it's not cold out so was never an issue for me. As for "feet should not be seen"... in the summer, when it's warm/hot, I think it's totally normal for people to wear sandals. When I'm in Europe and it's warm/hot, I wouldn't be able to stand wearing shoes. In fact, the Tevas I bought and wore for a month in Paris (my post above), I bought in Paris. If I were you, I would wear your Tevas b/c your feet are used to them and you won't have any problems. I wore Birkenstocks (cute ones) for years before my last trip, here and on many trips throughout Europe. I bought my first pair in Venice actually. But for my last trip I wanted something "new" so I went to REI. The salesperson convinced me to buy Chacos for my trip. They were cute and I thought, comfortable. I wore them for two months before my trip and had no problem with them. But after a few days in Paris, pounding the pavement all day long, my feet were destroyed. Torn up and covered, top and bottom, with blisters. I couldn't walk. Took me a couple days, but I found Teva's in a shoe store in the 5th arrondissement and they were my savior. I wore them every day for a month. My point is, don't try something new. Even if you wear them here for a month or two, it's not the same as pounding the pavement all day long in Europe. A trip to Europe is not the time to try a new brand of shoe imo. Just want to add, some people love Chacos and have no problems with them. Someone already said it above, everyone is different and what works for one may not work for someone else. That's why I recommend wearing your Tevas, even a new pair of the same style, b/c your feet are used to them.

We do a ton of walking on vacations. My wife's favorite choice for cute, good with pants, shorts or skirt, lightweight, comfortable, sturdy enough for walking, and not outrageously expensive - Sketcher's bikers: http://www.skechers.com/women#Styles=%2Fstyles%2Fcasual-shoes&Brands=%2Fbrands%2Fbikers They're normally about $50 in stores (the web has a higher price). They also take a lot of walking without showing their age. My wife has, I think, four or five pairs. One wore out after years as both a daily work and travel shoe. The others are different colors (slightly different styles). Of the group, one pair isn't comfortable so she doesn't pack or wear them much (but she hasn't given them to Goodwill for some reason). The others felt perfect right out of the box.

Julie, We each wore Teva sandals and Teva tennis shoes on our 8 weeks trip. Other trips I wore Teva sandals and Birkenstocks. Also, we wear jogging socks....because of the cushion. However, we did not hike. We also had a light-weight fleece jacket and did need it in Switzerland around the same time you will be there. You can always layer. We also wear the winkle resistant travel blouses you see on many sites. ENJOY!

Check out the Keen brand of footwear. I have four different pairs. Each pair has traveled to Europe on different trips. Sandals, slip ons and lace ups. All sturdy, all fashionable, all comfortable. My go to brand of footwear.