I was just wondering if anyone had any success with wearing sandals instead of typical tennis shoes on an Italian vacation?
I figured it might be a lot cooler on the feet!!!
Are sandals better or should I just wear typical shoes? Need the protection of a regular shoe?
Can anyone suggest really good quality sandals that offer good support?
.. or even some that support wearing orthotics, if that's even possible???
Pete & Robyn
France/Italy, July 2009
I am a woman, but I went to Italy summer 2007 with just two pairs of sandals. I have a lot of problems with shoes/feet in general; I need a lot of arch support. I researched before I went and ended up with Keens (the Venice style, I think), which I used as my main shoe for 2+ weeks in Italy. For reference, my daily shoes (at home) are Noats and Finn comfort, both semi-custom with a little extra arch support built in. I found the Keens had fairly good arch support; they have a substantial sole and even though sandals, a closed toe. I think the closed toe feature is good for lots of city walking. I also took the Finns as my "dressier" shoe, and for an occasional change of pace. The Keens I think are not that attractive, and to be honest the Finns not a lot better. But it worked for me, and I will probably do the same when we travel later this summer.
Hi Robyn...I would much rather wear an attractive walking sandal than say sneakers or unattractive walking shoes so I searched until I found some. Take a look at the following website because they carry many podiatric recommended walking shoes (at great discounts). Also most shoes have many reviews (like trip advisor). I ended up with a couple pair of sandals by Dansko & they are proving to be excellent walking shoes. I'll be taking them to Europe for six weeks at the end of the month. Also, if you need to return the shoes, there is no shipping fee on the returns. www.sierratradingpost.com
There are several great sandals available that look good and are very supportive. You need to try them all on and decide which one fits you best for your own foot.
Try the following brands: Chaco, Keen, Rockport.
If you want a more "European" style of sandal, look for a "Fisherman's" shoe. It has a lot of weaving across the foot, looks almost more like a shoe, but is a sandal.
My husband wears Chaco. They offer a great footbed with arch support. Chaco was just purchased by Merrell Footwear (a division of Brown Footwear).
Keen will run a bit wide in the foot box. Chaco is a bit more sporty, but they offer great long lasting wear. (my personal pairs are 8 years old, and I wear them almost year round, and always take to Europe on holiday)
Rockport is well known for their arch support and comfort.
Peter - Both my husband and myself wear walking sandals on summer trips to Italy. I like Mephisto and Ecco, but he has brought both Rockport & Merrills. I find them to be VERY comfortable, easy to walk on all day and yes, much cooler. I am also prone to blisters with closed shoes and find sandals to help with that.
I ran this one by my husband. He has a pair of Merrells that are very comfortable, but lately his favorites are a couple pairs of sandals that I bought him from Lands' End. I think the style is called Trekker. One has leather straps and the other has webbed straps; both have a anti-microbial footbed and are nicely padded. They were on super sale so I paid about $40 for both.
For summer travel we both bring a pair of good, comfortable sandals, and a pair of comfortable shoes that can be dressed up for walking-then-dinner-then-theatre. We wear the shoes on the plane and pack the sandals because they take up hardly any room.
My husband hasn't found anything better than ECCO - sandals or shoes.
Keens Venice H2 (you can even get them wet) great support and you can wear with or without socks depending on the weather. My husband who only wears aesics took a pair of these to Europe last summer and now that's all he wears. I loved my pair as well.
The last two years I have worn only Ecco Yucatan sandals. They are very stable, adjust in multiple places, have good traction, and no seams or buckles that rub against your feet. When it is cold, I wear them with socks. They've really been the best travelling shoe that I have ever had.
They make them in both Mens and Womens sizes.
Hi Peter, Keens make a great sandel for walking! Great support and well worth the money. Hope this helps. Take care, Monte
My Finn Comfort sandals saw me through Rick Steves Berlin, Prague and Vienna tour which had lots and lots of walking. They have good support and my feet loved them. Pam
I second Cat's comments about the Lands' End Trekkers. They have a new version that looks a lot like a tennis shoe, but it has mesh panels where the leather or canvas would be so you get some ventilation.
