Shoes, Bad Feet, and Cobble Stones

You can definitely mention the exact brand and model that worked for you. A lot of people, myself included, have found shoes from others on this site. Take a look at this section https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/best-travel-shoes

OMG, we just returned from Spain and I couldn’t believe how hard the rock streets are on your feet. Cobblestones would have been a relief, believe me. I actually had good shoes but ended up buying a pair of Ecco brand shoes to trade off on my poor feet. Just a heads up to anyone traveling there.

There is a whole section for just this discussion --- Tips & Trip Reports. Posted under, Best Walking Shoes for Travel. I vote for ECCOs.

We got back on 10/3 from Portugal and Spain. My feet and ankles still hurt.

If you had “nerve pinching”, see a podiatrist about neuromas. I had two removed from one foot and one from the other. Shoes won’t fix the problem nor will injections.

Another issue for older persons like myself and wife is traction on streets made of stone. These streets are often worn from hundreds of years of wear. When it rains, things become slippery. So, wear shoes which can handle such conditions. For me, this involved "tennis" shoes with "rubber" bottoms. I wore a pair of shoes with leather soles, but this was not good with rainy conditions.

Yes, "grippy" shoes are a thing. We did the South Italy tour this summer, and I definitely need "grippy shoes" before we do Portugal next year. We had trouble in Alberobello and Matera. I'll start looking in about February; our tours are not until September.

Oh my word, I was so glad to have my tennis shoes for the cobblestones in Portugal. My feet got used to them, but wow.

And my cushy Skechers were dangerous on wet streets in Prague. They didn't even get to go to Portugal for fear it might rain.

I worry about slipping on smooth and/or wet surfaces, and have been happy with shoes with Vibram soles. A number of shoe brands seem to have them.

I (59 and arthritic ankles and knees) have just returned from 7 weeks in Europe and found that wearing compression socks with my hiking shoes made a big difference to foot and ankle pain when spending days on hilly, cobbled streets.

Not a podiatrist. For years of standing and walking about on film and TV sets I developed plantar fasciitis. Even in my comfortable Nikes.

Friends mentioned the Keen brand of foot wear.
First pair I invested in were the Targhee low cut hiking shoes.

Within in weeks of wearing that pair of shoes my plantar fasciitis disappeared.

Since then ( 15 years ago ) I’ve invested in 5 other pairs of Keens. Sandals, lace up, slip ons, boots.

Nary a problem with my feet for years!

I walk for a living and a lot of those walks are on cobblestones. Have also walked 4 Caminos and many of the towns in Portugal and Spain have some rather uncomfortable cobblestones.
What works for me are regular hiking boots. They have a thick sole so you don't feel the difference of the stones, and they are not affected by the slippery stones when wet or covered with snow. I cannot imagine wearing sneakers on some of these streets! With those thin soles, you will feel every nook and cranny of the street.
Some of the cobblestones are really tough to walk on. Marburg, Edinburgh and Porto have had the worst streets, though other towns are right behind with uncomfortable streets.
I pay a lot for my Meindl boots, but they are good for a few 1000 km. and my feet are thankful. When I have worn sneakers to work in, after about 10km, my feet start aching and they will hurt for a day or two. Not sure what kind of boots you are buying, but try a sports store like REI to find a good fit. Maybe you need a shoe with a wide toe box? Then see a podiatrist who can help with what ever problems you are having with your feet, corns, bunions, etc.
Good luck, our feet are important!

My current shoes that I am happy with are "Saucony Men's Peregrine 12 Trail Running Shoe" which look like dress sneakers, are pretty light weight, and good grip. They are kind of like a hiking boot crossed with a light weight shoe. They also seem resistant to water.

I tried 4 different shoes from that company, and previously Brooks Beast which was there best padded shoe - but I found the padding was more in the heel where the new ones are padded more in the front ball of the foot.

Last year I bought some Columbia hiking boots in Prague and they were pretty good - but big heavy clunky a bit.

Have you've visited an orthopedic surgeon that specializes in feet and ankles only? Most large practices have such a doctor. They're the best way to find out what your problem is.

My wife has terrible arthritis, and the joint on the top of her foot has no cartilage. She was sent, as most people are, for a custom orthodics (arch supports) to fit in her shoes. Her doctor told her to wear only Allegria brand rocker bottom shoes for the rest of her life.

We've noticed that many registered nurses and female doctors wear Allegria's, and our local Belks store has an Allegria department.

There are also special shoe stores in most large communities that specialize in shoes for problem feet. Any orthopedic physician can refer you to them.

I have visited a podiatrist who drained blood out of a Tailor's Bunyon and wanted to prescribe anti-inflamatories for the nerve damage in the ball of my foot. I also bought some special walking shoes from the same company Saucony but did not like them at all.

One thing I noticed is that I travel with two types of socks - smart wool and compression socks. The compression socks make my legs feel better after walking 5 hours. However, they seem to scrunch my foot up slightly, and perhaps make the ball of the foot stick out more - and it was wearing those socks that I developed the nerve damage. I am thinking to take some scissors and cut the feet out of them, and use the leg part alone.

You can also buy compression "sleeves" that go from ankle to knee.

My current shoes that I am happy with are "Saucony Men's Peregrine 12 Trail Running Shoe" which look like dress sneakers, are pretty light weight, and good grip.

Thanks. I'm passing this info along to my husband who has foot issues and has had luck with Saucony before. He also feels that smartwool socks help somewhat.

Good shoes before a trip is a must due to exactly these issues you are having. Someone mentioned the multiple "best shoes" discussion and it has been mentioned before that many trips have been ruined by planters factitious and other ankle/foot problems due to the unanticipated excessive walking on various surfaces and how that may impact your whole body. PF can take a year or more to resolve and that is with extensive/daily Physical Therapy (I know..I have had two bouts that have not been travel related).

I swear by Vionic shoes for travel/daily use. I have one pair of black booties that have taken be two Europe twice that I swear by and am actively looking for another pair as they have been discontinued (can usually count on Nordstroms rack to carry). I also use their sandals for my summer travels. Another great brand is Aetrix.

Everyone is different, and it's useful to have a professional evaluation. For example, weak muscles or tendons in the ankle can make it easy to "twist" your ankle even if you have good "traction" on a stone. Usually you get some warnings about this at home (say, climbing a stepstool in the garage), if you are willing to "listen" to the warning.

I instantly went to my internist (not a specialist) and he said most of his patients eventually developed PF. I bit the bullet and put orthotics in every shoe (and bedroom slipper) I owned, and have not had a problem since. (And I replace them every few years.) In fairness, some people don't get as much benefit from an orthotic in a slip-in shoe. They need a laced-shoe to get the right foot "posture".

I recently found Oboz shoes, which are perfect for me. The walking shoes are sturdy enough for hiking, they fit very well (wider toe box but narrower heel, plus a high arch, which wards off PF) and they are extremely supportive. I no longer worry about tripping because of shoes that are too "comfy" and soft.

They were shoes that have a carbon fiber sole that doesn’t flex as much so when you walk on a cobblestone, it doesn’t dig into one part of the foot. I find this to be more comfortable than the super soft and squishy shoes.

Certainly hiking boots work well but they are also heavy and make you more tired if you’re walking for five hours a day just because of the extra weight.

That’s why I like the shoes I know know which have a hiking book field but the very light weight and also have a little more stylish look so that you don’t look like you’re hacking into an expensive restaurant

Saucony's more padded sneakers are a good benchmark for comfortable, reasonably light and good looking shoes. Likely most people can do a bit better for their personal needs. But well-padded Sauconies are perfectly acceptable travel shoes for most, perfect for some.

I'm with Ms. Jo. Hiking boots. That's all I wear when I travel. And about 98% of the time in the States.

I’m not a foot doctor but I found this exercise seems to help. I stand on some steps or the curb, with my toes on the step, then flex my heel down. It stretches the arch.

Also when seated I put a foot under the chair, with the top of my toes touching the ground, then push my ankle forward as a stretch.

And like any injury, some ice sometimes helps.

My feet are now a limiting factor to my traveling. My current solution is

1. Physix Gear compression sleeves. The toe part is open and it covers the ankle. I can wear them on their own or with a sock over them. The extra squeeze and support for my aching feet make a huge difference.
2. Keen Newport Sandal: These have a nice cushiony foot bed with thick treads. Great for city and trail walking. Light on the feet.
3. El Naturalista Volcano ankle boots. Spacious, good ankle support, thick soles.

I alternate between the sandals and the boots. I love my Keen hiking boots, but they get heavy on my feet. I don't care too much about style, but the Volcano boots look better for evening dining.

Yes it helps a lot to have some other footwear to switch between. I have started caring a pair of Oofos super soft sandals. I wear them in the hotel room, down to breakfast, on beaches, and in pool areas. I think some problems are caused by having your feet bound up and hot, no matter how good they are, so having some sandals to change helps - and not as bulky as another pair of shoes.

For several years, every trip to EU, I would buy some Birkenstocks (Austria, German, France) at about 2/3 the price in the US. And I found them pretty good for arch support, but as I developed a Tailor's bunion, then I gave them up.

Years ago at a country fair, they used to have these machines that would vibrate your feet. They were pretty effective at rejuvenating tired feet. I have seen something like them sold in Costco in the US special purpose and in some Asian appliance stores in LA. I wonder why you never see them in EU at all?