Walking shoes Keens ?

Hi, I just got back from 6 weeks across Europe and my main pair of shoes was the Keen Amsterdam style. I wore them with little black socks, so I may have looked a little silly, but I found them to be pretty comfortable. I mean by the first week or so of the trip my feet would hurt at the end of the day but I think when you're doing that much walking it doesn't matter how great the shoe is lol. But I had nothing bad and I never had back or knee pain or anything. But the thing is our feet are all different, you need to go into a travel or shoe store that sells lots of good walking type shoes and just keep trying them on til you find something that feels great on your feet! But yes I did have a good experience with my Keens. Have fun!

I've found oxford styles to be the very best. I've tried many brands of walking shoes. The number one would be Merrel and number two Ecco, both oxfords.

I have the Keen Venice, and so does my husband. We love them. I wore mine in Europe and we just got back. They were perfect for warm days when we were going to be sightseeing because they provided the ventilation of sandals but were like wearing sneakers.

I took Keen Briggs (loafer style) and Keen Vancouver (mary jane style) on a 3 week tour of Italy in late April, early May. They were very comfortable, although toward mid-May the weather was getting a bit warm to wear either. Because I need extra arch support, I also used additional inserts. I wore the Mary Jane style on a 7.5 mile hike in the Cinque Terre and had no foot pain at all. Although they are a bit clunky, basic black fits in with almost everything. Newer styles are even less clunky though. I suggest going to zappos.com and browsing the selection (the largest anywhere), including the comments section (they do run a bit small). They have free return shipping if the shoes don't wear out.

I, too, have debated endlessly about what shoes to take on our upcoming trip to Germany (leaving Friday--Yea!). I finally decided on Keen Mary Janes (Amersterdam) and Ahnu Somas. The Keen Mary Janes are comfortable but just don't give the support that a true walking shoe has. So I just bought the Ahnus. They're a cross between a hiking and walking shoe and give the support I need. I had to buy a half size larger because I'll wear those "no show" black socks with them. Since I promised myself I'd only take two pair of shoes, I figure the Mary Janes will have to do when I need to dress up a little more or just want a break from the Ahnus.

I wore Keen's Boston on our trip to Europe a year ago in May and June. Closed shoe, kind-of clunky for some but...We had unusually cool, wet weather and I wore mostly long pants (I also wore them with capris when it was warmer but I'm not a fashonista)The shoes were great. I NEVER had sore feet, even the day we walked over 10 miles. Also, they were great at keeping my feet dry. Walked through rain and snow regularly always with warm and dry feet.
Lisa

Okay, here is another Keen owner chiming in to sing their praises, but for the traction, since the other merits are already listed for you. Whether on cobblestones in cities or hiking the Cinque Terre trail, I've yet to find a surface over which my trusty 5- year-old Keens (one of the first models)didn't carry me in comfort and safety. I also appreciate the very wide toe bed, because I have bunions. Caveat: always make sure you have been wearing them- or any other shoe you eventually opt for- on some long walks and/or hikes at home. Just because they are comfortable in the store doesn't mean they don't have to be well broken- in before you embark on the long distance walking you do when traveling.

Most of the shoes noted as being great for walking may be comfy...but are lacking in style. I opted for Sketcher Waterlilies. Do check them out...I wore them nearly every day without any socks and walked a good 10 miles on some days on the Rick Steves' Best of Europe in 14 days tour. I never got any blisters or sores and my feet did NOT hurt...ever! I will take them again on my future trips. So...you can have style and comfort in one pair of shoes!

CC, I'm w/you. My head spins too just thinking about it. You may want to visit this store: The Walking Company(They're based in CA). They have a nice varied selection of well made shoes, boots, sneakers, sandals, etc. just for walking.(Ecco, Dansko, etc) The salespeople that I have dealt with, were pleasant(very important)and very knowledgeable on all the shoes. They were right on the money in picking the shoe most appropiate for my feet and my needs. Good luck!

I bought my shoes from The Walking Company. After trying on a bunch of shoes and them looking at how they fit and how I walked on them, they suggested Earth shoes. I got a mary jane style called Ivy. I've been breaking them in and they are different, but quite comfortable. I leave on Wednesday so hopefully they work out :)

I've posted before about Smart Wool socks---THE best and well worth the money(and I don't work for them).I have narrow feet so it's hard for me to get a good fit w/ shoes like Keens that only come in m widths plus my feet are always cold. Smart Wool has a wide variety of weights but all have the cushioned bottoms. You can order directly from their website for the best selelction.Do take 2 prs of shoes to give your feet a break and let the shoes breathe.

I think one should be careful when picking shoes to remember that on matter how many people swear by a certain brand, that they must suit YOUR feet. I find Danskos heavy and wide, I find Keens too wide, I find Merrills good, Naots , very good , and The Sketchers I bought for this last trip were horrible.
I don't endorse or condem any brand for you, I know what works on me may not work for you.

Go to a good shoe store, one that specilizes in many different types of good quality ( so no, not a discount warehouse type place) walking shoes, try on lots, and even the pair you buy , wear around the house for a day or two to see if they really are comfy, ( return if not).
I had bought two pairs of Sketchers, they WERE both comfy in the store,but when I wore a pair to work a few days later I realized quickly that they had no arch support and wearing them for more then an hour or two was most unpleasant. I could not return them , but at least I could return the unworn pair.

CC, the most important thing is comfort when walking. You SHOULD be doing so much walking every day that your feet are going to be sore no matter what shoes you wear. So find yourself a pair of shoes that are great walking shoes and look nice enough to wear to an opera.

For women, I can only speak for my wife. She wears Ecco shoes exclusively when she has to be on her feet. They make great walking shoes that look nice enough.

One important thing you MUST do before you leave is for about 3-6 weeks before you leave, put the shoes on that you're going to wear in Europe and go for a 1-2 mile walk at least 4 times a week. Go for your walk outside, not on a treadmill or an indoor track. Pound the pavement - real pavement. Depending on where you're going in Europe, roads are brick or concrete of some sort and uneven. Sidewalks are narrow and crowded. Get your legs and feet in shape to handle this, and most Americans' legs and feet are due for a rude awakening when they get there.

Thank you one and all....really appreciate your input.
Going to The walking store today....
Will be coming home with some new Kicks.
cc

I bought a pair of Keens at the suggestion of several people and hated them the first week! I took out the insoles and bought some athletic insoles (Dr. Scholls) and now I love my Keens! But I dont love them as much as I love Dansko shoes. I have Danskos that are several years old and are still in good condition - and are still comfy!!!! They are sandals - similar to the Margrete shoes on their website - but mine are open toed. If I have to run to catch a train - they are COMFY! I wore mine on a trip to Paris and London - never got blisters, feet never got tired. Check out the Dansko shoes when you are the Walking store.

love love love my keen mary janes. I am going to Italy, Greece, Croatia in a week and they are my choice to take for walking shoes....Cat

I have the Keen Amsterdams and wore them throughout 2.5 weeks in Italy this summer. I loved them. I usually wore them without socks so they got a little sweaty, but I packed baby powder and that solved the problem.

I don't know if this is a practical suggestion or not - but I always agonize over what clothes & shoes to take (leaving for the Lake District in a couple of weeks) and I finally came to the conclusion that I wasn't going to the MOON! I decided to pick a pr. or two of my comfy/fave shoes and if they didn't adapt I'd go to a local store in the country I was visiting & find a comfy pair of whatever shoes the locals might wear. You can ask the salesperson what people there wear and what is the concensus for comfort. In China I had a pair of shoes that were bothering me & some clothes that were too warm for the somewhat unseasonable muggy weather, so I used one of my "free" afternoons (shopping anyway) and picked up a few items which were more comfortable for the current weather & terrain. These items make good personal souvenirs - better for me than a "destination" t-shirt. I'm not a big fan of "travel" shoes & clothes- they LOOK like tourists . . .

I wore the Keen "Calistoga" shoes for our recent two week trip to Europe. I LOVED them. I had about a month to break them in before the trip, and that was plenty. I didn't get any blisters and my feet were never sore from the shoes. They were very comfortable and practical. I got the black color so that they would go with both black pants and khakis. I bought mine at REI.

Goodness lots of responses. To put in my 2 cents, I bought Keen mary jane style at REI for our trip to Spain. I have been wearing them to work with both skirts and slacks to break them in a bit before we go. I LOVE these shoes. I wear them both with and without socks without any rubbing. As for Danskos, I have a pair of those too as I'm on my feet most of the day for work. They are comfortable for about 4 hours and then rub my toes horribly. I would never take my Danskos to Europe.

Just got back from 21 days, probably walked 100 miles. My wife and I both have Merrell, and coolmax socks made all the difference in the world. Don't skimp on shoes you'll be sorry.