which shoes to wear? huge feet....

Depends on country & region, occasion (e.g. event, restaurant type, ...) and date of travel (e.g. winter?).

I wear size 16 shoes, and my European travels are walked exclusively in Doc Martens - my favorite being their "Keith" model. Wonderfully comfortable, good on uneven walking surfaces, very durable and sorta stylish. I recommend them.

I'll look into those, but I can tell you that in most brands I wear a 17, so if they cutoff at 16, those won't work for me. New balance is the only brand I can wear a 16 in.

This is the perpetual argument (?) discussion about white tennis. White tennis shoes are frequently worn in Europe generally by the younger crowd and lots of American tourists. Personally I would not wear shorts and would take the dark brown shoes to cover day to evening wear. I only take one shoes -- dark brown Ecco shoe, walking shoe. Ecco has wide toe box that benefits by bent toes and 13s. Don't know how large Ecco goes. But has been my first shoe of choice for the past ten/fifteen years.

MarkK, Paris, Salzburg Rome, mid to late may.

Mostly casual stuff and sight seeing, nothing formal

Traveling near the start of summer, I hate to say "no shorts"

Are white athletic shoes really frowned upon in Europe like some have said?

No.

Who said that? No one cares about the colour of your footwear. It's a myth to scare Americans.

Just a lot of websites like this

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/6-ways-to-humiliate-yours_b_6799202/amp?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAFQDLybazyjZkZagkcd1GLiaWE7u8JjwRjwookuZn0QABdGuG4ypZ0-vj1iXYUtwPenun-xnMPaJRXCGzn1avfVDC24ZYlVL_xia9_jS1dZfw2ckBxRRlzMY36WZv6KkdPlL6cbNwc-02Yh4ewz3jxxt6yAul38diNM2n_Xq27ku

While white tennis shoes are becoming more common among Europeans, brown ones are more versatile for travel. Unless they're very formal looking, they would work with both casual and dressier attire. I travel with a pair of black tennis shoes and they work well for just about any occasion.

Both my brown new balance and my black ones have a pretty chunky formal look. I wish they were stylish, but they aren't

https://www.newbalance.com/pd/mens-leather-928v3/MW928-V3L.html?dwvar_MW928-V3L_color=Brown

Here's an old post from this very forum with VERY mixed opinions on the subject

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/general-europe/the-white-shoe-thing

These would do it all

https://www.zappos.com/p/dunham-captain-brown/product/7375216/color/6

Or these sandals

https://www.zappos.com/p/keen-arroyo-ii-slate-black-bronze-green/product/7292303/color/241506

that Zappos link is amazing. Never seen it before, thanks

The comfort of your feet is the most important factor.

It is almost an absolute certainty that anyone who 'might' have a negative thought about your shoes will ever see you again, so why should you care what others think?

Are white athletic shoes really frowned upon in Europe like some have said?

Who are these people saying that? Are they Europeans?

I have, with very few exceptions, always worn white trainers (sneakers) and at the age of 43 still do so. I wear them with shorts, I wear them with jeans and I'll wear them with chino's or other casual trouser. These are not 'athletic' shoes in the sense that they're designed for running but more tennis style, classic, simple and smart. No gel cushioning etc or garish designs or mesh fabric. Think Adidas Stan Smiths and you'll get the picture. New Balance tend to be geared towards actual exercise so in that respect you will look a bit more underdressed than you would wearing a smart tennis type shoe.

Not once have I ever felt out of place. Not once have I ever been the only person wearing such footwear and not once have I ever considered, before putting them on, what anyone else might think should they see me in them. I have travelled throughout Europe wearing white trainers and as far as I'm aware, not one person has ever raised their eyebrows.

My main concern if I were in your huge shoes would be how you're going to deal with the flight! I'm 6' 3" and I find it bad enough.

I have to book extra legroom, like delta comfort+. Hopefully that will be enough for me

Just got back from five weeks in Europe - mid May to mid June

Saw lots of white runners and shorts - everywhere including Paris -

Anyone who tells you otherwise is a fibber.

Bring shorts in case it’s hot for sure .

I think brown runners look worse that white ones - they don’t fool anyone into thinking they are shoes .
Least wearing white you look normal .

Trust me you will not stand out because of white runners - your height on the other as you are used to ! Have fun with it ! Just make sure your runners are worn in well .

Thank you Pat. Yeah I'm used to stares, and even gasps. My shoes are so large they really get noticed, even over here, I was hoping to avoid it over there by blending in a little more.

Maybe I'll go full hog and wear white shoes, knee socks, and a shirt made to look like an American flag, and a backwards baseball cap!

that Zappos link is amazing. Never seen it before, thanks

You can filter by size on the Zappos website.

Zappos has free shipping both ways. My feet are between sizes so I almost always order two pairs of shoes in different sizes and then keep the one that fits best.

It’s easy to return the other shoes. Go online to your order, click return. Then they will send you an email with your shipping label. Take the box, tape on the new label, and drop it off at your nearest UPS station.

I've got awful feet and I walk a LOT when I'm in Europe. I wear athletic shoes all the time because I need to keep my feet in good shape for all the sightseeing I want to do. Sometimes I can find my brand of choice in black with not too much awful neon decoration, sometimes not. I just go with what works for my feet.

As one of my grandmothers used to say..."You won't see anyone you know or care about!"

Zappos is awesome. Free shipping to you and free shipping on returns. I've purchased and returned dozens of pair as no local shoe store carries a women's 12 or the brand I like. I'd suggest if you order from Zappos and are not sure about the size to order both sizes so you can compare side to side, then return one.

(Brand of choice is Altra Zero Drop but I've topped out on the women's sizes at 12 and they don't go higher than 14 for men.)

Most important tip: forget all Huffington Post is writing about Europe. They have no clue at all.

Most Italian people look very much for shoe wear but as long as you do not meet up Italians or want to visit a decent restaurant no issue. Stay in the tourist areas and you will be accepted as normal "zoo".

Similar thing for France but here it makes a huge diffeence if you are in a city or in countryside and on occasion.

Austrians are relatively relaxed if it not comes to certain evening events.

You shall use your Italy visit to buy a good pair of shoes.

I haven't been able to walk into a store and buy shoes since I was a teenager oh, I seriously doubt the shops and Italy will have those kind of sizes

Just careful with shorts because you won’t be allowed to enter some churches.

I am going to take at least one pair of pants, but my shorts are below the knee

@fourfinleys the old RS forum post you linked is really old, 2009. Times and fashion change. Sounds like you’ve got some solid leads for good walking shoes for your upcoming trip. Have a great trip!

Adding to the chorus of "wear what's comfortable for your feet" and don't worry what anyone thinks about your choice of shoes! Life is too short to worry about this; just enjoy your trip! And Pam, my Grandma used to say pretty much the same thing only a bit of a variation-" Next week who will remember or even care what you.........". Have a fantastic time, fourfinleys and keep those feet happy! Oh, and to answer your question, I would probably go with the brown with your shorts!

I wore white sports shoes throughout my last European visit, and that included 10 days in Italy. If anyone disapproved, I certainly did not notice. Though I would add that I was not wearing shorts. But I agree that you should definitely wear what is best for your feet. I know from experience in the past (non travel related) that wearing shoes that are a bad fit just cause pain, and that is much worse than any fashion faux pas.

SAS Shoes has up to size 16. Very comfortable. More than once I have put on a new pair and done a 10 km walk.

Many people say “wear what is comfortable” as an excuse for marshmallow shoes. The thing is, good looking shoes and comfort are not mutually exclusive. Sure, it’s harder to find good looking comfortable shoes, but not impossible. That’s especially true with the advantage of the internet.

My biggest problem is keeping white shoes clean. It’s easy to get them looking sloppy when on vacation. Dark shoes hide many sins. They look better for longer. That makes them far more practical in my book.

Stephen, SAS size 16 are a little small on me

Have you ever come across Dunham shoes? I sold shoes for a dozen years (but not for 8 yrs now) and Dunham's could be ordered in up to I believe sz 18 and up to 6E width in the 8000BK and BR (blk and brown). They were a nice, basic looking, Rockport World Tour kinda shoe. They were owned by New Balance (I don't know if they still are - oh, looks like they may be owned by Rockport now, who back in the day was part of Adidas at some point...not sure now) and had some good 'tech' in them for walking.

Maybe you've tried them with no luck, but in case you haven't heard of them you may want to check them out.

@OP: Do not think that all Italians are small people with black hair. Northern Italy (Südtirol) is full of huge and stabile people with anchestors from Germany / Austria, nearly the whole region speaks an excellent German. Therefore in Milano for example you will find specialists for large shoes (example).

Nicole, I had never heard of that brand until yesterday, but I'll check them out for sure. Thanks

I have to agree with Cindy. All else being equal (comfort wise), I'd go with a darker shoe for practicality. I always bring dark shoes for the same reason that I never bring white clothing on a trip- keeping them looking clean and presentable. Dark colours hide the dirt better. My shoes are black. DH has a black and a brown pair that he travels with.

maybe just what I'm used to, but dark shoes with shorts to me looks weird. Reminds me of the old man with Black shoes and White socks

I know fashions change, but the look makes me cringe. Others probably feel that way about white shoes

Just ordered a pair of Grey Chuck Taylors from Zappos. Not too dark, not too light, not too heavy.,not too expensive. Thanks for your help

Fourfinleys - I agree , dark shoes with shorts and slack looks old man to me too .
Your purchase sounds perfect

The nice thing about the Dunham is they are waterproof as well. The style name (as opposed to number ) is Windsor. Just checking amazon (Canada) and they are showing sizes up to 18 XW (which I think for them was a 4E. XXW was a 6E).

They were one of the few brands that we could get that big. I think even Rockport only went to 15, maybe 16, and nothing in XW or XXW in bigger sizes. They were a good selling shoe for us - my husband actually had a pair (not the Windsor style, but another waterproof one) and he quite liked them and was upset he couldn't get another pair as they were discontinued.

If you do wear dark shoes with shorts, just make sure not to pull your socks up to your knees...lol. Just get some ankle socks. My husband never ever wears tennis shoes - well, he had some black Reeboks...and he'd just scrunch his black socks down to his ankles and it didn't look weird at all.

No problem. Here in Switzerland it is very laid back for clothing. The only people who wear suits are bankers (sometimes), Jehovah's Witnesses or business travellers from the USA.
If you see a suit walking through town on a Saturday, stay well clear, it is a Jehovah's Witness.

You may want something waterproof, depending where and when you are going.

I am size 48 (no idea what that is in your size system), I buy what I can get. Usually it is "have you got anything in my size?".

I don't think there's anything dorky about darker shoes with shorts as long as they arent dress shoes and you aren't wearing dress socks with them. Nothing wrong with wearing ankle or no-show sports socks (of whatever color).

Unless you're going full on Bermuda, leave the knee socks and dress shoes at home.

maybe just what I'm used to, but dark shoes with shorts to me looks weird. Reminds me of the old man with Black shoes and White socks

Yup. That’s why I suggested boat shoes or sandals. They’re the only dark shoe you can wear with shorts. They also crossover to pants well. They’re a little more formal than the Chucks. I think the ones I pointed to have more padding on the soles too.

I haven’t read all the answers you’ve gotten but i’ve worn white New Balance tennis shoes in Europe since 2001. Paris is my hometown, i go to Europe often. No one, absolutely no one, cares what you wear. fourfinleys, you be you and wear whatever you want.

Saying Hello (in that country’s language) before you speak to anyone, liberal amounts of thank you, and not talking loudly is far more important than what you wear.