Women's shoes

I would suggest that you talk to your doctor about WHY your feet swell. This is indicative of some underlying condition IMO. Maybe you can cut down on your salt intake before/during your travels. Or maybe your doctor can recommend or prescribe something that would keep the swelling down.

My feet swell all the time in the hear and after walking all day. Heck it happens here in NYC as well as in Europe. I have found that shoes like Finn Comforts are best for me. They are outrageously expensive, but they have adjustable straps so that when my feet get a little bigger in the PM, I can reach down and adjust them so that they fell fine again. I've never gotten a blister from them either and sadly, I do get blisters from other shoes. I had one horrible experience in Paris before I discovered these shoes. I first tried them on a Berlin, Prague and Vienna RS Tour. I took a pair of FC sandals and a pair of Mephistos. The Mephistos were dreadful. At the end of the day my feet hurt and were exhausted. I swapped out to the sandals the next day despite rain and cold weather and wow what a difference. I do want to second the recommendation for SmartWool socks. They are also great and I where them with my other Finn Comfort shoes. Living in NYC means walking everywhere so these shoes are what see me through every day. Pam

You have gotten some great advice. I second the motion to try on some Finn Comforts, Keens, and New Balance shoes. Also try the smart wool socks, and double socks. I also agree with Betty...talk to your doctor about this, because something else is going on besides just the normal amount of foot swelling. My grandmother had this type of foot swelling and blisters; she was eventually diagnosed with diabetes which had gone untreated for years, and heart disease. Also consider taking breaks during your walking and sightseeing and put your feet up for awhile. This could make some of the swelling go down.

You could go and have your foot measured on one of those metal foot-sizers, but as someone who sold shoes for 12 yrs, they all fit different. I've worn anything from 6.5 to 8! General 'rule of thumb' where I worked...about the width of your finger from longest toe to front of shoe...feet shouldn't feel crammed (you want room for swollen feet), no slipping in heel. I'd go to a store that's been around for a bit, talk to someone who's worked there forever, explain the situation...no shoe is perfect...I love Naot sandals (own 7 pair) and Clark shoes. A lot of people love Keen, Birkenstock, New Balance..do you want sneaker type shoes, walking hiking, casual? (don't get running shoes if you aren't going to be running, get walking shoes - there is a diff)...real leather is breathable and will mold to your foot...generally synthetic material will be hot, but I'm sure with all the tech out there, there is good stuff in synth as well. You may have to look at orthodics - special insoles for your shoes...socks can make a diff as well - something that will release moisture (smartwool seems to be popular here)...damp moist socks don't do blisters any favours

I swear by two things as far as foot comfort while traveling. Smart wool socks so I NEVER get blisters and Keen shoes and sandals. Since I started wearing this brand 8 years ago, never had any discomfort and the plantar fasciitis I'd dealt with for years, slowly but surely disappeared. Keen shoes seem to be a bit wider than other brands which works best for me and I enjoy the sturdiness but the lightweight aspects of the brand. Greatest travel and all around investment I've ever made.

Shellie,
When I buy walking shoes, I buy them in the afternoon or early evening when I've been on my feet off and on during the day. That way my feet have had a chance to swell some. You might want to also take a long walk around the mall or downtown or wherever you're planning on looking for shoes, just to give your feet a chance to get up to their "walking size". Another idea might be to try on the shoes with 2 pair of socks, and start your day (on vacation) wearing both pairs. The "outside" pair can be removed after a couple hours of walking and stashed in your purse to become your "inside" socks tomorrow. I know a number of people who swear by this method for preventing blisters while hiking.

You might look at something like the New Balance walking shoes that come in a women's D width if you are finding your shoes too narrow. Someone else mentioned this on another thread, using the blister resister double layer athletic socks can help as well. If you decide to go with double socks, you would need to have that combo to try on shoes.

I'd also check out SAS shoes. They have a variety of styles of walking shoes and sandels (including dress sandles). They come in widths from AAA to EEEE. The walking shoes have removeable innersoles that can be hand washed, too. They are all hand sewen and have great support.

If you have a Nordstrom's near you trying shopping there. They carry many brands of 'comfort' shoes and they have an excellent return policy. I don't know of any other store that allows you to return something after it has been worn outside. Then you can see what works for you without being out a ton of money. And I agree with the others who have suggested you see your doctor about your problem.

If you can get used to wearing Birkenstocks and break them in before you go they have straps that you could loosen up if you feet swell. These are the only shoes I wear in the summer and never have sore knees, feet, or legs or back. Not the cutest thing going but I can outwalk everyone else and that is all I care about right now. I have tried all the other shoes and these work for me. In the winter I wear Haflinger and those work just as well.

Have you tried compression stockings?