Comfortable Walking Shoes

like Rick and his wife, I like ECCO.

These suggestions are not running shoes, but they are light-weight. I have actually found sandals to be more comfortable than a closed toe shoe because they don't "squeeze" my toes and the ball of my foot with every step. By the end of the day, my feet are sore from the pressure of a closed toe box. Sandals, however, are the answer to my prayers.

So For our trip to Italy in June, I brought two pairs of Merrell sandals (Siena and Pesaro) and one pair of Dansko sandals (Sela). I spent about $200.00 on these three pairs of shoes. We did a lot of walking and at no time did I "notice" that I had sore feet. I switched up shoes from one day to the next on the theory that each shoe would give my foot a different sort of support. Worked out pretty good for me. Spend the extra money and take the time to shop for a really good pair of walking shoes that is most comfortable for your unique foot. You'll be glad you did. Not all shoes feel the same on all feet.

I second the Dansko sandles. I would also recommend Privo shoes are very comfortable. I believe that they are made by Clark, which should be comfortable as well. My mom like Rockport. Since you are investing so much in this trip, I would invest in a nice pair of shoes. It is no fun to have sore tired feet, which happened to me once and I vow to never let it happen again!

Kelly,

I was looking for a shoe and not a sandal (and I wanted a little heel height since I'm on the shorter side). I found a pair of Merrill maryjanes called Plaza Bandeau ($89-90). I bought them from Onlineshoes.com. I wish I had known about these shoes before - I love them.

Try buying a few pairs from either Zappos.com or Onlineshoes.com, so you can try a few different styles/makers. Shipping to and from is free!

Best,
Cindy

Zappos shipping is NOT FREE. They add $4-5 per pair for shipping. They just say it's free. Check the prices in the store and you will see the price difference!

What is good is that you can return the shoes for "free" since they charge up front.

If a pair of Dansko shoes are $110 in the store, they are $115 on Zappos. that's how they offer "free" shipping!

I borught three pair of shoes, and the most comfortable were my Keens, then my Naot sandles, then my Nike running shoes, in that order.

I visited France for 2 weeks in October with a pair of ROckport walking shoes and 1 pair of Birkenstock sandals. The sandals doubled as slippers. It was nice to change shoes after a long day in one pair. On cooler days, I started out with socks in my sandals (in Europe this isn't a problem) and then removed my socks when I was warm.

When in Paris in February of this year, I only took the Rockports, they are rainproof, warm in winter, cool in summer (I wear socks from the RUnning Room, so they dry quickly). I just brought a small pair of slip on slippers that I could roll up, it was nice to have them on the plane and in the hotel room. My Rockports are a bit hikin shoe looking, but I didn't feel out of place with them on. Happy Travelling.

I have walked a zillion miles in my MBTs!

I am leaving for Italy the first of September. Because my feet are
very sensitive, I started shopping for shoes in February. On-line Shoes was very patient with me as I
went through every popular brand of comfortable shoes
and couldn't tolerate any of them. I can't tolerate a
sandal as the gaps between leather put pressure on my feet. Finally I discovered Naot and got a low-heel
lace-up shoe. I practically stop people in the street
to tell them how comfortable these shoes are. There
are not many styles of Naot shoes available in Portland, Oregon
so having an on-line source was important. The removable cork in-sole has great cushioning and the
shoe is soft and light.

I love sandals in warm weather- Dansko are nice, but I also like the style that Dr. Marten carries (Google Blaze Chantell Open Toe Sandal just to see the style), however I have a pair of a similar style that I bought at an outlet mall for about $20 that were EuroStep. I bought them on vacation when I needed comfortable walking shoes when I left mine at home! They were cheap, and I wasn't sure how long they would last me, but I have had them almost three years now.

I noticed most people wearing sandals this summer in Italy. I'm a flip flop girl myself and I had a lot of company. Whatever is most comfortable for you. Wear what you are used to. You don't need to go out and spend a fortune on new shoes. Wear what you wear at home. Your feet and legs will be tired at the end of the day no matter what you have on your feet. Just don't wear your 4" heels!!

Clarks "unloop" lightweight, I walked over 5 miles a day for 3 weeks and my feet never hurt. I am 61 and do some walking at home but nothing like we did in France & Spain. They have an insole you can take out to dry if they get wet. I waterproofed them with a non silicone waterproof spray before I left. I love these shoes! I also took a pair of Keen "Venice" closed toe sandals but they are not very lightweight.

I only ever pack one pair of shoes and its the shoes I'm wearing and those are always Naots. I've hiked mountains in my Naot MaryJanes...they are great for outdoors and are cute enough to make it into a restaurant. Have a great time in Italy!

I bought a pair of the Merrell Barrado shoes in black. I have been breaking them in for a few weeks now and they feel great. They look good with jeans, pants or capris but not so great with skirts or dresses (as someone told me they look like swim shoes).

"Born" sandals. I got mine at REI. SInce I"ve had them I've not had a sore foot or blister. I've worn them as sandals (without socks) and as a hiking shoe (with socks) They handle the Colorado mountains - and hot and dusty Pompeii & Paestum!!!!

Good luck.

highly recommend ecco sandals yucatans. they are the best!!

Kelly,
My sister and I recently bought identical pairs of running shoes. They work well for me, but they made her toes numb and her arches sore. This is what we learned:
What is comfortable for a person with a very high- arched, flexible foot may be quite uncomfortable for one with a flat-arched, inflexible foot. Athletic shoes have a number rating which corresponds to foot type. I would recommend finding a good athletic shoe store that can fit you with just the right shoe for your foot.

Believe it or not, all I brought to Italy for my 12 days there this summer were Crocs:
http://shop.crocs.com/pc-825-4-malindi.aspx?reqid=825&reqProdTypeId=41p&subsectionname=footwear&section=products

These were SO comfortable, and versatile. I could dress them up, wear them to the beach and walk ALL day. I even hiked the Cinque Terre in them. I must say that these were the best investment ever!

CROCS!CROCS!CROCS! Not the most fashionable shoes but far and away the most comfortable I have ever worn. They weigh next to nothing. Available online or at sporting goods stores (Hallmark stores used to carry them, too). Usually start at about $29.

Zappos shipping IS FREE. I have only ordered shoes from Zappos maybe four times a year - if that, and each time I got an email from them stating that they have changed my shipping from regular shipping to next day for FREE.

As for comfy shoes - Dansko sandals are great! I wore my danskos on my two week trip to France and never got a blister or sore feet!!! Love the cork sole!!!! My sister wore her Avia running shoes and had no problems in France.

I bought a pair of Josef Siebl shoes (I think there were called a European walking shoe) to wear when I was a bit more dressy, they were comfortable to walk in and light weight for packing.