Sandals in April on a Rick Steves Best of Italy tour

Denny, I bring two pair of shoes - one a low cut water proof hiking boot/shoe, and the other a comfortable pair of sturdy casual shoes like Ecco. I do not wear sandals. If i could get away with one pair I would, but my sensible side tells me I should alternate shoes.

Sandals are light. Pack up everything you plan to bring, weigh it, walk around with it in your home town, and imagine handling that when you are getting on and off buses, trains and walking on cobblestone streets. If you think you can't then take everything out, lay it on the bed, and figure out what you absolutely do need, and do not need, and lighten the load.

For me lighter is better, others prefer to take more, it is your choice and you should go with what YOU feel comfortable with. Some people bring things I just can not imagine bringing, lots of just incase items: safety pins, duct tape, rubber bands, ziplock bags, etc. Bringing those things is their choice, I have never needed any of that. Some people bring half there bathroom, i bring my toothbrush, small travel toothpaste, some ibuprofen . If i need something there I buy it. You have to go with what works for you, not what works for others.

So, bring your sandals if you think you will need to wear them.

It sounds like you can tolerate the April weather aspect with sandals. Are you worried about walking long distances or the fashion? If you are worried about the walking, you can test that out before you go. And if that sandal doesn't work, you can try another brand- I love my Abeo sandals. Also, you will encounter a lot of cobblestones which may change how you feel about your sandals although it doesn't for me, as long as my sandals have a sturdy sole.

As far as fashion, there might be the occasional raised eyebrows but probably more with respect to sandals in cooler weather- sort of how my Floridian sister judges me for wearing sandals in the 50s and I judge her for wearing a sweatshirt in the 60s. But you would not be denied access to churches/museums/ or most restaurants. Just make sure your feet stay clean which can be hard to do in rainy weather.
Why not bring one pair of sandals, one pair of close-toed shoes? And wear your heaviest pair on the plane.

Hi. Do you know if you are able to tolerate KEEN sandals? Some of those are a bit more closed looking. I usually take a pair with me spring through fall. At their website, the weight of each sandal is listed under specs/traits. I have shopped for lighter and lighter over the years.

Debbie

Comments that surfaced in earlier discussion on "flip flops" might be relevant. The No Flip Flops discussion seemed to reveal that naked feet are offensive to Italians.
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/no-flip-flops

"...flip flops (slippers basically) are for beach and pool only. People will think you are a 'zingara' (gypsy) if you wear rubber flip flops, especially with dirty feet. And Italians are particular when it comes to clean feet. They wash their feet religiously every evening using the bidet or the shower. If I went to bed without washing my feet when I was a kid, my mother would scold me like you probably scold your children if they don't brush their teeth. Don't be a "piede nero", or people will look at you with disgust. And even worse, never walk barefoot in Italy. "

If u r happy and comfortable wearring your chacos then for sure take them. You might consider pairs of wick away moisture socks to wear also. Europeans commonly wear socks with there sandals which helps prevent blisters. I also take bandaids for that xtra protection if a blister starts.
Uneven surfaces, cobblestones, gravels r everywhere in Italy,it is always wise to plan for the worst.
For me now the lighter the shoe the better.

I always travel with my black Ecco Yuccatan sandals--very comfortable with a sturdy sole that is great on cobblestones, etc. Hate to admit it but wore black socks with them on my Scotland trip last October. I take ballet flats to wear to dinner, etc. unless that would involve a long walk. I wear Born sandals at home for warm weather months--love them but they are thong type and totally impractical for Europe.

I have worn my Teva sport sandals during about nine months of the year in Europe, April-December, with socks in December. If you want both of your pairs of shoes to be sandals, you should go ahead and follow that plan.

Do you know if you are able to tolerate KEEN sandals?
I was down in Portland in October and went into the KEEN flagship store there to try on all the possible KEEN sandals I could wear. But no, unfortunately, the stitching bothers my feet. I have sensitive skin and it just hurt walking around the store there. For some reason, Chacos do not have any stitches that would be in contact with skin. So I have sworn by them for the past 4-5 years and wear them whenever possible as my feet perspire so much, and I love have my feet ventilated completely.

I was in Nordstrom's today and encountered an Italian working there who convinced me NOT to bring or wear sandals?

Reason: It rains a lot in Italy in spring, more than in Seattle? This I verified last night by checking historical averages!

I wish I could bring a sandal, because my feet love just the freedom of being bare. It looks like I'm going to have to forego one of my pleasures in life: having feet unencumbered by a harness of leather or fabric tightly, for me at least, and unforgivingly enclosing them.

Since you should bring two pairs anyway, why not bring both your sandals and your closed-toe shoes and alternate them according to weather?

I'll admit to being a fan of closed toes in Italy because of all the stone steps and cobbles and whatnot. I'm sort of a klutz so would forever be stubbing my toes. Oh, and speaking of rain and all that stone and marble? It is essential (!!!!) that whatever shoes you bring grip well on slick, wet surfaces. I cannot overemphasize how deadly slippery some of those can be!!!

I've worn the same pair of Chaco sandals to Italy for the last 10 years. They are the most comfortable shoes I own, and have been great in cities, and walking in the country side. Mine have a toe loop and a heel strap and stay on my feet. The Vibram soles are still in great shape. Mine are also a bit heavy, but I love them for walking. Great arch support.

I wear a pair of closed toed shoes on the plane, and have this pair for going out to dinner. I wear my Chacos all day while walking.

Bring the Chacos and one other pair of comfortable shoes, and you are set. My husband also travels in Chacos and brings an older pair of well worn, very comfortable Rockport brand shoes.

I'll admit to being a fan of closed toes in Italy because of all the stone steps and cobbles and whatnot. I'm sort of a klutz so would forever be stubbing my toes. Oh, and speaking of rain and all that stone and marble? It is essential (!!!!) that whatever shoes you bring grip well on slick, wet surfaces. I cannot overemphasize how deadly slippery some of those can be!!!

Thanks! I think you've convinced me here, I'm a klutz and stubbing my toes I can see myself really doing/ That and slipping on something slippery.

I've worn the same pair of Chaco sandals to Italy for the last 10 years. They are the most comfortable shoes I own, and have been great in cities, and walking in the country side.

I admire your pluck and tenacity there. I would love to bring two pairs of shoes and sandals but that would weigh me down to much.

As it is, I've narrowed it down, most likely to:

ECCO Men's Track II Low Gore-Tex Oxford (although I hear the soles are notorious for deteriorating; I just hope that doesn't happen on my trip).

NIKE cross-training shoes.

Since you mentioned the sweaty feet issue (also a problem for me) I wanted to mention Italian pharmacies sell a product that is the equivalent of gold bond medicated powder (for me it worked even better than the American kind ) and is perfect for sweaty feet or other areas. Pharmacies are located all over the cities (almost as frequently as Rite Aid, CVS and Wallgreens here in the states). They are marked with a green "red cross" looking symbol. Just pop inside and describe your discomfort to the pharmacist and they'll help you find whatever you might need.

You know I was just thinking of that Gold powder and bringing a bottle of that along. It does really help with sweaty feet.

But I was in such discomfort this morning after leaving the gym and running over to Nordstrom again and then taking the bus home that I started to have second thoughts abut the NIKE cross=training shoes. Maybe the ECCO Track II + the Chacos would work. My feet desperately need ventilation and open air to feel good.

The Nordstrom people really wanted me to get the New Balance 990 running shoe.

You should definitely go with the sandals for your main shoe. I walk all over NYC and I used just sandals on the Berlin, Prague and Vienna tour from RS. I am a believer in having a second pair of shoes that you can change into after a long day touring. It's amazing how good your feet feel to have something different on them. So, I almost think that if I were you, I would bring two pair of sandals. :)