shoes for walking

Are the shoes white? We don't wear white athletic shoes in Europe because they make you stand out as American. We have more interesting experiences when people aren't sure of our nationality.

Maureen my husband and I just returned from a fabulous trip to Italy. I saw many people wearing tennis shoes. In fact our tour guide Roberto wore white tennis shoes. Comfort should be your first priority.

One: have you researched the temperatures where you are going in Italy - good to know what your needs might be. Two: I go every summer and always throw in a pair of good walking sandals just in case. Some folks are more worried about not looking like tourists than they are about being comfortable. I will take comfort first any time.

What you are thinking of wearing is exactly what I wear in Europe on my trips. I wear my Nikes everyday, everywhere and at all times of the year. They are broken in and comfortable. For me, they are my best option. Have a great trip!

I swear by my Keens sandals. I've had them for two trips to Europe and they're wonderful.

Seems as though some travelers are ashamed to possibly be thought of as Americans or think not
wearing tennis shoes makes them blend in.

On my last trip to Italy (June/July 2010), I wore Ecco walking shoes that look like sport shoes. They were comfortable for walking, but my feet got SO HOT, and even though they were an open weave mesh, I wished for a cooler shoe every day. They were good for places like Ephesus and Cinque Terre, where there was a lot of walking on uneven ground. However, when I was in the cities like Florence, Rome and Venice, I felt terribly underdressed way too casual. I had accidentally left my Mephisto sandals at home, and really missed them. This year, I am downsizing my luggage dramatically, so will be wearing my Mephisto Aidas during the daytime. (I wore these same shoes from Istanbul to Athens by way of Alexandria and loved them.) Since part of our trip is a cruise, I'll be taking a dressier pair of sandals for dinners onboard. I will also have a pair of flip-flops to wear in showers, at the beach and as slippers, and that is all.

Maureen, nothing says "tourist" like those sad expressions from sore feet. Last summer I took a pair of black workout shoes and a lighter pair of walkers, both were fine and I was very comfortable.

Tennis shoes and socks are uncomfortably warm when the temps soar. Unlike Colorado, most (all?) of Italy is humid. I find that Ecco sandals are as comfy as sneakers for lots of walking. For Italy, you need sandals that you have broken in and that have thick soles (otherwise the cobblestones will kill you). In your place, I would wear my sneakers and pack a pair of sandals, so I'd have options. Sneakers might be better if it rains, but whatever you wear during the day, it would be nice to slip on sandals when you go out for dinner and a stroll.

I spent months trying on various walking shoes for a two-week trip to Italy in October and finally discovered the Ahnu Sequoia. They were perfect not white (gray & jade), had great arch support (I have high arches), and Vibram soles. Somewhere in Rick's shoe recommendations is the mention of Vibram soles but I never quite understood why until I wore these shoes on a variety of surfaces in Italy. In Venice, Florance, and Rome you traverse cobblestone, cracking and slanted concrete, terrazzo, marble, uneven curbs etc. In the Cinque Terre we hiked the trails (we were there two days before the flooding). In the hill towns of Tuscany were more cobblestones and steep inclines. And everywhere we climbed stairs (463 in the Duoma in Florence). The Vibram soles on my Ahnus met everyone of these challenges without a hitch. My husband wore his asics and never had a problem either (but they were white!). Whatever you wear, get out and build up your walking stamina so that you can fully enjoy the trip.

Wear the MOST comfortable shoes you own!! If you can walk 5-10 miles a day in them, then they are the shoes to take. I wear black Arcopedico shoes.....mostly because they are the MOST comfortable shoes I own, even more so than tennis shoes.....but we are all different. What works for one person, won't work for the next. While I would NEVER wear those shoes with socks and a skirt at home, I am guilty of doing just that when I tour (okay, let's have it from the fashion police...LOL). If it is not gawd awful hot, I like wearing black tights; but for more intense days (like Pompeii), I've been known to slip on some black low-cut socks on top of the tights for extra cushion. Weather could be hot or cool in May/June, but if your shoes are comfortable in August in Denver, then you'll most likely be comfortable wearing them in May/June in Italy. No matter how comfy your shoes are, though, take a another comfy pair of flats for evening.....again, something you would not mind wearing when walking 5-10 miles. It's amazing how good the feet feel when they slide into something different after a long day of touring. If you are going to places like Pompeii, the Cinque Terre, etc. you'll definitely want good, study shoes. Have a blast!!

I went on the RS Venice, Florence, Rome Tour last fall and it was still very hot. For what it is worth, two out of three local guides (in Venice and Florence) wore Birki's or possibly a different European competitor in the case of the Florence guide. They were sandal type. If you are going in May/June you may want something other than a tennis shoe. If you aren't
doing some serious hiking these should be fine.

I just returned from a month in Italy and plenty of Italians, both young and old, wore tennis shoes, and many were white. The most important thing is your comfort.