Shoes for walking thru Italy

I wouldn't wear boots in September, too hot and I have much doubt it is a rainy season. I'd look at a good pair of walking shoes.
I just looked at those boots they are practically knee high, definitely not.

Shoes are such an individual matter: We all have personal peferences. I went last October and resisted the urge to bring sandals. Glad I did because I would only have worn them twice in 3 weeks! I brought Ecco walking shoes (athletic type walkers, gray and pink FWIW) as my trusty wear-every-day-touring-shoe. I brought a pair of black Keen maryjanes as a "dressier" (well comparatively dressier) option. The Eccos were good for whatever mileage I could manage, easily 6 or 8 per day. The Keens were good for 3 or 4 miles so I usually used them at night as a change. Here is my foot-saving trick: Buy insoles from The Walking Company to replace the marginal ones in most shoes. They are not cheap (about $70) but the are miraculous! Mine fit in both pair of shoes and I swear reduced fatigue, aches, blisters. Still going strong after 3 weeks of constant use in Italy, cobblestones and rugged paths, and I use them daily here for dog-walking. I figure I will need to buy replacements about annually. Probably will make my shoes last longer, too. Also be sure you break in whatever shoes you choose. Take many long walks and give yourself time to ensure you have made the right choice.

Definitely take 2 pair, I'd say shoes, but I wouldn't take even ankle boots. I wouldn't turn down a pair of Italian shoes tho- have several pair of German Gabors and Austrian eccos that are "souvenirs".
Here's another vote for inserts especially if you can try some on, at REI or a similar serious camping store. Mine were more in the $45-50 range but give seriously great arch support and heel cushioning. A good shoe becomes great with the right insert.

I wore low-cut Vasque hiking boots in England last fall, followed by dressy Naot sandels in Paris, and then Ecco sandels in Italy. Yes, three pairs of shoes for a 4 week trip. But, it depends on what you are doing. If you plan on a lot of hiking, then bring something you can really hike in. For city walking, you still need something supportive as you will be on your feet all day and dealing with cobblestones. Bring two pairs of shoes and plan on switching every day. While it will be warm/hot, you cannot rule out the possibility of rain. We had more rain in Italy than in England on that trip! I swear by insoles from The Walking Co, but they do not work in sandels. Of course, don't forget a pair of slippers for the hotel room--your feet will thank you. If your feet are happy, you will have a much better trip!

I personally would not wear boots. We were in Italy in Sept '09 & it was definitely too hot for boots. I have foot problems though, and I wear orthodics so I wore tennis shoes pretty much all the time (my doc only lets me wear Brooks tennishoes). I brought a mary jane type shoe by Naturalizer and wore it only once or twice at night because I found it difficult to walk in shoes without a thick sole on the cobblestones. My feet tired easily on the cobblestones and I found that the thicker soles and more support of my Brooks helped. Good luck.

I read once upon a blog, that Crocs were a good bet for one of the everyday walking pairs. That sound right?

From what many of you have said, a good pair of walking shoes and double socks make a lot of sense - that and maybe a pair of Mary Janes for evening. We will be in Seattle in June and there is a Walking Store there, so we will be doing some looking. That should give us plenty of time to "try them out" before we go in Sept. We actually bought our hiking shoes there about 5 years ago that have taken us through many a hike in the US. Thanks everyone.

Gail, instead of double socks while walking, consider the SmartWool cushioned socks. I have hated sox since I was small, but I love the Smartwool socks. Took 3 pair of the non-cushion for a 15 day trip in December and they were perfect. Bonus: they don't smell after a day of wear.

Melissa - Amen on the SmartWool! Good in warm or cool weather; Dry easily after handwashing, too.

Laura and Melissa,
Which style of Smart Wool Socks did you use? Are they all pretty much the same? I am looking at SmartWool PhD Outdoor Light Mini Socks - Merino Wool (For Women). I want to buy some now to use here on my walks before the trip. I mostly walk the beach here in Florida and it is pretty flat on the hard packed sand. Much easier than I imagine it will be in Italy - but, hey, at least I'm walking! (Climbing stairs as well to get ready for the CT.)

keens, naots, and for really happy feet, finns.
smartwool socks a a MUST...washable and fast drying

I would recommend try on several kinds and see what feels the best since everyone's foot is different. I myself tried on Keens, Naots, Clarks, Merrells, etc etc and finally settled on New Balance gray walking shoes. I would definitely not wear Crocs, did not see anyone wearing those in Italy and I was just there in October. I also wore my Skechers shape ups flip flops and my feet were fine. September in Italy is still flip flop weather. Where I'm from, it's always flip flop weather anyway! Also, once you find a pair you like, break them in before you take them on your trip. Make sure you keep your receipt and check the store's return policy before buying so you can return the shoes-- since it's always different walking around a store while you're trying to decide if they're the right pair vs. walking in them for hours.

going to Italy or North Pole?

If you don't mind an athletic shoe - check out the Merrell Moab Goretex. I wore them to Italy last year in November, which included plenty of high water and rain. They are waterproof, well-cushioned, and breathable.

When we traveled last September I took sandals and flip flops and that was it, but I prefer open toed shoes. One pair of sandals were a walking style by Clarks, but they were fine for the Cinque Terra hike (all of it).
Take what you're most comfortable in!