Suggestions for shoes

I never thought I'd admit this, but I'm carrying a pair of men's Crocs when I go to Italy in June. Not the totally plastic kind, but the kind with a soft leather top above the familiar holey sole (not holy soul). They're light, ventilated and look like a pair of boat shoes, which is what my other pair of shoes will be. I've discovered on my other European trips that boat shoes are tough enough for cobbled streets and light trails, without looking like touristy tennis shoes. My wife's taking a pair of Crocs, too. They look like regular women's shoes (Mary Janes?) but are quite comfortable and waterproof. One other slightly off-topic observation about travel attire is that I always wear a navy blazer when flying overseas. It helps keep me warm in the aircraft cabin and I seem to be treated better by everyone. If I get warm, I take it off.

Have you reviewed all the postings on the Graffiti Wall under Planning and Packing -- BEST WALKING SHOES

I actually wore a pair of sandals 95% of the time; I'm not much of a shoe-wearing person and they were as close to barefoot as I could come. I wore a pair of tennis shoes when it rained. These are the sandals I wore (they were VERY comfy!):
http://www.zappos.com/bass-margie-cinnamon

Keen, Merrell, Lowa, Vasque and Salomon make light hiking shoes. It all depends on what you like, some people like Ecco shoe, others Rockport while others prefer New Balance. There are really so many options. You should try some on. If you can't find what you want locally often you can order shoes online and return them postage free from places like Zappos or Shoes.com.

I swear by Acropedico shoes for traveling...comfy, good arch support, basic black, sturdy soles. I wear the "rose" style, but many other styles available. While I would never do it at home, because these shoes are black, one could easily wear them to a nice dinner in Europe, especially if blended in with black tights (cooler evenings). See link: http://www.zappos.com/arcopedico?gclid=CJWH-JmGjagCFSFl7AodkXFeEA For hiking, especially the Cinque Terre, (we did three of the four segments...ran out of time for the 4th), I love my Merrell Waterproof Pandis (black). Easy to wash (you will find your shoes can get quite dusty on trails, etc.), dry quickly, exceptional arch support., good sole traction.........wear with socks and your feet will especially love you. See link:
http://www.merrell.com/CA/en-CA/Product.mvc.aspx/20770W/44314/Womens/Waterpro-Pandi (I found for $80 a year or two ago.) I own two pair each of the above shoes and they go on all our trips. Pretty much live in them at home, too. Love the Merrill Pandis for gardening. Acopedico good about-town errand shoes, etc. Neither required much breaking in for me (but DO NOT take shoes you have not worn for at least 2 months at home first). Comfy feet make for a good trip.l

Since everyone seems to think wearing gym shoes/trainers will instantly identify you as a tourist, I have to ask: what do Italians generally wear? And since they're walking on the same cobblestone streets and trails, can't we just pack the same thing? Samantha: I think shoes are a pretty personal thing. What's comfortable for you may be torture for someone else. But I can highly recommend zappos.com. Free shipping and easy as pie exchanges. Absolutely AMAZING customer service!

I go through a pair of ECCO walking shoes about every ten years. Durable, comfortable, stylish, easy to keep clean, waterproof and the only shoes I bring with me.

The best shoe that you can bring is one that is broken in! Don't even try the trip with new shoes.

Bob: The Italian women I was able to ID as locals wore heels. I have no idea how they wear them on the cobblestone streets, or how they walk so quickly in them, or how they passed me in my comfy sandals. But as far as I know, that's what they wear on an everyday basis. I don't know how many locals I saw walking along the Cinque Terre; but I DO know that if tennis shoes are worn, they are not white. Tan, brown, etc; but not white. Also, shirts, pants, etc that are emblazoned with a name brand is frowned upon, and it seems that the shoes are the same way. My friend who is Italian never wears tennis shoes that have an obvious logo on them, and absolutely never white ones.
Samantha: DO be sure to break in whatever you end up getting; last thing you want are blisters! I walked about 3 miles every day walking to and from places of interest and our B&Bs; I have no idea how much we walked INSIDE these places, or how many hundreds of stairs we did. Comfy feet are essential!

An Italian you see in Italy is likely to be just walking less than half an hour to work or to transportation. When you are touring Italy you are a tourist and will be on your feet many hours a day. Wear something comfortable.