walking shoes and rain gear

Lynette:
Shoes are so personal. I'd take your favorite shoes for a serious try-out in your home town. Before we left for Italy, I did several 4 to 6 mile walks in my Ecco walkers to make sure they were broken in AND that I would be comfortable for long hours and mileage in Italy every day. I also brought a pair of Keen Maryjanes which I tested for 2 to 4 mile walks before deciding to take them. I started this process a couple of months before we left so I'd have time to get new/more shoes if needed. The 2 pair were great for me. I also bought insoles from The Walking Company to replace the originals in my Eccos and Keens. They offer terrific support. You might find they solve any support problems with your Sketchers. But so test them for hours and miles. We were on our feet for 6-10 miles per day, and sometimes for most of 12 hours except for lunch. Comfort more important than style. :-)

Your had better not worry what is popular with the folks on this web site but better to worry what feels the best on your feet. There are as many recommendations from these great folks as there are stars in the sky. As far as taking a light weight rain jacket along, I carry one in my day pack that I carry every day, both here in Hawaii, Seattle, and in Europe.
Good insurance as all of those places have rain that can sneak up on you.

Good advice! The problem I seem to have with shoes is this: I try them on in a store, they feel great, and then I test them on a mile walk through my neighborhood and get blisters! I was thinking about trying a pair of Mary Janes...and I guess it would be worth it to take a lightweight compact raincoat.

Decide what you will have with you before deciding on a rainponcho or a raincoat. The poncho will cover your daypack or purse easily; raincoat will look nicer but not much will fit under it. I always have a tiny umbrella in my daypack- try Ross or TJ Maxx for tiny bargain umbrellas that are the same in the travel wear cataologues.
Second on the seperate insoles and trying shoes on after 5pm!

Lynette:
Even with good shoes you could get blisters initially. I use moleskin to cover any area that gets rubbed or even if it develops a full scale blister. Once it turns into a callus, I can stop using the moleskin. Just a thought. And talk to someone at a top notch walking show store. Tell them your challenges and see if they can offer solutions.

"The problem I seem to have with shoes is this: I try them on in a store, they feel great, and then I test them on a mile walk through my neighborhood and get blisters!" I have the same problem. Do you have a Nordstom's near you? You can return their shoes, even after wearing them. I bought a pair from them before a trip about 5 years ago. They felt fine in the store. I wore them to work and knew before the day was out they were not going to work out. I took them back and got some that worked great. If you don't have Nordstrom's nearby you can order online. You can try on shoes elsewhere and then order through them. Good luck!!

I have worn New Balance 811s for several years. They come in black, white and a rather ugly color of bone. I find them comfortable, especially with the orthodics I wear. I have the ugly bone ones and will be ordering black for my next trip. I usually look at the clothes I am taking on my trip and try to take clothes that don't look too horrible with the shoes. I would not order or take the white shoes. In the past, I have ordered 10 or 12 pairs of shoes and worn them in my house until I determined the most comfortable. My husband always says that I can't do that (order the shoes) but I just tell him that I have already done it...see the box in the living room. :) I know wearing the shoes in the house is not like road testing them but I try to find the most comfortable pair and then start wearing them outside. Also, consider the socks you will be wearing. It is never easy finding comfortable shoes!

Thanks again everyone! Great advice!

The thing about shoes is....never travel with just ONE pair. You will want to switch out to keep your feet comfortable and blister free. I always wear a pair of Puma "tennis shoes" on the plane, then have them in country for cooler day, rainy days and night time. I bring a pair of Chaco sandals that have been my "travel" shoes for 8 years. I know I can rely on the sandals to be comfortable for walking anywhere. I made a mistake of just taking one pair (the Puma) with me to Rome for 5 days. I love those shoes, and they are very comfortable for walking. However, by the 3rd day, I developed a blister on my toe. Luckly, my daughter brought a pair of sandals with her, and I used them for a day or two to let my blister heal. (I was thinking it was a short trip, just 5 days, instead of my normal 10-14 days, so one pair would work, never again!) I always bring a light rain jacket. Again, it's great for on the plane ride (I tend to get cold) and useful at night. Even in June, in the north of Italy, the nights are cooler. You might never need it for rain, but it's nice to have for the temp. My jacket is a Marmot brand. they make the Precip jacket for @ $99 at REI