womens shoe suggestions for Italy?

Shoes that feel good on your feet (not mine, not anybody else's) -- I personally took Keens water sandals and SAS walking shoes because they worked with my travel plans ... and they were already in my closet. Remember that you will have to carry every additional pair of shoes on and off every train, through every airport.

Take whatever comfortable shoes you would normally use. I don't wear white American tennis-type shoes in Europe because they look dorky. I do wear my most comfortable pair of shoes that match the clothes I take. Summer, it's sandals. Take a look at the good brands at Nordstrom's or a wilderness outfitter store. They usually have sturdy leather shoes that will hold up (and dry fast) if needed. I walked all over Paris and London for three weeks in a single pair of leather Lifestride oxfords. They were pretty worn out by the time I got home because it rained most of the time. You won't be changing your shoes as often as you do at home, most likely. Remember know one knows you or cares how you look except you. Comfort is the key!

I take two pairs on every trip because I like to change shoes every day to try to avoid blisters and in case one pair gets wet. I'm a big fan of Pumas; they've got good soles and they never wear out (I've had one pair for almost 9 years). They come in a variety of colors and styles. Break in any pair of shoes before you travel with it, to make sure it's comfortable.

Yes to whatever feels comfortable to your feet! If you are going in May you need to get them soon so you can put some miles on them. You will likely get different brand recommendations from everyone who posts.

What was comfortable to me for 8 weeks in the Fall was 2 pair of Altra Zero Drop (both black) athletic shoes. They fit my wide foot with orthotics in. I walked up to 10-12 or more miles on some days with no flare up of my plantar fasciitis. They are foot shaped shoes so not dressy looking, but I wore them everywhere including an extremely nice restaurant in Paris (and no, I did not notice the waiters or anyone else looking at my feet in Cafe Constant) and a couple of concerts including Sainte-Chapelle in Paris and one in Venice.

Definitely get them now and ramp up your walking program with them to see if they work.

I also wore SmartWool sox. I used the lightest, uncushioned kind that had no-show tops and they were fabulous. This will sound gross but you really don't need to wash them every day. They will air out overnight and be ready for another day.

Hope you're in the mood to read. This posting that I started in the Women's shoes generated 109 responses!

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/best-travel-shoes/women-s-travel-shoes

Take three pairs. Two sight-seeing VERY comfortable shoes and one pair of wedge cute sandals for evenings. (cobblestones, thus the wedge) If you're packing light, that should do it. Black slacks, cute tops, black wedge sandals. Alternate the sight-seeing shoes, one day on, one day off.

Buy now, and break them all in.

You will be surprised at the variety of sneakers on the street in Italy, but none are the simple white tennis shoes. Please take more than one pair, even if the style is identical, your feet will thank you. I wear the heaviest pair on the plane and pack one other pair (sometimes two pair).

Enjoy walking!

I am also going to Italy in May. Last trip I was surprised in Rome and Florence all the "designer" sneakers out there. So this trip I am going to take a really nice pair of black Sketcher sneakers that have the thick memory foam in them. We are also going to Orvieto and Cinque Terre. And then a thicker pair of nicer slip on's to wear in between and going to dinner. Just make sure what ever brand has really good padding inside. I plan with the Euro being a good deal this time buying a good European brand of sandals, since we pay so much more for them here.

After many years of Danskos and Birkenstocks and Klogs, these 69-year old feet prefer Ahnus for their Montara or Sugarpine high and low-topped hiking boots and their Karma flats. Those feet also like the Walking Company's Abeo sandals, especially the Bahia and Capistrano styles.

Both brands are miles-worth- of-walking comfortable for me, but I usually put cheap OTC orthotics in the boots. I no longer wear any shoe with any kind of height to it. My shoes have to be both flat and supportive.

I wear the bigger, heavier ones on the plane or train and pack the 1 other outside pair I take as well as a pair of flip-flops or little slippers for in the room. I have gone with 3 outside pairs of shoes before. It was a mistake I hope to never repeat. That 3rd pair was not worn enough to be worth the space they took up or the weight they added to my carry-on.

Definitely bring shoes with thick, sturdy soles - those cobblestones will be absolutely brutal, otherwise. For the most part that really only eliminates thin-soled Keds, thin-soled sandals, and $1 flip flops. At least two pair, and I always bring a (trekking-type) sandal if the weather allows like a Teva; I usually bring them in black to also wear in the evenings for a slightly dressier look. I don't waste any packing space nor weight on a pair of sandals, etc., just for dinner. Those Tevas have to pull double-duty!

As far as a particular brand, unfortunately you'll need to go try on a bunch of shoes! Some people swear by Brand X, but someone else can't find any of those that fit her but she likes Brand Z...I will say that your style of walking while touring may be very different than you're used to in your daily life. Probably lots more stairs, hills, ramps, and just more walking AND STANDING overall. It's very different from strolling at the mall. So...good socks and shoes that don't rub anywhere. And be brutally honest with yourself - just because you spent $$$ or they're really nicer-looking than the truly comfortable ones is not a good reason to bring The Wrong Pair.

Don't overthink this, but do pay attention to which shoes your feet and spine find comfortable. Hopefully they won't be the ugly purple and orange pair :-(

I'm lucky that I live in Seattle, so I was able to take the Rick Steves class on Packing Light (to travel by carry-on) and they recommended two pairs -- one sandal and one sturdier/lace up. We were also in Italy in May and experienced varying degrees of temperatures that I was so thankful to have both the warmer and cooler option, not to mention your feet will want the break from the same shoe.

I cannot recommend enough to go to a store and start trying on shoes (if you don't have appropriate ones already) because you have to find what works best for your foot, and it will be different for everyone. I wound up with Ecco sandals and Ahno lace-ups (also waterproof) -- both have arch supports but I tried on dozens of shoes and just "knew" when I tried on each that they were the right ones (my husband probably went through twice as many try-ons before he found his).

The one thing you'll want to do is to ensure that you have enough time to break them in before you go, so start shopping now! Honestly, I saw people wearing all sorts of shoes -- white tennis shoes included (many Italians were wearing Converse), so I say go with what is comfortable and not what it looks like b/c honestly, no one cares what your feet look like but you need them to last!

We walked so much that we wound up going for Thai massage about 1/2 way through our trip in Florence and it completely restored our feet!

Margaret,
As others have said, you want comfortable shoes.

Do not take new shoes without breaking them in.

I took my Brooks running shoes that I wear for walking and they're very comfortable.

I also took a pair of 'Keen Rose' water sandals that I purchased at REI. They have a nice arch support, unlike most sandals, so they are also very comfortable.

Bring two pairs of shoes. Go to the shoe stores, wherever you can, start trying on shoes to see what is comfortable. Italy has a lot of cobble stone streets and you want a comfortable shoe. Start asking for the brands others have suggested and try the shoes on. I take a pair of flat black shoes ( not ballet shoes, they do not give you the support you need) and a pair of black sneakers. I find that the black sneakers blend in more with my black slacks and tan slacks and my pants cover a portion of the sneaker. Plus no one is looking at your feet, it is all about comfort, as you said there is a lot of walking to be done. I also make sure I have good socks and I bring bandaids just in case. Most trips I have not had a problem but some times I have gotten blisters and with shoes I always wear. It is warm in Italy and your feet sweat and rubbing causes the blisters. Have a great trip.