I found some new shoes!

These are the shoes my husband loves-he has like 3 pairs. His podiatrist recommended then to him.

Finding a show that fits just right makes for a happy day! The dress is exciting too:)

Beth, good to know!

mikliz, you said it! My nephew wants everyone dressed up for the reception, and I just don't own anything that is dressy, so I figured I should find something. It's still somewhat casual, but I'm not too concerned about that since the wedding is in Pennsylvania in the middle of nowhere.

The dress was the icing on the shopping :-)

I have Merrell Moab hiking shoes, no idea which version, and they are great. I got them in 2019 before my trip to China which included some hiking. I also brought them to Japan for my hikes. I tend to use them mostly for hikes, but they are indeed very comfortable though a bit heavy so I wear them on plane when traveling light.

Glad to hear your knee is healing well, and just about a month for your upcoming trip!

ETA: I just checked my Amazon history and mine are the Merrell Women's Moab 2 Vent. Older version of yours.

Glad you are healing up well mardee. And that your retail therapy is progressing nicely as well. Sometimes these companies change the makeup of their shoes so much from year to year that it can make a huge difference in their comfort. I especially have found that with tennis shoes. My husband and daughter both wore Brooks Ghosts for years. She ran cross country and wore nothing else. About 2-three years ago they changed the consistency of the sole. Both of them couldn’t stand to use that year’s model and switched to Hokas. It was talked about quite a bit in the runner’s world. Maybe those Merrells changed for the better for your feet! I think you should wear them with your new dress :)

You know we can get by with a lot of different fashion choices as we get older! ;)

Ahhhh shoes that feel great are the BEST. Happy to hear you found some good ones. Scandinavia will be all the better for them. Now for the practice walks!

Oh, good! Now the breaking in period begins...which means a trip is getting close!

I love my Merrell hiking shoes and just got the Moab 3 for my mother. She loves them,

My feet are even happier when I put orthotic soles in my shoes, when possible. A few months ago I purchased Aetrex insoles, less expensive than a podiatrist and custom made insoles and they feel great.

Mardee, glad your knee is on the mend and happy that you found the perfect shoe for you. I find as I get older, my feet have changed enough that what I use to wear doesn't always work and I have to try something different. And yes, a different insole, like Superfeet, can make a huge difference.

Mardee, Yay. I'm glad they feel so comfortable to you. I've been wearing the Merrill Moabs for 7 years. Just started on my third pair in January and got them broken in for my April trip. They work really well for me. Also good to hear you are healing so well!

So funny! I actually have those in my Zappo’s cart, trying to decide. Your endorsement helps!

Shoes are so important! Glad you found ones that work. I may have to take a trip to a shoe store to try them out.

I also bought a new dress for my nephew's wedding! I was excited about that as well.

Now you own a dress! 🤣 That is bigger news than new shoes! LOL!

But good news on the knee. :)

Mardee is now the shoe enabler! LOL! Glad to hear you’re healing well & nothing like a trip coming up to help motivate! Shoe fit is so important; happy you found the perfect one.

My Keen sandals are getting a real workout here. I think all of the lanes in Assisi are uphill BOTH ways. ; ). My hotel is up, up, up the hill with my room on the 3rd floor - no elevator, but the view from my window makes it all worthwhile.

Joy, these are a bit heavy, too, but I don't mind. I actually prefer heavier shoes as they do keep me a bit grounded when I'm walking.

Mustlovedogs, that must be true. I'm glad though as I'm always happy to have another brand of shoe I can try on. And that's funny you should mention wearing those with the new dress. I realized last night that I'm going to need a new pair of shoes to go with the dress!

Luv2Travel, I started yesterday with the practice walks. So far, so good!

Mary, yep, I wore them for a mile and a half walk yesterday, and they felt great!

Jules, I've been hearing more and more about getting additional insoles, and I think I will do that.

Jean, I'm definitely getting some insoles. AI recommended Superfeet as well. 😊

Katiecem, thanks! That's good to know that so many people are wearing these shoes and liking them. I've got six weeks before I go, so plenty of time to break these in.

Laurel, That is funny! Glad to know my shopping helps!

Tammy, thanks! And you should! Europe has some great shoe stores!

TTM, yes, I now own a dress, lol! Last night I was thinking back to when I last wore a dress, and I figured out it was in 2019 at my retirement party, so seven years. Time flies when you're wearing pants! 😂

Jean, oh my gosh, that is a workout! And yes, I agree, there's nothing like a trip to motivate shopping! Not that I need much, lol!

Mardee, so glad to hear you are doing so well. I await your review on the dress (after the wedding.) Since retirement I have found separates work better for me than dresses. The last dress I bought was for my daughter's wedding in 2009!

Yay, I' so glad you are getting better and that you got new shoes! Bob has had many pairs of Merrell hiking shoes over the years. If they feel great, I would hold off on getting insoles. If you feel you need them, Benders will help you find the pair you need. The way you hold onto shoes, I can see new insoles in your future to give new life to your Merrells in a few years.

I have bought 3 wedding outfits at Benders (including two that were for my own kids' weddings). The last one was for my cousin's wedding at Van Dusen Mansion in Minneapolis and was pretty fancy I got it on super clearance for about $35.

I'm excited for your trip. Bob wants to go back to Morgedal, but I just can't get get excited to travel this year. Maybe next year.

We'll be in the Twin Ports area for both baseball and softball the next weekend in June. Last year the Proctor tourney was in Pike Lake so maybe we can meet up at Boomtown.

Laurie Beth, I will definitely let you know how the dress works out! And I agree about wearing separates. That's definitely my usual mode of clothing, lol.

mnannie, that's great to know about the insoles. I will hold off because they do feel very comfortable right now. That is a great price! I looked through the clearance section first, but didn't find anything, so I paid full price for this, but it still wasn't terrible. I think it was $84, which is always a shock to my system, but it looks good on me.

It's somewhat casual looking, so not terribly dressy but I'm not the mother of the bride. 😊 It's an A-line sleeveless maxi-length cotton knit dress, and it drapes really nicely. It's sort of a medium blue-gray color with some dark overtones in places, and it has two really big, cool-looking pockets on the sides. I do like pockets.

And I would love to meet up at Boomtown or any place you choose. I can even come closer to Pike Lake. I think the rest of the family will be gone, so I'll have lots of time available. And then I can meet Bob!

Mardee, yay congrats on finding a shoe that works! They look very stable and with a good grippy sole too. I’d suggest after your first trip in them and you really still love them is to buy another pair to stockpile them. I think we do hang on to our favorite shoe too long and then they change the model just enough, as someone else said, that they aren’t the same and don’t work. The worst thing for me is deciding when I have too many miles on my shoes and buying again. I’ve just had to switch brands completely and after shelling out for new ones I have been able to score some of the same model on sale from Amazon and Zappos.

That fractured patella was such a serious injury, I’m so glad you are healing well. Are you doing rehab?

Laurel. I forgot to tell you that I saw a pair on Nordstrom Rack for around $60. It was a different color than the Falcon color that I bought, but the price was half-off.

Lyndash, ha ah, I JUST now ordered a pair of the shoes that I was telling Laurel about above. I would have waited, but it was half the price of the one I bought earlier this week (a different color, though), so I figured it'd be a good backup shoe. But thank you! That is good advice to have. And I hang on to mine way too long.

I'm starting PT in about 8-9 days. It was the earliest appointment I could get with my favorite physical therapist. I just love her because she's really good, and I prefer to wait for her, but I should be able to get at least three sessions in before my trip, so that's good. I've been doing some exercises on my own. The ortho doc gave me some to do, and then I've been out walking, so hopefully I'll be okay.

Yay for new shoes AND a dress! Two shopping wins. Shoes that help you walk with confidence are so wonderful.

I second Lyndash's question about rehab. It was such a huge help for me after breaking a little bone in my foot. The PT person showed me how my gait had changed for the worse while one leg was out of order, and gave me exercises to strengthen the muscles that had been unused (or unevenly used.) I feel more confident that I won't fall again. So if you can, consider it.

And so glad you are healing well!

I'm starting PT in about 8-9 days. It was the earliest appointment I could get with my favorite physical therapist. I just love her because she's really good,

Mardee - that is very smart to wait for a PT you know well. I had a terrible experience with one for my shoulder and it made my pain worse, and I gave up on PT.

I’m happy to hear you are healing well. By the time of your trip hopefully you will be good to go…literally!

Shoes are always so hard for me. For every 20 pairs I try I’m lucky if one works. I agree with the suggestion to buy another pair if the shoe ends up really working for you. My favorite Ecco sneakers that were perfect for everyday use and travel were great, but after a few years and many miles they needed to be replaced last year. I bought the same style and they were different from what I had. They didn’t work for me and I was desperately trying to find something else. After trying many shoes and making many returns I found a pair that worked great. They were my primary shoes on my 11 week trip. When I returned home they went on sale (Nordstrom) so I bought another pair for when I need them.

KC, Yes, and I just bought a pair of sandals and a second pair of the Merrell Moab 3 hiking shoes on Nordstrom Rack. I may need to be forcibly restrained before too long! 😂 And no worries, I will be going through rehab. I responded to Lyndash and told her that I've already scheduled my first appointment with my favorite physical therapist. I can feel the stress in my right leg from having to depend on it more, and I'm definitely having a bit of pain there, so that will help.

Joy, I would never dream of going to anyone else as long as she's available. I found her about 3-4 years ago, and she helped me so much. I was forced to go to one other PT last year but after one appointment, I cancelled and rescheduled with her. This time I learned my lesson, and I told the ortho doc when he was writing his notes that I wanted to make the appointment with her, so they actually made it for me.

Andrea, I totally get that and I'm so glad that you found a pair that works for you! I had to laugh, though, when you said your shoes went on sale at Nordstrom, because I just found a 2nd pair of the Moab 2 shoes (in a different color) on Nordstrom Rack, so I ordered them about 30 minutes ago. AND I also found a pair of sandals that I think will go well with my dress, so I'm all set now! I ordered enough that I don't have to pay for shipping, and Minnesota doesn't have any sales tax on clothing, so I'm good. I love it when it all works out, lol!

I forgot to tell you that I saw a pair on Nordstrom Rack for around $60.

These are the ones I have, same color, just version 2. They are great and mask dust well and don't look so dirty. I may bring it for my trip in September as I'll be walking a lot during the Auschwitz tour (6-hour study tour).

I’ve never ordered anything from Nordstrom Rack, but I’ve never had to pay shipping when I have ordered from Nordstrom. No tax on clothing is great! I wish we had that in CA.

Comfortable shoes make ALL the difference in daily life.

My preferred brand are Keens as they relieved the plantar fasciitis that I endured for years.

Own 8 different pairs. Costly but durable. Still wear the first pair of red sandals I bought well over a decade ago. Also have slip ons, lace ups and boots. Never leave home without them.

Different pairs have been worn in London, NYC, Yosemite, San Francisco, Belfast, LA, Chaco Canyon, Washington DC, Portland, Boston, Miami, Rome and Havana.

IMHO comfort over style any day.

Glad you found some that work for you.

Andrea, It's been a while since I've ordered from Nordstrom, so I don't remember the shipping there. I usually just went to the store, but living here in Duluth, we don't have either a Nordstrom or a Nordstrom Rack nearby, so I'm forced to have things shipped. And yes, the no tax on clothing is wonderful. It almost makes up for the high taxes that we pay here. Although I don't mind as usually they're put to good use.

Joy, Yeah, I think I like the color. It looked good online. Of course, that's not always a great indication, but it looked close enough that I think it will work. Poland will be interesting. Where all are you going there? I've got that on my list, and I'm hoping to get there in the next few years

Claudia, I've never had much luck with Keen's, although given that I never had much luck with Merrill's before, maybe I should try them—maybe the next shoe changeover. 😊 I'm glad they work for you, though.

Love Nordstroms! Shipping is free for orders off Nordstroms. For the Rack, shipping is free when purchases exceed $89.

Mardee - I was going to see Gdansk, Krakow and Auschwitz. But I am only in Europe 7 full days so skipping Gdansk but going to Budapest after Krakow. And a half day/night in Amsterdam on my way back.

Mardee, I just had to share that you have now enabled me yet again; this time with shoes lol! I sent my daughter the link to those Merrells. She didn’t have a pair of hiking type shoes and she decided to order these last night. She had looked at various hiking shoes before, but felt they were cost prohibitive. These were in her budget and she’s thrilled at the prospect of getting them. She’ll have to try them on of course to see if they fit well to her feet, but fingers crossed. She’s hoping to break them in before our September trip. Thanks for the heads up on them!

Jules, Nordstrom is one of my favorite stores! When I was practicing law before I retired, that was pretty much the only place I shopped for clothes.

Joy, how fun! I'm jealous that you're going to Budapest, too!

Mustlovedogs, haha, I live to enable! But that's great that she was able to buy them! It really is a good price, and I like the color. In fact, I think I mentioned above that I ordered a pair myself. I hope that they work for her! And if they are anything like the ones I wore, mine are pretty much broken-in already. They're so comfortable (but sturdy)!

Hi Mardee, Sorry I missed this post. I was waiting until my wonderful English houseguest flew home so I could collapse on the couch and catch up. I'm seriously delighted you picked the boots I suggested a month ago! hahaha. I LOVE my Merrell Moab 3's, I have the ones that are waterproof. I would add it is really nice to have some Oofos sandals to 'air' my feet in the evenings.

Another Merrell Moab fan here - they have gotten me to my favorite heights in Balestrand twice ! And yes you are very smart to order a second pair. Please don't wear your shoes for too many years this time Mardee !! And I am so glad your knee is getting better and you are working with your favorite physical therapist !

Sandancisco, Hey, that's right! You were the first one to mention those Merrell Moabs back when I had just gotten back from Seattle and was reminiscing about my wheelchair travels through the airport, lol! Well, I do love them so thanks! I will have to check out Oofos sandals. I do always bring an extra pair of relaxing shoes that are also maybe a little bit dressy, like some Toms or sandals or something like that.

Kim, Isn't it funny!? As soon as I buy some new shoes, I find all these people that have the same brand! It's like when you're pregnant and all of a sudden you notice all the other pregnant women. 😂 And I will be in Balestrand, so I will definitely have to wear them there. Unfortunately, we're only there for one night, but I'm looking forward to seeing it. And yes, I have absolutely learned my lesson. No more wearing shoes to the bitter end! I did buy that second pair that I had found online at Nordstrom Rack for half the price, and those just came in the mail today. They look just as nice, and I like the color of them a lot.

Found online at Nordstrom Rack for half the price, and those just came
in the mail today.

Wow, I love the Forum! I was just thinking that if the Merrell Moab 3 Hiking boots were ever discontinued, I would regret not having a second pair, so just ordered from Nordstrom Rack for $65, half off in my fav color, 'Smoke', which is really a light blue. Thanks Mardee!