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Hiking boots needed for Crete, getting to Grecian monuments or the Rick Steves Istanbul tour?

Posted by (Tucson) on

Now before you tell me to ask this in the "general" part of the Helpline, I put the question here because I want the experience of people who have done these things.

One reviewer of the RS Istanbul tour said they did more walking than she had done on any other RS tour. That's what prompted this question. I don't want to have my feet betray me and miss any of that. Then it occurred to me that I should probably ask about getting to and around the magnificent locations in Greece as well.

Would investing in some decent light weight hiking boots with good general and ankle support be a good idea for us? Or are they really not needed?

Posted by
3120 posts

A good pair of sneakers is really all you need unless you plan to hike one of the gorges, and even then sneakers will most likely suffice.

Posted by
1540 posts

I agree that sneakers are fine. I went on the RS Turkey trip several years ago and there was walking 'Off Road', some hills etc.
I did fine in sneakers with a good tread on the bottom.

Posted by
7514 posts

Depends what you are comfortable in. I have very wide feet and I do not like bringing more than the shoes I wear on my feet. I opt for good leather walking shoes that can handle a hike, rough cobbled streets, and still look formal enough to wear to a nice restaurant, multitaskers.

If you can find the right shoes, go for it. However, I do recommend you get them well before the trip and wear them regularly...nothing worse than new shoes fitting bad on a trip.

Posted by
4151 posts

Thanks for the responses so far. Whatever serious walking shoes I get, I will be sure to get them in plenty of time to break them in. Keep the responses coming. I can use all I can get.

Posted by
2124 posts

Lo, if you're traveling during the warm months (May-September ), a sturdy pair of hiking sandals are another option. Over the past 10 years, I have done serious walking in Istanbul, Ephesus,Cappadocia, Pergamon, Turkey's Mediterranean coast and more than a dozen Greek islands in sturdy Merrell or Ecco sandals, with rubber soles & lots of support.

Posted by
4151 posts

Thanks for the good words about sandals. We're most likely to take the RS Istanbul tour from 5 October - 11 October and build the rest of the trip around that, before, after or on both sides. I checked the weather and it should be warm enough for sandals (for me anyway), so I will probably take them as one of my 2 pairs of shoes. I do have some excellent ones for walking. If we were going at a slightly warmer time and if I didn't need to wear compression socks at least part of the time, I probably wouldn't have asked the question. This getting old ain't for sissies!

Posted by
8648 posts

I swear by the Keen brand of shoes. Sandals, light weight hiking boots and "city" shoes. Have used all on RS tours of Florence and Istanbul. The light weight hiking boots and I recently accomplished the Gap of Dunloe in Ireland. The light weight boots are truly light weight. Very comfortable and stable. Also swear by SmartWool socks. Prevents any blisters, wicks away moisture and keeps any foot odor at bay. Enjoy your Istanbul tour. Fabulous city!!!

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