<p>H and I are leaving for our long-awaited Empty Nest trip to Europe in less than two weeks! I am very excited. I sure hope D doesnt have the 6-8 week meltdown while we are gone!</p>
<p>I went for a marathon shopping adventure on Sunday because I needed fashionable clothes and I just havent had a chance to get out shopping in over 3 years. One of my best girlfriends volunteered to come with me and spend my money and make sure to tell me if my butt looked fat in those pants I was trying on. But I wanted to share that I found some really nice-looking walking flats, Clarks and Aerosoles. It used to be that these types of shoes looked so orthopedic, but Im very pleased with what I was able to find. I found these at Macys because I have noticed that they have a very large selection of good walking shoe brands, at much lower cost than those Walking Shoe stores.</p>
<p>My patent leather alligator flats (Clarks) which were 30% off and only $60. These are like floating on air, very cushy. These are going to be my every day walking shoe.</p>
<p>These are my smoking flats which Im planning on wearing in the evening. Not as cushy as the Clarks but they are for the evening. Still very comfortable. Pairing with silver/black evening outfits.</p>
<p>These are my fun shoes . I bought a gorgeous cashmere sweater and pants in this same blue color, with a gorgeous scarf. When I saw these shoes in the exact same shade of blue I had to have them. I am planning to put an insole insert in these for walking comfort. They may end up being travel day shoes for when we are driving or on trains. I just couldnt resist, but I need to wear them a couple of times before we leave to see if they are going to hurt or anything.</p>
<p>And then I rounded it all out with black comfortable ankle boots for rainy days and sloshing around. Ill wear these on the plane because they are the heaviest shoe. Cant find a picture but they are Munro. </p>
<p>I will probably also need something to wear with khakis in Italy because it will be warmer there. Oops, I guess that I am going with 5 pairs of shoes, probably not a good idea. I should probably be reading a guide book or checking my tickets or something instead of sending everyone pictures of my shoes.</p>
<p>Free advice…not about shoes. We went on a three week trip. We took ONLY clothes that could be hand washed, and dried easily. Your cashmere sweater sounds lovely, but it might not be practical for an extended vacation. I would suggest three pairs of shoes. To be honest, you can probably wear those black shoes with your khakis. Go for comfort.</p>
<p>I took one pair of very comfortable sneakers, one pair of flats (mine were Clarks), and one pair of sandals (it was summer and hot). I wore the sandals almost all the time. I wore the sneakers for hiking, and the clarks when it was cooler.</p>
<p>A couple of comments from someone who LOVES to walk but has terrible feet/shoe problems. First, you can wear the black patent flats with khakis, and that will save you one pair to pack. I would sub in a pair of sneakers, if you can bear the thought. Even though the absolute last thing I want is to wear sneakers through Europe, I have broken down and done so after a couple of days of non-stop walking. (I mean miles and miles in one day. Love my FitBit!)</p>
<p>Also, for the shoes you plan to wear with inner sole, did you purchase a half size up? The inner sole may make the entire shoe just that much tighter. If too late to return/exchange, the cobbler can stretch for you.</p>
<p>I have found the most comfortable flats to be Tod’s that have a rubber bottom. The leather bottoms take in water and are not as comfortable after a few hours. Suede is most comfortable upper but very impractical for travel if it rains. I must have ten pairs now but have not bought a new one in three or four years so I am very unstylish! I have sat out the entire ballet flat trend as they would be painful.</p>
<p>Have a WONDERFUL time! Those left behind will be cursing at the Common App site.</p>
<p>All of the shoes have thick rubber sole bottoms. I definitely don’t want thin ballet leather sole shoes. But, I think you are all correct, I don’t need anything else for the khakis.</p>
<p>My husband is limited in his mobility so I don’t think I will have to do huge marathons of walking like we have on previous trips. We’ll be taking it slow and stopping at cafes frequently (which we’ve never done before, so it will be a treat for me to linger in a caf</p>
<p>We did a Europe cruise last year, and I actually did wear sneakers at two stops (Pompei/Sorrento - lots of cobbleston ruins & Florence with 4 miles of walking). In Rome I wore black slacks and black SAS whisper tie shoe. </p>
<p>I wore Easy Spirit e360 Re-invent sneaker (all black) for two weeks straight on Europe trip. So comfy! It has total stretch all around and a cushy sole. Best shoe ever. They aren’t big and clunky like running shoes, more like old Keds.
Those and a pair of sandals was all I took with me.
I’m a minimalist–quick dry clothes that don’t wrinkle are my favorites. Wash in sink, roll up in towel and hang. I have my own plastic travel hanger that I bring with me.
We go carry-on these days (at least going) since too many cases of lost luggage.</p>
<p>I love Clarks for walking! I took 3 pair to Italy, and they took me all over, from the hillside steps of Positano through the Coliseum and into Tuscany. (I was traveling with my D, who threatened to disown me if I wore sneakers!)</p>
<p>When I could, I’d switch shoes in the middle of the day. That way, my feet got a break.</p>
<p>I also now swear by FitFlops for beach/pool type wear. I just wore them all through Orlando, and my feet felt great!</p>
<p>Those Easy Spirit Reinvent sneakers look like a fantastic choice for travel.</p>
<p>I’m amazed by people who can do long walks in ballet flats. I wouldn’t be comfortable even walking a mile in ballet flats, though they are pretty.</p>
<p>My feet have gotten old and so I’m interested in all these suggestions. When we travel we walk a lot of cobblestones and that has really become a problem for me. Otherwise I am fine in my regular daily cydwoqs or trippens. The last couple of years I have tried arcopedico, which are great, except they rub my heels till they are a couple of years broken in, at which point the uppers are pretty much worn out. I am not buying another pair.</p>
<p>I just bought a pair of old fashioned lace up keds and that is what I plan to wear next go round. Has anyone experience with this choice?</p>
<p>Regarding travel and washing: I bring one carry-on for a trip of 2/3 weeks because less luggage makes travel simpler for me. ( If you are on a tour where they take care of your luggage, or a cruise where you need to dress every night, that is a different story.) I wear the same thing almost every day. I bring one silk special occasion dress. I wear a lot of black and only spot clean when/where I spill. Since I am extremely coldnatured, I usually have a thin tee shirt on next to my body and that I may wash out but usually only my undies. Ever since college, I try to bring old undies and just toss them as I go. I always bring an ancient black cashmere sweater, which I frequently wear over my nightgown to bed as well as during the day. I have never washed it while traveling. I do bring a lint roller. If I perspired, I guess my experience would be much different. I have yet to experience a hot flash. Menopause means some nights I may not need socks in bed.</p>
<p>The Reinvent sneakers are wonderful! No blisters because nothing rubs anywhere–the stretch in them makes it feel like wearing socks rather than shoes. No break-in time–nice soft shoe. VERY lightweight (good for luggage). They look great too (at least to me–my feet stay happy)! And I’ve done cobblestones in them too!</p>
<p>Has anyone tried them on cobblestones? I wonder if they have enough cushioning? It surprised me to learn they are now “taylor swift” shoes. I wore them first… about 40 years ago!! :)</p>
<p>I have a black Scott travel jacket with a ton of pockets for travel. I don’t need a purse usually. It’s lightweight so I just take a thin sweater and the jacket–layer as needed. And it definitely keeps you safer from pick pockets depending on your destination.</p>
<p>I wore the re-invent with casual dresses but it wasn’t exactly the most fashionable thing I’ve ever done…I just didn’t care much with so much walking ahead of me. One reason I got an all black pair. Goes with almost everything. My next pair will be purple! The re-invent does not look like most athletic shoes–good sole but not bulky. They have some sleeker styles now available but I haven’t tried them. The shoe laces (two pair) that come with them are really long–I’ve considered cutting them in half.
The original champion (I have a pair) does not have the cushioning and support that the re-invent has for going long distance. They do have stretch in the upper part so it feels good but the heel doesn’t give and hug like the re-invent does so they can still give you blisters. Not for cobblestones–the sole isn’t thick enough.</p>
<p>I’d skip the smoking flats they seem to me similar in stylishness to the first pair of shoes. I’d skip your third shoes as well. Instead I’d have sneakers or Merrels for really comfortable walking. I never travel with more than two pairs of shoes unless I add sandals in the summer.</p>
<p>^^agree and also travel with only two pairs shoes, and two pairs usually only because one pair may get wet. Unless someone else is carrying your luggage… ;)</p>
<p>gouf: You have a great travel look. I think you are probably right about the keds :(</p>
<p>They are so comfortable, since they get me up off the ground with some cushioning, I am tempted to give them a cobblestone try. I am looking at some of their oxfords: angel michaels</p>
<p>What about doc martins?
I have no experience.</p>
<p>I also have a pair of easy spirit 360’s. They are comfortable but mine don’t have an arch support. I put inserts in them and that solves that problem. </p>
<p>I bought a pair of Sketcher go walks. They are like walking on pillows. Super comfortable. They are my golf shoes lol!</p>
<p>I do A LOT of walking when I travel internationally (going from city to city, staying in hostels, using public transportation and trains). I only bring one pair of shoes with me - my Teva sandals (I also use them to walk to and from work and pretty much live in them for about half a year).</p>
<p>I love to wear skirts/dresses when I travel (and otherwise), and I feel the sandals work just fine with them, and my feet love it! I also use them for hikes, etc.</p>