Comfortable Walking Shoes for Travel

<p>I too do lots of walking when I travel and just recently spent a weekend in Toronto wear DH and I seemingly walked the entire city. I was partially on a business trip so I did have dressy flats to wear to dinner but my everyday walking shoe that wears really well and is really comfortable is a pear of Oxfords that are Vince Camuto. I began wearing Vince shoes about a year ago and they are really well made and very comfortable. The Oxfords that I had were spring colors in a taupe sort of color. If travelling I would wear these on the plane. Also very comfortable are my DV lace up boots, what years ago were known as chukka boots. I ordered these from Zappo’s a few years ago and they are so comfy as are a pair of open toe black flats ordered from Zappo’s from the company, Trotters. I recommend these also.</p>

<p>I wore these Clarks and comfortably walked through lots of cobblestone streets in Italy and Greece. Purchased on Zappos, but no longer available there. Found some on amazon.</p>

<p>[Amazon.com:</a> Clarks Women’s Clarks Haley Lark Skimmer: Shoes](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/Clarks-Womens-Haley-Lark-Skimmer/dp/B008GRN7IG]Amazon.com:”>http://www.amazon.com/Clarks-Womens-Haley-Lark-Skimmer/dp/B008GRN7IG)</p>

<p>And they come in narrow. ;-)</p>

<p>[PUMA</a> Axel Women’s Sneakers | Collections - from the official Puma® Online Store](<a href=“http://www.shop.puma.com/Axel-Women’s-Sneakers/pna354473,en_US,pd.html&cgid=68000#!i%3D10%26color%3D07%26size%3DUS_5_5]PUMA”>http://www.shop.puma.com/Axel-Women’s-Sneakers/pna354473,en_US,pd.html&cgid=68000#!i%3D10%26color%3D07%26size%3DUS_5_5)
I wore these this summer in the gray in France. The profile is nice and it doesn’t look like a bulky running shoe. I would buy the black for a fall or winter trip.
[Josef</a> Seibel ‘Caspian’ Sneaker | Nordstrom](<a href=“http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/josef-seibel-caspian-sneaker/3544414?origin=category-personalizedsort&contextualcategoryid=0&fashionColor=Grigio&resultback=713&cm_sp=personalizedsort-_-browseresults-_-undefined_1_D]Josef”>http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/josef-seibel-caspian-sneaker/3544414?origin=category-personalizedsort&contextualcategoryid=0&fashionColor=Grigio&resultback=713&cm_sp=personalizedsort-_-browseresults-_-undefined_1_D)
I have also worn these while traveling.
I agree about not bringing a lot of shoes. This summer I brought a pair of Toms, a pair of merrill sandals that were on the more feminine side for that brand and the above Pumas. I wore them all. I also brought a pair of metalic flat sandals that I thought I would wear with a dress but I ended up not wearing them at all.
Converse All Stars are a popular choice for European women for casual wear. They don’t offer much support unless you put in insoles.</p>

<p>“What about doc martins?
I have no experience.”</p>

<p>Doc Martens are uber-heavy. Like wearing bricks on your feet. :slight_smile: Unless you are going to engage in heavy construction activities, I do not recommend them for walking. My Doc days are over! ;)</p>

<p>mom60 is right about Converse - it seemed as if everyone wore them with skinny jeans and dark coats in Germany, France and Sweeden. Puma is OK, but I would pick a slightly different style:</p>

<p>[PUMA</a> Suede Classic Black/Black - Zappos.com Free Shipping BOTH Ways](<a href=“Puma suede classic black black puma + FREE SHIPPING | Zappos.com”>Puma suede classic black black + FREE SHIPPING | Zappos.com)</p>

<p>If you want to go a step up in price and comfort, Moncler is a good choice (I buy men’s 40 on sale at Nordie’s - they fit my size 9 woman’s feet).</p>

<p>I don’t have a separate travel wardrobe. I just bring a couple of my regular cotton (or wool) ankle length dresses or skirts… the look Alison Lurie refers to as urban shepherdess. I can imagine keds with my look, but not most sneakers. I can sort of imagine converse… maybe the commes des garcon version. </p>

<p>Converse - enough padding for cobblestones? That much better than Keds?</p>

<p>Another thought: Has anyone had a cobbler put that rubber tire tread sort of material on a broken-in pair of shoes or boots to replace a thin leather sole? I’m wondering if that is a possibility? I would rather adapt something I already have than acquire something new just for walking on cobblestones. That may be impossible. This is such a recent problem for me. I can’t even remember anything about cobblestones other than they were kind of pretty until the last 5 years. I am walking the exact same streets! Even hugely pregnant decades ago, I don’t remember them being uncomfortable.</p>

<p>adding:</p>

<p>I can definitely imagine the hi-top commes des garcon converse in black. That look would work for me.</p>

<p>I also think the Keds do not have enough support for traveling nor do Converse. Or Toms. </p>

<p>I do have those Josef Seibel sneakers and I love them. But even they would not be my first choice for travel. </p>

<p>I wore Naot sandals in Europe and they were great but it was summer.</p>

<p>Onward I have a pair of Jambus and they are great! Good call - looks like there are lots of cute and foot friendly styles for winter.</p>

<p>[Flaxen</a> - Women’s - Sandals - J89352 | Merrell](<a href=“http://www.merrell.com/US/en-US/Product.mvc.aspx/26451W/61648/Womens/Flaxen]Flaxen”>http://www.merrell.com/US/en-US/Product.mvc.aspx/26451W/61648/Womens/Flaxen)
this is similar to the merrell sandals that I wore in both China and Europe. They are comfortable and supportive enough to walk miles. Not great in the winter but I they are my favorite travel shoe.
Toms aren’t super supportive but I have hard to fit feet and I find them to be comfortable and they don’t give me blisters like most shoes.</p>

<p>I bought these to wear for my trip.
[Steve</a> Madden Tiarraa Black Leather - Zappos.com Free Shipping BOTH Ways](<a href=“Steve madden tiarraa black leather steve + FREE SHIPPING | Zappos.com”>Steve madden tiarraa black leather + FREE SHIPPING | Zappos.com)</p>

<p>They are super soft leather, more my style than the more “earthy” or Bohemian styles. Since I have a broken toe the soft leather was very important. I have a VERY high arch so will be adding an insert. They seem to be very comfortable and I will wear them on the plane on Thursday! :)</p>

<p>NM, oh I like those. Trying to save my money as I’m going on a girls weekend next weekend and want some money to spend then. But I do like those boots…</p>

<p>Have you looked at Earth Kalso shoes and or boots ? I bought a great pair of boots from them ( have some sandals made from them ) I used them on a winter trip to Scandinavia about a year and half ago…lots of walking on cobblestone streets and I have some back/ hip issues so they were wonderful for both walking and the messy streets
There is a great shoe website that gives a lot of info and reviews in case you aren’t sure about the fit/comfort and versatility :
planetshoe.com</p>

<p>I bought these Taos sandals (Trophy model) for our Europe trip last year. I really liked them, but there were not ideal on cobblestone.
<a href=“Google Shopping - Product not found”>Google Shopping - Product not found;

<p>Normally I’d wear a pair or my SAS Trio sandals (in many colors, mostly from ebay). The sole is a little thicker. But more casual
[SAS</a> Tripad Comfort Trio Bone PEBBLED Glove Leather Slingback Sandals 9 1 2 N | eBay](<a href=“http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/181234960181?lpid=82]SAS”>http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/181234960181?lpid=82)</p>

<p>Whatever you get…get them weeks before your trip and test them. In other words, wear them a lot. I’ve gotten some very expensive and co for table shoes…that ended up NOT being particularly comfortable. I had a pair of Merrills that seemed comfortable…but when I wore them all day, they were not. </p>

<p>Also, if you are,going to be wearing socks, I would also suggest you get those…and get several pairs of the same socks. Sometimes switch socks can also affect the comfort of the shoes.</p>

<p>I’ve recently become a fan of Tieks. They are pricy, but are soft and supportive all leather ballet flats with a rubber sole. You can wear them with dresses or pants and they fold for travel, but aren’t flimsy like a lot of foldable shoes. [Tieks</a> by Gavrieli - The Ballet Flat Reinvented](<a href=“http://www.tieks.com%5DTieks”>http://www.tieks.com)</p>

<p>I’d rather walk on cobblestones in 3 inch heels than ANY kind of flats. Flats are the WORST shoes, period.</p>

<p>[Yahoo</a> Shine - Women’s Lifestyle | Healthy Living and Fashion Blogs](<a href=“Ballet Flats May Be Wrecking Your Feet”>Ballet Flats May Be Wrecking Your Feet)</p>

<p>[The</a> question: Are flat shoes bad for you? | Fashion | The Guardian](<a href=“http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2008/may/05/fashion.fitness]The”>Are flat shoes bad for you? | Fashion | The Guardian)</p>

<p>And here is an article written by a podiatrist which lists the reasons why a shoe needs about an inch to inch and a half lift for the heel:</p>

<p>[Ballet</a> Flats Are Bad For Your Feet](<a href=“http://www.footwellnessdoctor.com/blog/post/ballet-flats-are-bad-for-your-feet.html]Ballet”>http://www.footwellnessdoctor.com/blog/post/ballet-flats-are-bad-for-your-feet.html)</p>

<p>

</p>

<p>And here is another article with yet another podiatrist’s opinion:</p>

<p>[Combination</a> of heels & flats is bad for your feet | abc11.com](<a href=“http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=news/health/your_health&id=8233411]Combination”>http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=news/health/your_health&id=8233411)</p>

<p>

</p>

<p>^^^I agree. A small heel is the most supportive and comfortable. I like a Tod’s loafer for walking, but in warm weather, I usually wear sandals. I’m clearly in the minority, but I pack quite a bit when I travel on vacation. I just bought a huge ultra lightweight rolling suitcase - just used it for two weeks in Italy and it was a joy to pack and maneuver. I like to dress for dinner, so for a two week trip, I might pack four or five dresses, plus various tops and pants for daytime wear. I try to limit my dressy shoes to two or three light pairs that I can interchange - sticking to wedges or wider heels for cobblestones. </p>

<p>The OP should definitely take her cashmere which should come in handy, and she shouldn’t worry about laundering it while away. Dry cleaning is usually only necessary at the end of the season, barring some sort of accident. The OPs shoe choices are quite redundant - all black flats. I like the croc patent the best, and she could really take just that long with a pair of boots and perhaps a warmer toned shoe (depending on her wardrobe choices).</p>

<p>After I wore my sandals for two weeks on the equator, I wore Clark’s May Poppy for the rest of my trip (where it was cold). I have these in both navy blue and black. I can walk in them for hours and hours…they have a nice rubber sole, and a small rise to the heel. They are my “go to” shoes.</p>

<p>I like Tod’s shoes, too. They are on the higher end of the pricing spectrum, but look stylish and are gentle on the feet. Paul Green shoes, my other absolute favorite brand, are designed with good arch supports and wider toeboxes, and yet they do not look like “lab shoes” (available at 6pm with good discounts). Taryn Rose and Anyi Lu are some other brands that make shoes with foot health in mind. Munro is wonderful, too, and 6pm usually has a nice selection.</p>

<p>I have these shoes and wear them when I have to run through puddles and sidewalk construction zones that are abundant in my city:
[Munro</a> American Leann Black Leather - 6pm.com](<a href=“Munro american leann leather munro, Black | 6pm”>Munro american leann leather, Black | 6pm)
These boots traveled to Sweden and Germany wih me (worn with skinny jeans and leather pants): [Blondo</a> Evanne Black Nativo - 6pm.com](<a href=“Blondo evanne black nativo blondo | 6pm”>No results for Blondo evanne black nativo | 6pm)</p>

<p>What kind of a suitcase did you buy, Gourmetmom? I’m looking for something feather-light for my upcoming travels.</p>

<p>Are these your shoes, thumper? [Clarks</a> May Poppy Burgundy Leather - 6pm.com](<a href=“Clarks may poppy burgundy leather clarks | 6pm”>Clarks may poppy burgundy leather | 6pm)
Nice. They have this comfy shoe look to them without being chunky or dowdy.</p>

<p>Yes BB! Those are my shoes! They really are comfy! But I don’t have that nice red. I do, however, have a very comfy pair of Danskos that are that color! I love my Danskos, but not for a trip. I like them more for everyday work shoes.</p>