<p>A little but not as much as they look. They take up about as much room as sneakers do. I have packed them before but usually I wear them on the plane because they are slip-ons and on long flights. I like to take my shoes off when I am sleeping or sitting for a period of time and slip-ons are much easier to deal with in those cramped seats.</p>
<p>I’m extremely careful about the shoes I take when we are planning to do a lot of sight-seeing. Since most people don’t spend 5-7 hours a day walking on an average day at home, your feet will rebel, big time, when you are suddenly walking non-stop while touring. Something as simple as a blister can ruin your whole trip.</p>
<p>Last year we went to NYC in early fall and I didn’t wear my Eastlands (even though every other time I’ve been to NYC I have). Instead, I opted for a pair of flats made by Life Stride. I had worn them a few times and they were very comfy. Well, they weren’t comfy enough for the miles of walking we did. I got several large blisters and was miserable. Finally had to put on a pair of flip-flops just to get around. (And everyone else in NYC was wearing boots!)</p>
<p>My advice is wear the heck out any new shoes you are planning to take on your trip before you leave and take some Band-Aid blister pads, just in case.</p>
<p>The other problem I have run into is in some countries (especially Europe) there are a lot of cobblestone streets and your knees will start to really hurt if you aren’t wearing very sturdy shoes.</p>
<p>One thing I do is go over to tripadvisor dot com and go to the forum for the particular country we are visiting. People post tons of useful information on it (most of the country forums are as active as CC). You can always find someone asking about proper footwear and clothing and tons of responses from people who have visited the country. Or you can post the question yourself. The folks who frequent that forum are very helpful. I plan most of our trips using tripadvisor dot com.</p>
<p>I’m glad someone besides me doesn’t like superfeet. I have the green, liked them in the store, like them for brief periods still. But put much time in, and ouch! The Lands’ End last doesn’t work for me either. </p>
<p>Merrills are the best for my particular feet, with a high arch and misc foot pain that doesn’t fit the true definition of plantar fascitis. Having lots of shoes, and switching frequently helps a good deal. I think my problems developed from wearing crocs, in the hospital, on my feet all day. Not sufficient side support, sole not stiff enough. </p>
<p>Keens are very good, though some better than others. My favorite semi fashionable shoes are some Liz Claiborne black athletic shoes with little cutouts on the side. Good support, in the right places, and not too clunky looking. </p>
<p>A little more down market but not too unattractive, are some of the Sketchers flats, with good support and foot beds. </p>
<p>Yes, when abroad, no white shoes, no white socks.</p>
<p>Agree with Merrell’s. I bought 2 pairs, one a sneaker-ish short hiking shoe and one a sandal for a trip to Arizona last spring. Lots of walking in varied terrain and my feet never hurt at the end of the day. I went to Vietnam several years ago- you are in for a wonderful trip! It is beautiful and so interesting. Don’t worry too much about what you or your feet look like! Unless you are of Asian heritage, there’s no way to not be noticed as a tourist! Concentrate more on being comfortable and having a good, sturdy cross-body type purse, and one of those around-the-neck and under your shirt passport and cash holders.
Although you didn’t ask (!) here’s some reading suggestions:
Fiction:
“Saigon”, by Anthony Gray
“The Things they Carried”, by Tim OBrien
“The Rumor of War”, by Phillip Caputo
“The Quiet American”, by Graham Greene
“When Heaven and Earth Change Places”, by LeLy Hayslip
“the Sorrow of War”, by Bao Ninh</p>
<p>Non-Fiction:
Lonely Planet “Vietnam”
Discovery Insight Guides “Vietnam”
“Vietnam, A History”, by Stanley Karnow (I admit that I only skimmed thru!)</p>
<p>Haven’t read all of these, but ‘When Heaven and Earth Changed Places’ was an amazing read. Bad movie made out of the book-don’t bother. But I still think of that book at times, and the understanding of the war gained from it.</p>
<p>I have very bad feet, fallen arches and need lots of support and comfort. Been to a chiropractor and he recommends Naot, keen or Mephisto. I actually own 3 pair of Naots and I love them along with my Birkenstock.
I was alwAys a Merrill fan, but after he tested my feet with ultrasound, the merrills were not great for support.</p>
<p>Just wanted to say thanks to everyone for all the suggestions. I went to The Walking Store and Footwear, etc. but to no avail so I ended up ordering several pair from Zappos and hit the jackpot with a pair of Merrells (mary jane style) and a pair of Born (ballet flats). I don’t have a particularly high arch and those with significant arch support are actually uncomfortable to me but these two pair fit very well and should work perfectly for our trip. We leave for Singapore in the morning and I’m happy to have these new, comfy shoes in my suitcase!</p>
<p>Merrells aren’t going to win any beauty pageants, but I live in them. Mine look like this: [Merrell</a> Kid’s Jungle Moc Shoe - FREE SHIPPING at Altrec.com](<a href=“Altrec is Moving”>Altrec is Moving)</p>