We recently had a three week trip to northern England with a 11 days of hiking. I wore hiking boots on the plane and made sure everything fit in one suitcase (40 lb limit from company that moved our suitcases from place to place) plus the daypack I used for hiking which was my carry-on.
3 hiking pants/leggings
3 tech type (wicking fabric) shirts (dried overnight on towel warmers) You’ll probably want to sub in a few summer weight things.
2 sports bras
quick drying undies several pairs or more if you don’t like wicking underwear which I don’t
hiking poles (collapsible you can’t carry them on)
3 sets of wool socks
3 sets of normal socks
2 sweaters
1 fleece
1 rain jacket (doubled as windbreaker)
hat with visor
gloves
earwarmer/headband
2 shirts to wear post hike
1 pair of Merrels
1 pair of dress shoes
1 dressy outfit
1 scarf to dress up post hike outfit
Power converters
All your electronic connectors
There is a reddit forum called “HerOneBag” that would probably be great for this question (Assuming you are female. If you aren’t there is a plain OneBag forum). I love to read it just to see how people pack lighter. Some go a little overboard in my opinion, but a lot of useful ideas! Including suggestions for sink washing items.
I’m here because I’m having second thoughts about shoes for an upcoming trip. I have to bring my Keene’s hiking books because we have a several day hike planned. The question is what else to bring. Usually I wear my Merrell’s mocs which are black suede and hope no one really cares about my feet. But I’d love something that is good for fat feet that need arch support that is a tad better looking. I haven’t worn a heel of any sort since 1984. I’ll probably bring a pair of Vionic flats in case we go to a nicer restaurant.
It also doesn’t help that I’m really not sure how hot it’s going to get in Spain in mid April to early May. Depending on the city it looks like 70s is the norm, but last year it was apparently much, much hotter than that!
Are they the suede Merrell mocs? Might be too hot. I’d bring a pair of white sneakers, they go with everything from dresses to jeans. I’m not sure about Spain, but last summer in France and Italy saw lots of women of all ages wearing casual trainers with everything. ETA for arch support I like Birkenstock Bend sneakers but I know others like Taos, Ecco, etc.
I tried these on the other day and thought they were surprisingly comfy - I say that as someone who lives in athletic shoes. I felt like they would make a great travel sandal - I want the red! But thought the navy might be more practical - I prefer the light colored sole.
https://www.dsw.com/en/us/product/baretraps-frolick-wedge-sandal/571575
Mathmom I went to Italy in April last year and spent lots of time beforehand thinking about shoes. I wanted to bring along something elegant to have at restaurants etc.
We ended up eating at many restaurants (beachside, Florentine steakhouses, all sorts).
And I wore my Merrell hiking shoes every single day.. For all events. And it seemed fine! Sometimes I added a scarf or pashmina to dress up an outfit - but I’m pretty sure no one noticed the shoes.
And I was comfy walking in all those twisty, cobblestone, narrow European streets!
Enjoy your trip!
I wore my Merrells 90% of the time last fall in England, but it was not hot! I’m a big believer in black outfit with scarf or crafty necklaces for dressing up. But I just loathe everything about shoes!
Cobblestone can be so tricky. Last Oct in Florence I made a point to look at shoes. Lots and lots of athletic shoes, usually white or black but colors too. And hiking shoes/boots. Some sandals, but with thick soles and often flat. And some loafers. It was not until my second or third day that I saw a pair of heels - low, block style… stylish lady coming out of a posh hotel (and probably not walking much).
I wore these the whole time in Italy and France. So comfortable and pretty with dresses. Silver metallic is trending right now, too.
Vionic Amber. Can adjust and The leather is so soft, except the cork one. It was so uncomfortable , I had to send it back.
I’m headed to Italuy in mid-April. What was the weather like when you were there? I’m concentrating on layers - pants and shirts with a light jacket that I can remove and tie around my waist if I get warm.
I’m struggling with shoes too. I’m only planning on bringing sneakers and maybe a pair of short booties to wear for short walks to dinner). I’m headed to Prague, Rome & Barcelona in April.
What are everyone’s go-to sneakers? I have a pair of On, a pair of Cariuma (I have my own inserts for both). Does anyone have Merrell sneakers (not hiking shoes). Has anyone ever tried Rothy’s?
My “other” shoes in Italy last year was a pair of Keen sandals. They are ugly too, but look better than hiking boots. I also had a pair of flats, if I was just going to a dinner that was very close by.
Taos makes some comfy sandals, and Josef Seibel does too.
I was in Italy last April too- I brought my New Balance Fresh foam, a pair of of Ecco sandals and a pair of ballet flats. It was between 70 and 80 degrees most days.
Mine are Brooks Glycerin. I have three pairs.
I usually take a pair of my Saucony running shoes, with Superfeet inserts. The darkish grey color worked well last year (wore with black pants and grey pants and black skort).
We spent 21 days in Italy and surrounding area last April/May. The forecast before we left was sunny and 70-80F. Once we got there it was cloudy and sometimes drizzly for about 18 of the 21 days!
The few hot days actually convinced us that cloudy was better - it’s much more comfortable for extended walking.
We laugh at our pictures because W and I each brought only one or two long sleeves and one light jacket, so we’re wearing the exact same clothes in almost every photo.
I have a pair of Sketchers slip on knit go-walk that have been way too many miles and need replacing. They are basic black, no laces and super comfortable. I’ve taken them as my only pair of shoes and just love them.
I wear my Taos leather sneakers and have walked 10 miles a day in cities on all kinds of surfaces. They look stylish with both jeans and dresses.
The only shoes I brought was a pair of Allbirds slip-on sneakers. They were great for the various cobblestone streets and I was perfectly comfortable wearing them to a 2-Michelin star restaurant, although that was lunch and not a dinner.
BTW, that was by far the best meal of the trip - Ristorante Santa Elisabetta in Florence.
Absolutely love these sandals. I wore one pair out walking 3 plus miles daily on our local trails during Covid. Now I’m on my second pair, and the third one is in my closet waiting for its turn. 
That might be me. When we were in England we expected rain and clouds we were thrilled to have almost no rain. I think we had about 15 minutes on our ten day hike and a morning in London.
Thanks for all the ideas. I need to order now so I can see what is actually comfortable on me.