Best Walking Shoes: 2001
Foot-loose and fancy-free is not so easy if you have the wrong shoes. Here are some thoughts.
Naot
I just returned from travel in Morocco and Spain. I wore a pair of Mephistos with dressier clothes, but most days I wore a pair of casual shoes from Naot with closed toes and small side zippers which I soon found I could unzip on the plane to give my feet more breathing room. They were very comfortable, and I tested their durability one evening in a narrow street in the souq in Marrakesh. The street was full of people enjoying the end of a day of Ramadan fasting, and a car was trying to advance through the crowd by inches. As I tried to make my way around the car, it advanced a few inches and rolled onto the edge of my shoe, trapping my foot. I yelped and the driver backed up. The tire tread mark wiped off my shoe easily, and my foot was unhurt. Comfort and protection--what more can you ask from a shoe?
Andrea Herling
Corvallis, OR USA 12/31/01
Birkenstocks!
They have a bunch of closed toed styles that are super comfy and really nice looking, too. I have a pair of Ontarios (water resistant, "rugged walking shoe") that I'll be taking to Italy- they've needed only a little breaking in, and I haven't had a minute of disomfort in them.
Babs
Phoenix, AZ USA 12/30/01
Best Walking Shoes
I have a narrow foot. I spent three weeks in Italy this year with a pair of Dexter Walkmocs. I walked many miles per day and can't say enough about how wonderful my feet felt.
Janet
USA 12/29/01
Rockports
I have been to Europe 10 times in the past 5 years and I do a lot of walking. I used to bring two pairs of shoes but now I just wear my black Rockports which are sturdy and casual enough for everyday wear and, with a nice pair of pants can be worn to nice restaurnats or even the symphony. They are by far the most comfortable shoes I have ever worn and it saves me a lot of weight in my luggage (shoes are one of the heaviest items I would pack). Highly recommended.
steve
dallas, tx USA 12/19/01
Best Shoes for Cobble Stone
I purchased a pair of the Ecco "Shaker" in March of this year to make sure they were broken in by the time I went to Italy, in November of this year. I must say I only wore these shoes the whole trip. They were perfect for walking on those 2,000+ year old cobble stone streets in Rome and Florence. They had a rubber sole which was perfect for the wet streets, which Florence seemed to have a lot of. My other pair of shoes took up space in my suitcase, but you should take an extra pair of shoes, you never know, could lose one or something.
S. Patrice
Chicago, IL USA 12/17/01
Ecco Twist and L.L. Bean Effortless Slip Ons
I just spent two weeks in Europe: one week each walking around Paris and Rome. I bought black Ecco Twist and black LL Bean Effortless Slip On shoes about two months before the trip; during vacation, I alternated between the two pairs each day. What a treat! Both were extremely comfy AND fairly stylish. I have high arches and both shoes gave perfect support. I wore the Eccos on the plane as they were slightly heavier. The only problem I had was with a spot on my foot where my sock had bunched up, creating a tiny blister. A patch of Compeed took care of that. I liked these shoes so much, they are all I wear to work!
Veronica
Wichita, USA 12/05/01
Best walking shoes
I took both Ecco's and black New Balance shoes to Europe with me. The Ecco's did not provide enough foot support (I have plantar fasitis) and the New Balance were killers. I felt like I had an extra 10lbs. on each foot. Tacky though it may be next year I'm taking my regular white walking shoes. I can walk all over Seattle (hills and all) and have not problems with my feet. Sore feet do not a fun vacation make!
Kathy Porter
Seattle, WA USA 11/30/01
Comfy affordable shoes
This is a follow up on my earlier post, about the Target "Utility" brand shoes that were Jungle Mocs/ Lands End All-Weather Mocs clones--they were GREAT! We spent a week in London and walked EVERYWHERE. My husband had to buy some shoes while we were there because his feet hurt but mine were SO comfortable! These shoes were only $19.99 and I wore them constantly. And I agree with some of the other posts--no one had on jeans and white tennis shoes except teenagers. Have fun trips! (And don't try to walk the 500+ stairs to the top of St. Paul's without your comfy shoes!!!! That's a killer hike! GREAT view though!)
Betsy
Huntsville, AL USA 11/26/01
Dansko Sandals
Dansko sandals provide style, support, and lots of heel cushion! Did well in the Czech Republic and Austria last spring!
Sally
McMinnville, OR USA 11/25/01
Best walking shoes
I found a great pair of Ecco shoes at Nordstrom's Rack. They usually sell for $125 (or so the price tag said..) and I would NEVER pay that much for a pair of shoes because I'm usually really hard on them. But, I did go ahead and get these on sale for ~ $50 and, man, were they the best! Absolutely NO break-in period needed. Wonderful support. We walked all over Paris for 5 days and my feet never bothered me -- quite an amazing thing considering I have bunions!
Liz Jensen
Sacramento, CA USA 11/23/01
Walking shoes
I just came back from London and Paris. I brought two pairs of walking shoes - black New Balance sneakers and brown Cobbie Cuddlers that I bought at Wal-Mart. I had no problems at all and my feet were comfortable all the time. By the way, I saw lots of sneakers in London and Paris. I noticed that white sneakers were only worn by school age children, but what a gamut of other colors I saw on everyone else. I had no idea.
Babe
St. Petersburg, FL USA 11/21/01
SAS Time Out, etc.
I've used SAS Time Out shoes with merino wool socks for trips to Europe over the last ten years. The shoes have been given extra water protection with Nikwax Aqueous Wax waterproofing. The shoes, socks, and waterproofing combination has been excellent.
Mike
Sylva, NC USA 11/18/01
Sore Feet
After years of decreased mobility from bad feet I discovered "ZEETA" shoes. They are not easy to find but worth the effort. I've had both Ecco and Mephisto shoes among others but heel pain and shallow toe box kept me in slippers.
Carl Rooice
napa, ca USA 11/17/01
Montrails are great!
Montrails are terrific! I used them exclusively for 4 weeks as my only pair of shoes. No pain, no problems. Check them out at REI!
Brian Weston
Raleigh, NC USA 11/13/01
Walking shoes
I just returned from two weeks of walking in Southern France and Rome. I bought two pair of Mephisto's in Aix-en-Provence for half the US price. I had planned to take a new pair of walking style Ecco's that I recently bought, despite the fact that I am between sizes, but took a pair of new Easy Spirits (bought for a third of the price of the Ecco's). I have now worn all three shoes and the Easy Spirits are the most comfortable to me.
Kathy
Hickman, KY USA 11/10/01
Re: Lands End All-Weather Mocs/Merrill Jungle Mocs
A friend recommended the Merrills, but I didn't want to pay $60+ for them. So I looked into the Lands End clones--they're on backorder until JANUARY 2002 (2 months from now) or something ridiculous like that. But I found some clones at Target, "Utility" brand, that are VERY comfortable that I'm breaking in. My trip to London and Paris is next week so I'll have to update this with the report on how these shoes do! BTW, they are only in the stores, not on the website, and they are in the men's shoe department only.
BCat
AL USA 11/08/01
Tingley Rubbers/ Ecco shoes
Hi, Travel frequently to London and Paris often in Winter. I came across Ecco shoes and can't be happier. Even though they are rubber soled, I always pack a pair of Tingley Moccassin Rubbers in case it rains. They look like shoes and really keep a rainy day from becoming a soggy day. They look like shoes.
Paul
Newark, NJ USA 11/06/01
Best Walking Shoes
I love my Ecco shoes for European travel - dressy enough to wear with pant suits and never tired feet or blisters. For hiking trips, my husband and I swear by our Vasque boots and Dahlgren Dri-Stride backpacking socks. (dahlgrenfootwear.com) Smart Wool and Thorlo just don't compare to Dahlgren for comfort and wicking qualities.
Ann
Minnetonka, MN USA 11/05/01
I've loved my Dr. Martens' since my punk rock years in the early 80s, and have yet to find a more comfortable walking shoe. HOWEVER -- these shoes have about a two week breaking in period, during which they're pretty darn stiff and uncomfortable.
John Doe
USA 11/05/01
Super Happy Feet
I have long, narrow, flat feet .Merrell's with Birkenstock arch support inserts are like walking on air. Add some Thorlo socks and your ready to go! Your feet are warm, cozy and they don't look touristy.
Betty
seattle, Wa. USA 11/03/01
Best walking shoes
I have a pair of Clarks that I save and use only for travel because I haven't been able to find a comparable pair to replace them. These are dressy enough to wear with a skirt, but casual enough to wear with pants and are EXTREMELY COMFORTABLE. Last spring, I bought a pair of "Hotters" in England - they are like Eccos, but not quite as expensive. However, I haven't seen them in the US, so I'll look for another pair on my next trip to England. And I bought a pair of Columbia sandals (Teva-type) for a recent trip to Africa. They were wonderful - and this time I got smart and bought two pair, so I have one that's been through the African bush, and one brand new pair for next summer's travels!!
Dee Poujade
Portland, Oregon USA 10/28/01
mephisto
I swear by Mephisto for me. I have big wide bunioned feet. These are the only brand that treats them well and now they have better styling
mimi taylor
cambridge, ma. USA 10/27/01
Shoes for extensive walking
I spent 5 months traveling in France and Italy. Although I resisted wearing tennis shoes at first, I found that a lot of Europeans are now wearing them. Also, because my wife and I did SO much walking - maybe 10 miles a day on city streets and roads - running shoes were the only way to go. For dinner, we would switch into dressier shoes as we would do here in the US. I also agree with the previous comment on wearing jeans. They are definately worn by Europeans of all ages, and seem to be ok just as long as they aren't ratty. In fact, they are actually quite expensive there ($70+ for Levis). Finally, I tried on Mephistos and they are nice, but for extensive walking, I still recommend a really good pair of running shoes.
Phil Leventhal
San Diego, CA USA 10/24/01
Mephisto Praises
I have fat feet, high arches and have always had trouble with walking tours....almost DIED walking through Beijing's Forbidden City in my "stylish" shoes. Then I found Mephisto and walked for three weeks through Italy, on rough streets and up steep hills of the Cinque Terre without a single blister, in relatively new shoes. The style I like best is Hanka narrow with just a single band across the toes.....they are classy looking, not clunky, look good with skirts and pants and they are incredibly comfortable!
Laurie Gaines
Placida, FL USA 10/17/01
Mephisto Sandals
I purchased a pair of Mephisto sandals for a two week Turkey tour. I wore nothing else but the sandals and loved them! No blisters or anything and they had great traction even hiking down steep slopes. They are not stylish, but so comfortable I'm looking for another pair to replace my everyday tennis shoes. They are somewhat pricey.
Jeri
Tulsa, USA 10/12/01
Great Walking Shoes
I just returned from a three-week trip all around Europe. I brought a pair of Merrill's, a pair of Tevas and a pair of dressy shoes. I wore all of them quite a bit. I esecially loved my Tevas. They were great for just trekking around and also worked great for the nasty showers that we encountered in hostels. The Merrill's were great because it was like walking on air in them. They also have a European-look to them which helped blend in. They did start to hurt my feet a little bit after extensive wear, but I guess that's to be expected. One helpful tip though, bring dressy shoes! You can always find an excuse to get dressed up!
Jennifer
Bellevue, WA USA 10/05/01
Rockports
I took one pair of Rockport Pro Walkers to Europe for two weeks and they were wonderful. Comfortable and stylish, they went with everything. With only one pair of shoes, I was careful, however, to shake a little foot powder into them every night to keep them from smelling too bad. The only negative aspect to these shoes is that when they get a little wet, they can squeak until dried; not the greatest thing to happen when touring a church or museum.
Roland
Carol Stream, IL USA 10/05/01
Wide Feet
I have wide feet, sized EEEE. The only sandals that have ever fit are by Dunham (a New Balance company). For walking shoes: Rockport makes a double wide shoe, New Balance comes in different widths, and I once tried on a pair of Joseph Siebel shoes (too expensive to buy at the time) that seemed fine, but can not find them now at any store or on the web. Shoes/sandals that don't come wide enough for me: Dansko, Ecco, Mephisto, Birkenstock (although they do have a couple wide shoes that you could pull the footbed out of and put in a custom one, but they are expensive and wouldn't be Birkenstocks without the footbed), Teva, LL Bean, Chaco. I have a pair of Vasque hiking boots that fit, but they are too heavy for Europe. If anyone can suggest a shoe for those of us with wide feet, I'd appreciate it.
Rick
Manhattan, KS USA 10/02
good walking shoes
My Ecco mary janes are light weight, comfortable, and cute. I have tested it walking on asphalt up and down hills, and will take them to Europe in March.
Walking Shoes
ECCO is the best brand to have. Several models work as street and hiking shoes.
Wi USA 09/22/01
Clark Natureveldts have been my favorites during my last two visits. They are casual enough to wear with shorts and dressy enough to wear with slacks if you need to dress up. I bought mine in Dover for a much better price.
Gary
Hanford, CA USA 09/18/01
Footwear
Hush Puppies work for me. A cloudburst in Siena soaked me and my shoes. They dried out and looked as good as new. Mine are roomy enough for thick socks, which helps for long walks. The smooth black leather looks great with a little touching up with that clear shoe treatment available in easy-apply tubes (I bought that in a grocery store in Italy). I wear orthotics and they fit fine in the shoes. They handle rain as well as anything would and have the advantage of being wearable in almost any situation. I carry a very light-weight pair of flip-flops for showering and wearing around my hotels or B&Bs. I try to keep extra dry sox available so I can refresh my feet mid-day.
Shana
Calistoga, CA USA 09/14/01
The most comfortable, and lightest shoes if you are backpacking, would definately be New Balance. I would have to recommend them to everyone! If you need shoes with a look that is not so athletic, go for Rockports. I work as a waitress running up and down the stairs for shifts up to 14 hours long with no problem in these shoes! I have also trecked across Europe for three months. I wore new balance, and my friend rockports. He was going to bring a pair or 20$ tennies, but I had him walk around Disneyland in them for a day. Afterwards, we went and got him rome rockports, and let me tell you! Boy, was he thankful!
Socks are half of it...along with good hiking shoes. My suggestion a pair of Timberland boots and socks made by Timberland or another athletic fast wicking sock. Backpacked from Paris to Switz. to Rome to Austia and Germany in Junehad no blisters.
Stephen Haywood
mobile, AL USA 09/03/01
I have used Ecco (not enough support) Rockport (when they made wonderful walking shoes for women). I now use SAS (San Antonio Shoes). Not fancy but excellent walking shoes. I will take my 38th trip to Europe in October so am fairly experienced with walking shoes.
Carolyn Morz
Aurora, CO USA 09/01
I am a big fan of Dansko and Ecco brands, and recently I found a great way to buy Dansko at a 30% discount. The caveat: these shoes have slight imperfections. The website is www.danskooutlet.com. If you do not see the style that you want, just email them, as they often have just what you want, but pull it off the list of offered styles because they have very few. If anyone knows of a way to get Ecco at a discount, let us all know!
Nancy Connor
Louisville, KY USA 08/29/01
Josef Seibel makes a great walking shoe, very comfortable, lightweight and more stylish than many of the other walking shoes on the market. They can be found in most places that sell Birks, Mephisto, Ecco, etc. I have a few pairs and they hold up extremely well, easy to pack, and I have never experienced any foot pain (I have very sensitive feet) while wearing them. Not only are they great walking shoes for travelers, but they are practical & attractive enough to wear to work or casual outings once you are back at home.
Lisa
New York, NY USA 08/27/01
I wear Wolkys, Danskos, Eccos, Birkenstocks, and Vasque hiking boots depending on where I'm going, but lately I've discovered Chacos, an orthopedic watersports sandal made by a small company in Colorado, http://www.chacosan.com/products/. The fast-drying polyester straps let me wear them from the shower to the street without that wet, squishing feel (very handy in the third world!), and, with the black straps, at least,look refined enough to wear with skirts. I also find that the the orthopedic footbeds and Vibram soles cushion shock and support my feet better than Tevas, as well as being very long-wearing. Three different footbeds and three different soles are available to fit various foot types and needs, and the new Walkabout sole, which I haven't tried yet, is specially designed to provide extra cushioning and grip for travelers. I also like the fact that Chaco provides an economical factory resoling and re-strapping service for all its products.
Joelle Brink
Washington, DC USA 08/25/01
The best shoes I've ever worn are Wolky! I recently bought the Wolky Guild and can't believe how much I love them. I've worn them pretty much non-stop since I bought them 2 weeks ago. They are sandals - sure wish they made a shoe. The only problem is they've spoiled my other shoes for me! None of my other shoes even come close to how comfortable these are. I'll be wearing them for 2 weeks in Spain next month.
Robin
Bellingham, WA USA 08/25/01
Just bought the Lands'End "Hot Pick" All-weather Mocs Have been wearing them for three days now and love them. They will only have them for a short time as their "Hot Picks" usually only show up in one catalog. They look like the Merrell Jungle Moc. Only $29.50.
Mary
USA 08/25/01
Just returned from 7 days of walking all over Italy and France. I relied on my trusty, well worn Birkenstocks, "Milano" style with the heel strap. Alternated a cushy pair of Born clogs. Two tips; blisters are almost inevitable with that much walking, no matter how broken in your shoes are. Bought a product called "Blister Block" to take along just in case, and between myself and two travel companions, we used them up mid-trip, and were happy to see them in a pharmacy in Venice. Much better than band-aids, and can be worn for several days. Second tip; I was very happy to have my strap-on Birks in Venice, as I could just imagine my clog slipping off of my foot and floating down the Grand Canal as I got on to the gondola! With so many comfort shoes being slip-on style, be sure to bring a pair of secure fitting shoes.
Beryl E. Mahl
New Orleans, La USA 08/14/01
Took two pairs of shoes to Italy for 17 days. One was a Dansko clog-like shoe, but with a strap around your ankle and a buckle, which provided good support. They were great but I did have some trouble walking on cobblestones with them. Also took a pair of Ecco leather shoes. Also excellent! My feet blister VERY easily and I am thrilled to report I had not one blister the entire trip!
cmd
Houston, TX USA 08/14/01
if you are traveling in the summer Birkenstocks rule...they let your feet breath and when you are on a long train ride your feet can relax with out actually taking off your shoes. But if you are traveling any other time of year you really need to pick up a pair of Zamberlan hiking boots they are made in Italy but i purchased them here in the states. They are like walking in Slippers except they are gortex and sturdy and insulated. i highly recommend them for the colder climates especially Ireland and the U.K.
Guy Walsh
sacramento, ca USA 08/13/01
I've worn Birkenstocks almost continually for the last ten years, specifically, the Arizona style. They stand up to almost anything, except puddles. The Arizona style would be difficult to walk in all day, however, if you are not used to them. Your legs and toes get a real workout from gripping them.
Sally
Richardson, Texas USA 08/13/01
Last year I took a pair of Merrell mens walking shoes to Italy. The best part is they are an oxford type lace up shoe but have a cross-training type sole. I wear them with shorts and short socks and dress sock with slacks. We did some light jogging before breakfast and went all day and dined out in dressy evening restaurants. Great shoes if you need to consolidate
Craig Mickelson
Spearfish, , SD USA 08/12/01
I've been wearing a pair of Adidas hiking shoes for the past month getting ready for my upcoming trip to Amsterdam. So far I'm VERY pleased with the comfort and support offered by the shoes. They have a very thick sole (perfect for cobblestones) and are very flexible (made of suede) and caress my feet like a glove. I highly recommend these shoes.
William Gowers
Louisville, KY USA 08/11/01
Reebok "classic" tennis shoes in a black color have suited me well in cities as well as country. They are small scale for a tennis shoe, yet have the padding for comfort. With a black skirt and black nylons, that is as dressy as I dare get.($15 on sale) White tennis shoes immediately brand you as an American! They are impractical. Don't forget the moleskin, though. Even after two weeks of no problems, a small rub can develop.
Prudence Meyer
Minneapolis, MN USA 08/04/01
Best shoes I've ever owned: Ecco Alphas (leather). I've worn a pair on each of my two trips to Europe. They look more dressy than many walking shoes and are wide enough for my very wide feet. One drawback: they stain all my socks brown! :(
Kyla Gurganus
Ypsilanti, MI USA 08/02/01
I took some un-broken-in Ecco velcro sandals with a cork bed to Italy last month on whirlwind tour of Rome, Chianti region, Florence and Venice. My feet were in heaven! They made my trip! They are NOT cute and I'll probably never wear them at home but they were definitely worth the $100+!
Ann Cohen
Houston, TX USA 08/02/01
I have a narrow heel (AAA) so finding the right walking shoes was important. I finally bought Mephisto. I am so glad I did! Never hurt once and I'm still wearing them. Bought them in Nice for about 1/2 the price of U.S.$ Don't like the looks that much since they're very plain..but I was comfortable.
USA 07/24/01
I had a pair of Danner chukka style boots that I wore for a number of years. I really liked these shoes. I think I had them resoled twice in 15 years. I finally wore them completely out and Danner no longer made a walking boot/shoe that I cared for. For the past 10 years I have worn Rockports. In June, just prior to a trip to Germany,I was in a Danner factory store and found a pair of shoes I really liked. They were $175.00 Danner's literature describes them as "Rugged Walking Shoes". They felt really good and required very little breaking in. Only one problem. Lack of a durable sole and heel. Less than 50 miles of country and city touring had worn nearly half an inch off each heel. When I got home, I compared them with a pair of Rockports ($50.00 at a factory outlet)that I had worn for more than a year after wearing them on a tour very similar in terrain to the Germany tour, and in my opinion, the Rockport soles and heels were in much better shape then the Danners. I took the Danners back to the factory store to see if they had a problem that had gotten through their quality control. They said there was no quality problem. Their solution was to replace the worn soles with a harder sole. Cost? $75.00 Hmmmmm..$175.00+$75.00 Would I buy or recommend Danner's "Rugged Walking Shoe"? I think not. Too much money for too little durability, and the store manager' attitude was less than caring. Rockport would be on my "Best Buy" list. Comfy, durable and Goretex for $50.00-$75.00 at the outlet stores.
Gary
Vancouver, Wa USA 07/23/01
I just returned from a 2-week backpacking trip in Northern Europe, and I was very pleased with my New Balance 803s, which I bought at a factory outlet store in Brighton, MA for just $39! My feet were never sore, I never got any blisters, and when I wore my coolmax socks, my feet were always dry!
Betsey Gardstein
Cambridge, MA USA 07/21/01
I just returned from my second 3-month trip to Europe in 2 years. My Ecco hiking boots (Goretex lined so they are waterproof) were worth their weight in gold. I took a pair of oxfords, but ended up wearing the boots for most of both trips--even to the opera in Vienna. The boots cost almost $200 but are very light weight and show no signs of wear yet! They weight about the same as the oxfords. Wearing them with slacks, it's hard to tell that they are boots. However, we are all individuals with different feet. I am bothered by hammertoes and bunions (someday I will need surgery but have been postponing it) and need footgear with wide front, narrow heels and high toe box to accomodate the hammer toes. I also need extra arch support and inserted Dr. Scholl's arch supports into the boots. Not everyone has such problems, and the type of shoe that fits one person perfectly could ruin someone else's feet. Most important--your shoes should be comfortable (much more important than looks), and you should be able to walk at least 5 miles on pavement at a stretch in them (carrying at least a daypack) without problems. Spend at least an hour in the store walking around in them when you buy, and then at home put a pack on them and spend the day walking around your house (so you can return the shoes if there are problems) before you start wearing them on the street. For most people a second pair of shoes should be lightweight flat sandals with arch supports and cushioned footbeds. I can't wear them because of my deformed feet, but my daughter-in-law lived in them during a hot week of blitz sightseeing in Paris. Forget dress shoes; even if you're going to dinner and a concert, you'll still be doing lots of walking and metro stair climbing in places like Paris and Vienna.
Mary from Oregon
USA 07/21/01
I took a pair of Ecco shoes for a three week tour of England, Scotland and Paris and they were very comfortable. Rather pricey at $100.00 a pair but well worth the money. Just bought a pair of the sandals which are just as comfortable.
Jeanie
San Jose, Ca USA 07/18/01
I am in love with Ecco shoes. I took a three month tour through Germany a couple of years ago with only these shoes, with no problems. I am now a tour guide, still wearing those same shoes on five walking tours a week, three years later! True, they aren`t cheap, but comfortable and durable. Did I mention waterproof?
Forrest Meyer
Astoria, OR USA 07/16/01
I have recently discovered Chaco sport sandals. I wear them everywear. A little pricey but comfortable and stable. No need for an extra pair of flip-flops for the shower. Excellent choice for warmer weather
Marley
New Orleans, 07/15/01
I have had great luck with any shoes made by Montrail. The soles are specifically designed to handle the added weight of, say, a backpack. You can find them at most outdoor stores like REI.
Brian Weston
Raleigh, NC USA 07/11/01
My favorite shoes are the Birkenstock sandals and shoes. I went to France using the sandals and they worked quite well. Though they're quite expensive, it's worth any price to save yourself from foot pain-- how can you backpack and sightsee when your feet hurt too much to walk? They are sturdy, lightweight and go with almost anything, and they're made in Germany so they look European and won't make you stand out. A good choice!
Rachel
Duluth, MN USA 07/11/01
My choice is Mephisto. I had long heard that these were great shoes, but couldn't handle the large price tags in the Us. When I was in Paris, I went to a Mephisto store (rue de General LeClerc, I think) and between the generous exchange rate and the "local price" got them for one half of the US price. So I got great shoes and a great souvenir of France that I can wear anytime. Will do the same on the next trip to France!
John Rebillot
St. Petersburg, FL USA 07/10/01
I bought a pair of Rockport La Plata walking shoes in 1997. They've seen me through 8 weeks walking around Europe and four winters of everyday wear in Northern California, and are still going strong. The shoes are a plain-toe "Oxford" style, with a waterproof membrane and lug sole; they come in brown only and have a rough-out surface. They're comfy day in and day out, mile after mile, and can withstand heavy rain and moderate puddles without leaking a drop. They are casual without being goofy-looking, and will do equally well on city streets or slogging over Scottish boulders or German trails. I don't know if Rockport,having been sold, still carries these magnificent work-horse shoes. If so, there is also a men's version.
Meg Rosenfeld
Santa Rosa, CA USA 07/10/01