Distillation: Best Walking Shoes, 2005
• My Ecco Gore-tex hiking shoes scrambled thru Scottish highlands and County Kerry, muddy bogs, wet grass, and muck, not to mention cobbled medieval rambles. Excellent grip. It's not a heavy shoe. The waterproofing is a good idea.
• Last year I took a pair of Merrell men's walking shoes to Italy. The best part is they are an oxford-type lace-up shoe, but with a cross-training-type sole. We used them for light jogging before breakfast, all-day sightseeing, and for dining out in dressy evening restaurants. They're great shoes if you only want to bring one pair.
• I've 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.
• 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.
• I picked up a pair of Campers about a month before going to Rome, and I was very pleased. They are light, comfortable, and stylish. In fact, many an Italian foot was shod exactly like mine.
• 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 to shake a little foot powder into them every night to keep them from smelling too bad.
• 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. I wear orthotics and they fit fine in the shoes. I carry a lightweight pair of flip-flops for showering and wearing around my hotels or B&Bs.
• I bought a pair of Ecco shoes three and a half years ago. They kept me comfortable and dry during a three-month European backpacking trip — not easy in the Swiss Alps! I am now a tour guide, and for two years these shoes have been the only ones I've used to pound the cobblestones.
• I purchased a pair of Mephisto Diva boots (workboot styling) for $67 at the Jezebel shoe store on the rue Cler in Paris (back here in the States they cost $295!). My feet really like these boots! I got great shoes, and a great souvenir from France that I can wear anytime.
• I have tried several different brands, but always come back to Dansko. I have traveled to Europe on several occasions and have worn the sandals and/or the clogs without any problems. Recently, Dansko has come out with a new sport clog. You can purchase "slightly imperfect" Dansko footwear for 30 percent less at www.danskooutlet.com.
• I traveled Europe for six weeks this spring with an 18-pound backpack and one pair of shoes: Teva Hydro Rodiums. They were great for everything — walking, hiking, whatever. They're light, breathable, and dry very quickly. No socks necessary, either, unless it's cold.
• I've worn Arizona Birkenstocks for years. They have a new Arizona with a padded sole that is really comfortable for standing and walking. They have microfiber straps, and the Birk clerk said the shoes were originally designed for diabetics. Translation: No blisters. Bonus with Birks: They slip off easily to allow a few minutes of barefooted bliss.
• I've been searching for the perfect travel shoes. For me, they must meet four criteria: 1) won't look too goofy with khakis; 2) won't look too goofy with shorts; 3) provide enough comfort and support to walk all day; and 4) preferably waterproof. I finally found a shoe to meet all four requirements: Rockports. Mine are nubuck leather, Gore-Tex, and comfortable. And I don't feel like a dork when wearing shorts.
• As a doctor who treats foot and ankle problems, here are a few tips: Buy quality, break them in first, get used to walking before you go (maybe you'll discover that foot problem before you leave and have it treated here), take along some Advil or other pain reliever, and consider the use of prescription orthotics. They will make your foot do what you hope the "right" shoe will do — but often doesn't.
• I find that a good pair of hiking shoes (low-cut, lightweight boots) can be more supportive than most shoes. A hiking shoe with a nylon shank (sole stiffener) and some ankle support can take most of the load off your feet when you're walking on cobblestones or hard pavement.
• As a physical therapist, I would recommend taking two pairs of shoes with good socks. If you are on your feet a lot, simply changing shoes every eight hours prevents foot discomfort.
• I just came back from 10 days in London and Paris. I saw bowling shoes everywhere, on both men and women. And the matching handbags look like bowling-ball bags. Who'd have thought that if I'd brought my ugly bowling shoes I'd be trendy while walking in Trafalgar Square or strolling the Champs-Élysées?
• I travel frequently to London and Paris, often in winter. I wear Ecco shoes and couldn't be happier. Even though they're rubber-soled, I always pack a pair of Tingely Moccasin Stretch Storm Rubbers in case it rains. They look like shoes and really keep a rainy day from becoming soggy.
• If your feet still hurt after a long day tramping around, regardless of your shoes, try this: Put about four inches of cold water in the tub, sit on the side, and put your bare feet in the water. The cold water will numb your aching feet and help reduce swelling. You could also stick your bare feet in any other cold water, like a stream.
• If you're prone to blisters, try this: Use your underarm antiperspirant on your feet. I'll use it on my heel, arch, toes, and on the top of my foot. Blisters come from heat, heat comes from friction, and the body's response is sweat. Antiperspirant saves your socks and your feet. Remember to use antiperspirant, not deodorant. If you use deodorant, you'll just have nice-smelling blisters.
• After two trips to Europe that were uncomfortable for my feet, I've finally found a solution. I switched to more technical socks. Good socks are as important as good walking shoes. Use a pair of light running socks that are blended (not 100 percent cotton) and designed to wick away moisture.
• SmartWool makes a great sock. They keep your feet relatively dry and odor free.
• What does Rick wear? Mephistos are comfy for my State-side needs. But for all the walking I do in Europe, I need something sturdier. For many years I wore Rockport Walkers, but now I'm really into the warmth and solid support of my Eccos.