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I LIVED in Ecco Softs during 2 trips to Europe; 4+ wks in 2004, 2 wks the next year. I spent most of my time in the UK doing genealogy research - LOTS of walking in London & Kew to get to the Archives or Family Research Center. These shoes are dressy enough to go to the theater, and during my one day in Paris they more than stood up to the challenge. I walked all day; Rue Clere to the Arc de Triomphe via the Eiffel Tower. The full length of the Champs Elysees, through the park; knew that I did't have enough time to venture across the street into the Louvre, so I crossed the Seine and backtracked 2 blocks to the Musee d'Orsay. Check a map - that is a LONG hike. It was pouring when they closed the museum, so I took a cab back to my hotel. After a short rest while waiting for the rain to stop, I hiked to one of Rick's highly regarded restaurants for dinner. Feet were fine - no blisters, no complaints. I have those shoes yet, and will happily spend any day in any city hiking in them!

I love Keens. I have several pairs and have done TONS of walking/hiking in them. Keen Presidios are great and they don't look too much like a hiking shoe. They also have Mary Jane styles as well if you want something a little more dressier.

Clark's Privo line has several pairs that look good with pants, shorts, capris & skirts. They are Cute & EXTREMELY comfy. Not clunky/dorky looking (which is a rare combo)

They are perfect for walking miles & miles & miles. Check out the Mesa, Float, Acacia, Comice models. They all come in black.

http://www.ricksteves.com/search/scoped_search.cfm?area=travhelpline&searchFor=shoes

My favorites: Easy Spirit Traveltime, Keens, Merrells

Susan, I have a pair of Merrells that I bought recently for my upcoming trip to Turkey and Greece. The color is mostly black, with a touch of light blue. They look like low-top hiking boots but they are the most comfortable shoes I've had in a long time and that means a lot to me, especially when I know I'm going to be walking many miles per day!

My advice is to go to a store that specializes in walking shoes. Not everyone can feel good in the same shoe, our feet are all different and you just need to try on a variety of well-made shoes and see what feels comfortable to you.

Also, don't forget to check out inserts -- don't rely on the shoes' inserts that may not quite fit your feet. With my Merrells, I added an over-the-counter insert called "Lynco Orthotics". The color is bright red and extremely comfortable. They're not cheap, but when you figure the thousands of $'s you're spending to travel, this is a minor expense to keep your feet happy.

Travelling in the summer I usually wear my favourite RED Rockport hiking sandals 90% of the time. They go with my favourite skirt, my short capris (red) and my 7/8 pants (beige) and my light slacks (green). I did a week in London in these very comfortably.

I would definately go to a walking shoe store and talk with them. I bought mine from The Walking Company. If they're not in your area I'm sure you would have something else. I have two pairs of Merrels and a pair of Earth shoes. While Merrels are more comfy than most of my shoes they are no where near as awesome as my Earth shoes. I have the Ivy style in black - which is a Mary Jane type style. I can walk forever in the Earth shoes and my feet never hurt and my legs don't get fatigued like they do in other shoes. Also my back doesn't hurt either which is awesome since I can be a regular visitor to the chiropractor at times.

I just ordered a pair of Privo Billie black walking shoes from Zappos Canada and I love them. I'm wearing them around the house and they are so comfortable. I also ordered a pair of Softspot Sheri black sandals that seem comfortable for walking around in all day. That's what the reviews say too. I think both would look good enough when trying to dress up a bit for a show in London. Sandals with a skirt and the shoes with black dress pants. Both were around 30.00 under the sale section of the website.

Hi Susan, After trying many types of walking shoes (because of a foot problem and my desire to walk everywhere), I wear Chaco's. I don't hear them talked about much -I think because they are sandals and may not appeal to many (my teenagers think they are cool). But you may want to check them out too. If you go to Zappos.com you can see just about all of the shoes that everyone here has mentioned.

Make sure that whatever you take on your trip is well broken in. Nothing worse than blisters from a new pair of shoes ruining your vacation.

I have a colleague who takes only his oldest shoes on a trip. Then he can throw them away when packing for home to save room for souveniers.

By the way, Eccos are cheaper in Europe than they are here. Save a little space in your luggage to bring home a new pair that won't hit the local malls for over a year!

I just got an email from Amazon advertising $25 off all snadals today plus free overnight shipping as well as free return shipping (if necessary). Sounds like a good deal to m e.. Go to www.amazon.com

I bought a pair of Ecco's for use with pants, but not skirts (tenny type with velcro strap and another around the heel, white, gray, pink, black) online about $50 (not my first choice in color, but plain black was twice as much). I also found a pair of Privo black Mary Jane style (elastic straps) for dressier days, at my local DSW for less than $30. They are both extremely comfortable. I've been walking on my treadmill with both and the soles and cushion are great! Haven't used them on a trip YET though.

Buying shoes in Europe would not be a good idea. You need to wear the shoes for a few weeks to make sure they are broken in properly BEFORE going to Europe. If you buy them there, you won't have time for this and will must probably end up getting blisters and sore feet. You could buy them there for a later trip but not for the same trip.

I have 2 pairs of the same shoe by SAS. I don't know the style number but the sole states 'tripad comfort'. I've had 3 trips to Europe with these shoes & they've been wonderful. They look much like a loafer but are dressy enough to be worn with a skirt as well as pants. I use Spanx socks with pants as they're thin & stay up.

These shoes have a very soft, cushy sole which is of major importance on city streets as I mostly go to Paris. I have a lot of foot problems & walk miles every day in these with comfort (I do use an orthotic with them). Having 2 pairs, I can alternate. Also, you can buy extra innersoles from SAS. I really recommend these shoes for travel.

Before I found them, I have a very similar pair by Easy Spirit, but never found another pair by this company with the same cushy sole & I looked for years.

Finding the right shoe is very difficult. I love fancy shoes and designer purses, but not for travel. Finding a shoe that works well for all the walking in Europe AND looks halfway decent was difficult. I found a wonderful sandal by NAOT. They are extremely comfortable and I get lots of compiments on how cute they are. I can wear them with jeans, capri's, and skirts. They even have several little rhinestones on one of the straps. The only time I don't wear them is if I am going to be hiking or on very uneven ground as they are just slip-ons with no heel strap to provide more security. Trust me though, they feel wonderful and look chic! Good luck on finding your perfect shoe!

I think Munro shoes are the best. I am taking a new pair with me to Italy to walk in because I've had such great luck with other styles for work. Nordstrom has them but I've seen at other, independent shoe stores as well

I'll be wearing my Keen Bronx shoes and taking my Keen Newport sandals on my trip to Portugal. I love my Keens because they accomodate my wide feet and are very comfortable.

For me it's Keens or Merrells. I have several pairs of each, and have worn them in Europe. I need the sturdy support of these shoes; they do need to be well broken-in before a big trip. It is also important to find the right sox for your shoes. My present favorite sox are "MediPeds" made for diabetics. They are soft and wear well. I just wish they came in a variety of colors. I found them at Target.

Just got back from two weeks in Italy, TONS OF WALKING ON STREETS AND HIKING I took a pair of Merrells with me but never changed shoes. I had bought a pair of Josef Siebels..a little on the high side but well worth it. Stylish, MOST COMFORTABLE. I have a bunyon and high arches and NEVER had a problem I even hiked CInque terre in them. ALSO recommend SMART WOOL socks! Never stink or get sweaty...13-15 a pair but well worth it...may be hard to find...also they come in different thicknesses..don't need the hikers thickness..just regular sock think! HAVE A GREAT TIME

At this late stage, I find out that my shoes won't work for this trip. I have been walking in them every day to break them in, by going to the mall, running in and out of a grocery store/doctor's office, post office etc., but that isn't really walking!

Today we went for a sort of hike (not too hilly or high, and 3 1/2 miles) and my goodness, I was in such pain from these shoes. Not the toes, but my heels and knees are aching now. I cannot believe it, but as I sat here feeling sorry for myself, I decided to think on the bright side. At least I have 9 more days to break in another, and I did not find out what these shoes would do to me in Europe!

Shoes are the hardest thing to deal with. I love my Naots, they are super comfy, but they are sandals and I need shoes. I am seriously considering getting some runners. I mean, I walk up to 10 km a day at home, more on vacation, ( I think that is around 8 miles) and I need seriously comfy shoes, and shoes that feel comfy around mall just are not enough for me. I bought some Sketchers that were comfy, but halfway through one of my real walks,I discovered they had no proper foot support.

Eli, only 9 days to go, how exciting, but now you have shoe shopping to do, rats.

I've been in the same boat. I would love a cute shoe made with a New Balance bottom--kind of like Rockport does--but I haven't found it.

After trying on LOTS of shoes, I ended up with Naot sandals--the MOST comfortable shoes for my high arches and black Privo's. The Privo's don't have enough arch support for me so I bought an insert with arch support.

Naot has lots of really nice looking shoes but they conform to your feet and give great support. A friend who normally wears prescription orthotics doesn't have to wear them with her Naot's.

I have only seen sandals at the Walking Company by NAOT.

The shoes I bought were ECCO, and they are called Match Tie, Black Ascot. I was trying to not do the white running shoes, but to be honest, if I am going to be in pain, I won't enjoy myself.

I might try the NAOTS but would also love a pair of closed up shoes too. I have never walked long distances or on cobbled stones with sandals before.

http://www.dillards.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=301&langId=-1&storeId=301&productId=501259182&view=80&No=160&N=1287836&searchUrl=%2Fendeca%2FEndecaStartServlet%3Fview%3D80%26No%3D160%26N%3D1287836&R=02747405

You know I also prefer closed shoes, I am always afraid that someone will trod on my feet in crowded areas, and plus, it is so dusty and dirty in cities , that after a day of sandal feet are black. Yes , I know you can wash feet, but it still grosses me out a bit. My Naot sandals have a bit of a platform heel so my foot is at least not too close to the ground. I tried on Keens, and they are comfy, but they are too wide for me, and I have yet to see a pair I would wear with a dress or skirt ,, um, they have sort of a duck bill wideness to them .. but,I most likely haven't seen ever Keen ever made. Having a certain type of foot does make things harder, either too wide , too narrow, high arches or flat feet, sure complicates things.

And AGE is another thing, I could wear anything on my feet 20 yrs ago, now my feet are uber picky, LOL

Many trail runners come in darker colors that will go reasonably well with nicer travel clothes and still give you the comfort. They are really light also, so they are good for packing.

I was looking at some black trail runners by Addidas the other day. I didn't get them because I'd rather have a darker neutral tone (brown or olive) rather than black.

There is some difference between what is available for men and women but generally if you can find one you can find something close for the other.

Thanks for all the replies. I went to the Walking Store and after trying on many pairs of shoes chose Eccos--Mary Jane style. These will be the shoes I will wear with skirts & cropped pants. They seem to be comfy and I have worn them in the house for several weeks. I will wear them on the flight since they are easy to take off during security (velco strap). The only negative thing is these require those little footie/socklets things (black) which I found at Super Target. The MJ style would look goofy with regular socks. Only 4 days until I leave!

Naot has several styles that are enclosed shoes. I went to the Walking Company twice but found their selection to be very limited.

www.naot.com/html/womens_shoes.html

I will wear the Ecco Mary Janes for major walking in Barcelona and Paris. I have another pair of Eccos that are good with pants(but not crop style) and are okay for walking maybe five miles. We will be spending a week in the Dordogne area hiking, boating, exploring so the NB Country Walkers(good for up to ten miles) will be worn there. A pair of Steve Madden thong sandals will be brought for wearing to dinners where we will be driving. All of these in a 21" bag!

I am diabetic with some major foot ailments, nuropathy and poor circulation added to a very wide foot. I searched every specialty store, meet with a specilist and found nothing. Finally, I discovered Clark, "Unconstructed". The shoe I chose is called 'Un Row" by Clark. It was $59.00 and is AMAZING. A specialty shoe store here in Austin, Texas called InStep is where I purchased mine. Their website is http://www.instepaustin.com/store. When you get to the website, click on brand, click on Clark and you will see the Un Row style. I thought I should buy them months in advance to break them in but they were perfect the first time I put them on!! They are perfect for dress or casual. I bought them in black.

I haven't been to Europe yet but have purchased many shoes before I found the 2 pair I will take. Clark's unloop for wearing with a skirt and keen venice for pants. I can & do walk every day for 2 1/2 miles to make sure these shoes are comfortable as we leave for Europe in 2 weeks.