We’re all in the same traveling school of hard knocks, and it’s OK to compare notes. Shoes are the most important item you’ll pack. You’ll be walking lots and need a good combination of looks and practicality. I like my ECCO shoes (Track II Low). What’s your favorite travel shoe and why?
Check out my complete packing list.
Comments
Hands down….Allbirds at Allbirds.com
Wool uppers that breathe in summer…with or without socks…and are warm in winter. Sturdy sole, yet extremely lightweight. Squash down to pack. Laces stay tied. Smart looking…just a few colors, but I love the gray.
I used to love my Ecco waterproof light weight lace ups, but now they are too narrow in the toe. Getting ready to go to NZ. Any body know of another women’s lightweight waterproof shoe that has more toe room….and a more natural fit?
I looked up the Track 2 that Rick has just recommended, but that seems to be only for men. This is a BIG issue for me Hope someone has some good ideas. Thanks!
For walking I always wear Sketchers Walk Ons/Memory Foam. And my Berkinstock sandals with socks. They’ve taken me all over Europe averaging 3 to 4 miles per day on cobblestones as well as museum marble.
I have terrible feet and this is what works for me.
Because of knee issues, I need to wear negative heal shoes – Kalso Earth is the only brand I know of and I have walked hundreds of miles, US and Europe, in their shoes over the past 10 years plus. But now I am having trouble finding a sturdy, well padded model with good arch support. Everything I see in the Kalso negative heal realm lacks good padding and arch support. Perhaps Kalso has stopped making them? Suggestions welcome!
Merrills or O Boz shoes
For men, I like Mephisto Brake Man hiking. A great investment. You
Can get them rebuilt.
Sketchers. I walk for miles in them. Take 2 pair. Can be tossed in washing machine when needed. Very comfortable.
I prefer a thick, springy sole and a strong arch-supporting insole, plus the lateral support of a lace-up. For most of my Rick Steves tours, I have purchased MBT shoes. Their roomy toe-box is also a plus. Like Miguel Perez-Gibson, I also have used Mephisto shoes, most recently, the Sano model with leather uppers and a rocker style outsole with an enhanced arch supporting insole.
I love my KEEN Voyageurs and wear them everywhere. Comfortable from day 1, not too heavy, grippy sole, look great and wide toe. (There’s a waterproof version too.) I wear them and pack a pair of sandals with a good sole and arch whenever I travel.
SAS Freetime – they’re not the most beautiful but they are extraordinarily comfortable. I have Morton’s Neuroma. These shoes have a comfortable and roomy toebox. I can wear them all day, walking for miles on cobblestones.
For my trip last year (BPV tour) I wore my black Dansko walking shoes everywhere. They are so comfortable and have great arch support. My first trip 3 years ago I was having foot problems and I tried the skechers, but they did not provide enough support so I only made it halfway up Arthur’s Seat (I am a hiker so it shouldn’t have been a problem) I was so disappointed. I didn’t want to bring my clunky hiking shoes though. I am glad I discovered Dansko walking shoes, great for light hiking or walking around a city all day.
We usually travel in the spring or fall, so I usually take a pair of black lace up Sketcher athletic shoes and a pair of Earth sandle or Earth slip on’s. All the Earth shoes are comfortable for me. I rarely take anything that has much of a heel. Way too much walking and then if once in a while we go in the winter I will take my Reiker boots and I have a great pair of Jambu slip on’s with a little fur lining.
I would not dream of traveling in the summer months without my Ecco Yucatán sandals. They are cool, comfortable, and easy to wear in varying terrain.
I take my Merrell Moab ventilated waterproof hiking boots.I have a pair that has made three trips to Europe and walked over seven countries. I have only sprayed waterproofing on them and changed the insoles.planning a trip now to France, England and Wales and will not need new shoes.
Either Rockport or Easy Spirit sneakers/walking shoes.
I have really bad feet and have to put my prescription orthotics in all my shoes, but I will NOT sacrifice fashion. Cute, comfortable shoes DO exist! In the summertime, I highly recommend UGG™ Sandals with either their foam insoles or their Imprint by UGG™ insole. Also, their Treadlite by UGG™ outsole is good too. I lived in these last summer, on many a hot days strolling the cobblestone across Italy.
No doubt – my trusty Brooks Adrenaline GTS. Stability and arch support to correct for slight probation. I hiked Cinque Terre in them, did Rome in a day on foot, walked the wall of Lucca, and explored Munich, Florence, Paris and Barcelona all in the same pair! I just ordered a replacement pair today. I leave in 10 days for Budapest.
I am a fashionista when it comes to shoes – traveling or not – and I swear by Rockport/Cobb Hill sandals, shoes, and boots (in many colors!). Even with a little heel, I can walk 10 miles a day in them, on cobbles or gravel, no blisters, no pain. I have caught women on the Paris metro eyeing my sandals with a glimmer of envy. The Aubrey and the Alyssa are my top picks for summer travel, but I also have the Gina, Trista, Neve, Michelle, Colleen, and Taylor sandals, and the Deidre and Caroline for winter. They come in many widths, and are really fantastic.
In the summer, I love Dansko sandals. They are the most comfortable sandals that I’ve ever owned and they have tons of cute options!
My Ecco casual oxfords that I traveled with for years are wearing out and no longer available. For hiking and long walks I am happy with Merrell Moab high top Gore-Tex shoes. They are more athletic and casual than I would like, but they are great for walking. Much better up and down hills than my Eccos were. Wonderfully lightweight, the pair only weighs 11 ounces. Most 9 1/2 shoes are too narrow for my 9 1/2D feet, these felt great the moment I first put them on. The flexible sole would not be good for extended walks on rounded cobblestones or larger gravel.
I wear Rockport oxfords. They’re lightweight and comfortable with great support for walking, and with a quick wipe they’re ready for an evening at a nice restaurant in Rome. Since I’m not a hiker I don’t need an action shoe.
So I only take the one pair of shoes on a trip. They’ve been to Europe with me a few times, including the RS Village Italy and Southern Italy tours.
At 65, my feet are still healthy. My usual around-town footwear is either Vans slip-ons or Birkenstocks.
For climbing, hiking, etc, I always choose my Chacos. I’ve climbed wet volcanic rock in them without a single slip.
For a close-toed leather option, transferable to dining and modest destinations, I go to the Ahnu Karma Ballet Flat, which has amazing arch support and, despite the leather, does not give me blisters.
In summer, Cole Haan sandals with Nike Air technology! Pricey but worth it!
I love my Brooks walking shoe in black leather for walking all the streets of Europe. They have great support and don’t look like sneakers. In summer, Ecco sandals give good support, good traction and have metatarsal support, which is good when feet sometimes swell in the heat. Does anyone have a suggestion for my DH, who uses orthotics and has very narrow size 11 feet. Most decent men’s walking shoes size 11 are very wide. Sometimes New Balance has options, but would appreciate any other ideas.
I’m with Rick on this. I’ve been wearing Ecco Trak II low for year, now on my second pair. Selected for functionality, not fashion. They are rather sturdy, with excellent traction, and I’ve found them quite comfortable.
I adore my Vionic Walking Shoes. So comfortable, stable and I can last ALL day in them.
Rockport Pro Walkers…sturdy with complete comfort.
I have thousands of kilometers hiking trails, running rivers, and strolling city streets with my Teva sandals.
Merrell Moab low hiking shoes. I have walked eight caminos in Spain with everything from leather ankle length boots to my Merrell Moab lightweight and low hiking shoes. The Merrells are the best for hiking and for just walking around exploring as a tourist.
Keens are my favorite brand. I wore the H2 sandals for our first two RS trips. For our last three September European vacations, I’ve worn the Keen’s Rose Sandal in black. They’re comfortable from Day 1, don’t need to pack socks, fine if they get wet, and they’re acceptable to wear with dresses. I wish they were a little cuter, but all-day comfort & reliability are priorities for travel.
Also, I should mention that the Keens have a thick toe guard which has prevented me from breaking a toe on a marble doorway slab in Avignon and some uneven pavement in various cities.
I love my Joya shoes but especially the sandals! I used to wear MBT but discovered Joya was founded by the son of the man who invented the MBT shoes. So decided to give them a try. They are springy and cushioned but don’t have as much “rock” as the MBT’s. Perfect for me! I finally got my husband to try them last year and he is also sold!