Another Walking Shoes for Paris post

Nine months ago seattlejaime posted about walking shoes for Paris.

http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....king-shoes

So this post is to update and get feedback from those who went to Paris this last year.

I love to walk, I've walked all over Paris and other European cities, climbed hills and mountains and I've worn out my feet. So first item on my travel shopping list is shoes that can go the distance.

My first trip to Paris was in the early fall of 1986 and I've only been back passing through the airport. A lot has changed since then. For one thing, I don't have much padding in my feet any more.

Our first day in Paris in '86 we ended up on a bench in the Champs-Elysees people watching. I was most impressed with the ease and elegance of the people, their good posture, and the shoes the women wore! I wonder how much that has changed.

My issues:
Plantar fasciitis, not bad now but the tendency remains
High insteps, goofy arches
Flattened metatarsals
Bunions--don't hurt but hard to find shoes that fit
narrow feet except through the ball of the foot
Tops of feet are very tender and now sneakers or lace ups bother me

Size 10 1/2, hard to find, and often not even manufactured, so I get an 11.
Little padding on bottom of feet.

With most shoes I have to add padding and in some shoes replace the insole with Superfeet.

Sorry to go on so long, but those of you with problem feet in problem sizes, have you found a shoe that you could walk in for miles and not be embarrassed in Paris?

Yes, I am a regular reader of Barking Dog Shoes.

9 years ago

frannieb

Veteran

Not sure these will help - I have terrible feet - have had surgery several times for bunions, and Planter fasciities (sp) as well as ankle surgeries. I take comfort shoes very very serious.
The shoes I wore in Paris for 2 weeks of non-stop walking. One of the cases were we ate and ate and ate and came back lighter because we walked so much.
I also hate tennis shoes for anything other then working out.
The shoes I brought
Clarks - closed toe for plane
Fly Londons - They fit my feet wonderfully
Dansko - fit my feet well
No matter how comfortable the shoe with my foot issues I can not wear the same shoe two days in a row. I will admit the Fly's and Dansko's were heavy but I didn't care

What I noticed about shoes in Paris:
Lots of black,
booties in the summer,
lots of flats people didn't seem to do heels like they do hear
Lots of comfort type shoe brands on people feet
Supra tennis shoes all around

Amazon

Dansko Women's Jovie Sandal

View Info

Top Pick

FLY London Women's Yito Wedge Pump

Clarks Unstructured Women's Un.Loop Slip-on

TraceyLiz65

(website)

What about Orthaheel technolog link here...also sold on QVC

http://www.vionicshoes.com/bre.....ology.html

Joy

Is there a brand that is usually comfortable for you? ( people swear by Clark's but they are not good for my feet). I hear you on tender tops of feet and lace up shoes. I've had some luck with laceless styles but not slip on sneakers. You might keep trying sneakers until you find one, but it is hard to know what is going to rub walking all day. I have had good luck with flat or low heel booties, especially Munroe and LaCanadienne for walking all day on trips.
About sneakers, I have had fewer top-of-foot problems since using Angie's trick of tucking laces instead of tying them. If I were to go to Paris today, I would take a pair of Born metallic sneakers and wear them that way.

Gaylene

Another size 10.5 here so I totally understand the problem of too tight size 10s and sloppy size 11s. I actually get the best fit in Euro size 42 which often hits that 10.5 sweet spot for me.

It's so hard to suggest shoes for someone else's feet because what works for person often doesn't work for another--especially as we age and our foot issues start playing a bigger role. Generally, my narrow heel and broader forefoot seems happier in Euro brands like Ecco, Wolky, Reiker, Thierry Roboutin, Pikolinos, and the like. I also have a pair of black Dansko oxford-style shoes that are really ugly, but very comfortable and wearable if I''m in black pants or jeans. My Birks also work in summer--and, at least last summer, had the bonus of looking somewhat fashionable. My Toni Ponds espadrilles go for miles in the summer heat as well. I've also found some Clarks that look stylish and which fit well, but only in the UK; for some odd reason, their North American styles and sizes don't work for me.

Suz

Is this trip a summer trip or spring? (Or fall, for that matter)?

(Oh, and before we go further, may I just say: SQUEEE!!! PARIS!! I mean, come on!!!!)

The shoe issue. I cannot answer because my feet are a very different size, with somewhat different fuss and fit issues. But the one thing I do know from a lot of travel involving a LOT of walking, is that trying to get away with one or two pairs of shoes is asking for trouble. Switching up is good for the feet and also good for the fashion soul. This is easier to manage in summer when shoes are lighter weight and take up less space (some being sandals as opposed to boots as in winter). But either way, it is good to have a few choices. I would say at least 3 pair of shoes for a week to 10 days.

I had huge success with the Sofft gladiators that Angie recommended last summer. Bernia? Anyway, they were amazingly good for me. If I were going on a summer trip this year I would certainly bring those.

It sounds like a loafer could be a good choice for you -- maybe those Munro Kimmie's? But start with the brands you know to be good fits for your foot and go from there.

Nordstrom

Söfft 'Bernia' Sandal

MsMaven

Thanks for all these suggestions. The trip will be late June. I haven't checked on what the typical weather is there for June, but with climate changes, who knows whether it will be typical.

I used to wear SAS lace up shoes--I have one pair I got out and wore yesterday and except for the top laces they felt pretty good, and they are 10 1/2 narrow. I went to the website and found that they have a lot of new styles in a wider variety of colors than I have ever seen in the store here. I'm going to go down to the outlet store in Gilroy when I have a chance and try on as many styles as I can.

I do pretty well with Munro shoes, but find the sizing a bit uneven depending on the style. I have the Munro Cheryl in a 10 1/2 and am going to try it in an 11 because I think if my feet swell a bit the ones I have will be too tight. I haven't tried wearing these to walk in. Also there is toe room. They don't look so great with skinny or cropped pants, though.

I bought a pair of Vionic flip-flops last year and like them, and now I'm looking at the shoe styles. Lately I've had a hard time finding walking sandals that I can actually walk a mile in.

I'm also going to check and see what shoe stores there are at the Gilroy outlets. It's only about 20 minutes from where I live. When I lived an hour away I shopped there a lot, now almost never.

Clark's are generally too wide for me. I did have a pair of the shoes frannieb posted in a 10, but my toes pushed on the end, and the 11 was too big. I did have a pair of their sandals I could walk miles in, but my feet have changed for the worse in the last few years.

Thanks for your suggestions--I feel more focused now. First of all I'm going to have to figure out my color scheme for the clothes, and then buy shoes and do some trial walks.

Anyone tried the Munro Traveler? Unfortunately it seems to come only in black.

Here's the Munro Cheryl's I have, the new dark red ones, and the Traveler.

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MsMaven even though you are going in June make sure you have closed toe shoes with, it is Paris after all. During our two weeks we had unseasonably cold weather and rain (not drizzle straight up pouring rain) for 3 days. followed by I'm going to melt type heat. Most happy I had open and closed toe.

Yes, I think sandals would not be warm enough if you are going in June. Definitely closed shoes.

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