fab, funky, functional shoes for serious travel walking??? - YouLookFab Forum

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fab, funky, functional shoes for serious travel walking???

greenglove

(website)

Veteran

I am going to England and Edinburgh in August. We see 17 plays in two weeks and walk to every one of them. I mean serious walking, cobblestone streets, lots of rain and wind.
Sometimes 14 hour days. We are traveling with college age students.
I am looking for something sturdy, sandals will not do.
No or about 1 inch heel,
arch support
rugged sole, sturdy

Now here is the hard part=fashionable!!

Is there such a shoe? I wore Clark ballet flats last year which were ok but not as sturdy or supportive as I would like.

Shopping

42 replies

Latest reply was from londonkiwi (now back in NZ)

Rosie

Veteran

Are you going to be wearing pants or skirts/dresses mostly?

Louise

Veteran

For that much walking I'd be inclined to go with 'gear' shoes. I have some Merrell leisure shoes which have walked me round Paris and London for hours and feet felt great at the end of the day x

greenglove

(website)

Veteran

Mostly pants, I will wear casual dresses with leggings but it is not always warm enough. I could throw in ballet flats for those times. Would be great to get a pair to wear with both but do not know if that is possible.

Sharon

Veteran

How about some Doc Martens?
http://www.drmartens.com/Produ.....D=12295610
(Not neccessarily in this pattern - I just though English Rose was appropriate)

Beth

Veteran

I don't know how fab they are, but I love Sketchers for trips with lots of walking. How about something like this?
http://www.zappos.com/skechers.....re-natural

Or these?
http://www.zappos.com/skechers.....p-up-black

Anonymous

How about a light colored boot..tan or chestnut or cream. It could be a short boot like an ankle boot or bootie ...something with enough sole to keep you above the puddles. Otherwise I second Beth's athletic mary janes with a slight wedge heel.

marianna

Veteran

A few years ago I worked in a shoe store. We sold this brand called J-41. Very comfortable, good for walking like you describe.

Maybe a shoe like this would work:

http://www.zappos.com/j-41-eclipse-bronze-camel

A bit more "stylish" but heeled:
http://www.zappos.com/j-41-zephyr-brown

http://www.zappos.com/j-41-cosmos-bronze

http://www.zappos.com/jambu-pluto-bronze

greenglove

(website)

Veteran

Great options! I do not think I want a sneaker or a wedge heel. The J-41 shoes look great.I will check them out.
I just ordered these:
http://www.endless.com/El-Naturalista-Womens
Has anyone tried their shoes?

Rosie

Veteran

Hmm link didn't work to the amazon page.

Some great options!

greenglove

(website)

Veteran

I cannot get the link to work- will try later. They are El Naturalista skimmers.

Rosie

Veteran

http://www.amazon.com/El-Natur.....B002UKPQ4S

These? I don't have experience with the brand but that shoe looks really versatile and sounds perfect. Please let us know how they are as I will probably be wanting something similar for a September trip.

Maya

Veteran

Last time I was in Boston, I brought a pair of gear-y flats from Naturalizer, with arch support and everything, and made sure to wear them with liners. Still, my feet were in the worst pain they've ever been in! The shoes were not uncomfortable, but they are justnot meant for that much walking.

I vowed next time that I would not sacrifice comfort for fashion. That means socks for sure, and possibly sneakers. It's just not worth that kind of agony. Unfortunately it does seriously limit your options, but when I was suffering so much, I realized I really did not care if I was wearing bootcut jeans or a dress. I just wanted to be pain free!

ladyjane

I don't have personal experience with this brand El naturalista but my sil who also has fussy feet did use this brand for Disney world. She loved them. You may want to pm Renata I think I saw her sporting a pair.

Kristine

Veteran

My go to walking shoes are Keen. They're super comfortable! Some are more like gear, but they do have some flats.

http://www.keenfootwear.com/pr.....%20mj/rust

njw

I will second the Keen recommendation. Most are water proof and even with my fussy feet I consider them great walking shoes.

greenglove

(website)

Veteran

Rosie., those are the ones! I will let you know how they work out- I think they are cute!
I understand how important comfort is but I will be in very fashionable cities going to the theater with trendy college art and theater students- I am really searching for something as non- gear as possible. Keen are great but too gearish for this trip although those Maryjanes are cute.

Maya

Veteran

Would these work? Yes they are Danskos but they are not clogs and they are not gearish. You know they'll be orthopedically correct.

http://www.zappos.com/dansko-kate-black-pull-up

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

Converse are the only things that work for me for lots of walking.
Good luck!

greenglove

(website)

Veteran

Maya,
I like those- are they too clunky?
Do you like the distressed brown color for me?
http://www.zappos.com/dansko-kate-black-pull-up

Mamapicklejuice

Veteran

The distressed brown color of those Danskos are SO you!

Maya

Veteran

Jean, they are definitely not dainty shoes, but I don't think you want dainty shoes for lots of walking right? Walking shoes should be sturdy, supportive, and protective, which isn't easy to come by in a dainty shoe. I don't think they are too clunky though. They will be way more versatile than sneakers or gearish shoes and will work with casual skirt and dress outfits.

I actually posted the link specifically because I thought the distressed brown would be perfect for you!

Rosie

Veteran

I have failed to mention how fantastic your trip sounds!!

The distressed brown sounds like a perfect color for you!

These Keens are less gear-like:
http://www.keenfootwear.com/pr.....0ballerina
http://www.keenfootwear.com/pr.....round%20mj

Kristen

(website)

Veteran

Check out Barking Dog Shoes for lots of reviews of comfortable, sturdy shoes.

http://www.barkingdogshoes.com/

Maya

Veteran

I think Sihaya has mentioned Josef Seibel being very comfortable for when she is doing a lot of standing and I like these:

http://www.zappos.com/josef-se.....poli-black

The review also says they are good travel shoes.

These could work too:

http://www.zappos.com/josef-se.....?zlfid=111

No experience with Merrell but I know a lot of people swear by them:

http://www.zappos.com/merrell-.....?zlfid=111

http://www.zappos.com/merrell-oceania-lava-nubuck
http://www.zappos.com/merrell-.....ooth-black
http://www.zappos.com/merrell-.....ck-leather
http://www.zappos.com/merrell-plie-black-1

greenglove

(website)

Veteran

Thanks Maya and everyone!
I like the merrell brio but cannot find the saddle color in my size. My other question is can any of these type shoes be worn with skinnies- most of my jeans are that style. I have a few bootcuts that are more for heels.

Refugee

Veteran

These are my favorite running around 'cute shoes'.
http://www.zappos.com/ak-anne-.....lack-black

They have a cushioned sole that keeps my feet comfy like sneakers. I do put an insole with an arch support in them. But I have a very high arch. These come in several color combinations and look equally cute with skinny jeans or dresses/skirts. I love these shoes and have gotten compliments on them from the young fashionistas in my office.

Scarlet

Veteran

That is a tall order, my friend.
What about socks with ankle boots a la this link I discovered from another thread:
http://www.refinery29.com/4-fr.....1/image/0/
Can't get much more comfy and supportive than that. As I recall you have long legs, so it would probably look good on you.

Gaylene

Veteran

I just got back from the UK. I wore these Clark's in London and Oxford. Even had a couple of compliments on them from a couple of youngsters.

http://www.ecco.com/ca/en/coll...../detail.do

wilson

Ok, so I know you said no or 1" heel, BUT I have these shoes and they are incredibly comfortable. They are my walking shoes for when I go into the city. They look great with skinnies as well as dresses with or without tights and they are a neutral color so they go with just about everything. They have a 2.5" heel but something about the way they are constructed makes them work just right. They are super sturdy, no wobbling. I know I'm going out on a limb by throwing these into the mix for you but I am so impressed that I am willing to take any heat. I've walked the wet, slippery cobblestone all the way up to Edinburgh castle and back down so I totally know what kind of terrain you are looking at and I would do it in these. If you are still reading this and considering it as an option, do buy one size up. I wear a 38 euro size (8 US size) and ordered a 39 and they fit beautifully.

http://www.modcloth.com/store/.....Bocce+Heel

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