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Hole!

Beth Ann

Veteran

When you're cycling in a group, riding protocol requires you to point to any pot holes in the road and yell out "hole" to alert riders behind you.

Well, while packing for my must-pack-lightly-for-15-inches-of-snow trip, I discovered a hole of the wardrobe variety.

I try to keep my exercise discipline. Really, I do. And since the Rachel Roy skirt Shannon sent to me is just an a smidge from fitting me well enough to wear to work (in a job that doesn't involve standing on a corner in a tight skirt), I want to keep active while I'm gone this weekend.

Typically, I just pack up a gear capsule in a second bag. Yeah, but no, not this time, when I'm returning by train on a line without checked baggage.

What I'd love is a pair of athletic shoes that would double for sightseeing-or-running-around-town shoes. Pre YLF I had a pair of Skechers that I wore to death, but that look is rather dated now, and they didn't really provide enough stability and arch support for a hotel treadmill workout or a light hike outdoors.

I know I'd like something low profile. I like the retro styling of this Saucony (1)
http://www.zappos.com/saucony-.....k-silver~2

and this Puma (2)
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/pu.....nalizedsor

I would like to keep it below $100, preferably $50-60, although I can stalk for sales. Also, my feet are largish, so I'd like something streamlined, but not on a narrow last, since my feet are a twinge wide.

How can I look fashionably sassy while keeping the ability to run, lift, stretch and sweat with happy feet? I'll have to find a way to stow my turquoise Nikes for this trip, but I want to be prepared for the future!

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Shopping

31 replies

Latest reply was from Eliza

catgirl

Veteran

Do they have to be sneakers? I wore a single pair of Jambus to CA, did Disney and all day hikes in Joshua Tree, biked, and was able to wear them with a casual skirt for dinner. Amazing shoes. ETA: not for running, though!

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Great idea! I need advice on this, too, as I'm planning an Interrail for the forthcoming summer and will be living out of a bag for at least two weeks. For running, a cushioned shoe is necessary for me, and it must be large enough so I don't hurt my toes. This is a tough call.

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

No help on the sneakers - but once when I was pointing out a hole to my dad (riding behind me), my tire caught a rock and I flipped and fell into the hole! My dad couldn't stop laughing. :p

Beth Ann

Veteran

Una: I do love Jambu, particularly their athletic sandals. These would probably handle light hiking, but not running. For colder weather, or indoors, I do like these.....

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Adelfa

Veteran

Have you tried the Pumas? Mine were the most uncomfortable shoe I've ever had, aside from those 3.5" pointy toe snakeskin pumps. They really hurt and I couldn't figure out why!

I think that's a smart hole though (can holes be smart?) It's one I recommended to a short-on-space traveller to Scotland. I think a lot of shoes would work if you were walking briskly but not running.

Beth Ann

Veteran

Lyn: I'm imagining you cycling in one of your Anthropologie dresses, with your new curled hair flying beneath your sensible helmet (your a Doc --- you must have a brain bucket).

Adelfa: I've not tried Pumas, and I do think I want to watch for a wide enough toe box and at least modest arch support. I'll make sure I try them around the house if I try them.

kellygirl

Veteran

I think the saucony could work as a deliberate sneaker. I quite like the retro styling. I find pumas the most uncomfortable sneaker ever. Not good for a medium to wide foot IMHO.

Deborah

Veteran

I found I also had this wardrobe hole while on holidays recently. We booked to do a lighthouse tour along with the surrounding area and all I had were my nice "stylish" shoes. I suspect I may have seen some eye rolling from DH ;). So went shopping locally and found these. Only thing is they are an Aussie brand but thought I would share anyway. Wonderfully comfy. I wore skinny jeans, top, leather jacket and scarf and even tho I really do not like sneakers etc, the pop of red worked well and I think even looked ok. Good luck with your search:).

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Jeanie

Veteran

Ha! We yell SQUIRREL! after one ran under my bike tire and made me crash in my son's bike. (squirrel wasn't hurt). back to the subject.....

I just saw those Saucony's in the Athleta catalog and put them on my wish list. So they get my vote! I went to a Sketchers store a while back and it was like Sketchers Gone Wild....honestly I didn't realize they have so many styles now. Some were cute. I also like Addidas Orginals Dragon for the retro vibe.

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CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

I got some shoes at Zara that look like the Saucony's. On sale last summer they were $50. Anyway they have a faint camo pattern AND calf hair texture, which sounds out there but they are dark so the effect is more subtle. I can walk briskly in them (that's my version of running.) I actually think for all-day wear I prefer a leather bootie with a low heel but you can't run in those. These are not subtle but they are fun. And on sale.
http://www.zara.com/us/en/woma.....51637.html
http://www.zara.com/us/en/woma.....51671.html

kkards

Veteran

i would go to DSW and see what they have, they always seem to have a large selection of last years new balance, nike and ascis shoes that should be within the price you are looking for, and you can see them and try them on. I'm sure some of them will be the low profile style that you are looking for.

Anonymous

I do an hour a day on the elliptical and wear these: http://www.zappos.com/nike-fle.....lic-silver
I have also worn them on trips- because of the dark color (I have grey and navy but may get these black ones) they work well with jeans, etc. They are very light and pack well and are comfortable for both exercise and walking around town. I have been using them exclusively for exercise for about 2 years now (and I have "fussy feet").

gryffin

Veteran

Beth Ann - would something like this work for you? http://vip.zappos.com/skechers.....true-black

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April

Veteran

Beth Ann, I don't know if they would work for running, but I have a pair of Asics Onitsuka Tigers that I love. I have the "Tai Chi" style shown below, which has none of the chunky sole that makes a lot of athletic shoes look gearish.

That might not work for you (people like them who are fans of "barefoot" running) but there are lots of styles and some have a more substantial sole. Zappos has a pretty good selection.

I got mine after I saw a young woman in New York pairing hers with black dressy clamdigger shorts and a fitted white jacket. So chic.

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Aquamarine

Veteran

Have you looked at Asics? They have a couple of models that I think look good as casual sneaks. I have a dark pair, which to me blend in better with my jeans but are also awesome for walking or running.

Glory

Veteran

I have a pair of leather adidas in black with silver stripes that I take with me to travel. They have a bit of a retro vibe and seem to work well - even to Europe. They are comfortable for an entire day of walking. I also have the Josef Seibel Caspians in a grey colour but I do not find them an all day shoe.

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Beth Ann

Veteran

What wonderful solutions I woke up to! I'm pressed for time this a.m., so I'm not responding individually, but I'm clicked on every photo and these are very helpful! Love the stories that come along, too (squirrel.....that's gotta be a good one). And thanks for the warning about Pumas!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I also have this wardrobe hole. I end up using far too much of my bag for my shoes, which are not even large -- I have relatively small feet. The shoes I train in and run in are actually a walking shoe from Ecco. They don't actually seem to sell them in the US any more but they look a lot like these ones, which they claim are a runner. Not cheap (even on sale) but I will say they last me, even with daily wear, for several years. I don't run long distances but I do run on pavement and it is shocking how long these things work. Definitely get my CPW from them. The Yak leather is waterproof. So they're great in the rain and such. I have worn them travelling, with jeans, although it's not a preferred look for me. So....YMMV.

Will be watching this thread to see what you get!

catgirl

Veteran

To be honest, I don't know if there is a shoe that will work for everything else AND running. I have gear sneakers specifically for running. I am following this thread now! The only other thing I can think of is trail shoes, but those are still gear.

Emily

Veteran

Your post made me chuckle and I like your picks... reminds me of Atlantic Pacific's sightseeing look w/sneakers:
http://instagram.com/p/iYWV-kQWXC/#

pil

Veteran

I am revealing my age, as well as my spectacular lack of refinement, by telling you that the thread name took me back to Bill Murray in Caddy Shack. "It's in the hole!"

But I do like the shoes you're looking at. I had a pair of Sauconys way back when (I think they were Lady Raiders) that were really comfy. Of course that was with 25 year old feet.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I had to look--your title is so clever. I don't have any shoes to suggest, but I'm enjoying the ideas here. Deborah's are so cool! Look forward to seeing what you find.

Sarah A

Veteran

I think i would approach this from what type of running shoe you usually train in standpoint first. (This to mean: stability, motion control, neutral? traditional drop, transitional drop 4mm, zero drop/barefoot) If you are accostumed to running in a highly structured shoe with a 8 or 10mm heel to toe drop shoe and then try to use a low profile 4mm heel to toe drop for vacation without a transition period (which could be months or for myself about 2 years) you risk possible tendon injury and sore calves. It just might not make sense not to have two pairs one exclusively for the running part. Now if you are running in a transitional shoe already (4 mm drop neutral gait) i think something like the Saucony you pictured would work well.

** threadjack** i am one of those barefoot running types and OMG April you have
the tai chi? how are they working for you? I have been really
debating these as my crossover shoe, basically just what BethAnn is looking
for, but i was worried the white was so white to wear casually and the other colors dont
seem to be made currently.

Isabel

Veteran

Bet Ann, this is a HEWI for me. Ugh. Every year we spend 2to 3 weeks on a very mixed activity vacation. The shoe packing drives me nuts !!!! I feel as if I have been looking for a multipurpose shoe that looks good in an urban city for years.

If you are not going to do heavy duty running on te treadmill, I would suggest that you check out Eccho, Clark's, and aerosols. They sometimes have awesome, comfortable active shoes. Otherwise, those Skechers above look great. I also second going to DSW.
Good luck.

Anonymous

I love the cycling reference! A comfortable sneaker is a must for me. Chasing kids and for my commute to work. I have pumas - narrow tie box and onitsuka tiger by asics. I like the style of both brands but find they do not last long for me, maybe 6 months. I have a pair of Joseph Siebel caspian that have held up really well. They are bit well, umm, safe. I just received a jumbo order from zappos with Ecco jogga tie in grey, blue, and burgundy. They feel great, not to bulky but kind of have the same safe feeling as the Joseph Siebel.

Beth Ann

Veteran

You guys are uh-mah-zing. So many good ideas and links!

Una and Sarah: You are correct that running is a specialized activity, particularly for me, since I am very strong, but heavy for a runner. The shoes I ran in last summer were not stable enough for me, and I developed a hip issue that took several weeks to resolve. I think I probably need a circuit training shoe for the gym and light runs on the treamill, but a stable shoe for the road. While I love the idea of barefoot running, I developed shin splints while running --- at 13. At 22 I did it again, and a training said I had a high "Q" ratio -- which was a way of saying I have wide hips! I'm probably best with "strong" shoes.

I'm leaning toward foregoing running on mixed-activity vacations, subbing out crossfit style circuits and brisk walking. In that case, a low-profile shoe with moderate support would be adequate.

So many choices! I'll try to purchase in the next few weeks and do a styling post.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

I've never had gear sneakers that didn't have a thick enough sole that made me reluctant to wear them for everyday. Well, that's not true - maybe cross trainers or something worn for weight lifting, but definitely not running or walking shoes.

That said, I owned a pair of the onitsuka tigers and loved them, but they have a very thin sole and I can't imagine running regularly in them. Right now my run around sneakers are this pair of Nikes -shoot, can't find a link online, will update later.

You might consider New Balance, if they work for you - try something with an intentionally retro waffle sole and maybe that would work for running and everyday.

Anonymous

I hate this issue when packing! Not that I do a whole lot of exercise on vacation, but I've had a few vacations recently where we've thought we might try a quick hike somewhere scenic, but that doesn't end up happening and I'm completely annoyed that I cut back on other stuff to fit a whole separate nature-friendly outfit/shoes. And, a lot of times, I just write off any chance of gym/running while traveling because I don't feel like packing extra clothes/shoes just in case. Which really isn't ideal.

I like the two pairs in your original post and also think the ones April posted are really cute.

Linda

Beth Ann, did you notice this?

http://stylecaster.com/winter-outfit-inspiration

Have to say that I side with NEVER wearing trainers except for my workouts. But this has me reconsidering! (I love Saucony shoes btw).

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