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Sightseeing shoes

shoppingisfun

(website)

Veteran

I had this same shoe buying issue last year when I travelled to DC: what kind of shoes to buy for walking around all day that don't look like workout shoes? Last year I gave up and wore running shoes (at least they were black,so they kinda blended in with my dark jeans), but this year I want to do better. I don't find ballet flats to be comfortable at all and actually prefer a bit of a thicker heel rather than something completely flat. Any suggestions? If not I will probably wear my Skechers (see below). I think they look alright (better than thick rubber soled running shoes!) but they are really not super comfy for walking all day due to lack of arch support.

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Dressing

17 replies

Latest reply was from Glory

JayS

Veteran

I don't know what your particular foot issues are, but I found Gentle Souls shoes extremely comfortable. They aren't the most fashion forward, but the inner souls are doeskin..so soft. If I know a lot of walking is in my future, I usually take a pair or two along.

kkards

Veteran

I actually find a bootie with a slight heel, preferably an angled heel like a cowboy boot more comfortable then almost anything else (including athletic footwear)

Laurinda

Veteran

Thanks for starting this thread, I'm looking forward to reading other's solutions. I have a similar pair of black Skechers. I used a black Sharpie to go over the white labeling on them, and I use a gel insole but they are not the greatest for walking for me either.

Passage des Perles had a post on touring shoes back in 2012, but the suggestions either looked a bit off to me or at $350 were out of my price range. Sensible shoes for touring time

rabbit

Veteran

For me these shoes are super comfortable, but they might be a little bit too flat/flexible for walking on pavement all day depending on your feet. They do have arch support though, have dimpled gel insoles, and pack almost flat and are very light: (the Jennie and Jamie are basically the same shoe, one might have a detached tongue, I forget).

http://www.amazon.com/Dr-Schol.....id=1393187

http://www.6pm.com/dr-scholls-.....d_sims_p_1

They come in a lot of colors and patterns and selected sizes/colors are often on sale on various online sites.

I don't know if it's your style but I also find this G by Guess bootie (with an added insole) extremely comfortable to walk in all day. The upper is soft and flexible, so there is no break in period.

http://budgetshopaholic.com/wp.....-39.99.jpg (there are similar G by Guess booties from various online shoe sources, Marshalls has a black with lighter stitching and a taupe version now.)

Anonymous

I like flat boots with thick, sturdy soles for doing lots of walking. For my last big trip, I wore these Fryes, which worked well except that the back zip rubbed my heels a little. A more classic, retro-looking sneaker (kind of like this) might also be cute, especially if you're going to be doing pretty casual things.

carter

Veteran

These are all day walking shoes for me. I'm planning to take a couple pair with me to Europe this summer. I pretty much have them in every color.
http://www.amazon.com/Clarks-W.....hoes+women

Gigi

Veteran

These are my default walking shoes:

http://www.newbalance.com/Arav.....gid=211000

They do have that "comfort shoe" look, but they are unbelievably comfortable. I think they look worse in the picture than they do in real life. They're actually not too chunky/clunky--I find that they do not look weird on me despite the fact that I am only 5'2" and small boned.

Lyn D.

Veteran

I find my Skechers very comfortable for all-day walking. A shame yours are not as they are definitely a step-up from runners.
Also low-heeled ankle boots, depending on the weather, can be a good option.

Kiwibird

I spent two weeks last summer walking pretty much everywhere I could get to in Montreal and Quebec City - I alternated between a pair light grey Skechers Go Walks and a dressy pair of Merrell sandals (that I could wear in the rain)! Both the Go Walks and the Merrells were brilliant on the cobbled streets in Quebec City and they looked good with shorts, jeans, or my cropped pants. The Go Walks did get a bit warm on my feet at times, but I wouldn't have been without them. Need to buy a new pair for my next holiday as the soles on my present ones are almost worn right down.

April

Veteran

Any of the Naot mary jane styles should very comfortable, if not super chic.

I have a pair of Naot Matais (see Zappos -- many color combinations) that I bought because I was desperate for something that didn't hurt. They don't hurt, but I can't make them work for my style. They need a funky outfit and funky is not my strong suit.

ETA: What about those Jeffrey Campbell Killjoy loafers we were linking to yesterday? http://www.lorisshoes.com/jeff.....lljoy.html Can't speak to the comfort (and they don't really look like loafers to me) but at least they have a little bit of badass in them.

adorkable

Veteran

Another vote for Clarks flats. These are my all-day work and walking shoes. I've worn them to teach, walked three miles home, and then worn them out for errand-running.

They're not particularly attractive, but they're a step up from sneaks.

rae

(website)

Veteran

Crocs are always my life-saver on trips, and they have lots of non-"Croc" styles nowadays.

Carey

I wore Danskos on a trip to Europe, and they were fantastic. They are incredibly comfortable, but are definitely on the clunky end of the style spectrum.

doubleh

Veteran

I second the danskos. Not the sexiest, but I did upgrade to this pair that looks a litte more like a "boot" and less signature dansko wear.

http://www.zappos.com/dansko-t.....0226183709

I wore for 3, 12+hr days on pavement and concrete at market and my dogs did not hate me for it.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Typically (unless I am hiking) I just wear my normal shoes -- but I bring changes of footwear so I can swap them. This is what keeps me happiest. So, in cold months, that means booties/ boots. In warmer months, sandals or shoes.

I do have a pair of the Ecco Jump that are on the Passage de Perls link Laurinda gave. I wore those in China and on a casual trip in the mountains when I needed a pair of closed shoes as well as sandals. They aren't the most beautiful things, but they worked well and I could wear them with a dress or skinniness and not look completely dorky.

Eliza

Veteran

I have worn many different brands for hard pavement, 6-10 miles a day kind of touring: Ecco, AGL Euro-style sneakers, Reiker, Mephisto, Cole Haan, Clarks, etc. It is important to wear shoes a lot, perhaps consider sizing up half a size for comfort insoles or swelling feet, and carry lambswool and blister bandaids if you have fussy feet. Like you, I want more shoe between me and the ground than ballet styles offer. Different brands work for different people. I have never been able to keep Danskos on my feet, but I have friends who swear by them.

I agree with Suz that having more than one comfortable pair with you is important. Just changing the pressure points can help. I also bring different insoles with me, as sometimes long walks reveal that changing styles would be better. I am caving to comfort on my trips now, even if I am in less than my favorite shoe for style. I can wear "regular" shoes if I am going to have the option of changing them in a couple of hours, but when I know I have 6 hours of walking or being on my feet in museums ahead of me, I have to plan accordingly. Your Sketchers will blend in with dark pants quite well. I use pants to minimize the view of my walking shoes at times, but really have learned the hard way not force my feet past the breaking point.

Good luck.

Glory

Veteran

I like the ones you have posted and think they would work well. I usually take my black leather adidas as well as my josef seibel runners when I know I will be doing lots of walking/touring.

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