Shoes for walking around Europe

kinzli

kinzli

Joined
Oct 2, 2001
Messages
426
So I've read the reviews on the Keens, and other shoes over the past few years here on G&G.

Wifey and I are going to Europe for a month in the late summer, and I need a good pair of shoes for walking day in and day out. Mostly on concrete, around small towns, islands, etc. No hiking, per se, but mostly urban hiking.

I've tried Keens, Montrail, I have a few pairs of Ecco's and Clarkes, Asics, etc. I'm a bigger guy (6'2, 220) and plan to be walking around with a small backpack most of the time.

The Keens didn't feel that great on my feet. I tried the Taos model and it felt like the back of my foot was going to come out. I tried various other ones (lace up, slip on, etc.) and none really grabbed me. Ecco's have always felt good to me, as do Asics runners.

So, any suggestions? My feet aren't really any wider than average, but they are about size 13.

Thanks for any ideas...
 
I'd go with either the Eccos or Asics, whichever is most comfortable for you, and a pair of sandals for hot weather. I use Tevas but that's because they didn't have Keens when I bought them.
 
Consider a pair of Danner Agitator 45 GTX hikers. Lightweight, strong, waterproof and COMFORTABLE!
 
Merrill also makes a fine shoe, the Chameleon Ventilator is durable, lightweight and, yes, well ventilated.
 
Avoid running shoes, you want the stability of a more dedicated walking shoe. European streets and light trails are really sweet so, you really don't need heavy duty waffle stompers.

Find a nice light hiker at that covers your ankle, put on a heavier pack then what you will carry in Europe, and break them in.

I would strongly encourage you to go to your local specialty hiking shop and get fitted by someone who knows what they are doing. What is right for you isn't right for me. Your foot anatomy is different then mine, as is your stride.

Pay straight retail at a shop that know what they are doing and you will be dollars ahead in the long run. Plus your feet won't hurt at the end of the day! :)

In the end, I found that Lowa boots worked best for me. They are a brand you don't see mentioned much but, I don't really care because they work so well for me. Don't get sucked into the trendy things and stick with what works for you personally.

Plus, get those expensive socks that work so good! Thick comfy coolmax style work good for me. Mine are Fox River European hikers.

How far do you walk before you get tired? While in Europe I had incredible stamina thanks to working on a dairy doing manual labor for several months. I found that 68% of my body weight didn't tire me unduly but, it wiped out my knees. Walking up to the youth Hostel in Koblenz (Colgne) was a bit tough because I started at the bottom and it was a good vertical climb. The view in the morning was worth it though as I watched barges make their way along the point where the Rhine and Mosel rivers join (Dueches Ech? I think it was called). The trains out of Munich to Switzerland and Austria are worth more then a single ride (truly awesome views).

The Netherlands are sweet as well. I loved Enschede and would not hesitate to return if I was given the chance. I found Amsterdam over rated but, I also avoid urban places and dislike the highly tourist'y spots.
 
Sid Post said:
The view in the morning was worth it though as I watched barges make their way along the point where the Rhine and Mosel rivers join (Dueches Ech? I think it was called).
Click to expand...

Close, "Deutsches Eck." :) About two blocks away from my flat - small world... :D

Sorry for being off-topic, I was just surprised to read about this here. :)

Kristofer
 
Grey Area said:
Close, "Deutsches Eck." :) About two blocks away from my flat - small world... :D

Sorry for being off-topic, I was just surprised to read about this here. :)

Kristofer
Click to expand...

You sir, are a very lucky man to have a view like that everyday.
 
Although pollitically incorrect in these times, Mephisto (French) makes some of the finest walking (flat sole) shoes available. Especially for those with average arches. I am not sure if they still manufacture the style called the Dribbler but it is a very comfortable shoe that can be totally reconditioned. I've two pair that I've owned for over six years. A flat soled shoe avoids the stumbling issue that's apparent with rocker soled shoes.
 
Don't forget Rockports. I have a pair of XGR's which cover a wide spectrum of use. I can hike in them, then give them a quick wipe with a rag and they do ok as dress shoes with good trousers. These are new but my last rockports lasted 15 years. They also look more subtle and conservative than other street hikers.

Over years of travel I've learned the value in being slightly better dressed. That lightweight, military/safari style gear may be marginally more practical but only people with 5% body fat look good in it and you may as well put a bright fluero (TOURIST!) sign on your back.

I lean towards smart casual, shoes and socks and steer away from shorts and Teva's nowadays. The locals seem to treat you better (especially in Asia) when you are better dressed.
 
JB in SC said:
Although pollitically incorrect in these times, Mephisto (French) makes some of the finest walking (flat sole) shoes available. Especially for those with average arches. I am not sure if they still manufacture the style called the Dribbler but it is a very comfortable shoe that can be totally reconditioned. I've two pair that I've owned for over six years. A flat soled shoe avoids the stumbling issue that's apparent with rocker soled shoes.
Click to expand...

Can you explain your last sentence, please?

Mark
 
The shape of the sole bottom is to blame, a correctly built walking (versus hiking) shoe will flex with ease at the ball and the sole will be flat rather than having a rocker. Somehow, I and don't know enough about shoe or sole design to explain it scientifically, a rocker sole bottom sometimes drags (or catches) on the floor.

Especially true of some Rockports, and identified IIRC in a Consumer Reports some years back.

My wife even noticed it, and I wasn't even drinking :rolleyes:
 
I would recommend New Balance walking shoes/the postal approved/U.S. made ones. I also have Rocky walking shoes that were made in America before they went overseas. Both are very good shoes. I have walked up to 15 miles at a time in them. :D
 
A lot of people like SAS for walking shoes.
I've had two pair of Time Outs, and I liked them. They fit well and felt good on the feet, and on the whole, they've held up well (especially given that I just had one pair of shoes for a long time).
With the Time Outs, the leather on top tends to "scuff" early on--at least with me (this might be related to my gait, e.g. if I'm walking on cobblestones I will have a lot of near-trips). This is just a cosmetic problem, but it doesn't look so nice. Maybe some of their other shoes would have less trouble.

I also pronate. After a couple of years of being worn almost daily, the outside heels of the soles have worn down so much that I can no longer stand steady on the shoes!

I suspect that both these problems are specific to me, and for comfort and practicality I recommend them highly. I actually want to see if one of their pricier models would work better for me. Meanwhile, today I am wearing Brooks Beasts -- not dress shoes, not even walking shoes, but they work beautifully on my feet.
 
Hi All-

All in all it is best to have a sensible pair of all-leather or leather and cordura middleweight hikers. In the evenings you can pair them with clean khaki pants and a clean shirt/blouse and you'll be able to enter most restaurants with your head held high. From a technology standpoint, your footwear will ALWAYS be up to the task if you have something like this laced to your peds:

MRL-W1015-02-y.fpx




10870.jpg


Count me in as another vote to "look presentable" when walking around in a foreign land. This means no sleeveless shirts, halter tops, short shorts, or exposed toes. One will be taken MUCH more seriously by the hosts you'll be meeting along the way when one shows respect to them in their country.

You'll be visiting Europe, but many of the Asian countries are particularly sensitive about feet. Feet shouldn't be pointed towards others...and especially not towards religious symbols in Buddhist areas.

Footwear errors can pull a vacation up short, especially if you and/or your spouse are in pain. Err on the side of being overprepared and conservative. If the shoes are a few ounces too heavy, it won't kill you and will just boost your stamina for extensive hiking when you arrive home. Couple them with a pair of top-of-the-line SmartWool socks and you'll be as happy as a pig in the mud.

Enjoy the trip!

~ Blue Jays ~
 
I swear by Salomon shoes. I have had a pair of their hiking shoes in one model or another for the past ten to twelve years, and have found them to be supremely comfortable and hard-wearing.

The nearest equivalent to the model I'm wearing in their current lineup would be the Extend Low.

I have wide feet (I take an EE width in Danner Acadias) and I find that many European shoes - especially Italian ones - are far too narrow for me.

maximus otter
 
JB in SC said:
Although pollitically incorrect in these times, Mephisto (French) makes some of the finest walking (flat sole) shoes available. Especially for those with average arches. I am not sure if they still manufacture the style called the Dribbler but it is a very comfortable shoe that can be totally reconditioned. I've two pair that I've owned for over six years. A flat soled shoe avoids the stumbling issue that's apparent with rocker soled shoes.
Click to expand...

I love mine too. The warranty is awsome too.
 
maximus otter said:
I swear by Salomon shoes. I have had a pair of their hiking shoes in one model or another for the past ten to twelve years, and have found them to be supremely comfortable and hard-wearing.

The nearest equivalent to the model I'm wearing in their current lineup would be the Extend Low.

I have wide feet (I take an EE width in Danner Acadias) and I find that many European shoes - especially Italian ones - are far too narrow for me.

maximus otter
Click to expand...

Ditto very comfortable. I only wear Salomons; Shoes, Hiking boots, Inline-skates and Ski-boots.
 
Hi kinzli-

Pick a new pair from REI, BlueMountainSports, EMS, Tent N' Trails, Campmor or similar place yet? Break 'em in before you go!

~ Blue Jays ~
 
Thanks guys for all the great input.

I've been trying on shoes like a banshee. I've tried I think every shoe made except Solomans. I'm looking for some of those now.

I'm not leaving until mid-September, and so I wanted to get something soon to break them in, as Blue Jays mentioned.

I'm gonna keep trying things on here :) Thanks again!
 
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