Good shoe for traveling in Europe?

You are probably going to be instantly identified as an American tourist anyway. Just wear some comfortable shoes.

Ecco
Mephisto (premium price, can be narrow)
Josef Seibel

Any of the so-called European comfort brands will be a good choice. Go to Zappos, pick out 7 or 8 different styles in your most likely size, and try em all in the comfort of your living room. Zappos offers free shipping both ways, so you just print out a label & send the ones you don't want back.

Ecco offers a number of styles that are waterproof (GTX, for Goretex), which is a good choice if you're traveling in fall/winter. Wet feet can ruin your day. My go-to travel shoes are Ecco Mobil II GTX ankle boot laceups. I have walked 100+ miles in them in rain, hail, sleet, and light snow.

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I’m going to France and don’t want to wear athletic shoes everywhere and scream American tourist.

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Honest answer, I'd wait to buy them there. There's really no need to buy stuff here before you go. If you have it great, but don't shop here for something specifically for your trip to Europe. If you are going somewhere remote that's different obviously, but Europe you will be fine. For one, it gives you something to shop for and it gives you a built in souvenir. Wear one pair of shoes over and buy yourself a pair there. I do the same thing with things like sweaters or anything else I'm not sure about packing. Pack light, and if you need something shop for it there.

Its all part of the experience too.

Most europeans don't wear basic running and athletic shoes every day. Outside of that, anything that has brown or black leather or that is not made to work out in, is pretty standard now. The last 10-15 years I don't think Euro shoes are as different as they were prior to that with globalization and what not.

Clarks and Sketchers. Those were my shoes of choice.

Cole Haan grand os

I've tried a lot of different things.
- Allen Edmonds oxfords with Dainite soles
- Drivers
- Camp Moc loafers
- Regular penny loafers
- Allbirds
- Astorflex

The AE are fine, honestly, but I put a lot of miles on 300+ dollar shoes and it showed, I still wear them, but a 10-14 day trip will do some damage. Drivers will get torn up and aren't good for weather, camp mocs/boat shoes will stick out, and regular penny loafers will probably tear your feet up and tear up the loafers too. All of these are heavy, as well.

Allbirds are probably the GOAT travel shoe but they can't be dressed up, obviously. Astorflex are nice and can go casual to dressier but they've go to be really broken in or else your feet may get torn up.

Which brings me to Cole Haan Grands, shoes I'd never wear daily but which are perfect for travel. Few people will notice your shoes have ridiculous looking soles, but they feel like tennis shoes, weigh nothing and look decent enough to get by. I have the ridiculous looking oxfords and the more normal looking chukkas, depending on the time of year. They're legit great for travel and you can get them on sale almost all the time.

As for looking like a tourist, nothing you can do. Our polos look different, our button downs look different, our pants are lighter and cut differently, etc. People will spot you as a tourist the same as I can spot a European tourist over here even if dressed normally. I agree that I don't want to be the dude in cargos and merrills, but even in nice restaurants and hotels it won't really matter.

LINK

Several trips over the past few years. I always say I'm going to buy some over there and never do. Do it! So many cool styles.

I take 2 total. My waterproof Keens for heavy duty walking or hiking. My Allbird runners (have insoles) for comfort and knocking around.

I never have had a "need" for "nice" shoes.

Yeah, well, re: shoes, I’m not a dude. Women’s shoes are much more varied in style and sizing than men’s shoes. Also I once spent a bundle on a pair of Keen clog/Mary Janes that should have been perfect for Rome’s cobblestones, immediately packed them for a trip. Wore them half a block in Italy and had to hobble back to the apartment and change shoes. Wore a pair of Eccos for the rest of the trip. Lesson learned about new shoes and traveling. I only hit the road with proven pairs in my kit now.

I have 4 pairs of the Allbird Runners. They are all wool. Very comfortable. I found the size runs small. I'm an 11 but ended up with 12s.

They won't provide the structured support my Keens do, but they are different kinds of shoes. And they aren't really waterproof when that matters. I wouldn't think they'd be your only shoe on the trip, but some do if it's just walking around town type stuff. AND..this would allow you to buy a cool new pair of shoes over there! Trust me, I spend a LOT of time looking at all the clothes and shoes over there and occasionally buy something. You want to come back and be stylin' over here!



After getting back from 17 days in late April of this year, I was kind of focused on what the men over there wear. They actually do wear a lot of sneakers, and a lot of them are actually Nike or Adidas. I have two pairs of Merrill's and love them too, but you'd look like an American wearing them, but who cares. They're COMFORTABLE for a lot of walking or hiking. I haven't bought any Ecco Walking Shoes but they get great reviews too.

It's hard not to "look American", particularly as soon as you open your mouth! Here's one article I found on the subject!

Jeans are very common over there, but not wrangler types. Generally think those "high end jeans you wouldn't pay $100 for" types. In the summer, you'll see a lot of t-shirts, and many with English words on them, but they're 'ish words or sayings we'd never wear here like "New York" or something.

I'm serious, save a little space and buy a few clothing items. I just love the look I see over there and you'll feel "cool".

Try to learn a few "go to phrases" to start with. It will make a world of difference and many will be impressed you tried, particularly in Eastern European Countries.

Allbirds and Sperry's?