propita

We're going to London and Paris next spring and I'm wondering about shoes. We plan on doing a lot of walking--a few miles everyday. I have decent shoes, but I'd like ideas for good walking shoes. I like the Keen model I had, but they're not made anymore and the ones I have walked all over DC and NYC, so they might not be so supportive anymore.

I'm not working, so being at home means I'm pretty much barefoot most of the day. I also have very low arches and heel spurs. I used to have one spur on each heel years ago. Now I have three spurs on each--on the top, rear, and front of each heal! What an x-ray that was. I was told they were NOT caused by being barefoot a lot. I'm still dealing with initial pain when standing and walking, and will be seeing a podiatrist or orthopedist.

I've tried both Ecco and Merrill in the past (when the spurs weren't causing any problem). They don't suit my feet at all!

Any suggestions on shoes?

grandmere

I just bought two pairs of walking shoes for trip in Oct.: Naot Kirei and Munro American Traveler. I have worn both brands before, and they have good arch support. But as we all know, what's good for one person's foot may not be for another.

tailsock

Clarks with Dr Scholl's insoles. i walked all over the flippin place

jane1144

Perhaps someone will prescribe orthotics for you. Then you just make sure they fir in whatever shoe you choose. Makes a big difference, but be sure you are used to them before you go.

propita

Yes, I'll have to look into orthotics.

I'm starting researching Paris. Aside from finding a place to stay (on the cheap, I guess), it's mostly seeing the major sights and the rest is just walking around, seeing how it is. How it's different, and enjoying the difference.

cigalechanta

There are no shoes for everyone, bring your most comfortable shoes you already have or if you want new you must try on shoes and walk around the shop to make sure they don't pinch or are too short

lateinlifetraveler

I have worn my Clark's with a foam or gel insert to U.K. and Scotland. They are the shoes I turn to for walking long distances. They are called The Wave. I have problems finding comfortable shoes but the Clark's have and still do work best for me. You should go to a store that sells many brands if possible and try each pair on and walk about the store. It's tedious but the best way to see what works for you.

suze

There's nothing special about shoes for London and Paris. You just need to find ones that are comfortable for you. With you foot problems have you tried a brand like SAS? For myself I always just use high-end running shoes. Nothing is more comfortable for walking an 8-hour day for me then those.

flanneruk

1. Don't pay any attention to Internet recommendations about this or that brand

2. You've got complicated and unusual problems: get specialist advice, preferably from a chiropodist (or podiatrist or whatever you call them in your dialect) about how to solve the problem. This is likely to involve some kind of orthotic, properly specified and properly measured shoes and some DIY physio before setting out

3. Most podiatrists will recommend you DON'T spend your life in bare feet (even if the practice might not have caused your feet disfigurement, you may still need proper support for basic comfort). Apart from the quirkiness of your feet, you clearly don't walk much (by definition, if you think "a few miles everyday" is "walking a lot". So it's foolhardy to plunge into what your feet think is an orgy of walking on concrete pavements for hours a day with no recent practice. Whatever combination of shoe, orthotic and sock you agree with your advisor, break it in gently over a couple of weeks before leaving, leading up to walking on concrete for hours before leaving home.

Incidentally, the view of GPs and podiatrists round here is NOT to "go somewhere with lots of brands", but to go to a shoe shop with the staff, facilities and training to measure feet properly and make professional recommendations. They have no difficulty naming names (of retailers, not brands), even in our isolated bit of countryside.

4. UnEuropean though it might sound to recommend this, there is some evidence (my GP tells me) that feet are comfier under stress if you're properly hydrated. On a recent bout of serious hillwalking after foot problems, staying properly hydrated throughout the walks (together with specialist podiatrist advice, orthotics, socks and a small fortune on properly fitting shoes) was undoubtedly part of the reason my feet came out in terrific nick. A walking companion, OTOH, who'd spent thousands rather than hundreds on her shoes was in agony after day 1 - and I think it's no coincidence she didn't have the cushioning of orthotics and socks, or bother staying hydrated.

5. Ignore other people's regimes. Some people can walk 20 miles a day in running shoes with no immediate discomfort. They're not you.

mamcalice

All we on the Fodors forum can tell you is what has worked for us. For me, Ecco, Merrill and Keen work best. So you see, my experience doesn't help you. As others have recommended, see a good podiatrist, get orthotics if that is recommended and find shoes that fit both the orthotics and you. Do it now so you will be used to everything by the time you travel and your shoes will be well worn in. London and Paris are best seen on foot and sore feet don't help.

janisj

>>see a good podiatrist, get orthotics if that is recommended and find shoes that fit both the orthotics and you<< And do it <u>now</u>.

You will need at least a couple of months to break in your new shoes properly and it may take a couple of tries to get the orthotics just right. You'll probably want two pairs of the same brand (not necessarily the same style but the same last) so you can rotate between them during your trip.

As soon as you have your shoes/orthotics start a walking regime - maybe just a mile a day to get started but before your trip you'll want to be able to walk 8-10 miles. Not that you will walk that much every day -- but it is surprising how much walking you will be doing. Heck -- you will often walk a mile or more just within tube stations during a day of multiple journeys.

And -- do not care one whit about what other are wearing or 'style'. get shoes that work for YOU.

suze

I'd quit going barefoot at home and wear a pair of Birkenstocks or something like that instead.

Whatever new shoes you decide on, definitely get them well in advance of your trip to make sure they're going to work for you.

Slw

I recently purchased a pair of Arcopedicos that I have now worn several times and they are quite comfortable. My issue is a bunion, as mentioned in other posts everyone has different issues and you need to try them on before purchasing and then wear them quite a bit before you trek around on holiday.

nytraveler

Agree that if you don;t walk regularly (a couple of miles is NOT a lot - we often do 10 miles day on vacation - and here frequently take a 4 mile walk to walk off Sunday brunch).

Granted I don;t have your problem, but I have many different shoes that are comfy for walks of that length - ranging from loafers to Skecher's Mary Janes to ballet flats with a rubber sole. I can't walk in heavy duty athletic shoes - I need to feek the sidewalk with my feet - not be elevated above it. However, I have a very high arch and narrow heel - so different problems from yours.

Agree to consult with an expert, get shoes that really fit you and break them in thoroughly - a couple of miles a day - before the trip.

aliced

I have Eccos, Merrells, Mephistos, Arche but found the best firm support in the latest line (whose I have not loved in the past) from Clarks, their Wave line. Yes, I too have the tendency to walk barefoot but with too many years and too many pounds accumulating over them, it's better not to do so. Have a huge arthritic joint at big toe, and have had plantar fascaitis (sp?) but these work best for me now.

basch0902

Naot! Stylish and comfortable

GiuliaPiraino

I have the same problem, home most of the day barefoot and hate it when my feet have to go to prison (shoes). Now I'm looking for stylish walking shoes for a very long trip to Europe where we'll be walking everywhere. I've heard a lot about Naot shoes, thanks for all the tips, at least I have some time to check out all these brands!

propita

Well, podiatrist app't is next week. I hear what he has to say.

In the meantime, I'm hitting the elliptical machine to remember how to walk! At least that's not worsening my feet.

I'll look into suggestions here for brands.

propita

Well, I got to the podiatrist. I should avoid being barefoot. Not “at all costs,” but minimize it. And no heels, not even an inch or two. At least that gives me a reason to not wear them.

And I got semi-custom orthotic inserts and will get a second pair in the new year, so I won’t have to switch out all the time. I was told that, with these inserts, just about any comfortable shoe will do, since the inserts will provide the required support. That’s good news, at least.

lateinlifetraveler

Sounds like you've got a good plan in place. Keep at it. It will pay off once you arrive in Paris.