Styleforum › Forums › Men's Style › Men's Clothing › "Walking shoes for Europe"
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

"Walking shoes for Europe"

post #1 of 71
5/14/10 at 9:53pm
Thread Starter 
going to Europe this summer. It is going to be my first time, it is a high school graduation gift. I need a pair of comfortable shoes to do the "walking" in. I hate sneakers. I do not want to wear walking/running shoes from New Balance, etc. I was thinking that there may be some shoes out there that are good for walking and will hold up but will look good with a more dressier outfit.


I was thinking of Cole Haan. Nike Air inside....this might be the perfect opportunity for them.
Reply
Reply
post #2 of 71
5/14/10 at 10:05pm
I was just about to suggest Cole Haan. Get a nice rubber-soled pair of Cole Haans in black. I had a pair of black, polished leather, Venetian-style loafers that I walked a ridiculous amount in during my two trips to Paris. Comfortable and somewhat dressy so that you don't look like a tourist! I tend to buy a half size up so that I can accomodate thicker socks as I don't like to walk for hours a day in dress socks.

It's funny you mention it, because I actually replaced my Venetians with a Cole Haan Nike Air, black, penny loafer. Both rubber soles developed cracks right across the forefoot area after only a few weeks of use. I was not impressed.

Either way, find a nice comfortable, black pair of rubber-soled loafers. Lace-ups are terrible for travelling.
Reply
Reply
post #3 of 71
5/14/10 at 10:16pm
Some of my favorite waking shoes are well broken in brogues.

Maybe you could get some with a commando sole or a crepe sole if you don't find waking on leather comfortable.

I can't imagine doing any serious walking in loafers.

As to the Cole Hans
Reply
Reply
post #4 of 71
5/14/10 at 10:23pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by East Oakland View Post
Some of my favorite waking shoes are well broken in brogues.

Maybe you could get some with a commando sole or a crepe sole if you don't find waking on leather comfortable.

I can't imagine doing any serious walking in loafers.

As to the Cole Hans

I don't know where this " " icon comes from, but I laugh my ass off whenever I see it.

It's funny you say that you can't imagine doing any serious walking in loafers, because I couldn't imagine doing any serious walking in lace-up dress shoes with leather soles. My feet hurt just thinking about it. They just don't have good shock absorption.

I personally prefer not to worry about laces coming undone, breaking, or having to undo & do them up at airports.
Reply
Reply
post #5 of 71
5/14/10 at 10:36pm
I've done many a death march around Paris in my Ecco's. Leather uppers, with a decent polish. Rubber soles. I can walk miles in them quite comfortably.
Reply
Reply
post #6 of 71
5/14/10 at 10:45pm
Easy - Campers. They're obnoxious, dorky, European, and seriously comfortable.

Sincerely though, they're great shoes.
Reply
Reply
post #7 of 71
5/14/10 at 10:56pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by elegantgentleman View Post
It's funny you say that you can't imagine doing any serious walking in loafers, because I couldn't imagine doing any serious walking in lace-up dress shoes with leather soles. My feet hurt just thinking about it. They just don't have good shock absorption.

Think of something like these rather than thin soled dress shoes.

Reply
Reply
post #8 of 71
5/14/10 at 10:57pm
perhaps a plain toe blucher from alden with rubber soles would do the trick
Reply
Reply
post #9 of 71
5/14/10 at 11:09pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by East Oakland View Post
Think of something like these rather than thin soled dress shoes.

Ugghh. Sorry, but I can't stand clunky-soled dress shoes. Just looks terrible to me. I always think to myself, "Those shoes would look really nice with thin soles."

Those shoes are (Yeah!)
Reply
Reply
post #10 of 71
5/14/10 at 11:11pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by acidboy View Post
perhaps a plain toe blucher from alden with rubber soles would do the trick

Alright, I am not graduating from The Ross School.
Reply
Reply
post #11 of 71
5/14/10 at 11:14pm
Desert Boots? Mine are super comfortable and they look nice and could be dressed up if you needed them to.
Reply
Reply
post #12 of 71
5/14/10 at 11:16pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by BrianVarick View Post
Desert Boots? Mine are super comfortable and they look nice and could be dressed up if you needed them to.

But with shorts? Assuming....July...Paris, london and Amsterdam. I rather not wear shorts. I have no idea what the climate is to be like. Probably going to wear 3 pairs of Brooks Brothers or Jcrew pants for the entire trip. Bringing a classic navy Huntsman blazer, blue/white cotton blazer and some button downs.
Reply
Reply
post #13 of 71
5/14/10 at 11:19pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by elegantgentleman View Post
Ugghh. Sorry, but I can't stand clunky-soled dress shoes. Just looks terrible to me. I always think to myself, "Those shoes would look really nice with thin soles." Those shoes are (Yeah!)
I guess we all have our prejudices. To me those rubber soled ecco-type shoes are are sneakers posing as dress shoes, the stuff security guards wear. If you are going to wear a sneaker, just own it and wear a sneaker. To me, Brogues are what English shoe marking is all about. And they're a logical in between shoe--not too dressy, not too casual. I like a double leather sole myself--I just don't feel like I need shock absorption unless I am running.
Reply
Reply
post #14 of 71
5/14/10 at 11:27pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by PaoloM View Post
But with shorts? Assuming....July...Paris, london and Amsterdam. I rather not wear shorts. I have no idea what the climate is to be like. Probably going to wear 3 pairs of Brooks Brothers or Jcrew pants for the entire trip. Bringing a classic navy Huntsman blazer, blue/white cotton blazer and some button downs.
If you are going to bounce around Europe in the summer with college kids, you want as little gear as possible. When I was doing those kinds of trips in my 20's, every time I went back I carried less. On my last trip I had everything in a day pack. One pair of jeans a couple of shirts, underwear and a light jacket. There's nothing like being able to just hop in a car with some girl you just met and not having to worry about going back to your hostel to get your luggage (because you don't have any).
Reply
Reply
post #15 of 71
5/14/10 at 11:30pm
Thread Starter 
Alright, Maybe a khaki, navy (cotton) and one dark denim. I am going to be there for 2+ weeks living with family. I am travel there with my parents, who are from Europe.
Reply
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Men's Clothing
Styleforum › Forums › Men's Style › Men's Clothing › "Walking shoes for Europe"