Jen from Minneapolis is headed to Rome next month and wants to buy new shoes now so she has time to break them in before the trip. What are some nice but functional options that don’t scream “tourist”?
I can't guarantee they're good for very long walks but I have some Miz Moots boots that are as comfortable as sneakers. Also super stylish. My hunch is they aren't great for something like a 10 mile walk, but a day of casual walking they should be decent. I have several pairs and some are more comfy than others, and some feel snugger than others. https://miz-mooz.com/shop/women-boots
I would go the French route and get a pair of all white leather tennies. I love the French girl preppy look of white shirt, jeans, white tennis shoes, and cool accessories- skinny scarf, seasonal bag, etc. Addidas Sam Smiths are the ones I remember most from my time in Paris.
If you have room on your suitcase, may I recommend these Birks for lounging around in your hotel. My feet are so grateful after a long day of walking! (On sale $119 from $160)
I always wear FitFlops, but the ones with micro wobble board technology. They are supportive and comfortable right out of the box, and your ankles won’t roll. I wear all the toe post sandals with glitter/sequins (they’ll be my wedding shoes!) and short boots, but there are other styles of sandals, flats, sneakers, etc. been wearing them for 15 years and 10 pairs and I have no complaints.
you can never go wrong with Air Jordans! Also, Puma has super strong support. I broke a toe skiing years ago and my podiatrist even recommended Puma when I got out of the boot! cool and supportive!
I second the Ecco recommendation. I didn't have to break these in and I can easily wear them on long days of walking around or traveling. Plus they're easy to dress up or down. I've worn them with everything from dresses to jeans. They also don't read tourist, I'm heading to the gym, or just came back from a run when wearing them. https://us.ecco.com/ecco-womens-soft-7-sneaker-430003.html?dwvar_430003_color=01007
Mar 11, 2023·edited Mar 12, 2023Liked by Liz Thompson
I know that I am late to this post, I hope I catch you in time!
I live in Rome and the cobblestones make walking so much more challenging. Right now I have two pairs of New Balance 327 and that is all I wear. I tried the On Running and I got as far as the Piazza down the street and had a blister that took weeks to heal. They are great shoes, just not for me.
Hey Everyone! We're also getting great recos over on our post on IG, check it out: https://www.instagram.com/p/Co-V6-OOruP/
My favorite topic: COMFORTABLE COOL SHOES.
* I am a fan of Vionic shoes which come in loads of styles. I have a great pair of sparkly silver flats that are like the best for fancy events.
* Pikolinos make some really good handcrafted shoes with a bit of Spanish flair: https://www.pikolinos.com
* I splurged on these boots which my friend Shelly hipped me to which are SUPER comfy: https://loefflerrandall.com/collections/boots/products/tara-scn-blacr
* Finally a good place to buy (online or in NYC) comfort shoes is Tip Top Shoes: https://tiptopshoes.com/
I can't guarantee they're good for very long walks but I have some Miz Moots boots that are as comfortable as sneakers. Also super stylish. My hunch is they aren't great for something like a 10 mile walk, but a day of casual walking they should be decent. I have several pairs and some are more comfy than others, and some feel snugger than others. https://miz-mooz.com/shop/women-boots
Those are all so fun! I’ve never heard of this brand before, thanks.
Wool Runners by Allbirds are cute enough to not scream tourist to me and they are my favorites! https://www.allbirds.com/products/womens-wool-runners?price-tiers=msrp%2Ctier-1 and Allbirds is a B Corporation! I bought a pair to go to New Orleans and walked and walked and walked and walked! They were amazing.
Nice! Thanks for the rec.
I am a big suede Oxford person. Harder to find but they have structure without the pain.
Agreed! I need a firm sole and structure to support my feet. Those cobblestones nearly killed my feet!!
PS For context, my foot issues are plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis. Occurs to me we all have different foot needs!
I'm going to have to hunt for some! Do they need time to "break in"?
I didn’t have to—I think it depends on the shoes! I need a new pair and the maker has worn off. :(
I've been on the hunt for comfortable leather sneakers but have had little luck.
I did get some weather resistant on cloudsters
https://www.on-running.com/en-us/products/cloud-5-59/womens/rust-black-shoes-59.98898
And i love my allbirds (these are the slips ons but all of them are excellent)
https://www.allbirds.com/products/womens-tree-dashers-thunder-1?price-tiers=msrp%2Ctier-1
and the other go to, my nike airmax's
https://www.nike.com/t/air-max-270-womens-shoes-Pgb94t/FJ0734-043
and the very economical fila
https://www.fila.com/womens-disruptor-2-premium/5XM01763.html?dwvar_5XM01763_size=10&dwvar_5XM01763_color=425&fromList=Category%3A%20Sneakers%20%26%20Lifestyle&gridposition=4&cgid=women-sneakers
This is probably not what you're looking for but Nike Air Force 1s are cool no matter where you are and super comfy.
Well *I* have been thinking about these classics for a while. I need a comfy white sneak. Thank you Ashlie!!
I have the Valentines ones from a couple years ago and god I love them
I would go the French route and get a pair of all white leather tennies. I love the French girl preppy look of white shirt, jeans, white tennis shoes, and cool accessories- skinny scarf, seasonal bag, etc. Addidas Sam Smiths are the ones I remember most from my time in Paris.
Inspo: https://lavieongrand.com/5-chic-ways-to-wear-sneakers-like-a-french-girl/
I have a pair of Papillio "platform" (not very high) clogs that are my most comfortable shoes I own other than athletic shoes. https://www.birkenstock.com/us/search?lang=en_US&q=papillio
I bought these for walking around a bunch of European cities in the fall, and they've been great all winter. Super comfortable and on sale: https://www.columbia.com/p/womens-moritza-chelsea-boot-2005071.html?dwvar_2005071_color=049
Also agree with the comment on white sneakers!
I love their other gear, never thought about shoes from them. Thanks for the tip!
Börn shoes are Scandinavian--and comfortable!
https://www.bornshoes.com/en/carrera-16704.html?dwvar_16704_color=Green%20Olive%20Suede&dwvar_16704_width=M
If you have room on your suitcase, may I recommend these Birks for lounging around in your hotel. My feet are so grateful after a long day of walking! (On sale $119 from $160)
https://www.dsw.com/en/us/product/birkenstock-arizona-shearling-slide-sandal---womens/498136
I always wear FitFlops, but the ones with micro wobble board technology. They are supportive and comfortable right out of the box, and your ankles won’t roll. I wear all the toe post sandals with glitter/sequins (they’ll be my wedding shoes!) and short boots, but there are other styles of sandals, flats, sneakers, etc. been wearing them for 15 years and 10 pairs and I have no complaints.
you can never go wrong with Air Jordans! Also, Puma has super strong support. I broke a toe skiing years ago and my podiatrist even recommended Puma when I got out of the boot! cool and supportive!
Do you mean Puma running sneakers, basketball sneakers, suedes?
Highly recommend https://www.vivaia.com/
How about a pair of fur-lined Birkenstocks? Super cute and comfy, even with a dress. https://www.birkenstock.com/us/arizona-shearling-suede-leather/arizonashearling-suedeshearling-suedeleatherfur-0-eva-w_1239.html?gclid=CjwKCAiA9NGfBhBvEiwAq5vSyxHD0SETpt4l5XihfgXz8PR22pHMxEWOoPWpE2Akr0SqSw8t6tocPBoClrQQAvD_BwE
I am SO HERE for this thread.
These are the brand I want to try: PT recommended https://www.on-running.com/en-us/
Me too!
Ecco shoes makes a cute sneaker with strong support - comes in lots of colors! (Not all colors fit the same in my experience) https://us.ecco.com/ecco-womens-soft-7-sneaker-43000302386.html?dwvar_43000302386_color=02386
Birkenstocks has a similar sneaker with support that I haven’t tried, but has good reviews.
I second the Ecco recommendation. I didn't have to break these in and I can easily wear them on long days of walking around or traveling. Plus they're easy to dress up or down. I've worn them with everything from dresses to jeans. They also don't read tourist, I'm heading to the gym, or just came back from a run when wearing them. https://us.ecco.com/ecco-womens-soft-7-sneaker-430003.html?dwvar_430003_color=01007
Blundstone boots! Totally the best, most comfortable shoes I own. https://www.blundstone.com/clearance-sale?gclid=CjwKCAiAl9efBhAkEiwA4Toritsgl5p6L7t5LtFsGEZ8gOGfE_Nn5d1R5Y_54bWONG-b8yFPRIA__xoCPp0QAvD_BwE
I need these for DUMBO!
I know that I am late to this post, I hope I catch you in time!
I live in Rome and the cobblestones make walking so much more challenging. Right now I have two pairs of New Balance 327 and that is all I wear. I tried the On Running and I got as far as the Piazza down the street and had a blister that took weeks to heal. They are great shoes, just not for me.
Let me know if you have any other Rome questions!
Converse! Europe and my favorite!