Which shoes to buy?

mbcdefg · May 2010

Knock on wood, we're going to Ireland and London this summer. I've read numerous articles that say that Europeans don't wear sneakers and I'd quickly be identified as a tourist if I wear them. Plus I don't have many pairs of shoes anyway, so I've been on the lookout for comfy walking shoes that aren't completely fuggo.

I've heard good things about the Clarks brand, and I found several pairs on Zappos.com that I think might be O.K. They have free returns, so I can always send them back if they don't fit or look bad.

Sunbeat: http://www.zappos.com/clarks-sunbeat-bronze

Suntanna: http://www.zappos.com/clarks-suntanna-mushroom-nubuck

Nanay: http://www.zappos.com/clarks-nanay-stone-fabric-w-stone-suede

Dynamic View: http://www.zappos.com/clarks-dynamic-view-dark-brown-leather

Rejoice Spin: http://www.zappos.com/clarks-rejoice-spin-dark-brown-leather

NJMom050911 · May 2010

I am not sure who told you they don't wear sneakers? I've been to Europe a few times (Italy, Poland, Germany) and have seen people wear sneakers. Maybe it's a recent change? Haven't been there in 5 years....My nephew did just come to visit last year and he had sneakers with him and all the pictures that he had his friends has sneakers on as well....

smw42 · May 2010

I voted for Nanay- or even a Skecher's variety of that style. I like the slip on ballet sneaker look and it's very versatile.

Yay for going to Europe! We're going their on our honeymoon. I'm wearing purple converse after our ceremony and plan on wearing them throughout Europe- esp. since they're so easy to pack.

jgido · May 2010

I have heard that from mixed people. If you are looking for shoes maybe consider a set of Sperry Topsider's (they are quiet in now as well) and have a very nautical and casual feel to them (looks like you just walked off the boat)

I just purchased these

http://www.sperrytopsider.com/store/SiteController/sperry/productdetails?stockNumber=9174038&showDefaultOption=true&skuId=***7********9174038*M065&productId=7-132570&catId=cat90048DM

Laurms15 · May 2010

I think sneakers are ok....but not wear nikes or rebock running sneaker you need something like a fashion sneaker

http://www.shop.puma.com/women/footwear/ballerinas/13120,en,sc.html

http://www.shop.puma.com/Drift-Cat-II-Women%27s-Shoes/pna884377820375,en,pd.html?cgid=13160

http://www.shop.puma.com/Etoile-Suede-Women%27s-Shoes/pna884376581741,en,pd.html?cgid=13160

Those are some good options that are more fashion then work-out appropriate. My Uncle lives in Italy and those are similar to the sneakers he and my aunt wear. (my mom and her fam are all off the boat italian mom came to america w/ her fam and uncle went back when he was in his 20's at which point he met and married an italian woman and decided to stay)

Lolyalyssa · May 2010

Europeans wear sneakers but they don't wear the kind that we wear here. The type that we wear (Adidas, Nike, New Balance etc) they ONLY wear to the gym to work out. They wear something in Great Britian that they call "trainers" which are more like converse type sneakers that are a little less bulky.

I love Merrill brand shoes for walking around.

They will know that you are a tourist/American no matter what your footwear is--your shoes are the least of your worries so go for the most comfortable shoes.

akmackay · May 2010

When I was there, they do wear sneakers but usually it's more of a trendy look (converse etc) than a I'm going for a run look. Wear what's comfortable for you, if they don't know you're tourists by your sneakers they'll know when you open your mouth! But if you want to fit in, wear slip ons like the Dynamic or Nanay. And nix sweatshirts.

akmackay · May 2010

Puma- yes! They wear these ALL the time. That's the other brand I was trying to think of haha Laurie.

Reilly626 · May 2010

I lived in Ireland, you will need sneaker type shoes because it does rain almost everyday!

mbcdefg · May 2010

Thanks, all! I wasn't wild about any of these shoes anyway, so it's good to hear that ALL sneakers won't make the locals chase me away with pitchforks and clubs :P

I've been wanting some Sperrys and Pumas for a while so I guess this is a good excuse!

uppereastgirl · May 2010

A few things -- I like zappos, but you may want to look at shoes.com too. They don't have overnight shipping, but they have free shipping and returns, and their prices tend to be better. Zappos sometimes jacks up their prices a bit and charges more than retail, probably to make up for the shipping cost.

I'm not sure I love any of those, but I like the third the best. I'd also look at Earth Shoes (I've heard good things about them) and Fit Flops (I have a few pairs -- definitely not the best looking shoes in the world but they're sportier and so comfy. I've lived in them on trips to Europe).

I agree a lot with what Lolyalyssa said. I wouldn't worry about sticking out. I live in a neighborhood that gets a ton of tourists - mostly Europeans on the blocks closer to my apartment, and more Americans on the blocks covered by the Sex and the City bus tour. I can spot them from a mile away. But yay for them -- it makes me happy that they agree that my neighborhood is pretty and historic and worth seeing, and yay for people who like to learn about history. It doesn't matter that they're wearing bizarre European fashion. (I do not feel the same way about the people I see standing outside Pleasure Chest on the SATC bus tour.)

From my short trip to Ireland, it seems that the Irish are really a super friendly and proud culture and everyone seemed excited that we were interested in seeing their country. So yes we stood out, but I didn't see it as a bad thing. They loved talking about their country and Irish-Americans and such. Great people.

jeanna85 · May 2010

when we were in italy, no one was wearing sneakers except my dad in his shiny white reeboks and he stuck out look a sore thumb lol. i wore leather reef flip flops and even hiked up vesuvius in them and they were super comfortable the whole time. can't give any opinions on clarks, but my mom swears by them. i think she wore clarks sandals on our europe trip.

DMLJ · May 2010

they are NMS but the last ones to me would be the least offensive sandal and the two slip on non-sandals would also work. When I went to france, sneakers were out. Most women just wore flats. I would get yourself a nice pair of comfortable black flats for the times that you will not be wearing pumas.

jchristel · May 2010

I went to Germany, Prague and the Netherlands a few years ago and bought these. They were VERY comfortable and I didn't feel like I was sticking out like a sore thumb. I wore them with jeans and khakis and my feet never hurt. I walked for hours every day. They were awesome!

http://www.shoebuy.com/merrell-spire-emme/125333/291575

DandT1206 · May 2010

also, zappos.com does not offer any coupons.

if you plan to go the online route,
check shoes.com, shoebuy.com, and heels.com
they all offer free shipping/returns and you can usually find coupon codes online

Julephenia · May 2010

I agree with the pps who said you'll look like an American anyway. Don't worry about it. However, I liked the last pair.

Don't buy something without a heel strap - you'll walk right out of them coming off a bus or the Underground. While London is clean, it's not THAT clean. Oh, and street hustlers are a pain, so you want to walk away from them quickly.

Oh, and if your suitcase seems unusually heavy on the flight to London? Don't worry about it, it's just me, drop me off at a Tube station and I'll be just fine.

(...I'm insanely jealous. I love London and I miss it a ton!)

One more thing - they don't tip in Europe. Gratuity is built into all bills, and there's no need. (But be careful of servers who try to con you out of tips because you're an American - they are very aware that most of us don't know their practice, and use it to their advantage.)

mbcdefg · May 2010

Thanks for the advice!

I wound up ordering a pair of Sperry Top-Siders (I wanted them anyway), and I will keep an eye out at local stores for "fashion sneakers" and flats.

Which shoes to buy?

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