What to wear for long walks around Europe and yet not look like a tourist.
Hello everyone,
Sorry to open this thread again but i've been lookign everywhere and there's no other thread that matches my concerns.
I am backpacking Europe alone in just a few weeks and I've run into a conundrum. I plan on walking a lot around the cities (whole days, possibly, and biking whenever i can), no hiking or other outdoorsy adventures, i'm female, and I do not wish to look like a tourist (b/c of pickpocketing fears and various other concerns). Plus, and most importantly, i hate sneakers with a passion and have barely ever worn the only pair i've ever bought.
Nonetheless, I'm willing to consider sneakers if they're super comfy and blend in. I know this may come as picky, but is there something that you would recomend that would help me blend in with the european crowds and that can sustain long daily walks?
Thanks!
Reply to this Hi Denise. It sounds to me like your concerns are similar to the ones I had. The thread is
here if that helps. If you're not going hiking or on any outdoorsy adventures though I don't see why a normal pair of comfortable leather shoes without much of a heel wouldn't do. You should be able to find a pair in any average shoe shop. Just ask for brands which offer a bit more support and have a comfortable footbed. And I would suggest getting a pair with a slightly thicker sole because the shoes with the thinner soles will make your feet sore very quickly. Good luck.
Reply to this Hi
What do you wear for general walking around normally? Why not use those? Do you need specific new shoes for backpacking if your old ones are comfy?
It will also depend on the weather. It's summer right now, so in a lot of places sandals and flip flops (thongs) will be fine if they are comfy.
You can buy shoes in Europe, so if you find that what you have isn't suitable for what you want to do, or you don't feel like you blend in, just go to a shoe shop and buy some different shoes.
😊
Kate
Reply to this Hello Denise 😊
Sneakers are fashionable at the moment in Euorpe. Wear them with sneaker socks for the trendy sporty look that many are wearing now. 😉
Mel
Reply to this Hey everyone,
Thanks for answering my question ( i feel so vain, sorry!).
Kris and Kate: Right now i almost always wear high heels because of work, and i usually walk long distances in my flats but they usually give me blisters (even more than the high heels!). So i think a new pair of shoes may be in order. I'm used to walking long distances where i live, but here i can afford to take a day off because my feet are blistered.
Stacy your suggestion was really helpful. Thank you! Thanks Mell 😊
Do anyone have any thoughts on birkenstock sandals? I heard they were comfy.
Reply to this i feel so vain, sorry!
Nothing wrong with wanting to look good, in my opinion. I travel light, but I still take clothes I feel I look good in. And I dont like wearing the typical tourist gear either.
Do anyone have any thoughts on birkenstock sandals?
They are, but I wouldnt wear them. I find them unattractive.
Depending on what you like to wear, Doc Martins may be an option if you like them.
Reply to this I wouldn't think Birks would be comfy all day walking around. Teva's would be, but are the sporty look. My ex-gf bought a pair of Memphisto for walking around all day when we went to Italy a couple years back. They are very comfortable as I have a men's pair, and have a lot of fashionable styles. They are quite pricey though.
Todd
Reply to this Todd- I was just going to say Teva's! Ha! my ex wore them too lol . I think thats a great idea. I dont worry about that I mean i walked (and hiked) all over hawaii in only $2 (CAD) flip flops (wasnt pleasants when thorns got stuck in them, but still survived). I'm not worried about the sportiness of the look ( i always chill in my yoga pants) so much as the fact that I always feel bulky and uncomfortable (as in formal, no flexibility) everytime i wear running shoes. i like lightweight wear
Mell- I am more worried that I'm being selfish by asking everyone to give me their opinions on good pairs of shoes (plus the additional 1000 requirements). There are some really amazing looking new birkenstock sandals out. they seemed kinda rigid when i tried them on.
Reply to this Mell- I am more worried that I'm being selfish by asking everyone to give me their opinions.....
No way, as far as the TravelBlog staff are concerned. The more action on the forums the better. We would even like it if yet more people come here to ask travel questions.
Anyway, the answer to your questions will also benefit others who are asking similiar question in the future.
Reply to this ...they seemed kinda rigid when i tried them on.
I think what happens is they kind of mould themselves to the shape of your feet after a while and become more comfortable.
Reply to this I bough Mephisto sandals but they stink! I've had them sitting outside airing for months and they seem to have settled down. It's the nubuk leather apparently. I wasn't impressed. They look great and are comfy though.
Reply to this I think i've decided that i'm not going to buy any new shoes for the time being. I think im gonna stick some dr. scholls in the existing ones and pack some band aids to avoid blisters. if it doesnt work, the birkenstock i hear are cheaper in germany 😉
Reply to this Another way to avoid blisters is apparently to wear 2 pairs of socks. I've personally always found this too bulky so I don't do it but recently discovered sock LINERS which are much thinner than socks so it's not so bulky.
Reply to this I just received my new Teva's from Zappos. I've only worn their flip flops lately, but in the past wearing the straps style was very comfortable when walking around all day.
Reply to this Todd dude, after i saw the price tag on the teva sandals i ran out that place! thankfully the flipflops are cheaper but im wondering whether they'd look out of place in the streets of paris.
Reply to this Some of the Tevas are pricey, but I like the simple, non-bulky ones which also are the cheaper ones. $40 usd. I wore flip flops all over the place in Italy and was not out of place.
Reply to this yeah im definitely wearing flip flops. they proved sturdy on my previous vacay. the cheapest (women's) tevas here were about at least 89.00 cad without the tax (about 15% additional), i think they'll be way more expensive even with the conversion rates than the americans you found. and they were pretty simple, they were the simplest types, the ones a bit more "comfortable" than those were 110.00 (+tax). same with birks.
i figure if im gonna be feeling out of place/bad in euro ill buy shoes there. so far, im not spending that much on shoes over here.
Reply to this Yeah, flip flops are a good option, in my opinion too. You can buy them for as little as 1 Euros a pair in Germany. They last for a long time, but even if they do break you can easily replace them. I find them comfortable for a lot of walking too.
I usually carry 2 pairs of them when I am travelling in warm places. The second pair are a spare one, in case the ones I am wearing get broken. I was glad I had 2 pairs on my last trip to India. My feet were trampled on in some pushing and shoving on a train and the flip flops I was wearing got broken in the the stampede.
Shops to look in, to get them for 1 Euro per pair in Germany would be Tedi and KIK. There are probably others too.
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