Shoes for walking commute/trip to Europe

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just get home from Paris and I wore Superga's, Tom's, and ankle boots the entire time.

I saw lots of Converse in Paris, probably 4 in 10 were wearing them, the other 6 wearing a mix of boots and ballet flats.

If you must wear a sneaker and want to blend in I would suggest Superga, Converse, or Van's. Get a good insert if you need and wear them here a few days before you leave to try them out.

Yes tons of converse-wearing women in Paris!

The idea of touring an entire European city in Converse makes me want to chop my feet off.

(No, not because of how they look, but because of the comfort factor. Converse make my feet HURT after just a day of puttering around the house and running errands.)

The. I loved converse sneakers in college. I'm 50 now, I can't wear shoes without real arches anymore. Vans, Adidas--also terrible for walking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm British, I'm from London and I've lived in and traveled across Europe, and I moved to DC only recently. Most European women don't wear trainers (sneakers) of the sort that you'd wear in the gym or for running other than for those activities. For casual wear, especially if they are doing a lot of walking, people wear things like Converse, Supergas, and currently skater shoes like some of the Adidas, Skechers, etc are worn. Quite a lot of those white Stan Smiths as well. Lots of British women love fitflops and birkenstocks too, and Toms are popular.
But - you also don't have to fit in with your footwear. I wear my "British" shoes here in DC and most people don't and I don't really care or feel out of place. Wear whatever you like!

OP here. To clarify -- I am looking for something that will be comfortable and practical (for my trip and my commute) and relatively stylish. I don't necessarily need to "fit in" or look European. Thanks everyone for the suggestions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm European and I'd recommend ballet flats, birkenstocks or converse. Definitely not those shoes with the elastics across the top or sneakers. Oh or those white adidas sneakers that literally everyone in London is wearing these days

Can you please post pictures of types of sneakers women wear in Europe? Thank you.

Women don't wear sneakers!!!!!

Not true - have been in 4 European countries in the last 2 months and MANY women wear sneakers. They don't wear them to work or out to dinner, just like I wouldn't here or there, but certainly wear them for casual wear. Top of the list is the black Nike trainers with white soles - especially popular in England. Next is Supergas. Then the white Stan Smiths, although those are also super popular with American college students studying abroad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Europeans just have a different comfort tolerance or maybe they don't have to see an entire city in one day. I wear Camper wedge sandals regularly, as well as their ballet flats. I also have an ancient pair of Rocket Dog sneakers in a fun color. I would never wear anything more casual/sneaker-like in Europe unless I was running.

Why would you care about what random people in Europe think of your footwear?

[Anonymous]

I love korkease sandals as an alternate to Birks. I haven't worn these, but they look cute.

http://m.zappos.com/product/8661980/color/6

[Anonymous]

I am in Germany right now. In Hamburg, Berlin and Frankfurt alot of people wear neon colored nike free runs and colorful new balance. The younger girls wear nike air max in bright colors and adidas superstars in white with black stripes. Older moms who want to look hip wear colorful converse or vans.