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Not Your Grandma's Travel Shoes

by kelly on 02/04/2010
shoes on sidewalk
Image: rchach.

Why is it that when we shop for travel gear we feel like we have to sacrifice style for the sake of comfort? Chances are that you don't do that in your everyday life. So when I was asked the question recently, "What shoes can I take with me to Italy in March, that are good for walking, but don't, you know, look like a grandma," I bit. There are lots of great comfortable, casual and stylish shoe options for the traveler.

It's hard to prescribe shoes for someone else. We've all got personal preferences and brands that feel better on our feet. The shoes below are merely a guide for what to look for when choosing a lightweight, comfortable and attractive shoe for travel. Skip the sneakers or those super comfy clunky shoes that everyone tells you are great for travel. Comfort is a great thing, but you can find it without sacrificing your style. Seek out attractive "fashion" sneakers, ballet flats or mary janes.

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Fashion Sneakers

puma simplice tinsel sneaker
PUMA Simplice Tinsel Sneaker ($51)
naturalizer commerce flat
Naturalizer Women's Commerce Flat ($49)
puma sabadella sneaker
PUMA Sabadella Sneaker ($73)
nike pauliana sneaker
Nike Pauliana Sneaker ($36)

Flexible Flats

born stowaway
BORN Stowaway ($ 98)
cole haan air bacara
Cole Haan Air Bacara ($138)
calvin klein lexa ii
Calvin Klein Women's Lexa II ($ 98)

Mary Janes

tsubo vassi flat
TSUBO Vassi Flat ($38-89)
kenneth cole reaction off to paris
Kenneth Cole Reaction Off to Paris ($34)
kenneth cole for the love
Kenneth Cole Reaction For the Love ($36)
taryn rose diamond flat
Taryn by Taryn Rose Diamond Flat ($96)
ecco bouillon mary jane
ECCO Bouillon Mary Jane ($119)

The bottom line. Choose what's comfortable, versatile and goes with your wardrobe. And if you do decide to buy a new pair for a trip, do it with time to spare. You've got to break those shoes in and figure out whether or not they're right for the big trip.

What's your favorite pair of shoes to take on a trip? Let us know in the comments!

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    Andrew Weber on Thursday February 04, 2010 - 04:48 pm.

    Oo, nice article. Although I can't benefit directly I know a certain few people you can.

    • reply
    Maninas on Friday February 05, 2010 - 02:42 pm.

    Love those purple shoes at the top!

    • reply
    Debbie Dubrow on Friday February 05, 2010 - 07:58 pm.

    Great shoes! I love the pair at the top too... and I own the Cole Haan Air Bacara - it is a super comfortable shoe & packs up great!

    • reply
    kelly on Tuesday February 09, 2010 - 11:16 am.

    I've been eyeing up those Cole Haan's ever since I wrote this and now I'm even more tempted to buy them. :)

    • reply
    Lauren on Saturday February 06, 2010 - 07:59 pm.

    It seems we have the same taste in shoes! I really love those Born flats.
    I have these Keen "wear around MJs" and they're great, and in the same vein as your choice choices of mary janes http://www.keenfootwear.com/product/ss09/shoes/women/market%20street/wea...

    • reply
    Andy Hayes | Sharing Travel Experiences on Sunday February 07, 2010 - 01:36 pm.

    Ha - hadn't though about this but good shoes are important!

    • reply
    soultravelers3 on Tuesday February 09, 2010 - 04:21 am.

    Great collection!

    • reply
    Adriana on Tuesday February 09, 2010 - 05:55 am.

    hahaha OMG, I love this post! I´m planning an RTW trip and that´s exactly what I thought!
    great shoe tips!

    • reply
    Susan on Friday February 12, 2010 - 06:13 am.

    I LOVE this post! I always wish I had more stylish shoes while I travel, without injuring myself.

    • reply
    Kels on Monday February 15, 2010 - 08:41 pm.

    Love this post...Chuck Taylors are another one of the best travel shoes!

    • reply
    pam on Tuesday February 16, 2010 - 06:57 pm.

    Merill makes swell MaryJanes, I take mine almost everywhere. They're cute enough for dressing up and have excellent soles for serious walking. Love love love them.

    • reply
    Lara on Tuesday February 23, 2010 - 07:06 am.

    Great shoe selection.

    Personally I always take a pair of flip flops if it's nice weather but you have to choose very carefully which ones to buy as they can be really uncomfortable!

    My Diesel trainers are a fave too.

    • reply
    casacaudill on Thursday February 25, 2010 - 02:29 pm.

    Love the recommendations further down in the article. I have the purple shoes posted at the top and they are awful for more than a couple of hours, but I'm definitely interested in trying the Cole Haan's

    • reply

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