Re: The Best Shoes for Touring Paris

I have traveled to Paris many times and I have my preferences:
Mephisto fisherman sandal, Keen Mary Jane and the Finn Comfort 3 strap sandal (can wear with socks, looks dorky, but really works!). We walk all over and have stayed in Paris for 1-4 weeks at a time. The shoes all work in multiple settings, but we only occasionally go to a fancy restaurant. Paris is about walking and you definitely need a comfortable shoe. We walk so much and I feel you need two pair of shoes to give one pair a rest! We enjoy your blog. Happy travels!
Kath

Re: The Best Shoes for Touring Paris

If you don't want to look like a trail-hiking tourist, try casual shoes from Crocs. My wife and I spent 15 days walking all over Paris. We could wear our shoes with or without socks and for everything. We brought dress shoes for the opera and symphony but could have worn the Crocs, as we were slightly over dressed.

These are not those goofy sandal Crocs. They are canvas casual loafers for men and cute flats for women. Best of all they are not expensive and they are vegan. These shoes don't have much support so if you have bad joints or are out of shape they may not be for you. If you have healthy feet and legs these shoes feel like you are walking barefoot on a firm cushion.

They form to your feet and are very light. No problems with blisters. They are washable or have removable insoles which can be washed and dried each day for a fresh clean shoe.

We brought other shoes but after one day we switched to the Crocs for the rest of the trip.

Re: The Best Shoes for Touring Paris

Since I work in retail and am on my feet all day, I know a lot about comfortable shoes. A recent discovery is MBT shoes from Switzerland. They have lots of underfoot padding and support and are comfortable to a degree I've never known. Walking miles in them is effortless and not tiring at all. They are supposed to exercise and tone your legs too, but I'm not so sure I believe their claims on that score.

The only problem is that they are ugly as hell although no more ugly than the three brown hiking boots pictured above. If you wear pants with long loose legs, most of the MBT shoe is hidden, and you can be comfortable, look tall (these are thick) and nobody will notice anything.

For dinner out and fancy occasions I always pack a pair of Taryn Rose dress shoes. These are designed by a foot doctor and are the most comfortable shoes possible to get with designer style and quality. While they wouldn't withstand the rigors of walking around Paris in the rain for a month, they will keep you comfortable on a night out even if it involves some walking.

While both of these brands are expensive at list price, they can often be found for reasonable prices at end of season sales, outlets etc. Once you are sure of your size, you can find some MBTs and Taryn Rose on Ebay - sometimes for surprisingly low prices and not much bidding competition.