Comfortable, fashionable walking shoes

[boiler717]

I'm in search of some comfortable, fashionable walking shoes for our trip to Europe (London and Paris) in September. I'll be 6 months pregnant so comfort is key, but I'd like to not look completely out of place or unfashionable. Weather looks to be in the upper 60s during the day, maybe low 70s.

I'm planning on at least one pair of ballet flats (Puma?), but I don't know if they will last all day. I'd like one pair of super comfortable shoes for the longer walking days and a pair of sandals for hot days. Are gizeh sandals good for this? I know athletic shoes are a faux pas, but can I get away with retro sneakers similar to these? I'm open to any suggestions!
www.dsw.com/shoe/puma+76+runner+sneaker+-+womens?prodId=327309&activeCategory=102516&category=dsw12cat460004&activeCats=cat10006,dsw12cat460004
www.dsw.com/shoe/puma+76+runner+sneaker+-+womens?prodId=327309&activeCategory=102516&category=dsw12cat460004&activeCats=cat10006,dsw12cat460004

[v]

Yes, Gizehs are great for that as long as the weather allows for open-toed shoes. Which would be questionable in London in September. They don't have summer there!

Athletic shoes are not a faux pas -- but to fit in you want to wear ones that are on the casual/wear with street clothes side rather than ones that are made for the gym. So I think the ones you posted are fine.

What about Toms?

[maddiepaddy]

I agree that Gizehs would be good as long as the weather is suitable. If you're going that route, I'd definitely get them soon so you have time to break them in. I can easily walk all day in mine now, but it definitely took me a little while to break them in. Only a couple of hours at a time was comfortable at first.

I've been on a search for a magically comfortable ballet flat that feels like a sneaker (I don't think the Puma has enough cushion or support), and I'm hoping these are it: www.merrell.com/US/en/ceylon-ballet/21561W.html?ref=ceylon&dwvar_21561W_color=J42800#q=ceylon&start=1 I haven't tried them on yet though.

They also make the same style in a rather unassuming lace up: www.merrell.com/US/en/ceylon-lace/21562W.html?ref=ceylon&dwvar_21562W_color=J42792#q=ceylon&start=1

 

[insominac]

What about Supergas? They're Italian and shit.

www.superga-usa.com/CategoryItem.aspx?id=831&nav=825&np=831_825

[mich1]

I have a pair of Merrill's very similar to this (without the orange laces) in grey. They feel like sneakers but aren't glaringly so.

www.merrell.com/US/en/ceylon-lace/21562W.html?dwvar_21562W_color=J42934#cgid=women-footwear-view-all&start=1

[tripleshot]

Skecher Go Walks are the most comfortable thing ever. They have all sorts of colors. I have 2 pairs. You could wear them with the no show socks and shorts. A CW walked around Vegas for 3 days with no discomfort.

[UnderProtest]

Dude, it's July and barely in the 70s. Plan for highs in the 60s. I find my Puma flats and Vince Camuto Ellen flats to be the most comfortable, but I don't have arch problems. Shoes are very different here so just wear what is most comfortable for you (although v is right that if sneakers are worn here, they definitely aren't ones you would actually wear in a gym).

[boiler717]

Jul 19, 2015 13:50:05 GMT -5 UnderProtest said:

Dude, it's July and barely in the 70s. Plan for highs in the 60s. I find my Puma flats and Vince Camuto Ellen flats to be the most comfortable, but I don't have arch problems. Shoes are very different here so just wear what is most comfortable for you (although v is right that if sneakers are worn here, they definitely aren't ones you would actually wear in a gym).

The thought of no sandals makes me a little panicky!! I usually wear them into the 50s here. Plus if my feet are swelling they will be way more comfortable.

[cheezer]

I wore these all around Europe and also for commuting to and from work every day www.zappos.com/dr-scholls-rianna-black-patent

[rubytue]

Jul 19, 2015 15:00:59 GMT -5 boiler717 said:

Jul 19, 2015 13:50:05 GMT -5 UnderProtest said:

Dude, it's July and barely in the 70s. Plan for highs in the 60s. I find my Puma flats and Vince Camuto Ellen flats to be the most comfortable, but I don't have arch problems. Shoes are very different here so just wear what is most comfortable for you (although v is right that if sneakers are worn here, they definitely aren't ones you would actually wear in a gym).

The thought of no sandals makes me a little panicky!! I usually wear them into the 50s here. Plus if my feet are swelling they will be way more comfortable.

FWIW, I really regretted listening to everyone who said it would be too cool for sandals in Ireland in September. And I think I would have not given myself planter faciatis if I had worn my Birkenstocks instead of sperrys on non-hiking days.

Alas, I did not being them and spent half a day in Galway looking for new Birkenstocks. Which apparently don't sell well in Ireland.

[alleinesein]

Jul 19, 2015 15:00:59 GMT -5 boiler717 said:

Jul 19, 2015 13:50:05 GMT -5 UnderProtest said:

Dude, it's July and barely in the 70s. Plan for highs in the 60s. I find my Puma flats and Vince Camuto Ellen flats to be the most comfortable, but I don't have arch problems. Shoes are very different here so just wear what is most comfortable for you (although v is right that if sneakers are worn here, they definitely aren't ones you would actually wear in a gym).

The thought of no sandals makes me a little panicky!! I usually wear them into the 50s here. Plus if my feet are swelling they will be way more comfortable.

If your sandals will make your feet happy (and therefore make you happy)...wear them!  Unless you plan on spending 8+ hours outside you will be fine.  Museums are indoors.  A lot of the tube stations are indoors.  At most you might be outside for 30-60 minutes at a time walking between locations.  

[hbomdiggity]

We went to London and Paris last September.

I specifically purchased gizahs for the trip. It may not be HOT, but it was def sandal worthy weather. I also took a pair of flat booties. We walked a ton and both were great.

Ballet flats are not comfortable enough to be walking shoes for me. And I wanted to avoid sticking out as a tourist by wearing running shoes.

I pretty much exclusively wore my birks (even bought another pair) from 6 mos on (I swelled up a ton), and I would def bring them if I was to go again.

[UnderProtest]

Jul 19, 2015 15:00:59 GMT -5 boiler717 said:

Jul 19, 2015 13:50:05 GMT -5 UnderProtest said:

Dude, it's July and barely in the 70s. Plan for highs in the 60s. I find my Puma flats and Vince Camuto Ellen flats to be the most comfortable, but I don't have arch problems. Shoes are very different here so just wear what is most comfortable for you (although v is right that if sneakers are worn here, they definitely aren't ones you would actually wear in a gym).

The thought of no sandals makes me a little panicky!! I usually wear them into the 50s here. Plus if my feet are swelling they will be way more comfortable.

Wear sandals then!  I have cold feet and can't walk properly in sandals so I stick to ballet flats.