OK ladies, I need your help. I'm leaving Friday for Istanbul, Athens, Cyprus & England. I thought I was all set with what shoes I was going to pack based on normal temps/weather, but now that I'm looking at the weather report, I'm seeing:
Istanbul - mid 70s, thunderstorms
Athens - mid 80s, sunny
Cyprus - mid to upper 80s, sunny
England - mid 60s, showers
I have NO idea what kind of shoes to wear to bridge that gap! I had been planning on cute floral Adidas, black Birkenstock Gizeh sandals and a nice pair of shoes because I'm attending a wedding in the middle of the trip. I'm not sure the Birkenstocks are suitable in rain, but I'm also not sure I want to be wearing socks & tennis shoes in hot weather.
Please help!!! I'll take any and all suggestions. Thanks!
Owlchick
Jun 1, 10, 2:59 pm
Do you have any comfortable sandals that are not suede? I'm guessing that you're concerned those won't dry out adequately between potential rains?
Have you looked at perhaps a low espadrille? It would be lighter, possibly dressy enough for a wedding (depending on what you'll be wearing) and inexpensive enough to leave behind if you don't want to bring it home.
mmack
Jun 1, 10, 3:33 pm
Have you looked at a nice pair of loafers/flats? I have had great luck with GEOX and Paul Green brands; as they are very comfortable and yet often dressy enough to "work " with some skirts/ dresses. The problem with sandals is that rain and dirt get on your toes!
What I sometimes do is take a pair of Havaianas (rubber flip-flops) in my tote, and if it just gets too hot or wet slip those on for a short time. But, I live in Hawaii where "slippas" are the footware of choice.
OzBarb
Jun 1, 10, 9:52 pm
I'd get a pair of Teva cork wedge sandals - this style would probably be fine for your wedding, as well as being waterproof.
http://www.tevasandals.net/buy-teva-sandals
Other shoes would probably be sporty leather mary-janes, eg
http://www.zappos.com/product/7622855/color/202582
or
http://www.zappos.com/keen-midori-mj-black?zlfid=111
Rubber thongs are always handy - especially around pools and public showers...
Of course, there is always the possibility of picking up a gorgeous pair of shoes on sale on your travels << looks smugly at $15 Charles Jourdan wedges...>>
Buster
Jun 2, 10, 2:38 pm
Thanks everyone! OzBarb, those Teva cork wedges are absolutely adorable. I'm still struggling a bit, but am thinking I need 4 pairs of shoes - cutting down to 3 seems a bit tough...
peachfront
Jun 3, 10, 11:01 am
Picking up shoes just before or on your travels has NEVER worked out well for me. Who wants to spend precious travel time shopping? Plus...there's always a break-in period, especially for sandals. Maybe my feet are just too sensitive, but my vote is that whenever "shopping" for shoes to wear on a trip, you shop your own closet for well-broken-in shoes you already own. I've traveled the world in a pair of cheap no-name black plastic sandals, you can fall in a puddle or stroll a rocky beach, and they clean up nicely, and then you can stroll on a sunny city street, and trust me, no one is thinking, yikes, her shoes are soooo cheap, maybe I won't hustle her for a hand-out. :) They go anywhere and everywhere, quietly and unobtrusively. It's unfortunate that the original poster went for the brand new sandals that have suede on them, because suede can't take the rain, but maybe there's something else in her closet.
Four pairs of shoes is just ridiculous, in my humble opinion. Tennis shoes plus socks won't work in rain/thunderstorms, especially if the rain/thunderstorm is at the beginning of the trip. You end up hauling around the soggy tennies/socks for the whole trip or else just getting sick of the mess and throwing them away...
Buster
Jun 3, 10, 2:10 pm
Picking up shoes just before or on your travels has NEVER worked out well for me. Who wants to spend precious travel time shopping? Plus...there's always a break-in period, especially for sandals. Maybe my feet are just too sensitive, but my vote is that whenever "shopping" for shoes to wear on a trip, you shop your own closet for well-broken-in shoes you already own. I've traveled the world in a pair of cheap no-name black plastic sandals, you can fall in a puddle or stroll a rocky beach, and they clean up nicely, and then you can stroll on a sunny city street, and trust me, no one is thinking, yikes, her shoes are soooo cheap, maybe I won't hustle her for a hand-out. :) They go anywhere and everywhere, quietly and unobtrusively. It's unfortunate that the original poster went for the brand new sandals that have suede on them, because suede can't take the rain, but maybe there's something else in her closet.
Four pairs of shoes is just ridiculous, in my humble opinion. Tennis shoes plus socks won't work in rain/thunderstorms, especially if the rain/thunderstorm is at the beginning of the trip. You end up hauling around the soggy tennies/socks for the whole trip or else just getting sick of the mess and throwing them away...
For the record, I'm not looking to buy new shoes. I'm looking for recommendations for types of shoes that would be suitable for this kind of trip and weather spread. I've got lots of available shoes in my closet, but am having a hard time figuring out which ones would be most suitable. I do like those Tevas, and probably will get them, but not for this trip. The Birkenstocks in question actually have leather uppers, not suede.
RockoHorse
Jun 3, 10, 2:56 pm
I'm not really sure what the big deal is, you have 3 shoes picked out and they cover all temperatures and comfort levels.
I don't see why you're worrying about the rain - sure the UK might rain, but depending on where you are in the UK it could be isolated showers or only rain at night - it's not like your shoes will get wet.
As for the thunderstorms in turkey - are you actually planning to be outside during the thunderstorm? If so, maybe you should bring wellies? Even when it pours down here I rarely get my shoes wet enough that they are still wet the next day.
Just go with the shoes you have picked and don't stand outside when it's pouring.
RockoHorse
Jun 3, 10, 2:59 pm
Four pairs of shoes is just ridiculous, in my humble opinion. Tennis shoes plus socks won't work in rain/thunderstorms, especially if the rain/thunderstorm is at the beginning of the trip. You end up hauling around the soggy tennies/socks for the whole trip or else just getting sick of the mess and throwing them away...
As for the wet sock comment there is another thread around here somewhere that mentions socks - they mentioned a specific brand but I've found that socks made with merino wool (maybe just wool in general) dry super quick. If you have any maybe you should wear those socks on the wet days, they'll dry quickly.
travelmad478
Jun 3, 10, 3:35 pm
I think three pairs of shoes is plenty: wedding shoes, sandals, and one warmer pair of shoes for the UK. Personally, I would never bring sneakers on a trip to Europe (except to wear them specifically for running)--there's no better way to scream "American tourist." I wear comfortable leather slip-ons, like Paul Green (http://www.zappos.com/womens-paul-green-shoes?zfcTest=navAndThumbs:1) or (for more casual vacations) Privo (http://www.zappos.com/womens-privo-shoes?zfcTest=navAndThumbs:1). In fact I went to Berlin last year in August for 5 days and brought exactly one pair of shoes, from Privo. It was delightful.
Even if I am bringing shoes that get worn without socks, I generally bring 1-2 pairs of socks on a trip anyway. My feet freeze on the plane, and I like to wear them around the hotel room too. In weather that's not going to get below the 60s I wouldn't bother bringing shoes that require socks, though.
MissJoeyDFW
Jun 17, 10, 11:36 am
I pack three or four pairs of shoes for my longer trips. I find one or two pair doesn’t satisfy my comfort or style needs. I don't wear tennis shoes anywhere except to the gym ever. There are a few threads that have a variety of shoe recommendations.
On another note I spent 4 weeks in the UK last year, 2 weeks in March and 2 weeks in August. I kept a small umbrella in my purse/tote and packed a very light weight Kenneth Cole rain coat. I just didn't let the rain be an issue; if I am traveling rain doesn't keep me in.