Travel Products - Shoes

Is there such a thing as a comfortable / breathable shoe that is nice enough to get into fancy restaurants, but that I could also walk in all day (maybe some light non-paved areas too). Trying to pack ultra light and dress shoes take up so much space.

very breathable (patented) and inexpensive but quite douchy bag

http://www.shopgeox.com/Item.aspx?ProductID=3287

and

somewhat breathable with understated flair

http://www.allenedmonds.com/aeonline/producti_SF5515_1_40000000001_-1

http://www.allenedmonds.com/aeonline/producti_SF5505_1_40000000001_-1

http://www.allenedmonds.com/aeonline/producti_SF6622_1_40000000001_-1

all day comfort is a question mark. YMMV.

You may supplement your arch support or cushioning with this site:

www.feetrelief.com

Thanks, Mellon, I really like that Geox you posted. But is the sole water proof? I mean, with the holes in it, I suppose water would get through if one even walks over wet pavement not to mention through a puddle.

OP: All shoes with a leather sole or at least a leather upper should be rather breathable. Obviously, if you are used to wearing sandals, these won't cut it.

For traveling I love my Cole Haan Air Jackson Tow-Gore Slip-on (I know long name). The heel has Nike Air technology inside. The footbed is very comfy. The shoes is relatively light (much lighter than goodyear welted shoes). It slips on and off easily for the darn security checks. The sole looks like a leather sole which makes it more dressy but is in fact a rubber sole. That makes it more slip resistant and more water resistant. It can be worn with jeans or with a suit. But I'd call it more of a dress shoe than a casual shoe.

I never get sweaty or stinky feet in it but then again I don't have that problem to start with. ;)

Till

Till

The sole is not waterproof but it doesn't come in like you have big holes either. I have a pair from a while ago and it was a nice loafer set. The styling however has gone to the "stylish but in a cheap way" type over the last 3 or 4 years. They do keep your feet cool though.

For me, the most comfortable shoes I've ever worn are Ecco, hands down. I'm up to four pairs in three different styles, and it's to the point that I've gotten rid of the two pairs of Allen Edmonds that I had.

For the last year I've been wearing these on nearly every single trip as the only pair of shoes I've taken:

http://www.eccousa.com/shoes/mens/dress/windsor-slip-on/2429/detail.aspx (http://www.eccousa.com/shoes/mens/dress/windsor-slip-on/2429/detail.aspx)

A year later they look nearly as good as new, and they never given me a moment's discomfort whether it's been a 30 hour travel day, or the trip I recently took to MXP, where I ended up walking ~5 miles a day for 4 days.

My personal strategy is actually to wear New Balance sneakers with proper orthodics until I get in the cab after I land at destination. I, then, change into my dress shoes. I look a little funny with my suit pants and sneakers combo but the retro looking New Balance shoes actually don't look so bad with suit pants. The shoe strings are somewhat loose and I can take off and on without bending over to tie the shoe laces. I really hate the taking off and on dress shoes at the airport. (oh and I don't do loafers for business meetings - personal preference)

I still haven't found that perfect balance between dressy dress shoes vs comfortable all day dress shoe that look dressy enough. (and I have many shoes that'll put Amelda Marcos to shame.....)

Ecco or Geox. I have a few pairs of each and they really work for me.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/travel-products/1329260-shoes-shoes-shoes.html

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/travel-products/1296006-travel-adventure-shoes.html

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/travel-products/1244243-shoes-business-travel-double-duty-dancing-walking-around-town.html

Till

The sole is not waterproof but it doesn't come in like you have big holes either. I have a pair from a while ago and it was a nice loafer set. The styling however has gone to the "stylish but in a cheap way" type over the last 3 or 4 years. They do keep your feet cool though.

A classic dress shoe with a polished silhouette.
Smooth leather
Lace-up styling
Ultra light, waterproof and breathable rubber sole


Is their advertising copy that misleading?

Or is the sole waterproof, but the upper not. I.e., step on a puddle: stay dry. Step in a puddle: get wet.

From the description it sounds like the same sort of material used in the middle layer of modern hiking rain gear - breathes out, but stays dry. If so, I'm guessing eventually wear and tear causes them to leak.

Put me in the Ecco camp for a good, all day dirt path to suit shoe. Though I've comfortably walked many miles a day in properly fitting rubber soled shoes of several brands other than Ecco. (Bostonians, Rockport, etc...) But they don't do off pavement as well as Ecco.

Put me in the Ecco camp for a good, all day dirt path to suit shoe.

I'll join that camp as well. I'm on my second pair of Ecco's and would fight rather than switch.

I'll join that camp as well. I'm on my second pair of Ecco's and would fight rather than switch.

I actually like Ecco's boots more than their shoes, but they don't quite meet the suit test in summer. I'm on my second pair of boots - after wearing the first through 4 winters they were starting to get in need of new soles. I sent them back for warranty evaluation. Got a package back so fast I figured they rejected them out of hand. Instead I received a brand new replacement. The second pair isn't even close to wearing out, but living in California means they get much less use.

Is their advertising copy that misleading?

Or is the sole waterproof, but the upper not. I.e., step on a puddle: stay dry. Step in a puddle: get wet.

From the description it sounds like the same sort of material used in the middle layer of modern hiking rain gear - breathes out, but stays dry. If so, I'm guessing eventually wear and tear causes them to leak.


Yes, I think there is Goretex like material lining the bottom of the shoe. My experience has been that the moisture did eventually come into the shoe. Then, again, I don't wear this in the rain.

No right answer to this one, as so much depends on your own style, but I have just bought two pairs of these Ecco moccasins for travelling. Comfortable, smart enough for business (I'm not a suit person these days) and eating out. They come in brown or black, and I have slipped an additional slim insole under the one provided, making them extremely comfortable to walk in all day. For me they are ideal.
http://www.eccoshoesuk.com/products/688-ecco-classic-moc-north

What we all have in common is that we are all unique. ;)

What fits you may not fit me or vice versa, but I travel extensively with my ECCO shoes and they do double and triple duty.

Thanks. I just bought the Ecco Boston Slip On (http://www.eccousa.com/shoes/mens/dress/boston-apron-toe-slip-on/2562/detail.aspx) and the Ecco Remote Slip On (http://www.dsw.com/shoe/ecco+men%27s+remote+slip-on?prodId=252761&productRef=SEARCH) to see which works best. I got the Boston today and they are really nice and comfy, but maybe a bit too dressy for walking around on vacation trips. Waiting for the other ones to arrive.

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I like Eccos and have a pair but I now like Mephisto even more. I have two colors of their classic penny loafer, a pair of their technical walkers and a pair of lace up dress shows. Super comfortable. Also, they are great about getting them completely refurbished. I have sent in one of the penny loafers twice now. Good as new when they come back.

Dansko's are also good. Easily to slip one with good support for standing in lines or walking a distance.

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I like Eccos and have a pair but I now like Mephisto even more. I have two colors of their classic penny loafer, a pair of their technical walkers and a pair of lace up dress shows. Super comfortable. Also, they are great about getting them completely refurbished. I have sent in one of the penny loafers twice now. Good as new when they come back.

Totally forgot about them. I will have to check into their current line, but used to like the sandals a lot.