slip on running shoes?

[Geoff]

Hey, just curious if anyone tried backpacking with slip on running shoes? specificaly I was thinking of using-

www.sierratradingpost.com/xq/asp/base_no.69704/dept_id.L2~350/qx/product.htm

-for my seven week trip through europe. Wasn't planning on doing any hardcore hiking but obviously lots of walking around will be nessecary. Any help or feedback on this would be awesome, thanks.

[WillTravel]

I'm a woman, but I have Merrell shoes that look very similar to that. I never thought of them as running shoes, though. I found them extremely comfortable for travel in Europe and lots of walking at home too.

If you think you would be comfortable with those, try them on and then try some very long walks at home first before you take them on your trip. Shoes are so individual, but I've had excellent luck with two pairs of Merrell shoes now.

[ERIKAerikaErika]

Go the Running Room or any other running store. They will hook you up with the best shoes for your feet.
;D

[dougj]

i find slipons great if you're not doing much walking, but I need to be able to tighten the shoe around my foot to avoid slippage....and blisters. I'd never be able to walk for 6-7 hrs in a pair of slip ons.

[WillTravel]

Doug, it's weird because I would have thought the same, but with these Merrells somehow blisters don't happen no matter how many miles per day.

[dougj]

I had a pair of merrell mocs that fit great in the store but i couldn't walk for long in them at all before they started to rub.

[stanncie]

I have a similar pair of shoes and my friend had almost the exact model as the one you've shown and had no problems at all. We even hiked with those in switzerland and it wasn't a problem although I would recommend a hiking shoe still if you are going to do heavy duty hiking.