Overzealous maybe...but nice shoes..?

[Michael]

Hi,

I've been reading the various posts on here and you guys seem helpful, so I figured I'd try my luck.

I'm leaving on May 31 for London. I'm doing a Contiki "superior" tour down to Athens from there. That ends on June 19 and I'm due to fly back on July 3.

The question is this: Will I need dressier shoes?

The reason for asking is because I've decided to take my running shoes to use as my primary footwear while I'm there. I've had them for long enough that I know that they are the most comfortable shoe that I've ever owned and I can jog/walk in them for miles with the purest comfort. I was also thinking of taking my Nike soccer sandals as beach/shower sandals, although I may opt out of that and go for a decent pair of back strapped Teva's or something of the sort.

This begs the question though...what kind of footwear can I wear for a night on the town? I think a lot of the touring will involve clubs, and I'm not sure how the various churches view runners.

I know that Kim found that dressier shoes weren't necessary on her trip, but will that hold true for everyone?

Some help on this would be greatly appreciated. I've half considered going on the hunt for an ultimate combo dressy runner that would be dual purpose, but I've got two weeks til I go and I'd ghate to get stuck in something uncomfortable. Besides, I love my runners.

Thanks for any advice,

Mike

[triple5funk]

well i know you're a guy..but why don't you bring a nice pair of leather sandals??? sandals that are rugged enough during the day, but nice enough for going out at night. that's how i'm solving my predicament...keep in mind that it's summer time and u don't really want to be carryin' around bulky shoes.

<Edited by Kim.. had to take out the link, it was wacking things out!>

[Michael]

I agree that the leather sandals would be a good compromise, but then wouldn't I just be taking two pairs of sandals? I would assume I wouldn't want to wear my nice leather sandals as shower/beach sandals?

Decisions decisions...

I like that second pair though, they look pretty smokin for sandals...

[Kim]

I agree, take one pair of nicer sandals that you can also wear to walk all day and one that you can go to the beach in. I took Nike sandals and I could wear them in the shower, to the beach etc.

If you can walk alot in your sandals (either pair), scrap the runners and bring those two.

You DEFINATELY don't want more than 2 pairs of shoes.

Kim

[Michael]

Agh, looks like I'll have to find "the perfect shoe" to replace my runners for this trip...oy...we'll see...it's either that or carry an extra pair plus sandals...not a cool idea!

[snorkelman]

Regarding nightlife, if you are talking about actually dancing (as opposed to hanging out in a pub/bar) then don't even THINK that the sandal idea will get you into a club.

If you are more of a bar kind of guy and don't care about dancing, then anything goes.

Of course there are always exceptions (such as the resort (if you call it that) of Pink Palace). They have a disco and you can easily fit in with sandals on - hell they even have a toga night where most people are wearing sandals.

However, if you want to go to a real club, you better have proper footwear.

[Michael]

Well, my search for the "perfect travel shoe" ended at Champ's in Lougheed Mall last night.

I saw this nice little pair of K Swiss' and figured hey, I'll try them on. The minute I put them on, I knew they were the ones.

www.ksoutlet.com/rlm/newsite/menclass-sport/antari-m.html

I got the darker brown ones.

They are the MOST comfortable shoe I've worn in a long time, that includes sneakers, sandals, skate shoes, boots, and runners.

I'm very impressed. I also think they will do the job nicely in terms of being "dressy" enough to wear out and more than comfortable enough to walk incessantly in.

Just thought I'd let you guys know.

[Kim]

Those look extremely comfortable and stylish too!

Very good choice!!

Kim

[cnlneenan2]

I was looking for the same thing, a pair of very comfortable shoes I could walk forever in that looked nice enough for the most discerning club. I decided to take a leap of faith (mostly since every store I checked had nothing I liked) and ordered these K-Swiss shoes online. I got them in about two weeks ago and have been wearing them to break 'em in before the trip. I must agree wholeheartedly with Michael, these are incredibly comfortable shoes and they definitely do look stylish and nice. The great thing is that they're low-tops but with pants down covering the tops it looks like you're wearing a nice pair of workboots. Another great thing (which I'm sure will be very appreciated) is that they can be compacted to a pretty small packing size and they don't weigh much so on days that the flip-flops will be broken out, my back won't suffer any additional agony.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!! (oh, I got the tan ones and those too look great).

[Kim]

Can you find a link so that we can check them out?

[WillTravel]

Michael, how much did those K-Swiss cost? I'm female, but due to having wide size 10 feet, I often get men's shoes. If they are a good deal, I will go over to Lougheed Mall myself .

[Michael]

I think they were $90 at Champs, but that was last May.

Things may have changed.

[cnlneenan2]

The shoes that I got are the Antari ones (part of the KS Collection) made by KSwiss. On KSwiss's website they're running $70 US. I'm not sure if this link works, so if not there is a two or three link process to get to the shoes.

www.kswiss.com/cgi-bin/kswiss/classic_buy_page.html?mv_arg=0125

go to www.kswiss.com, on the top bar click on "Classics", click on "Footwear" under "Men's", and then click on "KS Collection", you'll now see 5 shoes and one of them is the Antari (haven't seen or tried on any of the others).

Again, highly recommended for all guys (and any girls that they would fit and don't mind the workboot look).

[KateOLicious]

Hey I was just checkin out the Kswiss site. What do you guys think of these sandals?

www.ksoutlet.com/rlm/newsite/womenclassic-sport/verstad-sandal-w.html

I'm not a big fan of like Teva's and all those kinda sandals, so do you think these would be good? i'm going to Europe in May for just over 2 months. Any opinions would be greatly appreciated.

[Kim]

I have to say I wouldn't recommend those as they have no backstrap to stay on your foot.

You will find your arches will ache with those kind of shoes will all the walking you are doing. You really want something that will stay on but still keep your feet cool (the open toe part is good).