After a few different trips to Europe where I packed shoes I didn’t wear or gave me blisters I have simplified what I pack for travel. We are the type of travelers that pound the pavement to see everything in our packed itinerary. That means the shoes that are stylish and comfortable for a day at the office aren’t going to be the best shoes to be walking from attraction to attraction. Instead I pack the most comfortable walking shoes for Europe I have found.
Walking shoes for Europe
I used to be the type of packer that made sure to pack options. I would pack three different styles of shoes for various situations.
- Sneakers – perfect for sightseeing and goes with a range of outfits assuming you don’t go with athletic versions.
- Heels – If you are planning some fancy dinners or taking in the opera or theater a pair of heels would be appropriate.
- Sandals or Boots – depending on the season and if you are heading to a city or a beach sandals or boots will round out your three options.
Here’s the thing, I have packed this way and it doesn’t always work. It really depends on your itinerary. If you are planning on spending time at fancy dinners or theatrical shoes where you would dress up you will need more shoe options. But I find that we spend most of our time sightseeing. Which is why I just pack sneakers because 90% of the time I just wear sneakers.
The Sneakers I Pack for Travel
I have two pairs of sneakers that have become my go to options when travelling. I wore them through our road trip through eastern Canada and Europe.
The Sempre – It is no surprise that these sneakers are perfect for walking the streets of Europe as they remind me of the shoes I would see in Italy in all the independent shoe stores.
The leather is super soft, the sole is flexible and light. There is padding at the heel making blisters unlikely. I haven’t gotten any from wearing these shoes and I have put many miles on these babies. The foot bed is cushioned and so comfortable. This style comes in a few different colours. I chose black since I already had a pair of white sneakers of a similar style. The sempre is sleek enough that you could easily pair it with summer dresses just as easily as jeans.
Sidewalk sneaker – these are the more affordable option of the two but you don’t sacrifice any comfort at all. In fact every time I put these sneakers on I am amazed at how cushy they are. Some times I wonder if they are more cushioned than the Sempre but I think they are pretty comparable to each other.
I do find these sneakers wider than the Sempre but I think that is a natural difference between Italian shoes and American. This shoe even comes in a high top version and leopard.
If you are price concious the Sidewalk sneakers are a fanatstic option. They are super comfortable for all day walking with no break in period. The only drawback is that the quality isn’t as high as the sempre. I definitely notice that they take more of a beating after a week of sightseeing.
If you have more to spend pick the Sempre as they are super lightweight and the soft leather won’t disappoint. I did have a one day break in period as they are narrower than the Sidewalk sneakers but after that one day I found they molded to my foot and are good width. If you have a narrow foot you will have no issues.
I find this style of sneaker works well with all outfits I pack and look less touristy than an athletic sneaker. Plus they wear all day cushioning my feet protecting them from the hours of wandering.