Let's Talk Shoes...

I've always been a fan of Ecco shoes. But for a long journey, it's better to get some good trainers I guess.

texkam wrote in post #18816193
I can't stress this enough, go to a high quality, specialty running store and get properly fitted. No other type of shop will have a greater knowledge of the interplay between the foot, body, and footwear than the specialty running market.

The custom fit process should consist of an experienced professional studying not only your foot structure, but your gate as well. The professional will have high knowledge of, access to, and a thorough understanding of the specific fit characteristics across high quality brand lines. They will look, listen and read your feedback to put you in something that has the right combination of structure, flexibility, cushion and support for your needs.

To go into more detail, aside from the basic structural differences of feet ... wide, narrow, bunions, etc, one must also consider the needs of a high-arched, rigid, neutral foot, versus a flat-arched foot that collapses, or pronates as one moves through their gate. Brand is less important than what type of foot the shoe is engineered for. For instance, one model of a Brooks shoe might be a perfect fit while a differently engineered Brooks model would be painful and cause you serious problems.

Still true two and a half years later. I have a store a short ten minute walk from our house. After first going through the analysis stage of gate and foot shape, decided the Brooks Addiction model was for for almost nine years ago and still buy the same updated versions of the Addiction. I use the Addiction Walker in the fall and winter as they don’t have the mesh panels which are designed to keep your feet cool in the spring and summer.
For something more dressy I wear the Sabago Clovehitch Boat Shoe in Bare Feet. As I have been cursed with blisters as a kid today, these two shoes allow me to keep on moving’.

It all depends on the circumstances, if it’s extremely casual I will wear running shoes. If nicer is required than I like Clark Originals with a gum sole and for anything more formal Thursday boots are very comfortable and look great.

I'm the kind of guy who keeps stubbing his toe too much, so I personally wear that hardware store worker shoes with steel toe It still works for both formal and casual wear.

Wingtips for me, preferably with a slight square toe. You might judge me, but so do the people checking out my shoes.

You can't do without comfortable shoes wherever you go. You'll probably be walking miles around those Italian cities. I can't stress this enough - you should get quality comfy shoes. As for Ecco, I can't say anything good about them. The company has stopped producing high-quality shoes, as it seems. The last time I bought a pair there, the sole came off after a couple of days; it was terrible; mind you, I spent a lot of money on these shoes. I'm not afraid to spend a lot of money on shoes, too, but they should be worth it! Take a look at these ultraboost shoes mens. I think you will appreciate their comfort.

I'm retired and when I quit working I pretty much quit wearing anything but Merrells, from Jungle Mocs to a big pair of MAOB boots and a couple in between.

LandenMaldonado wrote in post #19446363
You can't do without comfortable shoes wherever you go – for a walk, for walking classes, or for a hiking trip. As for Ecco, I can say that it is very bad. In the sense that the company has stopped producing high-quality shoes. The last time I bought one pair, the sole came off after a couple of days; it was terrible;

I used to work with a guy who swore by Eccos. Of course, that was ten years ago. Sad to hear their quality has suffered...