I've been following Susan Blakely's blog - "une femme d'un certain age" for a while and she often has great suggestions for traveling. i found her comments and ideas very helpful the last time i traveled. Some of these look like they'd be both comfortable and stylish too.

https://unefemme.net/?s=shoes

I am also going to Portugal (in October )and am on a Facebook page (travel Portugal) where every travel question, including yours, has been asked and answered. Here is a suggestion that was given to someone asking about shoes in May. The brand is IlseJacobsen

A lot of my friends love those Ilse Jacobsen shoes, I wish I could wear them but my weirdly narrow heels slip out of them.

I second those. It's called the Tulip. I have it in beige and the navy.

ETA Salonva, we are “sole mates.” I have a small wide foot. I bump up to a 6 or a 6w. Sneakers can be 6 1/2 wide. So hard to find shoes.nWhen I do, I buy extra and save them.

I'm a 36 is the Jacobsen.

I also wear Ecco sandal. But, it's ugly. And that is nickname for it. My ugly walking sandal.

I agree, never, ever buy a shoe with the hopes it will get comfortable.

I travel with my Rothy’s. They are lightweight to pack and washable, so if you get caught in a downpour, it doesn’t matter that they get wet. I prefer The Point mainly out of vanity. I think it makes my legs look longer and slimmer.

After my mother died, one of the tasks I engaged in was canceling all the mail-order catalogs she received. Living in a small town rural area, the shopping options were few and became fewer as time went on. I just didn't want to keep getting the catalogs with her name on them. One company that I had never heard of that caught my eye was HOTTER. I bought a pair of walking sandals from them and have worn them almost constantly the whole summer. I have one other pair too, same deal. I like that they are real leather, which breathes, a big plus. And they have pretty good sales, and are not terribly over priced for the workmanship and real leather. These shoes tend to not look terribly stylish in the catalog pics, but they are quite nice IRL. I think a lot depends on the style you pick and your own personal style. I am always seeking that elusive combination of durability, comfort and style. These have done well for me so far . . .

https://www.hotter.com/us/en/womens

Check out the "tourist sandals" Those are the ones I live in over the summer. Also, they offer a wide variety of styles, so if you don't see something you love on the first page, peruse a bit . . .

Well as always you've come through with flying colors.

Who knew there was a travel Portugal fb page? And those ilse jacobsen are extremely similar to a pair I have worn out (Dr Scholl's) but these are a bit cuter. They were also mentioned in the blog maire shared. And ha eld, sole mates.:)

I am pretty good on sandals, pink, but that's good shoe shop and I don't think I ever heard of it.

thank you

FWIW, I just go for supportive, lightweight sporty shoes for walking around. Skechers GoWalks, or my 'good' athletic shoes (Saucony) ensure my feet feel good at the end of a long day. I need some new comfort shoes for the summer and I've also been looking at Easy Spirit & Dr. Scholl's casual slipons lately.

Whenever possible, I replace laces with those stretchy silicone thingies to make lace up athletic shoes into slipons. I have a pair of vintage style Nikes I did that to, and I wear them practically every day.

When I travel to Europe, I wear Mephisto shoes and sandals. They are wonderful.

You nudged me Salonva to upgrade my shoe game. I have a lot of really ratty shoes that have sure seen better days. I am tough on shoes since I am outside all the time, every day, in all kinds of weather. And on my feet a lot. I need some slip on shoes to take the dog out quick. Some leather ones. I have a pair of synthetic walking type shoes, but they are not water or dew proot and they make my feet sweat. The insoles are always coming loose on my shoes too . . . Plus now that most soles are glued on, mine come unglued rather quickly. Sigh.

I also need some garden slip on shoes that don't totally track in mud. I am often in and out of the garden. I take my shoes off but sometimes I just want to get something quick. And even when I take them off, some of my shoes still track a lot of mud into the foyer. I even have a shoe cleaning brush and a big mat outside the door. Rubber doesn't work for me, it gets punctured too easily . . .

I have plenty of "work shoes" that are really tough, but I don't always want to wear something so heavy and that takes a bit of time and effort to get on. Particularly in the summer!

Edited to add that I just bought these. I found them by doing an Internet search for "women's leather slip on shoes." I used to get Rockports all the time when I lived in areas where I could find them in shoe stores. Only shoe stores in my town now are mart marts that only sell plastic shoes. Nice to see that Rockport has an online option. https://www.rockport.com/rockport/womens-trustride-prowalker-slip-on-sneaker-%7C-taupe-%7C-8.5/CI0077-085-M.html

You might like Birdies.

Anotyer vote for Mephisto. They are expensive, though.

Those Ilse Jacobsen shoes looks so fun. I might try some for summer, I'll see when I get my summer stuff out if I need any shoes. I'm wondering about the "recycled microfiber" material. I like the idea of it but who knows what that means in execution. The colors sure are fun though.

Same with the Birdies, they look like fun, although the glued soles are exactly the kind of shoes that seem to not last very long for me. I have quite a few pairs of gorgeous color and material dress shoes that came unglued rather quickly for me. MI has damp outdoor conditions, so unless you only wear the shoes in nice warm weather mostly inside, it's going to be a tough go for delicate shoes. I have a whole milk crate full of shoes that need the soles glued back on . . .

What will the temps be? I cannot imagine going somewhere warm/hot and wearing sneakers/socks. I would invest in some good sandals. I do have some sketchers clog-like (slip-on, no back) sneakers that are very comfy. Rothy's were mentioned, but they are not comfortable to me (at least not for long). They have little to no arch support. For very casual dress, I can walk miles in my croc flip-flops. Fit-flops have good support and are comfortable. They also come in more fashionable styles.

FWIW, I don't care how hot it is, I don't like going 'barefoot' (i.e. wear sandals) in heavily trafficked public/tourist spaces - other than the beach - just ew. Not so safe either - but that's just me. YMMV

I work inside/outside here in our 90+F FL summers, and I'll get lightweight cotton shoes and wear them with lowcut thin Peds or similar. There are newer tech socks and insoles that help keep feet cool and dry.

LOL @carolb_w_fl_coastal_9b I don't know how that is "ew", but I am happiest with my feet uncovered. But I'm not one for heavily trafficked spaces/events. I'm just not a socks/shoes kind of gal! To each their own though - or as my dad was fond of saying "that's why they make chocolate and vanilla"! 😄

This might be a dumb question, but do you wear socks with shoes like the Rothy's and Ilse Jacobsen? I hope to do some Europe travel sometime in the future and I'd like to look more respectful and elegant than I do in my preferred sneakers. These shoes look lovely, but I feel like I get blisters in shoes that I wear without socks if I'm doing a lot of walking.

They make a lot of sandals with closed toe areas. I had to wear that kind for work, always outside on trails with many things that could injure a toe or sting one. Plus I am an inveterate toe stubber. And also, I have ugly toes. Not being hard on myself, it is what it is. I look better in sandals that cover a lot of the toe area . . . I like flip flops but I invariably break them somehow, or mangle my foot . . .

Not "stylish" but I have always done well with Keen close toes walking sandals.

https://www.keenfootwear.com/p/1026314-8.5.html?gclsrc=aw.ds&&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=us_201006_os_ne_xx21_multi_b_xx_l_OutsideShopping&utm_term=119156290316-pla-295800756202&utm_content=504675792197&gclid=CjwKCAjwjZmTBhB4EiwAynRmD6FAucXypuJkkeNMWd45wknG82ot6Ue906zuVj89AZZW125fk0x1ZxoCGO4QAvD_BwE

If you look closely, the Isla Jacobsen Tulip is well ventilated. I don’t wear socks with them.

I also own a pair Rothy flats, but for me they are not for taking a long walk.

You can also look at Rockport.

Hubs got me a bunch of Bombas "footie socks" Very cool and comfortable, I wear them with shoes and sandals in the summer. Absorbent and protect my feet from getting really, really dirty. Easier to toss socks in the wash than to have to wash your feet every time you come in from working out in the yard. https://bombas.com/products/womens-all-ankle-12-pack?variant=triblock-marls-mix&size=m

OMG Zalco, I LOVE these Mephisto flat slip ons. But I just can't see spending that much on a pair of shoes right now. Particularly since I spend the majority of my time working around the house. I just wouldn't wear them enough right now . . . but a gal can dream.

https://www.mephisto.com/us/korie-5137120.html

I much prefer trying shoes on in the store if at all possible. Do you have a Benjamin Lowell near you? They carry a lot of good brands - Ilse Jacobsen, SAS , Naot, Merrill etc. There used to be one in Haddonfield, NJ but they're closed now so I have to go into Philly.

@pricklypearcactus, I do not wear socks with my Rothy’s flats. However, I do wash the insoles from time to time in a lingerie bag, in cold water, lay flat to dry. One of the ”features” of Rothy’s is they are machine washable. I have never totally washed my. I just spot clean. Too many folks have had them shrink (how do plastic bottles shrink?) when they machine wash them.

If my trainers have removable soles, I take them out and cover the insole with a thin footie turned upside down, then re-insert the insole into the shoe. It gives you the same protection and comfort as a no-show sock, but it really doesn’t show and it doesn’t slip down into your shoe.

For my last trip, a cruise in March to the Caribbean, I took Rothy’s to wear at night, Croc sandals similar to these to wear around the ship during the day, and

Cole Haan Zerogrand knit oxfords that could not have been more comfortable. Soooo lightweight!

Just before the cruise, I also bought a pair of ON running shoes, not that I run. https://www.on-running.com/en-us/?g_adtype=search&g_acctid=981-546-0205&g_campaign=%5Bn:GSN%5D%5Bm:US%5D%5Bl:EN%5D%5Bi:Brand%5D%5Bc:Shoes%5D%5Bcat:On%20Shoes%5D&g_campaignid=13138149046&g_adgroupid=130969874108&g_adid=522176329114&g_keyword=on%20shoes&g_keywordid=kwd-71953388&g_network=g&gclid=CjwKCAjwjZmTBhB4EiwAynRmDw_NkNcU3QjXN4M5XnXDGVQfb44n4Lh5nCwM2PoEd-DXiMdDTVpUgRoCASQQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

They are extremely comfortable and so lightweight! DD wears them. She relaced mine with elastic laces to make them slip-ons.

I really want to like Birdies but the pair(s) that I bought a year or so ago just didn’t fit right. It was like each shoe was a different size.

Count me as another who is particular about where I wear sandals. For sightseeing, I want something more substantial. For everyday wear, I’m just weird. I might wear sandals to the grocery store, but I would never wear them to the doctor’s office. No particular reason, just personal quirkiness.

Cole Haan is another great shoe manufacturer. I used to be able to find them in shoe shops when I lived in an urban area in PA. No more. The shops I think are mostly closed and I don't live there anymore. They did have a Cole Haan outlet near where I last lived. Not sure if that is still there . . . I know I live near the former location of a "Clarks" shoe outlet but that whole company folded. I thought Rockport had gone out of business too . . .

There apparently is a Cole Haan outlet about 2 hours from me now in MI.

So many great retail stores closing including many Nordstrom's, which is where I got a pair of Cole Haans. Count me in as one who prefers to shop in person where I can view and evaluate the quality of the merchandise. And with clothes and shoes, try them on and avoid the multiple trips to the post office for returns, not to mention the waste now that most of that entails . . .

https://bestlifeonline.com/clarks-shoes-closing/

These are my go-to shoes for practically everything. They come in wide widths, which is an absolute necessity for me. The heel looks higher than it feels.

https://www.hushpuppies.com/US/en/epic-mary-jane/20777W.html?dwvar_20777W_color=H505279#cgid=women-featured-extended-widths&prefn1=itemStyle&prefv1=Mary%20Janes&start=1

The site is being very looney tunes at the moment. I am trying to reply and it's not having it. Will try again shortly.

I’m a big fan of Naot. I have these as my everyday work shoes and they were comfortable from day one on my big wide feet. Not inexpensive, but worth every penny. And cute in a comfortable shoe mary jane sort of way.

Naot Bluegill

I'm really liking my new Earth Origins and Macy's carries them! You should go try on a pair.

Flats

Wow, Naot has an AMAZING collection of sandals . . .

All open toed though. I suppose that is the point of sandals!

This thread is proving to be so useful and timely!

Bbstx commented about Rothy's. I have several pair and have washed two pair of flats and the merino boots as well as insoles. The plastic can shrink if your water is too hot (use cold when possible and only use warm if you know you can wash delicate things in warm without shrinking or other damage) and you cannot put them in the dryer. I wouldn't even set them out in the sun to dry without some kind of insert in them -- a shoe tree or the cardboard one they ship with. I have not had a problem with shrinking. I pretty much live in Rothy's, Tieks and TOMS but have a couple Hush Puppies.

My foot is narrow-ish, with a very narrow heel and high instep. I love Ecco and most Naot, mainly because their sandals seem to have a lot of adjustments. My favorite sandal is the Ecco Flowt I have it in a couple of colors. It is stylish enough to wear with pants or skirts as well as more casual wear.

I usually buy all my Eccos from the direct site. They often have 20% off, but you can check pricing on A.

A white sneaker I like is the On Cloud On the Roger. Fits really nicely and I‘ve been wearing it around town with no issues.

(Well hopefully I can reply).

This has been so helpful. I am reminded of several good brands as well as learning of so many new ones. Part of my issue I have to confess is that I am a bit tight with money (as in cheap).

I really like the Ilse Jacobsen and of course Naot.I guess I have to just get over myself and order some shoes and if they are not comfy just send them back.

I think part of it is that I want comfy ( being able to walk a lot and on cobblestones but to look a bit sweeter than sneakers. I really like the ones Terri shared. Are they good for walking? Funny, when I went to search for them, I think the gladiator term took me to these by Ecco Gladiator which look very promising. I always go with black but I am thinking tan will work well. I agree shoes are heavy and bulky and I don't want to pack too many. While I'd love to buy shoes there, I don't want to rely on that.

I am talking myself into springing for some of them and believe me, I know how bad it gets when shoes are not comfortable for walking.

Oh man- now I see when I put in MY size, several of them are not in stock or are way more $$. I guess I'd better get with the program here.

Thank you for this thread!! My feet are wide and got even wider postpartum. Finding comfy shoes is always a struggle. I’m excited to try a few of this brands!! (Shopping in person is very limiting when you have weird feet - I usually just trot into Naturalizer and ask them to show me all their flats in a 10w - usually is about 2 pairs).

This thread had ended up benefiting me in the strange ways of the Internet. I now am getting all kinds of ads popping up on my facebook feed (on my phone, which is strange only because I only participate here using my laptop). The ads are for comfy, stylish leather shoes and sandals, from all kinds of manufacturers. And here I thought comfy, stylish DURABLE shoes were hard to come by. Just hard to come by "actually" in most of the kinds of retail stores I have access to. There's a world of Internet shopping that seems to offer more options. Of course the trick will be to find the manufacturers who make shoes that fit my feet . . .

I just ordered some of the Ilse Jacobsen shoes in orange. They make men's shoes that are identical, but I ordered women's because that's what they had in my size (Euro 10).

If I were going to Portugal, I would want to buy shoes after I got there. My brother and I bought really nice shoes and sandals in Italy (Florence), and I also bought nice sandals in Brazil.

Here's a list of some top shoe producing countries. Nothing comes close to Italy (which I can understand), but Portugal is up there. I also like German shoes.

I'm sure you'll want some shoes before you go, but I would also budget money to buy some more while you are there. I love all the leather goods I bought in Italy, and wearing the Brazilian sandals reminds me of being in Copacabana. I bought an excellent shoehorn there also.

If you need a shoehorn, it is calçadeira para sapatos or chifre de sapato in Portuguese. I had an extremely difficult time getting this concept across in Spanish when I was in Costa Rica and never did find a shoehorn there. Now I always travel with at least two, and my favorite is the Brazilian one.

The Naot ”Sabrina” has worked great for my picky feet. Can walk in these forever. Have not worn in the dirt, but great on cobblestone and paved streets/sidewalks.

https://www.nordstrom.com/s/not-sabrina-sandal-women/3921649

Well the clock is ticking and I have been very busy trying on lots and lots of shoes. I am so hard to fit that I thought I'd be better off trying on in person ( like at DSW and Nordstrom Rack) so I could get a better feel by brand and size. I was so excited yesterday to try on Ilse Jacobsen Tulip ones which feel wonderful. I bought them in a white (only color on hand in my size) but was second guessing the white. I may keep them because they are comfy, but it seems they are less of a good walking shoe. They are cute and comfy but I don't think they are a great walking shoe.

I did find a very nice Teva Tirra (sandal) which I think fits the bill for walking but I am still searching for a basic ( but very good) sneaker. I have Skechers but they are fairly old. I may end up bringing them anyway and just change out to other shoes.

I'd like to find a shoe that can take cobblestones and maybe be a step up from sneakers.

The search is real.

Salonva, although I have never hiked in my tulips, I have worn them walking through malls.

You almost forget you are wearing shoes!

I've posted my faves before, but not sure they're what you're looking for. I need a wide toe box and my Lems Primal 2 are the ticket for me. As close to barefoot as I can get.

Might be too late for your trip but I own many pairs of Vionic shoes. Great footbed and a nice selection at a good pricepoint (80-180) You also can replace the insole

I have these Crocs in 4 colors and have been wearing them for years. They were perfect from the moment that I put them on. I have worn them on several European vacations and they will go to London with me next month. I am 72 and do a lot of walking.