Shoes for Italy
/While our group is in Italy, we walk much more than the average American is accustomed on a daily basis. Not only do we walk more because we will be in major Italian cities where walking and using public transportation is the norm, but also because we are trying to see as much of the archaeology and art as we can in the short time we have in the country. Since Italians (and Europeans in general) are more accustomed to walking, appropriate places to sit (e.g. benches) are not nearly as ubiquitous at archaeological sites, in museums, or even along the sidewalks and at bus stops. Additionally, sitting on the ground or floor and leaning on walls is viewed in poor taste in Europe, and such actions tag our group as poorly behaved or disrespectful. Many museum guards admonish visitors from leaning against walls, and visitors (not from our group, of course) have actually caused damage leaning on the ruins at archaeological sites like Pompeii. Therefore, having durable, comfortable, supportive, and broken-in walking shoes is important!
However, we caution against wearing “American style” athletic shoes, simply because blending in, rather than standing out as foreign tourists, allows for more authentic experiences abroad.
This “American style” of athletic shoes tends to have a taller profile and have wider soles. There are certain brands and styles of sneakers, however, that are more popular in Europe and Italy, that are also far less conspicuous. These include certain styles from brands like Puma and Adidas, though they aren’t limited to these brands.
Here are some examples:
https://eu.puma.com/it/en/pd/basket-classic-lfs-mens-shoes/354367.html?dwvar_354367_color=white-white (perhaps in a darker color, mainly because they won’t stay shiny white during the trip)
https://www.adidas.com/us/samba-og-shoes/B75807.html
https://www.adidas.com/us/daily-2.0-shoes/DB0284.html
https://www.adidas.com/us/continental-80-shoes/CG6537.html
The climate is another factor to to consider when selecting your shoes for a trip. During the summer, the cities we visit - Sorrento, Rome, and Florence - get very warm, with average daytime temperatures between 80 and 90 degrees (sometimes even warmer) plus the humidity. Air conditioning is also much less available or utilized in Italy than in the US. Footwear that will lend a bit of air to your toes can make an enormous difference in a traveler’s comfort level day-to-day. We highly recommend that travelers consider walking sandals from brands such as Mephisto, Birkenstock, Merrell, Born, Clarks, or Dr. Scholl’s. (Many of these brands also have great styles of sneakers, by the way!) We’re not talking about flip-flops, though. The best sandals to consider have more than one strap that secure the shoe to the foot and have good flexibility in the sole. Some travelers prefer sandals that also have a heel strap.
Here are some examples:
https://www.mephisto.com/us/sam-1390525.html
https://www.clarksusa.com/c/Blake-Jewel/p/26141624
https://www.clarksusa.com/c/Brixby-Cove/p/26131521
https://www.bornshoes.com/Product.aspx?ProductID=14472&cat=110
Consider your own unique foot and walking needs too; you may need shoes with good arch support, or heel support, or both. You may also want shoes that aren’t too heavy. (Some walking sandals are a little bulky and heavy, which may not be comfortable for some travelers.) Try on a number of different brands and styles, if you can. Stores like The Walking Company and DSW have an extensive selection for women, and a good number of styles for men too. You may also try other stores like Journeys and InStep. Some of the brands we’ve listed have dedicated stores as well.
Also consider the versatility of your shoe color with your outfits, if that’s something that matters to you. Black, brown, or other earth tones will go with pretty much anything you wear.
N.B. Even if you decide to go with sandals for your main pair, be sure to have at least one pair of sneakers (even if they are “American-style”). Our travelers need them for the day we go to Pompeii & hike up Mt. Vesuvius. Sandals are an absolute no-no for Vesuvius due to the tiny and jagged volcanic stones that you do NOT want mutilating your little piggies on the way to the summit. Our travelers sometimes also bring their favorite water-going flip-flops and/or Chacos to use as shower shoes and to put in your daypack for the days we have a beach visit on our itinerary.
Most importantly: If you don’t already have a good pair that’s broken in, get them ASAP and wear them daily until the trip to ensure they are well broken in before we set foot on Italian soil.