Shoes ARE NOT made for walking

Unlike the lyrics of the popular Nancy Sinatra song, boots, and most shoes in general for that matter, are NOT made for walking.

Imagine my dismay when I realized that despite owning a closet FULL of shoes in different styles and colors, I did not have a single pair that I would like to wear for a day full of walking. I own sneakers of course, but I refuse to look like your typical fanny-pack touting American tourist sporting chunky cross trainers with jeans. I just won't do it! I need to maintain some sort of style despite being dressed in the same wrinkled and Febreeze-sprayed outfits that I carry around in my backpack for the month. Comfortable AND stylish. Apparently, this is just too much to ask. You would think that an item designed for the feet would aid in the activity that feet do most; walk. However, the majority of shoes are designed primarily as an article of decoration. A conduit for fashion. The human foot contains more bones than any other part of the body and yet we adorn it with bows and straps and sky-high stiletto heels.

My hunt for a solid pair of travel shoes has been frustrating. I am searching for a set of cute and comfortable sandals and a pair of practical ankle boots to protect my feet from potential rain, cold, etc. April showers bring May flowers and wet feet. My criteria is as follows: relatively inexpensive, well-made, light and versatile- so that I may wear either pair with every ensemble. I will be walking several miles each day so comfort is of the utmost importance. Nothing is worse than blistered toes at the Pantheon or sore arches at the Arc de Triomphe. This footwear finding expedition has led me from websites, to department stores and back to websites. I simply cannot find the perfect shoe!

My sandal search: The "comfort" tab on shoe websites leads me to pages full of Aerosoles, Crocs and Fit Flops. I wouldn't be caught dead in any of these styles. I associate Aerosoles with the crooked toes found at a bingo night or an Assisted Living Facility. Crocs should only be worn in the kitchen with checkered pants and an apron. No excuses or exceptions to this rule. Fit Flops are for frumpy fifty-something year olds trying get their groove back. My apologies to those who wear them, but there is something about the chunky footbed and curved angles of Orthopedic shoes that I find highly unattractive. The design of "comfortable" footwear is in defiant contrast to what is considered to be stylish. Nothing says sexy like a shock-absorbent heel. These shoes will never be found strapped around my 10 little piggies. Call me a brat but I want comfort AND style.

The boot pursuit was equally difficult. A pair built to withstand all elements usually look they belong in the Artic or a sci-fi film. They simply aren't wearable. The patent leather or rubber material and faux fur trim certainly wouldn't match any of my flowery spring dresses.  A weatherproof/wearable hybrid was hard to come by and, when found, were definitely not in my price range. I cannot justify spending the same amount of money I allotted for five nights in Rome on two leather shoes! The reviews on cheaper shoes plainly stated, "Cute but would not walk around in." Why would you waste money on a shoe that you don't want to walk in? 

I'm already living out of a bag and sleeping on bunk beds. Perhaps I can be 100% hippy and go barefoot....

Ugh. I may be picky. I may be cheap. I am definitely shoe-less.