Comfort Shoes

Despite what you may have heard, comfortable shoes don't have to be ugly. Dismiss those notions of bright white sneakers with blue jeans or black pants. There are all types of walking shoes to check out. You can even find wedge sandals and flip-flops that aren't so bad if you're looking for something a little more stylish than a full shoe.

Keep Your Feet Happy

Why should you choose comfort shoes? Aside from the obvious reasons--pain, blisters, and general discomfort, ill-fitting shoes can cause problems with your feet. "Bad" shoes can result in bunions, hammertoes, or other foot and ankle problems. Is looking good on a trip to Europe really worth this agony?

Choosing Your Shoes

According to the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society, there are a few guidelines to follow when you're searching for your perfect comfort shoe.

• Use the number inside as an estimate; always try the shoe on instead of buying based on the size listed. Different shoes fit differently regardless of size.
• Have your feet measured often, and always measure both feet. You'll be shopping for the bigger of the two.
• Try to select your shoes in the afternoon when feet are largest. Stand in them, walk around. Check for wiggle room for your toes and also see if your heel slips in the back.
• Look for shoes that conform to the shape of your foot as much as possible without squeezing anywhere.

Brands to Try

Cute shoes can be comfort shoes. However, some brands that offer ultimate comfort can take a bit of breaking in.

Clarks are available for men and women. They offer styles from wedge sandals to suede boots. They have a reputation for being some of the most comfortable shoes around. They are also quite possibly the trendiest of all the comfort shoes available. Check out the Clarks Wallabee, for example. It comes in bright orange. These will take a little breaking in, but they start off fairly flexible.

Birkenstocks take some time to break in, but once you do, you're often a wearer for life. They allow you to walk on your feet as nature intended instead of having an artificial lift in the back. They're not just the hippie shoes with two straps across the top. Birkenstock makes sandals and clogs. The sandals are very light and the clogs are heavier than the average clog. You'll want to make sure you walk around in these for a few hours a day to break them in. Start about a month before you plan to wear them for all-day sightseeing.

Doc Martens are made for males and females. They're traditional with an urban twist, normally. The air-soles make them extremely comfortable for walking around. You'll probably want to break these in before your trip, but they won't take nearly the time Birkenstocks will.