Appropriate shoes - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

StarLux84 · 07-05-2005, 04:48 PM

hey all,

i was wondering if some converse chucks will be fine for walking around towns. i'm going to doing a lot of walking, but mostly in large cities (minimal hiking, etc.). would i still need to buy a separate pair of walking/running shoes?

**omisan** · 07-06-2005, 01:01 AM

I love my Chucks but I'll be damned if I ever wear them traveling. I need ARCH SUPPORT, baby. Despite that, one of my favorite pieces of travel footwear are my $4 generic flip-flops that have hiked all over European cities in the summer... Otherwise, I like trailrunners, since I do a lot of outdoorsy stuff *and* urban hiking.

If you can wear your Converse all day with a lot of walking, I don't see any reason not to take them. And they're a bit more distinct than the typical brown Merrells you see every other backpacker wearing

I suggest going out to a nearby town and do an all-day excursion in the shoes and see how they treat you. And don't forget to bring some moleskins, just in case.

**elfmaiden** · 07-06-2005, 05:42 AM

See unlike Omi, the less rolling hills in my shoes the better. :D If you know you can wear them and they'll hold up go for it! Shoes are not something you want to test out on the trip and the more comfortable you are with them the better!

Jenn

**pinion** · 07-08-2005, 04:45 PM

I did most my city walking in my Vans and didn't have any problems.

But I also brought of pair of hiking boots b/c I did some pretty hardcore hiking in Switzerland...

just keep in mind what you want to do and see. Walk around in your Chucks for 8 hours and see how you feel.

**juliagulia** · 07-08-2005, 09:53 PM

i def. need arch support so chucks (for me) would be hell. i had a pair of vans (that didnt have arch support) and after a casual day of walking my feet would be dead. so if you really like your chucks, but need arch support, do what i did with my vans (which i <3 oh so much

) get Dr. Scholl's thingys that provide arch support. they really help.

**MeTurk** · 07-20-2005, 06:37 AM

What are chucks and vans?

I'm bringin' me steel toe caped workboots, there an easy way to avoid trouble. If things look like there getting a bit hairy I just give em a kick in the shins and run away.

**TERI** · 07-20-2005, 08:52 AM

^

**tumblezweedz** · 07-20-2005, 06:06 PM

Just don't try to wear them on the plane, you'll get the special screening for sure!

**MeTurk** · 07-21-2005, 03:07 AM

I wore them on the plane to the US if I can get them in there I can get them in anywhere.

Seriously though what are chucks and vans, I am but a simple muck savage and know not your foriegn wordeage.

**omisan** · 07-21-2005, 07:58 AM

"Chucks" are the classic Converse Chuck Taylor "All Stars," the canvas basketball shoes tht come in high or low top...

Vans are one of the original skate shoes.. very comfy:

**MeTurk** · 07-21-2005, 08:16 AM

aaahhhh..... They both have flat soles from the looks of it, I never really liked shoes like that.

I never used to wear light shoes up until recently I got a nice pair of clarkes in America but I wore them while quading trough the farm one day and got lamb shit all over them.

**bluepea** · 07-22-2005, 01:22 AM

I hate wearing shoes, so Reef flip flops have been my saving grace. They cushion to your foot (seriously I have a foot imprint in mine) and feel like your walking on clouds. Ahhhh....

I normally wear cheap-o's, but decided to splurge for Europe (started wearing them two months before hand to "break them in" and never really took them off) and it was so worth it. Sorry, I know you were asking about shoes...

anyhow, like they said - if they're comfy, and you can walk for a ways in em, why not.

**Canadian Bacon** · 07-26-2005, 06:37 AM

Just bring along a pair of flipflops... a cheap pair from Old Navy Took me from London to Madrid (then they broke in the middle of a huge block party). But then I bought new ones and it was all good.

Bring some running shoes, old shoes are fine. The only problem is if the back of the shoe is messed up, and the plastic will cut into the back of your foot (above your heel), but then you just need to either cut the plastic off, or use a hammer and piece of wood to knock it back.
Hope that makes sense.

foot foot · 08-02-2005, 04:36 PM

chucks are my favorite favorite shoes ever but they do tend to fall apart after not too long. one pro is they're good and small, so bringing an extra pair shouldn't be too bad.

NapalmDef · 08-20-2005, 09:25 AM

Merrell Chameleons are awesome for travel.. I usually wear skate shoes or chucks but my feet got destroyed so I had to pick up some Merrells in the UK.