This is the first backpacking trip i'm going on and I have no clue how many pairs to bring. Normally when I go away for short trips, it's flip flops, sneakers, and something dressy. Does the same apply here?

And w/sandals..what do you think?
http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/8180394/c/552.html
http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/8180386/c/55684.html

I can not force myself to do sports sandals or birkenstocks :no:

lol birkenstocks are uber cool over here in Europe in fact i have a pair on now :lol:

Those look okay, but for the love of all that is holy-- break them in before you go!! :unsure: Two pairs of shoes plus flip-flops for the beach and the shower is plenty.

Your most important pair should be something that you're comfortable walking in for miles-- up hills, down hills, up and down more stairs than you can ever imagine, on concrete and un-freakin-believably uneven cobblestone-- all while carrying a 20 to 30 pound backpack. :mellow: In my experience sneakers don't usually cut it, but if that's what you're used to, go for it. :)

Even though they're not particularly pretty, I *love* my black Dansko clogs. :wub: I'm on my feet all day for work and seriously-- they're fantastic. The only potential downside with them in Europe is that you have to be a little more careful walking on the aforementioned uneven cobblestone. The footprint on the shoes is pretty narrow and if you're even remotely clumsy like I am (I just like looking at everything around me, not at the ground! :lol: ) it can be a little easy to turn your ankle.

Hope this helps. :cheers:

I am a huge fan of Reef flip flops and that's really all I wore in Europe. Heck that's all I wear through the summer, barring dress up days.

I bring a pair of running shoes... and a pair of flip flops and that always gets me through.. I bring the running shoes because somedays your feet just need the day off. And flips flops work for everything

oh man i had a pair of leather reefs when i was in vegas. I ended up in a wheelchair the second day from foot cramps from those damn things. Since i was VIP at the MGM they assigned a guy to push me around in the wheelchair. :lol:

those were the days... *sigh*

buy Chaco flipflops. i've had mine for a year and a half worn almost everyday and they show no signs of ever being worn.

I had my birkies which I wore EVERYWHERE... I had a pair of flip flops for the shower but that was it...well I DID bring running shoes for the running of the bulls but when I ended up with only one :dry:...the other one went into the trash, so it was birks all the way!

I practically live in flip flops in the warm weather, so when I go away, I think I'll take a nice comfy pair of those, my Converse which are really comfy for walking around in for ages, and also a pair of light plimsoll type shoes, which I love and they are good for day or night wear.

birkenstocks are soo comfortable since the leather just moulds to the natural shape of ur foot. however, u definitely want a comfortable pair of walking shoes (something that wont fly off like those flip flops can). if you're going to be backpacking in the mountains and stuff i guess u would need an extra pair of shoes in case one gets wet but if you're an urban traveller i think one pair should suffice, imo.

I practically never take off my Rainbow flip-flops, and I live in Seattle where it rains constantly. They're *that* amazing. The ones with wider straps are, I think, slightly more comfortable. For sneakers, Asics Tigers or Converse are incredibly smooshable for easy packing. And then I've got my hiking boots for everything else. I'd recommend not buying shoes online if you're planning on doing a lot of walking in them--shoes that don't fit really really suck when you're on the road (or ten miles into the wilderness, she says sagely :doh: ).

"something that wont fly off like those flip flops can. "
yup this is one thing i can't stand happening, because of this there's usually extra stress on my foot to keep the shoe on as well as walk comfortably. i know i lead such a difficult life..hahah.

ok i've changed my choice and narrowed it down to
Reefs:
http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/10560803/c/621.html
http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/10560752/c/58544.html

inspired by space virgins clogs i found something that gives me a little height and probably stays on the foot better:
http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/7705840/c/27073.html


Thanks for the reef suggestions by the way...do you guys know if they actually on the foot or flies off like the other ones??

I like the smooshable converse/ascis idea but wouldn't it get stinky when it rains??? i guess thats where the hiking boots come in

Don't listen to Jake! Reef's are great! My brother suggested them because he had a friend that only wore Reef's. I tried his sandals on they were awesome (he'd had them for a few years) and I was sold. My sister in law tried them on when we were in Germany and went straight to the PX to buy a pair. :) :cheers:

I swear by my Bama sandals, although they are a little on the "sport sandal" side of the page, I wear them with dresses all the time - they're my all-summer shoe, for three summers now. If you want something a bit less sporty but still with decent support, check out Columbia's line - they've got better support than flip flops for walking, but come in great colours and styles. Mostly I can't wear them, cause I can't stand having a strap between my toes, but I just bought my daughter a pair of their walking sandals for our most recent trip, and she loved them. Walked up Vesuvius in them, so they're pretty comfy and sturdy, too.

:tumbleweed:

My North Face sandals just broked...Damn it. But they were comfy and I wore them every day for the past 3 months.

I need to find another pair of sports sandals with the straps on the front so they don't fall off. I do like flip flops for lounging around and the beach though.

Try not to get anything too bulky or heavy...Birks are pretty great, but you don't want those right?

I second the reefs. I don't own leather ones, only the black rubber ones but I live in them. They are great for walking, and getting wet and they will mold to your feet after a few weeks.

Anyone tried Crocs Cayman Clogs?

I've had a few people suggest them. I'm contemplating taking these over my Teva's. They're super light...water proof, they float, good traction apparently....super comfy. Think they would be good in CA/SA?

are they the ones that look like gardening shoes

Yes.

OMG they are the latest TRENDY SHoes in Australia :comando:


but they are dagy coz they are basically gardening shoes but at a rip off price LOL funny that!

People have sworn by them. They are apparently the most versatile shoe...comfortable for hiking, tromping all over town, showering, chillen'...you name it. And, they're only like $30 in the states...