Backpacking obviously involves a lot of walking. What kind of shoes do you guys recommend, if you've got preferences. Or maybe inserts to try and soften the blow to your feet?

my black Stilettos.......

uhh but seriously I bought a pair of the north face just before I left and it was the best 100 i ever spent

<edit> Oh and half the time in Europe was spent in my Havaianas...

Well when I'm hiking I usually wear a pair of comfy high-top sneakers. I don't like hiking boots and I've never had a problem with sneakers.

As for backpacking, in the 'backpack Europe' sense, I adore my well-worn converses (or chuck taylors, or all stars). Also I picked up an awesome pair of mesh-like sneakers at Kmart and have worn them when trail jogging. Very airy and soft on the heel....heaven.

I've been doing a lot of walking in the Dominican and two pairs of shoes have saved me. A pair of decent Columbia hiking/running shoes and my north face sandals.

I'm on the boot side of the aisle. I wear Merrell Chameleon II's and Teva's. Best $120 I've ever spent on hiking boots. (used to wear Timberland boots but never again.) I would definitely break them in first!!

I preferred wearing sneakers - enough for hiking, general walking and dressy enough for the clubs. I also had thongs (or flip flops) for the beach and general wear (good to let your feet get some air).

ev

new balance all terrain or nike acg get my vote.

HAHAHA I was in this room with this aussie in Germany and we were all getting ready to go out for the night and all of a sudden he pops up and yells "has any one seen my thong?? It's white and I can't find it. come on guys look under your beds. I was going to wear them tonight!" about that time he holds up his other "thong" and we realize what the hell he was talking about..... it was pretty fucking funny. but it's okay guys my Dad still calls them thongs too;)

^ did he find it?

Pretty much I wore flipflops 24/7.

I was in the middle of this massive gay block party in Madrid when my flipflops broke. Ohhhh that was a long walk home.

HAHAHA Yes he found it

Love my Bama walking sandals for walking all day, in all weathers. Not for serious hiking, obviously, but fine for a stroll through the woods.

Rossi hiking boots for hiking, they didn't require any breaking in.....sooo comfy, and they look pretty dressy with a pair of jeans so they're good for going out. And i did all my city strolling in my jandles, they gave me the best tan line on my feet i have ever seen.....good times :cheers:

I brought flip flops and Tevas and wore those almost exclusively, even did serious hiking in the Tevas. Nothing against shoes, but you can go for quite a while without having t do laundry if you dont have to wash socks. That was my main motivation.

So for summer trips, the consensus seems to be a comfortable pair of sandals will keep your feet feeling good enough?

Yep, should be fine, unless you're going to the Andes or something.

Yep, that's all i wore when i was in Europe in summer.