Favorite pair of shoes - Page 2 - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

DutchMonkey · 04-11-2008, 10:53 PM

I'm not a tennis shoe/sneaker person but about a year ago I ran across some awesome Skechers Bikers-Straightaway and they are almost all I wear now! They have elastic instead of shoe strings so you can just slip them on and go...plus they are so cute!

They are so comfortable and really slim and low profile which makes them great for going out in. I hike in them in Germany and I was fine there too.

**mollymore** · 04-12-2008, 07:17 PM

I'm going to wear my all black etnies skate shoes to europe. they are super comfy with custom orthotics but maybe a little warm in may/june, although it's what I wear at home all summer. I thought about getting a cheap pair of flip flops to take too but maybe that's something I could find there? or if these shoes suck or give out, they are worn to the point where I could ditch them and get something while I'm there.

Molly

**blinkchick2134** · 04-14-2008, 08:56 AM

I have three pairs of shoes to my name...well four if you count the pair of dress shoes in the footlocker at my ma's.

Teva slip-ons: I hiked up Chirripo in Costa Rica in them. After I got back though and wore my boots for a while they seem tight now. I may put them back into circulation once I get back to Missouri, where I left them in February. http://www.teva.com/ProductDetails.a...115&model=Shay

Columbia hiking boots: I love them. Roomy, supportive, warm, water resistant, durable. <3

Rope sandals: We make them at the intentional community I live/d at in Missouri. Much better than flip-flops, although they smell when they get wet. http://www.ozarksandals.com/pictures/footsandal.jpg

clanshrapnel · 12-01-2008, 08:41 AM

I've always liked my pair of prada sneakers. Sure, they're like $100 or so if you look on ebay, but they may be one of the most comfortable pairs of sneakers you will ever wear. Not only that, but they last long, too. Durability can make it worth it alone.

**ScarlotteDorian** · 12-01-2008, 02:21 PM

sort of on the subject, but does anyone know of good running shoes? mine are killing me since i started adding mileage to my running program.

**jengt** · 12-01-2008, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScarlotteDorian

sort of on the subject, but does anyone know of good running shoes? mine are killing me since i started adding mileage to my running program.

Beth,
Check around for a GOOD running store. It's hard to tell anybody what kind of shoes to get since everyone's feet are different. We've got a running store here in Cbus (Frontrunner) that's great. They make you try on anywhere from 3-6 different shoes. When you've narrowed it down to a couple you like they tell you to go outside & run in them. It really helps to be sure the shoe fits. I've never been to a shoe store that wants people to use their shoes before they buy them. I'll never go anywhere else for my running shoes now.

clanshrapnel · 12-01-2008, 03:17 PM

Definitely go to a good running store and try to get what's called a gait analysis. That will help determine what type of running shoe you should buy (protonation in your feet means you need additional support). I wouldn't look for the 'latest and greatest', ... they're usually just rip offs. Plus if you do mileage runs, your sneakers are gonna be done in 500 miles, anyway... who cares how fancy they look since you're gonna dump them soon, anyway?

**ScarlotteDorian** · 12-01-2008, 04:24 PM

^thanks for advice guys. i'm saving $$ for the shoes right now. i save one dollar for every mile i run. at 100, i figure i'll be able to buy a good pair of shoes. only 50 miles left, so maybe by january i can replace my sneakers. i actually think there is a frontrunner here, i'll head there then.

my feet don't hurt, i just get weird bleeding on my big toe. gross, i know, but more than being cute, i want to take care of my feet here. i just have to tape up my feet now.

who knew shoes were so important.

polarbear · 12-01-2008, 09:19 PM

Go lite! i have a pair and i love em for running. i use em for trails and for running around my neighborhood. Super light, super comfy, and good grip. some of the best arch support ever.

http://www.golite.com/footwear/

**mbo108** · 12-02-2008, 04:46 AM

I agree with everything people said about going to a dedicated running store to get fitted. If you're really worried about money go and find the shoe and fit you like and then go home and try to find them on the internet for cheaper (although I would just buy them there since the people helped out you so much).

I've actually returned running shoes that I put 20 miles on. It was because of the fact that I was a regular customer that they let me do this. After a few runs what I thought was the "break-in" process was really just an uncomfortable fit that I hadn't noticed in the store. They told me next time to make sure I do my first few runs on the treadmill, that way they usually will take them back if there's no noticeable wear/tear. I would check to see if your store has a similar policy.

**maracle** · 12-02-2008, 05:12 AM

Make sure to bring the shoes you usually walk in and run in to the store as well. When I bought my running shoes at a running store in Austin they watched my gait but also checked how the soles of my regular shoes were wearing and recommended a shoe based on that (I tend to pronate a bit).