Shoes for "clubbing" (aka fancy footwork) - Page 2

Texan · Mar 03, 2010, 11:14 PM

I think it just depends on how important style is to you. Some people care about it more/less than others. Shoes take up space and add weight. If you're ok with that, pack 'em. If not, leave 'em at home. But definitely pack your bag before the final pack to leave. That will let you know what you have and how cumbersome it is or isn't gonna be to haul it around Europe.

elly_mac · Mar 04, 2010, 04:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaaryn

Heh, yeah, but dressy sandals are not practical to have on a backpacking trip. Both pairs of shoes you bring need to be comfortable for long periods of walking.

they are not dressy as such, the closest to dressy they are are four studs :P but they are quite comfortable and i would prefer to wear them raher than thongs around

Kaaryn · Mar 04, 2010, 12:09 PM

Heh, well I don't suggest thongs as a good walking shoe either.

Thongs/flip-flops make good shower shoes, but that is it. My travel sandals are sport sandals.

elly_mac · Mar 05, 2010, 05:45 AM

yeah, i was not going to use them for walking...unless im going to a beach. i have a pair of teva which would be good...but i would need to break them in...even though i have had them for almost a year....

Kaaryn · Mar 05, 2010, 12:35 PM

Tevas are great--that is what I bring. I do not advise bringing a pair of shoes just for dress up, it just isn't practical and really as a backpacker you shouldn't really need those often enough to warrant bringing them.

cruella_tkill · Mar 05, 2010, 01:18 PM

http://www.keencanada.ca/product/ss1...d/naples/quill

I am a huge fan of Keen shoes and I ended up buying these sandals to take with me. The sole is similar to the shoes and sports sandals in that it's cushy and it's meant to be walked in. But the straps make these sandals easy to dress up with a skirt. I've been wearing them around the house to break them in and they are super comfy.

Texan · Mar 05, 2010, 07:51 PM

As long as you have a comfy pair to walk in, they're not gonna ruin your trip. Unless you're planning on bringing combat boots, an extra pair of shoes/sandals isn't going to make your pack unbearable.

I think some people take offense to, and advise other against, overpacking because it doesn't fit into the minimalist's idea of "backpacking". I also think your gut is your best tool when traveling abroad. If you think you won't need, or can live without, an item then don't bring it.

For solo travelers this is likely to be the first time they've ever spent completely out of their element and alone, if you need to at least be able to dress in your own style to be comfortable, then an extra few pounds is defintiely worth it!

Noah · Mar 05, 2010, 09:26 PM

I advise against it because I've traveled with girls who packed to much, and it made their trip quite unbearable. The guys ended up having to carry our packs and theirs because they simply could not carry them. A little weight goes a long way, and those extra things add up very quickly. Backpacks are not as big as you think, so it's important so be smart about what you bring. I could care less whether someone overpacks or not, but I want everyone here to enjoy their experience in Europe, so this is why I make suggestions. I don't take offense to how anyone travels, but there are things to keep in mind. I do take offense to your comments Texan, so please be more considerate of those of us who take time to help people have memorable trips.

Kaaryn · Mar 06, 2010, 02:24 PM

The thing is, you want/need everything you pack to be multi-functional. So bringing shoes you can only wear to a club/fancy place is just not practical. You also want to have two pairs of shoes you can comfortably walk long distances in because it benefits your feet to not wear the same pair of shoes everyday. It also gives you a back-up pair to wear if one pair gets all wet/muddy and needs time to dry.

Mike · Mar 06, 2010, 05:50 PM

I would say if anything is worth packing extra it would be shoes. Other stuff, like shirts and pants, underwear, socks, whatever - pack minimally and if you need to buy stuff while you're there, whatever.

Shoes though, you don't want to be breaking in a new pair of shoes while on vacation. I agree with Texan in that if not having your shoes will be a problem for you, then bring them.

That being said - I will echo Kaaryn and Noah's comments - that full pack can start to get pretty damned heavy.

My first trip to Europe I brought everything I could possibly ever need. My pack was enormous. I hated it so much that my next trip I went with only a carryon size pack. Basically a schoolbag type backpack. And having so little weight to carry around was easily the biggest improvement from my previous trip.

First trip - I dreaded the walk from the train station to the hotel/hostel. Last trip - didn't bother me one way or the other if I could drop off my pack or not. Might not sound like a big deal, but trust me, it was awesome. My wife felt the same. She also had a huge pack and I managed to convince her to only bring a small pack last time...well, no question for her either. No checked bags for us ever again.

Mar 03, 2010, 11:14 PM	#11
Texan Righteous Rambler Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 155	I think it just depends on how important style is to you. Some people care about it more/less than others. Shoes take up space and add weight. If you're ok with that, pack 'em. If not, leave 'em at home. But definitely pack your bag before the final pack to leave. That will let you know what you have and how cumbersome it is or isn't gonna be to haul it around Europe. __________________ “I am not an Athenian or a Greek, but a citizen of the world.” - Socrates Just started this profile: http://www.travbuddy.com/ctibb

Mar 05, 2010, 07:51 PM	#17
Texan Righteous Rambler Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 155	As long as you have a comfy pair to walk in, they're not gonna ruin your trip. Unless you're planning on bringing combat boots, an extra pair of shoes/sandals isn't going to make your pack unbearable. I think some people take offense to, and advise other against, overpacking because it doesn't fit into the minimalist's idea of "backpacking". I also think your gut is your best tool when traveling abroad. If you think you won't need, or can live without, an item then don't bring it. For solo travelers this is likely to be the first time they've ever spent completely out of their element and alone, if you need to at least be able to dress in your own style to be comfortable, then an extra few pounds is defintiely worth it! __________________ “I am not an Athenian or a Greek, but a citizen of the world.” - Socrates Just started this profile: http://www.travbuddy.com/ctibb

Mar 05, 2010, 09:26 PM	#18
Noah World Traveler Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Southwest Michigan Posts: 4,177	I advise against it because I've traveled with girls who packed to much, and it made their trip quite unbearable. The guys ended up having to carry our packs and theirs because they simply could not carry them. A little weight goes a long way, and those extra things add up very quickly. Backpacks are not as big as you think, so it's important so be smart about what you bring. I could care less whether someone overpacks or not, but I want everyone here to enjoy their experience in Europe, so this is why I make suggestions. I don't take offense to how anyone travels, but there are things to keep in mind. I do take offense to your comments Texan, so please be more considerate of those of us who take time to help people have memorable trips. __________________ “If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people, you might better stay home” -- James A. Michener See where I've been: http://www.travbuddy.com/Nzelvis

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Mar 04, 2010, 12:09 PM	#13
Kaaryn Travel Goddess Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 3,435	Heh, well I don't suggest thongs as a good walking shoe either. Thongs/flip-flops make good shower shoes, but that is it. My travel sandals are sport sandals.

Mar 05, 2010, 05:45 AM	#14
elly_mac Righteous Rambler Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 169	yeah, i was not going to use them for walking...unless im going to a beach. i have a pair of teva which would be good...but i would need to break them in...even though i have had them for almost a year....

Mar 05, 2010, 12:35 PM	#15
Kaaryn Travel Goddess Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 3,435	Tevas are great--that is what I bring. I do not advise bringing a pair of shoes just for dress up, it just isn't practical and really as a backpacker you shouldn't really need those often enough to warrant bringing them.

Mar 05, 2010, 01:18 PM	#16
cruella_tkill Typical Tourist Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Saskatoon, SK, Canada Posts: 20	http://www.keencanada.ca/product/ss1...d/naples/quill I am a huge fan of Keen shoes and I ended up buying these sandals to take with me. The sole is similar to the shoes and sports sandals in that it's cushy and it's meant to be walked in. But the straps make these sandals easy to dress up with a skirt. I've been wearing them around the house to break them in and they are super comfy.

Mar 06, 2010, 02:24 PM	#19
Kaaryn Travel Goddess Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 3,435	The thing is, you want/need everything you pack to be multi-functional. So bringing shoes you can only wear to a club/fancy place is just not practical. You also want to have two pairs of shoes you can comfortably walk long distances in because it benefits your feet to not wear the same pair of shoes everyday. It also gives you a back-up pair to wear if one pair gets all wet/muddy and needs time to dry.

Mar 06, 2010, 05:50 PM	#20
Mike Bodacious Backpacker Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Moncton, New Brunswick Posts: 604	I would say if anything is worth packing extra it would be shoes. Other stuff, like shirts and pants, underwear, socks, whatever - pack minimally and if you need to buy stuff while you're there, whatever. Shoes though, you don't want to be breaking in a new pair of shoes while on vacation. I agree with Texan in that if not having your shoes will be a problem for you, then bring them. That being said - I will echo Kaaryn and Noah's comments - that full pack can start to get pretty damned heavy. My first trip to Europe I brought everything I could possibly ever need. My pack was enormous. I hated it so much that my next trip I went with only a carryon size pack. Basically a schoolbag type backpack. And having so little weight to carry around was easily the biggest improvement from my previous trip. First trip - I dreaded the walk from the train station to the hotel/hostel. Last trip - didn't bother me one way or the other if I could drop off my pack or not. Might not sound like a big deal, but trust me, it was awesome. My wife felt the same. She also had a huge pack and I managed to convince her to only bring a small pack last time...well, no question for her either. No checked bags for us ever again.