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You may not have given
much thought to your travel shoes, but your
shoes are one of the most important parts of
your clothing you will wear on your trip. You will probably be wearing your shoes everyday, so you want them to fit correctly, be comfortable
and well broken in.
When you travel, you will more than likely be walking much farther every day than you are used to. Being a tourist can be hard work. At the end of the day,
your legs and feet will more than likely be quite tired. Don't suffer
through your vacation wearing uncomfortable
shoes.
Some important features
to consider when purchasing your shoes are
described below.
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Important Features
to Consider |
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Style: |
We recommend a normal low/mid-high
ankle shoe, similar to a running shoe.
If you are not doing serious hiking, you
should not need a shoe that covers your
ankle. Ankle high shoes tend to be
heavier, bulkier and less comfortable
than a running style
shoe. You may also want to consider trail running/hiking shoes as they offer more support than your typical
running shoe. |
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Break In: |
It's very important
to properly break in your shoes.
Do not take this lightly. You will need to walk miles in new shoes to properly break them in. Wearing them to work or down the block to check your mailbox is not going to do it.
With all the walking you may do on your
trip, wearing shoes that are not broken
in can cause blisters and make your trip
miserable. |
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Waterproof: |
If your shoes get wet, your socks get wet and it
may take days for them to dry out. It’s no fun
putting on cold damp shoes to wear around all
day. There are other things to consider related to this under the 'Climate' topic. |
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Breathable: |
Don’t make the
mistake of purchasing shoes that are
waterproof but not breathable.
If shoes are not breathable, your feet can overheat and sweat making them very uncomfortable. |
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GORE-TEX®: |
Products
engineered with GORE-TEX® fabric are
durably waterproof and windproof,
combined with optimized breathability
and comfort. You will however pay much more for Gore-Tex shoes and clothing.
https://www.gore-tex.com
Gore-Tex Footwear |
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Climate: |
Think about your trip, the climate and where you will be walking. Will you be hiking on trails or primarily walking city streets? Is the weather predicted to be mostly hot and dry or cool and damp? Without bringing multiple pairs of shoes, find the shoe that is going to work the majority of the time.
Gore-Tex is generally much hotter in the summer. Because it is designed with a waterproof membrane, it restricts airflow and traps body heat, making it less breathable and more prone to causing sweaty, clammy conditions in warm weather.
In dry, high-heat conditions (90°F+), a non-waterproof, highly breathable fabric is vastly superior. Highly breathable material or shoes with mesh areas are going to be much more comfortable but may not provide as much support. If they get wet, they should dry out quicker than Gore-Tex shoes.
If you encounter wet conditions while wearing non-waterproof shoes, depending on where you are walking, you may want to consider removing your socks to keep them dry. |
Don’t skimp on your shoes,
expect to spend over $100 for high quality hiking/walking
shoes. If you can, make these shoes
dedicated to your travels. Once
you have broken in your shoes and have
returned from your travels, stow them
away in their box, waiting for their next
travel adventure. Your shoes will
become special for travel and by putting them on will put your mind in travel mode.
Some of the shoes we have worn on several trips are the North
Face Men's/Women's Hedgehog Fastpack GTX
Shoes. These have been awesome travel shoes that are waterproof, breathable and offer great support. We have noticed that our feet will get hot on summer trips walking on hot surfaces for extended periods of time. Something that is more breathable, perhaps with mesh would probably be more comfortable, but you would be sacrificing the waterproof quality.
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The North Face -
Men's/Women's Hedgehog Fastpack GTX |
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There are many different styles of shoes to choose from, so find the pair that works for you. Shop
around, visiting
your local stores. Try them on and make note of
the model, size and price. Once you have found
the ones you like, be sure to
check on-line for possible internet deals.
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