Shoes

I cannot stress the importance of proper footwear enough when it comes to travel. The wrong pair of shoes can create disastrous consequences, while the right pair will probably go unnotice. If traveling with the right pair you probably won't recall how comfortable you were, but with the wrong pair all you will remember about your trip was how long the walks and lines were and how many steps you had to climb.

For my own trips I tend to bring two pairs. the first pair is a dressier shoe that I can comfortably walk in, wear with shorts, or pair with khakis for more formal dining. The second is a sportier casual shoe, sneaker, or even sandal (closed toe), that provides greater comfort for those days when my feet are really hurting. I tend to pack the casual shoe since it is lighter and therefore slightly easier on my back at the airport.

For my upcoming trip I've purchased a pair of Columbia Andrew casual dress shoes (in the stout color), which is "a stylish loafer with slipper-like comfort" (Columbia Sportswear, 2010, Product Description). According to Columbia. Sportswear (2010), "the versatile Andrew specializes in seamless transitions from the office ot the great outdoors" (Product Description).




The second pair of footwear I  will be bringing is a combination sneaker/sandal from Sports Authority that offers the support and traction of a sneaker with the air circulation of sandals in a very lightweight package.

I recommend a sufficient break in period for your shoes before using them for travel. I find two months to be a good duration. That way you don't take a pair of untested footwear out without knowing how they feel or if they rub your feet (a properly fitted pair of shoes/sneakers should not rub). I like to alternate between my two pairs while I go on neighborhood walks with my family.