I like to alternate between sneakers and sandals.  I wear sneakers when I’m hiking or traveling (so I don’t have to fit them in the pack) and sandals when I’m sightseeing.  If you hit a spell of cold, wet weather (possible at any time, almost anywhere in Europe, even in mid-summer) you will appreciate spare shoes.   

However, you could get by with just sandals if they’re sturdy enough that you can wear them all day when you’re toting your pack over cobblestones, up stairs, up hill, etc. 

I didn’t think so until I was caught in a gale in Perugia last week.  It went from 22 deg C to 14 deg C in a few minutes, poured and blew like hell.  I was one sorry drowned rat, with nothing but sandals on.  So much for 11 years of travelling to italy with just sandals.

It might be that some churches/museums will require closed toed shoes. I know the shoulder covering is often mandatory, but feet?

Assuming your North Face sandals are somewhat waterproof or at least will not be ruined by rain, I’d say that’s enough.  It’s not worth the extra weight and space that an extra pair of shoes will take up on the off chance that it will get cold, especially in Western Europe. 

You will however probably experience some rain, there tend to be showers from time to time depending on where you are traveling, so your shoes need to be able to recover quickly from that, you don’t want to be stuck walking in squishy shoes. 

If you are still wanting to pack sneakers, I would pack a sneaker hybrid type shoe that doesn’t look too “sneakery”, such as these styles:

This Privo style combines sneaker elements for comfort with a ballet flat style
[image]http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k50/josiesing/1396-353399-d.jpg[/image]
Same idea with these from cid=63875” class=“bb-url”>Merrell
[image]http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k50/josiesing/95349_200_45.jpg[/image]
I don’t know what you’re travel wardrobe consists of but these are versatile, and comfortable, and will provide
plenty of traction in the rain.

As for entering churches sandals are acceptable.  Bare shoulders and short shorts are not.  At some churches knees must be covered as well. 

Other footwear options include wedge sandals.  Check out Travelista for other footwear and travel clothing advice. 

If I take one pair of shoes only, my feet are sure to complain, after a few 10 or 15-mile days. So I take two pairs.

I always take 2 pair. One sandle and one walking/runner shoe. Last year I took 3 pairs! One was a set of flip flops that had beads that made it a little dressier. They were nice to put on in the evening.

definitely a pair of half-decent looking trainers / shoes or you will have a lot of doors closed for you in europe, especially in nightlife

Thanks guys! I bought a good pair of black sneakers…I leave tonight…I’m nervous but excited…I’ll let everyone know how it went in August!!!

For summer or warm weather, I travel with 2 pair: 1 nice looking nylon trainers (I have some grey and black Nikes). They’re very light and are good for light off-trail trekking, and they take pavement-pounding really well; plus 1 pair of sandals. The only situation this does not work is with some clubs and nicer restaurants, but I’m getting past my clubbing years…. If I travel in winter, then I take sturdier dark leather shoes instead of the trainers. Shoes are heavy—so limiting to what’s only necessary is key, and having a 2nd pair in case the first decide to come apart, or get soaked with rain or mud, is also key.