If it is a summer trip, I always bring one good pair of sandals, and something closed toe.
But that’s summer.

I was in France last May (including Paris), for three weeks, and it was chilly at times, but my trip was late April into May. I agonized packing for that trip, too. Transitional seasons have their charms, but not for all women backpackers.
I usually bring two pairs of shoes.
That trip, I brought 3, and lived to regret it when I was schlepping them around in my backpack.
I had Keen mary janes, nice closed toe Riekers, shoes, and another pair of Riekers. The Keens were fine, but the second Riekers were sort of a juarache style and turned out to be way too summery for the weather. We did get a bit of rain and it would seem gloomy, but then the sun would come out and it was great, but still not summer weather.

I usually alternate between sandals and some sort of sneaker. Cil’s right about May, it could be uncomfortably cool for sandals as your only footwear at the beginning of your trip.

That’s what I’m thinking, oldlady. And I’m cold-natured anyway. I’ll continue the search for the perfect closed-toe shoe. This would be so much easier if I liked to shop at all, which I don’t. In fact, I hate hate hate shopping.
Thanks.

Okay, I just bought some Ecco Glory Tie sneakers. They are by far the most comfortable shoes I’ve tried on. I can’t say it didn’t hurt shelling out the money for them, but I think my feet will thank me. I think they’re pretty cute. I live in my Chucks when I’m at home, so these are actually a little fancy for me. Do you think they’re too sneakery for Europe? I might actually go get those sandles, too, for my second pair of shoes, since they’re so light and would pack pretty flat.

I think the ecco glory are perfect. I wear a similar looking skeetcher. I try to avoid white and running or court shoes with the thick clunky soles — two clues that instantly identify you as an American.

Yeah, white Reeboks —> definitely American tourists

Ick. The only time I ever wear athletic shoes is when I’m exercising and even then they’re never white. The only person I know who still wears white rebocks is my grandmother and she has them because she’s a nurse.

They look fine to me, Moo.
I once tromped through Scotland in a pair of Eccos.
Perhaps white sneakers are European anathema, but not athletic shoes, period—when we met up with my kid and his Parisian girlfriend, she had on a cute pair of azure blue sneakers.