There is a common misconception that all Europeans wear fancy shoes and if you wear sneakers in Europe you’ll immediately be pegged as a tourist and be constantly accosted by roving hoards of pickpockets.
And this sends soon-to-be-travelers into a footwear-induced panic as they try to find the perfect pair of shoes that won’t make them the laughing stock of Europe.
Well, we have some news for you.
Europeans wear sneakers.
And no, they don’t wear high-heels and loafers made from the finest Italian leather every day.
They wear sneakers.
Nike. New Balance. Adidas. Puma. You’ll see these brands on the feet of both teenagers and middle-aged folks.
They’ve fully embraced sneakers. And they’ve fully embraced both white and brightly colored sneakers.
But here’s the thing… they don’t really wear straight-up athletic/running shoes—that’s still largely an American thing. Europeans stick to styles that walk the line between sport and style.
Yes, You Can Wear Sneakers In Europe
To prove my point, I took photos of people’s shoes when I was traveling around Spain and France. I’ve also written a guide to the best shoes for travel and a guide for the best travel shoes for women if you want some more footwear ideas.
These two young ladies looked fashionable in their brightly colored New Balance sneakers.
You can’t really go wrong with any of the New Balance Classics. Search around Zappos to see all the styles and colors.
Here we have white Adidas and yellow Reeboks (I’ve seen a lot of Reeboks recently during my recent travels). Check Zappos to see the styles and colors.
I saw a ton of white Adidas. I mean, it seems like basic white Adidas were the shoe of choice when I was traveling. Take a look at Zappos to see what similar styles are available.
The lady with the flowers has Adidas and this dude has some kind of casual sneakers (and some cool green pants). Search around Zappos to find something that fits your style.
Yes, people even wear Nike sneakers.
Like bright colors? Go for it.
Want More Footwear Advice?
Not into sneakers? We’ve written an in-depth guide to the best travel shoes that you might want to check out where we cover everything from boots to flats and everything in between.
James Feess is the creator of The Savvy Backpacker and the author of the book "The Savvy Backpacker's Guide To Europe On A Budget". He's been blogging about budget travel in Europe since 2010.
The Savvy Backpacker is reader-supported. That means when you buy products/services through links on the site, I may earn an affiliate commission—it doesn’t cost you anything extra and it helps support the site.
We show you that you can wear sneakers while traveling through Europe. There is a common misconception that all Europeans wear fancy shoes and if you wear sneakers in Europe you'll immediately be pegged as a tourist and be constantly accosted by roving hoards of pickpockets.
And you'll be walking for miles and miles. So you want comfortable shoes. And you want comfortable clothing that isn't restricting. You also want clothing that fits the season so light and airy during the hot summer and warm/water-resistant in the winter.
Yes, of course you can wear fashionable jeans in Paris, and sneakers as well. However, make sure your sneakers are what I call “sophisticated city sneakers”, not big white sneakers devoted to sport.
It all depends on the setting and your outfit - here is our advice: Casual Outings: Comfort is paramount for day-to-day activities. Sneakers, loafers, or comfortable sandals pair well with jeans, summer dresses, or even shorts. Business Meetings: Classic pumps or heeled loafers exude professionalism.
Skip the baseball caps, white socks, sneakers, large colorful backpacks, and fanny packs. Instead, opt for dark skinny jeans, plain shirts without logos, and leather shoes. Use tote bags or earth-toned simplistic bags if you really want to dress in France to fit in with the locals.
Wearing leggings as pants in Europe is generally acceptable, although it may vary depending on the specific country and cultural norms. In more conservative countries, such as certain parts of Italy or Spain, it is still more common to see leggings worn with longer tops or dresses to provide more coverage.
Sneakers (US) or trainers (UK), also known by a wide variety of other names, are shoes primarily designed for sports or other forms of physical exercise but which are also widely used for everyday casual wear.
The best footwear for going through TSA are slip-on, comfortable, and easy to remove, such as loafers or sneakers. Avoid styles with laces, buckles, or open toes.
What Brand Has The Most Comfortable Sneakers? “Anecdotally most of my patients either go with a Hoka, Brooks or New Balance,” says Dr. Tine. “Personally, I think Hoka and Brooks are the two best for overall comfort.”
Jon Caramanica, the resident sneakerhead of The New York Times, notes that sneaker silhouettes — like silhouettes in general — tend to be slimmer in Europe than in the United States, so swap your high-tops and other basketball shoes for low-top running shoes.
First, don't dress like a tourist. Wearing a fanny pack, a backpack, or clothing that references America, are prime examples of what not to wear while traveling in Europe. To not stand out as a tourist, wear what the locals wear--- neutral colors, scarves, and layers.
In Northern Europe, Scandinavia and the Baltics, it is considered unhygienic and rude by most to keep one's shoes on when entering a house, in particular boots or outdoor walking shoes.
Sneakers (US) or trainers (UK), also known by a wide variety of other names, are shoes primarily designed for sports or other forms of physical exercise but which are also widely used for everyday casual wear.
Introduction: My name is Pres. Carey Rath, I am a faithful, funny, vast, joyous, lively, brave, glamorous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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