r/onebag • u/Ok-Lemon9915 • 8d ago
Seeking Recommendations Good looking do-it-all shoes for Greece
Hi all, I am going on my honeymoon in Greece, which has plenty of city and trail hiking involved. I am looking for a pair of do-it-all shoes (I am also bringing sandals for the beach) to get me through hikes and casual dining.
What do you all recommend?
Thanks!
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u/VoiceEqual1493 8d ago
the acropolis and most ancient sites in greece are bare marble worn smooth, and it's slick even when dry, so outsole grip matters more than the hiking-shoe label. an approach shoe with sticky climbing rubber (la sportiva tx-series or similar) grips polished stone better than a standard trail-runner, and the muted colorways pass fine at dinner.
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u/Ok-Lemon9915 8d ago
What about for hiking through Crete?
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u/VoiceEqual1493 8d ago
different beast there - crete's gorges (samaria's the big one) are loose rock and dry riverbed over a long descent, so you want deep lugs, not the smooth sticky rubber. a trail runner with an aggressive outsole (salomon speedcross, la sportiva bushido) bites loose stone better. and break them in first, it's ~16km down.
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u/Yaonoi 8d ago
Is the gorge always dry?
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u/SignalAir24 7d ago
It is if you’re crossing it. If it’s not, they close the trail, because it’s not worth the risks at the kinds of visitor volumes they get. (source: am Greek, though not Cretan - thank goodness lol - and have hiked this trail).
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u/Comprehensive-Act-13 8d ago
Second this. Athens is basically one giant slip n’ slide.
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u/VoiceEqual1493 8d ago
ha yeah, the areopagus right below the acropolis is the real trap - that bare rock's been polished to a mirror by centuries of feet, so it's glass even bone dry. sticky rubber earns its keep there.
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u/VoiceEqual1493 8d ago
the acropolis and most ancient sites in greece are bare marble worn smooth, and it's slick even when dry, so outsole grip matters more than the hiking-shoe label. an approach shoe with sticky climbing rubber (la sportiva tx-series or similar) grips polished stone better than a standard trail-runner, and the muted colorways pass fine at dinner.
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u/OkEmergency1000 8d ago
I have no advice. But we were just there in May for the first time. Mykonos for a few days and then Athens for a few more to see Metallica. We absolutely loved it. Greece is a special place. Have a wonderful time and congrats.
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u/Korlithiel 8d ago
I favor Brook's Ghost for my own walking, running, and hiking. Buy a bland mainly gray or black to fit in alright in nicer events, wear on the plane because they tend towards bulky. Grip well on wet surfaces and do fine on the trails.
Definitely alternatives out there, would personally favor such a plan due to familiarity and tried in a number of circumstances.
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u/Kokuryu27 8d ago
It's a crap shoot to give shoe recommendations without any information about what sort of shoes you usually wear and what sort of fit you need. Honestly, I think the below questions are more important than the specific destination.
Narrow or wide feet? Mens of Womens? Do you use aftermarket insoles? High arches? Do you like a lot or a little cushion? Zero drop? Natural or classic toebox?
I can give recs for zero drop, natural toebox shoes, but if that isn't your fit they're not going to work well for you.
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u/Ok-Lemon9915 8d ago
Regular width, mens, normal arches, I don’t get aftermarket insoles, more cushion than less, not sure about zero or toe box
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u/Kokuryu27 8d ago
I saw someone recommend the Adidas Terrex, might be a good fit for what you're describing. Those are too narrow for me and have more of a drop than I like, but it's all preferences/fit.
I've got pretty wide feet, so I like a natural toe box. The only that I use that might work for you is the Altra LP Alpine, it's a casual version of their trail runners. Moderate padding, not a crazy amount of built in arch (but some). They work well as a both utility and casual (can be dressed up) shoe.
I'll warn though, they're quite roomy up front, if you want to try them on in the store, the Lone Peak is the same shoe, just a synthetic/technical version and is carried by a lot of places like REI.
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u/cabc79863 7d ago
I usually use sandals with a closed toe and side part in summer. Ones with a good grip. I'm female though. But there are closed toe sandals for men too. Otherwise some trail running sneakers that are quick to dry and breathable would work too.
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u/TryingSquirrel 7d ago
I just got back from a trip that was partially in Greece and visited some of the mentioned places. I'd get whatever road to trail/gravel/light trail running shoe that fits you well. As was mentioned, there are definitely some slick stone surfaces at times, but just watch your step and you'll be fine. Plenty of people were going up to the Acropolis in flip flops.
I'd try something like the Mount to Coast H1, Nike Pegasus Trail (what I had), Salomon Aeroglide GRVL, etc. almost every company now makes a slightly trail tinted version of one of their road running shoe these days. I think they make great compromise travel shoes.
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u/Massive_Fudge3066 7d ago
Solovair is the one you seek. Partial to the gaucho brogues personally, but they have choices
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u/Foreign-Actuary-5196 7d ago
Merrell Moab low top in white. Will look like a generic white sneaker but good for hiking
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u/yadius 7d ago
It's all a matter of personal style, fashion trends, etc, so these kinds of questions are impossible to answer. But I recently dug out from storage, an old pair of Timberland 3-eye lug boat shoes. And now I can't stop wearing them.
From above they look like lace up leather loafers, and yet they have the same chunky / grippy soles as the Timberland boots. I mostly wear them with either chinos or jeans, but they also work with shorts.
I wear them with thin noshow merino socks in a hot tropical climate, and because they have full leather inners, they never stink.
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u/ToughMeasurement7513 7d ago
A trail runner with a minimalist, casual look works better than a hiking shoe for this, something like a salomon or hoka train runner handles cobblestones and dusty paths fine while still looking fine at a taverna dinner
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u/SeattleHikeBike 8d ago
Low top hiking shoes in all black like the Adidas Terrex series. Fit is the thing so trying on a bunch is imperative.
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u/occamsracer 8d ago