Most shoe mistakes are quiet. Mine, unfortunately, was not.

Somewhere around month two of wearing my Quince platform sandals every week, they made a noise.

The noise. The one kids make with their hand and their armpit. Pfffft. On a quiet San Miguel street. In public. While I kept a straight face like it wasn't me. While everyone thought I was going on a "fart walk" 🤣

It doesn't happen all the time which is weird. But me and my husband both laugh every single time.

Now, the honest part:

I tested these sandals extensively before they ever made the trip, and they passed every test that actually counts.

✅ Comfy for hours? Yes.

✅ Steady on cobblestones? Yes.

✅ Match all my outfits? Yes.

The farting sound only showed up months later, and you know what, it does not matter. A funny noise here and there won't ruin your trip.

But a blister will. A slippery sole on wet stone will. The pair that only goes with one outfit will.

Those are the real shoe mistakes, and almost none of them show up until you're already deep into a city you flew very far to enjoy.

These platform sandals are also proof of the opposite.

They're one of three pairs I packed for eight months on the road. I've worn them non-stop since January.

I actually won't even see my actual closet until the end of August, so I still have some time with them.

When you live in the same three pairs for that long, every single one has to earn its place.

A noisy one, apparently, is allowed 😅 But a useless one is not.

So let's make sure your three pairs earn their place too. Starting with the mistake nobody warns you about ❌

The most important thing to know about shoes: The best shoe for me might be a nightmare for you. Truly.

Shoes are even more personal than clothes! Here are a few things that change what's right for you:

• The shape of your foot (wide or narrow, high arch or flat)
• How you walk/step (some of us roll our feet inward, some outward, which changes the type of support you need)
• How much room your toes want to spread out, whether your feet swell on long travel days or in the heat (mine do), and any history like plantar fasciitis, foot surgery, etc.

So please use everything below as a starting point, not gospel. Then test them on your own two feet.

This is me sharing what to think about so you can pick the right shoes for YOU.

⚠️ Please remember that if you have the Quince app and are reading my emails on mobile, there's an issue on their end at the moment. If you click on any Quince links inside this email, it will take you to their homepage. But the links are correct, and if you open them on your desktop/laptop instead, you should be able to see the product I'm linking to. I'm so sorry for the inconvenience.

1️⃣ Your everyday walking shoe (the one you'll basically live in)

This is your MVP. Travel days, sightseeing, 15,000 steps, those gorgeous but brutal cobblestone streets in Europe.

For a lot of people that's a clean leather or canvas sneaker.

• My pick is my own Quince Italian leather sneakers. They're comfy, wipe clean, and go with dresses, linen pants, shorts, all of it.
• If you want something a little more fashion-forward, the Veja Campo sneakers have a flexible sole that handles cobblestones well.
• If you have wider feet or need real arch support, look into the Ecco Soft 7. They have a roomier toe box and support built right in (see why I made you read that personal-fit part?).
• The brand Dansko (yes, the clog brand, the ones who make shoes built for being on your feet all day) has a really cute pair of everyday sneakers in beautiful colors!

I compared nine of my favorites by personal style in this post about the best walking shoes for Europe if you want to go deeper on sneakers and walking shoes.

2️⃣ A sandal you can dress up (dinners and nights out)

This is where I'd steer you away from a plain flat leather sandal if you're heading somewhere with cobblestones.

I only travel with these when I know there will be no cobblestones in sight! Trust me, please. I almost ate 💩 so many times with my cute flat leather sandals in Lake Como 2 years ago. I don't want the same for you!

They're pretty, but the smooth soles get slippery on cobblestones and wet tile, and the last thing you want is to go down on your way to dinner. My recommendation instead:

• The VIVAIA Arch Pro slide sandals. They look polished enough for dinner but have real arch support and a grippier sole, so they're kinder to your feet and safer on uneven streets. They have a bunch of styles on sale right now!​
• Dansko has definitely stepped up their game with sandals as well. Some personal favorites are: The Jacklyn (also in black) | The Jodie | The Cass
• If you want a more relaxed vibe, espadrilles are lovely for easy evenings. Just know they're not built for big walking days and they don't love rain, so think of them as a "nice dinner, then home" shoe. Think about your own trip and whether they would work for you.
• Birkenstock also has dressier styles nowadays. I'm a huge fan!

3️⃣ A casual OR beach sandal (your optional third pair)

Only pack this if your trip actually calls for it. If you're doing beaches, pools, boat days, or you just want a comfy slip-on for slower days, here are three to consider depending on your style/needs:

• For all-day comfort that molds to your feet, the classic leather Birkenstocks (or the more affordable Quince Nappa slides).
• For anything wet, Birkenstock's waterproof EVA styles rinse clean and weigh nothing. (I always have one pair of these on my travel shoe rotation)
• And for cute and versatile water sandals, the Reef Water Vista (I have these in light pink and love them) or the Water Willow style, depending on the look you want. Both of these are better than flip flops in my humble opinion. Nothing against flip flops, but these are way more versatile and that's what we want around here when we travel 😉

Real proof this works (and not just for me):

My in-laws visited us in San Miguel, and I have to brag on my mother-in-law for a second.

She's 5'9", this was a 10-day trip, it was a mix of business and pleasure, and there was no laundry. She nailed it with one carry-on and NO personal item!

Her three pairs? Leather ballerina flats, white sneakers (Keds), and casual sandals. That's it.

Other things she packed? A fancier dress she wore to two different business meetings. Plus, 2 versatile ones she wore for dinners with us and for everyday explorations (this Quince one and the trusty Columbia Freezer dress)

Plus 1 pair of shorts, three pairs of pants, six tops, two pashminas, and toiletries and stuff.

Everything mixed. Nothing was dead weight. I was proud! 👏🏼

I'm sharing this because I want you to see that it's not just me. And she proved the exact thing I'm always telling you: you don't need more shoes, you need the right three. Tested, comfy, and able to work with everything else in your bag.

Okay, go try on your shoes. Walk around in them. And listen closely... you never know what they're hiding 😉

XO,

Aimara

PS: I know it's fun to shop for new shoes, but your best travel shoes might be hiding in your closet! Please don't travel with new shoes without testing them first. If shopping, give yourself 4-8 weeks to truly break them in BEFORE your trip.

👟 More shoe-related articles:

• ​The Best Walking Shoes for Europe​
• ​The Best Shoes for Cold Weather Travel​
• ​5 Different Shoe Options I've Packed For Summer in Europe​