6 Best Shoes for Walking in Europe in 2026

The best shoes for walking in Europe grip wet cobblestone and hold up over long city days. They don't take up half your carry-on. The Merrell Moab 3 and Hoka Transport lead on grip. The Salomon X Ultra 4 GTX and Hoka Kaha 2 Low GTX add waterproofing. The New Balance 990v6 gives the most casual look, and the ASICS Gel-Kayano 33 covers stability.

Old European city centers are built on stone, not asphalt. Cobblestones, worn marble steps, and centuries-old sidewalks are rounded and uneven. They get slick fast in rain. A shoe built for a flat American sidewalk often struggles on that kind of surface.

Every shoe below is a real, current model, checked against the listing we link to.

#1. Merrell Moab 3: best all-around cobblestone grip

Merrell Moab 3 (Men's)

Our verdict:

Best all-around cobblestone grip

Best for travelers whose trip mixes old-town cobblestone streets with day trips to castles or countryside towns.

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• Pigskin leather and mesh upper
• Vibram TC5+ outsole with 5mm lugs
• Bellows tongue keeps out debris
• Removable, contoured insole with arch support

Keep in mind: it looks more like an outdoor shoe than a city sneaker.

Product details checked September 2026

The Moab 3 runs a Vibram TC5+ outsole, a rubber compound made just for Merrell. It has a 5mm lug height and an 11.5mm heel-to-toe drop. Those deep lugs bite into rounded cobblestones better than a flat street-sneaker sole. Merrell also sells the Moab 3 in a dedicated wide-width build, not just a half-size-up substitute.

Underfoot, Merrell adds an Air Cushion in the heel, a light EVA midsole and a molded nylon arch shank for stability. The Kinetic Fit ADVANCED insole comes out, so you can use your own orthotic. The upper is pigskin leather and mesh, with a bellows tongue that keeps grit out and a protective toe cap. Merrell lists a men's pair at about 2 lb 4 oz, which is normal for a hiking-style shoe.

Fit and sizing: the Moab 3 runs true to size for most people but is snugger through the toes than the Hoka picks. If your feet are wide or swell on long days, try the wide build rather than sizing up.

It looks more like an outdoor shoe than a city sneaker, so factor that into how much you care about blending in.

#2. Hoka Transport: grip and a casual sneaker shape

Hoka Transport (Men's)

Our verdict:

Grip and a casual sneaker shape

Best for guys who want a shoe that looks close enough to a casual sneaker for city wear but grips like something built for rougher ground.

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• Vibram EcoStep Natural rubber outsole
• Abrasion-resistant Cordura upper with a water-repellent finish
• EVA midsole made with 30 percent sugarcane
• Quick-toggle laces, spare standard laces and reflective details

Keep in mind: its upper resists light rain but isn't a fully waterproof shoe.

Product details checked October 2026

Hoka built the Transport specifically as a walking shoe, and its outsole reflects that.

It uses Vibram EcoStep Natural rubber with real lugs. That makes it a useful choice for routes that leave paved streets. Wet marble still calls for short, careful steps.

Hoka lists a 4mm drop for the original Transport. Its EVA midsole uses 30 percent sugarcane. Try the shoe on your normal walks first if a low drop is new to you.

If most of your trip is old-town walking with cobblestones as the main surface, this is one of the better-balanced picks here for looks and grip.

The upper is abrasion-resistant Cordura fabric and a PFC-free water-repellent finish, which sheds a light shower. The midsole is 30 percent sugarcane-based EVA. A quick-toggle stretch lace lets you slip it on and off, and Hoka includes traditional laces too. Reflective details all round help on a walk back after dark.

Fit and sizing: Hoka's sizing runs close to a running shoe. Most people take their usual size.

#3. Salomon X Ultra 4 GTX: waterproof grip for rainy trips

Salomon X Ultra 4 GTX (Men's)

Our verdict:

Waterproof grip for rainy trips

Best for travelers heading into a rainy season, or anyone whose trip mixes wet cobblestone city days with countryside walks.

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• Gore-Tex waterproof membrane
• Contragrip MA outsole with chevron lugs
• Quicklace pull-cord lacing system

Keep in mind: it runs heavier than the sneaker-style picks on this list.

Product details checked September 2026

The X Ultra 4 GTX pairs a Gore-Tex waterproof membrane with Salomon's Contragrip MA rubber outsole. Chevron-shaped lugs bite into loose or uneven ground, while still handling dry, hard-packed streets. The shoe uses a Quicklace pull-cord system instead of traditional laces. A small pocket in the tongue tucks away the excess cord.

The Gore-Tex membrane is a real, tested waterproof barrier. The Contragrip outsole comes from a brand whose whole business is outdoor traction.

Salomon builds it with what it calls Descent Control Technology, meant for steady footing on the way down. That matters on the steep stone lanes of hill towns in Italy and Portugal, where the downhill is harder than the climb.

Fit and sizing: Salomon's hiking shoes tend to run a little narrow through the midfoot. If your feet are wide, try them on before you buy. The pull-cord laces make a snug, even fit easy, which helps on long descents.

#4. Hoka Kaha 2 Low GTX: waterproof grip for wet piazzas

Hoka Kaha 2 Low GTX (Men's)

Our verdict:

Waterproof grip for wet piazzas

Best for anyone traveling in a wetter season or spending real time on stone stairs, wet piazzas, or unpaved paths.

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• Gore-Tex waterproof upper
• Recycled polyester face fabric with leather
• Vibram Megagrip outsole for wet terrain

Keep in mind: it's a heavier, bulkier shoe than the others on this list because of its hiking-shoe build.

Product details checked October 2026

The Kaha 2 Low GTX combines a Vibram Megagrip outsole with a Gore-Tex waterproof upper. Megagrip is one of the highest-traction rubber compounds Vibram makes. The upper is built from recycled polyester face fabric and leather. That combination is built for wet, loose, or uneven ground, which describes a lot of European cobblestone streets after rain.

It's not the pick for someone trying to travel with minimal shoe weight. But if your trip dates mean real rain is likely, the extra weight buys real dry-foot comfort.

Hoka lists the Gore-Tex fabric's face as 71 percent recycled polyester. The Kaha 2 has a sneaker-like shape from the outside, even though it is a hiking shoe underneath. That makes it a little easier to wear into a café than the Salomon.

Fit and sizing: as with most Hoka models, the cushioning is thick, so the shoe sits tall. If you have never worn a tall-stack shoe, walk in it at home for a week to get used to the feel on uneven ground.

#5. New Balance 990v6: most casual, everyday sneaker look

New Balance 990v6 (Men's)

Our verdict:

Most casual, everyday sneaker look

Best for guys who want a genuinely comfortable all-day shoe that doesn't look like hiking gear.

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• Made in the USA
• Multiple width options for men
• About 13.2 oz per shoe

Keep in mind: it won't out-grip the Vibram-soled options above on genuinely rough, wet stone.

Product details checked September 2026

Made in the USA, the 990v6 is a classic sneaker silhouette with genuine walking substance underneath. It offers multiple width options for men. That matters more on a trip involving all-day standing than most travelers plan for. It also uses ENCAP midsole cushioning for support.

For dry or lightly uneven streets it's comfortable and versatile. If width and everyday styling matter as much as function for your trip, this is the one to check first.

New Balance lists it at about 13.2 oz per shoe, so it is not the lightest sneaker, but it is lighter than the hiking picks. The sole is flatter than the lugged picks above. That means it relies on the rubber itself for grip, with less tread to dig into the gaps between stones.

On a Europe trip: the pick for city days on paved streets and dry cobblestones, and for evenings out. On wet, polished stone, walk with a little more care.

#6. ASICS Gel-Kayano 33: stability for tired, overpronating feet

ASICS Gel-Kayano 33 (Men's)

Our verdict:

Stability for tired, overpronating feet

Best for travelers whose main concern isn't terrain but foot stability from hours of walking.

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• Engineered mesh upper for breathability
• 8mm heel-to-toe drop
• Stability features for overpronation support

Keep in mind: its outsole isn't built for aggressive cobblestone grip the way the Merrell or Salomon picks are.

Product details checked September 2026

This is a stability-focused pick built around an engineered mesh upper for breathability. It has an 8mm heel-to-toe drop. Supportive features on the inside of the foot help keep it from collapsing inward on tired legs.

If overpronation or general arch fatigue has slowed you down on past trips, this shoe addresses that directly. It's still a better fit for mostly flat, paved European streets.

Fit and sizing: a stability shoe can feel firm if your feet do not roll inward. Try it on for a full afternoon at home. If it feels like the arch pushes up too hard, a neutral shoe like the New Balance 990v6 may suit you better.

Factors to consider when choosing shoes for walking in Europe

Outsole grip

Cobblestones aren't flat. Each stone sits at a slightly different height, so your foot makes small adjustments with every step. That tires out stabilizing muscles a flat sidewalk never asks you to use. Vibram makes the compounds used in the Merrell Moab 3, both Hoka picks, and the Salomon X Ultra 4 GTX. Brands design and test them for grip on varied, often wet outdoor ground.

Waterproofing

Rain makes old stone polished smooth from centuries of foot traffic turn slick fast. The Salomon X Ultra 4 GTX and Hoka Kaha 2 Low GTX both add real waterproofing on top of strong grip.

Weight for packing

Hiking-style shoes with Vibram outsoles and waterproof membranes weigh more and take up more suitcase space than a plain sneaker. If you're limited to a single carry-on, the New Balance 990v6 packs the smallest and lightest. The Hoka Transport comes next.

Look and style

The New Balance 990v6 and ASICS Gel-Kayano 33 both read as ordinary sneakers rather than hiking gear. The Merrell Moab 3 and Salomon X Ultra 4 GTX look the part of a hiking shoe. Some travelers actively want to avoid that look.

Lugs and rubber: why the sole matters most

Lug size matters as much as the rubber. A taller lug, like the 5mm lugs on the Moab 3, bites into the gaps between stones. It also moves water away from the contact point. A flatter sole, like the New Balance 990v6's, relies more on the rubber compound itself for grip, since there is less tread to dig in.

A rubber compound built for a running track or a gym floor is not built for wet stone. The Vibram and Contragrip soles on this list are made for grip on varied, often wet ground outdoors. That is a closer match to an old European street than a standard sneaker sole.

Matching the shoe to your itinerary

Mostly big cities on paved streets: if cobblestones show up only in historic centers for a few hours at a time, the New Balance 990v6 or ASICS Gel-Kayano 33 will cover you. You get a more casual look in return.

Many cobbled old towns, or small towns and villages: step up to the Merrell Moab 3 or Hoka Transport for more grip.

Rain likely on your dates: the Salomon X Ultra 4 GTX or Hoka Kaha 2 Low GTX will save you from walking in wet socks for the rest of a day.

Cobblestones by region: what changes

Not every cobbled street is the same. Many old centers in Italy use small rounded or domed stones, like Rome's sampietrini, that shift a little underfoot and turn slick in rain. Many northern and western old towns use flatter, squared stones, which sit more firmly but still have gaps and uneven joints. Either way, a sole built for flat ground has nowhere to bite, and water in the low spots makes it worse.

That is why the lugged soles on this page have a real edge. It is a physical difference in how much rubber meets the raised points of the stone, and how well the tread moves water out from under your foot.

City by season: a few real examples

Rome or Lisbon in spring means warm, dry days with the odd short shower. The New Balance 990v6 or ASICS Gel-Kayano 33 handle the heat and the old-town cobblestones without the bulk of a waterproof build.

Copenhagen or Amsterdam in winter means cold, wet weather, with old stone that's often icy underfoot. This is exactly the setting the Salomon X Ultra 4 GTX and Hoka Kaha 2 Low GTX are built for.

A multi-country rail trip through shoulder season shifts weather and terrain city to city. The Merrell Moab 3 or Hoka Transport split the difference well. Both grip cobblestone without the full weight of a hiking boot.

Wet stone stairs deserve their own mention

Stone stairs are common in European old towns, church approaches, and hillside neighborhoods, and they carry a real fall risk. Centuries of shoes wearing down the same stairs leave a polished, slightly concave dip in the center of each step. That dip collects water when it rains. The deeper lug patterns on the Merrell Moab 3, Salomon X Ultra 4 GTX, and Hoka Kaha 2 Low GTX matter here. Stairs demand more precise, secure footing than a flat street does.

Should you bring a backup pair for rain?

If your itinerary spans more than a few days and includes any real chance of rain, pack a second, lighter shoe alongside a lugged option. That's a reasonable hedge. It's not required, though. A single waterproof, lugged shoe, like the Salomon X Ultra 4 GTX or Hoka Kaha 2 Low GTX, can cover both dry and wet days on its own. The cost is being the bulkier item in your bag every day of the trip.

Sizing across these six brands

Fit varies across these six more than it would within one brand. Hoka sizes like a running shoe. Merrell and Salomon size like hiking shoes, and both can feel snug. New Balance offers the widest range of widths. If you buy without trying on, and your feet run wide or swell on long days, start with the Merrell wide build or the New Balance 990v6 widths.

One pair or two

A trip that is all city-center walking, day after day, does not need two shoes. Pick the best match from this list and travel light. A trip that splits between cobbled old towns, modern districts and a countryside or coastal day trip is where a second pair earns its space.

If you bring two, pair a lugged, grippy shoe for cobblestone and stair-heavy days with a lighter shoe like the New Balance 990v6 for pavement and evenings. Two shoes that solve the same problem add weight without adding much.

Why weight per shoe matters on a trip

A half-pound difference sounds small in a store. On a trip, you feel it thousands of times a day as you walk. If you pack a second pair, that weight also rides in your bag on every train and flight.

That is why the lighter picks here, the New Balance 990v6 and Hoka Transport, are worth a look even if you usually reach for a hiking shoe. Unless your trip calls for waterproofing and deep lugs, a lighter shoe saves effort without giving up much grip on typical city stones.

Breaking them in before you leave

Every shoe on this page needs at least two weeks of real wear at home before your trip. Trying it on in the living room isn't enough. A shoe that feels fine for an hour at home can still cause blisters by hour five of a long day. This matters even more for the stiffer, support-focused ASICS Gel-Kayano 33. A firmer sole takes longer to feel natural than a soft, flexible sneaker.

Style versus function

None of these six is a bad choice on function, but they look different. For nicer restaurants, or if you do not want to look dressed for a trail, the New Balance 990v6 and ASICS Gel-Kayano 33 read as ordinary sneakers. The Merrell Moab 3 and Salomon X Ultra 4 GTX look like hiking shoes. The two Hoka picks sit in between, with sneaker-like shapes even though the Kaha 2 is a hiking shoe underneath.

Be honest with yourself about which trade-off you would rather make before you buy. The six genuinely differ on this point.

Packing tips

If you bring a hiking-style shoe, wear it on travel days and pack the lighter pair. The Salomon and Kaha 2 are the bulkiest picks here, because of their waterproof build. Pack shoes in a bag at the bottom of your case, soles together, with socks stuffed inside to use the space.

How we picked the best shoes for walking in Europe

Every shoe above was checked against the brand's own product page or the listing we link to, covering outsole compound, weight, and waterproofing. We did not rely on memory or general brand reputation for any spec in this guide. We left out any claim we could not confirm.

We also skipped shoes with specs that disagreed between the brand page and the retailer. We couldn't be sure which number was current. A shoe with a clear, consistent outsole compound and weight gave us something solid to compare against the others on this page.

Questions people also ask

Are hiking shoes overkill for a European city trip?

Not necessarily. Old European city centers often have cobblestone and worn stone that behaves more like light off-road terrain than a modern sidewalk. A shoe with real outdoor traction isn't overbuilt for that; it's matched to the actual surface.

Do I need waterproof shoes for Europe?

It depends on your travel season. If rain is likely, a waterproof shoe like the Salomon X Ultra 4 GTX or Hoka Kaha 2 Low GTX keeps your feet dry through a downpour. For a dry-season trip, a non-waterproof shoe like the New Balance 990v6 is lighter and packs smaller.

What is the single best all-around shoe for cobblestones?

Between the picks here, the Merrell Moab 3 and Hoka Transport offer the strongest grip-to-weight balance for general cobblestone walking, without the extra bulk of a full waterproof hiking shoe.

Do these shoes work for standing in museum or ticket lines too?

Some do better than others. The ASICS Gel-Kayano 33 is built specifically around stability features for long days on your feet. For a full breakdown of standing-focused shoes, see best shoes for walking and standing all day.

Which of these shoes is heaviest to pack?

The Merrell Moab 3 is the heaviest of the six, followed by the Salomon X Ultra 4 GTX and Hoka Kaha 2 Low GTX, both waterproof builds. The New Balance 990v6 is the lightest and most packable.

Do I need waterproof shoes for Europe?

Only if rain is likely on your dates or you plan countryside walks. For a dry-season city trip, a grippy sneaker like the Hoka Transport is enough. For a wet spring or autumn trip, the Salomon X Ultra 4 GTX or Hoka Kaha 2 Low GTX keeps your feet dry.