Vionic Women's Uptown Sneaker, Black Nubuck, 9, Medium

Pros: Lightweight, comfortable from day one, supportive and cushioned, packs flat for travel, good grip, stylish. I bought these shoes for a long trip through Europe, and they ended up being one of the best travel purchases I made. They are incredibly lightweight, soft around the feet, required no break-in period, and pack almost flat in a suitcase. I loved how supportive and cushioned they felt during long days walking on cobblestone streets, gravel, and even slippery marble surfaces in Greece, where the grip on the soles turned out to be an unexpected bonus. The soft silver color also made them feel a little more polished than regular sneakers, and despite paying full price, I feel they were absolutely worth it.

I bought these because I have the Uptown loafer and really like how light and comfortable they are. I am disappointed that the footbed of the sneakers (of the same name) is different. They are not as supportive as I anticipated. Having to pay this much for the shoes and then replace the insoles doesn't make sense. On the plus side, the moss color is deep and beautiful.