What’s the best single pair of shoes for city walking, light hiking, and dinner?

[David.H]

I'm trying to pack for a two-week trip across three different climates, and I'm completely stuck on footwear. I can't justify checking a bag just for shoes, but I need something that can handle city walking, a possible light hike, and still be okay for a nicer dinner. Is it actually possible to find one pair that does all that?

[Aaron_M]

Yep, I tried to pull off two weeks with one pair. I picked a leather sneaker with a snug, versatile look and a decent all around sole. City days, a light trail, and even a nicer dinner were fine with it. It wore in nicely and didn’t look out of place for the evening, though I did treat it like an investment pair and kept it clean.

[Jason_R]

I ended up being the guy who tried that and it sorta failed. By day three my feet were nagging after long city walks, and the mud on a short hike turned into damp toes. I caved and grabbed a second lightweight pair for the hike and left it at that.

[LaylaZR]

I went with a hybrid trail runner that looks a little dressier. It dries fast, grips well, and I could wear it to a restaurant after a long day. Not perfect for rain or a real rugged trail, but it did the job for most days.

[Scott.T]

Are you sure the problem is the shoe, or is the luggage limit biting harder than expected?