I just received my black Clark Un.Ravel oxfords mentioned elsewhere, and immediately "field-tested" them with an on-call day that started at 5:45 AM then finished at 8:15 PM, back and forth to the hospital that I cover, my office, etc. These are out of the box comfortable for extended wear, and almost surely will become my preferred shoe for travel whenever possible, generally paired with another pair of shoes or sandals.

The Un.Ravel seem to be a critical half-size larger than most other shoes I have recently purchased. While not marked as such, I suspect that my American size 12N likely are a European Size 47; I had also ordered for comparison the 13N, clearly too large, whose more completely marked box indicated they were European Size 48. As a Narrow, these are closer to a C than a B, so I find my fit better with a light hiking sock than a dress sock, but for the shoe's style and intended use, that's fine.

Obviously I will be returning that oversized pair, but may well get the 12N in Brown. At $150 the Un.Ravel are not cheap, but what is really expensive I have found are bargain shoes that don't truly fit, never quite "break in," etc. Clarks also has some closely related styles, and all of these are of course available not just in Narrow but also standard, wide, and even extra-wide sizes. Anyway as a general casual travel shoe the Clark Un.Ravel would be hard to beat.

If this shoe runs large enough that it could be a Euro 47, it might work for me. In most shoe lines I need a US 12.5, and not all manufacturers make it. Right now I'm trying out an Apex Lexington (moc-toe Oxford), made by Aetrex. It fits perfectly but is stiffer than I like.

What are the advantages of these shoes?

A 12.5 is a RARE size, and a 12.5 Narrow virtually worth reporting on a rare bid hotline!

Can someone answer what the advantages of these shoes are? Are they ultralight, or foldable, or whatt?

Not referring to the specific shoe, but the general issue is finding a shoe that is comfortable for walking, a lot of walking, in different conditions, and that also looks formal enough to wear to a play, concert, or good restaurant. Some one-bag travelers take only the pair of shoes that they're wearing upon departure, but even if you take a second pair, it helps for both to be as versatile as possible.

Rockports are often recommended for someone who isn't carrying a second pair of shoes, but Rockport doesn't make size 12.5.

Virtually no manufacturer sells a 12 1/2. But a Clark's is typically and effectively a half size bigger than most other makers. Paul's explanation about finding the right shoe is point on.

Got it now, thank you both. When I saw the name "Un.Ravel", I thought there might be some packing advantage to them...like they rolled up or something.

The Un.Ravel do NOT roll up! If anything, they are a bit heavier than some other shoes, and they have laces. I am toying with the idea of retrofitting them with a bungee cord speed lacing system, as I'd expect to be wearing them during travel. I was about to buy a matching pair in brown, then realized that color doesn't match my travel "palette" of black, gray, blue and burgundy, so as I return my oversize pair of Un.Ravel oxfords, instead I plan to get a pair of Clarks Un.Vincent closed toe sandal in black, whose fit as part of their "unstructured" line should be very similar, not to mention I have been very happy with the pair of open-toed Clarks I have used during warm weather for at least a dozen years.

I have a pair of Clarks Un.Bow sandals which are apparently now discontinued. A few places online still have them listed: http://www.thewalkingcompany.com/clarks-un.bow/m5665-8601s.
Very comfortable if somewhat dorky looking.

I used to have a dressier pair of Un series shoes but didn't like the way they made a squishy sound when walking in a office hallway. They have a sort of vent hole system built in which helps with cushioning and ventilation but the sound was annoying.

My current favorite shoes for traveling are by ECCO. I have pairs of slip ons in light brown and black and lace ups in their version of cordovan color ("Rust"). Mine are in a Euro 46 size which they translate to US 12-12.5. They fit my feet very well with a roomy toe box and narrow heel along with a running shoe type insole. They aren't as dressy as my regular dress shoes but are acceptable for the dressy/casual clothes I normally wear when doing urban travel.

I very much agree with the previous comments that one needs to choose shoes that have a good fit and are comfortable.

<<ECCO>>

Offers a variety of styles, typically more expensive than Clarks. I don't think they offer a narrow, which for me is essential. As to size equivalences, I can't speak to the ECCO, but the Clarks run a half size or so larger than, say, Rockport. While fitting in-store is preferable, narrow widths in particular often can be accessed only by on-line order; thank goodness for the Zappo's policy of no charge shipping...coming and returning.

I now notice that Clarks makes one slip-on, dressier shoe, that comes in Narrow, their Un.Sheridan, which I might yet consider. I have three pair of Rockport slip-on, but one is wearing out, can't be resoled, another I had to get in a 13, a bit too big, while the third and dressiest pair so far don't quite have the comfort level needed for the all-day walking one encounters traveling, though they are OK for wear around my office.

My Zappo's order has arrived. Clarks for a 12M also marks the box European 47, a half-sizer larger than the Rockport oxfords on my feet, which are marked European 46.5. I get the impression that the REAL sizing for most shoes now is European, American sizing rather an afterthought.

Alan, I just got a pair of Un.Ravels and I'm wearing them today. I would say that the size 12 is not quite a size 12.5, but it fits well enough. The shoe also seems to run slightly wide (in a medium), which is OK since it will accommodate thicker socks.

The look is slightly more casual than I would like - because of the stitching - but it is probably the best shoe I have for travel, given that Rockport doesn't deign to make any shoe that would fit me.