I appreciate the grip of my Adidas Terrex. They also have a low cut option.
Have you checked out Merrell’s trail runners? They’re designed for trails, hence the grippy soles. I wore mine throughout France, Switzerland, and Italy for a month on diverse terrains. No issues at all.
I always wear Brooks on my trips. They hold up well!
Look into kitchen shoes used by restaurant staff. Sketchers have work shoes like that, and Shoes for Crews. I like Hey Dudes, but not all are slip-resistant. You can search for slip-resistant options on Zappos.
Conceptually, I wear hiking sandals, trail shoes, or hiking boots depending on the weather. If it’s good for hiking, it’ll also serve well for travel.
I love Dansko outdoor weatherproof shoes. They offer great support.
Kuru shoes, especially the Kinetic model, are anti-slip and comfortable. They also work well for plantar fasciitis.
Yaktrax are worth considering as well.
Astrals are the best shoes around water and slippery rocks. They are favored by whitewater kayakers and rafters.
Honestly, I believe anyone suggesting Sperry, Crocs, Chacos, Teva, Merrell, etc., for ‘wet grip’ hasn’t tried Astrals (I’ve owned all of those). The grip is significantly better. I thought it was hype until I got my first pair a decade ago and have owned around eight pairs since. They can be pricey and not always durable, but I don’t mind replacing every 1-2 years to avoid serious slips and falls.
(At the end of the day, almost no shoe will work on wet rocks covered in algae/slime, so be mindful of that.)
Astral shoes are excellent. I own three pairs. Check them out at astraldesigns.com.
Tropicfeel water shoes are quite effective. I have the Sunsets version.
No Bull.
After years of working on ships and traveling, I’ve become obsessed with traction.
Anything with Vibram soles—like my current Merrells—is fantastic. Doc Martens with Airwear soles or Chelsea boots are great as well. Trail running or hiking shoes are preferable over basic running shoes.
I wonder if I’m alone in experiencing ‘grippy’ shoes that sometimes grip so hard they cause me to stop abruptly, which could lead to falls—it’s funny when trying to catch balance and unexpectedly grabbing a fire hydrant. Just curious!
My Vivobarefoot Magna FG are great on slippery Portuguese calçada.
Look for trail runner shoes, especially those with Goretex or other water-resistant features.
What was the style you wore? I wore my On Cloudswift (gen 2) during my hiking in Switzerland. I managed 60 miles across varied terrain including rain, snow, mud, and ice. They were the best shoes I bought; I scored three more pairs on clearance that day!
New Balance produces shoes specifically for healthcare/professional staff. We got some for my husband’s grandmother; she loved them. They fall into the ‘super chunky/dad shoe’ category, so while they may not feature what you want, I’d recommend them for seniors.
Note: the styles are mostly black, but if you search for New Balance and slip-resistant options, you should find more variety.
I totally understand! I once slipped on a cobblestone street in Europe; it was awful. I’m looking for stylish shoes with good grip too. Have you tried shoes with Vibram soles? They’re said to be excellent on wet surfaces. Hiking shoes, even if just for travel, often offer great grip.
Consider The North Face trail running shoes.