Learn Hardcore Italian: Nel negozio di calzature compro scarpe comode per camminare in montagna. - In the footwear store I buy comfortable shoes for walking in the mountains.

Because Italian contracts the preposition in with the definite article il, producing nel. So in + il negozio becomes nel negozio (“in the shop”).

What’s the function of di in negozio di calzature?

Here di expresses a “type of” or “specialization.” Negozi di calzature are “shoe stores” (literally “shops of footwear”). It’s the genitive/partitive use of di.

What’s the difference between calzature and scarpe?

Scarpe means “shoes” specifically.
Calzature is broader: “footwear” (including boots, sandals, etc.).
In the sentence, the store sells all kinds of footwear, but you specifically buy shoes (scarpe).

Why does the adjective comode come after scarpe?

Most descriptive adjectives in Italian follow the noun. So while English says “comfortable shoes,” Italian says scarpe comode. Placing it after is the neutral, default order.

Why is comode in the feminine plural form?

Adjectives agree in gender and number with the noun they modify. Scarpe is feminine plural, so comodo becomes comode.

Why do we use per camminare instead of something like a camminare?

To express purpose with an infinitive, Italian uses per + infinitive:

per camminare = “in order to walk”
You never add an extra preposition (no a camminare here).

Why is it in montagna and not nella montagna?

“In montagna” is a fixed expression meaning “in the mountains” or “to go hiking.” You drop the article when speaking generally about the environment:

Vado in montagna (I go to the mountains).
If you said nella montagna, it’d imply “inside a specific mountain,” which isn’t what we want here.