Choosing the right footwear is paramount to enjoying any travel experience. Imagine exploring a vibrant new city or hiking scenic trails, only to be hampered by aching feet or painful blisters. Comfortable travel footwear is not just an accessory; it’s an essential component that can make or break your trip. Travel experts at travels.edu.vn understand this necessity and have curated a list of top-tier shoes that promise comfort, style, and practicality for every kind of journey.
Scrolling through countless options can be overwhelming, so we’ve simplified the process. This guide highlights the Best Travel Footwear, from versatile sneakers to supportive boots and breezy sandals, all personally tested and recommended by travel professionals. Whether you’re planning a city escape, a nature retreat, or an adventurous expedition, finding the perfect pair of shoes starts here.
FAQ:
How We Test Travel Footwear
Our team of travel editors rigorously tests each shoe to ensure it meets the demands of travel. Some shoes featured are long-time favorites, worn on countless personal and work trips over years. Others are specifically tested for articles like this one. The common thread? Every shoe has been worn extensively by an editor, guaranteeing all-day comfort and suitability for various travel scenarios. Our standards are high: we look for footwear that editors can confidently wear for extended periods, whether navigating bustling city streets or exploring rugged terrains.
What to Consider When Buying the Best Travel Footwear
Before investing in new travel footwear, consider a few key factors to ensure you choose the perfect pair for your needs. Versatility, support, and cushioning are fundamental. Travel often means limited packing space, so selecting shoes adaptable to multiple settings is crucial. Think about your typical travel wardrobe. Neutral-colored shoes like black, white, or brown offer maximum versatility, complementing a wide range of outfits. Alternatively, a brightly colored shoe can add a stylish pop to a neutral wardrobe if that suits your style.
Activity type and climate are equally important. For rainy destinations or outdoor adventures, closed-toe sneakers or boots are more practical than sandals or flats. Beach trips might call for water-friendly sandals like Tevas. Prioritizing these considerations will guide you to the best travel footwear, ensuring comfort and style on every adventure.
Top Picks for Best Travel Footwear
Boots
Dr. Martens Rometty Wyoming Platform Chelsea Boots: The Ultimate in Travel Boot Comfort
For those seeking durable and stylish best travel footwear, the Dr. Martens Rometty Wyoming platform Chelsea boots are a top recommendation. Condé Nast’s global email team member, Susie Plotkin, enthusiastically endorses these platform boots as “the perfect shoe.” Having owned them for over three and a half years, she’s explored numerous destinations with them. “From sightseeing in Zurich to 12-hour walks in Venice and everyday wear in Brooklyn, these boots have been everywhere. They are slightly weighty but exceptionally comfortable and easy to slip on and off,” Plotkin notes. These boots are ideal best travel footwear for those who value both style and all-day comfort.
Key features: Pull-on design for convenience, cemented sole for durability.
Image may contain: Clothing, Apparel, Footwear, Boot, Shoe, and High Heel
Vagabond Shoemakers Cosmo 2.0 Chelsea Boots: Ideal City Travel Boots
Megan Spurrell, Associate Articles Director, recommends Vagabond Shoemakers Cosmo 2.0 Chelsea boots as excellent best travel footwear. She suggests opting for a wider toe style for enhanced comfort during long days of walking. Perfect for urban explorations, these Chelsea boots feature a bulkier design, making them a practical choice to wear through airport security and save suitcase space.
Key features: Pull-on style, leather upper for durability, and solid traction for city streets.
Casual Sneakers
Adidas Samba OG Sneakers: Timeless and Trendy Travel Sneakers
Adidas Samba OG sneakers, a classic since 1950, are experiencing a significant resurgence in street style, making them fashionable best travel footwear. Editorial assistant Kat Chen highly recommends them: “They are my ride or die. My latest pair is from last summer, but I wore my previous ones for a decade until they wore out. These shoes have literally seen me grow up.” Their enduring style and comfort make Sambas a reliable choice for travelers.
Key features: Lace-up closure, leather upper for durability, rubber outsole for traction, and available in half sizes for a precise fit.
$100 at Adidas (women’s sizes)
Image may contain: Clothing, Footwear, Shoe, Sneaker, Suede, and Canvas
Kizik Milan Sneakers: Hands-Free Convenience for Travelers
Commerce writer Paris Wilson praises Kizik Milan sneakers as innovative best travel footwear. Impressed by their hands-free design, Wilson notes they offer “the look of a sneaker with the ease of a slip-on shoe.” This design is especially beneficial for travelers needing quick transitions, such as families with young children, individuals in a hurry, or those with mobility issues. “The Milan features a chunky retro design. I own the Naval Academy colorway, which is versatile for outfit coordination. Available in nylon or leather, I chose nylon for breathability in summer but plan to get a leather pair for cooler weather. I’ve worn them across New York City, New Jersey, and even to Maine, always enjoying their ultra-cushioned foam insoles,” Wilson adds.
Key features: Hands-free slip-on design, half sizes available, narrow fit, removable insoles, and a supportive foam midsole.
New Balance 574 Core Sneakers: Stylish Comfort for Travel
New Balance 574 Core sneakers are enjoying a major comeback, recognized as fashionable and comfortable best travel footwear. Commerce editor Meaghan Kenny frequently wears this “cool dad shoe” style, stating, “These sneakers are as comfortable as they are stylish. I’ve owned them for about three years and they’ve accompanied me on weekend trips to Boston, numerous flights, and my daily commutes. They strike a perfect balance between sporty and chic—comfortable for hours of walking, and their neutral color easily matches various outfits in my carry-on. Besides my classic white sneakers, these are my most worn shoes. A bonus: they’ve remained remarkably clean despite my lack of caution about keeping sneakers pristine.”
Key features: Half and wide sizes available for optimal fit, suede and mesh upper for breathability.
Image may contain: Clothing, Shoe, Footwear, Apparel, and Sneaker
Adidas Stan Smith Sneakers: The Quintessential Travel Shoe
Adidas Stan Smith sneakers have transitioned from tennis courts to global streets, becoming a staple of best travel footwear and a favorite among Traveler editors. Their exceptional comfort makes them indispensable. Associate editor Matt Ortile, a Stan Smith devotee for over eight years, explains, “I buy a new pair roughly every 1.5 years, rotating between almost identical pairs.” When packing light, Stan Smiths are versatile enough for sightseeing, light hikes, and easy airport security navigation, all while maintaining a chic aesthetic without compromising comfort. Ortile has taken them to diverse locales, from Paris and AlUla, Saudi Arabia, to Palau.
Key features: Half sizes for tailored fit, lace-up closure, and OrthoLite liner for temperature regulation and enhanced comfort.
$100 at Adidas (women’s sizes)
Comme des Garçons PLAY x Converse All Star Low Top Sneakers: Playful Travel Style
Brie Schwartz, commerce director for Glamour and Teen Vogue, suggests the Comme des Garçons PLAY x Converse All Star low-top sneaker as fun and fashionable best travel footwear. This playful take on the classic Converse adds personality to any travel outfit. The canvas upper ensures lightweight comfort, while the vulcanized rubber sole provides reliable traction. Schwartz recently wore them on a trip to Disney, attesting to their comfort and style for active travel days.
Key features: Lightweight canvas upper for breathability and comfort, vulcanized rubber sole for dependable traction.
Athletic Shoes
Hoka Clifton 9 Sneakers: Supreme Cushioning for Travel Days
Hoka Clifton 9 sneakers truly live up to the hype, making them exceptional best travel footwear, according to Meaghan Kenny. “I initially bought these Clifton 9s for light runs and workouts, but they’ve become my go-to walking shoes as well. Despite their thick sole, which might seem bulky, the cushioning is incredibly comfortable for hours of walking, and they are surprisingly lightweight. They even fit well in my weekender bag’s shoe compartment without weighing it down. I’ve worn them hiking in the Poconos, shopping in Montauk, and moving apartments—all days exceeding 10,000 steps. Supportive, comfortable, and versatile, they are essential for every trip.”
Key features: Half and wide sizes available, optional Gore-Tex for weatherproofing, laces made from recycled materials, and maximum cushioning for all-day comfort.
Image may contain: Clothing, Shoe, Footwear, Apparel, Running Shoe, and Sneaker
Salomon Speedcross 6: Effortless Comfort for Active Travelers
Associate editor Charlie Hobbs considers Salomon Speedcross 6 shoes indispensable best travel footwear. “I wear these everywhere—gym, park, even raves—I sometimes forget I own other shoes. They are incredibly comfortable and convenient, with a simple pull-cord system instead of laces.” Their ease of use and all-day comfort make them perfect for travelers on the go.
Key features: Half and wide sizes available, Gore-Tex option for weather protection, lightweight at 10.5 ounces, and a quick-lace system for easy adjustments.
Hoka Kawana Sneakers: Breathable and Bouncy for Warm Weather Travel
Hoka Kawana sneakers are a frequent sight in fitness settings, and Glamour‘s senior commerce editor, Jenifer Calle, champions them as superb best travel footwear. “I wore these in San Antonio last year, and they were a lifesaver for my feet. Despite the Texas heat, these sneakers remained bouncy and breathable, keeping my feet comfortable and sweat-free throughout extensive walking,” Calle recounts. Their breathability and cushioning make them ideal for travel in warmer climates.
Key features: Half sizes available for better fit, pull tab at heel for easy on/off, and a lightweight design at 8.9 ounces.
On Cloudmonster Sneakers: Maximum Cushioning for High-Energy Travel
Calle also recommends On Cloudmonster sneakers, highlighting their exceptional cushioning as best travel footwear for active days. Featuring On’s thickest CloudTec layer, these sneakers offer superior cushioning, energy return, and reduced muscle fatigue. “While not a runner, I enjoy a steady three-mile jog. Switching to On shoes last year from old Nikes was a revelation—the relief my feet felt while running was incredible. The rocker bottoms give an extra push during jogs, and I’m never going back to minimalist sneakers,” Calle shares.
Key features: Half sizes for a precise fit, maximum cushioning in the On line, and engineered for maximum energy return, perfect for extensive walking and light running during travel.
Merrell Moab 3 Hiking Shoes: Globally Popular Hiking and Walking Shoes
The Merrell Moab 3 hiking shoe, recognized as the world’s most popular hiking shoe with over 25 million pairs sold, is also excellent best travel footwear for general walking. Editor Flager tested the third-generation model in Iceland, noting, “They performed well on moderate hikes and city walks in wet conditions. The traction is great, the fit is comfortable, and they didn’t take up much space in my carry-on. I understand their popularity.” Glamour commerce writer Jake Smith, a four-year user, adds, “While great for hiking, I especially love them as walking shoes.”
Key features: Half and wide sizes for inclusive fitting, designed for rugged trails, protective toe cap for durability, and reliable traction for varied terrains.
$120 $84 at Merrell (men’s sizes)
$120 $84 at Merrell (women’s sizes)
Slip-ons
Kane Revive Active Recovery Shoes: Comfortable Slip-ons for Travel Recovery
Emma McDonald from Condé Nast’s digital marketing team recommends Kane Revive active recovery shoes as excellent best travel footwear for relaxation and comfort. “I’ve owned them for about a year and wear them at my standing desk all day and for running errands.” These cushioned shoes, made from Brazilian sugarcane, feature raised footbed nodes designed to stimulate blood flow in key pressure points, enhancing foot recovery.
Key features: Quick-drying material, easy to clean, and grippy soles for enhanced traction, ideal for post-travel relaxation or casual wear.
SeaVees Bodega Clogs: Versatile and Weather-Ready Travel Slip-ons
Glamour commerce editor Malia Griggs recommends SeaVees Bodega clogs as surprisingly versatile best travel footwear. “Initially, I thought they were just rain boots, but I wear them constantly because they are easy to slip on, comfortable, and ideal for drizzly days in the city. This summer, I took them to the North Carolina mountains as they are great plane shoes—easy on and off at security—and durable and waterproof enough for light trail walks. Their secure backing prevents them from slipping off while walking,” Griggs explains.
Key features: Memory foam footbed for enhanced comfort, partially made with recycled materials, and waterproof construction, suitable for various weather conditions and travel types.
Sabah Slip-ons: Handmade Leather Slip-ons for Stylish Travel
Articles director Lale Arikoglu highly recommends Sabah slip-ons as essential best travel footwear, calling them “a permanent fixture on my packing list” for years. Available in numerous colors and crafted from soft leather or suede, these slip-ons are hand-stitched by artisans at the Sabah Workshop in Gaziantep. “The more I wear them, the better they fit, molding to my feet like a glove, as if custom-made,” Arikoglu remarks.
Key features: Handmade craftsmanship, soft leather lining for superior comfort, replaceable rubber outsole for durability, and stylish design available in various colors.
Sandals
Arizona Birko-Flor Birkenstocks: Classic Comfort Sandals for Travel
Birkenstock Arizona Birko-Flor sandals are a timeless choice for comfortable best travel footwear, especially in warmer climates. Former Traveler editor Sarah Ratner vouches for classic Birkenstocks, highlighting their suede-covered cork-latex footbed that molds to the wearer’s feet over time. Available in a wide array of colors and regular or narrow widths, Arizona slides are versatile enough to match almost any travel outfit. Lale Arikoglu also endorses Birkenstocks, specifically the Arizona Big Buckle style: “I am very loyal to my Birkenstocks. I once walked 10 miles in Barcelona in them without any discomfort.”
Key features: Cork-latex footbed for custom comfort, adjustable straps for a secure fit, and available in multiple widths and colors.
Teva Universal Trail Sandals: Adventure-Ready and Comfortable
Teva Universal Trail sandals inspire brand loyalty, proving to be exceptional best travel footwear for adventurous trips. Ideal for light hikes, city exploration, and water activities, these sandals are highly versatile. One editor shares, “I’ve worn them on light hikes in Arizona, sightseeing in Israel, swimming in Austin reservoirs, and recently on a trip through El Salvador. These trail sandals offer more arch support than the classic style, enhancing comfort for both city and trail use. After five years, they remain the comfiest walking sandals I own—blister-free every time.”
Key features: Adjustable straps for customized fit, waterproof construction, grippy outsoles for reliable traction, and made with recycled materials, blending sustainability with performance.
Teva Midform Universal Sandals: Stylish Platform Sandals for Travel
Megan Spurrell also recommends Teva Midform Universal sandals as versatile best travel footwear. While slightly less rugged than the Trail sandals, they offer excellent all-day comfort. Spurrell frequently wears them to the beach, for bike rides, long walks, and even dinners in New York City, demonstrating their adaptability for various travel activities and occasions.
Key features: 1.25″ platform for a touch of style, quick-dry material for convenience, and rubber outsole for reliable traction on diverse surfaces.
Flats
Rothy’s The Point II Flats: Sophisticated and Packable Travel Flats
Rothy’s The Point II flats offer a refined alternative to ballet flats, making them elegant best travel footwear. Available in a spectrum of colors, from vibrant to classic hues, they cater to diverse styles and travel wardrobes. Made from recycled plastic using innovative waste-reducing technology similar to Suav, Rothy’s prioritizes sustainability. Recent redesigns have enhanced comfort with a plusher insole and a roomier toe box. Florida-based travel writer Terry Ward praises Rothy’s flats: “They instantly elevate any outfit, pack flat in a suitcase without losing shape, and are durable—mine have lasted for years, definitely worth the investment.”
Key features: Machine washable for easy maintenance, removable cushioned insole for enhanced comfort, and eco-friendly construction from recycled materials.
This article has been updated with new information since its original publish date.
