Comfortable travel shoes are a must for any journey. Whether you’re exploring mountains, beaches, villages or cities, your feet keep you moving. That’s why finding the best travel shoes that fit comfortably, feel good, look stylish and age well is essential.
But where to start? Dr. Christina Rowe-Bauer, a podiatrist at Penn State Health, says that fit and comfort should be top priorities. In practice, this means buying your new shoes well in advance of any planned trips.
“Don’t just go away and start wearing your new shoes because they might irritate your feet,” Rowe-Bauer says. “Buy them early and break them in.” Even if they’re the most comfortable sneakers ever, they still can take some getting used to.
But fit and comfort are fairly general terms and can easily differ from person to person. “Everybody and every body is different,” Rowe-Bauer says, “so it’s helpful to start your search with things you know about yourself. Like if you have high arches or flat feet, google those terms along with whatever else you’re looking for.”
Rowe-Bauer says that you generally only need three pairs of shoes for most trips: beach or warm weather shoes (she always packs her Birkenstocks and has heard good things about Oofos sandals), sneakers (she loves her Hokas and Brooks) and dress shoes (she’s partial to J.Crew because the store’s women’s sizes run up to 12). And while she does understand that style is important, especially while traveling, arch support is probably the most important aspect of good walking shoes.
“A shoe that is sturdy and not too flexible that has good arch support, that’s long enough and wide enough for the foot is going to be the [best choice],” she says.
Our favorite travel shoes include a variety of features perfect for most getaways, with aspects like comfortable insoles; durable — and sometimes sustainable — materials; foot-, heel- and ankle-support technology; and styles for different occasions, climates and activities.
Best unisex travel shoes
Allbirds’ Wool Runner Go (or Wool Runner 2) are the kind of shoes that get more comfortable with every single wear. And that’s impressive because they’re incredibly comfortable walking shoes from the very first try-on. Made from sustainable and ethical merino wool, the Wool Runner Go are super soft, moisture wicking and naturally odor stabilizing. You can even wear them sockless!
Crocs are among our favorite travel shoes, thanks to their comfort and versatility. They’re easy on the feet when walking through the airport and easy to remove at airport security. Plus, since they’re airy and lightweight, you don’t have to worry about your feet overheating on long flights.
Finding sturdy and comfortable flip-flops is not an easy task. The Vionic Unisex Wave Sandals are designed by podiatrists and come with an American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) Seal of Acceptance, so you know your feet are going to thank you when you slip these sandals on. The biomechanically designed footbeds provides ample support throughout, and the durable rubber outsoles make them robust without looking too bulky.
New Balance’s 327 sneakers offer both style and comfort and are perfect for long travel days. They're available in a variety of colors and complement most casual travel outfits.
Best travel shoes for women
A slip-on design like that of these Oofos is perfect for breezing through security. These shoes are also incredibly comfortable for long walking days, thanks to the brand's unique OOfoam, which absorbs 37% more impact than regular footwear. And they're machine-washable to boot.
Clarks footwear has almost 200 years of shoemaking under its belt, so when it comes to travel shoes, the company has any number of styles that can work, depending on the trip. But Clarks’ Pure Belle Dress Loafers are the perfect every-shoes. Wear them to a business dinner or a party, to a museum or a family get-together. Their sleek style and classic smoking-slipper shape are perfect for it all.
Superga’s Cotu Classic Sneakers are a classic in every sense. For decades now, basic white sneakers for women have been a go-to for trips near and far. And these ones are low profile and lightweight enough to complement most travel outfits. Plus, the insoles are cushioned, and the sneakers are made out of rubber with crepe-textured outsoles to give a bit of traction and durability. They can be cleaned in a washing machine and air-dried in about a day.
When you want to have style and walk around all day without blisters or sore feet, Dr. Scholl’s Insane Loafers are the way to go. And because Dr. Scholl’s supports sustainable manufacturing and production, you can feel good for multiple reasons when wearing these travel shoes; they feature a micro-suede uppers with 80% of the lining made from recycled bottles.
Finding thong flip-flops that you can wear for hours on end is quite difficult. But with companies like FitFlop finally realizing an untapped market, you’ve got lots to choose from. The FitFlop Iqushions are ergonomic thong sandals with amazing arch support and a cushioned shock-absorption system thanks to the micro-bubble foam footbeds. The thicker bottoms also give more heel support. Trust us, you won’t be able to buy just one color.
For more than 150 years, Blundstone has been all about making “no-nonsense footwear.” The brand has dozens of different styles, all riffing off its iconic elastic-sided design. These boots are incredibly durable, long-lasting and water-resistant.
Teva has so many different styles beyond its iconic Velcro sandals, and the Anaya Booties are a great option for stomping through cities. The booties can be dressed up or down depending on the situation. TevaRapid seam-sealed construction keeps your toes dry in moderate rain, and even though these are booties, the heels are only 1.5 inches high, and they offer great arch support.
The Merrell Women's Moab 3 shoes offer all-day comfort and durability for any terrain. With shock-absorbing cushioning, grippy outsoles and breathable mesh linings, they are perfect for everything from city sidewalks to rugged trails.
Keen's Elle Backstrap Sandals are lightweight and stretchy, providing optimal comfort for summertime toes that are exposed to the elements most of the day. Great for beach or boating, meals or outings, the elastic straps are made from recycled plastic bottles, and ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) footbeds offer great arch support and midsole cushioning — a rarity for sandals. Plus, the shoes are treated with an antimicrobial solution that helps with odor-causing bacteria on footwear.
The Tieks classic ballet flats are sleek and stylish, with a clever split-sole design that allows them to fold up enough to fit into a small purse. The heel support is above average for a flat, thanks to the nonskid rubber outsole patches, but they leave a little to be desired when it comes to arch support. Don’t be fooled by their delicate demeanor, as Tieks are known for being comfortable all day and night.
These sneakers combine style and comfort with sustainable materials and cushioned arch support. Designed for everyday wear, they feature eco-friendly algae-based foam, anti-microbial technology and a fashion-forward design for versatile use.
The Skechers Women's Go Walk Joy Sneakers offer lightweight comfort with 5Gen cushioning and a Goga Max insoles for support.
Best travel shoes for men
Skechers Moreno Canvas Oxford Shoes are great travel footwear for just about any climate. They’re lightweight and stylish, with a two-toned uppers and leather-lined outsoles. Many customers buy second pairs in a different color. But their crowning achievement is the memory foam soles, which offer cloud-like cushions while still providing support, especially in the arch.
These shoes from Hoka have not only received the APMA Seal of Acceptance but are well loved by podiatrists. New York City podiatrist Dr. Emmanuel Fuzaylov and Dr. Michael Galoyan at Metropolitan Podiatry both specifically recommend these everyday sneakers for walking. The shoes meticulous design features more cushion than traditional running shoes, along with wider soles and lightweight materials with a rocker in each midsole. There are loads of fun colors to choose from, and they're available for both men and women.
You can’t go wrong with a classic New Balance. The 515 V3 sneakers offer a long-lasting durable rubber outsole and EVA foam cushioning in the midsole and heel. The suede and mesh uppers give them a stylish spin even though they're sneakers.
With Blundstone’s men’s section, there are dozens of great styles to choose from for travel walking shoes, but the Original Low-Cut Shoes are a great go-to. Built with amazing shock absorption, removable footbeds and water-resistant premium leather, these shoes can take you up a hill or into a museum. The Blundstone durability legacy makes them a long-lasting choice for all your travel needs.
These shoes can take you from the boardroom to the base of mountains with their distinct duo-capability design and function. Made with leather and Gore-Tex for ventilation and water resistance, they're workwear-inspired shoes that champion versatility and comfort.
The Sanuk Hi Bro Lite Hemp shoes are stylish without being garish. They work for the beach or the bar and are super lightweight, with an IMEVA sole that cushions and protects your feet all day. The fact that they're slip-ons is also handy for getting through TSA security with ease.
These sneakers are great for style while not sacrificing on comfort with their breathable knitted uppers and lightweight design, perfect for both business and casual wear. Featuring memory foam insoles, they offer all-day wearability for versatile occasions.
CNN Underscored travel editor Kyle Olsen swears by his Xero shoes. This model offers a natural running experience with lightweight mesh uppers, wide toe boxes and flexible FeelTrue soles. The zero-drop design also promotes proper posture and enhances comfort.
The Columbia Men's Fairbanks Low Sneakers offer comfort and versatility for outdoor and casual wear. With cushioned midsoles, breathable mesh uppers and Omni-Grip soles for traction, they're ideal for walking around exploring a new city.
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