Finding the perfect travel walking shoes can be a challenge, but it’s essential for maintaining comfort and avoiding discomfort during your trip. With so many options on the market, it can be tough to know where to start. Dr. Christina Rowe-Bauer, a podiatrist at Penn State Health, advises prioritizing fit and comfort and suggests breaking in new shoes well before your trip. To help you in your search, we’ve compiled a list of our favorite travel walking shoes, each with their own unique features and benefits. From Clarks’ versatile Pure Belle Flat to Allbirds’ sustainable and machine-washable Women’s Wool Runners, there’s a pair for every type of traveler.
Important Details about 12 best travel shoes for 2023: Comfortable and weather-proof –
– Uncomfortable shoes can ruin your trip, so prioritize fit and comfort when buying travel shoes
– Buy new shoes in advance and break them in before your trip
– Consider your personal foot needs (ie. high arches, flat feet) when searching for shoes
– Generally, three pairs of shoes (beach/warm weather, sneaker, dress shoe) are all you need for most trips
– Good walking shoes should have sturdy support and good arch support
– Recommended travel walking shoes include Clarks Pure Belle Flat, Allbirds Women’s Wool Runners, Superga Cotu Classic Sneaker, Dr. Scholl’s Insane Loafers, FitFlop Iqushion Thong Sandal, Blundstone boots, Teva Anaya Booties, Merrell sneakers, Keen Elle Backstrap Sandals, Tieks ballet flats, and Allbirds Hylo Light and Piper Mid shoes.
Finding the Right Travel Shoes: Comfort, Style, and Sustainability
There is nothing worse than an uncomfortable shoe that forces you to stop dead in your tracks when traveling. Whether you are hiking in the mountains, walking along the beach, exploring cities, or wandering through villages, your feet are what keep you moving. Therefore, it makes sense to find a shoe that fits well, feels comfortable, looks good, ages well, and, if possible, does good for the environment.
Dr. Christina Rowe-Bauer, a podiatrist at Penn State Health, emphasizes the importance of fit and comfort when choosing travel shoes. To ensure your comfort, Rowe-Bauer recommends buying new shoes well in advance of any planned trips and breaking them in before wearing them for extended periods. Fit and comfort can vary greatly from person to person, so it is crucial to start your search by considering your own unique needs, such as high arches, flat feet, or specific foot conditions.
While style is undoubtedly important when choosing travel shoes, Rowe-Bauer underscores that arch support is the most crucial aspect of a good walking shoe, emphasizing the importance of choosing sturdy shoes with good arch support that are long enough and wide enough for your feet.
With these considerations in mind, we have compiled a list of our favorite travel walking shoes that combine style, comfort, and sustainability to keep you moving wherever your travels may take you.
1. Clarks Pure Belle Flat: Clarks has been making shoes for nearly two centuries and has a wide range of options suitable for different travel needs. For an all-purpose shoe, the Pure Belle Flat is an excellent choice. Its sleek style and classic smoking-slipper shape make it suitable for everything from business dinners to family gatherings or museum excursions.
2. Allbirds Women’s Wool Runners: Made from sustainable and ethical ZQ Merino wool, the Women’s Wool Runners are incredibly soft, moisture-wicking, and odor-stabilizing. They improve in comfort with each wear, and they have a reputation for being extremely durable and long-lasting.
3. Superga Cotu Classic Sneaker: A classic in every sense, the Superga Cotu Classic Sneaker is low-profile and lightweight, making it an excellent travel shoe for most occasions. The cushioned insole and crepe-textured outsole provide comfort and durability, while the fabric upper can be easily cleaned in a washing machine.
4. Dr. Scholl’s Insane Loafers: Dr. Scholl’s Insane Loafers are stylish and comfortable shoes that you can wear all day without experiencing blisters or sore feet. These travel shoes feature a micro-suede upper, with 80% of the lining made from recycled bottles. The “be free energy technology” insole has three support zones to ensure your comfort: extra support under the toe box, high-recovery foam at the ball, and dense foam around the heel.
5. FitFlop Iqushion: Finding thong flip-flops that you can wear for hours without discomfort can be challenging, but the FitFlop Iqushion is an ergonomic thong sandal with excellent arch support and cushioning. The micro-bubble foam footbed, with thicker bottoms that provide additional heel support, makes these sandals great for both style and comfort.
6. Blundstone Boots: Blundstone boots are incredibly durable and water-resistant, designed to provide ankle support and versatility, making them suitable for different events and weather conditions. Though you will need to break these boots in, they eventually mold to your feet, making them a comfortable and long-lasting option.
7. Teva Anaya Bootie: With the Teva Anaya Bootie, you get comfort, versatility, and style. These booties can be dressed up or down to suit different occasions and are designed to withstand moderate rain. The polyurethane footbed cushioning and great arch support offer comfort, while the elasticized straps, made from recycled plastic bottles, make them easy to slip on and off.
8. Merrell Sneakers: If you are planning to spend the day exploring a new city, Merrell Sneakers provide FloatPro midsole cushioning that guarantees ample foot support, irrespective of the terrain. The toggle lace closure makes them perfect for airport security, while their durable design ensures suitability for cobblestones, puddles, dirt, and other terrains.
9. Keen Elle Backstrap Sandals: Suitable for summer escapades to the beach or boating, Keen Elle Backstrap Sandals offer optimal foot comfort throughout the day. The sandals’ elastic straps are made from recycled plastic bottles and provide great arch support and cushioning courtesy of the ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) footbeds. The antimicrobial solution treatment helps neutralize odor-causing bacteria, while the rubber outsoles provide traction without scuffing surfaces.
10. Tieks Classic Ballet Flat: With their split-sole design and non-skid rubber outsole patches, Tieks Classic Ballet Flat provides above-average heel support for a flat. Although they may not provide sufficient arch support, Tieks are famously comfortable, portable, and perfect for travel.
11. Hylo Light: The Hylo Light travel walking shoe is a great all-purpose shoe that you can wear to any occasion. These lightweight, breathable shoes are machine-washable and made from renewable materials, including corn. Perfect for workouts, running, sightseeing, or general travelling, the Hylo Light is incredibly comfortable and stylish.
12. Allbirds Men’s Piper Mids: The Piper Mids offer great ankle support, style, and comfort suitable for different activities. As with all Allbirds footwear, the Piper Mids are made with ZQ Merino wool, a moisture-wicking material that retains softness and is carbon-neutral.
Whether hiking in the mountains, walking on the beach, or strolling through the city streets, a comfortable and stylish travel walking shoe can prevent your travels from being ruined by sore feet or blisters. With so many great options available, it is possible to find shoes that also sustain the environment. By selecting shoes that guarantee comfort and support, and that are made from sustainable materials, you can experience the joys of travel without worrying about painful feet or the health of the planet.