The Best Travel Shoe for Every Type of Trip, Tested and Reviewed

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Travel often demands long hours on your feet and many miles of walking, making the right pair of shoes essential. Uncomfortable or ill-fitting footwear can lead to blisters and aching feet, cutting your adventures short and sending you back to your hotel room earlier than desired. However, you still want shoes that are stylish enough to wear confidently while exploring fashionable cities.

As a team of seasoned globetrotters who have collectively logged hundreds of thousands of miles, we’ve learned through years of trial and error what to look for in the perfect travel shoe. Whether you’re embarking on a city break, hitting the trails, or doing a little bit of everything, we’ve done the legwork (pun intended) to bring you a comprehensive guide to the best travel shoes for every type of journey. 

From packable sneakers to lightweight hiking shoes, we’ve curated recommendations for the best travel shoes for every type of trip.

The Best Shoes for Packing Light: Rothy’s The Boat Shoe

We tested out Rothy’s new The Boat Shoe and are calling it—they are the must-have travel shoe of the summer. The preppy, nautical boat shoe style is classic—yet on-trend—but doesn’t skimp on the functional features, like adjustable ticking laces that help you find the perfect fit.

The shoes’ slip-on design is perfect for flying through airport security, and the soft knit construction means they are ready to go out of the box—no breaking-in required. The boat shoes even feature removable cushioned inserts for extra support.

When it comes to packing carry-on only, there’s no better shoe brand than Rothy’s. This travel-friendly company makes its shoes out of an ultra-soft and lightweight fabric made from recycled plastic water bottles. This results in footwear that packs flat and is even machine-washable (so you can have shoes that look new for every trip).

The Best Travel Sandals: Teva Original Universal Slim Leather Sandal

Take the classic Teva sandal and make it fashionable—that’s the idea behind Teva’s Original Universal Slim Leather Sandal.

This revamped version of the beloved classic features sleeker, slimmer straps and a refined leather construction, making it chic enough for even the most fashionable destinations.

But don’t be fooled by the polished look—these sandals are still built for adventure. They’re just as ready for outdoor excursions and water activities as the originals. Plus, a peppermint-based anti-odor treatment keeps them fresh, making them an essential addition to any warm-weather travel wardrobe.

The Best Shoes for Trips to Europe: Red Wing Weekender Chukka

European fashion can feel intimidating to visitors, but you’ll be well-prepared if you pack Red Wing’s Weekender Chukka. These boots are miraculously stylish and comfortable and can handle uneven cobblestone streets and hours of walking. These casual boots provide all-day comfort and support and can be worn with khakis or jeans. Don’t worry about breaking in these chukkas, as our tester verifies that they can be worn for miles straight out of the box, thanks to the high-quality leather and lightweight, flexible stitch-down construction. 

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The chukkas can be worn with or without socks, depending on your fashion vibe for the day. Our tester also raved about the outsole, made from raw plantation rubber, which he said offered firm footing and slip-resistance even in wet weather. Bonus: These boots are resolable, making them a shoe you’ll buy for life.

The Best Travel Dress Shoes: Beckett Simonon Anders Split Toe Derbies & Vionic Chardonnay Heeled Sandals

When you want to go out to a nice dinner on vacation but still want to be able to walk there, a good pair of dress shoes is needed. Travel dress shoes should be multi-purpose (you don’t want to waste suitcase space on something you’ll only wear once during your trip) and comfortable for standing and walking. 

We always pack Vionic’s Chardonnay Heeled Sandals, which have a low enough block heel to be comfortable. The sandals’ adjustable hook-and-loop closure ensures a perfect fit, so they are never too tight or too loose. 

Beckett Simonon’s Anders Split Toe Derbies are our favorite travel dress shoes for men. These calfskin leather derbies are just as comfortable as sneakers but look dapper for dinner or a business trip. Our tester especially loved the leather-lined insoles, which adapt to the wearer’s feet for a custom-fit footbed.

The Best All-Around Walking Shoes for Travel: New Balance Unisex T500

Who would have thought that athletic sneakers would become fashionable? These days, you’ll see chunky white sneakers on the feet of the young and stylish. For a pair that toes the line between comfort and chic, we like New Balance’s T500 unisex sneakers.

These tennis shoes feature a perforated toebox for extra breathability and a durable suede and nubuck construction. The white color will go with anything, and the understated design helps these shoes remain timelessly stylish. 

The Best Boots for Hiking Trips: Teva Grandview GORE-TEX Hiking Boot

Imagine the support of a hiking boot combined with the comfort of a Teva sandal—that’s exactly what you get with the Teva Grandview GORE-TEX Hiking Boots. Weighing in at just 13.5 ounces per shoe, these lightweight boots keep you feeling agile and energized on the trail all day long.

Don’t let their weight fool you—these boots are packed with performance features. A waterproof GORE-TEX membrane keeps your feet dry while a Vibram Mega Grip outsole offers serious traction on any terrain. The cushioned yet supportive footbed provides all-day comfort, and the premium leather construction means they look just as good exploring a city as they do on the trail—especially in the sleek black colorway.

We’re also big fans of the roomy toe box, which gives swollen post-flight feet some much-needed space, and the adjustable Universal Heel Lock system that customizes the fit and prevents dreaded toe jamming on descents. (Take it from us—your toenails will thank you.)

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