Content is created by CNN Underscored’s team of editors who work independently from the CNN newsroom. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission. Learn more
Travel / Travel Gear
By Valentina Valentini, CNN Underscored
2 minute read
9:19 AM EDT, Thu May 2, 2024
What’s in this guide
- Our favorite unisex travel shoes
- Our favorite travel shoes for women
- Our favorite travel shoes for men
There’s nothing that will stop you in your tracks — literally — as fast as uncomfortable shoes. When traveling, be it in the mountains, the beach, villages, cities or mega metropolises, our feet are the things that keep us moving. That’s why it makes a lot of sense to find the best travel shoes that not only fit but also feel good, look good, age well and — if we can help it — do good.
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 everybody 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.
Our favorite unisex travel shoes
Allbirds’ Wool Runners are the kind of shoes that gets 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 Runners are super soft, moisture-wicking and naturally odor-stabilizing. You can even wear them sockless!
Read our review
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 footbed provides ample support throughout, and the durable rubber outsole makes it robust without looking too bulky.
New Balance’s 327 sneakers look great and provide the support you need to make it through long travel days. They’re available in a slew of colors and pair well with most casual travel outfits, so you’ll look good no matter where you travel.
Our favorite travel shoes for women
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 cotton sneakers for women have been a go-to for trips near and far. They go with almost every outfit, and are low-profile and lightweight enough to complement most travel outfits. The insole is cushioned, and the sneakers are made out of rubber with a crepe-textured outsole 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 upper 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 footbed. The thicker bottom also gives 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 heel is only 1.5 inches high, and they offer great arch support. One Amazon reviewer said, “The first day I wore them I walked around a city for hours and they were so comfortable.”
Planning on spending your day traversing a new city? These sneakers from footwear pros Merrell will keep you comfortable during all of your sightseeing stops. The FloatPro midsole offers ample cushion for your feet, and they're designed to withstand any kind of terrain you'll experience, from cobblestones to puddles, dirt and beyond. Plus, we love that these sneakers feature a toggle lace closure to easily slip them on and off — perfect for airport security.
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 non-skid 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. One reviewer said, “My […] Tieks have seen me around the world, through grocery trips, even through rain showers without so much as a single blister.”
The Hylo Light are pretty much perfect for any occasion. And as travel walking shoes, they should be packed on every trip you go on, because they can double as your running shoes as well as your general shoes. Wear them with a dress or your sports gear — they look great either way. And they feel great, too. They’re super lightweight, breathable, machine-washable and made from all renewable or recyclable materials, including corn!
Our favorite 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 upper and leather-lined outsole. 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.
One of the newer athletic brands, Hoka One One (pronounced “oh-nay”) has really made a name for itself and received the APMA Seal of Acceptance. These everyday sneakers' meticulous design features more cushion than traditional running shoes, along with a wider sole and lightweight materials with a rocker in the midsole. There are also loads of fun colors to choose from. And don't worry, 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. One reviewer said, “I’ve been wearing low-cut Ecco hiking shoes for everyday wear for 30 years, and I’d never wear another shoe brand.”
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. A reviewer who has two pairs said, “This shoe is so comfortable, I wear them every day.”
Hylo's corn runners are extremely versatile, so going from the gym to the museum and then to dinner is possible without giving your footwear a second thought. The proprietary Corn Spring technology in the midsole aids in pushing forward momentum and maximum energy return for your feet.
Looking for a travel credit card? Find out which cards CNN Underscored Money chose as thebest travel credit cardscurrently available.
More recommendations
Note: The prices above reflect the retailers' listed price at the time of publication.
More recommendations
Thanks for signing up! Your welcome email is on its way.
Get the CNN Underscored newsletter
Receive product recommendations, reviews and deals three times a week.
By entering your email address, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the Privacy Policy. CNN and its affiliates may use your email address to provide updates, ads, and offers.
By clicking 'Sign up', you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the Privacy Policy. CNN and its affiliates may use your email address to provide updates, ads, and offers.
Opt out via the Privacy Policy.
