The 16 Best Travel Shoes of 2023, According to a Podiatrist and a Fashion Stylist
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There’s a fine art to traveling lightly while still looking put-together. The secret? It’s all down to the versatility of the items you pack — think a capsule wardrobe of staples that can be worn in multiple ways, not forgetting a pair or two of travel shoes to keep your feet supported and comfortable.
You’ll need a slip-on sneaker to get you quickly through airport security and take up minimal space in your case, as well as a cute summer sandal or pair of comfortable dress shoes for evening. If you’re the adventurous type, a sturdy pair of hiking shoes may be your non-negotiable.
Of course, you’ll also need to think about your destination. “Consider the weather and terrain or walking demands of your destination and activities,” says award-winning fashion stylist Tara West. “Then, try to work comfort into your packing plans. If you pack thoughtfully, you won’t bring the wrong options or overpack shoes that won’t get worn.” West also suggests planning your looks for each day or activity, helping to streamline your list and keep things organized.
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So, to help make things easier for you, we’ve narrowed down the search to 16 of the best travel shoes that cover a range of needs. We made this selection by speaking to West and board-certified podiatrist Dr. Najwa Javed, as well as conducting hours of research across the market, and considering hundreds of online reviews.
Read on to find our top picks of the best travel shoes – from the perennially popular Birkenstock Arizona, to the versatile Tevas sandals, and timeless New Balance sneakers.
Colorways available: 8
Special features: Naturally thermoregulating material
What reviewers say: “Perfect fit and so comfortable to wear. They are my fourth pair and I love them all.’
Colorways available: 6
Special features: Hybrid road/ trail design, cushioned ENCAP midsole
What reviewers say: “I’m a big dude, 6’2 and I’m active every day, and of course I have wider feet. My feet don’t feel like they’re going to die at the end of the day which is great.’
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Colorways available: 6
Special features: Easy clean cotton canvas, vulcanized rubber sole
What reviewers say: “These are super comfortable! I love everything about these shoes; the quality of the material, design, and fit. I especially love the mission of sustainability.”
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Colorways available: 3
Special features: Lightweight and versatile
What reviewers say: “The show of the season! Surprisingly so comfortable and super versatile. Absolutely obsessed!”
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Colorways available: 2
Special features: Tread is composed of different sized rubber pebbles
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Colorways available: Multiple
Special features: Contoured cork footbed conforms to the shape of your foot, pronounced arch support, a deep heel cup, and roomy toe box.
What the reviewers say: “These are the most amazing shoes I’ve ever put on my feet! I was a bit wary about buying the Arizona because I felt they were a bit manly (I’m used to the grandad, and styles like that) but boy am I glad I got them. They are so versatile, very stylish (the suede is gorgeous), and the most comfortable shoe ever. Be prepared, they do take a few days to break in, but once you do that, you will never want to take them off.”
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Colorways available: 3
Special features: Rubber and foam outsole, fixed laces
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Colorways available: 4
Special features: Fast-drying REPREVE® recycled polyester, EVA midsoles
What reviewers say: “I usually prefer hiking sandals with a covered toe, but was interested in trying something that would breathe more. These sandals feel like walking on clouds and were remarkably comfortable when I first put them on.”
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Colorways available: 3
Special features: Waterproof GORE-TEX fabric, high ankle gaiter
What reviewers say: “These shoes are truly amazing! They keep your feet dry and comfortable after a long day. Plus, they are so light and look great.”
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Colorways available: 2
Special features: Lightweight hemp fabric, EVA cushioned sole
What reviewers say: “They’re perfect for people with wide feet. I normally wear 10.5 wides, but the 10s fit me perfectly. They feel good with and without socks and hold up well too (sole doesn’t pull up even if sweaty feet). They’re a little stuff and snug at first but still comfy and get more comfy the further they break in.”
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Colorways available: 18
Special features: Rubber outsole, easy-clean white leather
What reviewers say: “I love these shoes and will 100% buy another pair. I get so many compliments on them. They are comfortable & fit me perfectly.”
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Colorways available: 1
Special features: Waterproof, air-cooled memory foam, shock-absorbing articulated midsole
What reviewers say: “These are an excellent lightweight hiker, good grip, good rocker, and softer sole. The 4E fit was full width, same fit as my other same sized Skechers in a different design.”
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Colorways available: 16
Special features: Suede outers and wool shearling lining
What the reviewers say: “I absolutely LOVE these shoes! They’re really comfortable and they keep my feet warm. They have fur inside and fit true to size. I sprayed both with Scotchguard to keep them water resistant and to keep them from getting dirty.”
Colorways available: 5
Special features: Easy-clean leather uppers and orthotic insole arch
What the reviewers say: “Contains the foot and provides terrific support and in particular the ankle. Wore them in Egypt for 3 weeks. And they look good too.”
Colorways available: 11
Special features: Slip on design, molded heel and memory foam insole
What the reviewers say: “These runners went on a 3.5-mile hike and lived up to their name. They’re comfortable and did not give me any pain at all. Highly recommend and now I own three pairs.”
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Colorways available: 2
Special features: Collapsible by approximately two inches, doesn’t crease, shock absorbing insole
What reviewers say: “Comfortable, light, and portable. Excellent quality! Everything I was looking for in these shoes.”
The Best Travel Shoes for Different Foot Types and Foot Conditions
- Best travel shoes for plantar fasciitis: For those who need shoes for plantar fasciitis, Dr. Javed recommends a cushioned sole. Think a firm, but flexible midsole and padding in the forefoot to help relieve some stress. You can also add a plantar fasciitis insole to your shoes for extra support.
- Best travel shoes for wide feet: If you’ve got wide feet, opt for shoes that specifically come in a wide size option or ones that “have soft mesh on the upper that will help reduce pinching for wide feet,” Dr. Javed notes.
- Best travel shoes for flat feet and high arches: “Travel shoes should be easily removable and soft to allow for swelling during long trips,” says Dr. Javed “If you’re someone that has common foot conditions like flat feet or a high arch, Dr. Javed encourages you to “always buy a shoe with a stable sole to help support the arch of the foot.”
- Best travel shoes for bunions: As a bunion is a bone deformity, it can cause a lot of pain and discomfort if you wear the wrong footwear. Dr. Javed notes that comfortable walking shoes with big toe boxes are an essential if you have bunions. You should look for orthopedic shoes that have flexible uppers, good arch support and a heel no bigger than two inches. Anything higher or with a pointed toe can exacerbate a bunion and cause more pain.
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How to Pack Your Shoes for Travel
Most shoes need a bit of cramming to fit in your suitcase, but taking extra care to pack them carefully is essential for maintaining their integrity. “Pack each pair of shoes in protective travel bags or a dustbag to prevent damage and arrange them on the bottom of your suitcase,” West explains. You can also enclose them in packing cubes to keep them safe and sound — and easy to find upon arrival. “Place your clothes on top, or if you have room, cushion them between the bagged shoes so they don’t move around. Again, I’d recommend packing them within the zippered compartment side of your luggage to keep them contained as much as you can.”
How We Chose the Best Shoes for Travel
For more than 75 years, Footwear News has been the shoe authority. Our coverage spans top industry news, retail trends, head-to-toe fashion, athletic and outdoor analysis and more. Footwear News’ global network of editors has carefully curated all product selections featured using our expansive brand knowledge and thorough research to find quality, long-lasting items.
To select out top 16 best shoes for travel we spent hours researching our favorite online stores and designers, as well as seeking the opinion of style experts and podiatrists. We also considered hundreds of online reviews – good and bad – to gauge how our favorite styles fared in real life, not to mention how they worked for specific foot types and conditions such as plantar fasciitis. Learn more about us here.
Meet the Experts
Dr. Najwa Javed is a Board Certified Podiatrist and Founder of E’MAR Italy. Throughout her years of practice, she has focused on achieving an optimal state of health for her patients through mitigating foot and ankle injuries. With specialized training in foot and ankle surgery and clinical research, she integrates biomechanical stability with surgical innovation, biologic therapies, and modern science.
Tara West is an award-winning fashion stylist, lifestyle blogger, podcast co-host, and on-air style expert who serves clients all over the country, from Boston to NYC to Los Angeles.
Meet the Author
Cat Hufton is a London-based fashion and beauty journalist who has written for some of the world’s best luxury e-commerce companies and publications including InStyle, Harper’s Bazaar, Byrdie, and Cosmopolitan Magazine. She is an avid online shopper and has tested hundreds of products during her career giving her a keen eye for what’s worth your hard-earned dollars and what’s not. Hufton wrote this story on the best travel shoes using her extensive knowledge in the space. Learn more about Footwear News here.
