How to Choose the Right Shoes for Your Trip

The right travel shoes can make every part of your journey smoother, helping you breeze through security or catch a tight connection. However, with numerous styles, materials, and features to consider, selecting the ideal pair isn’t always straightforward. There’s no single shoe that works for every destination or travel style, and the options can feel overwhelming fast.

Understanding what matters most for your trip — comfort, support, versatility, packability, or something that can transition from airport sprint to sightseeing — can help narrow the field. Everyone’s preferences and needs vary, so whether you need slip-ons for quick on-and-off or a comfortable everyday pair that still looks polished, the right travel shoe is out there. This guide will help you determine exactly what to look for, so you can step into your next trip prepared.

Packing for a trip? Check out our guide to the best travel pants for men and travel pants for women.

Types of Travel Shoes

Before narrowing down features, it helps to understand the main types of travel shoes you’ll find on the market. Each offers different benefits depending on your itinerary.

Slip-Ons: Ideal for airport efficiency and short walks. They offer quick on/off access and are great for travelers who prioritize convenience.

Walking Shoes: Designed for long days on your feet, walking shoes typically provide cushioning, arch support, and durable outsoles. These are a solid choice for city sightseeing or trips with lots of pavement.

Trail-to-Town Hybrids: These shoes balance outdoor capability with a clean, everyday aesthetic. If you’re planning on some light hiking or visiting destinations with uneven terrain, hybrids offer versatility without forcing you to pack two separate pairs.

Travel Sandals: Lightweight and easy to pack, sandals work well for warm climates or beach destinations. Look for designs with sturdy straps and supportive footbeds if you’ll be walking more than short distances.

Casual Sneakers: A go-to for many travelers, they offer comfort and style without feeling too technical.

How to Choose a Travel Shoe

Choosing the right travel shoe can be the difference between enjoying your trip and spending your vacation looking for a place to get off your feet. However, there are numerous shoes available, and various types of travel. That’s why we’re here to give you a few ideas of what to look for. 

Intended Use

Consider how you will use your shoes when you arrive at your destination. Planning on spending a week in the woods? You’ll probably want something durable, good support, and traction. 

If you’ll be on less aggressive terrain, a more casual shoe will suffice, thanks to its low profile. For travelers planning to work out, a more supportive and responsive shoe would be ideal.

Also, if you’re packing light, you’ll want shoes that can also act as casual shoes for when you’re going out on the town. That will vary based on an individual’s style and preferences. 

Destination Climate and Conditions

Where you’re headed plays a major role in determining which travel shoes will serve you best. Weather, terrain, and cultural expectations can all influence the style and features you’ll want in a pair of shoes.

For warm or humid destinations, breathable, lightweight shoes help keep your feet cool and reduce sweat buildup. Cooler or rainy climates may also call for water-resistant or waterproof materials and soles that offer good traction.

Terrain like cobblestones or steep city streets demands different levels of grip and support. If you’re unsure what to expect, choose shoes with sturdy outsoles and a supportive midsole that can handle a variety of surfaces.

In destinations where more polished footwear is expected, such as restaurants, museums, or business districts, a sleek sneaker or leather slip-on can help you blend in without sacrificing comfort.

Materials

The materials your travel shoes are made from affect everything from comfort and durability to how easy they are to clean on the go.

Shoes with breathable mesh or knit uppers are lightweight, keep feet cooler, and dry quickly, making them ideal for warm climates and long days of walking. Leather shoes, by contrast, offer structure and a more polished look, though they may not breathe as well as lighter materials.

Synthetic uppers strike a balance, providing both durability and breathability, and many also include built-in water resistance for added protection.

The outsole is equally important, as rubber outsoles offer better traction, and shoes with lugged treads are especially useful if you anticipate uneven or slippery terrain.

Fit, Sizing, and Break-In

Even the best travel shoes won’t serve you well if they don’t fit properly. A good fit helps prevent blisters, swelling, and fatigue during long travel days.

Keep in mind that feet often expand during flights or extended walking, so leaving about a thumbnail’s width of space at the front of the shoe can prevent pinching. It’s also a good idea to try on shoes at the end of the day, when your feet are at their largest, and to wear them around the house or for short errands before your trip to identify any potential hot spots. Don’t forget to consider the socks you’ll wear while traveling so you get an accurate sense of fit and comfort.

Easy On/Off

One of the most irritating parts of travel is wrestling off a pair of shoes while a line of people waits behind you. This is immediately followed by hauling your bags and shoes in your arms while you walk to a bench in your socks so you can put them back on. 

That said, be sure to choose a pair of shoes that you can slip on and off easily. Often, a good pair of travel shoes has a kick-down heel so you can slip in and out of them like slippers. Other shoes are sturdy enough to wear with the laces undone, so you can kick them on and off in an instant. 

Cushion

Travel often involves a lot of time spent on your feet. So it pays to find a pair that you know you can stand and walk in for hours on end. Again, this will depend on personal preference. 

If you like extra plushness, look for a shoe with an EVA or Memory Foam insole. Are you an overpronator? Look for a shoe with more arch support. 

Not sure what you want? Not a problem. If that’s the case, look for a shoe with a removable insole. This will allow you to swap them out for whatever cushioning you prefer.

Stability

For travelers who plan to take walking tours or hike, or for those with flat feet or overpronation, a more stable shoe can offer additional support in the midsole or arch. This extra support can help to stabilize your foot and keep it in a more neutral position.

If you plan to spend time on uneven surfaces, such as trails or cobblestones, a more stable shoe can also help protect your feet and reduce fatigue. 

Packability

When you need to bring more than one pair of shoes, it’s ideal that the pair you put in your luggage takes up as little space as possible. For your second pair, try to pick a shoe that packs down flat. These will take up much less space than more burly shoes. 

Also, weight can be a factor when considering what shoes to pack. You don’t want to add an extra 2 pounds to your carry-on or risk going over the checked luggage limit.

Whether you’re looking for a shoe that slips on and off in a pinch, will pull double-duty as a city and off-road shoe, or just something comfortable that looks good, we’ve got a travel shoe for you. 

Final Thoughts on Choosing the Right Travel Shoes

Choosing the right travel shoes ultimately comes down to understanding the demands of your trip and what keeps your feet comfortable for long stretches of time. Focus on the conditions you’ll encounter, the activities you’re planning, and how much versatility you need from a single pair. The best travel shoe for you is the one that supports your individual journey (and feet) without slowing you down.