The Best Travel Shoes of 2024

If you’re shopping on a budget, you’ll likely be wanting a shoe that will last a while. The Combat Flip Flops LT-22 ($65) is that shoe. Built with a blended synthetic canvas upper, nylon laces, metal eyelets, and a Cordura lace holder, the LT-22 is like your favorite pair of Vans wearing body armor. 

And, like a good pair of canvas shoes, these have a flat, flip-flop feel with a bit of cush to it. The attached insole has a comfortable squish, and the lining is soft and silky. That silky lining wasn’t just comfortable — it also made it easier to slip the shoes on and off at security checkpoints. This was a pleasant surprise since the heel is stationary. 

As you’d expect from this style of shoe, there’s not a ton of support here. If you need a beefy midsole for walking longer distances, you may want to look elsewhere. But if you want a comfy shoe with casual styling that won’t drain your bank account, the Combat Flip Flops LT-22 is a solid choice.

Trips with a higher dirt-to-pavement ratio require a different kind of shoe. After our time with the Salewa Puez Knit ($239), we’re convinced that this is that shoe. It’s clearly meant for off-road work, but it’s just as comfortable on the way to the trailhead as it is on your hike. 

Salewa crammed this hiking shoe with a slew of features built for trails. The outsole has aggressive lugs with a heel brake and a protective toe cap. The upper is lined with a PFC-free waterproof membrane. The shoe’s exterior is made up of abrasion-resistant knitted nylon. There’s even an elastic ankle gaiter to keep debris from falling into your shoe. All of these features added up to comfort and security during weeks of scrambling and hiking in Northern California. 

And while they may seem overbuilt for pavement, they never felt clunky on sidewalks, asphalt, and airport tile floors. The outsole provides a smooth rolling gait that may lead you to forget that you’re wearing hiking shoes. That elastic gaiter also made it easier to slip the shoes off at security checkpoints as well. We still needed two hands to put them back on, but it was a lot quicker than any other boots we’ve traveled with. 

If you’re not doing any serious hiking on your trip, the Salewa Puez Knit is probably overkill. And Salewas tend to run a bit narrow, so these won’t be ideal for wider feet. But if you plan on spending your trip off the beaten path, these could be the perfect choice. 

When we first saw our test pair of Municipal Origin Shoes ($180), we were worried that the company valued style over substance. To be fair, these shoes look cool as hell — the classic suede upper and slightly chunky profile make them look like a cross between classic Reebok low tops and a pair of Jordans.

In short, their sporty yet high-end style means they looked just as good with a pair of sweats and a white tee as they did with a dressy casual look for evenings out.

More importantly, the substance matches the style. The cushy padded upper snugged the foot and felt supportive, while the mesh toebox prevented the shoe from overheating on hot days. But the real star of the show here is the M.FLOAT midsole, which layers four different densities of foam, which facilitated an extremely cushioned yet supportive ride that kept our feet comfortable after miles of walking.

There is no kick-down heel, which is usually a ding when it comes to airport security checkpoints, but were pleasantly surprised with the Origin. The upper is just stiff enough to wear securely with the laces untied, which makes them simple to kick on and off when it’s time to get them x-rayed. In fact, we’re mostly wearing them untied just for the convenience.

The only real ding we could find is that, while it looks great, suede is a pain to clean if you get it dirty. And these shoes look so sweet, you’re going to want to keep them clean. You may need to invest in a suede brush when you pick these up. Or be really careful not to spill your drinks.

Thanks to its all-day comfort and extremely versatile style, the Municipal Origin could easily be a one-quiver shoe for most trips. Thanks to its athletic origins, it even makes a decent gym shoe if your hotel has a weight room. Just be sure not to scuff up that suede.

After a few trips with the ON Cloud 5 Coast ($150), we figured out why you always see people wearing ONs at the airport — they’re really damn comfortable. These lightweight (7-ounce) shoes are airy, have a slipper-like interior, and are surprisingly supportive for long days on your feet. 

The shoes have a rubber-reinforced outsole with that distinctive ON design. It’s bouncy, light, and supportive. We had no trouble wearing these through long days at theme parks or trekking through airport terminals. 

A speed-lacing system and kick-down heel mean you can slip these on and off without a second thought. This made them our favorite for whipping through security. Also, the airy mesh upper and sweat-wicking sock liner were comfortable when wearing without socks at the beach. 

The mesh is anti-microbial, as a phrase that we always take that with a grain of salt. However, after a few weeks of warm-weather wear without socks, our tester’s partner has yet to complain about the odor. 

While the speed lacing on the ON Cloud 5 Coast is helpful for taking these shoes on and off, it also means you can’t ratchet down on the laces and, say, go for a run. But if you’re planning on maintaining a walking tempo for your trip, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a more comfortable shoe.

A stealthy boot that looks like a skate shoe, the 5.11 McClane Mid ($100) is built for anyone who wants a hiking boot that you can wear out to dinner. The heavy-duty suede and nylon upper is extremely tough, the Vibram outsole is grippy, and there’s even built-in toe protection (it’s not steel-toe, but it feels like it) for extra “oomph.” 

What makes the 5.11 McClane Mid really stand out is that it doesn’t look like a heavy-duty boot. The exterior styling give it more of a sneaker vibe. So, after a day of tromping through the woods, you can get to your hotel, swap clothes, and hit the town in them. 

Luckily, they also feel like sneakers, for the most part. This is thanks in part to the soft Ortholite Drop-in foam insole, which felt pleasantly squishy underfoot. And if squishy isn’t your thing, you can easily swap the insoles out for a firmer pair. 

One thing to note, however, there is potential for the mid-height ankle cuff to create a hotspot on the Achilles. We didn’t experience this during testing, but we did find reports of this in our research. 5.11 does have a 90-day return policy in case this happens. 

The Reef SWELLsole Neptune ($75) nails the casual beach vacation vibe, thanks to its airy mesh upper, super-flexible EVA outsole, and extremely soft and comfortable Memory Foam sock liner. They feel like a well-worn pair of slippers, but they have a casual styling that will go with just about anything short of a black-tie event. 

A kick-down heel not only made it easy for us to get through security checkpoints but was also perfect for groggy morning trips to the hotel cafe after a long night out. The Memory Foam insole felt pillow-like yet offered just enough arch support for longer treks through town.

The heel cuff can often be the … Achilles heel for many shoes designed to be worn barefoot. Without a sock on, that area can cause irritation and hotspots as the foot slides around. We’re happy to report that wasn’t the case here, thanks to the soft suede liner in the back of the shoe. We put miles on these shoes without socks and felt zero irritation. 

The one ding with this shoe is that it’s not terribly versatile. If you’re planning on hiking, running, or working out, you’ll have to bring another pair with you. But if you’re looking for an extremely comfortable beach cruiser, the Reef SWELLsole Neptune is your huckleberry.