15 Best Travel Shoes for Comfort, Style, and All Weather Types

What Makes the Best Travel Shoes? Here are the features to look for

There are a few qualities and features we always look for when shopping for new shoes

1. Comfort and Support – Gone are the days where I sacrifice comfort for style How did I live in stiletto heels back in college? Living in NYC has taught us that it’s okay to complete your dressed up outfit with sneakers. It may look strange to you at first, but it’s the classic NYC look (the cute heels go in your bag). If you’re driving everywhere, wear whatever you want, but if you’re traveling, the chances are you’re going to be exploring on foot.
2. Stylish – Because we do judge a book by its cover, and that’s okay too when it comes to shoes. Just because we want comfort and support also doesn’t mean we will settle for ugly shoes. If you need a heel, try chunky heels, since it has better support and gives you more area to distribute your weight.
3. Lightweight shoes are also a huge perk. Whether they are on my feet or in my suitcase, heavy shoes just start to become a burden.
4. Versatility – If I have to limit myself to a few pairs of shoes per trip, they need to cover a range of activities. That means I need something rugged enough to handle the outdoors but also stylish enough for going out in the city. You can’t always have both, but every so often you find a lucky pair.
5. Performance – Lastly, I like finding shoes that have some sort of performance feature. That could mean breathability, which helps with comfort, or waterproof since you never know if you’ll be caught up in a rainstorm.

Best Travel Sneakers

1. Vessi Footwear →

So far, these are our favorite all-around travel shoes. Since getting these, they’ve been our go-to shoes for everyday activities. These knit shoes are much better than other trendy sneakers and have earned a spot on our shelves for a long time.

Not only are they super lightweight and comfortable, the best part is that they are the first waterproof knit shoes. You don’t have to re-treat them because the technology is permanently integrated into the knit, not a coating.

Many people have commented on how they look similar to Allbirds, but we always tell them they’re better than Allbirds! They have better traction, they’re waterproof, and you don’t wear through them as fast.

Plus, they have different types of shoes now, and we have a few different pairs each! The photos below show three different Vessi shoes.

Vessi Coupon Code: LocalAdventurer10 for 10% off your Vessi Shoes.

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2. Tropicfeel Canyon →

I remember seeing ads for the Tropicfeel Kickstarter campaign earlier this year and was immediately intrigued by their title of the ultimate travel shoe.

We took our Tropicfeel Canyons on a recent trip and have loved them so far. They’ve built a versatile shoe. It can be a water shoe that quickly dries, it’s comfortable enough to walk a lot, the materials are built to be durable like a hiking shoe, and it’s stylish enough to wear wherever you go. We haven’t tried it out as a water shoe yet, but we will let you know once we do some canyon hikes.

In addition, the shoes are made with vegan-friendly, sustainable material, and they give 1% of their sales to organizations that protect wildlife.

Tropicfeel Coupon Code: LocalAdventurer for 10% off your next purchase.

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3. Baabuk Sky Wooler →

We recently got a pair of the Baabuk Sky Woolers. The Merino lining makes it cozy and itch-free inside. The 100% wool uppers make the shoes durable, flexible, and water-repellent. Wool has natural wicking properties and is breathable making it great for warm or cool weather. The only downside is if you have flat feet like me, you need to add your own inserts for more support.

Baabuk Coupon Code: LocalAdventurer for 10% off your next purchase.

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4. Hoka One One Cavu →

Before we got our Vessi’s, both of us were wearing our Cavus all the time on days we’re on our feet all day. They are super light, supportive, and comfortable. These shoes also have a very clean, and simple design that doesn’t draw your attention too much to the fact that you’re wearing sneakers.

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BONUS: Loom →

This is another great option for anyone who lives or adventures in wet or dirty environments. The waterproof sneaker will keep your feet dry and clean while being lightweight and breathable. It’s also made from cruelty-free material sources from eco-friendly farms.

The toe box is a bit small so it feels narrow vertically, but otherwise, they’ve been comfortable so far.

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Best Travel Boots

5. Ugg Indra Combat Boot →

I never thought I would own a pair of UGGS, but I also didn’t realize how wide a selection of shoes they have. With winter around the corner, I decided to get a pair to keep my feet warm. They have been my favorite boots for the past 5+ years.

These wedge boots are waterproof and lined with soft wool, making them extra comfy. I only have a few boots with a heel, and since this one’s a wedge, it helps with comfort. Jacob picked up a pair of the Hannen Boot, which are heavy-duty but lightweight.

I’m sad that these are currently discontinued. I wish I picked up an extra pair, but I feel this design will return someday. In the meantime, you can buy them from third-party sellers on Amazon or the next similar wedge boot.

Note: The Indra Boot fit slightly narrow, but I used these to stretch them out.

Reader’s Review: ” I love Uggs so when I saw your blog with the Ugg Indra Boots on your list of travel shoes, I didn’t hesitate to buy them. Living in Oregon, it’s a win win that it’s waterproof. Super comfy. And soooo cute.. You can dress it up or down. I love it!”

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6. Earth Brand Sparta Booties →

A Danish yoga instructor founded Earth Shoes to create comfortable and fashionable shoes for women. What’s great is they plant 50,000 trees yearly to help the planet.

First Impressions of the Sparta Booties are surprisingly comfortable for having a heel. Chunky heels are the way to go! Woot woot! They have memory foam that cushions your feet from heel to toe.

I’ve worn them for a half day walking all over NYC with no issues but it feels rough on days we’re out from sunrise to sunset. I was worried that I would have trouble styling a statement shoe, but it turns out they go with a lot of outfits.

Note: They fit narrow for my wide feet, but nothing these boot stretchers couldn’t fix.  I read reviews that they tend to run narrow in general.

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7. Danner Mountain 600 Boots →

We discovered Danner Boots while we were living in Portland, and we’re so glad we did. These are our favorite hiking boots, but we can also wear them in the city. 

Anytime we plan on hiking on a trip, or if we expect heavy rain, these boots come with us. They have also been perfect for NYC, especially during the winter when there are slush and puddles hiding around each corner.

Our go-to Danners are the Mountain 600s. We took them on our multi-day hike in Patagonia and Kyrgyzstan, and they work for the city because they don’t look like typical hiking boots. One person even scoffed at Jacob on an icy winter hike, thinking he was wearing regular sneakers. 

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8. Sorel Joan of Arctic Boots →

This is my go-to boot if I’m headed to a ski or winter destination. They are comfortable, warm, waterproof, and stylish. Since I have tiny feet, I purchased the kid’s version for cheaper. Score~!

The Sorel 1964 Pac Nylon Boot was the closest I could find for a men’s version. It has everything but the faux fur on top.

Cons: The kid’s version has a cinch for the laces, which I love because they are so easy to put on and off, but it doesn’t look as good as the women’s version.

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Best Travel Flats

9. Sauvs the Barton + The Zilker →

We wear socks 99% of the time we wear shoes, but after trying on SUAVS knitted shoes, we don’t feel the need for them anymore. These are so comfy! They are breathable and sweat-wicking, plus it’s made out of 100% recycled Digital Knit.

For travel, it packs flat and is washable. We haven’t tested how quickly they dry, but we’ll stick with waterproof shoes if there’s a chance of rain.

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10. Ugg Sammy Slip On →

Here is another pair of UGGs that doesn’t look like what we usually picture as UGGs. Excited to add these comfy fabric flats to my wardrobe.

These fit incredibly narrow on me, but I used my boot stretcher to stretch these out. P.S. My boot stretcher kind of works for shoes, but I tried shoe stretchers, and they do not work for boots. They still run tight for my wide-toe box, but it’s not unbearable. 

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11. Black Diamond Session Shoes →

These are our go-to approach shoes (shoes we wear when we go climbing), but they are great travel shoes too. They are lightweight and comfortable, plus they have a step-down heel. That means they work as slippers and easily slip on and off. If you do a ton of walking and have flat feet like me, you need separate sole inserts for more support.

We’ll wear these on climbing trips, and they may become a go-to travel shoe too! We have the suede ones, but they also have a knit upper version. Check out the men’s and women’s versions.

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12. UIN Footwear →

Here’s a lightweight travel shoe that celebrates life, travel, and fashion. There are a ton of different prints and patterns.

These slip-on designs are made to stay breathable and keep your feet comfortable as you walk. They’re also machine washable! How do you like the prints we chose?

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13. Sanuk Loafer →

I first discovered Sanuks through their flip-flops, which I’ll talk about later. Since I love them so much, I had to try out their other shoes. These are the lightest flats I own. Jacob has the Sanuk Pick Pocket Sneaker, which is similar but you can stash money away in them.

Note: I’m currently using these shoe fillers to help with sizing. They don’t have half sizes and say to order a half size up, but they were too big for me.

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Best Travel Sandals →

14. Sanuk Yoga Bliss →

I love flip flops. If I could wear them year round wherever I go, I totally would. Sometimes I wear flip flops with a winter coat; I kid you not. That’s why I belong in southern California where my toes are free. Ever since I discovered the Sanuk Yoga Bliss flip flops, they have been my favorite by far. They are just so comfortable. They are relatively lightweight for a flip flop and made of yoga mat material. 

Note: The downside of these plush flip flops is that they soak and retain water, so if you know you’ll be getting wet, these aren’t the best. Also, if you’re walking all day in them, they don’t have very good arch support especially for those with flat feet or fallen arches.

I still wear them all the time. I also just got the Yoga Salty Metallic, which is slightly dressier. They feel just like the Yoga Bliss in terms of comfort.

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15. UNDER ARMOUR Atlantic Dune Flip Flop →

Since my Sanuk’s soak and retain water, Underarmour flip flops are my go to alternative when I go on trips involving camping, beach, pool, or needing flip flops in the shower. Since my friend gifted them to me, they have been on a majority of my trips. It’s not as plushy and comfy as my Sanuks, but they’re the most lightweight flip flops I’ve found. 

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What Shoes to Pack and When

If there’s one thing I learned about minimalism after Project 333, it is not to skimp on the shoes. It’s not always possible, but we try to plan destinations with similar weather or activities.

• Flip Flops – Never forget the flip flops. Every time I thought I could do without them, I regretted it. And why? They’re so thin and packable. I don’t recommend them being the sole shoe (pun intended), but they always come in handy. They’re great for beach destinations, showers, dirty floors, or for something easy to get in and out of them for a quick trip to the vending machine.
• Sneakers – If you’re going to walk more than 10k steps a day, these are a must if you care about your feet. Examples – if you’re going to Europe or NYC.
• Comfortable Casual Flats – If we’re mostly driving from place to place.
• Dressy Boots – I’ll replace my comfortable casual flats with cute boots, usually for fall and winter destinations.
• Ballet Flats – For formal events like weddings or nice dinners with a dress code.
• Hiking Boots – We usually only pack our hiking boots for strenuous hikes. We can get away with hiking in sneakers if it’s not over 5 miles or rough terrain.

More Popular and Highly Rated Travel Shoes

I have tiny feet and a wide-toe box, so finding the right pair of shoes can be extra challenging. We hope to check out these to test them on the road. 

• Adidas Superstar SneakersPin
• Adidas Gazelle SneakersPin
• Aerosoles Research Ballet Flats
• Crocs at Work Flat
• FitFlop Novy Toe Post Flip Flop
• Teva Original Universal Sandal