We’ve all been there. You’re excited to wear those new shoes on your big trip and then *bam* you hit some unexpected humidity — and what you thought were comfortable shoes become blister-inducing torture chambers! Or maybe your tried-and-true favorites have simply lost their luster & bounce. If it’s time for some new kicks, we are here to help.
Below are some helpful hints for finding solid travel shoes, as well as some specific examples to get you started. Our goal is to give you confidence in your next pair of touring shoes!
These Boots Travel Shoes Were Made for Walking!
Melissa’s Criteria for Finding the Best Travel Shoes
FIT: I have a wide foot, so I’m always on the lookout for cute, comfortable travel shoes that don’t look too geriatric! Seriously, it’s a huge challenge to tick the boxes of both style and comfort, and in my case, finding the right fit takes lots of trial and equal amounts of error. So I recommend shopping NOW for footwear and wearing them a good deal prior to departure — even taking long walks — to accurately assess whether they will work for you.
CUSHION: European destinations add another dimension to your quest as you must anticipate regularly walking on uneven ground. Cobblestones and gravel paths are prevalent, working the lower leg and ankle differently than we are used to on smooth sidewalks. This means you will want extra cushion and support.
COLOR: Some of my favorite travel shoes are black, and that is no accident. We will talk later about the “capsule wardrobes” we adhere to for packing, and black happens to be a cornerstone of my travel outfits for that reason. Black shoes travel well because they hide that bit of mud or drop of gelato you’re sure to encounter, and their versatility allows them to be worn in a multitude of settings. By all means, if another color works best in your wardrobe, have at it … but you can’t ever go wrong with black.
WEIGHT: The weight of shoes is also a significant factor in my choice of footwear. When I know I’ll be lugging my suitcase onto planes, over cobblestones, into and out of vehicles, and up and down train stairs, I want my suitcase’s overall weight to be minimal. Since shoes are almost always the heaviest item I pack, their weight impacts my decisions on what to buy and pack.
How Many Pairs to Pack?
I recommend packing a minimum of 2 pairs and a maximum of 3 (with a few caveats). This means I typically end up with 1) an athletic lace-up, 2) extremely comfortable slip-ons, and 3) often a nice pair of booties for trips in the late autumn. Most of our tours are not held in the summer, so sandals are usually not an option due to cooler temperatures. For those who only pack 2 pairs of shoes, a thin, light pair of lounge-worthy slippers can come in handy for evenings when you return from a long touring day.
Favorite Women’s Travel Shoes
(some I own, others come HIGHLY recommended)
ATHLETIC SHOES: I never leave home without a pair of black athletic shoes.
LEATHER LACE-UP SNEAKERS: A bit more stylish than athletic versions. These type shoes in white or black could also be worn with a dress or skirt.
SLIP-ONS: Classic, easy comfort.
HOT TIP – Your Shoes on the Airplane: Some people report that their ankles and feet swell over the course of the long travel day/night over the Atlantic. To ward off this condition, wear compression socks on the plane (there are actually cute, fun ones out there) and drink plenty of water inflight. Also, make sure to wear a pair of lace-up or stretchy shoes.
Their adjustability across the vamp will allow you to fit comfortably in your shoes even if your feet are a bit puffy when you reach your destination. The bonus to wearing the lace-ups is that you’ll likely have one of your bulkiest pairs of shoes on your feet, providing more valuable space in your luggage.
Favorite Men’s Travel Shoes
Asher’s Addendum for Men
While you’ve likely heard that European countries dress more “put together” than here in the states, in reality they have become much more lax in dress code expectations. Younger generations are likely to be seen wearing premium sneakers, and leather-soled oxfords are seen less and less often — especially in tourist-rich locations.
Like Melissa, I recommend two pairs of shoes for your trip — typically wearing the heavier of the two on travel days and packing the other. You’ll likely find me with 1) crisp athletic sneakers and 2) a pair of “snappier” shoes (or boots, depending on the destination). When in doubt, choose whatever you are more likely to wear at home.
ATHLETIC SNEAKERS: I have joined the all-black team, especially for athletic shoes. Since black sneakers work in so many situations, they often end up being my go-to Day Shoe. Of course, choose comfort over color, but at a minimum consider leaning towards neutrals over neons.
The most comfortable sneakers I’ve ever worn are Adidas Ultraboost, and I much prefer the black-soled version (white sneaker soles get chewed up and dirty very quickly).
CASUAL/PREMIUM SNEAKERS: This is my favorite category of shoes, and also has the most options based on your personal style. Classic lines, versatile and universally accepted, you really can’t go wrong.
Traditional: Rubber-sole oxfords are a solid option. Cole Haan’s “Zerogrand” line may be the perfect fit, and includes traditional oxford-style tops (leather or fabric) with comfortable rubber soles. Many models also come in Wide, which can be a bonus. If you’re a fan of a more traditional look, I highly recommend these shoes.
Conservative: The Crown Northamptons below are what you’re most likely to see me wearing at the time of this message. They’re a tad expensive, but extremely comfortable and will last a (literal) lifetime — the premium leather only wears better with time and the hand-stitched soles allow for re-soling. Like dress-shoes, ensure plenty of time to break in, but I’ve yet to find a more versatile & comfortable casual shoe.
Trendy: “Retro trainers” are fair game for the more progressive/stylish traveler, and colors are more widely accepted in this category. I won’t make recommendations here, as you either know what you’re doing or not, but here are a few examples.
LOAFERS: If you have a comfortable “go-to” pair of loafers, feel free to pack/wear them. I personally prefer lace-ups over slip-ons for reasons mentioned above, so I don’t have any recommendations for this category — but I will say Sperry-style boat shoes are typically reserved for when you’re getting on a boat! 🙂
BOOTS: While often heavy and unwieldy for packing purposes, boots can make a fantastic travel companion. Rubber or cork soles are ideal for cobblestone-style environments (I recommend leaving leather-soled shoes behind unless you’re extremely confident in them).
HIKING: For more “hike heavy” destinations (such as glacial tours in Switzerland), many crossover/hiking shoes are available that are great on the trail and can still pass in certain casual settings. They provide great support and grip when needed, and are favorite “one-pair” shoes for heavy world travelers.
DOWNTIME: I always pack a light pair of flip-flops or slides to let my feet breathe once I’m back to my accommodations — they come in handy fetching laundry or lounging around the room.
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We hope this gets you thinking about what shoes that you’ll be bringing to Europe, and we are extremely interested in what shoes you like to take traveling. Are you searching for a new pair for this trip? Please share your travel shoe finds. Happy Shopping!
The Hub & Spoke Traveler 