When you travel, packing a few shoes in your suitcase is always a challenge, so basically, you need to make a wise decision, taking 1-2 pairs of shoes at the most.
The activities you’d like to be involved in while traveling abroad will determine your choice of the best travel shoes.
For example, if you are planning on a mountain vacation in Europe during the winter, it would be wise to go for some warm hiking boots and to wear the heaviest shoes before boarding the airplane, and not carry them in your luggage to free space in your suitcase for other clothing as well as to reduce the weight of your luggage.
We have compiled and explained some of the best travel shoes of various types that will be ideal for packing.
Why You Need the Best Travel Shoes
It may be one of the last things that cross your mind, but you will need the right travel shoes for any trip.
Many aspects will affect your choice, such as the weather, where you are going, if you will be walking, what the walking surfaces are like, and whether it will be formal or casual.
All these things can make choosing the right shoes quite confusing, and what you most definitely need is more than half of your luggage consisting of shoes.
Therefore, it is important to choose more multifunctional and lightweight shoes in general and carefully consider your options.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Travel Shoes
Here are a few thoughts to help you pack the right shoes for your travel;
- Is It a Business Trip Or Vacation – You can already consider your choices in shoes. You may need different shoes for a vacation, depending on your destination. Whereas for work it will be your work shoes and something extra for leisurewear.
- Weather Conditions – Ensure you know the weather and where you will take appropriate footwear and accessories.
- Activities – What activities will you perform on your trip? You will need comfortable walking shoes if you are walking and sightseeing. If you go to the beach, you will need beach shoes, so the list goes on.
- Formal Shoes? – I would pack one pair if you go out for an evening or two or need professional attire for a business trip. You can mostly get away with semi-formal style shoes for vacations, as they should be acceptable for an evening out or even a day trip.
- Leisure Wear – Slippers or comfortable leisure shoes to wear at your accommodation may also be needed after a long day.
- Walking Surfaces – If you are sightseeing, hiking, or doing plenty of walking, you must also consider the ear and walking surfaces. If there will be plenty of outdoors and trails, then take a trail shoe, and if it will be urban areas and roads mostly, opt for a more cushioning road shoe.
Features of Good Travel Shoe
- Uppers – Consider shoes with comfortable and breathable uppers such as leather, mesh, or synthetic materials.
- Supporta and Comfort Features – You will need some cushioning, a good supportive design, and a cushioning midsole, especially if you are doing plenty of walking.
- Weathre Ideal – Opt for sandals and more breathable shoes for hot weather and waterproof and insulated shoes for very cold weather.
- Outsole – Look for shoes with a durable slip-resistant rubber outsole, especially for walking. Otherwise, one could have blisters and other such problems.
- Fit – Make sure the shoes are comfortable and properly worn before you take them on a trip.
Key Specs
| No. | Shoe | Type | Closure | Width options | Drop / Cushion | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Clarks Cotrell / Marigold (women's) | Walking | Slip-on | Medium, Wide | Memory foam | – |
| 2 | New Balance 608 V5 | Walking | – | Medium, Wide, X-Wide | ABZORB | – |
| 3 | Merrell Speed Strike 2 | Trail/hiking | – | Medium, Wide | EVA | – |
| 4 | Under Armour Charged+ Assert 11 | Shoe | Lace-up | Medium, Wide, X-Wide | – | 10.2 oz |
| 5 | New Balance MW928v3 / WW928v3 (women's) | Walking | Lace-up | Medium, Wide, X-Wide | ABZORB | – |
| 6 | Under Armour Charged Assert 10 | Walking | – | Medium, Wide, X-Wide | 10 mm drop / Charged Cushioning | 9.5 oz |
– = not stated by the maker. Specs as stated by the maker, not tested by us.
Reviews: The Best Travel Shoes
Let us now try and look at the best brands of shoes available in the market. Though there could be many, we look at five models for their unique features and specialties.
1Slip-On Traveler Walking Shoes
Clarks Cotrell - Men
Clarks Marigold - Women
- It is a great shoe for all urban travelers.
- It also securely fits with a unique slip-on and stretch gores that provide a snug fit.
- This shoe comes with an excellent OrthoLite insole for extra cushioning.
- Included – EVA midsole with full-grain leather upper and visible fashionable stitching.
- This shoe has a great look that goes with formal and casual/party wear.
- Enjoy long walks without foot sweating due to the wool lining with moisture control that will keep your feet dry.
2
Travel Walking Shoes
New Balance 608 V5 - Men
New Balance 608 V5 - Women
- ABZORB heel crash pad absorbs impact on every step, paired with a molded PU insert for underfoot comfort that lasts from morning to night.
- Sturdy suede upper provides supportive structure and a classic look that breaks in nicely over time for a personalized fit.
- Dual density collar foam supports the ankle and helps maintain stability during workouts, walks, and all-day wear.
- Phantom Liner construction features minimal interior seaming to reduce irritation and create a smooth, comfortable fit against the foot.
3
Travel Hiking and Trail Shoe
Merrell Speed Strike 2 - Men
Merrell Speed Strike 2 - Women
- Synthetic and mesh upper.
- Protective and abrasion resistant synthetic heel and toe cap.
- Heel loop for ease of entry as well as carabiner compatibility.
- Lightweight EVA foam midsole for stability and comfort.
4
Therapeutic Travel Diabetic Shoes
Under Armour Charged+ Assert 11 - Men
Under Armour Charged+ Assert 11 - Women
- Athletic mesh upper with durable leather overlays for added dimension & midfoot support.
- Charged+ midsole cushioning provides unmatched softness & all-day comfort.
- Durable rubber outsole provides traction & durability with strategically-placed flex grooves for proper toe-off.
- Upper contains at least 30% recycled content.
5
Traveler Walking Shoe
New Balance MW928v3 - Men
New Balance WW928v3 - Women
- It is also available in black, white, or gray colors.
- Assembled in the USA – this shoe is extremely lightweight and has a cushioned collar.
- New Balance is known for making the best shoes for sports activities and leisure time, such as travel.
- The 928 model is a true walking shoe for travelers as it comes with a Walking Strike Path outsole, making walking easy all day long.
- An added advantage comes from the ABZORB midfoot cushioning and Stabilizing ROLLBAR technology.
- The inside of this shoe is just as great as the exterior look and design as it comes with Seamless Phantom Liner, which is odor-resistant.
- This shoe comes with a rubber sole and is made of leather, making it a tough and durable shoe perfect for travelers.
- The leather upper is of the best quality and has a polyurethane midsole.
- Overall, it is a great shoe offering the best value for money.
6
Travel Walking Sneaker
Under Armour Charged Assert 10 - Men
Under Armour Charged Assert 10 - Women
- Lightweight, breathable mesh upper with synthetic overlays for added durability & support.
- EVA sockliner provides soft, step-in comfort.
- Solid rubber outsole covers high impact zones for greater durability with less weight.
Walking Shoes for Travel
The best type of shoe that you will find for traveling is a walking shoe. A walking shoe provides cushioned comfort, good shock absorption, breathability, and a durable and long-lasting outsole. With any form of traveling, you are going to be doing quite a bit of walking. Therefore, keep in mind that an attractive shoe is also necessary for traveling.
Index Table: Top Rated Traveler’s Shoes
| No. | Shoe | Men ♂ | Women ♀ | Features | Brand |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Clarks® - Slip-On Traveler Walking Shoes |  |  |
| Clarks |
| 2 | New Balance® - Travel Walking Shoes |  |  | New Balance | |
| 3 | Merrell® - Travel Hiking and Trail Shoe |  |  | Merrell | |
| 4 | Under Armour® - Therapeutic Travel Diabetic Shoes |  |  | Under Armour | |
| 5 | New Balance® - Traveler Walking Shoe |  |  |
| New Balance |
| 6 | Under Armour® - Travel Walking Sneaker |  |  | Under Armour |
Sources
- NHS: Walking for health
- MedlinePlus (NIH): Sweat
- Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety: Prevention of Slips, Trips and Falls
Update History
- Oct 2026: Replaced New Balance MW769BR with New Balance 608 V5; replaced Merrell Chameleon 8 with Merrell Speed Strike 2; replaced Dr. Comfort Stallion with Under Armour Charged+ Assert 11; replaced Asics Gel Quantum 180 6 with Under Armour Charged Assert 10
- Oct 2026: Removed Rockport Eureka, Skechers Performance Go Walk 4, Propet Kona and Skechers Go Walk 6 (unavailable)
- Oct 2026: Added a Key Specs table and a Sources section; checked availability of every product
- Jun 2015: Published
