The Wrong Shoes Can Ruin Your Trip! 10 Best Walking Shoes For Travel

Have you ever been on a trip where one of the lasting memories (unfortunately) was a pair of ill-fitting and uncomfortable shoes? Erin has confessed to this problem more than once. You get excited about your trip, you buy new shoes, next thing you know…blisters and sore feet. While this can often be avoided by giving your shoes ample break-in time, sometimes we forget to make time for that. So, today we wanted to share Erin’s 10 favorite, best-of-the-best walking shoes for travel. NO break-in time required! While comfort is key, you also don’t want to sacrifice style in your cute travel outfits, right? Between walking cobblestone streets in Europe, hiking the West Bank in Israel, and hitting the unforgiving pavement in several cities, these are the 10 shoes that made the cut.

Having the right outfit for your travel day is another make-it-or-break-it must. We share 10 casual and comfortable airport looks in this post.

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10 Best Walking Shoes For Travel

#1) New Balance 327 Sneakers

When it comes to mixing style and all-day comfort, it can be difficult to find a true athletic sneaker that also looks chic enough to wear with skirts, dresses, and trousers. That’s probably why these New Balance 327 sneakers are so insanely popular! They’re a perfect mix of fashion and function. Erin wore these on her trip to Vietnam and China and loved that she could wear them with a blazer and shorts just as easily as she could pair them with sweats. They have a removable insole, thick nubbed treads, and they have a slimming/flattering effect on your foot without feeling cramped or too narrow. We find these to run TTS. They come in many different colors, but for travel, a neutral pair will be an easy go-to in terms of easily coordinating with all your outfits if your suitcase space is limited.

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#2) On Sneakers

There are several different types of ON sneakers, but our team is a fan of both the Cloud X training shoes and the Cloudmonster running shoes. Which one we’d specifically recommend depends on your level of activity, how much support you want, what activities you’re doing, etc. The first is more of a walking shoe. Erin bought her first pair (which you can just barely see above) while she was living in Spain and found them to be super comfy for everyday walking and exploring. Denise, our YouTube co-producer, purchased the Cloudmonsters recently and said, “These are the most comfortable sneakers I’ve ever worn”. Anyone who knows Denise knows this woman owns a lot of sneakers! She said they have a chunky sole with an obvious rocking motion that felt odd at first but ultimately added to the comfort.

Both pairs have removable insoles and great arch support. These shoes would be great for walking running, hiking, or just as an everyday casual sneaker.

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#3) Chloe Nama Sneakers

These Chloe sneakers are another pair that Erin has traveled ALL over with. Because of very limited luggage space on a trip to the Middle East, she even hiked in these! While she wouldn’t recommend making these your hiking shoes if you can avoid it, they still worked and didn’t hurt her feet. They have a 2” platform, cushioned footbed, and cool contrast stitching giving them more of an elevated street sneaker look. Erin did say that these are not easy to slip on and off at airport security, but that didn’t stop her from packing them for multiple trips. Truth be told, Erin has had these sneakers for years and initially, some of the team members weren’t sure anyone but Erin would look great in them. Slowly but surely we got on board and many of us have either purchased the same sneakers or the similar Dolce Vita (for less!) version that we’ll link below.

#4)  Linea Paolo Jute Sneakers 

These are a newer pair to Erin’s comfy travel shoe collection. She wore them while walking the streets of Italy during her family vacation in June. They’re a bit tough to see in the photo, but these Linea Paolo sneakers also have a cushioned footbed and a slip-resistant sole which can help you feel more secure. Erin did mention that you need to wear a lowcut crew sock with these sneaks if wearing them in warm weather otherwise, your feet will sweat. She wore them with dresses, pants, and shorts and loved the espadrille detail for summer. They also come in black and she found them to fit true to size.

#5) Rag & Bone Retro Runners 

Erin owns these Rag & Bone retro runners in multiple colors. There just THAT good. They have more of a sporty, retro, elevated casual look for everyday or travel. They’re super lightweight and have great flexibility and traction. They have a little bit of a lift for some added height, but they aren’t a platform sneaker like #3 and #4. This sneaker has extra padding for comfort in all the right places and since the footbed is cushioned, these will provide arch support as well.

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#6) Gola Eclipse Mode Sneakers

Our last pair of sneakers in our comfy shoes for travel roundup is a pair of Gola sneakers that Erin wore quite a bit while exploring various countries and cities in Europe when she lived in Spain for 6 months. Not only are they comfortable, but they have an elevated look about them. Plus the metallic details are different and unique! These don’t offer quite as much support as some of the others mentioned, but we love the sleek look, slimming effect on the foot, and leather and suede details. These are definitely stride in style sneakers!

#7) Cole Haan Metallic Flats

Moving on from sneakers, we wanted to share this next pair of shoes by Cole Hann. These flats were a surprise hit that Erin wore while traveling through Italy this summer. Erin was a bit skeptical at first, but she walked in these for hours and found them to be very comfortable. They are also a bit dressier. She wore them with skirts and dresses for a slightly more elevated look. They have jute-wrapped trim, a very cushiony footbed for absorbing impact, and the elastic at the heel kept them secure on her foot. No slipping. These are such great shoes for travel.

#8) Pedro Garcia Metallic Sandals

Another pair of flats Erin wore throughout Italy are these Pedro Garcia sandals. Similar to the #7 the metallic leather gives these shoes a little extra glam and wearability! They have an adjustable Velcro ankle strap with a hook and loop closure and a rubber sole for ultimate flexibility. Some comfy walking shoes for women don’t look particularly feminine, but these absolutely do! And, let’s not forget the breathability factor you’ll have with sandals.

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#9) Sam Edelman Khiara Espadrille Flat

So many of you picked these up when we first featured them in this post about what Erin packed for her trip to Vietnam and China. They were a top-seller for good reason. Espadrille-inspired shoes have been a huge trend for summer. They are breathable, stylish, and we love the glam (but not too glam!) logo hardware. You can wear these with pretty much anything since they are a neutral color. Erin did say that she didn’t wear these as often as some of the other shoes she brought on her trip. And that there was a clicking sound at the heel, but she wasn’t sure if that would have gone away after more wears. Just something to consider!

#10) See by Chloe Espadrille Wedges

This last pair of shoes are walking TO DINNER shoes. No, we don’t imagine you’ll be hoofing around in these wedges all day long, but…several team members own and love these wedges because they are VERY comfortable for heels. The rubber sole adds a layer of flexibility. And since they have a platform, the pitch of your foot isn’t very high. But, you get a ton of leg-lengthening. The ankle strap also adds some security. Many of us have walked to dinner and beyond…hours even, in these wedges with absolutely zero discomfort. So, you can wander without any worries!

How To Choose The Right Shoes For Walking

Look For Lightweight Styles

Not only will these be better for packing when it comes to lugging your suitcase around…lightweight shoes are also easier to move in. You can walk farther with less effort. Carrying less weight on your feet can improve your posture and help alleviate back pain too.

Breathability

Particularly in warmer weather, breathability is key. Allowing air to circulate around your feet, can help keep them cool and dry and, let’s be real, less stinky.

Adjustability

Feet can swell when you travel so adjustable laces or ankle straps are a nice option. You can also wear thicker/thinner socks with your sneakers depending on how your feet feel that day. So packing both is another great tip.

Low Pitch Shoes

For ladies who love a little extra height, we see you! But it’s important to choose your heels strategically if you’ll be doing a lot of walking. Opt for platform or flatform wedges or heels so that the pitch of you foot is less severe.

Slip-Free Sole

Slip-resistant soles are best for rainy days and can help grip while hiking to prevent falls. Flexible, and rubber soles will be your best bet for days you’ll be doing a ton of walking. Plus you’ll benefit from the shock-absorbing properties.

Arch Support

You can always check the online production description to learn which shoes offer arch support. Not all walking shoes do. Keep in mind you can also add your own arch support inserts to shoes that have removable insoles. This can really be a game-changer.

Stick With Brands You Know and Love

When in doubt, sticking with brands you trust can help when it comes to both sizing and comfort. Knowing what brands work best on your feet can save you time and discomfort.

Flexibility vs Support

When it comes to walking shoes, look for flexibility in the front of the shoe and toe area but not in the back. Generally speaking, you’ll want less flexibility and more support at the heel and ankle.

Ok, your turn! Do you have a favorite pair of walking shoes for travel? If so, please share in the commet below so our community can benefit from your amazing find!

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