When you travel to different cities around the world, you’ll come across some places that are only accessible by pedestrians. While some others are just so much better to explore on foot. With these facts in mind, every adventurous traveler should equip themselves with the best walking shoes for travel. What are the things to consider before clicking the “Buy” button? Keep reading to find out!
How To Choose The Best Walking Shoes For Travel
In case you’re still doubting whether you should invest in another pair of shoes, think about your next travel plans. Chances are there’s a place in your itinerary that requires at least some amount of walking. And even if there wasn’t, the flying in-and-out day itself can be exhausting on the feet. So, why not prepare yourself with the comfort you deserve?
We often buy things through our friends’ or family’s recommendations. There’s nothing wrong with that. However, you need to consider what feels comfortable on your cousin’s feet may not be the same on yours. And what looks good on your friends may not be on you. That’s why we recommend you do your own research. Don’t have time to spare? Fret not! We are here to help you. All you have to do is ask yourself the following questions:
What’s the weather like where you’re going?
No matter how comfortable a pair of shoes is, profuse sweating can ruin your entire feel and look. There’s no fun in walking around with sweaty feet. So, if you’re going to a tropical place such as Bali, Indonesia, look for something light and breathable. Ankle-high, synthetic shoes are what you want. On the other hand, if you’re going to a colder place such as a winter trip to parks in Canada, look for something more covered and thick. A pair of leather boots is a great idea. Try to balance the shoes’ thickness and weight, though, because you don’t want to be walking around with a pair of bricks.
Are you going to pack the shoes in your luggage?
If the answer is no, you have no issues. However, if the answer is yes, there are more things to consider. Despite being lightweight, some shoes, even the best travel walking shoes can take a lot of space in your luggage. And not everyone is traveling with spacious zipperless luggage. So, think about the size of your luggage and compare that with the shoes’ dimension.
How often do you want to wear them?
Some shoes are great to wear with a sundress or khaki shorts, and some others are not. Unless you’re planning on wearing the same outfit throughout the entire vacation, you may want to consider something more neutral and versatile, so you can match them with most, if not all of your outfits. Keep in mind that most neutral shoes are not on the trendy scale. So, if you care so much about style and standing out in the crowd, you may want to invest in more than one extra pair of shoes.
Crocs Freesail Chelsea Rain Boot
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We start our list of best walking shoes for travel with a familiar brand. These waterproof rain boots are perfect for travel on both rainy or shiny days. Crocs Freesail Chelsea Rain Boot is comfortable yet stylish at the same time. Despite the high-ankle cut, the twin stretch panels make it easy to slip on and off. The shoes feature Dual Crocs Comfort to provide support and, of course, comfort. Croslite foam material makes these shoes very lightweight. Even though these are technically boots, they are easy to pack and fit comfortably. They are available in five colors including light gray, navy, and dark camo green. Each color comes with different stretch panel styles.
What We Love
Crocs is no doubt the maker of lightweight yet durable footwear, and this is one of them.
Pros:
- Made of lightweight materials
- Water-proof, easy to clean
- Stretch panels for easy wear
Cons:
- These are quite narrow and not long enough for some people.
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Vasque Grand Traverse
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These are stylish looking shoes you can wear with any casual outfits. The comfortable Vasque Grand Traverse is also lightweight. The breathable and durable leather/mesh upper feature water protection. This makes the shoes dry quickly and provide air circulation, so your feet will stay dry. The rubber outsole features dual-compound Vibram Ibek, which gives you a good grip. No more slippage on any surface, especially on rocky surfaces. The footbed and midsole are equipped with dual-density EVA. These shoes are available in three colors: navy/scarlet, magnet/presto, and bungee cord/rooibos tea.
What We Love
These shoes are lightweight yet durable, all you need for long walks!
Pros:
- Dry quickly
- Provide air circulation
- Dual-compound Vibram Ibek for good grip
Cons:
- A little too narrow with a small toe box.
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Superga 2750 Cotu Sneaker
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If you’re looking for easy-to-wear and neutral shoes you can wear on various occasions, Superga 2750 Cotu Classic is a must! It’s stylish with a signature tag. It’s great for long days of shopping or sightseeing. There are several fun colors to choose from, including the classic navy.
These comfortable walking shoes offer canvas upper and a rubber sole. There’s a lace-up closure with metal eyelets for an adjustable fit. The cushioned footbed will make you comfortable through all-day wear. The natural rubber, crepe-textured outsole offers traction and durability on any surfaces.
What We Love
They are designed to fit any occasion and style!
Pros:
- Metal eyelets for better lacing
- Cushioned footbed
- Natural rubber for traction
Cons:
- No removable insole.
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Clarks CloudSteppers Sillian Paz
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Lightweight loafer shoes with a simple design, Clarks CloudSteppers Sillian Paz is very comfortable for walking and daily use. Its soft fabrics will make you feel like you’re walking barefoot. The shoes come in many colors such as navy, black, burgundy, and gray.
With synthetic materials for the upper and soft fabric lining, you barely need time to break in. These shoes are breathable and keep your feet cool and dry. The soles are made of EVA foam material. The outsole gives good traction on both wet and dry surfaces. And the midsole gives shock absorption for an effortless and smooth walk. With the removable OrthoLite Memory Foam footbed and high-density sock liner, you’ll get extra comfort and support for your feet.
What We Love
Its soft fabrics will make you feel like you’re walking barefoot!
Pros:
- Extra comfort
- EVA foam material for soles
- Breathable
Cons:
- They are relatively too small and narrow compared to other best walking shoes for travel.
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Propet Travelactiv
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Providing comfort, fit, and style for all customers, Propet Travelactiv is lightweight, airy, and soft. And they are perfect for all year traveling. The shoes are available in several widths including narrow, wide, and extra-wide. It also has many color options from the black, navy, to reindeer red.
The Propet TravelActiv features outsoles with extra flexibility. This allows your feet to move more naturally. The extra-cushioning insole is added to provide arch support. The footbed is removable and you can use your custom orthotics. The uppers are equipped with a lace-up system, so you can adjust them to most comfortable. They also feature 3M Scotchgard, which make the shoes are stain and water-resistant.
What We Love
These are lightweight, airy, and soft!
Pros:
- Available in several width options
- Extra flexible outsole
- Removable footbed
- Stain and water-resistant
Cons:
- The collars are too high and can cause blisters on the ankle.
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Dr. Scholl’s Madison
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The comfortable slip-on shoes feature a simple design. Dr. Scholl’s Madison is great for those who do a lot of walking daily. It‘s available in many styles and color options. You can choose Greige, Space Navy, Nirvana Purple, and many more.
To help you slip in and out your shoes better and faster, there are elastic bands on the side. The shoes feature a rubber outsole for good traction. You’ll be able to stay comfortably on your feet on any kind of surfaces. The padded cushioned insole and midsole feature removable Memory Foam Cool Fit. These soles will mold to the shape of your feet and provide arch support. Plus, the insole is designed with gel beads to keep your feet cool all day. The upper is made from different materials depending on the color and style.
What We Love
From the elastic bands to padded cushioned soles, these shoes are designed for comfort.
Pros:
- Provide arch support
- Different material selection
- Gel beads within the insole will keep your feet cool all-day.
Cons:
- The elastic bands might rub your ankle and cause a blister.
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Adidas Originals Tubular
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With a lightweight and breathable knit upper, Adidas Original Tubular looks classy and stylish. And the upper knit is also flexible, so it’s very comfortable to wear all day. The breathable knit also gives air ventilation to keep your feet dry. It features thick synthetic rubber outsole to provide secure traction. And the soft molded heels add more support tor your feet. The midsole is made of EVA foam for underfoot protection. And there’s an orthotic sock liner to prevent your feet from blisters. These shoes are available in a range of colors, from black, white, to gray. They also come in various upper edition (knit, leather, and prime knit).
What We Love
It’s lightweight and breathable without compromising comfort.
Pros:
- Flexible upper knit
- Secure traction with thick synthetic rubber outsole
- Orthotic sock liner helps prevent blisters
Cons:
- The sole is a bit hard.
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New Balance 990V4
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If you need comfortable shoes for travel, New Balance 990V4 is highly recommended. Despite being advertised as running shoes, they are also suitable for daily wear. These shoes are lightweight and made of suede-looking leather. The upper features breathable mesh. So, it minimizes the heat on sunny days. The lace keeper secures the laces and keeps the tongue in place. The midsole is equipped with ENCAP technology. This makes every stroll more comfortable and stable. These shoes are available in several colors including blue, navy, and burgundy.
What We Love
They offer the durability of running shoes and the comfort of walking shoes.
Pros:
- Secure laces and tongue
- Breathable mesh upper
- Suede-looking leather material
Cons:
- A little pricey and relatively bulky compared to most of our best walking shoes for travel.
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Skechers Go Walk 4
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Affordable shoes with great performances, Skechers Go Walk 4 is lightweight and easy to pack. You’ll still have a lot of space in any of your luggage sets. These shoes are sleek and simple with the subtle ‘S’ logo on the side. The slip-on style works well if you need to get in and out often. It’s available in a few different colors: black, blue, beige, red, and purple.
There are many technologies featured in this product, including the New Goga Max and 5GEN for extra comfort. The New Goga Max on the bottom prevents any hard impacts. The 5GEN is a midsole cushioning for arch support. They are made of breathable mesh on top. This will keep your feet cool even in warm climates. Plus, the bamboo-lined footbed serves as anti-bacterial odor control. So, your feet will stay dry and odor-free at all times!
What We Love
These shoes are lightweight and won’t take up so much space in your luggage.
Pros:
- Slip-on style
- Provide cushioning and arch support
- Breathable fabric
Cons:
- The upper mesh is soft and won’t protect your feet from impact.
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NIKE Tanjun
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This is one of Nike’s most affordable sneakers in the market, but it doesn’t mean these sneakers don’t have what it takes to be your best walking shoes for travel. Nike Tanjun is an ultra-lightweight and good choice for sport, casual day, and travel. It offers a stylish and minimalist look with its simple logo and sleek color palette. The shoes feature breathable synthetic mesh material. It will keep your shoe odor-free and barely need time to break in. In case you’re traveling during rainy seasons, you don’t have to worry about getting them wet as they will dry quickly. With a synthetic foam insole, it gives maximum support for your arch. This also gives ultra comfort. It’s available in various colors, including black/black-white, white/metallic silver, and wolf gray/white.
What We Love
We love Nike’s stylish and minimalist look on this one!
Pros:
- Provide arch support
- Breathable synthetic mesh material
- Dry quickly
Cons:
- The shoes run are relatively narrow and small. Consider ordering a half size up.
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ECCO Soft 7 Sneaker
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When you need to walk for hours during your travel days, you’ll want to wear comfortable shoes. Ecco Soft 7 Sneaker is perfect for this. Sturdy, yet comfortable, Ecco Soft 7 Sneaker features high-quality materials. The soft leather and synthetic sole are equipped with the Ecco Comfort Fiber System. These will make you enjoy walking while providing arch support. The leather lining makes the shoes breathable and keeps your feet dry. And these shoes have a lace-up closure, so you can adjust them to fit well. It’s available in 13 colors, from metallic to floral prints. And it’s suitable for men and women.
What We Love
Unisex shoes that are super comfortable!
Pros:
- Sturdy yet breathable
- Leather and synthetic sole
- Provide arch support
Cons:
- They make squeaky noises when being used for walking.
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Adidas Originals Superstar
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These are comfort, minimalist, and stylish all in one pair of shoes. Adidas Originals Superstar is classic shoes that will never go out of style. They are made in a low-cut design that will give comfort around your ankle. There’s a traditional lace-up system, so you can adjust them to fit your feet better. With different colors of three stripes on each side of the shoes, you can pick any that suit most of your outfits. These shoes are fit for men, women, adults, and children.
The outsole is synthetic and there’s a trefoil logo on both the tongue of the shoes and the heel patch. The midsole is stitched with details. For great comfort, the upper features full-grain leather and breathable mesh lining. It will give your feet air circulation. These shoes also feature the herringbone-pattern rubber sole. This gives good traction and grip on surfaces wherever you go.
What We Love
They are minimalist yet stylish and provide everything your feet need.
Pros:
- Classic Adidas style
- Herringbone-pattern rubber sole
- Breathable mesh lining
Cons:
- It’s a tad too small and narrow compared to most shoes.
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Ecco Soft 7 Low Cut Zip
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When you have to walk for hours on the hot city pavement or be on your feet most of your travel day, Ecco Soft 7 Low Cut Zip will keep you comfortable. That alone should be enough reason to make these your best walking shoes for travel. These stylish and lightweight shoes are made of rich leather. You can match them with a lot of outfits. The trendy side zips make the shoes easy to wear and take off anytime. The insole is removable and equipped with the Ecco Comfort Fiber System. This system helps your feet stay fresh and dry the whole day. It’s available in many colors such as black, dusty blue, and gray rose.
What We Love
So comfortable and stylish! What else do you need?
Pros:
- Rich leather
- Trendy design
- Comfort fiber system keeps your feet fresh and dry
- Lightweight
Cons:
- They’re not warm enough on a cold winter day.
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