Whether you’re a city sightseer, a happy camper, or an expert beachcomber, you deserve the best shoes for traveling. After all, your choice of footwear can seriously affect your vacation. A flimsy flip-flop or thin ballet flat will likely leave your feet begging for rest, while a cushy sneaker, versatile hiking shoe, or supportive slip-on can help you truly enjoy your time away.
You’ll want your pair to fit and function like any other comfortable walking shoe: It should be roomy, have plenty of arch support, absorb shock, and feel good to wear for long periods of time. Need more inspiration? Start by browsing our expert-approved favorites below.
Our top picks
- Best Overall: On Cloud 6, $150
- Best Budget Pick: Reebok Classic Nylon Sneaker, $75
- Best for Warm Weather: Chaco Z/1 Classic Sandals, $100
- Best Budget Pick for Warm Weather: Teva Voya Infinity, $42
- Best Waterproof: Hoka Transport GTX, $175
- Best for Cushioning: Ryka Devotion X Max RS, $100
- Best for Light Trails: Columbia Konos Swift Shoe, $120
- Best Hiking Boot: Merrell Moab Speed 2 Mid Gore-Tex, $180
In this article
Shop the best shoes for traveling
Read on to find your new favorite vacay shoe, so you can bring home souvenirs, not blisters.
Best Overall: On Cloud 6
Multiple SELF staffers recommend On’s streamlined shoes for hoofing it around new locales, but the best-selling Cloud 6 is our top pick for touring. It’s lightweight, breathable, and available in a bunch of cute colors, so you can feel good about dedicating space to it in your carry-on (and pairing it with most of your outfits).
This slip-on sneaker has a clever elastic lacing system that allows you to slip your foot right in, but still feels secure once it’s pulled tight. The sole is made with super lightweight yet springy cushioning to help propel you forward with each step. All told, the On Cloud 6’s casual, minimalist design disguises how swift it can be when you need a bit of speed—you know, in case your gate changes at the last minute.
Sizes: US 5 to 12 | Widths: Medium | Weight: 7.62 ounces
Best Budget Pick: Reebok Classic Nylon Sneaker
One SELF editor likes Reebok’s “old-school cool” Classic Nylon Sneaker for all-day wear when she wants a little extra style (without any annoying foot pain). She’s never had an issue with her pair, like blisters, chafing, or any frustrating break-in period.
Plus, we love when a timeless style is available at an approachable price point—this sneak costs about half what some of our other picks do.
Sizes: US 5 to 11 | Widths: Medium | Weight: 9.80 ounces
Best for Warm Weather: Chaco Z/1 Classic Sandals
The expert-approved Chaco Z/1 sandal is a top pick among frequent travelers, hikers, outdoor guides, and SELF staffers for its secure fit, incredible arch support, and impressively rugged exterior. It also has a seal of approval from the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA), meaning podiatrists have agreed that its design is good for your feet. The “sole and grip is unlike any other brand, and they’re extremely durable,” Mariah Arianna, an adventure elopement photographer, previously told SELF.
You can wear these sandals on hard pavement, through puddles, and over rocky paths without losing your rhythm. Plus, we like that they’re still comfy enough to keep wearing once you make it back to your camp, beach house, or hotel.
Sizes: US 5 to 12 | Widths: Medium and wide | Weight: 10.60 ounces
Best Budget Pick for Warm Weather: Teva Voya Infinity
It’s easy to see why one SELF editor (and Mary-Kate Olsen) likes this pair of shoes from Teva: They’re supportive (but not clunky) and a great value. The Voya Infinity should work for just about any trip you might take during the warmer months, although they’re especially suited for beach getaways—you can wear them through the water or on a boat without worrying about soaking-wet straps.
Sizes: US 5 to 12 | Widths: Medium | Weight: 3.50 ounces
Best Waterproof: Hoka Transport GTX
Part trail shoe, part standard sneaker, Hoka’s Transport GTX is a great pick if you’re headed somewhere rainy. It has a Gore-Tex lining to keep your feet dry and a rugged rubber outsole to help you balance on slippery surfaces. The lace system has toggles that are easy to tighten when you want a snug fit and loosen in seconds when you’re ready to kick back and relax.
Like many Hoka sneakers, the Transport has a seal of approval from the APMA and enough cushioning to help ease plantar fasciitis pain. In other words, you may have to brave the elements, but at least you can stroll comfortably.
Sizes: US 5 to 11 | Widths: Medium and wide | Weight: 10 ounces
Best for Cushioning: Ryka Devotion X Max RS
Logging tons of steps over city streets calls for a seriously comfy shoe—enter Ryka’s new (and SELF Sneaker Award–winning) Devotion X Max RS. This sneak is designed for lots of walking, so it’s up to the task if you like to spend your trips exploring new places by foot. It piles on the cushioning without adding a ton of weight, and its insole hugs your heel and arch.
“They’re my new go-to walking shoe,” our tester said. “Highly recommend for running errands and going on walks. Definitely a supportive sneaker.”
Sizes: US 5 to 12 | Widths: Medium and wide | Weight: 8.60 ounces
Best for Light Trails: Columbia Konos Swift Shoe
Columbia’s new Konos Swift Shoe won a Sneaker Award this year for its ability to tackle a variety of terrains, but our tester loved it for trips too. “Shockingly light and comfortable. They’re easy to pack and perfect for trekking around airports and the city dragging my bags behind me,” she said. “They feel like walking on air and so gentle around the sides of my feet and ankle bone, where I can sometimes feel discomfort or rubbing. They didn’t need any breaking in either.”
Sizes: US 5 to 12 | Widths: Medium | Weight: 8 ounces
Best Hiking Boot: Merrell Moab Speed 2 Mid Gore-Tex
Merrell’s standard Moab hiking boot is a time-tested favorite among experts, but it skews a little heavy, which can be a pain to pack. If you want a lighter option that shares some of the Moab’s most-loved features, check out the Moab Speed. It supports your ankle, protects your toe and heel from underfoot debris, and helps you maintain traction on uneven or wet terrain. It also borrows from trail running shoes, with a flexible forefoot and foam midsole that buoys your steps. Sounds like the best of both worlds.
Sizes: US 5 to 11 | Widths: Medium and wide | Weight: 12.34 ounces
Best for Sweaty Feet: Allbirds Tree Runner
Another SELF staffer favorite, the Tree Runners from Allbirds are one editor’s go-to shoe for traveling. She likes that her feet don’t overheat in them, even after long days spent wandering around new cities. That’s probably due to Allbirds’ breezy materials, like eucalyptus fiber, which feels lightweight and helps air flow through the shoe. And if your pair looks a little dingy after putting them through the wringer on vacation, don’t stress—the Tree Runners can go right in the washing machine.
Sizes: US 5 to 11 | Widths: Medium | Weight: N/A
The Birkenstock Boston wins points with one SELF editor, who likes wearing it on especially long travel days. It’s easy to slide off and on—but the adjustable strap prevents it from completely flying off your foot, so you can get through airport security and head to your gate without missing a step. This version of the classic clog also has a softer footbed, so you shouldn’t have to deal with a long break-in period.
(Want the same look for less? Try one of these editor-tested Birkenstock Boston dupes.)
Sizes: EU 36 to 42 | Widths: Medium/narrow and regular/wide | Weight: N/A
What to look for when choosing shoes for traveling
You need a shoe that feels as comfortable on your last day of vacation as it did when you left home. The key is to make sure it fits correctly, which can also help prevent blisters and foot pain. When you first try them on, check that there’s about a half inch of space between your toes and the front of the shoe, Paulina Piekarska, DPM, a foot and ankle specialist and surgeon at Hartford HealthCare Connecticut Orthopaedic Institute St. Vincent’s Medical Center, tells SELF.
Even if they do fit well right out of the box, you should still wear your shoes a few times before your trip to ensure they’re fully broken in. Dr. Piekarska recommends walking in them for a few hours at a time to start, adding more time with each wear. And if you’re still concerned about blisters by the time you leave, pack some moleskin and apply it to potential problem areas, Erik Sims, DPM, managing partner of Sims & Associates Podiatry in New York, tells SELF.
Wearing a supportive shoe doesn’t just feel good—it’s also better for your feet, over time. Dr. Piekarska says the footbed should match the structure of your foot, meaning high arches need more support to prevent them from collapsing. Either way, make sure your shoes don’t feel flimsy: If you can fold them in half, she says, they won’t provide enough support (or protect your feet from gravel, pebbles, or cobblestones, for that matter).
Trying to travel light? It’s a good idea to check how much your shoes weigh. It’ll be easier to pack and carry one pair of lightweight, versatile sneakers for every day than several chunky shoes you’ll only wear once. You can also wear your heaviest pair to your destination to free up more space.
Your shoes should match the activities you have on your itinerary, Dr. Sims says. You don’t need much more than a good walking or running sneaker for a sightseeing vacation, but you’ll want something more protective, durable, and possibly waterproof if you’re taking a hiking trip or will be exposed to the elements. Spending time by the beach? You’ll probably prefer a supportive sandal that dries quickly after water sports or shell collecting.
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