Having the right pair of shoes for your vacation could make or break your trip.
Think about it: How many times have you been sightseeing in a new city and had to stop your feet hurt? Or you needed to cancel that walking tour because your new shoes weren’t broken in yet? If we had to guess, it’s probably more than you’re willing to admit.
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To that end, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite travel shoes. They’re so comfortable, you won’t mind wearing them on a long-haul flight, and then stroll straight from the jetway to all the attractions on your must-see list.
Be sure to do yourself a favor first, though, and check out our guides to airline shopping portals as well as the best credit cards for online shopping. You’ll want to make sure all the gear you’re buying for your next trip is helping you get there, too.
Related: These are the best cards for online shopping
Our favorite travel shoes
- Allbirds Wool Runners
- Nike Air Max Dia
- Golden Goose Super Star Leather Shoes
- Veja V-10 Butter Sole
- Adidas Ultra Boost
- Rothy’s The Sneaker
- Vionic Codie Casual Sneaker
- Clark’s Women Kinzie Light
- Hunter Original Chelsea Boots
- Toms Black Canvas Women’s Classic
- Teva Original Universal
- Danner Mountain 600
- Cole Haan Men’s Grandpro Rally Laser Cut Sneaker
- Adidas Adilette Aqua Slides
Allbirds Wool Runners
Why we love them: Allbirds are a fan-favorite for a reason. You might think you have comfortable shoes already, but that’s because you haven’t worn Allbirds yet. They’re perfect for both men as well as women and come in a variety of shades — black and white, of course, but also matcha green, honey yellow and a burgundy “jam” color, just to name a few. If the signature Wool Runners aren’t your style, they also make Tree Breezers (flats), Runner-Up Mizzles (high tops) and Wool Loungers.
To buy: $95 directly on Allbirds.com
Nike Air Max Dia
Why we love them: Comfort meets style with Nike’s Air Max Dia sneakers. They were designed with women in mind thanks to the sleek shape and elevated back. Better yet, they come in a ton of color combinations, so there’s something here for everyone. They’re a favorite of TPG editors, too. The Air Max Dias are only available for women.
To buy: The shoes retail for $110 on Nike’s website, but you may be able to find them cheaper elsewhere, especially depending on what color you want. For example, Nordstrom is currently selling the same pair for $82.50. A slightly different model — the Nike Air Max Dia SE — is also on sale through Nike for $72.
Danner Mountain 600
Why we love them: These lightweight but durable hiking boots for men and women are so versatile, you’ll be comfortable wearing them straight from the trail out to dinner. They come in a handful of color combinations, ranging from gray and black leather to the brand’s iconic brown suede with red laces. Keep these on your radar for your next outdoorsy adventure.
To buy: Depending on what color you purchase, you may be able to buy these boots from $90 on Danner’s website.
Rothy’s The Sneaker
Why we love them: If you prefer sneakers without laces, Rothy’s are your best bet. These slip-on shoes slide right on and will provide your tired feet with some much-needed comfort. Better yet, they’re washable and made from 100% recycled plastic water bottles. They come in a variety of colors and prints, ranging from classics like black and white to more bold designs like hot pink and leopard. The Sneakers from Rothy’s are just available for women.
To buy: You’ll find these sneakers directly on Rothy’s site for $125.
Golden Goose Superstar Leather Sneakers
Why we love them: There’s a reason why everyone you see on Instagram is wearing these sneakers — they’re distressed (so you won’t be bothered if they get scuffed on cobblestone) and add character to every outfit in your suitcase. The back of the sneakers are cushioned so they don’t dig into your ankle and they wear in quickly, too, so you’ll no doubt be comfortable spending hours walking around in them. They’re available for both men and women.
To buy: There’s no way around this: These shoes are pricey. Depending on what style you get, expect to pay around $500 if you purchase directly from Golden Goose. Many styles, though, are sold at Saks Fifth Avenue. That means if you have The Platinum Card® from American Express, you could use your $50 biannual credit to knock $50 off the price.
Related: Your guide to the Amex Platinum Saks Fifth Avenue credit
Teva Original Universal
Why we love them: While they might not be the best shoes for wearing in the airport, these waterproof sandals will make your feet very happy on your next beach vacation. With quick-drying straps, an easy hook-and-loop closure and a rubber outsole, these sandals belong in every traveler’s beach bag.
To buy: $50 when bought directly from Teva.
Veja V-10 Butter Sole
Why we love them: Anything that has the phrase “butter sole” in it is going to be good, and Veja’s sneakers are no exception. They make a handful of different styles, but the vegan Butter Sole sneaker is our favorite, and it’s made of sustainably harvested wild rubber from the Amazon rainforest. Once you have these in your closet, they’ll be a go-to for every trip. Veja makes styles for both men and women.
To buy: They’re $148 if you buy directly on Veja’s site. Other styles are also available on retailers such as Saks Fifth Avenue, so you could put your Amex Platinum Saks Fifth Avenue credit to use here, too.
Adidas Ultraboost 20
Why we love them: You can never go wrong with a pair of Ultraboost sneakers from Adidas. They come in more colors than you could ever dream of (we wouldn’t blame you if you ended up getting more than one) and are the ideal travel shoe. You can easily wear them on the plane and keep them on while you explore your new destination. Styles are available for both men and women.
To buy: Adidas makes a handful of Ultraboost sneakers, but the “20” retails for $180 on their website. At the time of publication, there are a handful of Ultraboost styles on sale on Adidas’ website, too.
Related: The easy way to get free, two-day shipping from over 100 retailers with your credit card
Hunter Original Chelsea Boots
Why we love them: If you’re heading to a rainy destination (looking at you, London), you’re going to want to be equipped with a solid pair of rain boots. This iconic style from Hunter is lightweight and low, so they don’t get in the way while you’re on the go all day and take up less room in your suitcase. They’ll ensure your feet stay dry and warm even while sightseeing on a cold, drizzly day.
To buy: They retail for $135 on Hunter’s website, but we found an older version on sale at Walmart for only $66. You can also get the current version on ASOS for $140, less another 20% off thanks to their current sale.
TOMS Black Canvas Women’s Classic
Why we love them: They’re “classics” for a reason. These best-sellers from Tom’s are light and breathable slip-ons, and they come in a handful of timeless shades, including black, red and navy. Best of all, your Toms purchase will go a long way: For every pair you buy, the company matches your purchase and gives a pair of shoes to a child in need.
To buy: The shoes retail for $49.95 on TOMS website, but you may be able to find them even cheaper on Amazon.
Related: Best credit cards for Amazon purchases
Vionic Codie Casual Sneaker
Why we love them: We’re not the only ones who love these sneakers (Oprah does, too!). They’re made of leather and have a sporty aesthetic but, best of all, were designed by podiatrists — so you know they’re going to make walking tours a dream. They come in white, navy, beige and black, and are only available for women at this time.
To buy: They originally retail for $139.95 on Vionic’s website, but are currently on sale for $79.99.
Clark’s Women Kinzie Light
Why we love them: These aren’t your typical flats. They’re comfortable — we promise — and have enough support to last all day without even having to think twice about toting around a change of shoes. If you’re looking for a step up from a sneaker for your next business trip, this is it. These shoes come in a variety of colors, including black, burgundy and navy, so you can match any of the outfits you’re packing in your carry-on.
To buy: They’re currently on sale on Amazon for only $39.
Cole Haan Men’s Grandpro Rally Laser Cut Sneaker
Why we love them: These are the shoes you’ll never want to take off. Not only are they comfortable and versatile, they’re stylish too — so you’ll have no problem if you don’t have enough time to run back to the hotel to change for dinner. They’re breathable and you’ll get a ton of mileage out of them, no matter where in the world you are.
To buy: They’re on sale at Cole Haan for $105.
Adidas Adilette Aqua Slides
Why we love them: They’re a favorite of TPG himself, Brian Kelly, so you know they’re road warrior-approved. Adidas sells similar versions for both men and women, and they come in a handful of colors (other than just the iconic black) including blue, navy and gold.
To buy: They’re just $20 on the Adidas website.
Frequently asked questions
Things to consider when buying travel shoes
While sneakers are typically less expensive than say, a carry-on bag, you’ll still want to invest in quality shoes that will hold up both on trips and while you’re back at home. It’s important that they’re a reflection of your personal style, and something you can see yourself wearing in for hours at a time. Set a budget for yourself and work from there. Depending on the type of travel you’re doing, you’ll also want a versatile shoe that can transition easily from the plane to, well, wherever you’re going next, be it a business meeting at a luxury hotel, out for a day of sightseeing and shopping or straight to the pool bar.
Where to buy your shoes
Many of these shoes are sold at major retailers, such as Bloomingdale’s, Saks and Neiman Marcus, as well as on the company’s website. They’re also all available through online shopping portals, which means you can earn bonus points for your favorite airline just by shopping online and upgrading your travel shoes.
If you use the right credit card, too, you can rack up even more points and miles or earn cash back. Our top picks are the Chase Freedom Unlimited, The Amex EveryDay® Preferred Credit Card from American Express and Bank of America® Cash Rewards credit card, just to name a few.
Featured photo by Westend61/Getty Images.
