Although travel shoes have a wide range of what they can look like, there are a few key characteristics you can look for to determine if they’re really up for a journey.
Comfort and Support
The most important factor is a combination of comfort and support. You don’t want to wear toasty slippers if you’re driving in the car or trekking through the airport, and you don’t need to wear some lace-up hiking boots to get the best support possible (hiking boots aren’t fun to take off through security either).
Some travel shoes can lean more on comfort (OOFOS, Hoka), while others can lean more towards support (Amberjack, Blundstone). The key is to find a happy medium here and get what suits you and the travel situation at hand the best. For example, if you’re taking a long flight to another country, it’s probably best to aim for more comfort-leaning travel. But if you’re making a drive to a weekend getaway, a shoe with more support (and a tougher build) will likely serve as a better choice.
Versatility
Regardless of where your personal needs lie, your travel shoes must be versatile. You don’t want to wear them once on the plane and then never again on your trip. That’s just dead weight. Hence the reason why our travel shoes above can feel a bit like a mixed bag. Some of our travel shoe picks are great for lounging once you get to your destination, while others are made to power through your entire trip, whether it be a formal dinner event or a day full of walking.
Packability and Weight
Unless you plan on wearing a bigger shoe en route to your destination, your travel shoes should be packable. You can store your travel shoes in a checked bag, but really if you’re bringing them with we recommend storing in a carry-on or personal item. That way you can slide them on during the flight if you please (like the Lusso Clouds we named, for example).
Travel shoes should also be lightweight, and yes, boots can be lightweight too. Dodge any shoe that’s got heavy outsoles and avoid materials that are thick and trap heat. Instead, opt for shoes with foam builds and breathable construction.
Read more: How to Pack Like a Pro
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