Author
Danielle Vilaplana
Danielle Vilaplana is an Airstream-dwelling writer and photographer in Utah and Wyoming. Follow her on Instagram here.
The term "travel shoe" is a vague chasm filled with everything from Teva sandals to Giro cycling shoes to Saucony trail running shoes. Though each adventure may merit its own set of features (think GORE-TEX, breathability, slip-on design, and so on), almost every trip will involve spending time on your feet. Traveling by foot is an excellent way to see the country at a slower pace and catch those smaller, blink-and-you-might-miss-it local moments that are the soul of a place. Whether you're exploring Zion or glamping in England's Lakes District, you'd better be armed with a comfortable walking shoe that's ready to explore.
Though walking is a natural movement, it’s not always as simple as hitting the sidewalk in any old shoe. If you’ve ever gone on a long hike or walked miles across a city, you may be familiar with aching heels, lower back pain, and other bipedal afflictions. Every shoe is designed to protect your foot but not every walking shoe will suit your support needs or the terrain, so it's worth giving a little thought to the pair that you pick for your travels.
Below, you'll find our picks for the best walking shoes for any kind of trip. Keep reading beyond that to find out what features you should consider when buying a travel shoe.
The 11 Best Women's and Men's Walking Shoes for Travel
Most Versatile: Hoka Transport
Hoka shoes are the original chonks, starting as a plush alternative to the early 2000s Born to Run minimalist craze. Now Hoka is one of the top brands making walking and running shoes, which have such a devoted fan base that it’s tough to narrow down the options in a beloved lineup (the Hoka Bondi is a cult-level everyday running shoe), but ultimately, the Hoka Transport is the winner.
The Transport is specifically designed as a city-savvy walking shoe for commuters and travelers. Quick-toggle laces are easy to loosen and tighten for on-the-go accessibility, but wearers have the option to use traditional laces as well. Neutral stability is suited for most walkers and easily accommodates custom footbeds, and the EVA midsole cushioning is thick without feeling damp and unresponsive. Reflective accents add a touch of urban safety with GORPcore sensibilities, too.
Women's Option: Yes
Price: $140
Most Unique: Keen WK400
The Keen WK400 walking shoe is all about forward momentum. KEEN.CURVE technology features constant curve geometry and a responsive, high-energy midsole to create natural forward momentum. The motion is so effortless that Keen claims that these shoes will elevate your walking experience from everyday routine to a truly fun activity. Some reviewers claim that the shape can feel odd when not in motion, so the WK400s definitely function best as part of a quiver.
Women's Option: Yes
Price: $165
Most Supportive: Brooks Addiction Walker 2
The Brooks Addiction Walker 2 walking shoes are designed for those who need extra cushioning and stability, including plus-size individuals. Brooks’ Extended Progressive Diagonal Rollbar provides full-foot support that encourages a natural stride and the shoes come in a wide array of widths to accommodate every walker. The BioMoGo DNA midsole offers adaptable cushioning that responds to unique strides and weights and helps reduce joint impact. The leather upper is durable and stiffer than mesh walking shoes for extra support, and the certified slip-resistant soles provide traction on slick surfaces.
Women's Option: Yes
Price: $130
Best Slip-On: On Cloud 5
The On Cloud 5 walking shoes are a fan-favorite, and the newest version features even more recycled materials. The CloudTec sole provides a comfortable and supportive ride with Zero Gravity Foam that’s designed to cushion impacts, reduce muscle fatigue, and spring off the ground. The breathable mesh upper keeps feet cool and dry, and the shoe's Speedboard technology promotes a natural walking gait and improves energy return. Its speed lace system allows you to slip in quickly and snugly and is perfect for walkers who are always on the go. (They do come with traditional laces as well for those who prefer the customization ability of classic laces.)
Women's Option: Yes
Price: $140
Best Boot: Blundstone Original 550
The Blundstone Original 550 boot is the semi-ugly Tasmanian gardener's boot that America wholeheartedly adopted due to its durability, easy Chelsea design, and ability to pair with anything. This best seller's leather upper is water-resistant for four-season use and the higher ankle provides moderate ankle support. Blundstone’s shock-absorbing sole provides excellent traction on different surfaces too and the boot can easily accommodate an insole—if there is one travel shoe that can truly do everything, it’s the Blundstone Original 550.
Unisex
Price: $220
Best Running Shoe: Adidas Ultraboost Light
The Adidas Ultraboost is one of the company's best-selling running shoes, but they make great walking shoes as well thanks to the super-comfortable, memory foam-like Boost technology. The new generation of Boost is lighter than ever (10.5 ounces) and features tiny, responsive Boost capsules in the sole for impressive cushioning, rebound, and shock absorption. The higher heel drop provides impressive stability for so light a shoe.
The Ultraboost's Primeknit upper offers a sock-like fit that prevents chafing and blisters. Continental rubber outsoles channel the traction of that company's bikes and tires for guaranteed reliability in varied conditions. And, on top of all this, these comfortable shoes are available in a ton of colorways to match your travel style.
Women's Option: Yes
Price: $190
Best for Hiking: Merrell Moab 3
The Merrell Moab 3 are the next-gen upgrade to the number one rugged hiking shoe in the world. The Moab 3 features Vibram TC5+ and hefty five-millimeter lugs that dig into every type of ground. Extra midsole cushioning and added ankle support provide comfort and confidence to tackle challenging trails. They definitely have that trail-ready look too, but they're perfectly capable of handling short stints in the city (especially with the Gorpcore thing still going strong).
Women's Option: Yes
Price: $110
Most Breathable: Arc’teryx Aerios Aura
The new Arc’teryx Aerios Aura walking shoe took the best of Arc’teryx’s classic trail runners and adapted them for a walking stride. The Aerios Aura shoes are specifically designed for hot weather, with an open mesh upper that breathes and prevents sweaty problems like blisters and odors. The Vibram Megagrip outsole provides excellent traction on different surfaces and the integrated tongue and lining create a snug and supportive fit that responds how and when you want it to.
Women's Option: Yes
Price: $150
Best for Narrow Feet: Nike Pegasus Turbo
The Nike Pegasus Turbo checks a lot of boxes, including sustainable design and lifestyle-friendly looks. Nike walking shoes often have a slightly narrower toe box than other brands, so we’ve clocked them as a solid option for travelers who need a narrower shoe. The stretchy mesh upper breathes and molds perfectly to your foot. ZoomX foam is supportive but the overall shoe is surprisingly lightweight, making them a great option for longer jaunts.
Women's Option: Yes
Price: $150
Best for Wide Feet: Altra Via Olympus
The Altra Via Olympus check a lot of very particular, niche boxes. Altra is known for and loved by runners their Original Footshape design that features wider toe boxes to encourage natural foot movement and toe splay. The 33mm of Altra EGO MAX in the midsole is as cushioned as it gets, and a rockered shape propels walkers forward effortlessly. Altra exclusively makes Balanced Cushioning aka zero-drop shoes, meaning that walkers switching from other shoes may need to transition over several weeks before comfortably commiting to the Olympus. Zero-drop shoes offer less support than shoes with greater stacks because of the different striking motion (and thus could be a good option for folks with flat feet), but over time they can strengthen foot muscles and improve balance.
Women's Option: Yes
Price: $170
Most Sustainable: Allbirds Wool Runners
The Allbirds Wool Runners are the shoes that started it all for Allbirds. These sustainable walking shoes are eco-friendly as it gets, with a responsibly sourced ZQ merino wool upper that is soft and naturally moisture-wicking. The soft SweetFoam midsole is the world’s first carbon-negative EVA foam, derived from Brazilian sugarcane. The insole is made with layers of planet-friendly castor bean oil and merino wool for all-natural odor-resistance and support.
Some reviewers have had trouble with the sizing, as they only come in whole numbers. Users in between sizes or in need of a wide walking shoe often round up to the next whole size for the best fit.
Women's Option: Yes
Price: $110
What Makes a Good Travel Shoe?
Support
A good pair of shoes should be comfortable and provide ample stability, with a cushioned sole and good arch support to prevent foot fatigue. Walking shoes feature varying levels of drop (the difference between the height of the heel and the forefoot) and midsole cushioning, which will affect how each pair feels and provide different levels of stability. Those with particular needs, like extra support or correction for overpronation, may benefit from a neutral shoe with a custom insole.
Most brands have a higher heel-to-toe drop but there are still brands making zero drop shoes. The jury is out on if drop causes or prevents injury, but as a general rule, those who need immediate arch support or have heel pain will benefit from a traditional drop (10mm). Those who are looking to strengthen their arches over time or have plantar fasciitis will benefit from zero drop shoes. As always, it's best to try on shoes in-store to hone in on what feels right.
Breathability
A lightweight and breathable design is also important to keep your feet cool and dry in warmer conditions. A breathable shoe will prevent moisture build up on the inside, which can lead to blisters and other ailments that take the fun out of walking. Waterproof shoes and hiking boots such as those with Gore-Tex (often denoted as GTX in the shoe name) will inherently be less breathable due to the presence of that waterproof membrane.
Wide Toe Box
The shoe should fit snugly with enough room for your toes to move and splay out, especially over the course of a long day packed with strolls. Some shoes are designed with extra wide toe boxes to promote natural movement and toe splay and will be denoted as such in the description. Designs vary from brand to brand—Asics won't use the same last as Reebok or New Balance, for example—but you'll also find that shoes vary within brands too.
Durability
If you’re in the market for a walking shoe that also performs on trails, look for durable materials that can withstand wear and tear. Grippy soles and deeper lugs will provide better traction on wet and uneven surfaces, but they might not be as comfy on pavement and sidewalks all day long. Upper and midsole materials will, naturally, wear out over time too, especially some of the softer meshes and foams found in many lightweight running shoes with lots of cushioning. On the other end of the spectrum, a good leather boot will last the longest, but it might not provide the most comfort.
Published 04-26-2023
