I Walk 5 Miles a Day in the City—These Are the Best Walking Shoes for Traveling

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When I was in eighth grade, I visited New York City for the first time. I remember spending the trip walking through Times Square, Central Park and the American Girl Store. I also remember going barefoot for a block (disgusting I know), in tears, because my Roxy beaded flip-flops had destroyed my feet. Since this ultra-dramatic coming of age moment, I’ve learned to only wear the absolute best travel shoes for women. To this day, I won’t sacrifice an ounce of footwear comfort and through some trial and error, I’ve been able to maintain the fashionable integrity of my walkable shoe choices.

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The Best Shoes for Travel at a Glance

• Best Workout Shoes: NOBULL Women’s Journey Sneakers, $149
• Best Loafers: Vagabond Cosmo 2.0 Loafer, $165
• Best Retro Sneakers: New Balance 990v5, $200
• Best White Sneakers: Club C 85 Classic Lace Up Sneakers, $75
• Best Boots: Ganni Mid Chelsea Boot, $495
• Best Slippers: Birkenstock Boston Big Buckle Teddy Shearling Clogs, $195
• Best Heels: Jeffrey Campbell Fluxx Sandal, $116+ (was $130+)

I’m now lucky enough to actually live in New York City and I walk an average of five miles a day—though I rarely walk through Times Square. Finding stylish walking shoes for women has become a necessary way of life so when it comes to travel, I like to think that I’m prepared for anything.

I have two speeds: city speed and travel speed. City speed is quick, deliberate and quite frankly, a bit exhausting. Travel speed is slightly slower and gives me time to appreciate the details in my surroundings. I also stop for approximately 1,000 photos so having shoes that actually look good is a top priority. 

What to Look for in Shoes for Traveling & What to Avoid, According to a Podiatrist

When sorting out your shoe situation for traveling, Dr. Priya Parthasarathy, DPM, says there are a few quick things to look out for. These include having a removable insole (so you can slide in custom orthotics if needed) and a firm and supportive heel counter. You’ll also want to make sure they don’t complete fold in half as this means they likely aren’t durable enough to provide a ton of support. And, it’s worth thinking about the types of activities you’ll be doing and packing the appropriate shoes for said excursions. Additionally. Dr. Parthasarathy says to also look for lightweight arch support, cushioning for shock absorption, and adjustability.

• Lightweight Arch Support: Unless you’re planning to relax on the beach all day, most travel requires increased activity, so the right amount of arch support matters. “Arch support will prevent a lot of common travel-related foot conditions, such as plantar fasciitis, decrease the chance of sore feet at the end of the day and protects your other joints as well,” says Dr. Parthasarathy.
• Cushioning for Shock Absorption: “When you travel you often walk twice as much as you do at home and that is a lot of impact on the joints,” says Dr. Parthasarathy. Because of the increased activity, shoes that are supportive and have a cushioned sole can “reduce the impact on cobblestones in Europe or hard floors in airports.”
• Adjustability: When possible, Dr. Parthasarathy also says to look for shoes that are adjustable with laces or straps to keep your foot secure on surfaces like cobblestone. Having adjustable shoes on travel days can also be helpful because you can loosen them to accommodate swelling. And, if you want to wear dressier shoes or sandals, “ankle straps are a must so you are secure in any type of terrain.”

Shoe Tips for Traveling

One of my biggest tips for guaranteeing that your feet will survive a trip with a lot of sightseeing is wearing the shoes before your flight takes off. I know it can be tempting to keep new purchases in the box until the “big moment” but this is the only surefire way you’ll be able to explore blister-free. 

When packing, prioritize shoes that you can wear with multiple outfits. I’ll usually wear my heaviest pair of shoes on the plane to help maximize my suitcase space. When you find a pair of shoes that work, milk it. I promise nobody will notice if you are outfit-repeating shoes when standing in front of a historical monument. 

Summer vacations are finally here, so I‘ve compiled my list of travel-ready shoes for the fast-walking fashionistas. I truly promise that these footwear options will be a game-changing investment for your adventures. I wish you nothing but comfort, safe travels and good lighting for your Instagram pictures. Enjoy! 

Our mission at STYLECASTER is to bring style to the people, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. NOBULL is a STYLECASTER sponsor, however, all products in this article were independently selected by our editors. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.

The Best Shoes for Travel

NOBULL Women’s Journey Sneakers

$149 Buy Now

An athletic sneaker that you can workout in is always a good idea for traveling. “I travel a lot with my musician husband and find that packing sneakers I can wear to the gym gives me more options when it comes to exercising on-the-go,” says Jessie Quinn, a contributing writer for STYLECASTER. “Athletic sneakers such as the NOBULL Women’s Journey Sneakers can also double as comfortable walking shoes for days when you’re logging over 20,000 steps, and are great for racing to connecting flights in busy airports.” These sneakers are constructed with a cushioned midsole and a high-rebound for maximum comfort, feature breathable mesh uppers (so they’re great for sweltering summer travel), and have a built-in nylon plate so they’re more responsive when you step and stride.

Sizes Available: 5-11
Colors: 12
Materials: Mesh

Vagabond Cosmo 2.0 Loafer

$165 Buy Now

I made it my personal mission to find a pair of loafers that didn’t sacrifice an ounce of cuteness or comfort. After ordering and trying on approximately 12 pairs (yes I’m serious), I found the holy grail of loafers. This pair from Vagabond is unbelievably comfortable and left my feet blister-free after walking around the entirety of Paris. I’ve worn them with thin tights, crew socks and no socks and every combo works. They come in four colors and sell out quickly so act fast while the black leather pair is still in stock.

Sizes Available: 5-12
Colors: 1
Materials: Leather

New Balance 990v5

$200 Buy Now

At this point in the fashion cycle, this pair of New Balance dad-turned-fashion-girl shoes are no longer considered groundbreaking. They are, however, easy to style and even easier to walk in. My first pair lasted me for three years and I just ordered a second. I usually just wear mine for long days of walking in the city but they also double as great running shoes.

Sizes Available: 5-12 (narrow, medium, wide, and extra wide fits available)
Colors: 3
Materials: Suede and mesh

Club C 85 Classic Lace Up Sneakers

$75 Buy Now

I cannot say enough good things about these sneakers. I had no idea I’d be a Reebok fan-girl until I wore these shoes for seven days straight. They are ultra cushy, have great arch support and add a fresh pop of white to every look.

Sizes Available: 5-11
Colors: 1
Materials: Leather, EVA

Ganni Mid Chelsea Boot

$495 Buy Now

These mid chelsea boots are anything but mid—if you have TikTok you get the reference. If you don’t, please disregard. While I have not personally worn these boots on a trip, both my mom and sister have and they swear by them. The comfort factor is a given (because I wouldn’t recommend something uncomfortable for travel) and they have the added bonus of being waterproof. There’s nothing worse than getting caught in a surprise rain storm and ruining one of the few pairs of shoes you packed. The price sticker on these Ganni boots is a little bit high, but they are a classic silhouette so you’ll be able to wear them for years.

Sizes Available: 35-42
Colors: 1
Materials: Recycled leather

Birkenstock Boston Big Buckle Teddy Shearling Clogs

$195 Buy Now

Not every travel shoe needs to be for walking. These shearling Birkenstocks are perfect for all leisure-wear activities. This could include wearing them on the airplane or a long car ride, taking the elevator down to the lobby for coffee or just lounging after a long day. I always make sure to pack one slipper-style pair of shoes (and a sweatsuit to match) because every trip I haven’t, I’ve sat with deep regret.

Sizes Available: 5-10.5
Colors: 1
Materials: Cork, shearling, EVA

Jeffrey Campbell Fluxx Sandal

On Sale 11% off

$116+ Buy Now

I’m a big fan of Jeffrey Campbell heels because they are super comfortable and work for many occasions. This pair of simple, strappy kitten heels are perfect for evenings out to dinner and work for many different locations—plus they come in over 20 different colors! I’d wear this out in Paris, New York City, Mexico or Seattle without having to question if they fit the vibe.

Sizes Available: 5-11
Colors: 21
Materials: Leather