Finding the best walking shoes for travel can make all the difference in your journey, whether you’re exploring city streets, trekking through scenic trails or navigating airports. The best walking shoes combine breathable materials, lightweight designs and supportive features to keep you moving comfortably.
According to Dr. Bruce Pinker, a board certified podiatrist and foot surgeon, prioritizing comfort and support is essential when choosing travel footwear. Below, he gives his advice on what to look for in walking shoes for travel. Don’t need advice? Jump right to Pinker’s recommendations for the best walking shoes for travel in 2024-2025 here.
What to look for in walking shoes for travel: Expert
When choosing shoes for walking long distances across different surfaces like concrete, sand or trails, it’s important to focus on features that ensure comfort, support and durability, Pinker says.
“Look for a durable outsole with adequate traction, a firm heel counter for stability, cushioned and shock absorbing midsole, a cushioned insole with added arch support, durable uppers, and a toe box that is not cramped and allows for an air exchange,” he explains.
If you’re searching for a shoe for walking in sand or on the beach, Pinker recommends choosing one with a rubber outsole and a flexible, grippy tread patten, as it’s generally the most effective for preventing slippage on those types of surfaces.
To balance style and functionality when choosing walking shoes for mixed environments, Pinker suggests considering a waterproof option — one of his go-tos is Keen.
If you know you will be spending a lot of time walking on hard surfaces, like concrete, throughout your trip, Pinker recommends shoes with lots of cushioning.
“The best cushioning for this type of walking is ethylene-vinyl acetate which is often found in the midsole,” he adds.
There are also specific materials and designs that help prevent excessive sweating or odour during long travel days.
“Micropores over the toe box or mesh material over the toe box can help reduce excessive sweating as the allow for an air-exchange,” Pinker says.
Best time to try on new walking shoes
To ensure a good fit, especially if your feet tend to swell after hours of walking, Pinker recommends shopping for shoes later in the day.
“If your feet swell after walking, it is best to try on shoes towards the end of the day. This will help insure proper fit to their largest size,” Pinker explains.
Do I need custom orthotics?
Pinker also suggests considering custom orthotics for long travel days and long walks if you experience persistent foot pain, inflammatory conditions like plantar fasciitis, alignment issues or inadequate support from the standard insoles your shoes come with.
“Custom orthotics can be a possibility for some individuals, however, they should be made to address specific concerns of the foot and ankle,” he warns.
Red flags your shoes will cause pain
If you’re worried about blisters, cramping or pain, Pinker says there are warning signs that shoes will cause harm before it happens.
“If a shoe feels tight and cramps the toes, it is not recommended for wearing. Also, if a shoe is too loose, it may cause blisters and is therefore not recommended,” he cautions. “Footwear that lacks cushioning and shock absorption is also not recommended as it may cause pain while walking.”
Best walking shoes for travel | Podiatrist picks
Need help finding the best walking shoes for travel? Check out Pinker’s picks — and reasoning — below.
New Balance
These New Balance sneakers are popular among walkers — they feature a soft foam midsole, an updated outsole and additional rubber in high-wear areas for added durability. According to Pinker, they’re “very well-constructed and durable with added cushion.”
These sneakers also feature a mesh upper that’s both supportive and breathable, which helps reduce foot moisture — great for long walks in a tropical destination.
Hoka
The Hoka Clifton 9 are lightweight and cushioned, making them a perfect travel companion — no need to worry about added weight in your suitcase. With a reduced weight and an added 3mm in stack height, this latest iteration of the Clifton style offers a new underfoot experience, enhanced by a responsive new foam and upgraded outsole design.Â
New Balance
Pinker says these New Balance sneakers are “excellent walking shoes” and “recommended for long walks.” New Balance is his top-recommended brand when it comes to comfort and durability for travel.Â
They come in standard, wide and extra wide sizing, making them a great option to pack for a tropical climate vacation, where feet tend to swell due to the heat after hours of walking. The design of these sneakers helps drive you forward, and the midsole cushioning features lightweight foam to make you feel supported all day.Â
STQ
These slip-on sneakers from Amazon are designed with a breathable mesh upper, ensuring your feet stay cool and sweat-free. The convenient slip-on design makes them a perfect option for travel or on-the-go days. The heel reinforcement and supportive foam padding offer increased stability and ankle protection, helping to prevent blisters on long walks.
Skechers
These lightweight slip-on shoes from Skechers combine comfort with practicality. They feature a responsive cushioning technology and a signature heel pillow to hold you foot securely in place. The knit upper with stretch laces creates a snug yet flexible fit, while the air-cooled memory foam insoles provide extra comfort.
New Balance
The New Balance DynaSoft Nergize Sport v2 are a versatile pair of shoes that are great to throw in a suitcase. Each shoe weighs just 172 grams, which means you won’t have to worry about added weight in your suitcase. They’re designed with breathable mesh and can be easily slipped on — and they also come in multiple widths, which make them a stellar option if you have wider feet.
Keen
The Keen KS86 sneakers are made with the feel and comfort of an everyday sneaker, with the trail endurance sole made for sudden adventures where grip is needed. These shoes feature generous space across the forefoot to prevent pinching, and also feature a foam midsole for cushioning.
They also feature a removable insole and natural, pesticide-free odour control.
Merrell
The Merrell Moab Speed 2 shoes are made for trails with some obstacles and moderate debris. They feature a padded collar, bellows tongue to keep out debris, dual heel and tongue loops for ease of entry and lightweight flexplate technology that provides lateral stability and forefoot flexibility. The FloatPro foam midsoles add lightweight comfort and the Vibram traction lugs are designed to increase traction and shed debris with every step.
Keen
If you know you’ll be dealing with mixed environments, Pinker recommends these waterproof hiking shoes from Keen. They have a contoured fit and also provide a constant curve from toe to heel for nonstop propulsion.Â
These shoes are made from waterproof, breathable material that seals out moisture from the inside. They also feature a higher-traction rubber outsole with a full-length, lightweight plate in the midsole for added stability.
Brooks
Brooks’s Adrenaline GTS 23 Running Shoes are an ideal choice for someone looking for cushioning and stability. The midsole features light cushioning and a GuideRails support system for a plush underfoot feel and more motion control.
These shoes also have an air mesh upper to ensure airflow to keep feet cool and dry, as well as 3D Fit Print for targeted support in key areas of your foot.
Skechers
The Skechers Go Walk Joy shoes feature a convenient slip on and go style. They’re designed with a heel pillow that keeps your foot securely in place, which makes them great for walks on the beach. The knit upper makes for a snug and secure fit, while the cushioned air-cooled memory foam insoles make every step comfortable.
Kuru Footwear
The Roam sneakers from Kuru Footwear combine built-in support and cushion with your choice of butter-soft leather or breathable canvas. These sneakers are one of the more stylish options we’ve found that still keep your feet comfortable and supported.Â
Sport Chek
The Cloudnova Form Shoes from On seamlessly blends advanced running tech with street-ready style and all-day wear. They feature CloudTec outsoles with zero-gravity foam, making them lightweight.Â
Sport Chek
The Brooks Ghost 16 Running Shoes deliver lightweight comfort, with their soft cushioning and breathable air mesh upper, combining stretch and structure to keep your feet cool. The soft midsole, paired with a Segmented Crash Pad, ensures smooth transitions from landing to toe-off, providing a comfortable walking or running experience.
Alo
The Alo Recovery Mode Sneakers are made for performance recovery and designed with a clean, modern look. They have a structured, supportive outer sole and a high-rebound foam insole to support balance and pressure points for all-day recovery. These shoes feature an ultra-cushioned collar, seamless no-slip interior support and a flexible interior insole for arch support.
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