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New Africa | Adobe Stock

10 Most Comfortable Travel Shoes for 2023

Comfortable travel shoes can make or break your trip. How can you explore your destination on foot if you’re hampered by blisters and sore legs? Pack a pair of these good-looking and comfortable shoes and you’ll have one less thing to worry about on your vacation.

ABEO Addie Sneaker

Two view of the ABEO Addie Sneaker in the floral pattern
ABEO Footwear

Abeo’s Addie Sneakers are proof that shoes can be both stylish and comfortable. Choose from a wide range of colors (including a fun floral print) in either a washable canvas or durable leather exterior.

The Addie’s cute exterior hides a removable anatomical arch support and a cushioned footbed that offer nonstop comfort throughout the day. Best of all, the removable arch support is available in neutral or metatarsal (for high arches) so you can get a custom fit.

Nike Experience Run 11 Sneaker

Nike

Nike’s Experience Run 11 sneakers are my favorite running shoes, and I’ve discovered that they’re perfect for travel as well. The knit material means they have a slim profile that takes up less space in a suitcase than most sneakers. They come in a versatile all-black color, perfect for both working out and walking around, as well as six other color options.

Merrell World Legend 2s

Two views of the Merrell World Legend 2 shoes
Zappos

Merrell has taken the technology that makes a comfortable travel shoe from its hiking shoes and transferred it to its professional-looking World Legend 2 shoes. Because these look like shoes that you’d wear to the office or an evening outing, no one would ever suspect that they are outfitted with a durable high-grip outsole, removable foam insole, and a shock-resistant heel. The Oxford-inspired style makes them easy to dress up or down, eliminating the need to pack an extra pair of dress shoes for nicer occasions.

Superga Sneakers

Superga sneakers in three colors - yellow, black, and white
Amazon

You probably didn’t think it was possible, but Superga sneakers are super-trendy, unisex, and extra-comfortable travel shoes. They’re most commonly spotted in magazines and on the feet of fashionistas, yet they have everything that makes a sneaker good for walking (arch support, a solid sole, laces) and come in a wide variety of colors and styles.

Clarks Cloudstepper Ayla Low Slip-Ons

Two views of the Clarks Cloudstepper Ayla Low Slip-On
DSW

Ballet flats tend not to be supportive enough to wear for travel, but the Ayla Low Slip-Ons from Clarks have a padded footbed for all-day comfort. They can be dressed up or down so you can wear them during the day or for dinner out.

Allbirds Wool Runners

Multiple views of Allbirds Wool Runners in dark grey, a SmarterTravel favorite travel shoe
Allbirds

Feel like you’re walking on clouds with a SmarterTravel favorite, Allbirds Wool Runners, available in men’s and women’s sizes. These shoes feature a merino wool liner for moisture wicking and odor reduction. Get them in white to match everything, or opt for pink or green to add a pop of color to your travel wardrobe.

SAS Simone Italy Sandals

SAS Simone Italy Sandals in light purple
SAS Shoes

Planning a European vacation? Pack the Simone Italy sandals, handcrafted in Tuscany, Italy—so you can trust that these shoemakers know a thing or two about walking on cobblestone streets. The small wedge heel is 1.50”, which offers a bit of lift without sacrificing comfort, and the adjustable ankle keeps the sandal secure around your feet.

Keds Double Decker Leather Slip-On

Keds Double Decker Leather Slip-On, a comfortable shoe for travel
Zappos

In case you missed it, classic Keds have gotten a serious style upgrade. Check out the Keds Double Decker Leather Slip-On, which are made from soft leather that lends you a polished look. These slip on and off easily, so you can glide through the airport security checkpoint on your way to the plane.

Teva ReEMBER Moc

White, black, and brown versions of the Teva ReEMBER Mocs
Teva

Those of us with frequently-cold feet have often wished we could wear something like sleeping bags on our feet, and Teva has made that dream come true with its ReEMBER Mocs. Made from 100% recycled polyester and billed as “part sneaker, part sleeping bag,” these are the ultimate comfortable travel shoes. They feel like slippers, but with a solid rubber outsole, they’re made for the outdoors. The ReEMBER Mocs (available for men and women) are perfect for camping. When you’re ready to change out of your hiking boots, these will feel like sweet relief on your tired feet.

Wolf and Shepherd Swiftknit Derby

Wolf and Shepherd Swiftknit Derby in navy blue
Wolf and Shepherd

If you’re looking for comfortable travel shoes that are also easy to pack, try the Swiftknit Derby from Wolf and Shepherd. A stylish aesthetic mix between a sneaker and a derby shoe, these ultra-light shoes collapse easily so they take up barely any space in your suitcase. They come in a variety of colors to match any outfit.

Caroline Morse Teel thinks comfortable travel shoes can make or break a trip. Follow Caroline on Instagram @TravelWithCaroline for photos from around the world. Carol McPherson contributed to this story.

All of the products featured in this story were hand-selected by our travel editors. Some of the links featured in this story are affiliate links, and SmarterTravel may collect a commission (at no cost to you) if you shop through them.

Editor’s note: This story was originally published in 2017. It has been updated to reflect the most current information.

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