The 31 Best Walking Shoes for Long Travel Days

Susie Plotkin, who works on Condé Nast's global email team, calls these platform boots “the perfect shoe.” She's had them for over three years, and has taken them everywhere. “My boyfriend lives in Switzerland, and they’re the shoe I wear to sightsee around Zurich. I've spent 12 hours walking around Venice in them, and regularly stomp all around Brooklyn in them. They’re a little heavy but super comfortable and can slide on and off so easily.”

A cold-weather favorite of senior commerce editor Madison Flager, these Blundstone boots required no break-in time, and are a great all-purpose boot for fall or winter trips. The pull tabs make them easy to get back on, the shock absorption keeps your feet feeling good even after a few hours on the move, and the double stitching, durable leather, and tough outsole mean you won't be replacing them a few trips later—they've made it through two NYC winters so far with minimal wear and tear.

Senior editor Megan Spurrell is a fan of Vagabond's lug sole boots, and recommends a style with a wider toe for maximum comfort on long days of walking. Best for city trips, these Chelsea boots are on the bulkier side, so wear them through security to cut down on suitcase weight.

Spurrell has waxed poetic about Frye's Melissa Chelsea boots before: They're her go-to for any city trip. They look good with jeans, leggings, or dresses, pack down well, and over time, have become as comfortable as sneakers. Plus, they last for years and are sturdy enough to navigate cobblestone streets. What more could you want?

Adidas Sambas have been around since 1950, but for the last year or so, they've been having a street style moment. Editorial assistant Kat Chen says she can't recommend them enough: “They are my ride or die. I got this newest pair last summer, but the ones I had before I wore for literally a decade until they finally wore down. These are the shoes that watched me grow up.”

“This is my first Kizik sneaker, but I’m just getting started on my collection,” commerce writer Paris Wilson says. Wilson appreciates the shoe's hands-free design that gives off the look of a sneaker with the ease of a slip-on shoe. The design is great for young kids, anyone who's always in a rush, and those who suffer from back pain or have limited mobility. “The Milan has a very chunky retro design,” Wilson says. “I have the Naval Academy colorway, which is easy to colorblock outfits with. The shoe comes in nylon or leather; I opted for nylon for a more breathable option in the summer, but I’m already looking to get a leather pair once the temperature drops. I’ve worn them to work, all across New York City and New Jersey, and recently took them to Maine. I haven’t complained once about my feet thanks to the ultra-cushioned foam insoles.”

Earlier this year, Lululemon launched its first casual sneaker, joining the brand's collection of running and performance shoes. Traveler contributor Rachel Chang put them to the test and had great things to say about the impressive outsole grip, cool silhouette, and comfortably wide toe box. “I wore them zig-zagging around New York City, running up and down subway stairs on icy days, and walking to a coffee shop in my hometown of Hoboken,” Chang says. “I've worn them on both warm sunny days and in freezing temperatures—good news: they kept my toes warm.”

Read a full review here.

New Balance sneakers have made a major comeback. This style of the cool dad shoes are frequently worn by associate commerce editor Meaghan Kenny, who says this: “These sneakers are just as comfortable as they are cool. I’ve had them for about two and a half years now and they’ve come with me on a weekend trip spent walking around Boston, to the airport for a few flights, and on my very long commutes to the office. They’re a perfect balance of sporty and stylish—they don’t hurt my feet after hours of walking and the neutral shade always matches a variety of outfits in my carry-on. Besides my classic white sneakers, these are my most worn shoe. Bonus: I’m not very cautious about getting my sneakers dirty, but these have somehow stayed clean and in excellent condition—so don’t worry too much about its light hue.”

Hop on the New York City subway and you're bound to see a pair of Vejas or two on your fellow passengers' feet. Global digital director Arati Menon was first drawn to Veja because of the sleek, minimalist design and the company’s commitment to responsible sourcing. She landed on the Campo because of its chunkier sole—both an aesthetic preference and a practical one, as it offers more support. “The biggest criticism with Vejas are that they’re stiff when you first buy them, and this is somewhat true—but I’m generally cautious not to overuse new shoes for the first few times, breaking into them little by little,” she says, noting that the Campo is more comfortable out of the box than other Veja styles. “I’ve taken my Campos on rugged national park adventures and European city breaks, and use them as workwear staples. I just retired mine after years of use, but I’m sure I’ll buy another at some point.” To clean, Menon recommends a combination of mild dishwashing liquid on a damp cloth and a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser.

The Adonis is a newer style for Naot—a podiatrist-approved footwear brand—that dropped last year. The sock-style slip-on is made with a removable cork and latex footbed that promises all-day comfort. Flager is a fan of the easy-to-match white and light pink style, and recommends them for city trips. (Pro tip: Bombas's cushioned no-show socks are just the right size to wear underneath.)

There's a reason why the Adidas Stan Smith has evolved from a tennis shoe to a streetwear classic (and can be found on multiple Traveler editors' shoe racks): They're too comfortable to ever want to take off. If you're going on a short trip and only have room for one pair of shoes, wear these—they can handle anything from a day of sightseeing to a light impromptu hike, are easy to slide on and off at airport security, and will make you look chic, without sacrificing an ounce of comfort. Associate editor Matt Ortile has worn them for at least eight years. “I buy a new pair roughly every 1.5 years and I rotate between nearly identical pairs,” Ortile says. As for where he's taken them? “Paris, always; exploring the ancient sites of Hegra in AlUla, Saudi Arabia; and walking through the jungles of Angaur, the southernmost state in Palau.”

Allbirds are a great pick for most every vacation thanks to their versatility and true all-day comfort. These Tree Runners come highly recommended by contributor Lauren Dana Ellman and are available in a half dozen colorways and just as many limited-edition hues. Like all of the brand's shoes, they are machine washable, which means lighter colors are easy to keep looking new.

Read a full review here.

Recommended by Glamour and Teen Vogue commerce director Brie Schwartz, this playful spin on the classic Converse low-top will add a bit of fun to your travel day. The sneakers are relatively lightweight thanks to the canvas upper, and the vulcanized rubber sole helps with traction. Most recently, she wore them on a trip to Disney.

Hokas deserve every bit of hype, Kenny says. “I snagged these Clifton 9s with light runs and workouts in mind, and while they certainly are my everyday sneakers for the gym, they also have become my most-worn pair of walking shoes. They have a pretty thick sole, which might make you think they’re clunky or heavy, but all that extra cushioning makes them so comfortable to walk in for hours and they are surprisingly lightweight. They even fit nicely in the shoe compartment of my weekender bag and don’t weigh down my whole bag. I’ve worn them hiking in the Poconos, shopping in Montauk, and moving into a new apartment—all of which were days that earned me over 10,000 steps. Supportive, comfortable, and versatile, they are a must-pack for me on every type of trip.”

For those who live in Lululemon athleticwear, the brand's running shoes are a natural extension to your travel wardrobe. Traveler contributor and runner Rachel Chang tested these out when they launched in 2022, and was immediately impressed by the fit (designed specifically for a woman's foot), breathability, and smart features, like a reflective backing.

Read a full review here.

Editorial assistant Charlie Hobbs wears these shoes everywhere: “To the gym, to the park, to the rave—I sometimes have to remind myself that I own other shoes. You don't have to tie them, just pull a cord [to secure them]. They are so comfortable and easy.”

Look down in an exercise class or marathon and you're bound to see, at minimum, a few pairs of Hokas around you—two have made this list alone. Glamour's senior commerce editor, Jenifer Calle, is partial to the brand's Kawana style: “I wore these sneakers when I was in San Antonio last year and they were a lifesaver for my feet,” Calle says. “I did a lot of walking during this trip and was not prepared for the Texas heat. (At one point my partner and I had to step into an H&M to cool off.) Luckily, my sneaks were very bouncy and breathable, so my feet never felt tired or sweaty.”

Recommended by Calle, these On sneakers boast the brand's biggest layer of CloudTec ever for top-tier cushioning and energy return, as well as reduced muscle fatigue. “I’m not a runner by any means but I like to do a steady three-mile jog around Liberty State Park when the mood strikes,” Calle says. “I’ve been using old Nike sneakers for the last few years, but gave On shoes a try last year, and let me tell you, I didn’t know my feet could feel so much relief while running. I love that the rocker bottoms feel like they give me an extra push during my jog. I’m never going back to regular minimalist sneakers.”

Known as the most popular hiking shoe in the world—more than 25 million pairs have been sold since it debuted 15 years ago—Flager was excited to put the new third generation model of the Merrell Moab to the test. “I brought them along on a trip to Iceland, which involved some moderate hikes and city walks on wet roads; the shoe held up nicely on both occasions. The shoes have great traction, fit comfortably, and didn't take up tons of room in my carry-on—I can see why they're so beloved.” Jake Smith, a commerce writer for Glamour, is a big fan of the shoe, too: “I've worn them for three and a half years, and while they're nice for hiking, I really love them as walking shoes,” he says.

Emma McDonald, who works on the digital marketing team for Condé Nast, recommends these recovery shoes from Kane. “I have had them for about six months and use them at my standing desk all day long, and while running errands.” The cushiony shoe is made out of Brazilian sugarcane, with raised footbed nodes that are designed to activate blood flow in key pressure points on the sole of your foot.

Comfortable sneakers are fairly easy to find; comfortable dress shoes, not so much. I've had these classic Cole Haan penny loafers for about six months, and they've proven to be a great work shoe, comfortable enough for my walk to and from the subway and to wear throughout the day thanks to a shock-absorbing footbed with layers of cushioning and built-in arch support. Since they're slip-ons, they'd be a nice airport shoe if you're looking to dress up a bit; I've worn them with slacks, jeans, and dresses, usually with a thin pair of ankle socks.

Malia Griggs, Glamour's commerce editor, is a big fan of these SeaeVees clogs. “I thought they’d just be rain boots, but I end up wearing them all the time because they’re so easy to slip on, are comfy, and perfect for any sort of drizzly days when I’m out and about in the city,” she says. “This summer, I spent a week in the North Carolina mountains and brought them with me since they’re good plane shoes (easy on and off at security!) and also durable and waterproof enough for walks on little trails. I appreciate that they have enough of a backing to not slide all the way off when I’m walking.”

Another favorite of Schwartz, these leather lug loafers are fairly light at just half a pound each, with a comfortably low heel height of 1.1 inches. Basic black goes with everything, but for a pop of color, order them in red or emerald green.

These colorful Sabah slip-ons come highly recommended by articles director Lale Arikoglu, who has called them “a permanent fixture on my packing list” for years. They come in dozens of colors, in either a butter soft leather or suede, and are hand stitched by one of the 10 shoemakers who comprise the Sabah Workshop in Gaziantep. “The more I wear them, the better they fit, molding to my feet like a glove—almost as if they were designed just for me,” she says.

Read a full review here.

“I got my hands on these sleek loafers last fall and wore them non-stop to work, dinner parties, and any other situation when I wanted to look polished without putting on a heel,” Kenny says. “A good pair of loafers is much more practical to walk in for a special occasion and these are lighter and more packable than any pair I’ve owned in the past. They don’t pitch my feet and are easy to slip on and off.” Made with a soft, merino wool upper, they come in onyx black or teak herringbone, and have a chunky 1.5-inch sole. Best of all, they are fully machine washable.

Wearing sandals for an extended period of time can be tricky, but former Traveler editor Sarah Ratner swears by good ol' fashioned Birks, with their suede-covered cork-latex footbed that practically molds to your feet over time. The Arizona slides come in every color under the sun and can be purchased in regular or narrow sizes to better fit your feet. Plus, they're easy to match with almost any outfit.

Tevas are the kind of shoe that once you own a pair, you're a fan for life. They'll come in handy on so many occasions—light hikes through Arizona (find more intense hiking shoes here), sightseeing through dusty roads in Israel, swimming in rocky reservoirs in Austin. The trail sandals, which are the first shoe I pull out of my closet once the weather warms up in New York, have a bit more arch support than the classic style, meaning they'll be even more comfortable both in cities and on trails. I've had them for a few years and they are by far the comfiest walking sandal I've worn—I've never gotten a blister from them.

A second Birkenstock option with a ringing endorsement: The Arizona Big Buckle style. “I am very loyal to my Birkenstocks,” says Arikoglu. “I walked 10 miles in one day in Barcelona in them and they never rubbed.”

Another favorite of Kenny's, these Rothy's slides are a welcome update to some of the brand's previous iterations of sandals, which, while cute, offered little when it came to support. “I’ve had these comfy slides from Rothy’s for a year now,” Kenny says. “From strolls on the boardwalk at the Jersey Shore to grabbing gelato in Florence, they were my go-to sandal last summer. They’ve never given me blisters and the neutral beige shade matches all my summer clothing staples perfectly—linen pants, silky skirts, maxi dresses—you name it. I plan to pack them on all of my upcoming warm-weather trips that require a decent amount of walking while also still looking put together. A durable yet comfortable sandal is always tricky to find, but these have a pretty thick sole and give a lot more support than the flat pair of flip flops I’m always tempted to pack.”

Another one of Spurrell's go-to's for the past three or so years, these Tevas are slightly less grippy than the Trail sandals, but are still plenty comfortable for all-day wear. Spurrell wears them most regularly to the beach, but has also put them on for bike rides, long walks, and dinners in New York—proof of their range, and value on your packing list.

While Rothy's makes a classic ballet flat, too, we love the more sophisticated look of the Point Flat. Available in more than a dozen colors from lollipop red to boysenberry and dark emerald, there's a hue for every kind of traveler and outfit. All of Rothy's shoes are made out of recycled plastic, and cut using the same technology as Suav, meaning there's less waste throughout production. The shoes were recently redesigned to be even more comfortable thanks to a cushier insole and more spacious toebox. Of Rothy's flats, Florida–based travel writer Terry Ward says this: “They instantly upgrade any outfit; you can smush them up tight into a suitcase and they never lose their shape. Definitely worth the money—mine have held up for years.”