I have worn so many shoes on vacation trying to find the right ones, and honestly, I have made every mistake. I’ve packed cute new shoes without breaking them in, brought only one pair, and bought shoes because they looked comfortable. I’ve paid for those decisions with hot spots, torn-up heels, and soaking wet shoes.
These are the travel shoes I’ve actually worn and tested over the last 20 years including my Kiziks—which are truly the most comfortable shoes I’ve ever worn—my Birkenstocks, and the waterproof sneakers I wore in Scotland. Different trips call for different shoes, so I’ll share what I like about each pair and where they work best.
My Favorite Travel Shoes at a Glance
My everyday and travel favorite: Kizik Athens. Super comfortable, easy to step into without using my hands, and mine still look great after four years.
For slipping on like a slide: REEF Neptune. These airy sneakers have a collapsible heel, which I love for quick access or when my heels need a break.
For rainy days: Dansko Paisley waterproof sneakers. They kept my feet dry in Scotland. Give them time to break in—mine needed a month before the trip.
For a dressier shoe on full walking days: VIVAIA Margot Mary Jane. Bendy, easy to pack, and comfortable when I wore them for an entire day of walking.
For nights out and shorter walking days: VIVAIA Aria 5°. A nicer flat, but my toes start to rub if I walk in them for too long.
My slip-on summer sandals: Birkenstock Mayari. I’m on my third pair! I love them for everyday wear and lighter walking days, but choose sneakers for all-day sightseeing.
For cool-weather travel: Vionic booties. My feet feel completely supported in these. Getting the size right and breaking them in took some time.
My Kizik Athens are among the most comfortable shoes I’ve ever worn, and I wear them constantly—not just on vacation. I’ve had mine for four years, and they still look great. I also have the Kizik Lima sneaker, and it is very similar and just as good.
I love the hands-free slip-on feature. They are as easy to put on as sandals, which is wonderful when I’m heading out the door. My pair has a perforated upper that allows lots of airflow, and I wear them without socks. They have never given me hot spots, and the heel was comfortable from the very first day.
After all the shoes I’ve tried, these are a pair I keep coming back to, whether I’m packing for a trip or just getting dressed at home.
The REEF Neptune has a breathable stretch-knit upper and a collapsible heel, so you can wear it as a sneaker or slip it on like a slide. It is a lightweight, casual shoe that works well when you want something easy to put on and comfortable to wear.
Mine have plenty of airflow, and I wear them without socks. They have never given me hot spots, and the heel was comfortable from the first day.
I especially love being able to fold the heel down when I need to slip them on quickly or give my heels a break. They are as easy to put on as sandals, and they aren’t just travel shoes for me—I wear them all the time.
The Birkenstock Mayari has crisscross straps with a loop around the big toe and adjustable buckles so you can fine-tune the fit. Its contoured cork-latex footbed gradually molds to your feet with wear. The straps give it a slightly dressier look than a basic flip-flop while keeping it easy to slip on and go.
These are my favorite everyday summer sandals. I’m on my third pair—that is how comfortable and wonderful I think they are. I wear them all summer long and can happily spend a full day at home in them.
A full day of sightseeing is different, though. If I know I’ll be walking all day, I reach for my sneakers. My Mayaris are the sandals I pack for shorter outings, going out to eat, and days when I’m not constantly on my feet.
I keep buying them because I love wearing them. Just know that my recommendation is for an everyday sandal and a second pair for travel, rather than my first choice for walking around a city from morning to night.
The VIVAIA Margot Mary Jane has a square toe, a knit upper, and an adjustable strap across the foot. The strap lets you adjust the fit, while the flat rubber sole keeps the design practical for walking. They are also machine washable—follow the care instructions for your particular pair.
I love having a nicer-looking shoe that doesn’t mean sacrificing comfort. I’ve worn my Mary Janes for an entire day of walking, and they were very comfortable.
They are bendy and easy to pack, making them a great option when I want something dressier than sneakers but still expect to spend plenty of time on my feet.
The VIVAIA Aria 5° is a pointed-toe ballet flat with a knit upper, a rubber outsole, and padding at the heel. Unlike the Mary Jane, it has no strap across the foot, giving it a simple look that works when you want a dressier flat.
Mine are bendy and comfortable, but I save them for nights out and shorter walking days. After too much walking, my toes start to rub. For a full sightseeing day, I would choose my Margot Mary Janes instead.
My Aria pair is polka-dotted, and that version doesn’t appear to be available anymore. The link shows the current colors and patterns.
The Naturalizer Morrison is a lace-up sneaker with a rounded toe and a sporty white sole. It comes in different materials depending on the color, including leather, suede, and fabric combinations, so check the particular version you’re buying.
The shoe has Naturalizer’s Contour+ cushioning, with a shaped insole and a breathable lining. It also comes in different widths, which gives you more options when finding a comfortable fit.
I liked mine, but they needed breaking in before I took them on a trip. Once they were broken in, they were quite comfortable. These weren’t shoes I could put on brand-new and immediately head out sightseeing.
My main disappointment was durability. After about a year of wear, mine started showing signs of falling apart. I enjoyed wearing them, but they didn’t hold up as long as some of my other shoes.
The ECCO Soft 7 is a lace-up leather sneaker with a simple design that looks a little more polished than an athletic shoe. If you want sneakers that work with several outfits without looking like you’re heading to the gym, these are a solid choice.
They have a leather-covered removable insole, which is useful if you prefer to replace the footbed. The laces also let you adjust the fit rather than relying on the fixed fit of a slip-on.
I took mine on several different trips and really liked them. They look nice, but they never broke in enough for me to wear comfortably without socks. That is worth knowing if, like me, you prefer going sockless.
I still have mine, although I often overlook them in favor of my Kiziks. For me, the ECCOs are a good leather sneaker option, while the Kiziks are the shoes I reach for most often.
The Dansko Paisley is a lace-up walking sneaker with waterproof leather uppers, a cushioned footbed, and a Vibram rubber outsole. The removable footbed includes Dansko’s Natural Arch technology, and the laces let you adjust the fit. It is a more outdoorsy option than the casual sneakers on this list.
I took mine to Scotland specifically for rainy days, and they kept my feet dry. By the time we went, they were very comfortable—but they weren’t that way right out of the box.
I broke them in for a month before the trip, and I’m glad I did. These aren’t shoes I would buy just before leaving and expect to wear sightseeing immediately.
I wore other shoes on dry days, so the Paisleys were my rainy-weather pair rather than my everyday travel sneakers. If you’re looking for waterproof walking shoes for a trip, these are worth considering. Just leave yourself time to break them in before you go.
The Adidas Puremotion Adapt is a laceless sneaker with a lightweight textile upper and Cloudfoam cushioning. The sporty slip-on design makes it an option if you prefer sneakers without traditional laces.
Mine were super comfortable, especially because the heel didn’t rub. Comfort wasn’t the reason I stopped wearing them—the style just never felt like me.
I eventually sold mine on eBay. If you like the look, they may be worth considering, but they aren’t a pair I still keep in my travel wardrobe.
The Vionic Bootie combines the interior of an athletic sneaker with the look of an ankle boot. The leather upper and side zipper make it a different option from a traditional lace-up sneaker, while the supportive footbed is its biggest attraction for me.
I think these are great for cool-weather travel. They are different from any other bootie I own, and wearing them feels like walking with my feet completely supported.
Getting the size right took some figuring out, and mine did need breaking in. I would leave time to try them at home and exchange sizes if necessary rather than buying them just before a trip. Once I had the right fit and had broken them in, I really enjoyed wearing them.
How I Choose Walking Shoes for Travel
Here is a picture of me in my beloved Kiziks in Finland
Break Them In Before You Leave
I have made the mistake of packing cute new shoes without giving them enough time at home, and my heels paid for it. Comfortable out of the box and comfortable after hours of sightseeing are two different things.
My Dansko Paisleys needed a month of breaking in before Scotland. My Kiziks felt comfortable from the first day. Either way, wear your shoes on walks before deciding they belong in your suitcase.
Bring a Second Pair
I have also made the mistake of bringing only one pair. Now I want another option if my shoes get wet, start rubbing, or just don’t feel good that day.
That doesn’t mean packing your entire closet. A dependable walking sneaker and a second pair suited to your plans can give you options without taking over your luggage.
Be Honest About How Much You’ll Walk
I love my Birkenstock Mayaris and wear them all summer, but I wouldn’t choose them for a full day of sightseeing. My VIVAIA Mary Janes have been comfortable for an entire walking day, while my Aria flats are better for shorter outings because my toes eventually rub.
Choose for the day you are actually planning, rather than how comfortable a shoe feels when you first try it on.
Choose Waterproof Shoes When the Trip Calls for Them
For rainy days in Scotland, I was glad I had my Dansko Paisley waterproof sneakers. They kept my feet dry, and I wore other shoes when it wasn’t raining.
Check the exact model’s waterproof description before buying. A leather upper or a shoe that handles a little drizzle doesn’t automatically make it waterproof.
Think About Socks and Fit
If you prefer wearing sneakers without socks, test them that way before your trip. My Kiziks have never given me hot spots without socks, but my ECCO Soft 7s never became comfortable enough for me to wear sockless.
Leave time to get the size right, too. I struggled with sizing my Vionic booties, but getting the right fit was worth it.
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