Whether you’re tackling the airport or sightseeing and exploring a new destination, having the right pair of shoes can make all the difference in your travel experience. As we age, it becomes increasingly important to invest in comfortable and supportive footwear, especially when traveling. In today’s post, I’m highlighting some of the best women’s walking shoes for travel, with a selection of sneakers, flats, and sandals that are both stylish and practical. Some of these are my personal favorites that have kept me comfy on my own travels while I’ve walked uneven cobblestone streets, climbed stairs to and from the metro, endlessly explored museums, and so much more. If you want to explore the world in comfort and style, keep reading to find your perfect pair of travel shoes.
How to Shop for Comfortable Walking Shoes
After two bunionectomies and many years of searching for comfortable shoes, I’ve learned a tip or two about how to select a shoe that won’t leave me limping in pain at the end of a long travel day.
- Look for a cushioned insole and rubber sole.
- You want a wide and deep enough toe box to give your toes plenty of room. Jammed hammertoes are no fun, especially in the middle of a long day of walking.
- An adequate arch support system will help keep your feet from feeling tired.
- Enough “shoe” to grasp your foot firmly. There’s nothing worse than feeling like the shoe will slip right off.
- Consider going up one size to give you space to add an extra insole if you need it for additional cushioning.
While we’re talking about shoe shopping, don’t forget to check out the Most Comfortable Spring Shoe Trends To Try.
Additional Tips for Making Your Travel Shoes Comfortable
- Break them in before wearing them for an extended period of time: Painful shoes can ruin any day, but on a trip out of town, I won’t take a chance (been there, done that). I now pack shoes I know are comfy because I’ve worn enough to know they don’t pinch or cause blisters. I also carry a few band-aids in my purse, just in case.
- Add a Specialized Insole or Insert: Consider choosing a shoe that allows you to insert a premium foam insole with heel stability and arch support. I find it can really make a difference for a dressier shoe as well.
- Protect or Pad Problem Areas: If you suffer from painful foot issues like bunions, corns, or calluses, you can protect the sensitive areas of your feet with cushions or protectors.
- Bring Anti-Blister Balm: I would compare this product to a roll-on band-aid! Apply it to areas where you are worried your shoes will cause irritation or chafing, and it’ll help protect you from blisters and raw skin. Actual band-aids will do the job, as well.
You can read more tips in this post: How to Make Your Shoes More Comfortable
My Favorite Women’s Walking Sneakers for Travel
Archepedico
These lace-up shoes from Archepedico were my go-to travel shoes for years and years! The fabric stretches and breathes, so they alwaysstay comfy when my feet swell during the flight. They come in lots of colors, and they’re wonderful for long days on your feet. Bonus…they’re made in a machine-washable fabric, so you can just pop them into the wash for easy cleaning!
Veja Women’s Campo Sneakers
These sneakers from Veja are designed to provide maximum comfort and support to your feet, thanks to their organic cotton and recycled polyester lining and insole. The sneakers also feature a natural rubber sole that provides excellent grip and durability. They are lightweight and breathable, which makes them perfect for travel. They come in a variety of colors and styles, but I think this dune shade will go with everything!
Allbirds Tree Runners
I lovemy AllBirds,which flex easily and offer tons of cushioning. They’re available in lots of colors and options, including wide widths. Their lightweight top is made from eucalyptus fiber, which breathes and is super stretchy. They have a cushioned midsole for all-day comfort and support, plus they’re machine washable.
Reebok Club C 85 Vintage Walking Shoe
Whether you’re walking around a museum, exploring a park, or wandering through a new neighborhood, the Reebok Women’s Club C 85 Vintage Walking Shoe will keep your feet comfortable and stylish throughout your travels. I love the retro vibes from the old-school Reebok logo! These shoes are designed to provide excellent support and comfort to your feet, thanks to their soft leather upper, padded foam sock liner, and EVA midsole that’s designed to absorb impact.
Ecco Sneaker
I worethese leather sneakersall over Japan years ago and a hundred other places since. They’re super comfy with a removable innersole, which gives you space to add your orthotic or to adjust the width. The Ecco lace-ups comein a wide selection of colors, but black goes with absolutely everything and is great at hiding scuffs and dirt. Ecco also has options withzipper closure here,
Comfortable Women’s Flats for Walking and Travel
Ilse Jacobsen Tulip
These little beautiesare simply magical. I now own them in 4 colors. This super-comfortable slip-on sneaker has a suede upper that’s whipstitched to a flexible rubber sole. They stretch to mold to your feet and are cool in hot weather. I’m not sure you’re supposed to, but I remove the insole and run my through to the washer when they get dusty. They also have this new model, which I love because it has a slight platform that adds a bit of comfortable height.
Birdies
I’ve worn my Birdies Starling loafers so often, I’m surprised they’re not falling apart….but they aren’t! They’re nice and roomy for my bunion and feel comfy all day long. With a seven-layer responsive cushioned footbed with elevating arch support and a pressure-reducing heel cookie, they get two thumbs up for comfort from me. I have the black velvet, which is perfect for winter, and now have my eye on a light raffia pair for summer. They make lots of fun patterns and colors seasonally to change things up.
Rothy’s Loafer
I’m a big fan of Rothy’s loafers. Their prints and colors change often, but the fit and comfort stay the same. These are made from recycled plastic bottles, so they will ease slightly but not stretch out, so buy your regular size.
Ecco Slip-On Sneaker
I’ve wornthese Ecco woven slip-on sneakersfor many years and recently addedthis smooth top versionin both black and taupe. They have a cushioned insole with arch support and leather upper. The insole is also removable so that you can use your own custom orthotic or just have more room if your foot is wider like mine.
Margaux Demi
The quintessential ballet flat is a great addition to your travel bag because they go with everything. They give a minimalistic look with maximum style and are totally classic. These look great with everything from pants to skirts and dresses. I discovered this particular pair several years ago when Travel andLeisure rounded up the most comfortable flats on the market, and the Margaux Demi took first place in the ballet flats category. I have them in metallic, a pale gray, and a cerulean blue. They dress up or down and are very comfy in sizes 3-14, narrow, medium, and wide widths.
The Best Women’s Walking Sandals for Travel
ECCO Flowt 2 Band Sandals
After years of loving Ecco sneakers, I decided to try their Flowt 2 Band sandals. They have a very cushiony sole, arch support, and velcro securely to my ankle, so I don’t have to grip my toes to keep them on. I grabbed them in grey rose metallic, but they also come in black and a camel/tan option. These are so comfy I have my eye on another color for this summer.
Skechers Desert Kiss Sandal
I saw several different Skechers shoes when I was researching for this post, and the almost 9,000+ reviews for this Desert Kiss Sandal are very convincing! Reviewers say the memory foam footbed molds to the shape of their feet, providing great support and cushioning, and the adjustable straps make it easy to get a perfect fit. These would be a great fit for any upcoming spring or summer travel excursions on your calendar!
Eileen Fisher Sport Platform Sandal
As much as I love Eileen Fisher’s clothing, I think I love their shoes more! Theyfit my foot and lifestyle and are super comfy. I bought my first pair several years ago during a marathon shopping day, and I’ve been adding to my collection ever since. I worethese sandalsday in and day out over hot cobblestoned streets on our Riverboat cruise back in 2019 and on our Maritime cruise a few summers ago. They dress up and down easily, and they come in black or metallic.
Keen Elle Sandal
The Keen Elle Sandal has a stylish and versatile design that can be dressed up or down, making them a great option for a variety of travel occasions, including beach days, lunch dates, city explorations, etc. They come in a wide variety of colors, but I think this neutral birch shade is a great versatile color choice!
Oofos Sandals
These flip-flops from Oofos are not something I would wear to sightsee or explore a new city, but if your upcoming travels include a pool, spa, or beach, or you just want something cushy to wear around your hotel room… go ahead and put these on your list! My oh my, are they comfortable! They are “biomechanically engineered OOfoam absorbs shock, cradles your arches and reduces stress on your feet, knees and back.” I’m bringing mine to Mexico this spring and won’t be surprised if I wear them around town.
More Women’s Walking Shoes for Travel:
Do you have any upcoming trips? If so, here are some more travel posts you might like:
- Best Travel Bags and Suitcases for Women
- Complete Packing List of Travel Toiletries
What are your favorite, most comfortable shoes to wear for travel?
