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The right pair of travel walking shoes will keep you comfortable in the following situations:
- transportation (be it by car, bus, plane, train, or else)
- hours of walking through museums, galleries, malls
- strolls around the city, parks, smooth outdoor trails in warm weather
We have extensively tested travel shoes to ensure they live up to these expectations. Our impressions and lab test results are summarised to show what each pair is worthy of.
Whether you need a supportive shoe for flat feet, you want the shoe to be barely noticeable on foot, or you like to travel with style, we’ve got a top pick in these (and other) categories.
How we test travel shoes
First and foremost, we buy the walking shoes we want to test using our own funds. For us, the strict implementation of this rule keeps us independent and unbiased.
Following that is the actual wearing of the shoes. We do all the typical things we would do while in walking shoes—travelling, eating out, going to parks, standing all day, going to work—so basically anything! This step allows us to share our thoughts and feelings about the shoe's performance on long hours of wandering, walking on concrete, when it rains, and other factors.
Finally, we cut the shoes into pieces. And we mean this literally! We put them through different kinds of tests inside our lab. We even use a microscope and a smoke machine, so we mean business.
Best travel shoes overall
What makes it the best?
For excursions and longer trips, nothing can compete with the ultimate travel walking shoe, On Cloud 5. This is the pair that makes the happiest place on Earth double up on happiness because of how pleasurable it is on foot even after infinite hours! Considering that it’s a neutral shoe yet we never felt unstable whether on concrete or cobblestones is no less than amazing.
We didn’t have to overthink our decision if we would go sock or sockless every time we went out with Cloud 5: no blisters, regardless! Plus, no sweaty and stinky feet. Satisfyingly, our experience is coherent with the breathability test result we got in our lab. The shoe scored 5/5 on our smoke test, meaning the airflow is superb, perfect for day-long outings.
On our walks, we adored the shoe’s smooth heel-to-toe transition. Back in the lab, we tested for its flexibility using our digital force gauge, which indicated a low resistance (35% lower than average). This means it only took a small amount of force to bend the shoe, proving Cloud 5’s extreme flexibility. Carrying Cloud 5 on our feet and bags is also never a bother. Weighing the shoes, we discovered it’s only 7.5 oz (212g), 24% lighter than average.
The problem is, we found it to be really snug. We measured the forefoot’s widest part as 89.5 mm. This is not only 6.7% narrower than average, but actually the narrowest among all that we’ve tested. Therefore, we advise wide footers to skip On Cloud 5.
Pros
- Perfect for all-day wear
- Unbelievably lightweight
- Can do low-impact workouts
- Amazing in-shoe feel
- Very breathable
- Super easy on-off
- Great flexibility
- Regular laces are added
- Sustainable materials (44%)
Cons
- Not for wide feet
- Lacks durability
- Outsole catches pebbles
Travel shoes with the best comfort
What makes it the best?
After thoroughly testing the Allbirds Tree Runners on our feet and in the lab, we came to the conclusion that it is the most comfortable walking shoe for travel. We picked it for this category because its construction unlocks so much value for those who are on trips. Plus, it has an accommodating toebox and an adequate stack height that turns dashing from one destination to the next into an enjoyable experience.
As we put the Allbirds Tree Runners to work in rigorous walking sessions, we were amazed at how weightless it felt. True enough, when we measured its weight in the lab, it came in at 8.6 oz (245g), making it 23.1% lighter than the average walking shoe. In addition to this, the same construction provides travel-friendly features that make it perfect for trips: namely, its easy-to-pack nature and its slip-on build, which are both afforded by its upper.
Having the Allbirds Tree Runners on foot really allowed our toes to splay out nicely. In the lab, we measured the width of its upper (at its widest part) to be 99.8 mm which is a whole 3.9 mm wider than that of the average walking shoe. This translates to adequate room for medium to wide feet. Say goodbye to squished toes!
Another great thing about the Allbirds Tree Runners is the fact that it proved to be a reliable walking partner for us even during our longer sessions. To take a deeper look into this, we cut the shoe in half to measure its key dimensions. What stood out to us is that despite its lightweight build, it still has a good amount of foam underneath. Its heel stack height of 31.1 mm is even a bit larger than that of the average walking shoe (31.0 mm)!
While the Allbirds Tree Runners proves to be a great partner for travelling for regular feet, we don’t recommend the shoe for those who need that extra underfoot support from the get-go. The insole is removable, though!
Pros
- Extra comfortable interiors
- Equally cozy in 40 and 85ºF
- Can be worn without socks
- Lightweight and packable
- Flexible sole
- Removable insoles
- Easy to style
- Machine washable
- Sustainable design
Cons
- No half sizes
- Lacks arch support
Travel shoes with the best support
What makes it the best?
After testing and literally breaking down walking shoes, we established that the travel shoe with the best support is the On Cloudnova Form. Everything in this shoe just screams support – from the bottom to the sides of the foot – there isn’t anything to be insecure about! Plus, being out and about with Form all day is just straight-up awesome!
When we cruised towns with Form, it’s as if we forgot about the ground because of the substantial foam we felt beneath our feet, especially our heels. True enough, when we measured the stack heights using our calliper, it read 36.1 mm and 19.3 mm, which yielded a 16.8 mm drop. This is huge as it is, but relative to the average, this is 63.1% larger!
We also measured how hard the midsole is and it turned out that it’s 35% firmer. During our tours, this translated to fantastic support that allowed us to last the whole day with no complaints! In terms of flimsiness, we experienced none. We discovered that this could be attributed to the stiffness of the shoe. Cloudnova Form withstood bending at 20.9N, making it 16% stiffer than average. Due to this, we are able to confidently shift laterally in the shoes.
However, we don’t recommend travelling in Cloudnova Form during snowy seasons. We stuck it in our freezer for 20 minutes and it resulted in an even firmer (29.7% more) and stiffer (57% more) shoe.
Pros
- Excellent for all-day wear
- Very stable and supportive
- Great in-shoe comfort
- Non-constricting toebox
- Reflective elements
- Sustainable materials
- Appealing design
Cons
- Lacks durability (especially the upper)
- A little heavier than average
Travel shoes with the best cushioning
What makes it the best?
The Hoka Clifton 9 is a lightweight, cushioned, and versatile shoe, making it the ideal all-in-one choice for trips. Its plush and bouncy foam makes it comfortable for runs and strolls even during prolonged wear. In our lab tests, it emerged with the top cushioning among travel walking shoes.
Each landing feels well-protected as we have 32.7/26.6 mm of ProFly+ foam elevating our feet off the ground. Our durometer confirmed its blissful touch with a 20.4 HA, while our feet enjoyed its nice rebound. The midsole features a curved design for silky smooth transitions.
Travelling with Clifton 9 feels effortless because of its minimal weight and natural feel. Our scales confirm it’s only 8.9 oz (249g), 6.0% lighter than average. Its flexibility enhances its weightlessness as it barely resists our movement. True enough, it emerged 6.3% more malleable than average.
Underfoot, we found an outsole that can handle various surfaces: from rough roads to cobblestones. Its soft 76.0 HC rubber displayed excellent traction during testing and softened our landings further.
However, we only recommend packing this pair in colder destinations as it will feel too stuffy in tropical cities.
Pros
- Superb joint protection
- Wider toebox improves toe splay
- Comfortable upper
- Stable ride despite its high stack height
- Works well for heel strikers
- Ideal for long runs
- Versatile for daily walking or jogging
- Achilles-friendly heel collar design
Cons
- Needs a better foam ASAP
- Notable weight gain from v9
- Feels more Bondi than Clifton
- Non-gusseted tongue
Travel shoes with the best style
What makes it the best?
The walking shoe with the best design, in our opinion, is On Cloudnova. Outside, it is clean and refined, perfect for dressed-up and down fits. We love how Cloudnova combined casual and sporty into an insanely cool look. Inside, it feels sensational, making distant wanderings a divine experience.
We could walk on tours nonstop when we’re in Cloudnova, thanks to its footbed that didn’t cause us any fatigue. We investigated in the lab, and it turns out that at 29.9 HA, the midsole is almost as firm as the average: Cloudnova is only 4% firmer. This resulted in foam with balanced softness and firmness.
Walking in the airport or on the cobblestones is all the same to us with Cloudnova: no wobbly feel! We found in our flexibility test that it exerted a 29.9N force to counter the bending, making it 2.6% less stiff than average. We discovered that this, combined with the wide base, allowed for a steady shoe.
What we disliked was the weight that came with this stunner. At 10.7 oz (303g), we realised that it was 12.2% heavier than average. So if you prioritise lightness for your travels, we advise skipping On Cloudnova.
Pros
- Perfect for all-day wear
- Great travel shoe
- Attractive design
- Comfortable in-shoe feel
- Fits well straight from the box
- High quality
- 10% recycled materials
Cons
- Pricey
- Sole catches debris
- Mid-cut is not for everyone
How to choose the right travel walking shoe
To help you get the most out of your adventures, a perfect travel shoe will have the following features: lightweight, breathable, and cushioned.
Give your feet some love by asking yourself a few simple questions:
Is the shoe light enough?
In our lab, we consider a shoe to be lightweight if it weighs 10.6 oz (300g) or less in a men's US size 9.
But everyone's perception of the shoe's weight is different. That’s why you should pick the weight range that:
- won’t drag your foot down during long periods of wear
- won’t add too much weight to your luggage
In our lab, we weigh all travel shoes in a men's US size 9 to help you choose the right one.
Is it breathable enough?
Shoes with mesh uppers are your best bet if you are looking for consistent airflow throughout the day. They will help you avoid sweaty and smelly feet, hot spots, and blisters especially if you are travelling to a hot summer destination.
We perform several breathability tests in our lab to assess the ventilation capacity of every single shoe. In addition to the smoke-pumping test above, we also hover the shoe's half-cut upper over the light to check its transparency and air channels and examine its upper fabric structure through a microscope.
With all these tests combined, we can rate each shoe's breathability on a 1-5 scale. Here is an overview of the most breathable travel shoes in our walking shoe catalogue:
Is there enough cushioning in your travel shoe?
Your travel shoe buddy should be able to maintain support for hours of walking and standing, be it at the airport terminal or exploring another art gallery. Sufficient cushioning is one of the key criteria that we consider in our top 10 travel walking shoes.
Look for shoes that have at least 25 mm of stack height in the heel area. This will ensure that your for receives enough impact protection and buffering from hard surfaces.
But how would you know a shoe's stack height if you're shopping online? Our trusty calliper is here to help you out with that. We measure both the heel and forefoot stack of each walking shoe to let you know how much underfoot support to expect.
Depending on your personal preference, you may opt for the lower platform if you prefer a more minimalist feel or go for a max-cushioned cloud of a shoe for extra comfort.
Here are the stack height measurements of the most cushioned travel shoes in our catalogue:
Travel shoes also vary in their midsole softness and it's up to you to decide how soft you'd like to go. Most of them, however, tend to hit a sweet spot between marshmallowy plushness and stable firmness, showing a moderate HA reading on our Shore A durometer.
Pressing the tool against the shoe's cut-open midsole foam, we can put a number on the midsole softness of every one of them to help with your search.
Here is a quick reference note on what each reading range means:
- less than 20 HA: soft
- 20 HA - 30 HA: balanced
- more than 30 HA: firm
As we said, most travel shoes fall into the balanced category of midsole cushioning:
Bonus tips:
- If you have flat feet or tend to overpronate, get a shoe with a firmer midsole or added arch support. Also, see our guide on the best walking shoes for flat feet.
- If you want extra underfoot plushness, go for shoes with a memory foam insert.
- To add your own custom orthotics, make sure that you're getting a shoe with removable insoles.
Laces vs. slip-ons for travelling
Along with the good old laces, you can consider shoes with a Velcro strap (these are not only made for kids!) or fun stretchy bungee laces. These types of closures allow you to quickly release the fit and adjust the snugness once the foot starts to swell.
If you want to be able to slip the shoe on and off in an instant, especially on transport, go for slip-on footwear or shoes with a collapsible heel, that can quickly go from a sneaker to a comfy slipper.
Can you travel in running shoes?
Of course! As long as a pair of running shoes meets your comfort standards on the road, it can be your trusty travel buddy.
Obviously, we are not talking about the niche race shoes and tempo trainers but there are plenty of daily running shoes that are cushy and supportive enough for airport terminals, cobblestone European streets, and tile museum floors.
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