Before we talk about which shoes to bring for travel, we should discuss how many shoes to bring. My answer is always “Wear a pair, Pack a pair.” Did that make you sweat? Is your immediate response something about matching your outfits? Great! You’re in the right place.
I always wear a pair of shoes, and pack one extra pair in my carry on. I pack the smaller ones, for obvious reasons.
It is possible. I promise you. I have done this for travel to 87 countries, and 7 continents. I have preached about capsule wardrobes often on my channel, and picking your shoes is exactly the same. In fact, If you are packing minimal clothes and a color scheme, shouldn’t picking only 2 pairs of shoes be easy?
Here are some combinations that I often travel with, and the type of trip:
Now, lets get into specific examples of these styles that are perfect for travel. When it comes to travel, I automatically think of comfort, style, and practicability.
Some of the links will give me affiliate income, which helps grow my channel.
Sneakers
When it comes to sneakers, we all have our preference. But I want you to stop and think about those Yeezys, or Nikes, or gym shoes for a minute. Yes, they are comfortable. How do they perform in the rain, or in the mud? Can you wear them with multiple outfits?
I like to bring a shoe that can not only be comfortable for 30,000 steps a day (oh yeah, I do it!), but also be good in the rain, and wear with multiple outfits. For real– who wants to walk 30,000 steps in shoes that are still wet from last night’s sudden downpour? Not me.
Introducing Vessi Waterproof shoes. These shoes completely change the travel shoe game. They are a comfortable, breathable knit shoe that are ideal for travel. There are several styles for men and women, from street shoes, to slip ons, to hiking boots and rain boots. I’m telling you, now that I’ve found Vessi, there will be no wandering into my local shoe store before a trip ever again.
We now own 4 pairs, and will be doing a full review very soon, both on this blog, and on YouTube. Use this link, and get a free gift with purchase.
Ballet Flats
These are not always the most practical shoe for travel, but I do often travel with them. Why? They pack extremely flat, and occasionally there will be a dressy moment on your travels.
…Like when I was traveling around Paris and went to the Opera. Or traveling around New York and went to a broadway show. Or attending a wedding in Ireland, or formal night on a cruise ship.
Now, we have to talk about the smart choice again. Have I packed my cheap $15 faux leather flats from Target for trips like this? Yes. Have I regretted it? Yes. (see the above photo!)
I recently found ballet flats that are water resistant, and they will be accompanying me on my trips from now on, when ballet flats are needed. I wish I could have had these when I had to walk back to my Prague hotel in the rain, after the Opera. Here is the link.
Adventure Sandals
Chacos. Tevas. Keens. You’ve heard of them. They are great. They are colorful. They give you weird tan lines. These sandals are waterproof, lightweight, washable, durable, and have amazing traction.
I pack my adventure sandals, or hiking sandals, when I’m headed on a warm adventurous trip. Examples? Fiji with a hike to the top of a mountain. El Salvador with a hike to the top of a volcano. Kenya with a muddy elephant orphanage. Colombia with a trek in Tayrona National Park. Ziplining in the mountains in Peru. I could go on and on.
These sandals are ideal for your adventurous soul. Best part? Rinse them off and you’re good to go. Hiking sandals VS hiking boots? Do you want to pack hiking boots? Will your feet be cold? Does your guide suggest hiking boots? Do you need ankle support?
These are my favorite adventure sandals.
Sandals: Beach and Resort wear
Most of us go on tropical vacations, am I right? We love relaxing on the beach or by a pool, and forget our daily work life. What shoes go best with that life? Flip flops. Thongs. Sandals. Whatever you like to call them.
Would you believe me if I told you I had one pair of sandals that have been to all 7 continents with me?
These sandals are always traveling with me, unless I am in a cold climate, (like my Northern lights trip in Norway). They have been to Antarctica, though! Technically, because the weather was warm in Argentina and Chile, before and after the expedition.
They are the swiftwater sandals from Crocs, and I have several pairs. Check them out here.
Now, I have been known to wear these as my dressy sandals, too. In fact, I packed these and a dressy pair on my latest cruise, and never once wore the dressy pair that I packed. However, you might like a dressy pair.
Often times, you are on a warm weather, tropical trip, and your rubber flip flops aren’t quite going to cut it for formal night on a cruise, or with your tropical dress at your resort, or that beach wedding you’re attending.
For packing purposes, I am always going to recommend something flat, or at least with a low wedge, and for comfort purposes, I am always going to recommend something walkable. But your style is your style. I’ve just seen lots of blisters and bloody toes over the years from traveling with the wrong sandals.
I would consider bohemian ones like these, or wedged ones like these. Just promise me you will wear them more than once!
Hiking boots
There are tons of other appropriate blogs to tell you about hiking boots. I have not done a ton of treks around the world. But I have done trips with hikes, and trips where hiking boots have been appropriate. Like the Scotland highlands in the fall, trekking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, Iceland in the summer, and hiking to Petra in Jordan.
I have traveled with Merrell Hiking boots, and I have traveled with Inkka Hiking boots. Bring whatever hiking boots are appropriate, but my number 1 tip for bringing hiking boots is to wear them on the plane! Otherwise, they will take up way too much room in your suitcase.
Winter Boots
There are specific trips where winter boots are mandatory, such as my trip to Norway to see the Northern Lights. Bring your favorites, and wear them on the plane. It will be super annoying, but packing them is almost impossible. If the terrain is very icy, consider crampons for your boots, too.
These are the boots I packed for Norway Winter, and these are the crampons I brought with me, for icy steep roads.
Chelsea boots
I added this category at the last minute, because I have done a few trips with chelsea boots lately. When I am doing a city trip in chilly seasons, I love a good boot. Of course, I wear them on the plane, and bring an extra pair, whether its flats or sneakers.
They are good in all weather, and with several different outfits. They are also comfortable to walk in.
These are the ones I’ve been wearing on those types of trips.
More advice
I have two more pieces of advice to leave you with. Adding a shoe insert can be great for heavy walking trips, and I often like to go up a half size when picking travel shoes, if your feet are prone to swelling with a lot of walking or flying.
Happy travels!
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