Travel requires impeccable planning skills.
From knowing exactly what to pack and collecting documents to mapping your route and booking hotels, there’s no shortage of boxes to tick before jetting off.
The rigmarole of deciding what clothing to bring is always a feat. Humid destinations call for lightweight linen, while snow-capped sojourns require thermals. Then you have oceanside retreats which demand statement swimwear. Yet there’s absolutely no point in meticulously planning your trip if your shoe game isn't up to the job.
Footwear that is ill-fitting, poorly crafted or worn out is a one-way ticket to vacay dismay. Therefore it’s imperative to carefully select your footwear before bidding bon voyage to friends and family.
How to select the correct footwear for your travels? Consider your destination. Hiking boots for mountain or off-road jungle adventures. Snow boots for skiing. Comfortable trainers for European city breaks which promise hours of metropolis mapping. Sandals for blistering heat. The best shoes for travelling depend on where you’re going and the terrain or climate involved.
There’s also the case of personal preference. For example, Dua Lipa can happily don Versace heels for private jet journeys. Yet others may feel more at home during long-haul flights in their trusty pair of Nike P-600s, New Balance 530s or Salomons.
Comfort and support are key. Popular sneaker and sandal models are typically fitted with cushioned soles, arch support and lace or strap detailing to support the foot. While we’re all about shopping second-hand, opting for a new pair of shoes where the grip is intact, the design is lightweight and the cushioning is firm is crucial. Trust us, this is no time for Dr Martens (learnt the hard way).
Discover the best shoes for travel, from trainers to sandals and more, and prepare for your adventure to the best of your ability.
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Salomon ACS + OG Unisex Sportstyle Shoes
Salomon is arguably the coolest sneaker brand on the market at present. The ACS + OG is designed for long, leisurely strolls, from easy hikes to a brisk flit around Victoria Park. The stride-stabilising Agile Chassis System promises cushioning and control while absorbing shock. Pick from a punchy display of colour combinations from raspberry pink to neutral hazelnut and stride in style.
Buy now £145.00, Salomon
Nike P-6000
Our Nike P-6000s are one of our favourite buys of the year. Hands down the most comfortable shoes we own, the cool-girl shoes come complete with silver detailing, black accents and sporty lines. Breathable mesh panels allow the feet to stay fresh, while deluxe foam cushioning adds a lifted, lightweight stance and heavenly comfort.
Buy now £99.95, Nike
Adidas by Stella McCartney Hika Outdoor Sandals
Sandals with style, these Adidas by Stella McCartney Hika Sandals are perfect for hotter climates. From seaside strolls to jungle adventures, the shoes are designed to provide comfort with every step. Lightweight cushioning is promised via the EVA midsole and outsole, while a synthetic leather upper is durable for longer walks. A classic Stella move, the sustainable sandals are made from 20 per cent recycled materials, making them better for the planet and better for your pads.
Buy now, Adidas
New Balance 530 Trainers
Inspired by New Balance’s classic running shoes, the design of the beloved 530 trainer pays homage to the Noughties. It features a padded ABZORB footbed to absorb shock while walking, plus the brand’s cult insignia which will automatically assert your sartorial authority. With some blue jeans and a white shirt, you have an easy style win.
Buy now £100.00, Office
Birkenstock Arizona Soft Footbed Natural Leather
Birkenstocks are ever the divisive footwear, but the reason they have stood the test of time is because of their hugely comfortable construction which means you can wear them day to night with ease. In this silver metallic hue, they are too good to resist.
Buy now £95.00, Anthropologie
Merrell Women's Hut Ultra Wrap
Boring isn’t in Merrell’s vocabulary. Feast your eyes on the outdoor footwear brand’s stylish offering, the Hut Ultra Wrap. Colourful and comfortable in all the right places, Merrell’s slip-on sandals have taken design inspiration from previous tried-and-tested editions with the added performance features of today – and the results are brilliant.
Once armed with these, you can hike to your heart’s content with lightweight yet padded foam rubber soles underfoot, which feature waterproof, breathable materials to help add stability through every stride.
Plus, the fact that these sandals come with an adjustable hook and loop closure, means you can adjust them based on how secure you want your feet to be.
Buy now £75.00, Merrell
Asics Gel-1130
Available in three tempting colourways, Asics’ Gel-1130s are set to spark serious shoe envy during your commute. Designed as a stable running shoe, they possess all the necessary features to keep your feet protected and comfortable. These include GEL technology for all-day cushioning and a TRUSSTIC support system that stabilises the ankle when running for the tube at 8am.
Buy now £95.00, JD Sports
HOKA Bondi 8
One of HOKA’s most popular picks, the Bondi offers up a lightweight, foam-clad footstep for avid runners. Extended heel geometry and a rear crash pad balance the foot as you pace. The shoe is also the perfect pick for eco-warriors as it’s made from 40 per cent recycled polyester lining that is implemented by a comfortable gusseted tongue and engineered mesh construction.
Buy now £150.00, HOKA
Women's Moab Speed 2 GORE-TEX
Lightweight and comfortable to wear straight out of the box, Merrell is the go-to footwear when you’re really clocking up the miles while hiking. This pair are designed to support your feet on ever-changing terrain and with added traction and stability to make it feel like you’re walking on air, even when you’re well past the 10k steps mark.
Buy now £1500.00, Merrell
Ecco Offroad Women's Nubuck Hiking Sandal
A welcome alternative to a classic black colourway, Ecco’s Offroad Women's Nubuck Hiking Sandal will put a spring in your step. Designed for hiking but wearable on a daily basis, the colourful sandals boast a leather upper with one sidebar, three-point adjustability and a stretchy textile lining for a soft, comfortable fit.
Feel secure thanks to the lightweight moulded EVA footbed with soft microfibre cover for supreme cushioning, plus the brand’s incorporation of the ECCO FLUIDFORM Direct Comfort Technology which provides ample flexibility.
A durable rubber outsole offers excellent grip and traction to help keep your ankle in place as you stroll, hike or meander.
Buy now £100.00, Ecco
Birkenstock Milano Chunky
Birkenstocks are famed for their arch-supporting soles. The Milanos feature supportive strap detailing across the heel and arch of the foot, in addition to the toes.
Also available in narrow sizes for those with slimmer feet, the unisex models showcase a cushioning EVA sole for cloud-like stepping, plus a chunky heel and a soft, Nappa leather construction. A deep moulding heel cup that stabilises the foot and calf muscle is complemented by an arched sole that supports the tarsal bones and offers ample toe grip.
Buy now £170.00, Amazon
