Tested: The Best Men’s Travel Shoes for Your Next Trip

Traveling for endless miles all around the globe allows you to learn about yourself, communicate with people from all walks of life, and feast on the wonderful views nature provides. That’s why bringing the right gear is crucial to enjoying any trip. Although many people don’t pay attention to them unless they’re uncomfortable, break apart, or soaked, the most important piece of gear is your shoes. Travel shoes are oddly underrated, in that they carry you around and support every bone and joint in your body all day. While compiling this guide to the best travel shoes, we focused on overall comfort, packability, protection against the elements, and style.

How We Tested

“Travel shoe” can be a nebulous classification but, with this guide, we really tried to focus on shoes and/or boots that can be comfortable, versatile, easy to walk in, and, of course, stylish. For this guide, we broke down the different categories you’d want when traveling (e.g., hiking, formal shoes, walking shoes, slip-ons, etc.) and looked to our favorites for each style until we were able to whittle down the options to a shortlist.

From there, we sourced our units for testing, getting hands-on with each pair, wearing each exactly how we would whether on a plane, in an airport, or outdoors. We paid extra close attention to comfort, fit, outsole grip, perceived durability, and laces, among other things. Our results are detailed below.

Measurements: I, Ethan Brehm, was the person testing these travel shoes. I’m a U.S. size men’s 12.5 and have medium-width feet, so keep that in mind when reading my feedback on these units. Unless stated otherwise, the shoes in this guide are a size 12.5.

What to Look For

Style: You probably have a style preference when it comes to shoes already (sneakers, runners, etc.), but you should go for shoes that can be used for the usual travel activities like walking tours, dinners, and hikes. If you’re more concerned about flight comfort, a soft slip-on is a great choice, and for walking, you almost always want to go for sneakers with solid arch support like running shoes and the like.

Portability: Lightweight shoes will be easier to pack and travel with, and are usually better for long-distance walking (which happens a lot when traveling). If you’re really short on space, a pair of easily collapsable/foldable shoes can be helpful as well. 

Comfort: No matter the style you go for, you want shoes with good arch support, solid cushioning, and a proper fit. If you’re only bringing one pair, make sure they’re designed for lasting comfort over style. 

Material: Shoes made of materials like leather, canvas, or synthetic blends are perfect for travel shoes, as you want something that will last but still look good. 

Vans Classic Slip-on Checkerboard Shoe

Best Budget Shoes: As one of the most iconic skate shoes (and slip-on sneakers in general), the Vans Classic Slip-on Checkerboard Shoes are truly timeless, and have always been an affordable pick that gets the job done. You may not be getting the support you might get from running shoes, but they’re reliable, durable, and ready for anything. They’re made with canvas uppers with elastic sides for added stretch, and feature the classic waffle rubber outsole we all know and love.

The Good

Classic Vans are a de facto pick for traveling because of their low profile and compact size. I have large feet and my shoes typically take up a ton of room in my suitcase, often limiting what I can bring. However, these shoes can fit in any bag, no problem. And the canvas uppers will resist scuffs and gashes, with any inadvertent stains adding to the character throughout the years. Then there’s the hallmark checkerboard uppers design, which admittedly won’t be for everyone, but still provides you with a splash of style that other sneakers won’t necessarily have. Plus, you can wear them with just about anything casual.

Comfort-wise, the Vans are spectacular airplane shoes. You can sit with these on for hours without your feet heating up or getting too claustrophobic. And when it’s time to stand up, you have at least something on your feet. You can take your feet out incredibly easily and put them back in almost as easily.

The Not So Good

I went with a size 12 instead of 12.5 for these Vans, knowing from experience how they might fit. While the 12.5 would have given me the proper room in front of my toes, they would have also given me too much room in the back, causing my narrow heels to lift up too much. Needless to say, sizing may be tricky for you as well, especially without laces to help. It should also be noted that these sneakers don’t have much in the way of midsole support or comfort. You can certainly put in your own insole, which I’d recommend, but you still won’t get much arch support. Unless you don’t have any issues, I wouldn’t suggest walking too much in these.

I’ve always wished it were a bit easier to slip my feet into Vans Classic Slip-Ons. Without laces, the shoes are still surprisingly difficult to get into without using at least a single finger to adjust the collar. Nevertheless, it’s still much more convenient than sneakers with laces.

Verdict: Most people know what to expect with Vans Classic Slip-Ons, and this checkerboard variant is one of our favorites in terms of timeless style and versatility. The low profile is incredibly easy to pack into almost any bag and the canvas uppers are super durable against whatever else you have inside. Sizing might be a little tricky without laces and you won’t get the same support as with other shoes, which is why walking in them might be a chore. However, when it comes to sitting in a plane or a car, this is a superb option for keeping your feet comfortable.

Teva ReEmber

Best Slip-Ons: Teva has made many excellent sandals, but their talent extends to creating shoes too. Their ReEmber shoes provide the comfort of their sandals while having a sophisticated closed-toe style. Built using a majority of recycled materials, these shoes can handle it all. They have a natural fit allowing your feet to relax, and they’re super lightweight, so you have more freedom to move. It’s equipped with a 100% recycled ripstop upper, a 100% recycled polyester rib knit collar, and a 50% recycled polyester collapsible heel. On top of that, you get a grippy rubber outsole made of 50% recycled rubber and an antimicrobial treatment to keep things fresh.

The Good

Whether you’re sitting in a plane or car, or shuffling through a museum or campsite, the Teva ReEmber should be a go-to for your travel needs. Not only are these super easy to pack away inside your bag, with a ripstop upper to resist any scratches or tears, but they’re also incredibly lightweight, adding almost unnoticeable weight to your feet. There was a slight amount of arch support, which gave these shoes more mileage, literally. And the landing was soft enough to compete with a lot of other non-walking sneakers.

Like the Vans above, the lack of laces makes sizing a bit trickier than other shoes, but at least there’s a lot of elasticity to the uppers that you can go with your normal size much easier. I did a lot of walking in these and loved how my foot wasn’t coming out of them. While you can’t just slip these on entirely hands-free, they’re still designed with the collapsible heel that lets you use them as straight slippers too, if you want. Also, the outsole on these is pretty great, with tons of grip on both hard surfaces and dirt, even when it was slightly wet.

The Not So Good

Inherently, slip-ons come with the drawback of not having ankle support and not being able to tailor the fit, which are true here, although I did like how the ReEmbers fit in general. However, you shouldn’t be taking these on hikes or long walks, per se. I also didn’t mind the midsole/insole comfort, although my left foot felt a bit of a lift in the insole towards the outer side of my foot, which I can mark down as quality inconsistency. This wasn’t on the other foot whatsoever. Also, these shoes are known to run really, really small. I had a size 14 and they fit like a 12.5.

I should also point out that the visual aesthetic of these “puffer shoes” won’t be for everyone but they look has enough assertiveness that you could rock them in a Crocs type of way –– even more so. Likewise, there are a bunch of colorways to choose from for matching with outfits. And at just $80, you can afford to buy a couple.

Verdict: Warm enough for cold weather and grippy enough for most terrains, these affordable, lightweight Teva ReEmber slip-ons are like puffer jackets for your feet. The stretchy uppers allow for more versatility in fit, while the insole gives you slight arch support that trumps most of its contemporaries quite a bit. We noticed some small quality control issues in the insoles but still loved how easy these were to walk in. Likewise, the shoes run around 1.5 to 2 sizes too small. And while the style won’t be for everyone, you have a bunch of colorways to choose from if you are into this look.

Nike ACG Lowcate

Best Town-to-Trail: Nike has designed a variety of shoes for just about every activity out there, and their ACG (All Conditions Gear) Locate shoes happen to be the perfect pair for wanderlust. Featuring a mixed material upper and comfy, lightweight cushioning for all-day support, these shoes are tough to beat. They’re made with a trail frame underfoot for a superior, supportive feel on your feet. Also, midfoot webbing keeps your feet locked in place, while the rubber outsole gives you dependable traction. Once you put these shoes on, you’ll never think about leaving the country without them.

The Good

Before even looking at the specs on the ACG Lowcate, the look of the sneakers really caught my eye, especially the unique look of this brown and mint green colorway. The brown color can really go with nearly anything you’ve got up top, while the green accents sprinkle in some expressive flairs to your ensemble. They look totally at home on the trail or campsite but if you told me these were strictly city shoes, I wouldn’t doubt that for a second. Not to mention, the low profile allow them to fit inside your bag really easily, even if you’re just bringing a duffel or backpack. I wear a size 12.5 and they surprisingly don’t take up much room considering. The mesh-heavy uppers help with packing them down.

On the feet, the Nike shoes feel really great, especially in terms of underfoot fit. There’s the perfect amount of space in the toe box and the carriage really locks in my feet, providing a pleasant lift in the heel that I could feel propelling me forward during my walks. The higher lugs underneath really dig into the ground well, making these a solid choice for hiking, as does the harder leather-like material in front of the toe (Nike doesn’t provide specifics as far as materials). The lugs also grip surfaces like wood and concrete exceptionally well, making them solid indoor shoes too.

The Not So Good

While there is perfect room in front of the toes, the shoe is a bit on the narrow side, which made my average-width feet feel uncomfortable at first, although they seemed to stretch out a bit upon walking in them for a bit. As I mentioned, Nike doesn’t give us super specific details in terms of materials, which I would like to have in such an outdoor-focused shoe. However, we do know that the midsole has a plastic shank for underfoot protection and fit. In terms of everyday fit, these might be a smidge heavier than your average sneakers, let alone travel sneakers, but their versatility and low-profile make them great companions on your trip.

Verdict: Leave it to Nike to make a great travel shoe that can serve as an everyday beater or a purpose-built hiker. Serving you well from town to trail, the ACG Lowcate comes in attractive colorways that can be just as versatile as the shoe’s utilitarian capabilities. We loved the grippy outsole, which killed it on both indoor and outdoor surfaces, as well as the locked-in feel underfoot. We noticed some restriction on the sides of the feet, but this got stretched out a bit over time. Also, despite the relatively heavy weight, the sneakers traveled well, compressing into a bag with ease.

HOKA Bondi 8

Best for All-Day Wear: By now, most of us are well aware of HOKA’s reputation for comfortability. Updating its flagship road runners last year, the footwear brand added a memory foam collar, extended heel geometry for better balance, and a rear crash pad for smoother transitions. However, these versatile sneakers also transition perfectly for everyday activities, making them superb, do-anything travel shoes. Available in a myriad of colors, the Bondi 8 also feature neutral stability, an OrthoLite sockliner, and an 11-ounce weight from an upgraded foam cushion that’s even lighter this time around. Don’t take our word for it; the American Podiatric Medical Association has even given the shoes its Seal of Acceptance, meaning the Bondi 8 is beneficial to your foot’s health.

The Good

In just 15 years, HOKA has cemented itself as a leader in comfortable, versatile shoes, with a quick rise to prominence that’s nothing short of legendary. Delivering on the level of comfort I totally expected from a pair of running shoes from the brand, the Bondi 8 have incredibly comfy cushioning that’s soft without getting too bouncy. I also loved the firm arch support, which extends through the foot, and the wider-than-average profile that offers superb balance. I felt totally secure on my feet with these. Available in regular, wide, and extra wide, this silhouette is also offered in a ton of different variants, both neutral and colorful.

While the lacing system is fairly standard here, the laces themselves have a nice elasticity to them. Likewise, they’re just long enough to tie but not too long that they hang down to become a tripping hazard. In terms of fit, the mesh uppers were highly comfortable and form-fitting against the tops of my feet. Admittedly, the size 12.5 regular was slightly long in the front but still fit very well as a whole. The extra room in the toe box didn’t lead to any unwanted movement inside the shoe. Likewise, for low-tops, these provide solid locking on the ankles, with a firm yet soft collar around your joints. Also, unlike a lot of non-sports or -outdoor sneakers, these have solid grip underneath as well.

The Not So Good

Aside from the extra room in front of the toes, which proved nearly inconsequential, there’s not too much to complain about with the Bondi 8. Fitting easily in a bag with a lightweight profile, the shoes are super comfy and easy to wear all day long. My one complaint would be the midsole, which sinks a bit in the back. I do tend to put weight on my heel more when I walk and stand, so that aspect might be more noticeable to me, but still noticeable nonetheless.

Verdict: Available in loads of colorways and width options, the HOKA Bondi 8 is simply the most thoughtfully built and agreeably comfortable shoe we tested. The brand’s reputation is on full display with its well-cushioned midsole, solid traction, and amazing fit. And falling right in the middle price-wise, this is a fantastic, versatile choice for your upcoming travels.

Lems Boulder Boots

Best Boots: Comfort is everything when you’re traveling, and that’s Lems’ main focus with their Boulder Boots. These boots are shaped for a natural fit, making them more than capable of handling any situation. Constructed using 1200-denier nylon and nubuck leather, these waterproof boots will help you trek through the jungle on some otherworldly adventures. They also have injection-blown rubber (IBR) outsoles for insane flexibility, so you can fold them down and stuff them into your duffle bag, saving tons of space. Speaking of space, these boots have a wide toe-box design, giving your feet the comfort and freedom they need while you’re discovering the world.

The Good

Mea culpa, I’m not the biggest fan of boots unless they’re for hiking. Often too rigid and too lifted up, boots are also not the best travel companions. However, we went with the Lems Boulder Boots precisely for how un-boot-like they seemed to be, and we couldn’t have been more accurate. These feel like they take up about half the room of, say, a pair of Timberlands or Red Wings, and don’t weight nearly as much. These might be more cumbersome than regular sneakers still, but their tops fold down really easily for packing.

Lightweight on my feet at 12.9oz, these shoes were incredibly easy to walk in and even offered great ankle support in the process. Despite the lower soles of the boots, they’re still very comfortable in the midsole as well. And while some boot fans might not love the lack of a heel drop, I was a fan of the natural gait it allowed for, especially paired with the wide toe box which let my toes splay easily. If style is what you’re after, the Lems look great with almost any outfit. I put these on with jeans and khakis, and they looked incredible with both.

The Not So Good

I went with a size 12 for the Boulder Boots since boots in general tend to run large. Fortunately, my gamble paid off, but barely. The Lems fit but also run more true to size than other boots, which is a good thing. Essentially, I’d suggest going with your normal sneaker size for these boots.

One caveat is that these boots might not appeal to serious boot wearers, who will be willing to spare the extra room for their Danners and Red Wings. I also noticed the outsole grip isn’t as good on hard surfaces as others here or elsewhere. It’s imporant to note as well that, because they give you such great ankle support, the Boulder Boots are tricky to get in and out of; I had to unlace the top few switchbacks to do so.

Verdict: Way easier to travel with than almost any other boot out there, the Lems Boulder Boots look seriously great with any outfit and are lightweight on your feet. While some might not love the lack of traditional boot-ness of these shoes, as well as the absence of outsole grip, they’re our favorite for their ability to pack away with ease and the comfort and support they provide from toe to ankle.

Amberjack The Original

Best Formal Shoes: If your travels involve any kind of formal event or dinner, you may want to consider these suede shoes from Amberjack. It starts with a water-repellent Italian suede and sheepskin lining, giving you a sophisticated look that’s as comfortable as it is stylish. Inside, you get a heat-activated insole that feels like memory foam providing excellent arch support, and a TPU outsole using athletic technology. On the back, there’s some hiking boot material to add to the durable construction. Also, the company backs the shoe with a one-year warranty with your purchase.

The Good

Formal shoes are not known for comfort but the Amberjacks are simply some of the most comfy examples I’ve ever worn. Walking and standing in these was a breeze, with ample padding under the feet and solid, but not too aggressive, arch support. Unlike most other formal shoes, there’s extra padding around the ankle area, which I found incredibly helpful after a long day of wearing these. I went with a size 12.5 with these, and while they fit pretty great, I’d be curious to see if a 12 would hone in the fit even better. However, I wouldn’t say these ran large by any means. I just have narrow ankles.

From the silvery suede uppers to the brown soles and beige trim, I just love the look of these shoes. However, there are currently a whopping 13 different colorway options for these shoes on the company’s store, in either Italian suede or full-gran leather. The outsole underneath is terrifically sticky on hard surfaces, making, say, dancing much safer, especially after you’ve had a few free drinks at the open bar.

The Not So Good

Not ideal or common in formal shoes, the Amberjacks did have these heel tabs in the back, which I didn’t love for nicer situations. They looked kinda tacky, and didn’t match the classiness of the rest of the silhouette. Again, I would perhaps go a half-size down than my usual 12.5, but this is very much a personal issue with my narrow heels than it is a statement about the shoes as a whole. They fit really well.

Verdict: If you’re looking for exceptional formal shoes for traveling, check out Amberjack’s The Original, which comes in a ton of different leather colorways and is comfortable enough that you could keep them on much longer than your average dress shoe. We loved the extra padding around the ankles, the plush midsole, and the firm arch support. Employing hiking shoe tech, there’s also incredible grip underneath for slick surfaces. While the heel tab felt more casual than we’d like, we can hardly complain about anything else when it came to these shoes.

Adidas Terrex Free Hiker 2.0 GORE-TEX

Best Outdoor Shoes: Hiking boots are stereotypically bulky. And if you’re planning on doing anything outdoors on your travels, you’ll want a pair of hikers that won’t take up a ton of room while still being capable, just like the Free Hiker 2.0 GORE-TEX from adidas outdoor sublabel, Terrex. Going for more of a shoe-like fit, than your traditional hiking boot, the Free Hikers are still plenty sturdy for your lower joints, hugging your foot rather than locking it into place thanks to the PRIMEKNIT collar. Meanwhile, a GORE-TEX membrane keeps your foot cool and dry with its waterproof breathability.

The Good

When it came to choosing the best hiking boots for travel, these adidas Terrex boots were a no-brainer for just how light and compact they are. They look more like shoes but are still boots through and through. For testing, I got to try out the size 13 of the Free Hiker 2.0 instead of my typical 12.5. However, this elucidated the fact that adidas are pretty true to size. While the 13 fit well in its own right, I probably could have gone down a half-size. Even so, the fantastic ankle support was able to offset any inadequate sizing. This ankle support was supplemented even further thanks to the well-designed tongue, which envelops well inside the collar up top. With bulkier, thicker boots, proper fit around the ankle can be difficult to achieve, but not with these. I’m incredibly impressed with how well the shoes adapt to my foot, both against the top and in the footbed.

One of my favorite hiking boots around, the Free Hiker 2.0 are incredibly versatile. I find myself wearing these even when I’m not hiking. They have a really accessible style that doesn’t look super “hike-y” and the sleek color scheme goes with plenty of my outfits. And they’re also much lighter than other hiking boots. Incredibly roomy inside, the boots still kept my foot from moving around and feels great on both inclines and declines. The flatter laces are some of my favorite, remaining tightened as I laced them all the way up, and without needing lace locks to do so.

The Not So Good

While the Free Hikers do great on dirt and coarser terrain, they don’t perform as well on smoother surfaces. The outsoles were a bit too slick on wet surfaces like cement and hardwood. I’ve worn these in the rain and they felt slightly unstable when transitioning to inside my house, so keep that in mind.

The tongue tends to bunch up down below, leading me to believe it would cause some comfort issues, but it didn’t at all. And as much as I love the visual style of these shoes, the white soles accumulate dirt easier than, say, brown or black soles. Though one could argue that hiking boots are meant to get dirty anyway. It’s also important to note that some people with wider feet aren’t fans of these shoes, so if that’s you, be aware of this before making the purchase.

Verdict: Even though the unit we tested was a size too big, the performance of the Free Hiker 2.0 from adidas Terrex was still remarkable, hugging the feet and ankles without feel like we didn’t have room to breathe. If you want to do some outdoor adventuring on your trip, these flexible boots will be a perfect option without needing to be low-profile. They’re lightweight, stylish, and really comfortable.

Travel Shoes Comparison Chart

what shoes are best for travel?

The right travel shoes depend on where you’re going and what you’re doing when you get there, and there’s no shortage of footwear able to handle various activities and terrain. Yes, you can grab a pair of sturdy, running shoes for all-around comfort and stability, but you can also go for a pair of lightweight slip-ons if you’re more concerned about comfort on the plane. At the end of the day, the itinerary of your trip should dictate the style of shoes you go for. But if you just want one pair to do it all, it’s safe to go with either hiking shoes or runners. We love traveling, and we know a pair of shoes can make or break the trip, so it’s important to bring the right pair (or two). 

Honorable Mentions

New Balance is pretty much known for its comfort and nowadays its style is factoring into the equation too. The brand’s 550 model is one of its most legendary yet still comes in at a great price point. We weren’t able to get hands-on with these but you should still consider them.

If you aren’t sure which shoes will be the most comfortable for all-day wear, running shoes can be a safe choice. These Asics GEL-NIMBUS 26s are a great choice, not just for their super capability as a running shoe, but for the mere fact that they don’t look like traditional running shoes and have more versatility style-wise. Also, you can smash them and they return to form when packed.

Purpose-built walking shoes are always great for travel if you’re looking for versatility and sheer comfort. The KEEN WK400 Walking Shoe will get the job done swimmingly.

These Arc’teryx Norval SL 3 sneakers are made for trail running but have a style and insole comfort that makes them great town-to-trail hybrid shoes for everyday walking as well. 

These Allbirds Wool Runner are another good running option. Unfortunately, they had some availability issues when it came time for sourcing and testing, but we still wanted to mention them here.

Tested: The Best Men’s Weekender & Duffel Bags For Travel

Now that you’ve got some supportive shoes, you may want a bag to accompany you on your trip. So check out our best weekender & duffel bags guide.