Women’s Travel Shoes for Comfort and Action

When you’re traveling, there’s one thing you never want to let you down: your shoes. They have to be sturdy enough to handle the rigors of travel, but light enough to feel comfortable all day long. Painful blisters or swelling can mar an otherwise wonderful experience, but they can be effectively avoided simply by choosing the right travel shoes. Cranky ankles and sore feet will become a thing of the past, even if you spend all day on your feet.

Of course, for some people good shoes are a necessity if they’re going to travel. Not like “I don’t want aching feet to ruin my trip” kind of necessity; more like “I have a medical condition that may prevent me from walking” kind of necessity. For example, conditions like bunions can be extremely painful if they don’t get the proper care – and the proper footwear. Shoes for women with bunions can make all the difference in these situations, especially compared to the footwear needs of the average traveler.

All that being said, let’s discuss some of the shoes I’ve personally worn while traveling. From hiking shoes to sandals, these are the shoes I rely on to take me wherever I’m going.

Skechers Flex Appeal 4.0

If you’re planning on doing some serious trekking, these are the shoes to pick. They’re stylish and comfortable, with breathable athletic mesh that’s a lifesaver on hot days. I found that the memory-foam insole was great for relieving pressure on my feet. Thanks to that and the shock-absorbing midsole, I didn’t feel any aches or pains by the end of the day. My only complaint is that the toe box is a little narrow, but for the average person this shouldn’t cause any issues.

Pros

• Shock-absorbing sole that reduces fatigue
• Fits well overall
• Supportive insole that reduces pain
• Perfect for athleisure activities
• Breathable and flexible

Cons

• The jersey fabric of the shoe is somewhat prone to tearing
• Narrower toe box than I would have liked

Rothy’s The Points

Every woman needs a good pair of flats when she’s traveling, and I can wholeheartedly recommend these to anyone who likes this style of shoe. As pointed-toe flats that look sleek and stylish, I’ve found that their function is as good as their form. They’re made with recyclable material, and are machine-washable too. Even though they’re pretty lightweight, they still have a decent amount of arch support. I was able to walk comfortably over all kinds of surfaces, including unpaved and gravel roads. They’re even suitable for dancing, biking, and driving. One thing to keep in mind: the sizes run a little small, so I’d recommend buying half a size bigger than you normally would.

Pros

• Really comfortable
• Decent support
• Machine-washable
• Lightweight and breathable
• Can be dressed up or down

Cons

• A little pricey
• Not heat resistant

Tropicfeel Geyser Great

These walking/hiking shoes may become your go-to travel shoes for warmer climates once you’ve tried them. I say warmer climates, because I did start to notice my feet overheating when wearing these shoes in hotter weather. However, they also have odor-resistant interiors, so the problem will disappear once you can take the shoes off and cool down. They have awesome ankle support, making them ideal for walking over rough terrain.

Pros

• Ideal for hiking
• Versatile
• Convenient lace lock
• Plenty of colors to choose from
• Stylish
• Easy to take on and off
• Has slip-resistant rubber soles

Cons

• Expensive
• A bit too insulated for warm climates

Allbirds Wool Women’s Mizzles

As one of the most popular waterproof women’s shoes, these sneakers never let me down. The premium ZQ Merino wool did an excellent job of keeping my feet cozy, and the water repellent feature got the job done. Their fitted sole traction grips kept my feet secure no matter what surface I was on, which is important when you’re walking around in the rain. One of my favorite things about these shoes, though, is that my feet could expand, contract, and breathe effortlessly. There was no tightness at all, and no irritation or chafing either.

Pros

• Warm
• Water-repellent
• Sustainable
• Very comfortable

Cons

• Runs a little smaller than standard sizes
• Is pretty expensive

What to look for in a solid travel shoe

Whether you’re searching for hiking boots or sandals, there are a few things to keep in mind as you look for the perfect shoes for your travels.

Support

This will be more important for activities like hiking than for casual sightseeing, but it’s a great feature regardless. Shock-absorbing materials like foam or rubber are ideal, especially for reducing arch and ankle pain.

Breathability

Sweaty feet are inevitable in many traveling scenarios, but this doesn’t mean that you have to feel like your feet are roasting all day long. Breathable shoes are more comfortable, and they help your feet keep their grip on rough terrain.

Waterproofing

If you’ll be spending a lot of time outdoors – whether that’s in nature or exploring the streets of Rome – waterproof shoes will come in handy at some point. You never know when you’ll find yourself in the middle of a surprise rainstorm, or traversing conditions that are a bit damper than you’d prefer. Without waterproof shoes, you’d just have to suck it up and hope that the water didn’t ruin them. With this feature, though, you could keep going without a care in the world.

Durability

This is why I spend a bit of extra cash on good-quality shoes – it’s because if I didn’t, my footwear would probably fall apart halfway through the trip. Not only is this inconvenient, but it’s also a waste of the money you spent on low-quality shoes.

Comfort

If you focus on just one thing when buying traveling shoes, focus on this. Dealing with corns, blisters, or swollen feet during a vacation can seriously detract from your overall enjoyment. Even if you have to spend more than you’d hoped, you’ll be glad you did once you’re exploring a new part of the world in your supremely comfortable shoes.