I not only love to cover a ton of ground when I travel (think 30-40K steps a day), but I also have some alignment issues with my spine and hips so wearing proper footwear is absolutely key. Having said that, I not only cover travel and the like here on the blog but also fashion (I was originally a style blogger, after all!)âin other words, I donât particularly feel like wearing the cushy, flashy sneakers I wear for my runs because not only will I stick out like a sore thumb as a tourist, but Iâll also really not be stoked on my outfit. I ideally want to still look stylish, have a few options for different outfits, feel comfortable, and most importantly, have footwear thatâs not going to interfere with my travels by absolutely destroying my feet and distracting me from the task at hand (i.e. taking in an amazing new place!) with blisters, pain, etc.
These 5 essential footwear options are always mixed-and-matched when I pack for a tripâthe only things not included are for more extreme weather conditions like snow (in which case I wear my Sorel snow boots), and serious hiking/rainy conditionsâcheck out my last packing list for the UK & Ireland which covers exactly that, featuring these Eddie Bauer K-6 hiking boots heavily (I literally wore them every day of our Scotland leg). But these 5 essentials see me through almost any other weather and are still packed even for the more extreme conditions too, and I kept each bucket pretty general with specific suggestions for each so that depending on your wants/needs for travel, you have options for all of them! Here are my top 5 picks for the best travel footwearâŚ
Chic Sneakers
Converse Sneakers
Probably the MVP of my sneaker game when travelling are my basic white Converse sneakersâthey literally look good with everything, I can wear them comfortably all day, they clean easily (literally just toss them in the wash when youâre home, or wipe them periodically during your trip if youâre gone for awhile). I replace them maybe every 3 years or soâtheyâre affordable, timeless, comfy and so cute!
APL Sneakers
While you can still work out while away without a gym or more fitness-oriented sneakers (you can see my do-anywhere workout here which is totally barefoot-friendly), if I know Iâll have access to a gym or am planning any hikes, walks or the like, I need some proper sneakers. The best situation is that these are also cute and I can actually wear them with dresses, jeans, shorts, etc! APLâs check off all these boxes. I particularly love their TechLoom Breeze (which I have in a really pretty neutral blush tone) because they have a slimmer, lower profile and go with quite literally everything, while also being great for more active trips!
Allbirds
I packed my Allbirds for the first time on my UK & Ireland trip and I am officially obsessed with them now for travel. They are made of wool and crazy light, so you can actually get away with wearing them without socks (which letâs be honest, is actually a real asset with travel when youâre doing an extended trip and run out of clean socks!). They also have a really timeless, chic look and go really well with any outfit. Iâd opt for them in a neutral tone to go with everything.
Comfy Flats
Flats can be a challenging one because theyâre not exactly known for being super comfy for extended periods of time, but there are a few that are not only really chic and perfect for a more femme look, but also comfy.
Tieks Ballet Flats
Iâve been wearing Tieks for years and love these gorgeous Italian leather flats. They fold up so that you can pack them and take up minimal space, and theyâre really, really comfyâif Iâm planning on a more femme, delicate look, I love having these on hand. Theyâre also one of Oprahâs Favourite Things so if you need any more reason to want to try them, there you go.
Everlane Ballet Flats
Everlane consistently makes stylish, ethical and affordable staple piecesâIâm such a huge fan! If you havenât shopped with them before, honestly theyâre one of the best one-stop-shops (literally) for timeless basics. So naturally, their ballet flats are not only stylish (and you know theyâre also ethically sourced and made), but really comfy! They come in a bunch of cute colours, but Iâm kind of in love with the light blue personally.
Walkable Sandals
For some reason, thereâs nothing that cuts up my feet more than a poorly made or cut sandal. Iâve had some pretty painful moments (one particularly stands out in Portugal) where I was literally brought to a standstill by what seemed like an innocuous pair of sandals. Iâve learned to pick favourites now and to know when and where to wear themâi.e., if Iâm on a sunny holiday but one that involves a lot of walking, Iâd probably go for a more supportive pair, whereas if I am doing a more beachy holiday, I can opt for something less supportive.
Birkenstocks
Love them or hate them (Iâm in the former camp), these granola favourites are the best options for supportive sandals. I personally think theyâre really cute and go with so many things (I love my classic white pair) but happily for those who donât love the chunkier originals, they also have more thin strap options now. I got the Mayari style recently (on sale at Nordstrom!) and theyâre much more streamlined. Iâve worn my Birks in Greece, Spain, France, Italy, etcâtheyâre really go-toâs for me.
Cole Haan Espadrilles
I love espadrillesâif youâre going to Italy, Spain, Greece, Malta, Portugal, etc etc these are not only going to fit right in there, but they are such a chic alternative to classic strappy sandals. These Cool Haan Espadrilles are actually comfy and supportive but would also look so cute with a super cute dress.
Steve Madden Flat Sandals
So the ankle strap brown leather sandals I always wear were from Joe Fresh like 4 years ago and they are literally one of my most reliable sandalsâI think I got them for $40, so just proof that especially when it comes to sandals, itâs not about spending like crazy but about finding a cute pair and wearing them at home to really see if theyâll serve you well on your travels! Since mine are long sold out, I sourced a similar pair from Steve Madden that has stellar reviews
Ankle Boots
For city travel (and particularly somewhere that might be a bit chillier, like Paris or London), I always bring a pair of ankle boots. I like to wear them on the plane since theyâre a bit bigger and then opt for one of those crazy fuzzy socks while actually up in the sky. Even if theyâre super comfy, I try to wear them on alternating days because I do find that even with the most supportive pair, it can be a bit hard on your body to wear them every day but other than sneakers that should be your philosophy when it comes to travel footwear in general: donât wear the same thing day after day! Here are a few of my faves.
Frye Chelsea Boots
Chelsea boots are by far the most versatile of ankle boots and I find Frye is amazing as far as comfort and supportâIâve had this black pair for years and have worn them all around the world! Theyâre comfortable around to stomp around town in, and I love that you can do so many cute looks with them, from the juxtaposition of leather Chelsea boots and a delicate dress to a sleek look with leather leggings and a basic top.
Splendid Suede Ankle Boots
I wouldnât pick this for a crazy rainy destination, but suede ankle boots are generally super comfy and Iâm actually more of a brown or taupe person when it comes to leather or suede tones, so I love the warmth this brings to looks. This has a very slight heel so I wouldnât wear it on your biggest walking day but still comfy enough to wear for a decent day of exploring the city! As always, break in at home first.
Brogues
Last but not least, a surprise fave of mine over the years has been brogues. I love that they offer the same kind of general comfort and silhouette as sneakers, but being leather and a bit dressier, they just add something else and really elevate a look. I got mine years ago in London from Shoe Embassy (worth checking out if youâre in London!) but the main thing I look for is that theyâre minimal as far as embellishment and most importantly, really comfy obviously!
Asos Flat Brogues
These are super similar to my Shoe Embassy ones and I love that theyâre such an affordable optionâthe tan tone is perfect!
Poppy Barley Eyelet Oxford
I think this pair from Canadian brand Poppy Barley is so gorgeousâthe reviews speak for themselves, a lot of the reviewers have multiple tones! I actually have a story coming soon with this local brand so stay tuned for that, their pieces are amazing and such great quality!
You can shop all my selects below! I hope you guys loved this postâfeel free to pin the snap below for future reference for all your travel/shopping needs! Finally, if you want to check out a total round-up of my 12 favourite travel essentials for 2019, I have a whole guide right here!
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Converse are always my go to đ
Brianna | https://briannamarielifestyle.com/
This post is very helpful, thank you!!