If your summer plans include travel, the shoes you pack in your bag could make or break your vacation. Previously, we shared our recommendations for the bast camp shoes for children. But, today, we’re taking care of the grownups in the house, sharing our Massapequa podiatrists’ picks for the best travel shoes to slip in your suitcase this summer.
What Makes the Best Travel Shoes Work for You
As you may have guessed, the most important feature to look for in travel shoes is comfort. Any pair you buy and plan to wear on your vacation should feel great on your feet, the very first time you slip them on. Otherwise, you might just find yourself running back to your hotel room in need of a shoe change smack in the middle of your day of fun.
Another key feature to look for is foot and ankle support—especially if you’re heading overseas to Europe, where many older cities are paved with uneven cobblestones. Wear the wrong shoes, and just one misstep on these rough surfaces could leave you with an ankle sprain—and a busted vacation. So do yourself a favor and pick a pair of travel shoes that keeps your feet from sliding around. (Translation: don’t pound the pavement in flip-flops.) Looking for more specific recommendations? Keep reading as we break down the best travel shoes for men, women, hikers and more.
Finding the Best Travel Shoes for Men
For men who want to blend style and comfort while on vacation, consider investing in sneaker-style loafers like these from Cole Haan. Made from real leather with plenty of aeration, they’ll allow your feet to breathe, even if temperatures soar while you’re away. Those thick, rubber soles will absorb the shock of walking, keeping your feet from wearing out before you’re ready to be done with the days touring. Plus, as lace ups, they keep your feet from slipping and sliding around, reducing your risk for injuries while you’re away. Just be sure to wear your shoes with socks, regardless of how slick you think they look when you slip them on bare-footed. Why is that so important? Wearing close-toed shoes without socks—a common sin for fashion-conscious gentleman—is a recipe for foot odor at best, and for blisters, callouses and athlete’s infections at worst.
Top Picks for Women's Best Travel Shoes
Just like the men who are packing up their suitcases, we know the ladies want their feet to feel great on vacation—but they don’t want to sacrifice style. What’s the best solution? Look for sneakers like the Skechers Uno that will look great in photos, but still provide plenty of support for your feet thanks to memory-foam insoles with the added benefit of air-cooling to help prevent foot sweat. (Bonus: if you are heading overseas or across the border, you can choose from styles designed to represent the flags of France, Italy, Germany, Mexico, Spain or the United Kingdom, so you can really honor your host country in style.)
When Travels Call for Hiking Gear ![A pair of hiking boots in a rocky setting]()
Steering clear of the hot cities this summer in favor of nice shaded hiking trails? Look for boots with a rise that reaches over your ankles, to maximize stability and help with injury prevention. And, whether you’re planning to trek through rivers or worries about encountering rain, select waterproof styles like these On Women’s Cloudrock 2 boots, to keep feet dry and comfortable regardless of the conditions you encounter on the trails.
Best Shoes for Travel: Overall Favorite Selections
In the previous sections of this post, we highlighted the best travel shoes that combine style, comfort and worthiness of Instagram. But if you just want to pick a shoe that you can wear all day and night, without experiencing tired, achy feet, here is the top brand recommendation from Dr. Mark Gasparini and Dr. Novneet Chhabra: go for a solid pair of Hoka maximalist sneakers.
Why does this brand make some of the best travel shoes out there? It’s simple, really: all that cushioning in the sole absorbs the shock your feet might experience from walking around all day while on vacayion. Plus, thanks to a recent redesign, the Hoka shoe is lighter than ever before, meaning your feet are less likely to get weighed down by the heft of their insulation. Plus, thanks to the rise in popularity of maximalist sneakers—not to mention some design revamping from the shoe brand itself—Hoka’s now come in a variety of colors and styles. So you can still look great in vacation photos, even after spending a full day on your feet.
Now, we always like to help our patients try to prevent foot problems. But, even when you score the best travel shoes, you may find that your feet just don’t feel right once you get home from vacation. And that’s when it’s time to reach out to your friendly Nassau County podiatrists. You see, if you come see us with a small foot concern, we can help you prevent a minor injury from becoming a chronic condition. Or, if you’ve been living with foot pain but want to feel your best before a summer getaway, we can also help you get your feet in tip-top condition for travel. Simply call the office at 516-804-9038 or follow this link to request an appointment before (or after) your next big getaway!