10 BEST Travel Shoes For Women

In search of the best travel shoes for women? This post covers the basics of the best women’s travel shoes and what we look for in our footwear. This fantastic collection of cute travel shoes is comfortable and stylish. Shoes are arguably an essential item to consider when packing for your travels. A good pair of shoes for travel may not be the most exciting thing in a suitcase, but comfortable feet can make or break your day. We walk a lot when we travel.

It may seem simple, but there are a lot of factors that contribute to a good pair of travel shoes for women. These shoes are all packed with comfort and style in mind. I’ve highlighted a good mix of trends and key facets. 

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Best Travel Shoes For Women

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Allbirds Wool Runners

If you’re shopping for a new pair of women’s travel shoes, you’ve likely come across Allbirds Wool Runners on the internet. They’ve billed themselves as the most comfortable shoes in the world, made to fight odor, be worn without socks, and handle the demands of travel exceptionally. Those are all tall claims.

While you can undoubtedly contest the claim they are the most comfortable shoe on earth, they are amazing. Allbirds try to source sustainable materials for their shoes, which we love. The style is also great; they look even better in person than online with high-quality details.

The feeling of wearing them is best compared to a comfortable and cozy wool sweater. If that sounds hot for travel in a warm destination, they make a breezy Tree Runner version of the shoe. Fit is exceptional as they come a little tight but stretch to fit your feet like magic on your first day of wearing. Wool’s properties, such as odor and dirt resistance, make these unique. They’re also machine washable, dry quickly, and can keep your feet warm even when wet.

As the shoe uppers are made of thick wool fabric, you can see the big toe through the top of the shoe. The “toe hump” detracts from many, and it’s a little polarizing, but we still love the shoe. As it is wool, you can wear thin spots in the fabric if your feet move around a lot in the interior. We’ve never experienced premature wear in these shoes.

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Vans Classic Slip-On

When I want the comfort of a shoe but don’t want something as big as sneakers, I love a pair of slip-on shoes. They make airport security a breeze and take up minimal room in my suitcase, so it’s easy to pack and travel light. Since they’re low profile, they can work with many outfits and settings.

Despite being the first time on this list of the best women’s travel shoes, we love Vans. Their classic slip-on is super comfortable and can be worn with or without socks. Vans’ classic slip-on blur the line between sneakers and slip-on shoes and look great with a pair of jeans or shorts.

They require a break-in period with socks as the back is made of leather and creates a tacky sensation that can cause blisters if you’re barefoot. We love a pair of shoes for around $50, so you have more money for travel.

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adidas Ultraboosts

adidas Ultraboosts make some of the best travel shoes for women as they’re stylish sneakers and very comfortable. They hit the target between a sneaker and running shoe with enough tech to fit either environment. The sleek design with maximalist colorways is the highlight, and they look great on the feet. With a wide range of colorways and models, it’s easy to find a design that fits your style.

It uses a Primeknit upper and fits like a slip-on for a great fit on the top of the shoe. A plastic midfoot cage with laces allows for adjustment in fit despite the slip-on design. That upper is comfortable and fits well, but the knit is breathable, which keeps the shoes fresh. Under the foot are a heavily cushioned midsole and high stack height for exceptionally comfortable shoes. However, that does sacrifice some performance.

Avid runners or hikers will want to look elsewhere as the shoes are a little clunky and heavy. The travel shoes for women are great for gym wear and light runs for most. We have an excellent recommendation for the Arc’teryx Norvan LD3 below if you’re after a high-performance running shoe.

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Born Julianne

A pair of flats is always great to have in a suitcase. They’re stylish and comfortable. Best of all, flats take up minimal space in your luggage. For most travel, it’s best to avoid heels as many destinations worldwide have uneven streets. You don’t want to break an ankle trying to look good.

Flats or loafers are a great option for a dress shoe that eats little room in your luggage, unlike a pair of heels. With flats, you can find stylish shoes that allow you to blend in with trendy locals and are comfortable enough to wear all day.

These simple flats from Born are super comfortable and great for events involving hours of standing. These are my go-to women’s travel shoes when we travel for business and provide presentations.

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Vivobarefoot Gobi III

Many foot and joint issues plague modern-day humans from overdesigned shoes. Most shoes cause our feet to move unnaturally, making our feet wither! VivoBarefoot is a company here to fix our troubled feet the natural way.

These trendy shoes have made waves with health enthusiasts and minimalists obsessed with details. The shoes last longer than traditional sneakers due to the build quality and lack of midsole. The leather upper style makes for an excellent women’s shoe that works in various environments.

These shoes pack up well in a suitcase for the ultimate travel shoe. The leather uppers and grippy soles make the shoes decent for short hikes and rugged terrain. They are great for people with wide feet who need more room in their shoes. – they are broad, thin, and flexible to promote the foot’s natural movement.

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Arc’teryx Norvan LD3

The Arc’teryx Norvan LD3 is the third iteration of the model, and they have delivered a new classic trail running shoe. It’s an exceptionally light trail runner that offers plenty of cushion in the midsole and a pleasurable ride. Style is excellent in these shoes, and they’re one of the sharpest-looking trail runners we’ve had the pleasure of testing.

Underfoot is a stiff Vibram mega grip outsole that grips terrain reliably and provides good protection underfoot. The sole isn’t too stiff; it has the right amount of flex and a fast transition. Fit is nice with a wide toe box, great for women, and a secure lockdown that keeps the foot in place.

These shoes have the highest price tag for a women’s travel shoe that will likely wear out sooner than more conventional shoes. It’s our trail running shoe and what we’ll wear this summer.

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Rainbow Sandal

I’m a sandal person and don’t believe any travel bag is complete until I throw in a pair. In warm destinations, we spend 90% of our time in a pair of sandals. It’s a wardrobe staple and immensely comfortable. The Rainbow Sandal is a thong flip-flop that has a straightforward design. They are nothing like those crappy rubber flip-flops many wear.

The sandals use premium leather and nylon thread, while layers are triple glued for optimal durability. Perhaps what makes these so great is the high arch in the midsole. It allows me to wear sandals all day. It’s a sandal you can wear all day and never think twice about your feet.

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Ecco Soft 7 Sneaker

The classic travel shoe is comfortable and stylish with high-quality leather. Ecco’s elegant look feels relaxed but mature enough to be worn by all ages. It’s a classic shoe that’s highly versatile and comfortable. Thanks to its simple leather design, the shoes look more appropriate for dressier occasions such as business environments, restaurants, and bars.

It’s tough to fault these shoes as the craftsmanship is better than most of the shoes on this list. The leather laces and thick soles ensure a pair of shoes with plenty of longevity for many future trips. The shoe insole is leather molded for reliable comfort and breathability.

While the shoe is comfortable for walking all day, it is a heavier sneaker. It means they’re not suitable for athletics or hiking. However, the versatile shoes sit right between a dress shoe and a traditional sneaker.

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Birkenstock Arizona

Not everyone loves thong sandals that go between the toes. For straps over the feet, it’s easy to choose Birkenstocks. Birkenstocks are some of the most loved sandals for a good reason. They’re the perfect everyday wear because the sole conforms to the shape of your foot for the ultimate support.

I’m partial to the Mayari as they’re more feminine than the original Arizona style, though you can’t go wrong with either. The neutral heel profile and deep heel cups keep the weight of your body evenly distributed across your feet for the ideal comfort.

They’re perfect for travel as they are so comfortable and you can spend all summer in them without any problems. Birkenstocks come with the highest price tag on this list, but they’re well worth the price for the comfort and warranty and long shelf life.

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Blundstone 550

These are great all year round as you can never go wrong with a pair of leather boots. Women can wear them with a pair of chinos and a blouse, while men can pair them with just about anything from jeans, chinos, and even a suit. These are a staple and our primary footwear during the cooler months if visiting in winter. Our leather boot of choice is a pair of Blundstones.

The 550 and 585 are considered Blundstone’s most classic boot designs. It’s tough to tell the difference in the design because there is none. The difference has to do with the leather upper leather of the boot. 550 boots feature full-grain leather, while 585 have suede nubuck leather.

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Types Of Travel Shoes for Women

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Sneakers

Sneakers are a great call for any trip. Neither of us likes to fly with sandals as it feels a little gross, for starters. Then when it comes to extended travel days that involve a lot of walking, you want comfortable closed-toe shoes with a thick sole.

Of course, walking around the streets of a major city, you don’t want to look like you’re on the way to the gym so opt for a stylish trainer. Sneakers should be simple, fashionable, comfortable, and, most importantly, affordable. These shoes are under $100, with several under $50, so you can save more for travel!

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Flats

A pair of comfortable flats for women is always great to have in a suitcase. They’re stylish and comfortable, and they take up minimal space in your luggage. My tip is to avoid heels, as many destinations worldwide have uneven streets, and you don’t want to break an ankle trying to look good.

Flats or loafers are a great option for a dress shoe that eats little room in your luggage, unlike a pair of heels. With flats, you can find a pair of shoes that look stylish, allow you to blend in with stylish locals, and are comfortable enough to wear all day.

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Sandals

I’m a sandal person and don’t believe any travel bag is complete until I throw in a pair (unless of course it’s December in the Swiss Alps). Sandals are always a great call in the spring and summer, plus you’d look pretty weird in a pair of shoes at the beach! I’ve selected a range of sandals that should offer anything you may need.

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Boots

Travel for women doesn’t have to be all about dresses, sipping cappuccinos, or enjoying a coconut on the beach; sometimes, you want to get out and explore. I love getting out in the mountains so much that we now call it home and feel more comfortable in a pair of hiking boots than heels. Many trips and destinations call for more robust shoes, and that’s when I reach for a pair of hiking boots.

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What to Consider When Buying Women’s Travel Shoes

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Destination

As you undoubtedly already know, matching your shoe choice to your destination is crucial. You wouldn’t take a stylish pair of sandals to Iceland in the winter any more than you would take a couple of clunky hiking boots for a trip to Paris. Your first step is, therefore, straightforward: do some research. Where are you going? What weather are you expecting; hot or cold, wet or dry?

Once you’ve got your destination sorted, it’s time to consider what you’re planning to do. Are you looking to spend your trip pounding the pavement in a city as you visit the sights and local eateries? Or are you perhaps hoping to jump out to the mountain and get some intense trail runs and hikes under your belt? Or maybe you’re right in the middle, with a healthy balance of city and nature. In any case, your activities will correlate directly with the performance of your travel shoes.

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Performance

Performance correlates heavily to your destination research. Once you’ve selected your destination and the activities you’re looking to do, take a very close look at the overall performance of the shoes you are considering.

It means delving into the shoe specifics. Are the shoes waterproof? What’s the upper made of, and how long will it last? Is the sole durable enough for what you’re planning to do? What’s the comfort rating? Will your feet be screaming after spending all day in these shoes?

We’ve tried to answer many of these questions with our forthcoming shoe descriptions. But always consider what you plan to do with these shoes. Out on the mountains 90% of the time? Then high performance is the way to go. On the other hand, if you spend most of your time enjoying the city, you’ll probably spend more time thinking about design.

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Design

Although a non-issue in most cases, design, and appearance can play a huge role in travel situations. Most seasoned travelers, this writer included, blanch at being pegged as a tourist the moment they step off the plane.

If you look like a bumbling tourist, it opens the floodgates to being targeted by scammers, inflated cab prices, and petty thievery in some cases. We know that your favorite running shoes are incredibly comfortable, but rest assured, nearly everyone and their dog will know you’re a tourist as soon as you leave North America. If this concerns you, take the time to consider what the locals are wearing and factor that into your decision-making process.

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Cleaning

Shoes get dirty, plain and simple. They will eventually get soiled no matter where we wear them. However, if you’re on a trip and have condensed your standard top three pairs of shoes down to one travel pair, your travel shoes will get dirty even faster.

Shoes that need a little brush down or the occasional rinse are preferred. Those that require a special cleaning agent get gouged easily, or need in-depth preventative layers applied all the time, will be quick to rack up annoyance points.

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How to Travel With Your Shoes

I always travel with shoes in a separate part of my luggage. I don’t want the dust and dirt from the street to get on my clothes. If I’m traveling in a suitcase, I will place my shoes in either a reusable bag or a packing cube and place the soles up at the bottom of my bag. My travel shoes never go next to my best outfits, just in case they get dirt everywhere. See more of our packing hacks here.

If I am on a backpacking trip, I will still wrap my shoes in a reusable bag and place them at the bottom of the backpack. If they are travel flip-flops or rugged tennis shoes, I will wrap them by their shoelaces outside the bag or place them on the side holders. Just watch out for theft if you leave your suitcase!

There are at least two pairs of shoes in my bag, but sometimes more, depending on where I travel and the season.

• Sneakers: For everyday use and exploring.
• Casual Shoe: I use this as a dress shoe or nice leather boot.

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Insoles

Superfeet is a great affordable option for insoles if you have mild foot pain. I don’t know if I’d recommend them for someone with plantar fasciitis. They don’t operate like those cheap gel insets you find at the drug store but focus on adequately distributing your weight across your feet. The result is better comfort, foot health, and even back health in the long run. The Superfeet Green is by far the most popular option.

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