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IF YOU are a frequent traveler, you know you can’t always guarantee a smooth transition from your departure to arrival. You can, however, be prepared to limit the damage that comes when you’ve got anything from a flight delay to a less-than-ideal seating situation on a long flight. Yes, your travel checklist should have the proper luggage, as well as your favorite travel pillow and travel gadgets. But an area that often gets overlooked in creating the perfect travel arsenal? Footwear. We’re talking about travel shoes here.
The best travel shoes are a lot like walking shoes: built with a level of comfort to help with hours of standing and walking. But unlike most walking shoes, a solid pair of travel shoes is going to ramp up that comfort (and bring down those maximum walking distances). Travel shoes will also promise some level of packability and versatility, as they will have some sort of special role outside of just being worn en route, no matter if it’s for lounging around the hotel or going straight from the plane to a business meeting.
Below, we rounded up the best travel shoes for all types of jet-setting needs. The picks might not all look like they belong in the same boat, but when you see how they all fit, you’ll find each travel shoe we selected serves a unique purpose. Ready to see what’s in store?
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Nomad
As it turns out, all it took to make this cozy house slipper into a great travel shoe was a suede upgrade. Lusso Cloud has been producing a range of comfortable slippers and casual slides for years now. With a proprietary three layer sole, every pair offers foamy cushioning, along with a springy bounce. The inside is also with a lush fabric that feel great on your feet.
Now that the Nomad, one of the footwear start-up’s best sellers, comes in a brushed suede upper, it has transitioned from lounge apparel to the ultimate in-transit shoes. The heel has a fold down feature, which not only turns the shoe into a mule, it makes for easy flat packing. It gives off the elevated appearance of a plain toe loafer, and who doesn’t like to look their best while traveling?
After having some experience with the original model, we had to take this upgrade for a spin. After a train trip that took over an hour each way, and a few hours spend sitting at a desk, the cushioning held up strong. Where the Lusso Ckoud really shines is on the move. The specially designed outsole has a touch of bounce, similar to a running shoe, while feeling as light as a house slipper on your feet.
OOmg eeZee Low Shoe
OOFOS is most known for its out-of-this-world recovery slides, but the the brand has since expanded into other footwear designs. This slip-on shoe style packs top-tier cushioning with a breathable upper that can be taken on and off with ease. We like sliding these bad boys on for long flights as well as for general lounging shoes for wherever your accommodations might be (hopefully a resort somewhere exotic).
The two occasions where this travel shoe really shines is during airline travel and while staying at warm weather resorts. While flying, you need to be able to slip you shoes on and off quickly and easily. Whether you like to keep your toes contained during long flights or set them free, this is the right footwear for the job. The light and airy design is great for warm weather because it breaths so well and minimizes stress on your feet. If water is involved, this slip-on also dries very quickly.
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OOmg eeZee Low Shoe
oofos.com
$129.95
The Ravello Loafer
The Ravello Loafer could be described as a house slipper disguised as a loafer, and that is meant in the best way possible. Constructed from a soft textile upper and a flexible rummer outsole, you get the cozy feel of your favorite lounge shoes with the advantage of an elevated look. Even though it isn’t leather, Rothys checked all the necessary boxes with this loafer. It pulls off business casual and swanky cocktail party with nonchalant style.
This is the ideal shoe for summer destination weddings because you don’t have to pack any other footwear, except maybe some sandals. You can wear this loafer while traveling, especially if a flight is involved, and you can also wear it with a light summer suit to the festivities. Doing any sight seeing while you’re there? This comfy slip on is supportive enough to walk around all day.
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The Ravello Loafer
rothys.com
$189.00
ROVR
Designed for work, comfy enough for play, the Snibbs ROVR is an ideal travel sneaker because it provides all-day comfort and sure footing. Chef Daniel Schemtob consulted with two doctors to design a lifestyle shoe that could handle the riggers of long hours on your feet in hot and slipper work environments. The resulting sneaker is not only optimized for restaurant workers and medical professionals, it benefits anyone who spends most of the day on their feet. For example; a tourist who wants to pack all the major sights of a city into a single trip.
A knit mesh upper is lightweight and breathable, to combat sweaty feet on the go. Under that, an EVA molded midsole provides cushion and bounce in every step. Designed to slip on and off, the upper hugs your foot like a sock. It can even handle light running and athletic activities.
Terra Mule
Some brands really do make ’em like they used to. The Portuguese shoemaker is new to the American market by way of an exclusive partnership with Huckberry. A soft leather interior and padded footbed are meant to go barefoot. With a waxy finish on the upper, there is minor water resistance.
Thanks to a classic leather plain toe look, this travel slip-on compliments a wide range of styling options. Everything from a casual chino suit to swim trunks and a polo are on the table.
What really sets this mule apart is the crepe outsole. You typically find the material on desert boots and the odd chelsea boot, but it is actually ideal for a travel shoe. The spongy composite is shock absorbing and provides an almost sticky grip. When it wears out – which will happen sooner than later, as the only drawback – it is the cheapest type of sole to replace at a good shoe shop.
The Seville Smoking Slipper
Espadrilles are a type of footwear, originating in Spain and souther France, with a cotton canvas upper sewn to a woven jute sole. Jute is a rope made from braided plant fiber, similar to hemp. It makes for a light, durable, and supportive footbed that is breathable and naturally moisture regulating. All of these factors make espadrilles perfectly suited for warm weather travel, especially beaches, lakes, and pools are involved.
Soludos is one of the few major brands still selling authentic espadrilles with real jute soles. Every pair is hand crafted in a way that makes them repairable when any wear and tear occurs. The Seville Smoking Slipper has a cotton canvas upper with a classic slipper shape that comes in a variety of colors and patterns, making for easy vacation styling. Stowing this slipper away is even easier, as it flattens to take up about as much room as a pair of flip-flops.
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The Seville Smoking Slipper
amazon.com
Men’s Wally Stretch
Hey Dude has taken men’s footwear by storm over the past couple of years. (The Wall Street Journal even wrote a trend piece on these interesting kicks.) Whether you’re for it or not, it’s impossible to ignore Hey Dude’s are incredibly comfortable. The shoes are also super easy to throw on, making them a pair of great summer shoes. Best of all is the fact it is insanely affordable too. Simply put, don’t knock ’em until you try ’em.
As long as the attire is casual, there really is no wrong setting for this low-key slip-on. Relaxed vibes are practically sewn right into the sole. However, if you’re headed to a watery local, like a beach, lake, or water park, then Hey Dudes really shine. The cushy sole floats in water, so that avoids any sinking mishaps. The whole shoe also dries off very quickly, so it as about as water friendly as a shoe can get.
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Men’s Wally Stretch
amazon.com
$45.00
The Original
It’s not the most fun having to wear dress shoes when traveling, but in the times that you have to we recommend this pair of oxfords from Amberjack. Named The Original, this shoe is built with heat-activated arch support, durable outsoles, and breathable upper materials (especially suede). Best of all is the fact they can be worn with business casual fits and with more formal business attire.
This is travel shoe is business trip optimized. If it is suited up, flying business class type of excursion, then a soft and flexible oxford like this will keep your feet happy en route. The dual density outsole, which is softer in the heel for cushioning and harder from the arch to the toe for support and traction, is built to handle extensive walking. If you have to sprint to catch a train, hike from security to your gate, or show out on the dance floor, these are the oxfords you want on.
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The Original
Men’s Health Shop
$189.00
Clifton 9 Sneakers
If you’re going for cushioning, then a pair of Hoka’s latest Clifton 9 running shoes will serve you right. The running shoe has been a staple in everyday footwear use for years thanks to its lightweight build and supreme level of comfort. When paired up with something a little dressier, like a loafer for warm weather or an oxford for cooler temperatures, you can cover pretty much any travel situation with two pairs of shoes.
It won’t necessarily pack well in a travel backpack or personal item, but if you wear it from point A to point B you can also double up and have them as a walking shoe or workout shoe on your trip. In fact, it’s entirely possible you could go on an entire trip with just this pair of shoes if you really wanted to one-bag-travel the whole thing.
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Clifton 9 Sneakers
zappos.com
$144.95
Blundstone #585
Wearing your favorite boots while you travel is a simple hack to free up space in your suitcase. So which pair of boots are best? We’re big on Blundstones. The #585 is tough as nails, comfortable as heck (with little to no break-in period), and easy to slip on and off. As a chelsea boot, it pairs well with jeans or chinos for effortless on-the-go outfits. You can get at least a week out of a couple pairs of pants and a few shirts with this single shoe.
If cold temperatures and perception are in the forecast for your vacation, especially if any outdoor activities are on the agenda, this rugged chelsea boot will serve you well. The upper is waterproof and the outsole provides slip-resistant traction. While this travel boot isn’t insulted, when paired with a good boot sock, it is plenty warm. Any mud or dirt can be easily wiped off with a damp cloth, to avoid bringing any mess along for the next leg of your adventure.
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Blundstone #585
huckberry.com
$210.00
What to Consider When Buying Travel Shoes
Although travel shoes have a wide range of what they can look like, there are a few key characteristics you can look for to determine if they’re really up for a journey.
Comfort and Support
The most important factor is a combination of comfort and support. You don’t want to wear toasty slippers if you’re driving in the car or trekking through the airport, and you don’t need to wear some lace-up hiking boots to get the best support possible (hiking boots aren’t fun to take off through security either).Some travel shoes can lean more on comfort (OOFOS, Hoka), while others can lean more towards support (Amberjack, Blundstone). The key is to find a happy medium here and get what suits you and the travel situation at hand the best. For example, if you’re taking a long flight to another country, it’s probably best to aim for more comfort-leaning travel. But if you’re making a drive to a weekend getaway, a shoe with more support (and a tougher build) will likely serve as a better choice.
Versatility
Regardless of where your personal needs lie, your travel shoes must be versatile. You don’t want to wear them once on the plane and then never again on your trip. That’s just dead weight. Hence the reason why our travel shoes above can feel a bit like a mixed bag. Some of our travel shoe picks are great for lounging once you get to your destination, while others are made to power through your entire trip, whether it be a formal dinner event or a day full of walking.
Packability and Weight
Unless you plan on wearing a bigger shoe en route to your destination, your travel shoes should be packable. Certain shoes fit better into different sizes of luggage. To assist in the packing process, we assessed which type of travel bag is the ideal minimal size for packing each shoe: Backpack, Carry On, or Checked Bag. The criteria used were weight, size, and how easily each shoe could be compressed or folded without looking funky once you arrive at your destination. For example, the Amberjack Original is lightweight for a dress shoe but doesn’t compress or fold up, so it should go in a carry on bag, at least.
Travel shoes should also be lightweight, and yes, boots can be lightweight too. Dodge any shoe that’s got heavy outsoles and avoid materials that are thick and trap heat. Instead, opt for shoes with foam builds and breathable construction.
Read more: How to Pack Like a Pro
How We Selected
We consulted with Men’s Health writers and editors on the best travel shoes for men in 2023. Experts, including our gear and commerce editor, John Thompson, reviewed a number of travel shoes and evaluated their comfort, weight, and packability. We also considered price point, as some travel shoes promise a better overall value than others.
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