Comfortable, practical shoes for airports, sightseeing, long walking days, and warm-weather trips.
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The right shoes can make a huge difference when you’re traveling. Airport terminals, city streets, museums, tours, and sightseeing can add up to far more walking than you expect.
A good travel shoe needs to do more than feel comfortable for an hour. It should suit the amount of walking you plan to do, work with the clothes you’re packing, and be practical enough that you’ll actually want to wear it throughout your trip.
For this guide, we chose five shoes for different types of travel—from a hands-free sneaker that’s especially convenient on travel days to a cushioned walking shoe for long sightseeing days and an adjustable sandal for warm-weather trips.
The best fit is personal, so whenever possible, try your travel shoes before your trip and give yourself enough time to make sure they’re comfortable for extended walking.
Quick Picks
| Best For | Product | Why Choose It |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | Kizik Athens 2 | Hands-free entry, cushioning, and versatile everyday comfort |
| Long Walking Days | Brooks Ghost 18 | Balanced cushioning and traction for walking-heavy trips |
| Easy-Wearing Walking Shoe | Skechers GO WALK Arch Fit 2.0 – Cassy | Lightweight cushioning and a walking-focused design |
| Stylish & Versatile | Skechers GO WALK Flex Grand Entry | Hands-free convenience with a clean, versatile look for travel |
| Lightweight Travel Shoe | Ryka Echo Knit Slip-On | Lightweight knit construction and an easy slip-on design for travel |
How We Chose
We looked for travel shoes that solve different needs rather than choosing five nearly identical walking sneakers.
Our picks prioritize walking comfort, cushioning, traction, fit, ease of getting shoes on and off, versatility, and usefulness for different types of trips. We compared current manufacturer information with independent shoe testing and travel-focused recommendations.
We also considered how each shoe fits into a travel wardrobe. Some travelers need maximum walking comfort, while others may value easy travel-day wear, a less-athletic look, or an open sandal for hot destinations.
1. Kizik Athens 2
Best Overall
Why We Picked It
The Kizik Athens 2 earns our overall spot because it combines a comfortable walking-shoe design with one feature that’s particularly convenient for travel: hands-free entry.
Kizik’s heel design allows you to step directly into the shoe without bending down or using your hands. That’s especially convenient when you’re getting ready quickly or simply want a shoe that’s easy to take on and off throughout a trip.
The Athens 2 also combines cushioning with a breathable upper and flexible outsole, making it well suited to everyday walking and sightseeing. In long-term independent testing, it has performed particularly well as a travel walking shoe.
It has a distinctly casual sneaker look, so it won’t replace a dressier shoe. But if you want one comfortable everyday sneaker that’s particularly easy to get on and off, the Athens 2 is a strong travel choice.
Pros
- Hands-free step-in design
- Cushioned construction
- Breathable upper
- Designed for everyday walking
Cons
- More expensive than basic casual sneakers
- Athletic-casual look won’t work for every outfit
- Fit may not suit every foot shape
Choose this if: you want one versatile travel sneaker with the added convenience of hands-free entry.
2. Brooks Ghost 18
Best for Long Walking Days
Why We Picked It
If your itinerary includes full days of sightseeing, walking tours, museums, and exploring cities on foot, the Brooks Ghost 18 is the shoe we’d prioritize.
Brooks lists walking as one of the Ghost 18’s intended uses. The women’s version weighs approximately 9.2 ounces and combines balanced cushioning with a secure fit and a rubber outsole designed for traction.
The breathable air-mesh upper and cushioned midsole make it a strong option when you’ll be spending hours on your feet. Although it’s primarily a road-running shoe, its cushioning and walking-friendly design translate well to walking-heavy travel.
The main trade-off is appearance. The Ghost 18 looks like an athletic shoe, so it won’t be as easy to pair with dressier casual outfits as the Dr. Scholl’s Madison.
Pros
- Specifically listed for walking as well as running
- Balanced cushioning
- Breathable air-mesh upper
- RoadTack rubber outsole for traction
Cons
- Athletic appearance
- More shoe than necessary for light walking
- Fit and cushioning preferences are highly personal
Choose this if: your vacations regularly involve long days on your feet and walking comfort matters more than having a dressier-looking shoe.
3. Skechers GO WALK Arch Fit 2.0 – Cassy
Best Easy-Wearing Walking Shoe
Why We Picked It
The Skechers GO WALK Arch Fit 2.0 – Cassy is a practical choice for travelers who want a lightweight, walking-focused shoe without moving into a performance-running design.
It combines Skechers’ removable Arch Fit insole system with lightweight ULTRA GO cushioning and supportive Comfort Pillars. The engineered mesh upper uses stretch laces with Skechers’ No Tie Fit design, so there are no traditional laces to repeatedly tie and untie.
The outsole uses a dual-density traction design, and the shoe is machine washable—both useful features for a casual walking shoe that may see plenty of use during a trip.
Unlike some other shoes in the GO WALK family, this particular Cassy model isn’t a Hands Free Slip-ins shoe. If hands-free entry is your priority, the Kizik Athens 2 is the better choice.
Pros
- Lightweight ULTRA GO cushioning
- Removable Arch Fit insole
- No-tie stretch-lace design
- Machine washable
Cons
- Not a true hands-free slip-on
- Less performance-focused than the Brooks Ghost 18
- Sporty walking-shoe appearance
Choose this if: you want a comfortable, straightforward walking shoe for airports, casual sightseeing, and everyday travel.
4. Skechers GO WALK Flex Grand Entry
Best Stylish & Versatile
Why We Picked It
Not every travel day calls for a performance-focused walking shoe. The Skechers GO WALK Flex Grand Entry gives you a streamlined option that still prioritizes everyday comfort.
Its Hands-Free Slip-Ins design makes it easy to get on and off, while ULTRA GO cushioning and an Air-Cooled Memory Foam insole add comfort for airports, sightseeing, and casual days out.
The clean silhouette works easily with jeans, casual pants, and other relaxed travel outfits, making it useful when you want one shoe that can handle several parts of your trip.
It isn’t our first choice for walking-intensive itineraries—that’s where the Brooks Ghost 18 has the advantage. But for everyday travel when you want comfort, convenience, and versatility, the GO WALK Flex Grand Entry is a strong choice.
Pros
- Hands-free Slip-Ins design
- Lightweight ULTRA GO cushioning
- Air-Cooled Memory Foam insole
- Versatile everyday styling
Cons
- Less performance-focused than the Brooks Ghost 18
- Athletic styling may not work with dressier outfits
- Not our first choice for very long walking days
Choose this if: you want an easy-wearing travel shoe that balances comfort, hands-free convenience, and versatile everyday style.
5. Ryka Echo Knit Slip-On
Best Lightweight Travel Shoe
Why We Picked It
When packing light matters, the Ryka Echo Knit Slip-On gives you an easy travel shoe without the bulkier feel of a traditional athletic sneaker.
Its knit construction helps keep the shoe lightweight and flexible, while the slip-on design makes it convenient for airports, hotel days, and casual sightseeing.
The streamlined shape also makes it easy to pair with everyday travel clothes, while the range of neutral color options gives you flexibility when building a small travel wardrobe.
It isn’t designed to replace a more substantial walking shoe like the Brooks Ghost 18 for high-mileage days. But when you want something lighter and easier to pack for relaxed travel, the Echo Knit fills that role well.
Pros
- Lightweight knit construction
- Easy slip-on design
- Flexible for packing
- Versatile everyday appearance
Cons
- Less supportive than a dedicated walking shoe
- Not our first choice for very long walking days
- Slip-on fit may not feel secure enough for everyone
Choose this if: you want a lightweight, easy-to-pack shoe for airports, casual sightseeing, and everyday travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best shoes for lots of walking while traveling?
Look for shoes that fit your feet well and provide enough cushioning, support, and traction for your itinerary. For walking-heavy trips, we prefer a dedicated walking or running shoe such as the Brooks Ghost 18 over a fashion-focused sneaker.
Should I wear new shoes on vacation?
It’s better to wear your shoes several times before traveling. This gives you a chance to identify rubbing, pressure points, sizing problems, or other discomfort before you’re spending an entire day sightseeing in them.
How many pairs of shoes should I pack for a trip?
For many trips, two or three carefully chosen pairs are more useful than packing shoes for every possible outfit. A comfortable walking shoe plus another option suited to your destination—such as a sandal or dressier casual shoe—can cover many itineraries.
Are slip-on shoes good for travel?
They can be. Slip-ons are convenient for travel days and everyday wear, but fit matters. A shoe that moves excessively at the heel or doesn’t feel secure during longer walks may not be the best choice for a walking-heavy itinerary.
Should travel shoes be lightweight?
Lightweight shoes can be easier to wear and pack, but weight shouldn’t be your only consideration. Fit, cushioning, traction, and the amount of walking you plan to do are more important than simply choosing the lightest shoe.
Bottom Line
The best travel shoe depends on what your trip actually looks like.
The Kizik Athens 2 is our best overall choice because it combines everyday walking comfort with genuinely useful hands-free entry. If your vacations involve long days of sightseeing on foot, the Brooks Ghost 18 is the stronger walking-focused choice.
For comfortable everyday walking, the Skechers GO WALK Arch Fit 2.0 – Cassy provides a lightweight alternative, while the Skechers GO WALK Flex Grand Entry balances hands-free convenience with versatile everyday styling.
If packing light is a priority, the Ryka Echo Knit Slip-On gives you a lightweight, easy-to-pack option for airports, casual sightseeing, and relaxed travel days.
Whichever pair you choose, fit matters more than any ranking. Wear your shoes before your trip and make sure they’re comfortable for the amount of walking you actually expect to do.
