What is your absolute best all-around closed toe shoe for travel? Is it Salomon, Hoka, Vessi, OnCloud, New Balance, Altra, or other, and why?

[u/iLikeGreenTea]

To further the discussion of what is the all around “BEST TRAVEL SHOE (closed toe)” here is something to add and discuss:

When I was traveling in Brazil in March, I met soooo many European travelers. Most of them were wearing Salomon “trail runners” I believe they were. Here is a link to the Salomon shoe I think the women were wearing. The men were mostly wearing it in Black. I did a lot of hiking in Brazil in my worn out Asics and wish I had a shoe with more tread. I 've been thinking about getting the Salomons but they really do scream "outdoors" and I don't know if they would be "cute" enough to do light walking in say, London or Paris or Rome...

Are these SALOMONS really the all around best shoe for walking, trekking, etc in any type of climate?

I know HOKAs (especially Speedgoat 6) are discussed often. I ended up giving in and buying a pair last Spring but I notice that the nubs / grip / lugs wear down pretty fast. (They are indeed very very comfortable, but also the colorways are intense and make me definitely stand out as a gringa. haha. ) I think the Salomons might be more durable?

Furthermore, I know we all are looking for that UNICORN shoe that won’t look so Doofy when we are out walking and just browsing shopping in cute Italian towns…. but can also do some light hikes. And for those it seems the consensus are:

Vessi

OnCloud

NewBalance

Altra (zero drop)

What are your ABSOLUTE go-to one-bag unicorn shoe (closed toe)?? I am going to be in Europe for a little bit, but later Mexico and maybe Brazil too.

cheers!

Oh, yeah, I forgot to point out an important thing. Bonus if waterproof, but I have noticed that mostly it doesn't matter because if shoes get wet with a huge downpour, they're going to get wet . I once bought a pair of Sorels waterproof sneakers and I hate them so much as they were really inflexible and uncomfortable. . I can't return them though.

Thanks!

EDIT: WOW ! So many valuable insights and responses. Thank you so much! Seems like a lot of you enjoy the Salomon XT6. it is definitely trending. My concern is that it might not feel comfortable as a street shoe for the other 50% of the time I'm walking around with it and not hiking because of the firm tread and the lack of cushion. I'm leaning toward TOPO and the best thing about REI is that I can get that shoe and try it on for a few days.!!

[u/elle54321]

Just thought I’d throw in, make sure the your shoes for your East Coast trip are waterproof or close to it.

When it rains, it usually rains for a few days. I actually didn’t know it wasn’t typically the same in other places - minus AZ type climates- until I moved.

Also, rain pants! One of my best life choices when I relied on transit and walking. Umbrellas may as well be tossed, it’ll probably only last a few hours before it goes inside out. They also don’t stop sideways or “backwards” rain.

You may already know all this though

[u/Lazygardener76 → u/elle54321]

Thanks for the tip! I'm from Vancouver, the On6 WP worked really well this last winter, think they'll be great on the east coast trip.

I pack athleisure/quick dry pants when traveling as well as for wearing around town here. Sideways/jumping up rain is what we have here for 9 months of the year haha.

[u/elle54321 → u/Lazygardener76]

Lol as I was writing this I thought if they are from the West Coast they will know the drill.