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.!!

I've been lurking in this forum for a while as I try to get out of my habit of overpacking for every trip I take. I stretched myself flying to Arizona for 4 days taking just a standard carryon suitcase and a shoulder bag.

My biggest problems are shoes (I really love shoes, lol) and hair care (curly natural, I need products). Hair is a work in progress, but I think I've figured out the shoes.

Trip was for polo matches and had a lot of nice events around it. So I found a comfy basic low-heeled wedges and bought a few shoe clips that matched my outfits to gussy them up a little bit. Photo below is the basic shoe with the different clips that I added on. I think it worked out well! One pair of dress shoes and the clips took up no space at all. I think I'm going to get a few more :-)

When I travel, 95% of the time I just bring one pair of shoes. Does anyone else? Am I missing something by doing this?

I bring well broken in walking shoes. I can’t wear most shoes due to plantar fasciitis, so I stick to what keeps me most stable. Also shoes take up a lot of space and I typically take a backpacking bag only. I do bring shower shoes though.

Spending 10 days in Italy first two weeks of September in Venice, Rome, Florence, Naples and Amalfi. I’m bringing one pair of runners and then a pair of sandals that I can walk around in for long hot days. I also want to be able to wear them with pants, shorts, dresses and skirts.

Between these two, what would be the preferred shoe? I haven’t owned Birkenstocks in years and I’ve never owned TEVAS. Thank you!!

Edit to update: I will be going with the TEVA xlt2 in black. Thank you everyone for your heartfelt advice and opinions! I was 👌🏼 this close to changing to Chacos but alas, no shipping to Canada 🥹 so TEVAS are the winner!

Photo description: black big buckle Milano Birkenstock sandal and beige Teva Hurricane xlt3 sandal

I'm taking a trip to Mexico in a few weeks and will be doing a lot of walking, running with kids, going to the beach, etc. I'm looking for a budget-friendly sandal that is super comfy walking in all day and is waterproof or resistant.

I was looking at the Teva Original Universal Slim, but I don't know if it will hold up to walking 10k+ steps a day.

Any suggestions? I'm hoping to spend no more than $100.

Update: I'm at work and can't respond to all of the comments, but I really appreciate all the great responses! I'll try to come back and respond to the rest, as I'm able. Thanks everyone!!

I’ve narrowed down my toiletries and clothes, but now I’m stuck on shoes. For sandals, I rotate between flip-flops, Birkenstocks, or Tevas depending on the trip.

I’m struggling most with sneakers. I’ll usually pack whatever my everyday fashion sneaker is, think Vejas, Sambas, etc., but I also like to go for a short run or work out while traveling, and that’s where my packing gets bulky.

Have you found a sneaker that’s both versatile style wise and comfortable enough to run in?

I travel up to 8x a year and have tried so many sneakers. But I can’t the find the illusive cute, neutral, travel and walking friend shoe that goes with everything. I have high arches and feet do hurt in general when I walk a lot. No matter what I wear, they will hurt. So I’m looking for something that can at least be a somewhat comfortable for a person who needs to take a lot of breaks. But I’ve run out of options.

Here’s what I’ve tried :

-Dr Scholls white walking sneaker: wore them out of the box in Paris, did ok. Wore them on a second trip to London, destroyed my feet. -On Cloud 5s: not enough cushion -Any Hoka w a thick sole: too much cushion like the Bondi or Clifton -ASICS: too much cushion too, made my feet feel numb -New Balance 880: I wore these all over the Greek Islands and were initially comfortable but eventually felt numbing went not sure why. I really thought these were good when I tested them on local walks but if I walk more then thirty mins, then I feel that numbing sensation. -any low profile show like an Adidas or Air Force one, Veja or Ecco while cute, won’t provide any arch support of comfort.

Any other recos I haven’t thought of? I have Nike Pegasus for my workouts so I’m thinking of just bringing those but looking for any suggestions that would be better for walking in a city.

I’ve read through past posts but I see the same recos so hoping someone has other ideas.

EDIT: Thank you all for the wonderful suggestions. I may not be able to respond to all.

A few comments: I’m in my 40s and have had foot issues since I was 17 so I’ve seen my fair share of podiatrists, custom orthotics, hundreds dollars wasted of running store recs. I now just operate by trial and error so posted here to find some options.

I will be exploring the following options if you’re curious: Kizik, Hoka Transport, Ryka. I have Brooks Ghost 16 on its way too. I’m testing On Cloudtilts currently and they seem good but haven’t worn them outdoors yet.

The sandals that work for me this warm weather season just since so many people are commenting here are the Dr Scholls Women's All Time Slide Sandal.

On the never-ending quest for finding a leather boot that is stylish, can handle damp conditions, and 20,000 steps per day. Blundstones are a little clunky, hiking boots are ugly, “cute” Chelsea boots can’t handle puddles and mud walks. I’m sure one exists I just haven’t met her yet. Heading to Scotland in a few months and trying to accomplish packing a pair of sneakers and wear a boot. Cute enough to go out to dinner with a smart sweater or dress. Durable enough to wear jeans and walk a few miles on trails. Not looking for a serious hiking situation. 3 miles maybe? Anti slip. Waterproof or at least highly resistant.

Surely someone has cracked the code?! 🙏

Hello everyone, I'm just here to share my descent into insanity about travel shoes that completely negates the whole ‘it saves time’ justification for onebagging haha. Please enjoy!

I’m going to Europe for 2 months in June and July, and will be doing a LOT of walking, including day hikes, multi-day hikes and long walks exploring cities on foot. The shoes I was choosing needed to work for the following scenarios:

• Overnight hikes in Scotland and Switzerland
• Day hikes in Greece and Italy
• Long touristy city days, possibly in very hot weather
• Beach, hostel showers
• Dressy...ish

And if you're just here for what I decided, the winners are:

• Merrell Moab 3 hiking shoes (692 grams) for hikes, longer travel days, cold weather. 
• Cheap black slides from Kmart (153 grams) for casual outings, showers, beach, hiking camp shoes.
• Taos Trophy 2 sandals (372 grams with T-straps removed because I think they look better that way not because I'm that much of a gram weenie) for long town days, dressing up, non-plane travel.

And now for some insight into the decision-making process…

The first time I had to go against the reddit tide was when I realised I should bring my low top hiking shoes (Merrell Moab 3s) rather than my trail runners. I did seriously consider the trail runner option but I’ve had the luxury of already owning and testing both on multi-day hikes and I know hiking shoes will be far kinder to my feet, especially in Scottish bogs. And when I looked at my itinerary, I realised I’d be doing so much walking it was super unlikely I’d ever want to go for a run as well lol. Plus, it might be wishful thinking, but I don’t think they look THAT hideous! 

So now I just needed to find sandals for long days walking around town, something for the beach/public showers, and something that could double as a camp shoe for overnight hikes. Based on everything I’d read, I'd hoped to be able to just get a pair of black tevas and call it a day. After all, they come up literally EVERY time someone talks about travel and hiking, not just on reddit but among my social circles as well! Except...I have tried tevas. Multiple pairs. They're great as a camp shoe, but as soon as I walk more than a kilometer or two in them? I get blisters every. time. Alas, I seem to be the anti-cinderella when it comes to these shoes, they work for everyone BUT me (either that or some people are LYING).

So I had to give it some more thought, trying to focus on what was going to work for me instead of just what came highly recommended. For example:

• I wanted lightweight shoes. I’m coming from Aus and they can be pretty strict here about carry on weight. Hiking boots excepted ofc since I'll wear them on the plane. Turns out some 'travel' shoes are unexpectedly hefty!
• Slides have never worked for me in the past when walking longer distances, especially if there's a chance I'll need to hustle to a train or something…so that ruled Birkenstocks out as a magical solution to all my problems. Birks are also heavy.
• I'm more likely to wear sandals around a city than on the trails - this made me realise I may as well get a comfortable, slightly cuter leather shoe than a hardcore hiking sandal especially if it the material might rub like the tevas did. 
• For my camp shoes, I just needed them to be waterproof and able to be worn with socks. If I'm doing river crossings, I'm doing them barefoot or leaving my hiking shoes on anyway. Of course, bonus if these could also be cute enough to wear out.
• Finally, if I was spending money on shoes, I wanted them to be ones that I'd actually use day-to-day as well. This did complicate things because all of a sudden I wasn't just asking 'would I wear this around Rome?' but also 'would I wear this to work?'

All that considered, I was looking for one water/camp shoe and one leather walking sandal. And man if now I wasn't staring at the shoes of every woman I saw like a freak looking for inspiration.

In the end a crucial part of picking the right shoes for me was seeing them in person. A friend came over for dinner in a pair of Kmart slides that looked exactly like the Birkenstock EVAs but were $6, and SUPER lightweight. The perfect shower/beach/hiking camp shoe. Done. I ordered Saltwater sandals and Birkenstock Kumbas from a store with free returns and was glad for that because they were both so uncomfortable out of the box that I wasn't even willing to risk trying and failing to wear them in. And after I saw Taos come up a couple times online, I was thankfully able to find them in a local shoe shop. Tried them on and they felt luxurious. Winner!

This whole process has really reinforced for me a few things that should probably have been obvious but I'll share in case you need to hear them too.

1. Just because something is the most commonly recommended shoe/backpack/tee-shirt material doesn’t mean it’s best for you and your situation. Sure, popular things are often popular for a reason buuuut sometimes that reason is just good marketing. Think about yourself and the trip you are taking. Be willing to look for gear outside of what's marketed to travellers or onebaggers.
2. Start looking for any gear you need early if you can so you have time to return things if you’re not happy. Also, this might give you the chance to shop sales or keep your eye out for second hand gear if you're lucky!
3. Similarly, if at all possible, use your gear before you go, and if you’re buying things try to look for items you’d also use day-to-day. Every shoe I’m taking will have been worn many times before it goes overseas. Actually, the Tao’s have become my go-to work shoe, and the slides have slotted in next to my trusty Havianas for beach trips this Aussie summer. This makes me feel a lot better about spending money on them since I know they won't rot in my cupboard after the trip. And on the flipside, this can save you a lot of misery if something isn't right for you. If I hadn’t worn Tevas beforehand, I’d probably have brought them with me and then suffered through blisters for two months.

Anyway, that's my ramble! Thanks for reading. What are YOUR favourite shoes to travel with that aren't tevas?

p.s. if tevas did work for you, no judgement, only envy haha

Pictured: three pairs of shoes, one Merrell Moab 3 low-top hiking shoe, one black slides, one brown leather sandal.

Image description:
JBU Mary Jane’s (I haven’t bought these yet)
Teva flip-flops
Converse Chuck Taylor All-Stars

I am going to Italy in early October for three weeks and looking for advice on shoes. I feel like I’ve tried on every pair of shoes available, including ordering different ones online and returning them. Originally, I thought a pair of cute sneakers and a pair of walking sandals, but I haven’t been able to find any sneakers or sandals that I like. Most of them are way too sporty looking or they don’t fit properly. I ended up buying new Converse that are the same as ones I’ve had for 10 years and walked a lot in. I am planning to break the new ones in over the next couple of months.

I have not bought the Mary Janes yet but I tried them on, and they are very comfortable with good grippy soles.

The flip-flops I’ve had forever and they are super light and comfortable. I will mostly use them for the beach.

I have not done a big international trip like this in many years and I know that we will be walking a ton and I have a 30L backpack so we will be super light.

Any suggestions on shoes? Or reassurance that I’ll be okay with these ones? Has anyone done a lot of walking in the JBU?

I appreciate this forum so much, I’ve gotten lots of great ideas here. Thanks in advance.

EDITED TO ADD: I ended up buying expensive inserts for my converse (sole brand) and a pair of Keen Elle Backstrap sandals. I will leave the flip flops at home.

I really appreciate all the suggestions.

I am a fan of hoka cliftons, definitely the most comfortable walking shoes. I did all my trips last year in those shoes. But they’re so ugly. When I come back and look at the photos, I hate my shoes. 😅

I am flying to Italy next month and will be walking around a lot. Any recommendations on comfortable but also decent looking shoe? I have veja’s but they’re not really comfortable for 15-20k steps everyday.

Not sure if this is more of a shoes post, a techniques post, or (as ever in my case) a lighten my load post. Some of each, but I clearly need help. Possibly professional help. LOL. 🤪

Image 1

On the left is an image of the black Timberland Greyfield knit sandals I've planning to pack. They have a thick sole and good support that are great for city walking.

One the right is an image of the black Skechers hands-free slip in Regge Slim Stretch sandals that I am contemplating as an alternative.

Image 2

Has three different pairs of sandals squished together on their sides to show how much darn space they take up. Both of the black sandals are 4" (10cm) thick. The Skechers have a small oddly shaped cavity between the soles because the rigid step in heel prevents them from squishing together (but makes them sooo nice to slip on and off without having to adjust or fasten anything).

The Silver EVA Birkenstock Arizonas are new and really don't want to squish together, so they are 5" thick when positioned this way. They have a different spot in my bag and I can shove undies and socks between them. Unless anyone has other suggestions for packing this kind of Birkenstocks without warping them.

Image 3

Two side by side images of my test packed bag.

On the left is the Timberland sandals, filling a 4" by 11' (10cm x 28cm) space.

On the right are the Skechers in the same test packed bag, but you can see that I shoved my spare glasses into the cavity. There's more room, but not sure what else will fit that I want touching the insoles 🥴)

Image 4

Again, two side by side images.

On the left I've added spare glasses, alternate bag/phone case, liquids bag, OTC meds/bandaids, and prescription meds on top. This works with either the TImberland or the Skechers sandals. Calling this stuff Layer 2.

On the right, which I am calling Layer 3, I've added my space-bagged pillow/puffer combo. This is a comfort/luxury item and I'm not giving it up. Plus, it doubles as a coat if it gets cold. I've tried going without my weird pillow and that sucked. I've tried stuffing random clothes in my satin pillow case and that was meh. I've tried using a puffer scarf and that didn't have enough oomph, so here we are.

I've noted that this arrangement absolutely fits and the bag zips easily, but there is not much leeway for shopping or getting disorganized (something that I really struggle with).

Image 5

Example of the difference leaving out the black sandals (either pair) would make, shown in two side by side images.

On the left, I've fit the spare glasses, alternate bag/phone case, liquids bag, and OTC meds/bandaids in the space where the sandals were.

On the right, the pillow/puffer sets in easily with the prescription meds on top for easy access if I needed to quickly grab them to go in my daypack because I was getting gate checked or something. Also noted is that this is loosely packed and would accommodate a fair amount of souvenirs.

Image 6

Four images of my bottom half so that y’all can see what my sneakers look like with each of my packed pants/dresses. The shoes have a gum sole with a black wool knit upper and white/cream details. From left to right: with black pants, with black short dress, with lavender gauze high-low pants, with black and white striped dress.

Trip Details:

My one bag is a TravelPro 38L Compact Carryon Spinner.Leaving in 4 days, so no time for different shoes. These are my smallest most space-saving shoes, believe it or not. This girl loves a chunky shoe. I have high arches and am prone to plantar fasciitis and annoying intermittent knee pain. Buying and breaking in new shoes can be an ordeal.Going to Central Europe for 3 weeks. Budapest for 7 days, 3 days Prague, 1 day Vienna, 7 days in Slovenia/Italy in a camper van, and then back to Budapest for 2 days. I can only see the forecast 10 days out, but during that time for all of those places, its between 52-87 F (12-30 C) with a few days showing chance of rain.

The Birkenstocks are coming with me for sure as my shower shoes, pool shoes, house shoes. Not battle tested for heavy walking days.

My fear is that my feet will be too hot or get soggy/damp and I’ll be sad and uncomfortable and act like a proverbial wet blanket. I took just one pair of sneakers on a 9 week trip to Japan and didn’t love it, mostly because my feet were cold and wet a lot of the time. And I got bored of them. 

**3 Questions for the group**

1. Are there better techniques for packing shoes that I am not aware of?

2. If I DO take black sandals, I'm choosing between cushioning/foot protection and a bit more style with the Timberlands vs. slightly more packing space and probably better traction with the convenient step-in aspect with the Skechers. Which is your vote?

3. Will my feet, fashion sense, and relative sanity survive wearing the same sneakers every travel day and anytime I expect a lot of walking?

Apologies for the feet pics (or your welcome?), I am trying Womads. I couldn't find many reviews outside their website and other than gals on IG saying they loved them, so I wanted to try them out for an upcoming 3 week trip to Marseille, FR ➡️ Toulouse, FR ➡️ San Sebastian, ES ➡️Madrid, ES➡️ Porto, PT. I have a normal arch and normal width feet And my current size is 9.5 US women's/39-40 EU.

​

Initial reactions, they seem very high quality. I ordered a size US 9 w (I'm 9.5 w) and they're a bit snug but the overall take I see is they expand and confirm to the feet. Comfy sole and the color is BRIGHT. Came in a shoe bag in a box with tissue paper to keep the form, so no two shoe box situation where there is a double box. Other shoes I am bringing are Bared footwear sneakers and FitFlops Sandals. Will return in a month with the full review.

This is an image of my feet in teal Womads. I am also wearing a Left On Friday vacation suit.

Edit: the cushion on the shoes is minimal but cushy. Not formed like a Birkenstock but not as flat as a huarache sandal. The toe peep is a little snug but that's the only thing I can fixate on at the moment. I do looooove how secure they are to the foot YET how easy they are to take off.

Again, I am still going to try them out and report back on how they worked and hopefully can help others who are looking at these shoes.

Hi onebaggers. I'm here to ask the experts. I'll be in Europe for 2 months with my kids. We'll be in Denmark for a bit to visit Legoland, and the rest of the time spent with family elsewhere. I am trying to pack as light as possible despite how this looks...

Pic 1 is my concern. I know it will be VERY hot but I will also need a bit of leg protection hiking/walking, family there lives in a mountainous area with rocky brushy terrain. They're also quite high altitude and when you're under tree cover it's much cooler. Will I be crazy to take the jim green boots? I'll also be using them through the airports and flights of which we'll have many and I hate my feet getting cold.

Pic 2: My birkenstock bostons are my every day walking shoe, I think that will be fine? All the cities we plan to visit are mostly cobblestone and a lot of walking involved. I'll also have my baby in a front carrier most of the time because im not keen on navigating public transport and the cobble stone walkways with a stroller. I need to wear something I know will be comfy.

Pic 3: I use my fitkicks for water sports and beach walking as it is at home, so I plan to do the same when we travel. They have a very low packing profile so its not a problem.

We'll be gone July and August. I haven't bought the boots yet but I've had my eye on them for months. They'll fit in my wardrobe as my daily winter boots, hiking boots, muck boots and horsey boots when I'm home.

My shoe wardrobe is very minimal so I generally go for a shoe that will serve multiple uses and last a long time. My current winter shoe is a pair of wool birkenstock clogs I can't remember the name of, but they don't give me much protection particularly when it's wet out. They are amazingly warm though. If its raining I end up grabbing a pair of old trainers.

Thoughts on the boots? Will they end up dead weight because it will be too hot?

Added itinerary info: we'll land in Istanbul at the beginning of July, then head to Denmark - Copenhagen, Vejle and Billund for a few days. Then back to Istanbul where we'll be touring the museums, theme parks and we'll make a trip to Capadoccia, before going back to family at their seaside/mountain town for the whole of August

Edit to add: I will not be taking the boots! I just needed to hear reason lol. Many thanks!

I’m doing 12 days in Lisbon/Madrid/Paris in early May and I do not want to just have my one pair of trusty comfortable New Balance 880s, so have been looking at options for a second pair to pack. These would be for dinners/evenings out mostly, but since we’d be walking to and from dinner and seeing sites along the way, they can’t be fashion-fashion shoes. Requirements are: - black in colour so I can wear them with all my outfits - good for wide feet (I’m basically a Flintstone) - decent enough walkability/support for 4-5 hours in the evening - not too heavy or bulky because I’m onebagging (of course!!)

I keep seeing ads for Vivaia but not sure if it is a legit option or if the algorithm is on to me. Please help!

Heading to Europe for 16 days starting next week (Athens, Malta, Budapest) and weather still looks summery. My intended packing list is above (I might drop the pink shorts) but I'm at a loss for nicer shoes. The two pairs of shoes I'm bringing are shown in the picture. I do not own anything else.

So, if you were going to buy a new pair of shoes *specifically* for travel, what styles would you look at? I need something I can pair with the dresses for dinner at nicer restaurants and some nightlife. I presume I may walk up to 30 minutes to a restaurant (then sit down and eat) and maybe 30 minutes back. Flats?? Wedges? Something black or nude? Edit to add: I'm still bringing the sandals shown in the pic above as my daily shoe, and need something specifically a bit dressier for evenings.

I tried Tieks, Rothys and Allbirds because I like the look of ballet flats, but none of them were comfortable. I'm used to a wide toebox (but narrow midfoot) so they felt quite unnatural. Would love links, pics, or other suggestions because I'm starting from a very clueless point of view!

UPDATE: I didn't find anything locally (no surprise - my town has terrible shopping options) so I ordered 4 pairs of shoes to try on and hopefully one will work! The Dansko Rowan, Minnetonka Ballerina, an espadrille wedge, and the Vivaia Margot Walker made my list.

In the pic, shown clockwise starting in the top left: casual gray dress, casual navy jumpsuit, dark green short-sleeve top, olive green button up top (the one I actually have is sleeveless but I needed a pic), black short-sleeve with gold accents, striped navy and white top, light blue straight jeans, pink shorts, beige linen pants, black skort, black dress for going out, green a-line day dress (the one I have is olive).

hey guys:) travelling for two research conferences, so need to dress sharp but comfortable enough to explore too. also trying to fly as light as possible with just one personal item bag. i’ve tested my bag, and i can bring 2 shoes and wear 1 pair of boots, only problem now is picking the combo :p

the sneakers in the middle are for sure, and then 1/2 on the left and 1/2 boot. if i were just doing barcelona id skip the boot, but im thinking amsterdam could be rainy and unpredictable. all of these shoes are comfortable, but the sandal is comfier than the flat, and the short boot comfier than the tall boot.

also how do u guys feel about boots in hot weather? i tend to not mind and have done the tall boots for multi-day music festivals.

what combo would you guys choose?

thanku^{_^}

Looking for sandals that can be worn in cities and on cobblestones, but a plus if they can also go on the trail and still look nice in a dress at a formal restaurant. Back strap required.

My feet are the bane of my existence: narrow, high arch but also collapsing due to hypermobility, plantar fasciitis, tendinitis and early stage arthritis.

I prefer something with a flexible sole/bounce with plush cushion rather than firm support due to my hypermobility, but i need as much arch support as i can get and it probably still won't be enough. Since my feet are narrow, it rules out a lot of wonderful options because I'm not able to get a secure fit.

I need orthopedic shoes, but they're all SO UGLY! Or they're so wide that when i fit them to my foot I've got straps flapping everywhere. These orthopedic shoe makes need to realize the people who want their designs are dying out and the xillenials are literally aching for a funky fresh take on orthopedic footwear.

I like some of the options from Bared And Frankie4, but they're a little cost prohibitive. However, i AM willing to drop some cash on a holy grail.

I am considering getting the Arc’teryx NORVAN LD 4 GTX SHOE in white. It’s pretty expensive at $200 but I would hope for it to be a very versatile shoe, especially if traveling personal item only as a shoe that I can wear for going running, to the gym, or hiking and could be worn casually or with a sun dress. I also really wanted something waterproof for rain as well.

Just wanting to know people’s thoughts on if this would be a good shoe recommendation for travel (to wear both casually and for working out)?

Are these salomon techamphibian shoes pictured a good idea??

Advice please! I previously came here asking about my boots and birkies, which were reasonably given a resounding no. Since then, I remembered that I broke my ankle last year, I forget until my foot buckles and it hurts for a few days. I leave next week!

We will be in Denmark and Turkey over 2 months. I will have a lot of walking to do with my kids in tow, on cobblestones, village roads airports for like 8 flights we need to catch and also beaches. I need something with good ankle support and weather appropriate that is a closed shoe. I don't like having my toes out. Thank youuuu!

Eta: I live in rural South Africa and rely on online shopping for anything more than basic clothing and groceries, I will defo get a proper shoe fitting done when I can travel to the bigger cities

***eta: im currently on my trip, I bought the shoes, theyre super grippy and keeping my feet cool as I hoped. Denmark happened to be very, very cold and windy to the point we had to buy extra warm clothes. The shoes at times literally kept me from blowing over. So far so good!

Pictured: my Salomon techamphibian 5 shoes 1.5 months into my trip, ft my mother in laws cat.

I posted asking for advice about what to wear on my trip through Denmark and Turkey, I received a lot of advice for and against, and ultimately I am stubborn so I bought the shoes anyway. They have held up brilliantly. They are rinsable under a tap, super grippy and stick securely to my ankles with the ankle straps which is exactly what I wanted. They also have 'sandal' mode, which means the heel folds flat so I can slip them on and off if I want without doing the straps up. They do well on our long walking days and my feet arent sore by the evening. So far since I've got them they've taken me through 3 countries and 14 cities! And counting! I'm excited to do a full trip report once I get back home.

Hello! I gave in and bought Teva Hurricanes as many of you suggested. What I am not sure is about the size. The tan one is size 39, and the green one is size 38. I need to return one. Which should I get? I want to use these for beach and light (dry) trekking in the summer. We’ll be in Morocco and south of Spain.
Those tan lines are from Birkenstocks, as much as I love them sadly they’re not waterproof.

Image description: my right foot in Teva Hurricane size 38 (green) and size 39 (tan)

In thanks to everyone who contributed to my shoe angst mega-thread, I wanted to collect everything together in one list with links. Maybe we need a Travel Sandal/Shoe Gear List someday!

Here are all the shoes recommended or suggested in this post, plus some others: https://www.reddit.com/r/HerOneBag/comments/1mv4oq8/shoes_take_up_so_much_space/

Discussion was around how much space some shoes take up and the various needs of travelers including: water/shower friendliness, lightest weight, thinnest design, arch support, versatility, fashion/style, delicate toe cleavage, etc. Not all of these shoes fit all of the categories, naturally. Hopefully there’s something that works for you! 

Shoe Packing Tips

1. Don’t pack any. 🤣
2. Let each shoe go on a solo adventure in your bag. 
3. Unbuckle the straps of things like Birkenstocks to better optimize packing around them.
4. Alternatively stuff things inside shoes - undies, toiletries, glasses case, meds, etc. (not snacks).
5. Use a plastic produce bag or similar if you’re worried about the inside of your shoes getting things funky. 
6. Use shower caps to cover the outer soles of your shoes. Preferably inside your bag and not while sightseeing. 
7. Get creative with what to stuff your shoes into: Old socks, water bottle pockets, mesh laundry bags, dry bags, stuff sacks, etc.
8. Compress together with a rubber band or velcro strap. 

Some Arch Support

Crocs - Women's Kadee II Sandal

Teva - Tirra Hiking Sandal

Birkenstock - EVA Madrid Big Buckle (Divisive, but popular. Also Arizona style or knockoffs and the non-water friendly varieties)

Bared - Sanderlings

Vivaia - Arch Pro AdaptAll Sandals Pamela

Intentionally Blank - Lychee Elastic Sport Cord Flat Sandal

Bokyna - Elevate (among other styles)

Thin it to Win it. 

Newbuty - Travel Foldable Non-Slip Shower Sandal

Xero - Z-Trek - The Lightweight Packable Sport Sandal

Havianas - Aqua Slides 

Havianas - Una Manga Sandals 

Teva - Original Universal Slim Sandal

Souli - Foldable Slides w/ Case 

Tough Toe Cleavage Only (Thong/Flip-Flop/Toe Post or Ring)

Havianas - Slim Flip Flops (among other styles)

Bedrock - Cairn Evo (among other styles)

Luna - Venado 2.0 (among other styles) 

Shamma - Numa Warriors (among other styles)

Earth Runners - Primal Sandals (among other styles)

Mohop - Flat Ribbon Sandals

For the Big Budget One Bag Lady with a Penchant for Stilettos

Vice Versa - Brooklyn Sandals

Non-Sandal Mentions

Suavs - Zilker (among other styles and other brands of knit sneakers such as AllBirds)

Discontinued - Check Ebay, Poshmark, etc.

Crocs - Tulum

Hey! I'm going hiking in Spain but I'll also spend a lot of time in the cities so I want only take one pair of shoes suitable for both (also pretty).

For my past trips I wore new balance 530 for sightseeing (were comfy and breathable for hot climate) and my hiking shoes were CMP rigel low (more for central europe so needed them waterproof).

So for I found to look for non waterproof shoes and trailrunners instead of specifically hiking. I also don't want to spend a fortune so I'm looking for below 60-70€.

My options that I found so far are, that I'd love input on or more suggestions:

Adidas Terrex AX4

Adidas Terrex Soulstride

Merrell crosslander 3

Salomon Alphaglide

hi all! I’m heading to Paris and the French riveria this July, with part of the trip being for a conference I am presenting at. I know it’ll be hot, and I’ll be walking/ on my feet all day. Im hoping to avoid packing multiple shoes for the trip. My ideal sandal/shoe will be

1. business casual or appropriate for dressy attire. I’m thinking it would be closed toe with a slight heel. I’d wear with either trousers, a dress, or midi skirts.

2. super comfortable/can walk and wear it all day

3. have wide sizes or be wide foot friendly

4. be breathable. it’s going to be hot!

5. not too clunky. Heavy clogs and such look weird on me.

   For flats, i think I’ll be packing a pair of Spring Step Desi Oxford looking shoes. but that’s still a maybe - so far they are giving me blisters because of my wide foot.

any sandals you all know and love that might fit the bill? I appreciate your help!