Shoes are one of your most important travel decisions when chasing adventures! While you’ll need shoes for different activities, they take up a lot of packing space, so choose wisely. Through lots of trial and error over the last 10 years, I’ve identified these as the must-haves for every trip. I do have severe over-pronation that requires strong arch support, but even if you don’t have particular foot problems, you won’t regret investing in shoes that provide good support for all-day adventures!
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Trainers
Whether you call them trainers, sneakers, or something else, these are the #1 essential travel shoe! Flat sidewalks are not the norm in many countries and your feet will thank you as you traverse hills, unpaved roads, or uneven cobblestone streets. While function is definitely the top requirement for choosing trainers, you likely won’t need to sacrifice fashion since so many styles are available. And don’t worry about looking out of place–everyone has been wearing them in every town I’ve visited in the past few years.
My current favorites are the Adidas Crazy Chaos. The design provides a lot of support and you can see from the side how built-up the arch is. These are my walk anywhere, go-to shoes and they don’t look terrible with skirts and dresses.
I also really like the New Balance 237. They have a good arch but the sides don’t hold my foot quite as well. I love the cute animal print, so when I’m visiting places without rough or hilly roads, I may choose these for fashion with just a bit of sacrifice on function.
You DON’T Need: Platform sneakers. Cobblestone streets in Europe are uneven and platform sneakers may give a new meaning to “taking a trip.” (Thanks for picking me up, Beth!😉)
Walking Sandals
I know you love your flip flops, but I advise you to choose a sandal with good arch support. You may be one of many people who swear by their Birkenstocks, but they don’t provide enough support for my feet and I’m not crazy about the style. For me, Dansko Sophie sandals are gold! I have worn these for years for travel and as my go-to house shoes. The wooden sole has a significant arch and the two straps are adjustable to hold the foot securely. The lining does show wear, but it’s comfortable and doesn’t get slick. I love that they come in many colors and designs.
The Sophie looks fine with skirts and dresses. If you don’t plan on all-day walking and want something less clunky, I recommend the Dansko Ana. This style sacrifices a bit of support, but it’s fine for shorter distances and level streets.
Dansko shoes come in European sizes. I wear a 36 which is equivalent to a U.S. women’s size 6.
You DON’T Need: High heels. You just don’t.
Water Shoes
Water shoes are required for almost all water sports, plus walking and wading on rocking beaches. I recommend that you go with closed-toe because they are required for many sports. Keen and Teva are two well-known brands with lots of styles. Their water sandals can double as light hiking shoes for some people, but they don’t serve me for that. You can also find many off-brand, less expensive, similar styles on Amazon. I currently have these from Dream Paris. They don’t have quite enough arch support, so I add an over-the-counter Dr. Scholl’s foam insert. I’m going to invest in this Teva Hydratrek style for my next trip. I’ll report back!
Beach shoes…if flip flops do it for you, knock yourself out. If, like me, you need support even when walking on sand, check out the Dansko Kandi sandals. They are a bit wider than the Sophie style but are are made for wet environments and won’t be damaged by water like the Sophie will. I purchased these several months ago and will be trying them on my upcoming trip to Roatan. Stay tuned!
You DON’T Need: Cheap neoprene water socks. They’re like your ex–they provide zero support and won’t protect you when it counts.
Hiking Shoes
I only pack hiking shoes if I’ll be doing some rough terrain hiking. For rough uphill or downhill climbs, the soles of trainers just won’t cut it. I highly recommend the Merrell Moab line. If you are hiking in warm environments, choose a “vent” style. They will be lightweight and breathable, but not waterproof. For cold weather, choose a waterproof style. I prefer a boot because it provides better support for my ankles, but Merrell also has lots of low rise styles. If you find a comfortable hiking shoe that you love, you may decide to forgo the trainers.
So there you have it, my definitive list for chasing fun and adventure! Have you tried these or others that you swear by? Please drop your comments below! (And thanks, Roz, for the topic suggestion!)
If you are looking for sandals with a heel strap that are cute, but comfortable enough for walking around Europe at night, I’ve been happy with two brands; “my soft” and “täōs”.
Great suggestions! I’ll check out those brands.
Lynda
I love these shoe tips! Thank you for thinking of all the details in your blogs!!
Thank you! Let me know if you try any of them. I appreciate you reading!