The best women's travel shoes for stylish, walkable comfort

How I test travel shoes

All-day comfort: I've done extensive testing across the best walking shoes, loafers, and other comfortable dress shoes for women. I walk in them for 15,000 to 20,000 steps at a time to make sure they don't cause my feet to overheat, which leads to aches and blisters. The most cushioned, airy walking sneakers I own are Rykä's Devotion X.

Sizing and fit: I wear a size US 8 in women's shoes. I look for comfortable pairs that have a secure, adjustable fit (especially around the collar and vamp), with enough room in the toe box so I don't feel overcrowded. It's important for balance that my toes be able splay naturally while standing all day in long lines.

Day-to-night style: I prefer tumbled or textured leather for dress shoes, since they make scuff marks less noticeable. I also considered how their shape looks with different hemlines. I usually go with neutral colors so I can mix and match them with any outfit in my carry-on.

Weatherproofing: For any shoes that claim to be waterproof or water resistant, I determine via pour test or real-world testing whether they hold up in wet or muddy conditions. When traveling through mixed forecasts, it helps to have active shoes with a Gore-Tex upper (like the ones from Salomon or Hoka).

Weight and packability: The heaviest shoes in this guide are the Bogs rain boots, which together weigh 2.5 pounds, and the Vivaia knee-high boots, which as a pair are just under 2 pounds. These boots are comfortable enough to wear directly onto a flight, which I recommend to help keep your luggage underweight.

The rest of our team's picks weigh 12 ounces or under, as a lighter shoe helps prevent fatigue when walking long distances. I've chosen slim, flexible shoes that can pack near-flat and conserve space in a narrow travel tote. Learn more about how the Reviews team tests shoes at BI.

Classic white sneakers: Frankie4 Nat III

I find that white leather sneakers are useful to pack no matter what season I'm traveling in. I can wear them with a no-show sock in warm climates, or on the train when I return to New England for the holidays.

My favorite dress sneakers are these leather lace-ups from Frankie4. I wear them with everything from casual travel pants to a midi-length skirt. I've walked countless miles in my Nat IIIs over the past two years, and they're still in great shape.

Their shock absorption is leagues ahead of most flat-soled sneakers, and if you have weak ankles, the high heel counters and deep heel cups will help stabilize your gait. I wear mine laceless since the gusset is elasticated, and they feel secure. The captoe design is similar to Converse, but these feel way more supportive on my arches than Chuck Taylors.

I ordered this pair in a size 8, and they fit me true to size. Each comes with a "Sole Saver Pack," or a spare set of insoles with varying levels of padding in the forefoot and heels. This let me adjust the fit in case they're too tight or too loose in certain areas.

Shoes for walking all day: Rykä Devotion X

Proper walking shoes are a must-have regardless of where I'm traveling. The Rykä Devotion Xs have cushioned insoles, highly effective shock absorption, and a Seal of Acceptance from the American Podiatric Medical Association. These are features normally found in pricey fitness sneakers, but this pair hovers in the $70 range.

I wore my Rykäs over four 7-mile days backpacking across central Europe, where they kept me steady on slick stairways and uneven cobblestone alleys. I also wore them in hot, humid weather exploring a Caribbean island, and their stretchy mesh uppers let my feet breathe and swell. They're not very sleek-looking, but I could care less when my feet ache and I only want to feel comfortable.

The Devotion X sneakers are specifically designed for walking, which makes them a great all-around travel shoe. They're roomy in the toe box, which lets your feet splay naturally, and they come in a wide-foot-friendly fit.

Read more in our Rykä shoes review.

Cushioned ballet flats: Quince Italian Leather Handwoven Square Toe Ballet Flat

My best friend recommended I try these Quince Square Toe Ballet Flats after she wore hers on a recent trip to Paris. Sure enough, they're some of the best ballet flats I've ever tried — and I've tried 33 pairs in the last year alone.

I shouldn't be surprised, since Quince's Day Glove dupes are some of my favorite flats — but I've also learned to measure my expectations with Quince shoes, since not of all its leather goods are in fact "luxury."

This pair, though, is a solid recreation of Freda Salvador's popular Jada flats. They have nicely padded insoles and a high vamp that helps them stays firmly on my foot as I walk. They're slim, square, and pack nearly flat in my carry-on.

Lightweight loafers: Cole Haan Danby Travel Loafer

I collect loafers and flats, and especially when I travel during shoulder seasons, both styles are my go-to dress shoes. I like the Danby Travel Loafers because they feel like a halfway point between the two.

I can fold these Cole Haan loafers in half to fit the corner of my tightly packed suitcase. And since they're made from pebbled leather, I'm not concerned with creasing or scratches.

This pair has a buttery-soft lining and soft suede heels that took me absolutely zero break-in time. The brand says they run small, though when I ordered my usual size 8, they fit me true to size. People with wide feet may find them tight in the toe box.

One of my favorite comfy airport outfits includes these loafers with my Rag & Bone sweatpant jeans and an oversized sweater. Their rubber weave traction pads are great at gripping slick surfaces, but I advise against wearing them in heavy rain (the low vamp lets water flood in).

Vionic's sneaker-loafers have a higher vamp, excellent arch support, and they come in wide foot sizes. The downsides are that the sneaker soles aren't as stylish and they feel substantially heavier than Cole Haan's loafers.

Comfortable clogs: UGG Goldenstar Villa

I like to pack clogs so I can slip them on and pad around a hotel at night, or wear them as my transitional season shoes. Our senior home editor Jaclyn Turner wore her UGG Goldenstars on two 15,000-step days walking the hilly streets of Seattle.

"I like that they can be worn with or without the included strap, so you essentially get two looks in one," she writes. "I found that they run a little loose when worn backless, so I preferred wearing them with the strap for a more secure fit."

Despite their cozy Nubuck leather exterior, this pair has a breathable sockliner that won't grow damp with sweat if you choose to go barefoot. When the weather does cool off, these UGG clogs go perfectly with some slouch socks, jeans, and an earth-toned travel jacket.

Stretchy knee-high boots: Vivaia Filipa

Bringing knee-high boots with a stiff leather shaft is not an option if you're serious about conserving luggage space. I like Vivaia's sock boots because the stretchy shaft wraps neatly around the vamp and unfolds back into a tall boot. They serve as the final touch on a cozy, dressed-up travel outfit.

In our Vivaia shoes review, senior home editor Jaclyn Turner writes about its wide-calf-friendly Filipas. "These warm, stretchy knee-high boots are perhaps the most comfortable boots I've tried," she writes. I chose a flat style, which I think is great for everyday, but it's also available with a 2.64-inch wedge heel version."

This pair comes with "Heat Retaining Tech," which works to insulate your feet in sub-50° temperatures. The lining consists of wool, 'aerogel,' and a soft layer of fleece.

"They're water-resistant too — water beads and then pools off — so I'm not concerned about ruining the fabric on a rainy day, a departure from what I'd worry about with fabric-style shoes," continues Jaclyn. "My only true caveat is that they collect lint, and the black shows everything."

For trail walks: Salomon XT Whisper

One of my favorite things about Salomon shoes is the tiny mesh pocket hidden on the vamp, where I can tuck the toggle laces. These gorpy sneakers are well-suited to nature walks, but they also look cool with parachute pants or an athleisure outfit when I'm between destinations.

"These sneakers are great for packing light. I counted on the Whispers as my daily and workout shoe, saving me valuable luggage space," writes freelance style contributor Andrea Bossi.

"The Salomon XT-Whispers are the shoes I pack when I need a pair that can do it all," she continues. "They're not a speciality pair of kicks, crafted specifically for runs or hikes, so accordingly, they don't have any Hoka-level cushioning or deep lug soles. But because they served me so well running around Europe and NYC, they proved to be worth the buy."

Read more in our full Salomon XT-Whisper review.

If you're in for a challenging hike on your trip, I recommend the Salomon Speedcross 6s. I wore these contoured trail runners on a walk in El Yunque rainforest, and the waterproof uppers sealed out any moisture. The drawback is that their long lugs feel like cleats once I'm back on concrete. But at 10 ounces, I love that they weigh much less than most clunky hiking shoes.

For rainy destinations: Bogs Hazel Chelsea Boot

Wellies and other rubber rain boots are a huge pain to pack. These Bogs' Hazels are a lightweight solution that easily pass as a regular Chelsea boot when worn with jeans.

"I have high arches and am particular about supportive footwear, but I can walk 3 miles in the Hazels without the foot or lower-back fatigue I get with flatter rain boots," writes outdoor gear expert Rachael Schultz. "They're comfortable right out of the box, too," she adds.

"My only real complaint is that they aren't the easiest to get on. Because the cuff is a soft neoprene, you need to hold the pull tab to get your foot inside, but the tab points down and stays hidden inside the boot. I have to fish for the pull tab to pull the boot on fully," she continues. "That said, the ankle opening is plenty wide while still keeping rain out, and this annoyance doesn't keep me from reaching for them any time I'm headed out for a dog walk or sightseeing in rainy weather."

Read more in her full Bogs boot review.

For beach vacations: Tkees Lily Nude Flip Flop

Dressy flip flops can take you from relaxing poolside to a fancy seafood dinner, if you style them right. Senior style editor Samantha Crozier recommends Tkees' nude leather flip flops for a barely-there beach vacation shoe. They have a minimalist shape and skin-toned colorways that disappear into your outfit in the best way.

"I packed them in my bag for two summer trips, and they took up so little space in my weekender, yet the flip-flops were among my most-used items," she writes in her Tkees nude sandal review. "I wore them to the beach, to a casual dinner, next to the pool, and on short walks around Southampton."

The downside is that the leather is not meant to be submerged in water, though Samantha reports they can handle getting damp. You're better off wearing rubber walking sandals if your vacation involves more splashing.

These aren't the most formal-looking sandals, but our fitness gear expert Rachael Schultz walked in them for 8 hours straight on her trip to Spain. Find more pairs like these in her guide to the best flip flops with arch support.

FAQs on women's travel shoes

How many pairs of shoes do I need to pack?

It of course depends on the destination, but I typically pack three pairs and wear my most comfortable sneakers on the train or plane. I try to bring at least one casual slip-on, one dress shoe (usually some kind of loafer or ballet flat), and one pair "for fun" — which I won't always wear, but bring in case the mood strikes.

What's the best way to pack shoes?

I always hold onto dust bags to keep the dirty soles of my shoes separate from my clothes. I interlock them heel-to-toe and compress them as much as they'll allow to make a slim shape. Then I store them at the bottom of my suitcase (closest to the wheels) so the whole thing stays balanced.

What are the best travel shoes for Europe?

I've walked the smooth, hilly cobblestone streets found in the most tourist-y areas of European cities. Here it's important to wear shoes with good stability and traction, such as the Rykä Devotion Xs or Vionic Uptown Loafers.

What are the best travel shoes for plantar fasciitis?

Our freelance health and fitness gear expert Rachael Schultz wrote about the best comfortable shoes for plantar fasciitis. PF patients need shoes that don't flex, and instead have a firm midsole to takes pressure off the band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot. In her guide, Rachael recommends the Asics GEL-Nimbus 28 walking sneakers and Dansko Platform Pro clogs.

What are the best travel shoes for wide feet?

The Rykä Devotion X sneakers are comfortably stretchy and come in a wide foot sizes. A dressier option is Vivaia's Filipa boots, which have a round toe box and elasticated knit shaft to fit around thick calves.