These $80 packable sneakers from Reef are my holy grail travel shoes

I've never been much of a sneaker gal. As someone who lives in a year-round warm-weather climate, I'm more comfortable wearing sandals. That was until I started having foot tingling and pain.

Eager for a solution, I looked for shoes that would provide support, but look cuter than the chunky running sneakers I wear to work out. And, as a travel writer who takes several trips a year, I needed something close-toed that would be easy to pack, comfortable while sprinting through airports, and can hold up to 20,000-step days.

The Reef Neptune sneaker ticked all my boxes. Lightweight, ultra breathable, stylish, and with incredible arch support, they've now become my everyday walking shoe.

The best part is that they pack down flat, taking up just as much room in my luggage as a pair of sandals. But they're so dreamy to wear, you're more likely to find them on my feet than stuffed into my suitcase.

The collapsible design is convenient and comfortable

The sneakers' crushable, fold-down heel design makes slipping them on and off a cinch. This especially comes in handy when I'm running out the door to pick up my kids or in a busy airport security line and kicking myself for forgetting to add my TSA precheck number.

The Reef Neptunes are wildly comfortable from the very first wear. The ultra-soft memory foam insole and cushioned footbed remind me more of a plush slipper than a sneaker. They took no time to break in, and I can still feel the enhanced arch support hugging the soles of my feet, even after months of regular wear.

The slim, stretchy fit works for most foot shapes (and outfits)

They're an approachable style with a true-to-size fit and middle-of-the-road width. I wear a size 8 sneaker and they fit perfectly, with no tightness in the toe box. The breathable, stretchy mesh sides will surely benefit wider feet, though sizing up a half size is always an option. If your feet run narrow, Reef suggests sizing down a half size for a snugger fit.

A few things to consider

At $80, I think they're very reasonably priced. Especially compared to similar name-brand offerings — Allbirds' Tree Runner, for example, costs $20 more. Vivaia's All Day slip-on mesh sneaker commands $159.

For what it's worth, I've owned Reef's Ginger Flip Flops since the early 2000s. I consistently find this brands' shoes to be reliably well made, durable, and long lasting.

The biggest drawback I've experienced is how easily they stain. I deliberately chose gray instead of the white for this reason, but they still became dirty pretty quickly.

To clean them, I first remove the insoles, then combine warm water with a bit of dish soap and gentle detergent so I can brush away stains with a toothbrush. I soak the laces in the same solution, and use a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser to remove scuff marks. Then, I stuff them with paper towels and let them air dry for 24 hours. Voila, good as new.

The bottom line

Simply put, I've never worn a more comfortable sneaker. The fact that these shoes look good with everything, pack down ultra light, and remain comfy through miles of walking, has made them a true VIP in my closet (and suitcase).

That said, I did find it frustrating how easily they dirtied. In hindsight, I would've picked a darker color, and moving forward, I plan to clean them more regularly rather than wait for them to turn dark and dingy.

Still, the Reef Neptune is a stylish, affordable option that travels well and might be as close as I'll ever come to walking on air. I'm not sure I can do much better than that.

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