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The 5 Best Shoes For Travel! (Cute, Comfy & Stylish!)

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I’ve traveled the world full time for over 2 years now, and I can confidently pick the best shoes for travel because I’ve worn the same 5 pairs of shoes all this time! This comes from someone who at some point in her life had almost 100 pair of shoes… and now, I just wear the same 5 on repeat. People change 😂.

In this post, I’m going to keep things simple. I’ll stick to the shoes I’ve traveled with and that’s it. The ones I keep buying over and over again. The ones I pack on repeat and wear every day. The photos you’re about to see are from my full time traveling adventures from the past 2.5 years!

Ready To Learn About The Best Shoes For Travel? Let’s Go Then :)

Estimated reading time: 19 minutes

This post contains affiliate links. This means I receive a commission if you shop for anything I share on this page at no extra cost to you. This helps support my blog, so thanks so much in advance!

Living out of a carry-on bag has taught me many lessons, and the most important one has been that I definitely need a lot less than I think. Less really means more. I don’t own anything that I don’t appreciate, and if I’m being completely honest, I am too emotionally attached to some of the pieces in my little suitcase LOL.

The following photos are snaps of my real life and were taken in between September 2021 and December 2023. I have been wearing the same 5 pairs of shoes on repeat for over 2 years. I always travel with 4 of the 5 shoes I’ll share below. I pick between the 2 pair of Birkenstocks. It depends on where we’re going and what kind of activities are involved. You’ll see what I’m talking about ;)

*Note: If interested in checking out my updated travel outfits, follow me on the Reward Style app!*

Best Shoes For Travel – #1 White Leather Sneakers:

If you’ve read any of my other articles, you probably saw this one coming!

You’re about to understand why I am emotionally attached to most of these pieces. These white leather sneakers have been with me to Mayan ruins, paragliding, while exploring new cities, on endless travel days and some of the most beautiful hikes of my life. Just to name a few.

I have so many pictures with them, but I picked the ones I haven’t used on other blog posts, and the ones that showcase how versatile these shoes are!

As you can see, you can style white sneakers with pretty much ANYTHING! And that’s exactly why I love them so much. Also, they are super comfortable! I’ve walked many many miles with these shoes.

I wear them in moderately cold weather or hot weather. It doesn’t matter. They truly work for any kind of trip.

However, you don’t have to stick to white leather sneakers. I also brought printed sneakers for one of our trips (instead of the white ones, never both at the same time).

Ok, I just found these pics and had to show them to you! The before and after my white leather sneakers after 2+ years. On the left, the first photo I took in September 2021 before spending 3 months in Turkey. On the right, the last photo before I got rid of them, in December 2023.

I did wash them 3 times before I got rid of them. This is why I love leather sneakers, because you can wash them so they last longer!

But I’m thinking of buying them again, just not sure if I’m going for white or for a different color. Here are some of the options I have my eyes on right now 👀

My advice: If you’re going for a printed option make sure the colors match most of the pieces you’re packing. I would choose black & white OR leopard.

Also, the same brand has the cutest men’s sneakers. Me and my husband are so loyal to this brand! We both use them :)

Ok, I think I’ve proven my point. Moving on to number 2.

Disclaimer: these photos are not from the same trip. I go back home to Florida every 6 months or so, and I replace a couple of my staples. I do travel with a carry-on bag and pack outfits for 6 months each time, though.

Other Travel Related Posts You May Like:

Best Shoes For Travel – #2 Waterproof Birkenstocks:

I can’t state this enough… travel with comfortable shoes that are easy to take off and easy to put on.

You will find yourself rushed to leave your hotel or apartment, going in and out of religious sites where you have to take your shoes off, walking around pebble beaches, etc. You will be rushed from time to time, it just happens while traveling.

In general, it’s just nice and comfortable to travel with sandals like these.

You can wear these sandals on easy hikes, to the beach, to walk around cities, etc. Pretty much for any occasion. Obviously these are only great if where you’re going is warm :)

I still have these green Birkenstocks! They’re actually pretty hard to find in that color, not sure why. (I found them here, but in bigger sizes) – I can’t really think on another color that would be as versatile as this one (for me).

Here are some of the ones I’m considering right now: (I do have to replace mine)

Want My Minimalist Packing Advice & Lists For FREE?

I have created a couple of FREE resources to help you do this as well. All you have to do is add your name and email to any of the links below 👇🏼

  1. Beach Vacation Packing List ⛱️
  2. Top Travel Styling Tips & Carry-On Packing List ✈️
  3. Our Top Picks & Packing Essentials (Me & My Husband’s) 👫🏻

*feel free to grab ALL 3 of them – they’re going to help you travel with less things!*

Best Shoes For Travel – #3 Hiking/Gym Shoes AKA Trailrunners:

I actually don’t have a ton of photos with these shoes. Sorry.

Why?

I wear them for the gym and on harder hikes. And for some reason I rarely take photos.

Why you ask again?

Well, at the gym for obvious reasons… I’m focused on my workout.

And at hikes… well, I’m not really much of a hiker. I always feel tired, sweaty, and slightly grumpy until I reach the view. So taking photos is not really my priority. Look closely at these 2 photos and you’ll notice the shoes hahaha – sorry about that one, but you get the point.

Here are some similar options. These shoes will only work out for you if you like to exercise during your vacation and if you’re planning to go on hikes. Talk about 2 for 1!

Best Shoes For Travel – #4 Going Out Sandals

I’ve had several of these sandals over the past 2.5 years. But I only bring one per trip.

I’ve had a few different ones because out of all my shoes for traveling, these are the ones that get ugly and worn out the fastest… so naturally, I have to replace them.

For the most part, I always follow the same rules when getting new ones:

  1. They have to be flat.
  2. Ideally leather (so they look slightly dressier).
  3. They have to be a neutral color.

Here are my top picks for easy-to-pack “going out” sandals: (other colors are available for most of these. Just have to click on them)

Even though these are super cute, they’re not useful everywhere you go. Leave them at home if where you’re going is hilly and has cobblestone streets. They can be pretty slippery.

Another thing, it may seem like they’re not dressy enough. But trust me, if you wear them with a cute dress or skirt and wear the right accessories, you will be just fine :)

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Best Shoes For Traveling – Everyday Birkenstocks:

And last but not least… again with the trusty Birkenstocks! But these are different. Sort of.

I never travel with my two pairs of Birkenstocks on the same trip for space-related reasons. I travel with carry-on only, and in my opinion these 2 pairs of sandals serve the same purpose.

I honestly prefer the green ones mentioned above. However, these are slightly more stylish and because you can tie them around your ankle, they are better to bring on easier hikes.

Here are some similar options. I would consider any kind of leather Birkenstocks. It depends on your personal style:

Here’s a direct link to Nordstrom. They have so many cute Birkenstocks right now 😍

Related Posts You May Also Like:

Want My Minimalist Packing Advice & Lists For FREE?

I have created a couple of FREE resources to help you do this as well. All you have to do is add your name and email to any of the links below 👇🏼

  1. Easy Guide To Help You Pick The Top 5 Shoes For ANY Trip! 👟
  2. Top Travel Styling Tips & Carry-On Packing List ✈️
  3. Our Top Picks & Packing Essentials (Me & My Husband’s) 👫🏻

*feel free to grab ALL 3 of them – they’re going to help you travel with less things!*

Final Thoughts About Best Shoes For Travel:

That’s it my friends. What did you think? Can you see that you don’t really need that many shoes for travel?

I hope this post helped you figure which ones are the best travel shoes for you! This was just my honest opinion and what has worked for me. Try to think about your own personal style and of course, the purpose of your trip.

Thanks so much for reading all the way down here!

See you in the next one 👋🏼

XO,

Aimara

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Hi, my name is Aimara and I am the voice behind Ways of Style. I was born and raised in Venezuela until the age of 27 when I moved to Chicago, and 2 years later I met my best friend and husband. We now travel full time and live out of a carry-on bag, so believe me, I know a thing or two about how to maximize every single piece I own. 

I love creating new looks, and looking cute while I’m traveling. And in this blog, I try to share all my looks, even if I don’t have the best photos ;) My goal is to help you maximize every piece you have in your closet and to encourage you to live with less things.

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The Best Shoes For Travel! (From A Full Time Traveler)
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This post contains affiliate links. This means I receive a commission if you shop for anything I share on this page at no extra cost to you. This helps support my blog, so thanks so much in advance!

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