Travel
For the Ultimate Globetrotter: 17 Travel Shoes That Blend Style and Comfort
When selecting the best travel shoes, focus on comfort, versatility, and functionality. Choose lightweight, breathable materials that provide excellent support for all-day wear. Look for features like cushioned insoles and nonslip soles to enhance stability on varied surfaces. It’s beneficial to find shoes that blend seamlessly with different outfits, ensuring you’re prepared for any occasion, from sightseeing to dining. Additionally, consider their packability—shoes that can fold or compress easily will save space in your luggage. The right travel shoes will keep your feet happy and ready for adventure.
Whether you’re drawn to the sporty chic Samba sneakers or the timeless allure of classic ballet flats and loafers, our selection below caters to a spectrum of tastes and travel needs so that you can step out into a new city in style. Each pair has been chosen not just for its aesthetic, but for its ability to keep you comfy and polished through long days of sightseeing, leisurely strolls, and elegant dinners.
We meticulously curated a list of the 17 best travel shoes that seamlessly blend functionality with flair. Ahead, find the perfect footwear to elevate your travel experience.
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Every product on this page was chosen by a Harper’s BAZAAR editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.
The Samba is a classic choice for travelers seeking both style and comfort. Its sleek, low-profile design features a soft leather upper and durable suede details, making it incredibly versatile for various activities. These sneakers seamlessly transition from casual outings to more active adventures, making them an essential part of any travel wardrobe. The timeless appeal means you can dress them up or down, accommodating all your travel needs with simplicity and flair.
Color: Cloud white/core black/gum
Sizes: 5–11½
Materials: Full-grain leather upper with gritty suede and gold foil details; synthetic leather lining; gum rubber cup sole
The perfectly squared-off toe and elastic Mary Jane strap provide a secure fit, allowing you to navigate through city streets or airport terminals in a breeze. Plus, with MWL Cloudlift Lite padding, every step in these shoes feels like a luxurious experience, ensuring your feet stay comfortable and cushioned, no matter how far your journey takes you.
Colors: True black multi, deep royal, soft mahogany, ruby port, true black, chocolate raisin, kilt red, gold metallic, soft mahogany
Sizes: 5–12
Materials: 100% leather, with metal studs.
Customer review: “Love this flat so much. Studs make it edgy and the style is still comfortable. Fits TTS with a little narrow fit in the toe box. I know it will stretch a bit so not worried.”
A versatile pair of black sneakers is an essential travel companion, effortlessly coordinating with a variety of outfits. Their timeless appeal ensures they never go out of style, making them ideal for any adventure. We especially love the chic black and white pairing; not only do they offer comfort for long days of exploration, they also pair beautifully with everything from a casual dress to denim and a trendy moto jacket.
Colors: Black
Sizes: 6–11
Materials: 100% leather
Consider these your go to travel shoe. Their design makes them incredibly convenient for air travel: Simply step in and out without fuss. For added warmth and style during your flight, pairing them with cozy socks can create a trendy, relaxed look. On casual outings and with more polished ensembles, Birkenstocks easily complement a variety of outfits, making them the ideal travel companion for any adventure.
Colors: Brown, green
Sizes: 35–42 EU
Materials: Brown suede (cow)
We love a runner silhouette. Their unique style makes them perfect for both thrill-seeking escapades and relaxed social gatherings. The Cortez has a removable insole and runs a bit small, so we recommend sizing up half a size.
Color: Midnight navy/white, light pumice/metallic silver, yellow/green/orange
Sizes: 5–12
Materials: Textile and leather upper; textile lining; rubber sole
Loafers are the quintessential fashion staple, with a timeless allure that makes them the perfect travel companion for the modern jet-setter. With their sleek silhouette, these versatile shoes help transform casual outfits into polished looks. Designed for all-day comfort, they are ideal for those who enjoy wandering through new destinations in style. Enhanced by sumptuous embossed croc details, these loafers radiate sophistication while ensuring you don’t compromise on practicality.
Colors: Espresso embossed croc, black embossed croc, chocolate suede
Sizes: 35–42
Materials: Leather
The Toteme low-top leather sneakers in off-white are the perfect all-purpose shoes. Crafted from high-quality leather, they provide both comfort and sophistication, making them an ideal travel companion for long adventures. Their understated elegance ensures they complement any ensemble, allowing you to transition seamlessly from day to night while keeping your style on point.
Colors: Off-white
Sizes: 5–12
Materials: Made with responsibly tanned leather
Crafted from supple suede and feature a cozy shearling lining for added comfort. Designed to fit true to size, these slip-on mules are perfect for travel, with their stylish round toe and unique buckled strap detail adding flair to any outfit. With brown and suede being two of the top trends of the season, these mules not only offer practicality and comfort, they also keep you looking fashion-forward on your next adventure.
Color: Caramel, espresso
Sizes: 4–12
Materials: Suede upper; lamb shearling lining
The sleek and understated design of these runners eliminates bulk without sacrificing style. Their streamlined profile allows for easy packing in any suitcase or carry-on, making them a convenient option for the discerning traveler who values both form and function.
Colors: White and beige
Sizes: 36–41
Materials: Textile and calfskin upper; rubber sole
Ballet flats have rightfully secured their place among the top travel shoes, embodying the ideal blend of comfort, style, and functionality. Whether you’re discovering a vibrant city or savoring a gourmet meal, ballet flats are truly the quintessential travel companions, enhancing your travel wardrobe with ease.
Color: Red, blue, burgundy, brown
Sizes: 35–41
Materials: Nappa lambskin leather; 100% cow leather sole and heel; goat leather lining
These sneakers are a traveler’s dream, expertly crafted from breathable mesh and sleek leather for a stylish yet functional design. The Acteve Lite midsoles provide exceptional cushioning, while the N-ergy shock-absorbing outsoles ensure comfort on any terrain. With Abzorb SBS technology, they offer unparalleled support for long walks and adventures, making them the ultimate choice for those on the go.
Color: Blue
Sizes: 5–11½
Materials: Off-white mesh, tonal-blue, silver and black leather
Elevate your travel wardrobe with these opulent mesh fishnet ballerina shoes. These flats redefine classic elegance with a modern twist. As a top best-selling shoe style for 2024, they offer sophistication and versatility, pairing with sundresses by day or tailored looks by night. Stay stylish on your travels with these must-have ballet flats.
Colors: 492 nude clair, noir
Sizes: 5–12
Materials: Mesh net; patent leather trim; lather/rubber outsole
A perfect blend of chic style and everyday comfort. Crafted from supple leather, this chic slip-on features a modern lace-up design that adds a sporty touch. It boasts triple-layer cushioning to keep your feet feeling great all day long. Equipped with the Sole Hero Support Footbed, it offers personalized support for your heel, arch, and forefoot, ensuring every step is cushioned. Plus, its slip-resistant sole means you can confidently navigate any surface. Whether you’re jet-setting around the globe or enjoying a casual day out, these shoes are perfect—just slide them on and you’re ready to go in style!
Colors: White tumbled, bone tumbled
Sizes: 5–13
Materials: Crafted with a leather upper, footbed cover, and lining, featuring strategically positioned rPET foam lining made from recycled plastic bottles to reduce pressure and friction on the skin.
In one of this season’s trendiest hue, these luxurious mules will elevate any travel outfit. Crafted from GG Supreme canvas and featuring the iconic Horsebit hardware, they blend chic style with practicality, making them the perfect travel companion. The round toe and slip-on design ensure easy on-the-go wear, ideal for navigating airports, exploring new cities, or enjoying relaxed days at your destination. These clogs promise to remain a staple in your travel wardrobe, ensuring you look polished.
Color: Rose
Sizes: 35–41½
Materials: Canvas upper; rubber sole
This collaboration fuses the rich history of both Adidas and Wales Bonner, generating footwear that reflects cultural importance and exceptional design, making these sneakers perfect for travelers seeking comfort and flair. The Samba kicks showcase a stylish animal-print leather construction with a durable rubber outsole, offering both aesthetic appeal and ease of wear. Designed with a rounded toe and laced closure, they feature a faux-fur lining for a luxurious touch.
(Editor’s note: I personally own a pair and can confidently attest to their exceptional comfort. Whether you’re catching a flight or spending the day on the go, these sneakers are truly the ideal travel companion, adding a stylish touch to any outfit.)
Color: Dark brown/camel brown/white
Sizes: 3½–13
Materials: 100% leather, 100% pony fur
Prada’s suede running sneakers are a quintessential travel essential, perfectly balancing comfort and refined elegance. Their streamlined design and premium suede fabric allow for easy transitions from bustling city streets to leisurely brunches, while the signature enameled metal triangle logo gives a nod to high-fashion sophistication. As a savvy investment, these sneakers promise to remain timeless, ensuring you look put-together and feel fabulous for years to come, no matter where your wanderlust leads you.
Color: Brown
Sizes: 34½–41½
Materials: 100% lamb leather
Opt for classic, neutral-colored boots that can easily pair with various outfits. A pair in black, brown, or tan can complement everything from casual jeans and T-shirts to flowy dresses and tailored pants. This versatility allows you to mix and match your travel wardrobe without overpacking, making them the perfect pair.
Colors: Dark brown, taupe suede, black leather
Sizes: 5–13
Materials: Leather and textile upper
Customer review: “these are so comfortable and look much more expensive. I would 10/10 buy these again”
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For more than 150 years, Harper’s Bazaar has been the preeminent fashion, beauty, and lifestyle resource for women at every age. We cover what’s new and what’s next in fashion by working with the world’s leading authorities in ready-to-wear, footwear, accessories, and more. Every story we publish has been thoroughly researched and vetted by our team of editors and industry experts.
Alicia Banilivy is Harper’s Bazaar’s Fashion Market & Retail Credits Editor. Alicia oversees all Ready-to-Wear, Jewelry, and accessories shopping credits for print issues. She has expertise in luxury fashion, editorial market, and styling. When Out-of-Office, Alicia spends her time as a personal shopper and closet organizer. She enjoys traveling, shopping, and spending time with family and friends.
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