Travel Products Style Shoes The 11 Best Comfort Shoe Brands for Travel of 2023 Clarks is our overall favorite brand. By Rena Behar Rena Behar Instagram Twitter Website Rena Behar is a freelance journalist and editor focusing on tech, travel, and gender. She has contributed to Travel + Leisure, TripSavvy, and more. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Updated on December 14, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email In This Article Expand Jump to a Section Our top picks Reviews Tips for Buying FAQ Why Trust T + L We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Travel + Leisure / Sabrina Jiang If we’ve said it once, we’ve said it a thousand times. Your feet are your most important travel investment, and a bad shoe day is a bad day for everyone. “Overall the most important thing to consider is comfort, which beats fashion every time, especially for our feet!” says podiatrist Dr. Elizabeth Daughtry. The best comfortable shoe brands offer foot-friendly internal features and an exterior that can cover a variety of situations. “Limiting the number of shoes you bring on trips means looking for a versatile shoe that is comfortable yet stylish,” notes Daughtry, who also suggests considering weight, durability, and luggage space when choosing your travel shoes. “When shopping for a comfortable shoe, you always want to look at the material, arch support, and sizing to determine if it’s a good fit for you,” says podiatrist Dr. Asim Sayed, DPM. He also recommends keeping in mind the activities you’ll be participating in. And don’t forget to break in your shoes before you go — a brand-new pair of shoes has no place in your suitcase. Our favorite comfort shoe brand is Clarks for its extensive range of options that both look and feel good. But there are plenty of other great brands out there, too, to suit whatever your style may be. These are the best comfort shoe brands for travel. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Clarks at Zappos Jump to Review Best Fashionable Sandals: NAOT at Zappos Jump to Review Best Outdoor Sandals: Tevas at Zappos Jump to Review Best for Hiking: Merrell at Zappos Jump to Review Best for Arch Support: Vionic at Vionicshoes.com Jump to Review Best Designer: Cole Haan at Zappos Jump to Review Best Boots: Blundstone at Zappos Jump to Review Best Clogs: Dansko at Zappos Jump to Review Best Athletic: Hoka at Zappos Jump to Review Best Casual Sneakers: Allbirds at Allbirds.com Jump to Review Best Overall Clarks Clarks View On Zappos View On Clarksusa.com View On Macy's Why We Love It Clarks has so many options that are both foot- and style-friendly. What to Consider The comfort features can vary across styles. The brand has an extremely extensive range of styles on offer, whether you’re looking for hiking boots, beach sandals, or a stylish city sole. Low heels? Fuzzy winter boots? They’re all here. Almost all Clarks shoes are designed to keep your feet happy with features like foam footbeds, orthotic-inspired insoles, and custom air circulation. These shoes will stay comfortable all day long, from touring museums to your evening dinner reservation. They’re also pretty affordable, only dipping into the $300+ range for specific designer collaborations. For women, you can never go wrong with a simple ankle boot like the Cologne Arlo or an easy loafer like the Raisie Jump. Men’s bestsellers include the Desert Boot, which comes in multiple colors, and the versatile Bradley Step. Price Range: $30-$300 Best Fashionable Sandals NAOT NAOT View On Zappos View On Naot.com Why We Love It This brand offers comfort features like cork footbeds combined with multiple design options. What to Consider Most of their sandals are leather, which can be a dubious choice if you’re expecting a lot of rain or water activities. “Naot is a wonderful brand of shoes because they offer the ability to add orthotics but also have a cork-based foot bed that molds to your feet,” says Daughtry. “Also they offer a wide variety of stylish shoes that can go from day to evening, and vary based on the climate of the area a traveler may find themselves in.” Sayed also likes that they’re orthotic-friendly, in addition to their slip-resistant soles and rigid insoles for stability. Naot sandals are also what I personally have been throwing in my bag for years now, including on a recent two-week trip to Spain and France that covered both a music festival and walks of more than 10 miles per day. Naot makes sneakers and boots as well, but their sandals are where they really shine. The Kayla is one of the most popular women’s options with its simple straps, slight platform wedge, and a multitude of colors, while men can add some style to a classic slide with the Anegada. Price Range: $48-$340 Best Outdoor Sandals Tevas Tevas View On Zappos View On Teva.com Why We Love It Tevas combine a classic design with comfort and durability. What to Consider They may not be able to pass muster at formal occasions. If you’re doing your walking on the trail or in the jungle rather than on city streets, something more durable might be the best comfort shoe brand for you. The recognizable Teva strap pattern has become a classic for a reason, keeping its wearers supported and comfortable on all kinds of treks. Wearers of any gender can hit the trail in the Hurricane XLT2 sport sandal, which takes the strap layout of the classic originals and adds extra grip on the EVA footbed. Just choose whether you want narrow or wide recycled polyester straps, and which of the many colors suits your favorite hiking pants. My own Tevas have taken me from Thailand to Joshua Tree with nary a blister. Price Range: $25-$175 The 12 Best Travel Shoes With Arch Support of 2023 Best for Hiking Merrell Merrell View On Zappos View On Merrell.com Why We Love It This super popular hiking brand is durable, versatile, and made with recycled materials. What to Consider Since these are primarily hiking shoes, they can be on the chunky side. Dr. Daughtry recommends the always-popular Merrells for trips with extensive walking or hiking. “Merrell offers a range of shoes that are perfect for casual events, hiking, and excessive walking while looking stylish, and [they] are breathable and comfortable,” she says. “Merrells are also orthotic-friendly and accommodate any type of arch support.” Merrell’s bestseller and the highlight of their lineup is the Moab 3 hiking shoe, available in both men’s and women’s models. You can also go for waterproof and mid-rise boot versions of the Moab if you need something more hardcore, but for a more versatile pick, we’d go with the shoe you’ll wear on trips where you aren’t carrying a heavy backpack. It will take up less room in your bag and blend in better when you’re wearing it out and about. Price Range: $27-$250 Best for Arch Support Vionic Vionic View On Vionicshoes.com Why We Love It Vionic provides orthopedic-level comfort without sacrificing style. What to Consider The options for women’s styles are much more extensive than for men. People who pronate know, a long day of walking on flat feet is no joke. Luckily Vionic shoes are the perfect solution, offering styles approved by the American Podiatric Medical Association that provide stability, arch support, and cushioning. Women who are looking for something fun and casual can go for the Beach Pismo sneaker, which is available in a variety of sherbet-hued fabrics and patterns, or the classic Sienna ankle boot that is both stylish and waterproof. Men can pound the pavement in the trendy Trent sneaker, and the unisex Wave Toe flip flop is a great choice for anyone who’s hitting the beach. Price Range: $40-$190 Best Designer Cole Haan Cole Haan View On Zappos View On Nordstrom View On Colehaan.com Why We Love It At Cole Haan, long-lasting style and an extensive selection meet super squishy foam insoles. What to Consider Not every shoe from the brand has the same features, so check the descriptions when shopping. Cole Haan was at one point owned by Nike, and incorporates that previous influence into their Zerogrand lines for men and women, which offer an extremely cushioned foam footbed on the bottom and Cole Haan’s sleek city style on the top. They’ve got an extensive collection of flats, sneakers, loafers, sandals, and boots to choose from, all of which can take you from exploring museums by day to enjoying the theater at night. We’re digging the women's Zerogrand City Wedge Chelsea Boot, which combines the timeless Chelsea boot style with an on-trend platform, waterproof upper, sock lining, and chunky sole ideal for wintry walks. We also love the funky color combinations of the men’s Zerogrand Wingtip Oxford. Price Range: $40-$280 6 Sneaky Ways to Make Your Shoes More Comfortable, According to Podiatrists Best Boots Blundstone Blundstone View On Zappos View On REI View On Blundstone.com Why We Love It Blundstone shoes aren’t just on-trend — they’ve been around 150 years thanks to their high quality and versatility. What to Consider Different boot models have different toe boxes and ankle heights, and they aren’t all waterproof, so make sure you know which features you want before committing. You’ve almost certainly spotted Blundstone’s trademark pull-on loops cheerily sticking up on your walks around town, and for good reason. These popular Australian-made boots were started in 1870 and have stood the test of time by being both super durable and extremely comfortable, with a shock-absorbing footbed, high-quality leather, and a sole designed to reduce fatigue and orthopedic issues. We like the slightly sleeker and more tapered toe of the heeled boots for women for maximum versatility, as well as the many color combinations available for men in the classic Chelsea boot. Price Range: $210-$250 Best Clogs Dansko Dansko View On Zappos View On Dansko.com Why We Love It Dansko offers the best iteration of this style and then some. What to Consider Their men’s non-clog options are somewhat limited, but they do have a good selection of other styles for women. The clog trend is back, and Dansko, a longtime favorite brand of professionals who are on their feet all day, is ready to meet it. Many of their shoes are APMA approved, and all are known for their excellent support and comfort levels. Also, they don’t just offer clogs these days – you can shop boots, sneakers, and Mary Janes, too. The women’s Professional is their classic style, but we also like the Fawna Mary Janes for a sleeker look. Men can go for the revamped XP 2.0 for a lighter-weight clog, which includes many of the comfort touches from the original Professional. Price Range: $80-$200 Best Athletic Hoka Hoka View On Zappos View On REI View On Hoka.com Why We Love It Whether you need speed or support, Hoka’s got you covered. What to Consider This isn’t everyone’s aesthetic preference. If anyone needs comfortable shoes, long-distance runners should be your first choice. Take their word for it, along with the approval of the APMA, and invest in a pair of Hokas if you’re in the market for an athletic look. Their chunky, colorful sneakers make a statement, as do the equally bright sandals, and the rocker sole designs keep your strides smooth. We’re especially into the blue shades of the waterproof, unisex Bondi L GTX, and the slightly more streamlined Clifton 8s for women and men that work for either a long day of walking or a morning run. Price Range: $25-$300 These Are T+L Editors’ 13 Favorite Winter Shoes of 2023 Best Casual Sneakers Allbirds Allbirds View On Allbirds.com Why We Love It Allbirds are sustainable, super comfortable, and currently sweeping the charts. What to Consider Some people find the merino styles a bit sweaty. You can barely bend over to tie your shoe without hitting another rave Allbirds review. We named them our most comfortable walking shoes earlier this year, and they consistently garner praise for their comfort in all corners. The brand offers a small, curated set of sneaker options, ranging from an athletic look to trail runners to women’s flats and slip-on loungers, and even two pairs of sandals. Plus, the company is focused on sustainability and employee wellbeing, making sure their entire supply chain has safe working conditions, environmentally responsible manufacturing practices, and respectful treatment of workers. Our personal favorite Allbirds shoes are the Wool Pipers, available for men and women, for their eco-friendly merino wool, cushioned construction, and low-top versatility. Price Range: $40-$165 Best Heels Naturalizer Naturalizer View On Zappos View On Naturalizer.com Why We Love It Subtle comfort features don’t stand in the way of Naturalizer shoes looking sleek. What to Consider Naturalizers are still formal heels, so they aren’t meant to stand up to lengthy walks. Women’s high heels tend to be inherently uncomfortable, so when you find a pair you can actually wear through a night of dancing, it’s an exciting occasion. Naturalizer makes the heels of their dress shoes chunky enough to keep you stable, but high enough to look formal. Many of their styles also include a slightly padded footbed to help take the pressure off. We’re fans of the Vera sandal, which offers a design simple enough to go with almost any formalwear in a variety of both nude shades and brighter colors. I’ve worn this shoe to multiple weddings and have never once been driven off the dance floor by discomfort. Price Range: $28-$265 Tips for Buying Comfortable Shoes Look for comfort features While it’s hard to commit to shoes without trying them on, there are certain features you can look for to help determine if you’re buying a pair of the best comfort shoes. “[A] wide toe box is a must, along with a removable foot bed or shoe insole to accommodate for custom molded orthotics or any other type of arch support,” says Daughtry. “An EVA midsole is good for shock absorption while a sturdy heel counter is a must to help control excessive foot motion on heel strike.” “The insole is particularly important when it comes to comfort,” says Sayed. “Finding a shoe with a design that hugs your foot without constricting it and has ample cushioning to help with the impact when walking for long periods of time. You can also look into orthotics to add to any shoe for more stability and comfort.” Know your size While shoe sizes are less of a mystery than, say, women’s jeans, they can still vary across brands. Ideally you’ll try these on before buying, but if you can’t, check the brand’s size chart and see if they offer measurements that you can compare your foot to. Also keep in mind that your feet may swell by the end of the day, recommends Daughtry. Consider your destination “Match your shoe gear to your destination, especially when traveling in climates that are more rainy, snowy, or non-city environments,” says Daughtry. You aren’t going to wear the same shoes to Cancun that you would to Helsinki. “Always look at the material and make sure it’s suitable for the weather and terrain you are traveling to,” says Sayed. “While sneakers are usually the best option for walking long distances, if you are traveling somewhere cold with a chance of snow, you are better off with a water-proof boot to keep your feet warm and safe from the elements.” Frequently Asked Questions Should I wear my shoes before traveling with them? Absolutely. You need to know where any potential friction points are and get shoes broken in before you start putting real miles on them during your vacation. “New shoes should not be worn for the first time on a trip as it could lead to blisters, sores, infection, or pain in general, with no other [shoe] option to wear as you may have only packed one pair…,” says Daughtry. She recommends wearing your shoes around the house and to run errands for at least two to four weeks before your trip. How can I make my shoes more comfortable? If you’re past the initial break-in period – but also past the return threshold – and your shoes still aren’t doing it for you, there are a few things you can try. First, check that your socks aren’t part of the problem. “Socks are just as important as shoes,” says Daughtry. “Quality socks help prevent blisters, stop odor, and keep feet comfortable.” You can also add an insole for extra comfort, as Sayed recommends, or even a custom orthotic. Why Trust Travel + Leisure Rena Behar has been reviewing travel gear and other products for outlets including Wirecutter, Travel + Leisure, New York magazine, TripSavvy, and more since 2014. She also has extremely finicky feet and is constantly on the hunt for shoes that are both attractive and capable of holding up to some daily mileage on her extensive travels. We also spoke to Elizabeth Daughtry, a board-certified podiatrist at Foot & Ankle Specialists of the Mid-Atlantic, and podiatrist Asim Sayed DPM of Dr. Fleishman & Dr. Sayed Foot and Ankle. The 8 Best Men’s Travel Shoes of 2023, Tested and Reviewed Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we'll send you our favorite travel products each week. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit