The Most Comfortable Travel Shoes I've Ever Worn—PureWow Editors Weigh In

The familiar predicament of the traveler—breezy sandals usually don't provide enough support, while closed shoes get sticky, hot and tight after a long day of hoofing it across airports and cobblestones. The solution to this unhappy zero-sum footwear game is the Kuru Coda Muse, a leather sandal that's engineered to provide the support of a sneaker. There's a contoured insole so I didn't get any blisters from rubbing leather straps, and a cushioned footbed that cuddles my foot a bit with every step. And the wide straps evoke old Celine more than nouveau orthopedics; I'm thrilled to find these stylish kicks ahead of the busy travel and fall travel season.

If sneakers aren’t your thing, SEO Editor Marissa Wu—who tells me she doesn’t wear sneakers—swears by these simple-yet-chic Margaux ballet flats. “I've worn these EVERYWHERE,” she raves. “Cobblestone streets, pounding pavement, running through airports, dancing.” She notes that they accommodate wider widths and feature plush padding to keep her feet happy. They also come in 11 gorgeous hues, from the classic black above to bolder choices like cherry red and silver.

Stiefvater has written at length about her love for the Adidas Samba OG, so here’s the gist: After being somewhat hesitant about hopping back on the Samba trend (she wore them for years as a kid playing indoor soccer), Stiefvater bought a pair in black for a trip to Europe. Having walked over 100 miles in the shoes, she is fully on board with the hype surrounding the shoe. "They were comfortable right out of the box, they looked good with everything I packed (jeans, trousers, leather pants and more)," she says, "and they’re a great value at $100 for a high-quality shoe that looks as good now as they did when I opened them."

These sleek runners from Tracksmith are a favorite of two PureWow editors. I wear my navy Tracksmith Eliots with white stripes on flights (saves space in my carry-on) and then I wear them with skirts and pants at my destination—and they take me from museums to dinner dates to park runs. My fellow editor Abby Hepworth wears her white pair with navy stripes for working out while traveling, too. “I also love to pack these Tracksmith sneakers if I plan to work out/run while I am away,” she says. “They are a serious training shoe, but look so much chicer than just about any others I own. This way I don't take up a ton of space trying to fit multiple sneakers in my bag. The white with navy stripe goes so well with just about everything in my wardrobe—a fabulous spin on classic white kicks.” If the navy with white stripe option isn’t your vibe, perhaps another of the eight classic color combinations will be more up your alley.

A cult-favorite option, the Veja V-10s are beloved for their comfortable fit and subtly chic aesthetic. Per Senior Director of Special Projects & Royals, Rachel Bowie, “I'd say that if there is one single pair of shoes that always lands in my suitcase for trips, it's my Veja sneakers (the V-10 style!).” She warns that while it may take a day or two to break these in, your feet get used to them quickly. She especially loves how versatile they are and has paired them with jeans, shorts, dresses and everything in between. As if that weren’t enough, they also hold up well in the rain, Bowie adds.

Our Executive Managing Editor Catrina Yohay absolutely loves her lululemon trainers. “I wear them literally everywhere because I refuse to be uncomfortable. They're an amazing travel shoe that go with just about anything and can even double as a workout sneaker,” she says. New Yorker Yohay puts her Chargefeels through the urban paces, explaining “in a city where the foot traffic rivals real traffic and pedestrians reign supreme, a comfortable pair of kicks is a non-negotiable, and this pair has seen me through numerous neighborhoods and multiple seasons (not to mention one persistently painful broken toe).” I’m sold, are you? 

What's not to love about a slip-on, slip-off footwear option? Another great option for easy security access, these fan favorite Jenni Kayne clogs uber cozy in colder weather—though some reviewers mention needing to size up for the best fit. I love wearing the Jenni Kayne Moc Clogs with cuddly socks because they’re easy to slip off through security or if I'm drawing my feet under me in the airline seat. And I think they look cute with skirts and socks, too.

“I LOVE my Nike Air Max Bliss sneakers,” says Assistant Editor of Branded Content Madeline Merinuk, who’s had her pair for two years. “I wear them all the time, especially when traveling/ if I know I’m going to be walking around a lot.” She adds that they look cute with everything from athleisure basics to casual dresses. Another Nike reviewer adds, “I loved this beautiful comfortable pair of sneakers from the moment I put them on. I walk several miles per day and I do not have any discomfort doing so in this sneaker. Fits true to size and width. I recommend this sneaker.”

Fashion Editor Abby Hepworth bought these Dolce Vita cuties—which are available in a whopping 12 colors and fabrics—ahead of a trip to Dublin and ended up wearing them nearly every day of her trip. She tells me, “They required zero breaking in and have a surprising amount of cushion in the insole. My feet are slightly wide in the front, and I did find I needed to really loosen the laces to adjust them the first time I put them on, but after that they fit like a glove! I love that they have the same retro appeal as a lot of other trendy sneakers right now, but aren't immediately recognizable.”

PureWow readers and editors alike are no strangers to the best Birkenstock sandals, but if you haven’t tried the brand’s Boston clogs, now is the time. Former Senior Food Editor Katherine Gillen says, “I hate the feeling of my feet swelling up inside shoe prisons, so I like to wear Birkenstock Bostons on flights. It also helps that they are easy to slip on and off if you don't have PreCheck.” I, too, can attest to the Boston’s comfortability, which I largely chalk up to the raised toe bars and deep heel cups you’ll find in most of Birkenstock’s offerings.