Travelling around the world demands that you have great gear.
Ensuring you have the perfect travel shoes for you is perhaps the most important aspect of all. A great shoe will be comfortable, protective and versatile. Choosing the right travel shoe is a crucial part of planning your trip!
The world is full of shoes, right?
But while some shoes (and boots!) are made for walking, others are definitely best left at home. When travelling, you need a shoe to provide you with the very best in comfort and support. The shoe needs to work when sitting down on transport, running around the airport, or walking for miles every day.
The beauty of modern footwear is that you can easily find a pair of shoes that provides all the comfort and support you need, while still being both fashionable and affordable.
For now, we’re going to focus on the functionality of your footwear.
Here are three key tips on how to choose the perfect travel shoe.
- Prioritize Comfort and Support
The most important thing when choosing a travel shoe is to find something with the right level of comfort and support for you.
When shopping for travel shoes, pay attention to how the shoe feels to wear. Focus on characteristics like support, functionality and weight. The best travel shoes are often lightweight, and as a result they’ll feel nicer to walk in and can be easier to pack, too.
Try not to look at the price too much if you can help it. The best shoes for you are the best shoes for you. This means if you find the more expensive pair happens to offer the best comfort and support, then go for them. Likewise, if you feel more comfortable in a cheaper pair, then go for them.
It isn’t the easiest thing to do but you should also try and get a feel for how durable your shoes will be. Your shoes will be put under a lot of strain, so you want them to last!
- Think About the Functionality
Not all of our journeys are the same.
A city break will require a different pair of shoes than a backpacking trip to Vietnam!
Think about where you’re going and what plans you have for your trip. If you’re going on a hiking trip and will be walking on rugged terrain, you definitely want to invest in a pair of proper hiking boots. On the other hand, for normal travel or less demanding terrain, hiking sandals might be a good fit. You might also require waterproof or even invest in specific water shoes if you are going to be travelling to beach locations or taking expedition cruises.
- Always Test the Shoes
It’s essential to try on your travel shoes before buying – and to wear the shoes for a few times before the trip. Of course, if you buy online then you’ll be able to return the shoes if they’re not right for you, assuming you haven’t walked 100 miles in them!
Testing your shoes will go a long way to helping you pick a pair that’s actually comfortable, supportive and flexible!
When you’re testing travel shoes, keep in mind that you should:
- Always test then while wearing socks you like to wear when travelling. If you think you’ll be wearing many kinds of socks with the shoes, try them on with the thickest and thinnest socks.
- Try them on in the afternoon, as your feet are naturally slightly swollen then and you’ll get a more accurate idea of how they fit.
- Don’t just wear the shoe but take a few steps – walk around the house or the shop if you’re buying in person – to see what they feel like when walking.
If you like to buy shoes online, check the size guide and ensure the return policy allows you to swap the shoes to a different size.
Finding Your Perfect Travel Shoe
Preparing well for your next travel adventure is important. It can ensure you have a great trip and that you’ll experience amazing things. Keep the above tips in mind and you will find the perfect travel shoe for your next trip!