Best Travel Shoes for Men: How to Choose + Shortlist

The best travel shoe for most men is a light, cushioned sneaker that is already broken in and looks neat enough for a casual dinner, with a second pair chosen for the trip's weather or terrain. The shortlist below is grouped by use, and every weight and price comes from the brand's own US product page, checked in October 2026.

Travel Shoes Compared

Prices are the full list prices shown on each brand's US site on 7 October 2026, not sale prices, and they change often. Weights are the brands' own figures; they are usually quoted for a single shoe in one reference size, so a larger size will weigh more.

How to Choose Travel Shoes

A travel shoe has a harder job than an everyday shoe. It has to handle long walking days on stone and concrete, fit in a bag, cope with whatever the weather does, and still look acceptable in a restaurant. No single pair does everything perfectly, so it helps to decide which of the following matters most for the trip ahead.

Walking Comfort and Cushioning

City sightseeing often means many hours on hard surfaces. A thicker, softer midsole spreads that impact, and a rocker-shaped sole can make each step feel smoother. Brands increasingly publish stack height (how much material sits under the heel and toe) and heel-to-toe drop; a higher stack generally means more cushioning, while drop is mostly a matter of personal preference. Fit matters more than any spec: the toe box should leave room for feet that swell slightly over a long day or a long flight.

Weight and Packability

Shoes are usually the heaviest and bulkiest items in a bag, so the pair that gets packed should be the lighter one, and the heavier pair should be worn on travel days. Knit and mesh sneakers compress more easily than leather shoes or hiking footwear with stiff soles. Stuffing socks and small items inside packed shoes recovers some of the space they take.

Versatility: City to Dinner

A plain sneaker in a dark or neutral colour, or a sneaker-soled dress shoe, can cover sightseeing and most casual restaurants. Bright running colourways and chunky hiking soles stand out more in formal settings. For business trips, a leather oxford or derby built on a lightweight foam sole is the usual compromise between appearance and walking comfort.

Waterproofing vs Breathability

Waterproof shoes use a membrane that blocks water from outside while allowing some vapour to escape. That keeps feet dry in rain and on wet trails, but a membrane shoe is generally warmer and slower to dry once water gets in over the top. Breathable mesh or knit shoes are cooler in hot climates and dry faster, but they soak through in heavy rain. For a summer trip to a warm city, breathability usually wins; for a wet-season trip or hiking, waterproofing is worth the trade-off.

Slip-On Convenience for Airport Security

Security rules vary by country and airport, and some checkpoints still ask travellers to remove footwear. A slip-on shoe, or a sneaker with elastic laces, makes that quicker. Slip-ons are also easier on long flights, when feet swell and laces become tight.

Break-In Time

Never take a brand-new pair on a trip. Wear new shoes on several long walks at home first, so any rubbing points show up before they become blisters far from a pharmacy. Leather shoes typically need longer to soften than knit sneakers. If a pair still causes hot spots after a couple of weeks of regular wear, it is not the right pair for the trip.

All-Day City Walking

Allbirds Tree Runner

The Tree Runner is a low-profile knit sneaker with an upper made from TENCEL Lyocell (a eucalyptus-derived fibre) and recycled polyester, a Merino wool-blend lining and Allbirds' sugarcane-based SweetFoam midsole. Allbirds lists the weight as 8.6 oz in a men's size 9, a 19.6 mm heel stack and a 9 mm drop, and says the shoe is machine washable (with the insoles washed by hand). The brand itself lists traveling among its intended uses and notes the shoe tends to run small, so sizing up is recommended. It has no waterproof membrane, so it suits warm, dry trips better than wet ones. RRP is $100.

HOKA Clifton 11

The Clifton 11 is a cushioned everyday running shoe with an engineered mesh upper. HOKA publishes a weight of 9.97 oz and an 8 mm heel-to-toe drop, and describes the midsole as a symmetrical bed of cushion without extra stability technology. It is the most running-focused option on this list and a sensible choice for itineraries with very long walking days. It looks like a running shoe, which makes it less suited to smarter restaurants. HOKA also sells a Clifton 11 GTX version with a GORE-TEX upper for wet weather. RRP is $155.

Versatile Sneaker-Dress Hybrids

Cole Haan ZERØGRAND Remastered Wingtip Oxford

The ZERØGRAND Remastered Wingtip Oxford pairs a leather upper with laser-cut broguing and five-eyelet lacing on a FlowerFoam EVA midsole (made partly with dandelion rubber) and an outsole with deep flex grooves. Cole Haan describes it as exceptionally lightweight and flexible but does not publish a weight. The appeal for travel is a single pair that looks like a dress shoe with chinos or a suit but walks more like a sneaker. Leather needs more care in rain than synthetic uppers and benefits from break-in time before a trip. RRP is $220.

Cole Haan also sells the older 2.ZERØGRAND Laser Wingtip Oxford, which the brand says runs large, so shoppers are advised to consider half a size down. At the time of checking it was listed only at a sale price, so it is not included in the comparison table.

Light Hiking and Adventure Travel

Merrell Moab 3 Waterproof

The Moab 3 Waterproof is a low-cut hiking shoe with a pig suede leather and mesh upper and a waterproof membrane that, according to Merrell, seals out water while letting moisture escape. Merrell lists a weight of 480 g per shoe. It is the heaviest shoe in this guide and the only one built for trails, so it makes sense for trips that include day hikes, muddy paths or a rainy season, and it is best worn on travel days rather than packed. Merrell also sells mid-height and GORE-TEX versions. RRP is $165.

Travel Sandals

Chaco Z/Cloud

The Z/Cloud is an adjustable-strap sandal built on Chaco's ChacoGrip rubber outsole with a soft polyurethane cushioning layer added on top. Chaco lists it as best for travel, hiking and backpacking, publishes a weight of 426 g per shoe, and says the sandal is repairable. A strap sandal like this handles beaches, river crossings, boat trips and hot cities where closed shoes become uncomfortable. It is heavier than a flip-flop, so it is a second pair for warm-weather trips rather than an extra. RRP is $105.

Packable and Slip-On Shoes

Merrell Jungle Moc

The Jungle Moc is a slip-on from Merrell with a pig suede leather upper, double stretch gores for easy on and off, and Merrell air cushioning underfoot. Merrell lists the half-pair weight as 375 g. It is not waterproof (Merrell sells a separate waterproof nubuck version), but it is a practical shoe for airport days and casual evenings. RRP is $110.

Allbirds Runner NZ Slip On

The Runner NZ Slip On is a lace-free version of Allbirds' Runner design with a light, breezy upper. Allbirds does not publish a weight for it. Its soft construction makes it one of the easier shoes on this list to pack flat, and the lace-free design suits flights and security lines. It is not waterproof. RRP is $105.

How Many Shoes to Pack

Most trips work with two pairs: one worn and one packed. The usual pairing is a comfortable walking sneaker plus a second pair that covers whatever the first one cannot, whether that is a sandal for a beach trip, a waterproof hiking shoe for a wet or outdoor itinerary, or a dress-casual shoe for business travel or smarter dinners.

• Wear the heaviest pair on travel days. Hiking shoes and leather shoes take up much more bag space than knit sneakers.
• Add a third pair only with a clear job, such as flip-flops for hostel showers or pool decks, or formal shoes for a wedding.
• Rotate pairs on long walking trips. Alternating shoes lets each pair dry out and shifts pressure points on the feet.
• Pack shoes in a bag or shoe cover to keep dirt off clothes, and fill them with socks or chargers to save space.
• Check the forecast and itinerary before choosing. A dry, warm city break and a rainy mountain trip call for very different second pairs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of shoe is best for walking all day while travelling?

A cushioned, lightweight sneaker with a roomy toe box that has already been broken in. Running-style shoes such as the HOKA Clifton 11 offer generous cushioning, while knit sneakers such as the Allbirds Tree Runner are lighter and easier to pack.

Should travel shoes be waterproof?

Only if the trip involves rain, wet trails or cold, damp weather. Waterproof membranes keep water out but make shoes warmer and slower to dry, so breathable shoes are usually more comfortable in hot, dry destinations.

Can one pair of shoes cover a whole trip?

For a short, casual city trip in mild weather, one neutral sneaker can be enough. For longer trips, varied weather or a mix of sightseeing and smarter dinners, two pairs give more flexibility and let each pair dry between wears.

Are dress shoes comfortable enough for sightseeing?

Sneaker-soled dress shoes such as the Cole Haan ZERØGRAND range are designed to bridge that gap, with foam midsoles under leather uppers. Traditional leather-soled dress shoes are generally less comfortable for long walking days and are better packed for specific occasions.

Are slip-on shoes good for flying?

Yes. Slip-ons are quicker at security checkpoints that require shoe removal and easier to loosen on long flights when feet swell. A slip-on with a supportive sole can double as a casual evening shoe.

How far ahead should new travel shoes be bought?

Early enough to wear them on several long walks before departure. Knit sneakers usually feel comfortable quickly, while leather shoes and hiking footwear tend to need more time to soften.

Are these prices fixed?

No. The prices shown are the brands' US list prices as checked in October 2026. Brands and retailers run frequent sales, and prices outside the US differ.