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All the Best Sneakers for Traveling

All the Best Sneakers for Traveling

A list of the ideal travel sneakers based on overall versatility, comfort, and style.

Matt DeSciora

Just like you wouldn’t forget to pack your passport if you’re going overseas, you shouldn’t leave home without a pair of comfortable sneakers if you’re going to be traveling this summer. The best travel sneakers are those that are cloud-like in feel and versatile enough to be worn from the airport to the beach, mountains, or city streets, and anywhere in between.

What we’re basically saying is, the best sneakers for traveling won’t leave your feet hurting or your ‘fit lacking.

Instead of going on and on about the characteristics and qualities of a great travel shoe, we’re going to just jump right into our selections for the travel category below. Whether your travel plans call for poolside relaxation or traversing through city streets and the occasional hike through the mountains, these options have your needs covered.

New Balance 1906

New Balance makes some of the most comfortable and versatile sneakers in footwear, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise to see the New Balance 1906 on this list of the best travel sneakers. We went with the 1906 over New Balance’s other comfortable and stylish offerings because of how well it works with the Y2K trend that’s sweeping through sneaker culture at the moment. Similarly, we also recommend the 2002R.

Nike Dunk Low

Yes, the Nike Dunk Low is one of the best travel sneakers money can buy. Both comfortable and stylish, the Dunk Low works with a variety of outfit combinations, including with pants and shorts. It’s that kind of versatility that makes the Dunk Low an essential shoe for traveling. Pro-tip, for extra comfort, cop a Nike SB Dunk, as they have more padding and cushion.

Crocs Pollex Clog

While almost all of Crocs’ clog-like slip-ons work well for traveling, we’re particularly fond of Salehe Bembury’s Crocs Pollex Clog collection due to the moduled straps on the heel that provide a comfortable yet lockdown-style fit. And everybody has standard Crocs, wear something a little different!

Nike Air Presto

Any sneaker nicknamed “A T-shirt for your feet” deserves to be mentioned among the best sneakers for traveling, which is why the Nike Air Presto occupies a spot on this list. The retro performance running shoe’s sock-like build is both comfortable and surprisingly durable, meaning you can put the shoe through its paces and you won’t be disappointed. Because when it comes to traveling, the last thing you should be worried about is whether or not your gear can withstand your on-the-go lifestyle. They’re also light and flexible, so they’re perfect for packing.

adidas Adilette 22

You probably wouldn’t want to wear the adidas Adilette 22 on a long excursion, but for activities that include lounging poolside or walking on the hot sand on a beach, the funky-looking slip-on sandal absolutely reigns supreme over virtually any other footwear option out there.

Nike Vomero 5

Putting in a lot of walking miles while exploring a new city? Much like the New Balance 1906R mentioned earlier, the Nike Vomero is an on-trend retro running shoe with great looks and plenty of comfort for all day wear. The sole features two of Nike’s best cushioning options: Zoom Air and soft Cushlon foam.

adidas Ultra Boost

There are many variations of the adidas Ultra Boost these days, and we’re happy to report that every single one of them makes for an excellent travel shoe. No matter which model you cop, whether it's the adidas Ultra Boost OG or the adidas Ultra Boost 5.0, or what have you, the silhouette is extremely lightweight and endlessly comfortable thanks to all that pillowy Boost foam.

Salomon XT-4 & XT-6 (and others)

If you’re vacationing in more rugged terrain—be it the streets of New York City or a mountainside—you could do a lot worse than a pair of Salomon sneakers. Models that Stadium Goods carries like the XT-4 and XT-6 feature ample tread for slippery surfaces, and in some cases, they’ll have a Gore-Tex lining for extra protection from the elements. Plus, they’re very on trend right now, so you’ll be looking stylish no matter what.

adidas Samba / Gazelle

You wouldn’t be wrong to assume that a list of the best travel sneakers would include mostly knit sneakers and a few clogs or slip-ons. But as we mentioned with the Nike Dunk Low, there’s something to be said for a traditional-looking shoe that’s comfortable and versatile enough to be worn for days on end while vacationing. With that being said, the adidas Samba and adidas Gazelle are two classic sneakers that everyone should consider wearing while traveling.