When it comes to shoes, you can never have enough — unless you’re on vacation, that is. Due to tight luggage space, most travelers decide to limit themselves one or two pairs of shoes, and choosing which kicks to sport every day of your trip can be tricky, especially if you have different types of activities planned. So, make sure you select wisely! Whether you’re escaping to a cozy mountain cottage or a tropical poolside oasis, keep your feet happy with these nine pairs that are perfect for every kind of trip.
City: ECCO Soft 7 Sneaker
If you’re mapping out a summer train-hopping in Europe or hoping to wander the streets of San Francisco or New York for a weekend, choose some sneakers that can handle the subways and sightseeing on foot. ECCO’s Soft 7 Sneakers for men and women are stylishly made of 100 percent full-grain nubuck leather and soft textile lining. Customizable, cushioned soles help you meet your step goal with ease. The footwear company was founded in Denmark in 1963 and remains devoted to using sustainable processes and recycled materials to create each pair of shoes.
Beach: Teva Hurricane Drift Sandal
A broken flip-flop isn’t just inconvenient; it’s also one of the most common items polluting our oceans. Keep Mother Earth happy and choose a pair of sandals that will withstand the sand and surf on your vacation to Florida or Aruba. Teva’s Hurricane Drift Sandals come in all sizes for kids and parents and the color options are endless. The lightweight sandals are vegan, using only synthetic and plant-based materials, and are easy to strap on and off with a hook-and-loop closure.
Cold Climate: Blundstone All-Terrain Thermal Chelsea Boot
If you’re visiting Jackson Hole or Vail to hit the slopes, make sure your feet stay dry (and warm) with your very own pair of Blundstones. This Tasmanian company was founded in 1870 and became popular for its line of working boots that could withstand cobbled city streets and factory floors. Engineered to brave the weather, Blundstone’s All-Terrain Thermal Chelsea Boots for men and women are made of waterproof leather and have excellent grip on snowy, wet, and slippery surfaces. Insulated with a removable sheepskin footbed for comfort and warmth, the boots are snug yet surprisingly lightweight to hike in and stylish enough to wear out on the town.
Mountain: Danner Trail 2650 Mid 4” GTX Hiking Shoe
Making the ascent up a mountain is no easy feat, so your shoes should be as comfortable as possible on the way up. Not many brands can withstand all types of weather and terrain, but Danner boots have been beloved by mountaineers since 1932. If you’re headed to Patagonia, Colorado, or Switzerland, the Danner Trail 2650 GTX Hiking Shoes for men and women feature GORE-TEX liners to ensure no water gets in, while allowing moisture to get out. Durable suede is meant for getting dirty, and these puppies are even machine washable. Plus, they boast Danner’s iconic signature red laces so you’ll look sporty even when you’re not trailblazing.
Tropical: Chaco Z2 Classic Sandal
Chacos have certainly gained an outdoorsy fan base, so you may already be probably familiar with the strappy sandals, but the shoes still deserve all the praise since they’re perfect for kayaking and other excursions where you might get wet. If you’ve booked a treehouse hideaway in the rainforest of Costa Rica or are chasing waterfalls and cenotes in Mexico, Chaco’s Z2 Classic Sandals for men and women come in a variety of fun colors and provide the right amount of grip on the soles for light hiking and watersports. Bonus — they’re also comfy for long car rides.
Business: Cole Haan Loafers
Not every trip is for leisure, so if you must bring your business A-game, keep it comfy. You probably won’t be doing much exploring on foot, but your feet may need a little support if you’re standing through long presentations or happy hour functions with other executives. Skip the kitten heels for loafers instead; they’ll still have the same polished appearance but won’t give you bunions. Men will love Cole Haan’s Modern Essentials Bit Loafer Sneaker, while women will love the similar Stassi Chain Loafer. Both pairs exude the same full-grain oiled leather in multiple colors.
Rainy: Merry People Bobbi Ankle Rain Boot
If there's a chance of rain on your travels, you'll want to keep your toes warm, dry, and stylish. Sloshing through puddles in Seattle or navigating slick cobblestone streets in Vienna are not activities for smooth-soled shoes. Merry People's Bobbi Ankle Rain Boot are a great solution for all your watery activities. Available in 17 different colors, these versatile boots blend fashion and function, featuring arch support for long days seeing the sites and a flexible lining, making them easy to pop on and off whenever you return to your hotel room.
Camping: Ariat Slip-On Hiking Shoe
A camping trip to the Smoky Mountains or Yosemite will require the right gear, but leaving those clunky hiking boots for another backcountry adventure might not be a bad idea — especially if you think you’ll probably spend more time making s’mores than hiking. Skip the laces and opt for slip-on shoes instead. Ariat’s Skyline Slip-on Hiking Shoes for women and Spitfire Slip-On Shoes for men are easy to get on every time you leave the tent and offer comfort and durability for adventuring outdoors.
Desert: Merrell Alverstone Hiking Shoe
Finding the right lightweight hiking shoe that’s ready for climbing over red rocks in Sedona or hiking in Joshua Tree can be difficult. Most hiking shoes are heavy and well insulated, but you probably don't want to get sweaty feet on a hot day roaming the desert. Merrell’s Alverstone Hiking Shoes for men and women do the trick. The shoe’s suede leather-and-mesh design allows airflow while keeping dust and debris out. A removable contoured insole offers flexible support and the soles have traction for better grip when you’re navigating loose ground. Multiple color options means you can also match the rest of your gear!
Featured image credit: South_agency/ iStock
