The best walking shoes for travel: the sneakers, boots and slip-ons our editors always pack

With my awkwardly wide feet, I’ve become a convert to barefoot shoes – but the Vivo Barefoot Forest Tracker ESC is the first pair of barefoot hiking boots I’ve owned. Traditionally, I’ve found too many hiking boots both heavy and prone to rubbing, so these have been a revelation. While the Michelin rubber outsole is grippy and heavy duty, the boots themselves are incredibly light and flexible, and were comfortable straight out of the box – with no blisters or any foot pain on a 15k yomp round the log cabins and Caledonian pine forests of the Balmoral Estate, from the Fife Arms in Braemar. Despite the fact that they can bend in half, the waterproof leather feels both hard-wearing and quietly plush, and the boots clean up well enough – even after muddy Highland puddles – to be worn around London, including to the Traveller offices (I got the “forest bracken” brown pair, but the obsidian black might be even more Kreuzberg-ready). The laces are prone to occasionally coming loose, but that’s a minor quibble. These have rendered three other pairs of boots in my collection redundant, and already feel like a staple. Toby Skinner

Having worn them on a recent trip to Switzerland, commerce editor Lauren Burvill recommends these chunky boots for any snowy-weather travel. The extra thick soles offer incredible grip for when conditions are snowy or icy, and the cushioned foam padding keeps feet lovely and warm. The boots also come in three colour options.

Another great snowy weather boot are the trendy Moon Boots, as recommend by our fashion editor Charlotte Davey. As featured in our ski trip packing guide, these cosy boots come in a huge range of vibrant colours and have a bouncy rubber sole that offer reliable grip.

Senior editor Megan Spurrell is a fan of Vagabond's lug sole boots, and recommends a style with a wider toe for maximum comfort on long days of walking. Best for city trips, these Chelsea boots are on the bulkier side, so wear them through security to cut down on suitcase weight.

Spurrell has waxed poetic about Frye's Melissa Chelsea boots before: they're her go-to for any city trip. They look good with jeans, leggings, or dresses, pack down well, and over time, have become as comfortable as sneakers. Plus, they last for years and are sturdy enough to navigate cobblestone streets. What more could you want?

A few of our writers recently tested these shoes on a range of different trips, and loved how lightweight they were, offering a perfect hybrid solution between a trainer and a boot. The shoes offer great grip while remaining relatively easy to store in a suitcase. The main downside though is they're not wipe clean, so choose your colour wisely.

New Balance sneakers are having a moment. This style of the cool dad shoes are frequently worn by associate commerce editor Meaghan Kenny, who says this: “These sneakers are just as comfortable as they are cool. I’ve had them for about a year now and they’ve come with me on a weekend trip spent walking around Boston, to the airport for a few flights, and on my very long commutes to the office. They’re a perfect balance of sporty and stylish – they don’t hurt my feet after hours of walking and the neutral shade always matches a variety of outfits in my carry-on. Besides my classic white sneakers, these are my most worn shoe. Bonus: I’m not very cautious about getting my sneakers dirty, but these have somehow stayed clean and in excellent condition – so don’t worry too much about its light hue.”

Hop on the New York City subway and you're bound to see a pair of Vejas or two on your fellow passengers' feet. Global digital director Arati Menon was first drawn to Veja because of the sleek, minimalist design and the company’s commitment to responsible sourcing. She landed on the Campo because of its chunkier sole – both an aesthetic preference and a practical one, as it offers more support. “The biggest criticism with Vejas are that they’re stiff when you first buy them, and this is somewhat true – but I’m generally cautious not to overuse new shoes for the first few times, breaking into them little by little,” she says, noting that the Campo is more comfortable out of the box than other Veja styles. “I’ve taken my Campos on rugged national park adventures and European city breaks, and use them as workwear staples. I just retired mine after years of use, but I’m sure I’ll buy another at some point.” To clean, Menon recommends a combination of mild dishwashing liquid on a damp cloth and a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser.

There's a reason why the Adidas Stan Smith has evolved from a tennis shoe to a streetwear classic (and can be found on multiple Traveller editors' shoe racks): They're too comfortable to ever want to take off. If you're going on a short trip and only have room for one pair of shoes, wear these – they can handle anything from a day of sightseeing to an impromptu hike, are easy to slide on and off at airport security, and will make you look chic, without sacrificing an ounce of comfort.

Allbirds are a great pick for most every vacation thanks to their versatility and true all-day comfort. These Tree Runners come highly recommended by contributor Lauren Dana Ellman and are available in a half dozen colourways and just as many limited-edition hues. Like all of the brand's shoes, they are machine washable, which means lighter colours are easy to keep looking new.

A good basic white sneaker goes a long way, and this relatively new style from Allbirds is another one of Flager's favourites. It was comfortable straight out of the box, and has enough lift and support for all day wear. The plastic-free alternative leather is made out of natural rubber, plant oils, and agricultural byproducts, making it a better buy for the environment, too.

For those who live in Lululemon athleticwear, the brand's running shoes are a natural extension to your travel wardrobe. Traveller contributor and runner Rachel Chang tested these out when they launched in 2022, and was immediately impressed by the fit (designed specifically for a woman's foot), breathability and smart features, like a reflective backing.

Editorial assistant Charlie Hobbs wears these shoes everywhere: “To the gym, to the park, to the rave – I sometimes have to remind myself that I own other shoes. You don't have to tie them, just pull a cord [to secure them]. They are so comfortable and easy.”

Associate editor Scott Bay is a fan of this Arc'teryx hiker: “To me, it's technical enough to tackle any moderate hike, while being super comfortable all day, and I have been known to wear them to nice restaurants or shows.” Other perks: They last forever and you can throw them in the wash when they're in need of a polish.

Known as the most popular hiking shoe in the world – more than 25 million pairs have been sold since it debuted 15 years ago – Flager was excited to put the new third generation model of the Merrell Moab to the test. “I brought them along on a recent trip to Iceland, which involved some moderate hikes and city walks on wet roads; the shoe held up nicely on both occasions. The shoes have great traction, fit comfortably and didn't take up tons of room in my carry-on – I can see why they're so beloved.”

Allbirds' sneakers are known for being comfortable, but the Tree Dashers – the brand's first pair made specifically for runners – ups the ante. The thick sole will cushion your feet on the longest of days spent exploring, and if you are someone who jogs on vacation, you can pack one less pair of shoes to do so.

Wearing sandals for an extended period of time can be tricky, but former Traveller editor Sarah Ratner swears by good ol' fashioned Birks, with their suede-covered cork-latex footbed that practically moulds to your feet over time. The Arizona slides come in every colour under the sun and can be purchased in regular or narrow sizes to better fit your feet. Plus, they're easy to match with almost any outfit.

Tevas are the kind of shoe that once you own a pair, you're a fan for life. They'll come in handy on so many occasions – light hikes through Arizona (find more intense hiking shoes here), sightseeing through dusty roads in Israel, swimming in rocky reservoirs in Austin. The trail sandals, which Flager recommends, have a bit more arch support than the classic style, meaning they'll be even more comfortable both in cities and on trails.

A second Birkenstock option with a ringing endorsement: the Arizona Big Buckle style. “I am very loyal to my Birkenstocks,” says Arikoglu. “I walked 10 miles in one day in Barcelona in them and they never rubbed.”

Another favorite of Spurrell's, these Tevas are slightly less grippy than the ones above, but are still plenty comfortable for all-day wear. Spurrell has worn them on bike rides, long walks, beach days and out to dinner in New York – proof of their range, and value on your packing list.