MUST PACK: Best Walking Shoes For Travel In Europe

My biggest travel tip EVER (from painful experience 🥲) is that wearing the right travel shoes will MAKE or BREAK your vacation.

But I get it… you wanna look cute and stylish AND be comfortable walking around exploring new sights and places. And you’re trying to pack lighter but you might be a serial overpacker like me! I’ve been there, far too many times – conflicted between all these thoughts when your vacation should be a breeze!

This is why I’ve made it my own mission to curate my very own personal faves list of cute and comfy travel shoes for walking. Fair warning though, what may be comfy for me may not feel the same for you – so be sure to test out your shoes far in advance of your trip to make sure they’re the right choice for you.

As for my personal experience mentioned earlier, On Clouds are supposedly really comfy for most people and my feet feel fine with them for short periods of wear. But I had never walked more than 2 hours in my On Clouds, yet I made the terrible mistake of packing them as my ONLY pair of travel shoes when I visited Japan for 10 days. We walked a ton in Japan and every day my feet were in so much pain that it really impacted my overall vacation experience. Ever since then, I’ve made sure to only pack the right travel shoes that are great for walking AND stylish enough to match different outfit variations.

If you’re interested in my tried and tested top 3 fave travel shoes, be sure to check out my detailed review!

This post may contain affiliate links through which I may make a commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases – thank you! Please read full disclosure for more information.

BEST TIPS FOR PICKING THE RIGHT TRAVEL SHOES

Before we get to my top travel shoes picks, consider these tips when deciding on which pair to pack:

• SOCKS: Try out the shoes both with thin and thick socks. Thicker socks often provide extra padding and comfort, masking the true comfort of the shoes. If you’re going to Europe for the summer, you’ll want to pack the pair that is still comfy when paired with light, thin socks.
• WEATHER/SEASON: Consider the weather and season of your travel destination. Beyond the thin vs thick sock choice, you’ll also want to test out whether the shoes have enough resistance against the rain and also traction when walking on wet terrain. The cobblestone streets of Italy may be slippery if you wear the wrong pair.
• WALKING ACTIVITY: Consider how much you’ll be walking and also… how your feet feel while standing in line at popular restaurants for longer periods of time. This is a big one – I highly recommend breaking them in and trying to walk in them for extended periods of time to truly determine if they’re the right pair to bring on vacation.
• WATERPROOFING: Consider using a waterproofing spray on your shoes like this Crep Protect Shoe Protector Spray or Nikwax Fabric and Leather Proof Waterproofing Spray.
• VERSATILITY: If you’re trying to pack light or are utilizing a travel capsule wardrobe, be sure to plan your outfits and test out mixing and matching your shoes with looks to maximize its use and save on precious suitcase space. Check out my guide on how to build a spring capsule wardrobe you’ll love!
• BREAKING IN: To shorten the break-in period, I recommend filling ziplock bags with water then stuffing them into each shoe, and stick them into the freezer. I use this trick on all my new shoes to expand the toe box overnight and provide some slight breathing room for my feet.
• EXTRA SUPPORT: I always pack Dr. Scholl’s mole skin padding and hydrocolloid gel bandages to help prevent and/or minimize any sore spots or blisters. Extra support insoles are also a game changer if you don’t mind inserts.

Now onto the fun part!

BEST WALKING SHOES FOR TRAVEL

I hope this list of Best Walking Shoes For Travel In Europe was helpful in narrowing down your decision for which cute and comfy travel shoes to pack!