One item that I’ve always struggled with when it comes to traveling is packing the right type of shoes! Even though I think I brought all the right shoes to go with the occasions for my trip, something goes wrong – whether they end up squishing my toes, causing blisters, a bruised toenail, breaking after heavy use, or simply just not bringing the shoes I need, I thought it’s about time to put my foot down (no pun intended) on the types of shoes to bring on every vacation. Shoes take up a lot of luggage space and for the most part, I pack around 4 to 6 pairs of shoes on my trips and I usually end up using only 3 to 4 pairs so it really ends up being a waste of space and weight. Even though sometimes it’s better to be safe than sorry by bringing more options for footwear especially if you plan to walk tens of thousands of steps a day like I did on my Japan trips.
Having the right footwear while traveling and exploring (especially when you’re on foot most of the time) is key to a successful and comfortable vacation. But we also want to keep in mind that you may want it to match the different outfits you may have and that’s why sometimes options are necessary, and hence the increased amount of shoes in your bag. I will say that if I end up bringing more than 5 pairs of shoes, a majority of the time they’ll be shoes I’m ready to give away while I’m on the trip or I have brought a pair of shoes near the end of its life where I can throw it out before my trip is over which ends up lightening my luggage a bit. But to help you be prepared and avoid shoe woes like me, here’s how you can make sure you bring the type of shoes you need for your vacation.
7 Questions To Ask Yourself Before Packing Your Shoes For Vacation
1 – What will you be doing most of the time?
2 – How often will you be wearing it?
3 – How often will you be walking?
4 – Does it match your outfits?
5 – Do you have enough room to pack the amount of shoes you want to bring?
6 – Do you plan to get rid of a pair of shoes while on the trip?
7 – If you have designer shoes, do you feel comfortable bringing them on your trip (should you ruin them, lose them, have them stolen)?
Things To Consider When Packing Shoes For Your Vacation
- I highly recommend putting each pair of your shoes in its own bag – whether it’s a designated shoe bag, or even a plastic bag as you want to keep your items clean from the dirt and grime from your shoes. One of my pet peeves is seeing those “pack my luggage with me videos” where people pack their shoes right in with their clean clothes like they haven’t been used around town before. When I use a bag to put my shoes in, there’s always sand and dirt that I can shake out of the bag at the end of the trip and I wouldn’t want to spread that around my suitcase or other personal items!
- If it’s really difficult for you to find comfortable travel shoes, another option is to build your outfits around your most comfortable pair of shoes.
- Choosing neutral-colored shoes allows you to easily match your clothes no matter what material or style it may be.
- I personally don’t bring my designer shoes on trips except for my Valentino Rockstud Sandals that have been around the world with me as they’re super comfortable and matches with many different casual or dressy outfits. But for my leather shoes and heels, I prefer to keep them for use in my home town for now. That is not to say that when they’re broken in or used enough, that I won’t feel too bad bringing them with me on my trips or even when the occasion calls for it at a fancier destination.
2 Types Of Shoes I Will Always Bring With Me On Every Vacation
No matter what type of trip or which destination I’m heading to, I will never go without these 3 types of shoes when I’m traveling:
1 – Flip Flops/Sandals
This is the first thing I pack in my luggage as these are great to have for use in your hotel room just to walk around or even when taking a shower as some bathtubs can be worse for wear and you can never know what to expect! I like to keep my feet clean and I don’t want to step on something strange, or possibly even dangerous (I had a boss who stepped on a nail in his room in a highly-rated hotel and it went right through his foot!) and wearing a pair of flip flops like Havaianas always come in handy. Also, I knew of someone who stayed in a hostel in Hong Kong and there was a cockroach that was running around in the shower and another in Africa that had a centipede. Wearing sandals probably won’t protect you much then, but now there’s a chance you can kill it at least!
2 – Sneakers
I usually have a pair of designated sneakers for travel, and that depends on which pair of shoes I have currently removed from my shoe inventory that I feel comfortable with getting dirty, scuffed up, or stepped on, but are still comfortable and stylish enough to wear on vacation and to match several types of outfits. I have been using a pair of Skechers slip-on memory foam sneakers that are streamlined enough that I can wear them with skirts and dresses as well as with leggings, jeans, or more casual bottoms. However, I’ve talked about them in my Japan blog posts before and although they were great in the beginning, they couldn’t handle the amount of walking I did and eventually started to cause blisters or bruising but I will wear them until the end of its life since I don’t like waste! But I can’t wait to go back to my closet and open up the pair of Ked’s Triple Kick (stylish) or Vessi’s (waterproof also) I’ve been saving as they’re great for everyday walking and comfort. I like to go through a rotation of different shoes and styles so just choose your favorite pair of sneakers (or two)!
Other Types Of Shoes To Bring On Vacation
3 – Flats/Slip-On Shoes
These types of shoes are ideal to bring on vacation since they’re comfortable, versatile, and convenient without compromising style. You can easily slip them on or off making them perfect for airport security checks, beach outings, or if you need to remove them to visit certain places like temples. They’re also lightweight and compact which can help you save precious luggage space and makes it easy to walk in (if you choose the right ones of course).
4 – Heels
Heels are a stylish addition to your vacation wardrobe and although it’s not always the most practical choice, it can elevate your outfit for a fancy dinner, a night out, or a special event. They are less comfortable than other shoes so consider any long distances or uneven terrain that you may have to navigate while wearing them. You can also opt for wedges or block heels instead of stilettos for more stability and support.
5 – Ankle Boots
Usually more for a spring, fall, or winter vacation, ankle boots are a versatile option and can offer more coverage and support than sneakers. They can also be waterproof which is great for various activities, terrain, and weather that you may encounter during these seasons. It can also complement a wide range of outfits including both casual and dressier attire making them a great practice and stylish choice for vacation footwear. These can include Chelsea boots or combat boots too.
6 – Boots
There are several other types of boots and it’s essential to be selective on which you bring or how many due to their bulkiness and weight. Here are some 2 styles of boots to consider bringing with you on vacation if you were to need more than 1 pair:
Winter Boots – These heavy-duty boots are ideal for destinations with cold weather or snowy conditions to keep your feet warm and dry along with traction to keep you from slipping. Here are The Best Footwear For Winter Travel.
Knee-high boots – These more stylish and sophisticated boots offer both style and coverage and can be used in cooler climates. They pair well with both dresses and pants so they’re a versatile option for various outfits and activities. You can even get some that are waterproof.
7 – Hiking Shoes Or Trail Running Shoes
If you are planning to do a lot of outdoor activities on your vacation and may be involved in activities such as hiking, climbing, or something of that sort, it will be a good idea to invest in some hiking shoes or trail running shoes. They ensure protection for your feet and ankles to reduce the risk of injury throughout your adventures and offer ample support and stability to navigate through uneven terrain, trails, or even long walks. They also have traction to keep you from slipping on various surfaces or terrains and there’s shock absorption which also helps minimize foot fatigue. Not to mention, they’re durable in many conditions. I’ve been using my Salomon hiking shoes for almost 10 years now and they’re still in great condition and holding up very well (obviously I only wear them when I go hiking so they have lasted much longer than any of my regular shoes). A great alternative to hiking shoes, if you don’t like the look or don’t need as much support and want to pack lighter, is trail running shoes like the Salomon Speedcross or Arc’teryx Norvan LD.
8 – Water Shoes
Whenever I know I’m going on a trip that involves water activities, I bring my water shoes just in case! They’re light and super easy to pack and don’t take up much room in your suitcase. Sometimes you don’t know if you’ll encounter rocky bottoms that may hurt your feet or have to walk through a short trail to get to the spot for your water activity. Some places even require you to wear them depending on what activity you’re doing and if you don’t have your own, you end up having to either rent them or purchase them. They’re very inexpensive to purchase and will really come in handy for foot protection when going on water excursions. These are the water shoes I currently use.
To always be prepared for you travels, remember the type of shoes you should bring on your vacation. Here are more Travel Tips to help you out!