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Wednesday, March 11, 2026

The 11 Most Comfortable Travel Shoes for Men of 2026, Tested and Reviewed


When you’re traveling, whether near or far, the last thing you want is for your feet to start aching after a long day of sightseeing. Most vacations require plenty of walking, from roaming the streets of Venice to exploring a dense concrete jungle like New York, so it’s important to pick the best footwear for the job. 

Your shoes should be comfortable, durable, and, ideally versatile enough to match every outfit you pack. A bit of extra style never hurts, either. I’ve been on the hunt for the best pair for some time now, giving me keen insight into what makes a quality travel shoe. Along with the Travel + Leisure team, we’ve searched far and wide to find the best pairs on the market, testing dozens at home and abroad.


Cole Haan ZEROGRAND Remastered Stitchlite Wingtip Oxfords

Credit: Cole Haan

Why We Love It

  • Comfortable right out of the box, these stylish shoes are lightweight, breathable, and offer enough traction to walk over slick surfaces.

The Zerøgrand Remastered Stitchlite Wingtip Oxfords are comfortable right out of the box, offering the look of dressy Oxfords without the weight and uncomfortable feel of stiff shoes. The sock-like perforated knit fabric upper makes them lightweight and breathable. The material feels strong and sturdy, so it shouldn’t rip, tear, or stretch over time. The shoe’s versatile design makes it perfect for travel; you can wear them for your entire Europe trip without having to pack too many extra pairs. We wore these straight out of the box for a full day without any issues, making them ideal for walking-heavy travel plans. While they offer more cushioning than support, they have enough traction to walk over slick surfaces without issue. However, they are not water-resistant; your feet will get wet if you wear them in the rain due to the knit fabric.

The Details: Sizes 7-16 | Recycled Stitchlite, dandelion rubber, EVA


lululemon Men's Cityverse Sneaker

Credit: lululemon

The Lululemon Cityscape sneakers are a great choice for both everyday wear and travel due to their exceptional comfort and roomy toe box. They are true to size and have a secure fit, even when the laces are tied loosely, which makes them easy to slip on and off. The shoes, like everything from Lululemon, are made with durable, high-quality materials and have a sturdy construction that we think promises to last. Even after three months of wearing these sneakers as often as twice a week, they remain comfortable and durable. They also provide excellent traction and support for a variety of activities, from city walks to light trails. These versatile sneakers can be paired with many different outfits and easily transition from daytime activities to nights out on the town. 

The Details: Sizes 7-14 | Mixed-material upper, rubber sole


New Balance Men's 990 v6 Sneakers

Credit: Zappos

Why We Love It

  • This casual style excels in comfort, support, and breathability—perfect for both workouts and travel.

The New Balance 990 v6 stands out for the brand’s proprietary bouncy FuelCell foam technology and supportive midsole, making every step a pleasure. Crafted with premium suede and mesh, these Made in U.S.A. sneakers offer both style and durability. They’re perfect for daily wear, whether that’s exercising near home or on long walks while traveling. While wet traction could be better, the overall quality and support justify the $200 price. These shoes are a top pick for anyone seeking a high-quality, casual everyday sneaker. The mesh offers a casual vibe, but we loved it for ventilation during warm-weather walks or while working out. Just remember to size down, as they run large.

Just remember to size down, as they run large.

The Details: Sizes 7-16 (with five width options) | Suede, mesh, rubber


Beckett Simonon Men's Leather and Suede Morgen Trainers

Credit: Beckett Simonon

From the first wear, the Beckett Simonon Morgen trainers provided a comfortable, true-to-size fit. Inspired by classic German army trainers from the mid-20th century, they’re a versatile style that suits casual and dressier outfits. We found the support to be ideal for daily wear and travel, with solid traction keeping us confident even when things get wet. However, a couple of drawbacks include some color transfer from the lining onto white socks and tongue slip after long days spent walking. These are ideal for style-savvy travelers looking for a go-to sneaker that has a long history of fashion, sport, and military pedigree.

The Details: Sizes 7-14 | Leather, rubber


Hoka Transport X Unisex Running Shoe

Credit: Hoka

The Hoka Transport delivers exceptional cushioning, giving what we called a “Tempur-Pedic hug” from the very first wear. Its cloud-like EVA midsole and roomy toe box offer lasting comfort, even during our two-mile trail run. The Vibram sole is a huge plus, providing excellent traction, durability, and the ability to handle varied terrain during a run, from slick pavement to muddy mountain gravel. They’re also quite breathable and very supportive, excelling during long commutes and flights as well. Thanks to their versatile design, they transition seamlessly from casual wear in the city to light hiking in the foothills, and we loved this pair on a two-mile. This shoe is a high-quality, multi-purpose gem that easily proves its worth. 

The Details: Sizes 4-14 | 1.1 pounds per pair | Cordura upper, EVA foam, Vibram rubber sole


OluKai Tuahine Sandals

Credit: OluKai

The Olukai Tuahine sandals are exceptionally comfortable right out of the box, thanks to their soft full-grain leather and outstanding arch support. With surprisingly excellent grip for a sandal, they provide secure footing and easily handle wet and uneven surfaces. We’d recommend ordering up half a size, though, to ensure that the nylon toe post and quick-drying leather can prevent unwanted irritation. Versatile and stylish, these sandals are suitable for a variety of settings—just picture yourself at a beachside bar or Hawaiian lava flow. Durable and well-crafted with premium materials, they come with a year’s warranty, which we feel justifies the steep (for a sandal) $100 price tag. 

The Details: Sizes 7-15| Waterproof leather, rubber


Cole Haan Men's GrandPrø Luxe Slip-On Sneakers

Credit: Cole Haan

The Cole Haan GrandPro Luxe Slip-on stands out in comfort and style, making them ideal for city travel. Their cloud-like cushioning and instant comfort mean there’s no annoying break-in period; we loved wearing them right out of the box. They run true-to-size and are available in wide widths, allowing them to offer a secure fit for anyone, though in-store fitting is recommended due to the stretch laces. Appropriate for formal or casual occasions, they’re ideal for flights, museums, evenings out, and everything in between. While traction is average on wet surfaces and materials seem slightly delicate, their ease of use and stylish design make them a worthwhile investment for comfortable, chic travel. Even after months of frequent tear, the sneakers still look brand new.

The Details: Sizes 7-13 | Nubuck, rubber


NOBULL Men's Allday Ripstop Sneakers

Credit: NOBULL

The Nobull Allday sneakers offer a minimalist, clean aesthetic with a classic gum sole, resulting in a versatile, retro shoe that is great—as the name suggests—for all-day wear. We wore them over periods from 30 minutes up to 16 hours straight with zero discomfort. The low-profile design pairs well with casual attire, emphasizing simplicity. Fit-wise, we found this style tends to run true to size, providing a snug yet comfortable feel, which really comes in handy during long days on your feet. The ripstop upper conforms to the foot and is protected against more serious wear and tear. The moderately wide toe box allows for toe splay, a feature we loved after a few hours of walking. The shoe’s construction promotes stability, suitable for long wear. While not designed for high-impact activities like other Nobull shoes, its balanced design delivers a comfortable, stylish option for daily use and travel.

The Details: Sizes 7-16 | Ripstop canvas


UGG Men’s Biltmore Waterproof Chelsea Boot

Credit: Nordstrom

We were seriously impressed by the comfort and high-end look of the Biltmore from UGG. We found that we could wear them right out of the box with zero discomfort, and, most importantly, they’re completely waterproof. We wore them in the rain and on wet and muddy grass, and they kept our feet completely dry yet without showing any serious signs of wear and tear. While we did notice a couple of scuffs after a few weeks of regular wear, they were easily buffed out. They’re lightweight and provide good foot and ankle support, even in the slipperiest of conditions. The only thing we didn’t like is that the waterproofing means they’re not very breathable, which can be an issue in warmer months. 

The Details: Sizes 7-15 | 1.2 pounds per pair | Full-grain leather


SUAVS Men's The 247

Credit: SUAVS

The SUAVS 247 sneaker, with its stretchy knit, adapts to your foot over time, offering comfort despite initial fit adjustments. Though sizing can be tricky without an abundance of half sizes, the quality impressed us, with a durable upper and a well-designed sole. The arch support is adequate, though ankle support may vary from person to person. They transition effortlessly from flights to city adventures with a moisture-absorbing, machine-washable fabric that stands up to all kinds of weather and is easy to clean. Finally, we found the traction to be reliable for everyday use in varied conditions. After three months of testing, including taking them on roadtrips around the country, the shoes remain breathable and comfortable. We’ve worn them on casual walks, on light hikes, and even for nights out. Best of all: they take up minimal space in a suitcase, making them a great travel shoe.

The Details: Sizes 8-14 | Post-Consumer recycled knit, rubber


Teva Hurricane XLT2 Sandals

Credit: Teva

From the very first time we slid our feet into these, we were obsessed with just how comfy they were. That’s likely thanks to a squishy foam insole and sturdy rubber outsole that kept debris from affecting our stride. Over the course of our testing period, we wore them indoors, over concrete at a resort, on a lengthy beach walk, and even in a resort pool. While our tester noted he’d normally wear cheap, basic flip flops on the beach and in the water, these were so comfy and durable, he never felt the need to change. Because they didn’t absorb water and protected our feet so well over every terrain we threw at them, we’d feel confident wearing them for everything from more strenuous hikes to travel days through airports and train stations. While we loved the three adjustable straps once we got the hang of them, they were a bit confusing in the beginning.

The Details: Sizes 4-14 | Rubber, nylon

Other Men’s Travel Shoes We Liked

AHNU Sequence 1: The AHNU Sequence 1 sneaker is an excellent choice for those willing to spend a bit more. The carbon fiber plate provides immediate comfort and noticeable spring in each step, and the shoe fits true to size with no break-in period. This makes it perfect for everyday activities like errands and dog walks, as well as for long days of travel. 

Travel + Leisure


Kizik Men’s London: The Kizik London offers exceptional comfort and support right out of the box, with a cushioned insole and perfect fit that requires no break-in period. The shoe’s durable construction, especially the unique heel design, shows no signs of wear even after extensive use. We found the Kizik London comfortable for all-day wear, even after walking for over 10 hours.

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Our Testing Process

To find the best men’s travel shoes in terms of comfort, fit, value, and quality, the T+L team tested 27 pairs of shoes (sneakers, sandals, and boots) over six months. The shoes were evaluated in a variety of settings, including the office, outdoors, and in the city.

Upon receiving the shoes, the team examined the quality and construction of the materials. The shoes were then worn to assess the break-in period, overall comfort, and durability of the materials after two weeks. Long-term testing was conducted for an additional six months during daily activities and travel to ensure the shoes held up with extensive use.

Our favorite travel shoes were exceptionally comfortable thanks to ample arch support and cushioning, they fit perfectly with minimal break-in, and are constructed with high-quality, durable materials.

Tips for Buying Men’s Travel Shoes

Opt for versatility

Whether you’re packing light or packing heavy, bringing versatile shoes with you is always a good choice. If you’re out and about all day taking a European city or exploring the outdoors stateside, life will be easier if you can wear the same pair of shoes to dinner or the bar when the sun goes down. Look for shoes with comfortable midsoles and stylish uppers that will be suitable for every activity. 

Prioritize comfort

A majority of the time, travel means spending long periods on your feet. To get the most from these days, your feet need to be comfortable from morning to evening—there’s nothing worse than cutting an outing short because you have pesky blisters or achy feet. Pick a pair of shoes that fit well, have plenty of support, and a comfortable footbed (when in doubt, try a pair of insoles).

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • How do I pack travel shoes?

    To optimize your suitcase space and safeguard your shoes during your travels, utilize a travel shoe bag. Position the shoes within the bag so that the soles face outward and the uppers face each other. For sneakers or shoes with a fabric upper, prevent creases by stuffing a pair of wool socks inside to maintain their shape while traveling.

  • How should I clean travel shoes?

    Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions before using any shoe cleaner. Spot-cleaning your shoes with soap and water is probably the best option, but if the manufacturer recommends shoe cleaner or other products, that can be a great option, too.

  • What are the best materials for travel shoes?

    Canvas or mesh shoes are great options for warm-weather destinations, as they are breathable, comfortable, and quick-drying. Leather shoes are durable and easy to clean, but they tend to be heavier. Take note of where you’re headed, what the weather will be like, and what kind of activities you’ll be doing to determine what makes the most sense for you.


Why Trust Travel + Leisure

Writer Will Porter has traveled the globe wearing various sneakers, boots, and sandals along the way. He’s been up and down the California coast and even wrote part of this story after long days in Venice, Italy. He’s also tested winter boots, work boots, and an endless amount of running shoes (some of which made their way into this story).

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