Choosing the right shoes for your vacation can make or break your trip. I’ve seen travelers hobbling through museums with blisters or lugging heavy boots they never wore. As a fashion expert who’s circled the globe, I’m here to save your suitcase space and your feet with this ultimate travel footwear guide.
1. Never Pack: Sky-High Stilettos
Whoever claimed stilettos belong in a suitcase clearly never sprinted through an airport terminal! Those five-inch beauties might photograph well at home, but they’ll transform into torture devices when you’re navigating cobblestone streets or beach sand.
Trust me, your ankles will write me thank-you notes for this advice.
2. Never Pack: Brand New Shoes
Breaking in new shoes while sightseeing? Absolutely criminal! Those pristine, unworn treasures will betray you faster than you can say ‘bandaid.’
The vacation gods demand sacrificial blisters from those who dare ignore this rule. Save yourself and wear them around home for at least two weeks first.
3. Never Pack: Delicate Designer Flats
Though those paper-thin, buttery-soft designer flats look divine with everything, they’re vacation saboteurs in disguise! One rainstorm, beach excursion, or lengthy walking tour will destroy them.
Suddenly your $400 investment resembles something the cat dragged in. Leave these precious babies safely at home.
4. Never Pack: Thigh-High Boots
Magnificent as they may be for making statements, thigh-high boots are suitcase space vampires! They consume half your luggage while offering minimal versatility.
Picture yourself sweating profusely while trying to yank them off in a tiny hotel bathroom. Now multiply that frustration by every outfit change during your trip.
5. Never Pack: Complicated Strappy Sandals
Strappy sandals with seventeen intricate buckles might scream ‘vacation goddess’ on Instagram, but they whisper ‘airport security nightmare’ in reality!
While fellow travelers flow through checkpoints, you’ll be performing contortionist moves trying to unfasten and refasten those elaborate contraptions. Hard pass.
6. Never Pack: Heavy Platform Wedges
Wedges weighing more than your carry-on? Madness! These chunky monsters add unnecessary pounds to your luggage allowance while offering minimal outfit flexibility.
After trudging through terminals dragging these cement blocks, you’ll wish you’d left them behind. Your shoulders and feet will thank you for choosing lighter alternatives.
7. Never Pack: Suede Anything
Suede and travel go together like ice cream and pickles—theoretically possible but practically disastrous! One unexpected shower transforms those gorgeous suede loafers into sad, spotted creatures beyond salvation.
Meanwhile, you’re left frantically googling ‘how to fix water-damaged suede’ in your hotel room. Skip the heartbreak entirely.
8. Never Pack: Flip Flops as Your Only Shoes
While flip flops deserve suitcase space, relying on them exclusively spells disaster! Those flimsy foot coverings offer zero support for museum marathons or city explorations.
Suddenly that walking tour becomes a painful endurance test, with your arches screaming louder than your excitement for ancient architecture. Diversify your footwear portfolio!
9. Never Pack: Shoes You Can’t Walk a Mile In
Gorgeous yet unwalkable shoes belong in the ‘leave behind’ pile! Vacation inevitably involves unexpected detours, lengthy strolls, and standing in queues.
If you can’t comfortably traverse a mile in those fabulous mules, they’ll become expensive hotel room decorations while you wear the same comfortable pair daily. Be practical!
10. Never Pack: White Canvas Sneakers
Pristine white canvas sneakers photograph beautifully against exotic backdrops but transform into grimy disasters within hours of vacation wear! Unless you enjoy spending evenings scrubbing footwear instead of sipping local wine, leave these high-maintenance beauties at home.
Their rapid descent from crisp to crusty will break your heart.
11. Perfect For Travel: Cushioned Walking Sneakers
Hallelujah for cushioned walking sneakers—the unsung heroes of successful vacations! These cloud-like wonders cradle your feet through endless explorations without screaming ‘clueless tourist.’
Modern designs combine athletic support with streetwear style, making them versatile enough for museums, cafés, and casual dinners. True travel game-changers!
12. Perfect For Travel: Foldable Ballet Flats
Genius invention alert: foldable ballet flats that practically disappear in your luggage! These space-saving miracle workers compress to pocket size yet unfurl into respectable footwear for restaurant dinners or museum visits.
Tuck a pair into your daypack for emergency shoe changes when those morning choices start pinching by afternoon.
13. Perfect For Travel: Waterproof Slip-On Shoes
Waterproof slip-ons deserve standing ovations from frequent travelers! These weather-defying marvels laugh in the face of unexpected downpours while remaining stylish enough for casual dinners.
The slip-on design makes airport security a breeze, and their quick-dry properties prevent that squish-squish-squish soundtrack following surprise showers. Simply brilliant!
14. Perfect For Travel: Lightweight Hiking Sandals
Adventure-ready hiking sandals combine rugged functionality with unexpected versatility! These terrain-tackling champions handle everything from nature trails to city streets without weighing down your suitcase.
Their quick-drying superpowers mean spontaneous beach stops or stream crossings won’t derail your day. Plus, they’re infinitely more stylish than their clunky ancestors.
15. Perfect For Travel: Packable Rain Boots
Forget those clunky wellington monstrosities! Modern packable rain boots fold nearly flat yet provide complete puddle protection. These ingenious water barriers weigh practically nothing while ensuring downpours don’t dampen your sightseeing spirits.
Their streamlined silhouettes even look presentable enough for casual dining. Weather-preparedness without the bulk!
16. Perfect For Travel: Dressy Comfort Sandals
Somewhere between orthopedic nightmares and fashion-forward torture devices lies the miracle of dressy comfort sandals! These versatile gems feature cushioned footbeds disguised within elevated designs.
They transition seamlessly from daytime explorations to evening cocktails without requiring a foot massage in between. The holy grail of vacation footwear!
17. Perfect For Travel: Multi-Terrain Slip-Ons
Multi-terrain slip-ons deserve permanent residence in every traveler’s suitcase! These chameleon-like wonders handle beach sand, forest paths, and city sidewalks with equal aplomb.
Their washable materials mean accidental encounters with mud or spilled gelato become minor inconveniences rather than shoe-destroying catastrophes. True travel warriors worth their weight in gold!
18. Perfect For Travel: Ultra-Lightweight Trainers
Ultra-lightweight trainers float into my suitcase for every journey! Weighing less than a sandwich yet providing marathon-worthy support, these featherweight champions compress nearly flat in luggage.
Their breathable construction prevents that distinctive ‘vacation foot’ aroma even after all-day wear. Fashion and function in perfect harmony—what more could a traveler desire?