Best Travel Shoes 2025: The Ultimate Roundup for Comfort, Style, and All-Day Wearability

Why Your Travel Shoes Matter More Than You Think: The Best Travel Shoes

If you’ve ever hustled through an airport with a backpack digging into one shoulder, a toddler asking for a snack every 11 seconds, and shoes that feel like they were engineered by a medieval punishment committee… you know one thing: the wrong footwear can ruin a perfectly good trip.

Travel shoes are a weird Goldilocks situation — they can’t be too stiff, too soft, too hot, too heavy, too dressy, or too sporty. They need to be the magical “just right” pair that handles airport sprints, eight-hour walking tours, and a surprise dinner reservation without making you wish you’d packed a foot massage gun.

That’s why we’ve tested everything to find the best travel shoes — Allbirds, Rothy’s, Suavs, Amberjacks, Wolf & Shepherd.

What Makes The Best Travel Shoes?

A lot goes into making the best travel shoe, let’s dive in.

Why You Should Never Travel in Brand-New Shoes

Look, we’ve all made the rookie mistake: you buy a shiny new pair of shoes, feel like you’re starring in your own personal sneaker commercial, and think, “Oh yeah, these babies are coming with me to the airport.” Then… blisters. Weird rubbing. Foot regret.

Even the most comfortable shoes — Allbirds, Suavs, Amberjacks, you name it — have some level of break-in period. Sometimes it’s a couple hours; sometimes it’s a couple of wears. But no matter how comfy they are out of the box, never let your first real test be a travel day.

Wear them around the house, run an errand or two, make sure nothing rubs in a strange spot. Your future self standing in a TSA line will thank you.

The Non-Negotiables for The Best Travel Shoes

• Lightweight construction
• Breathability
• Cushioning and support
• Packability
• Versatility (airport → walking tour → dinner)

Allbirds: The Cozy, Go-Anywhere Champion

Allbirds are basically the TSA PreCheck of travel shoes — they just make the whole experience smoother. Lightweight? Yup. Comfortable straight out of the box? Absolutely. Stylish enough to wear from the airport lounge to dinner without looking like you lost your luggage? Somehow, yes.

These are the shoes you reach for when you know you’ll be walking a lot but don’t want to feel like you’re wearing running shoes. The Merino Wool versions feel like a warm hug for your feet, while the Tree versions are breezy and perfect for warm destinations.

They’re also machine-washable, which is a huge win because travel + sweaty feet + airports = let’s just say you’ll want a reset button.

Best For: Everyday travel, families doing long excursions, comfort-first travelers.

Full Allbirds review.

Rothy’s: The Stylish, Washable Powerhouse

Rothy’s are the travel shoes for people who want to look put together without sacrificing comfort… or their suitcase space. These things pack flatter than a hotel pancake breakfast.

Made from recycled water bottles (yes, seriously) and built with a stretchy knit upper, they slide on like a sock but look like a real shoe — which is honestly the dream when you’re hustling through the terminal but still want to pretend you have your life together.

They’re also fully machine-washable, which is clutch after sweaty travel days, dusty city walks, or that time you accidentally stepped in something “mysterious” outside a Paris café.

With both men and women’s styles, these are a great, mostly breathable choice.

Best For: City travelers, style-focused packers, minimalists who want a shoe that does everything but take up space.

Read the full Rothy’s review.

Suavs: The Minimalist, Super-Packable Crowd Favorite

If travel shoes had a flexibility competition, Suavs would win by a landslide — and probably do the splits while accepting the trophy.

These things are absurdly lightweight, ridiculously flexible, and genuinely some of the easiest shoes on the planet to pack. You can literally roll them up and stuff them in a side pocket of your backpack. They’re like the packing cubes of footwear.

The knit uppers feel like a breathable sock, which is why they’re a go-to for warm destinations, airport days, and anyone whose feet tend to run hot. But their secret superpower? They’re comfy from day one. No break-in. No drama. No “why did I wear new shoes on vacation like a fool?” moments.

Best For: Minimalist packers, carry-on only travelers, warm-weather trips, people who want the closest thing to a slipper without actually wearing a slipper.

Full Suavs review.

Amberjack Shoes

If dress shoes and running shoes had a baby, and that baby grew up loving airport lounges and hotel status upgrades, you’d get Amberjack.

These are the shoes you pack when you want to look sharp on your trip — business meeting, nice dinner, or that obligatory “we should really take one good photo” moment — without sacrificing comfort. Amberjacks have this wild dual-density insole that gives you sneaker-level softness with dress-shoe structure.

Even better? They don’t feel stiff right out of the box. You’ll still want a short break-in (every shoe needs it), but they’re a lot more forgiving than traditional leather options.

Pros:

• Dressy look with sneaker comfort
• Great cushioning
• High-quality materials
• Perfect for business or mixed-itinerary travel

Cons:

• Heavier than knit styles
• Not ideal for super hot climates

Best For: Business travelers, conferences, dress-casual trips, people who refuse to choose between comfort and looking put together.

Full Amberjack Review.

Wolf & Shepherd: Luxury Performance Dress Shoes for Travelers

Wolf & Shepherd makes the kind of dress shoes you pack when you want to look like a CEO but feel like you’re wearing your favorite running shoes. They’re the closest thing to a cheat code in the world of dress footwear.

These shoes blend premium Italian leather uppers with sneaker-like cushioning and stability underneath — a hybrid design that makes long airport walks, conference days, and back-to-back meetings feel way less brutal on your feet.

Unlike traditional dress shoes that demand a medieval break-in period, Wolf & Shepherd feels comfortable fast. You’ll still want a couple of short wears before a big trip (as with any shoe), but they’re easily among the most forgiving dress shoes you can travel with.

Best for: Business travelers, weddings, conferences, or anyone who refuses to sacrifice comfort for style.

Full Wolf & Shepherd Review.

Quick Comparison Table: Best Travel Shoes at a Glance

Brand	Comfort Level	Weight	Breathability	Packability	Best For
Allbirds	Soft, cushioned, great for all-day wear	Light	Very breathable (Wool + Tree versions)	Moderate	Everyday travel, long walking days
Rothy’s	Surprisingly comfy once broken in	Light-Medium	Good (knit uppers)	High (pack flat)	Stylish travel, city trips, minimal packers
Suavs	Flexible, slipper-like	Feather-light	Excellent	Extremely high (roll them up)	Carry-on only travelers, warm climates
Amberjack Shoes	Dress-shoe comfort with sneaker feel	Medium	Good	Moderate	Business travel, conferences, dress-casual trips
Wolf & Shepherd	Very cushioned with athletic performance tech	Medium	Moderate	Moderate	Travelers who need dress shoes but want sneaker comfort

How to Choose the Right Travel Shoe for Your Trip

Choosing the right travel shoe is kind of like choosing the right travel partner: dependable, low-drama, and capable of handling wildly unpredictable situations with grace.

Here’s the breakdown to make it easy:

Think About Your Itinerary

Are you walking eight miles a day through cobblestone streets? Sitting in conference rooms? Chasing kids around theme parks? Your shoes should match the actual trip you’re taking — not the trip you pretend you take when telling coworkers about it.

• Lots of walking: Allbirds or Suavs
• Business-heavy travel: Amberjack or Wolf & Shepherd
• City sightseeing + light packing: Rothy’s or Suavs

Consider the Weather

• Hot & humid: Suavs or Rothy’s (maximum breathability)
• Cool climates: Allbirds Wool
• Mixed conditions: Allbirds Tree or Amberjack

How Much Are You Packing?

If you’re Team Carry-On-Only (same here), Suavs and Rothy’s win by a mile. They practically disappear in your suitcase.

If you have a checked bag or need something dressier, Amberjack and Wolf & Shepherd are worth the footprint.

Do You Need Dressy Options?

Business dinner? Wedding? Fancy “we saved one nice restaurant for the trip” reservation? Amberjack or Wolf & Shepherd will save you from lugging a second pair.

Be Realistic About Break-In

Even the comfiest shoes need at least one warm-up wear. Don’t make the airport your testing ground.

Bottom line: The right shoe depends on your trip, your feet, and your packing style — but the good news? Every shoe in this roundup has been tested and approved by actual travelers (aka: us and our very opinionated feet).

• Consider your itinerary
• Weather factors
• Amount of walking
• Whether you need dressy options

Final Thoughts: Which Shoe Is the Real Winner?

Here’s the fun twist: there isn’t one winner… because different trips demand different travel shoes. But there is a best shoe for every type of traveler, and that’s where this roundup shines.

For the comfort-obsessed walker: Allbirds. They’re the cloud-like, all-day champs.

For stylish light packers: Rothy’s. They look great, pack flat, and wash up like new.

For carry-on minimalists: Suavs. Nothing packs smaller — period.

For business travelers who still want comfort: Amberjack. Dressy enough for meetings, comfy enough for airport marathons.

For people who need dress shoes but refuse to suffer: Wolf & Shepherd. The most polished, most cushioned hybrid on the list.

No matter which route you take, every pair on this list has earned its spot through real-world travel — airports, road trips, conferences, family vacations, the whole chaotic mix. Pick the one that fits your travel style, break them in before you go, and your feet will thank you somewhere around mile five of your next adventure.