The Most Comfortable Travel Shoes for Men of 2025, Tested and Reviewed

Mar 28, 2025

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The best shoes for your travels, from Cole Haan to Lululemon and New Balance.

In This Article

Travel + Leisure

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 a good amount of walking, from roaming the streets of Venice to exploring a dense concrete jungle like New York, so you must be sure you’re picking out the best travel shoes to get the job done.

Your travel shoes should be comfortable, durable, and, ideally, versatile enough to match every outfit you take on the trip. A bit of extra style never hurts, either. We searched far and wide to find the best travel shoes on the market, testing dozens of pairs at home and abroad.

I’ve been on the hunt for the best travel shoes for some time now, testing various sneakers on trips to Italy, England, and across the U.S.A. I’ve spent long days roaming city streets and hit some light trails, giving me keen insight into what makes a quality travel shoe. The winner, after being put through the wringer during four different Travel + Leisure shoe tests, is the Cole Haan Men's Zerogrand Remastered Stitchlite Wingtip Oxford, but this story includes a handful of other options to ensure you make the right pick for you.

You get the versatile Oxford look without the excess weight and stiffness of more structured models.

They are not water resistant at all.

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 trip without having to pack too many extra pairs. They are also extremely comfortable. We wore these straight out of the box for a full day without any discomfort, 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 7.5-13 | Recycled Stitchlite, dandelion rubber, EVA

They’re easy to slip on and off for TSA and require no break-in period.

These aren’t ideal for wet weather.

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. Versatile for formal or casual wear, they're perfect for flights, museums, or evenings out. 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.

The Details: Sizes 7-13 | Nubuck, rubber

These stylish sneakers are comfortable right out of the box.

Lululemon is relatively unproven in the footwear space.

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 sneakers, like everything from Lululemon, are made with durable, high-quality materials and have a sturdy construction that we think promises to last. 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

The stretchy knit fits any foot shape.

They don’t come in most half sizes.

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 knit upper and a well-designed sole. The arch support is adequate, though ankle support may vary from person to person. They pack easily and transition well from flights to city exploration. Finally, we found the traction to be reliable for everyday use in varied conditions.

The Details: Sizes 8-13 | Post-Consumer recycled knit, rubber

These are great for city walks and light hikes.

Consider ordering down half a size.

The Hoka Transport delivers exceptional comfort, giving what our testers called a "Tempur-Pedic hug" from the very first wear. Its cloud-like EVA midsole and roomy toe box ensure all-day comfort, making them ideal for travel and long days on your feet. The Vibram sole is a huge plus, providing excellent traction, durability, and the ability to handle varied terrain, from city streets to light trails. They’re also quite breathable and very supportive, excelling during long commutes and flights. Thanks to their versatile design, they transition seamlessly from casual wear in the city to light hiking in the foothills. This shoe is a high-quality, multi-purpose gem that easily proves its worth.

The Details: Sizes 7.5-14 | Cordura® upper, EVA foam, Vibram® rubber sole

These surprisingly comfortable sandals will replace your shoes on warm-weather getaways.

Size up to avoid unwanted irritation around the toes

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 recommended 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

An iconic silhouette, these are equal parts stylish and comfortable.

They will set you back $200.

The New Balance 990 v6 excels in comfort with its bouncy FuelCell and supportive ENCAP midsole, making every step a pleasure. Remember to size down, as they run large. Crafted with premium suede and mesh, these Made in U.S.A. sneakers offer both style and durability. They're versatile, perfect for daily wear, long walks, and travel. 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 comfortable, high-quality, and versatile everyday sneaker.

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

It’s a simple, no-nonsense shoe that uses NOBULL’s gym shoe expertise to excel during travel.

They aren’t optimized for hard workouts.

The Nobull Allday Gum offers 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. Its low-profile design pairs well with casual attire, emphasizing simplicity. Fit-wise, we found that the Allday Gum 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 everyday 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 7-18 | Ripstop canvas

These vintage-inspired sneakers will never go out of style.

The leather can transfer color to light-colored socks.

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

They're completely waterproof and have soles that provide reliable traction in all conditions.

Breathability is sacrificed in favor of waterproofing.

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 but 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 | Full-grain leather

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.

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. Our testers found the Kizik London comfortable for all-day wear, even after walking for over 10 hours.

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.

The top-rated 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.

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 on the city or exploring the outdoors, 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.

A majority of the time, travel means spending long days 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).

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 socks inside to maintain their shape while traveling.

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.

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.

For this story, contributor Will Porter 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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