It doesn’t matter how dazzling the destination or how impressive your travel itinerary is; if you’re wearing the wrong shoes, then even a simple jaunt to the nearest cafe can sour things real fast.
I’ve learned this the hard way more than a few times while traveling, culminating in either pharmacy visits to pick up blister support products or, in utter desperation, dropping ~$150 on new shoes I didn’t even like that much.
Over the years, I’ve learned to really—like, really—prioritize comfortable shoes when packing a suitcase. My goal is multipurpose kicks that can survive wobbly cobblestone streets, off-sidewalk terrain, and even a gym workout. Here are some of my faves from the past few years that have earned “suitcase worthy” status for both outdoorsy trips and European city galavanting alike.
In this article
1. Reebok Club C 85 Vintage Shoes
I love the look of a low profile sneaker, and the fact that this one is both insanely comfortable and delivers old-school vintage vibes make them a staple no matter where I travel. Inspired by the '80s, the Reebok Club C 85 Vintage Shoes come in cream-white colored leather, so there’s no worries about keeping them looking pristine. They also have a cushy sole and tongue with a nice bounce, and a rigid-enough sole to handle all sorts of streets. I love that they look great with jeans, leggings, and even a dress. My preference is the green detail variation, but it also comes in light blue, dark blue, black, and bright blue.
2. Arc'teryx Kopec GTX Shoe
I was introduced to Arc'teryx by my husband years ago, and I cannot sing the praises of this brand enough. If you’re an outdoorsy person in the slightest, it’s worth perusing their entire site; I’ve literally never purchased a bad item and they especially kill it in the shoe department. I’ve even trusted them by breaking in a pair of beefy hiking shoes on a 12-mile journey into (and eventually out of) the Grand Canyon, where I arrived at the final camp site a delightful spring chicken with nary a blister or scrape.
Anyway, for kicks that handle both sidewalks and earthy terrain, one of my favorites is Arc'teryx Kopec GTX. The shoe’s dressed up and lightweight enough to work for city exploration, while the grippy, robust soles hold up on everything from dirt to gravel to rocky trails.
3. NoBull Women's Drive 2
For a sporty sneaker vibe that translates well from trail to sidewalk to gym, NoBull’s Drive 2 shoe is a natural pick. It's super duper lightweight, which is a reassuring perk on that fateful suitcase weigh-in, without sacrificing comfort or grip.
I love the cushy midsole and airy breathability, which keeps feet cool even on hot pavement (or sweaty hikes), and the outsole grips provide excellent traction no matter where you’re exploring. I'm partial to a classic white sneaker, but I love that this one comes in all sorts of fun colorways, including hot pink, mint green, and a peachy-pink and red.
4. Earth Netta Round Toe Casual Lace-up Sneakers
I was drawn to this shoe because of the low-profile silhouette and all the little style details that make it stand out in a crowd. It has a shiny heel detail positioned against soft leather suede (not every variation has this, but a lot do), the sideways zipper looks cool and offers an easy on/off, and the mesh sides add some visual appeal while keeping feet cool. The unique style would pair well with jeans, skirts, dresses, and even hiking gear, as it has built-in arch support and a sturdy outsole that works for you in any setting.
The Shortcut
These traveler-tested, multipurpose shoes transition seamlessly from city sightseeing to light outdoor adventures.
Choose from a mix of low-profile lifestyle sneakers and sportier, performance-driven kicks.
These shoes are so good, they’ve earned precious real estate in my suitcase time and again.
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