Best Travel Shoes: How to Pick, Pack and Walk Light on Any Trip

Shoes are usually one of the heaviest, bulkiest things in a suitcase. A lot of travelers pack one pair per activity "just in case," take up the precious space and weight, only to wear one pair the entire trip.

There's a lighter way to do it. Shoes with thin, flexible soles and soft uppers can fold or roll into the corners of a carry-on, and a versatile one or two pairs can cover a hike, sightseeing and dinner out.

You cheat sheet for travel shoes: pack one versatile, lightweight pair you've already walked in and know feels comfortable, plus a second pair only if the weather or a specific activity demands it. Choose by climate, then by activity, then by weight, packability and fit.

In this guide, learn how to choose travel shoes by climate and activity, our picks by trip type, how digital nomad traveler Nora Dunn packs light, and how to fit shoes into a carry-on.

How to Choose Travel Shoes

Start by checking the weather where you're going so you know the climate and temperatures, then consider what you'll actually be doing there. Pack a few versatile pairs that cover both, rather than a shoe for every activity.

What shoes should I pack for the climate?

Match the upper (the part of the shoe above the sole) to the weather, because that's what keeps feet cool, dry or warm.

What activities are you packing for?

Going on a sightseeing trip in the city or a nature-focused outdoor adventure? A trip with one big hike needs trail-ready tread for that day; a city trip with 20,000-step days needs a shoe you already love walking in.

If your plans are a mix and you’ll be going from trail to town, look for a shoe or boot that handles both: grippy enough for the trails but looks good to wear to dinner.

Criteria for the most packable shoes: 

• Weight and packability. Check the shoe’s weight and see how small the pair can get. Can you put the soles together and they pack down like a slim package? Shoes with thinner, more flexible soles fold and roll into less space. Shoes with less cushioning are lighter.

• A roomy toe box and secure heel. Your toes should have room to spread out while the rest of your foot, like your heel and midfoot, shouldn’t slip. A foot-shaped shoe will feel more comfortable all day long.

• Flexibility and ground feel. A flexible sole lets your foot bend and move as it would barefoot. Traveling is a chance to feel free, and what better way than to feel the ground beneath you? Barefoot shoes have a balance of ground feel and protection. 

• Familiarity. Bring a pair you've already walked in for hours. A trip is a bad time to break in new shoes. 

The Best Xero Shoes for Travel, by Trip Type

For most trips, one everyday shoe covers sightseeing, transit and dinner; add a second pair only for hiking, beach time or winter weather.

Everyday travel shoe: Prio 

If you pack one pair, make it this kind of shoe. The Prio is versatile: you can wear it for your morning workout or run, wear to a museum or day of sightseeing, and for a casual dinner. It’s flexible enough to roll into a bag, and tough enough that career traveler Nora Dunn, has worn hers up a mountain (more from her below).

How to Pack Light: Tips from a Digital Nomad

Nora Dunn, known online as The Professional Hobo, traveled full-time for 12 years, two of them with nothing but carry-on luggage. Her one rule comes down to one word: packable. For every bulky item on your list, ask whether there's a lighter, smaller version that does the same job.

Why shoes come first

Shoes are usually the bulkiest, heaviest thing in a bag, so they're where packable pays off most. Nora's go-to is a barefoot-inspired trail runner like the Mesa Trail II.

"I love trail runners... they completely revolutionized how I hike but then also how I travel. They can take you on those outdoor adventures. But they can also be light and rolled up so they pack easily. You can wear them around town. They can double as a casual shoe."

Her other favorite is the Prio: "You probably shouldn't take it up a mountain, but I literally have worn them going up a mountain."

Nora expected thinner soles to leave her feet tired after long days around town. "Quite the opposite has been true for me," she says. If you're new to barefoot-inspired shoes, give yourself a few weeks of everyday wear before the trip so your feet aren't adjusting on the road.

The rest of Nora's packable kit

Together, these take up about as much room as a rolled-up pair of jeans:

• Packable backpack. Squashes down smaller than a loaf of bread for day trips and grocery runs.

• Collapsible water bottle. Rolls up as you drink, so it takes less space by the end of the day.

• Packable down jacket. Packs to about the size of a grapefruit.

• Packable rain jacket. Layers over the down jacket on cold, wet days.

Nora's three packing rules

1. Pack for multiple uses. Every item should do at least two jobs. Her Prios work on trails and in restaurants; her two jackets work as a layering system.

2. "Just in case" has no place. If you're packing it just in case, leave it. You can usually buy it there, or you'll find you didn't need it.

3. Go lighter than you think. Review your list with a critical eye. Less to carry means more energy for the trip itself.

About Nora Dunn: Nora has been a career traveler since 2006 and one of the original digital nomads. She now keeps a home base in Canada and still travels for months at a stretch, almost always carry-on only. 

You can follow Nora on YouTube and Instagram. 

How to Pack Shoes in a Suitcase or Carry-On

1. Wear the bulkiest pair. Boots or the heaviest shoes are the ones to go on your feet for travel days.

2. Fold or roll flexible shoes. Shoes with soft uppers and flexible soles, like barefoot shoes, can fold in half or roll up; tuck them along the edges of your bag.

3. Fill the empty space. Stuff socks, chargers or underwear inside each shoe.

4. Bag them. A shoe bag keeps trail dirt and street grime off your clothes.

5. Pack wet shoes on their own. Keep a spare bag for damp sandals or muddy boots, and stuff them with newspaper overnight to help them dry.

Travel Shoes FAQ

What are the best shoes for traveling?

The best travel shoes are lightweight, flexible enough to pack small, comfortable for hours of walking, and plain enough to wear to dinner. Barefoot shoes are a great option, because they are lighter weight by design. Choose by climate and activity, and bring a pair you've already broken in.

Read more about the Xero Shoes our PR Director, Alexa, packed for her Italy trip.

Are barefoot shoes good for travel?

Many travelers like barefoot shoes for trips because thin, flexible soles weigh less and fold or roll into small spaces. If you haven't worn them before, start a few weeks ahead so you're used to them before a big walking trip. Learn more about transitioning to barefoot shoes.

How many pairs of shoes should I bring on a trip?

For most trips, two pairs is plenty: one versatile everyday shoe you wear, and one specialty pair you pack only if the weather or an activity calls for it.

• Your everyday pair should handle sightseeing, travel days, transit, and eating out. Neutral colors and a slim, low profile go with more outfits.

• A second pair should do a specific job: hiking, workouts, beach days, snow, or a dressier event.

• Test before you go. Walk a few miles in the exact shoes and socks you're bringing. If minimalist footwear is new to you, a high-mileage sightseeing trip shouldn't be its first full-time test.

Can one pair of shoes work for both hiking and the city?

Yes, if it's a trail runner or a rugged everyday shoe with grippy tread and a simple look. Xero Shoes’ Ridgeway is a great option to pack for adventure travel with hiking and time in town. Save dedicated hiking boots for trips where rough or wet trails are the main event.

How do I break in new shoes before a trip?

Wear them for everyday errands first, then work up to longer walks over a few weeks. Test them with the socks you plan to pack.

How do I keep shoes fresh while traveling?

Let shoes air out overnight, swap between pairs when you can, and stuff damp shoes with newspaper or a towel. Many sandals and mesh shoes dry quickly after a rinse.