Shoes That Are Good for Your Feet, According to Doctors
We got the inside scoop from doctors: these are the shoes you should pack for your next trip.
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What to Look for in a Healthy Travel Shoe
- Arch support
- A wide toe box, which will decrease the chance of getting blisters or corns
- Soft leather, fabric, or suede material
- Shock absorbing cushioning
- Good traction to provide a better grip and prevent falls
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How to Test Travel Shoes Before Buying
- The shoe should not be able to fold completely in half.
- You should have some flexibility in the toes but not be able to have the front of the shoe touch the back of the shoe.
- It should also have a firm heel cup and should not collapse when you squeeze it.
- A bonus is a removable arch support which will allow you to slide your orthotics or additional arch support in if needed.
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How Should a Good Travel Shoe Fit?
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Podiatrist-Approved Footwear
- Adidas UltraBoost Light
- Asics Gel-Cumulus 25
- Brooks Glycerin 20
- Mizuno Wave Rider
- New Balance Fresh Foam 880v13
- Saucony Ride
- Skechers Go Run
- Altra Paradigm
- Altra Torin
- Asics GlideRide
- Asics Superblast
- Brooks Hyperion
- Hoka Clifton 9
- Hoka Bondi 8
- New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Trainer
- Nike Invincible 3
- Nike Zoom Fly 5
- Reebok Floatride Energy X
- Saucony Endorphin Speed 3
- Saucony Tempus
- Asics Metaspeed Sky
- Brooks Hyperion
- Hoka Carbon X3
- Nike Vaporfly
- Nike Alphafly
- Saucony Endorphin Elite
We asked experts—a spokesperson for the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA), a board-certified podiatrist, and the former team physician for professional athletes—about shoes that are good for your feet. Here’s what shoes they recommend you pack on your next walking-intensive trip.
“Healthy travel shoes should have arch support, a thicker sole, and shock absorption. A breathable fabric is a bonus. Sneakers should be your go-to when traveling. A casual sneaker should do the trick without weighing down your bags,” says APMA Podiatrist and spokesperson Dr. Priya Parthasarathy. “If you have to do open-toed, avoid flip-flops and do a more supportive sandal. Something thicker, with arch support and a depression in the heel. My favorite sandals for travel are Birkenstocks.”
Related: The 7 Best White Sneakers for Travel
Dr. Kamran S. Hamid, an orthopedic foot and ankle surgeon for Loyola University Medical Center and former team physician for the Chicago Bulls, White Sox, and Joffrey Ballet, also weighed in.
“In general, the best shoes for traveling are those that have adequate support and are comfortable," says Dr. Hamid, adding that Hoka shoes are "tremendously light while still providing great support and cushioning.” Dr. Hamid also likes Hokas due to the slight curvature in the shoes' front and back, which takes some stress off the middle of the foot for long periods of walking.
Dr. Hillary Brenner, a board-certified podiatrist in New York City, advises looking for the following features in a travel shoe:
Dr. Brenner recommends trying on shoes in the afternoon or evening to ensure a more accurate fit because your feet swell and widen during the day. If you're undecided between two pairs, she recommends wearing one model on each foot and walking around to determine which feels more comfortable.
Dr. Parthasarathy tells travelers to look for the following when shoe shopping:
When trying on shoes, measure your foot while standing up. “The tip of your thumb should fit between the end of the shoe and the end of your longest toe,” says Dr. Brenner.
Once you’ve determined you have the correct size, walk around the store to see if there are any immediate pain points or hot spots.
If you’re looking for a travel shoe that’s stylish but still podiatrist-approved, Dr. Brenner recommends two shoe brands created by podiatrists: Vionic and Bared.
Here are some of Dr. Brenner’s picks for walking shoes for every type of foot: