Picking the right gear for travel is super-important, and even the most experienced world travelers sometimes overlook this. In most cases, what we forget about most often are our shoes.
Wherever you’re going, and by whatever means, don’t forget adequate travel shoes.
When it comes to shoes, women usually take better care than men. Most men simply don’t pay enough attention to them, unless they break apart, soak up, or become uncomfortable.
The reason your shoes are important is that they carry you around, supporting every bone and joint in your body.
Choosing the right shoes is an essential part of planning your travels since they can make or break the trip.
Many shoes for travel are made to be comfortable but also to look presentable.
How To Find The Best Shoes For Travel – Match The Destination
Fashionable, but uncomfortable footwear will give your feet a hard time. So, opting for comfort over visual design is a smart idea.
A pair of shoes with flat soles isn’t appropriate for trekking, much like a pair of heavy-duty boots would be too much for the streets of Barcelona.
With that in mind, you should match your shoes with the destination. This is especially important if you’re traveling to Europe.
Most European cities are designed to be navigated by public transportation, or by foot.
You can easily end up walking up to 10 miles a day, and doing that in uncomfortable shoes can ruin your trip.
Here’s our choice of the best travel shoes for men.
List Of Best Travel Shoes For Men
1. Scarpa Men’s Margarita
Scarpa Margarita Men’s offer versatility, with style.
They are great for strolling along the unpredictable terrain of a countryside trail, yet presentable and comfortable for traveling the city streets.
They’re among the most comfortable and stylish men’s shoes, designed as performance footwear for all types of outdoor terrain.
The upper consists of a high-grade, stylish and durable suede. It’s lined with polyester that dries quickly, and also keeps your foot dry.
The EVA (Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate) midsole provides cushioning and snuggles the foot in just the right amount. The shoe also doesn’t absorb water, and it’s resilient against the cold.
The Men’s Margarita sports a Vibram Globe Grip sole. The sole offers considerable traction, so you don’t have to worry about slippery sidewalks anymore.
This model shares many of its features with the brand’s other models.
And while those are made for hiking, climbing or walking long distances, this model is most suitable for city streets.
With these low-cut, rugged shoes, city streets become your playground.
- Great stability
- Stylish design
- Durability and versatility
2. Merrell Burnt Rock Travel Suede
When it comes to casual footwear, Merrell Burnt Rock provides great comfort, durability, versatility, and style.
It features durable construction and an attractive design, making it perfect for urban and outdoor environments.
Its M Select GRIP outsole will provide durable traction and grip, while EVA midsole offers comfortable and stable wear.
The insole delivers flexible support since it’s made with Kinetic Fit Base technology and is removable.
The upper is made out of 100% imported suede leather, and tough canvas panels with mesh lining for some added ventilation.
With the rubber toe cap that adds protection and durability, the overall design of this model delivers a sturdy feel.
Some people find that the arch, that’s meant to increase comfort, offers too much support at times.
The Burnt Rock Travel Suede has been highly praised as comfortable, lightweight and durable footwear for use in the city streets and the woods.
- Looks stylish
- Has good arch support
- Lightweight and comfortable
- Reasonably priced
3. Xero Hana
While Xero is best known for making excellent sandals, the Hana proves that they can make all sorts of comfortable footwear.
Inspired by barefoot type footwear that’s becoming increasingly popular, the Xero Hana features a minimalistic design.
The Hana’s animal-friendly canvas comforts the foot while the non-elevated, zero-drop sole helps you maintain a proper posture.
The toe box is pretty wide and lets your toes spread while walking or relaxing. All these features provide a natural fit, stability, and balance.
They are incredibly lightweight, flexible and comfortable, so you won’t realize that you have them on. It’s a similar feeling you get when you’re not wearing any shoes at all.
Being of a minimalist design, Hana is a reliable shoe suited for any city activity. However, it’s not meant for running or heavy trekking.
Still, they’re quite convenient since you can wash them easily with just soap and water. Just keep in mind that the upper is made out of the natural canvas which takes longer to dry.
- Extremely lightweight, and packable
- Comfortable fit
- Easy to clean
4. Merrell Men’s Waterproof Moab 2
When you slide your feet into this model, you’ll understand what made them so popular over the years. They are tough but light and offer comfort and convenience at all times.
The precise fit of this water-resistant shoe and its overall design are what makes it so comfortable.
With the cushioned collar, supportive footbed and a great deal of flexibility, these shoes will serve you on any track.
The Vibram sole has been improved, so it offers superb traction. This model sports an EVA midsole, providing great arch support.
On top of that, it has extra padding in the heel for the right amount of underfoot protection while the molded heel cup holds you in place.
The use of water-resistant materials ensures that your feet are nice and dry. This, however, lowers the breathability.
While the material does have some dose of breathable, but it’s nonetheless too warm for hot days.
If you find this to be a problem, Merrell offers a non-waterproof edition called Merrell Moab 2 Vent.
The Moab 2 offers a modest amount of stability, support, and a fair amount of flex. It’s a pretty reliable hiking shoe with the great build quality.
- Excellent comfort
- Reasonably light
- Well-made and durable
- Good price value
5. Salomon X Ultra 3 Mid GTX Hiking Boot
While not exactly a travel-friendly shoe, the X Ultra 3 Mid GTX offers the comfort of a running shoe, while providing support of a hiking boot.
It’s a great option if you’re going on a more adventurous trip filled with physical activity.
The X Ultra 3 Mid GTX offers a comfortable fit by locking your foot into place while a padded collar securely and comfortably wraps around your ankle.
The foam-cushioned Advanced Chassis connects directly to the sole, stabilizing your heel.
The upper is made out of PU coated leather and lined with GORE-TEX, allowing the boot to shed water and mud. It also offers excellent breathability, keeping your feet dry.
However, prolonged exposure to water may let moisture into the boot quicker.
For X Ultra 3 Mid GTX’s sloe Salomon used a Contagrip HT that’s a proprietary rubber compound.
Coupled with a Descent Control technology, its downhill performance, and performance on wet stone and mud are improved.
The X Ultra 3 Mid GTX is a lightweight hiking boot, based on a running shoe technology. This makes it a perfect fit for those wanting additional ankle support on off-road terrain.
- Virtually no break-in period
- Comfortable and supportive
- Not exactly travel-friendly
6. Scarpa Mojito
If you’re planning on spending more time out in the open on your trip, then Scarpa Mojito shoes are the ones to go with.
Whatever adventure you have in mind, Scarpa Mojito will keep your feet comfortable and secure. And thanks to its minimalist design, you can wear it as everyday casual footwear.
The water-resistant upper stretches and molds to your foot. The great lacing system that goes all the way to the toes ensures a secure fit throughout the upper.
The leather featured allows some breathability, but unfortunately, it’s insufficient for hot summer days.
The midsole is made out of dual-density thermo-foam EVA compound.
Positioned below the heel, the low-density EVA cushioning offers anti-shock protection, while the high-density full-length EVA foam has anti-torsion properties.
The outsole is made out of Vibram Spyder rubber with a design that ensures a secure grip and excellent traction on different terrain.
The stylish design of this relatively light and durable hybrid shoe allows you to wear it on the trail, and to the pub without looking odd.
It’s an excellent investment if you lead the life of an adventurer.
- Very durable, high quality
- Stylish and simple design
- Affordable
- Extremely flexible
7. Altra Men’s Vali Sneaker
The Altra Vali is a comfortable and casually styled shoe for everyday wear, perfect for warm and sunny destinations.
With its balance of foot-health-positive feature, comfort, and style, the Vali is great for everyday activities and adventures.
The specially engineered knit mesh upper allows for extra breathability. The thoughtful design includes an integrated one-piece tongue and laces that match the unique upper.
However, knit mesh upper doesn’t repel water, so expect your feet to be wet if you get caught in the rain.
The outsole is made out of rubber, and it provides plenty of traction on various terrain types.
The EVA midsole is ideal for spending a day on your feet while the BLOOM insole contributes to the overall comfort.
To help the environment, BLOOM insoles are made out of algae biomass, lessening the shoe’s carbon footprint.
One of the most significant features of Altra Vali is its generous toe box. The extra-wide toe box gives your toes enough room to spread, contributing to your overall stability.
The Altra Men’s Vali Sneaker serves a variety of functions and is comfortable enough to be worn all day.
Plus, if you’re planning to do a lot of walking on your travel, you can’t go wrong with this model.
- Great design
- Extremely comfortable, even throughout the day
- Excellent grip and traction
What To Look For – Men’s Walking Shoes For Travel
The key is to bring perfect travel footwear for a particular destination.
Waterproof travel shoes can be a plus. They are great for rainy travel destinations and are a good thing to have as an option.
Still, they won’t do much for you if you’re traveling to where it rarely rains.
You should be on a lookout for durable, but lightweight footwear. That way, you can pack without incurring extra baggage fees, or you can even bring an extra pair.
Other things to note for men’s Travel Shoes:
- Good quality and a low price usually aren’t good bedfellows. Matching quality boots to some low-quality and cheap socks can lead to a number of unpleasant situations.
- Cheap materials usually aren’t breathable and tend to make your feet sweat. That can be unpleasant, and it can cause health problems. Make sure your socks are made of quality, breathable material.
- New travel shoes can feel tight around the toes, or they can rub at the heel. In turn, that can cause abrasions and blisters, until the shoe is broken in and the foot found its comfortable position.
For this reason, it’s always a good idea to break your shoes in before you travel. Just wear them for a week or two before your travel, and you’ll be fine.
For more of the best gear, we have the ultimate list of men’s travel jackets to help you pick from as well.
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