The 9 Best Women’s Travel Shoes For Every Adventure in 2023

My mom will attest that from an early age, I’ve always had my own personal style.

When I was four, it was a pair of red glitter Mary Janes (my ruby red slippers) and a taffeta tutu that I insisted on wearing everywhere… including on a beach vacation!

Like most fashionistas, I aspire to one day build my closet up to Carrie Bradshaw standards. 

However, for now, most of my budget goes toward travel instead of designer stilettos.

When I find a comfortable, affordable, and functional shoe brand, I stick with it for years.

So I thought it would be fun to round up some of my favorite women’s travel shoes I’ve come across over the years.

I’ve included categories for many travel shoe shoppers, so hopefully you’ll find the perfect fit for whatever adventure you’re planning this year!

The Best Travel Flats

Oliver Cabell Dream Flat

These elegant flats are comfy and go with almost any outfit. Their cushioned soles make walking around the city all day a breeze!

I almost always end up packing these babies for trips because they make sightseeing a breeze, especially in large cities with lots of walking.

The best part is that they are soft upon arrival that you don’t even have to worry about breaking them in!

They come in black or white, though I’d recommend the black as I think they are more practical.

Oliver Cabell Dream Mule

Anyone else have a hard time finding cute mules that will actually stay on their feet?

It’s been a real struggle for me to find a pair that isn’t too wide (I have a very narrow foot). So far, this pair of leather Dream Mules from Oliver Cabell are the only pair I’ve been happy with.

They stay on my foot, are super cozy thanks to the built-in cushioning, and go perfectly with a pair of cropped pants or jeans.

Fair warning though, they only come in whole sizes. The website recommends sizing down if you’re between sizes as they run slightly large. 

The mules come in multiple colors and prints, including cheetah, leopard, truffle (like a sage green), and caramel (brown), and black.

The Best Travel Sneakers for Women

Ked’s Kickstart Solid Sneaker

Anyone else getting major old school vibes from these leather sneakers?

I recently got back into Keds after spotting someone in the airport rocking them.

These are now my go-to sneakers to wear on flights, since I feel like they really elevate any outfit while still keeping you comfy.

Plus, if you’re always running late like me, they’re perfect for running to the gate at the last second!

Oliver Cabell Low 1

These leather sneakers are perfect for anyone who wants to instantly make their travel outfits a bit more chic.

They’re made from buttery Italian calfskin leather with rubber soles that will stand the test of time (and travel).

Fair warning though, you will want to spend a bit of time breaking these guys in. It took me a couple days of wearing them before I really felt them soften up. 

Oliver Cabell makes these shoes in white, black, and a variety of patterns and colored sparkles!

The Best Women’s Travel Boots

Okay, I’ll be the first to admit exploring in heels isn’t always a good idea.

But hear me out, you’ll want at least one pair of heeled boots in your bag just in case you end up on a hot date, or heading to a fancy performance, or dinner. 

Trust me, I’ve done the whole not packing heels thing more than once, and every time I end up running around at the last second trying to find a suitable pair to complete my outfit for that evening. It’s not fun!

Packing a pair with a lower block heel, like these Blondo leather boots, will save you the stress of having to shop at the last second for a pair of heels. 

Blondo Waterproof Boots

These waterproof Blondo’s have been my go-to stylish winter boots for the last two seasons.

My favorite thing about them is that they’re almost identical to the way more expensive Stuart Weitzman 50/50 boot. I’ve had multiple people mistake them for the designer brand.

They look great with skinny jeans, a mini dress, mini skirt, and even on occasion long skirts and dresses. So basically you can feel good knowing these boots work for any occasion and will be the only ones you need to pack.

These boots are super comfy and will help keep your legs warm and dry on super cold winter days.

UGG Women’s Adirondack Boot

UGG is a brand well-known for their cozy boots, so it’s no surprise they make some of the most comfortable winter travel boots around.

This leather and suede style is totally waterproof and has sherpa lining to keep your toes extra warm as you trek through the snow.

If you’re planning on wearing them with thick winter socks, I’d recommend sizing up a bit.

Merrell Women’s Chateau Snow Boot

These snow boots are trendy enough to wear on a low key night out with jeans or while trekking through the snow looking for your next adventure.

They’re made from a waterproof leather upper with a faux fur accent. They’re also super comfortable!

Also, fair warning, they’re narrow, so if you have wider feet, opt for one of the travel boots on this list.

The Best Walking Sandals for Travel

ECCO Flowt Strap Sandal

ECCO makes some of the coziest and most functional walking sandals around. 

This style sandal is super on trend right now, has plenty of padding to keep your feet happy all day long, and has enough traction at the bottom to keep you from slipping on uneven and steep terrain.

The best part is that they’re soft enough when they arrive, that you don’t really need to break them in.

They run a bit wide, so if you have super narrow feet like me, just a head’s up. However, the ankle strap adjusts to give you some help.

If you’re going to Greece, I recommend you get a pair of these ASAP.

I really regretted not having these as I was slipping down the steep steps to the fishing village in Oia (it’s almost 200 incredibly steep and old stone steps to climb up and down from the water—some people even resort to riding donkeys up!)

Teva Verra Sandal

Looking for a sandal that you can wear into the water?

Check out Teva’s Verra sandal. It’s got water friendly polyester and cushioned rubber soles, plus they make it from recycled plastic.

Teva’s a brand that was founded by a Colorado River guide in the 1980s, so you know these sandals are built to last through any adventures you get in on the road.

They produce a bunch of different styles, but I think their Verra is the most chic. 

If you want something a bit more classic Teva, check out their Original Sandal (linked below).

Fun Fact: The name “Teva” is the Hebrew word for nature!

Birkenstock Arizona

Okay, so I have to admit that I didn’t really get the Birkenstock trend when it started.

Like so many, I kind of just wrote them off as the next ugly shoe trend—that is until I tried my sister’s pair.

They’re definitely sandals that won’t go with every outfit in your closet, but they will keep your feet happy all day long. 

I was pleasantly surprised me they were lightweight after assuming they’d be heavy because of their bulky build. This combination of cork, leather, and buckles is simple and ideal for anyone looking for a no-fuss everyday travel sandal.

Wrapping It Up

I hope this guide helps you find the perfect pair of travel shoes for your next trip!

Writing this has certainly made me excited to dig out some of my favorite boots to pack on a few upcoming winter trips I have in the new year.

I’m always looking to add to my growing shoe collection, so, let me know in the comments below if you’ve discovered a must-buy women’s travel shoe that’s not on the list.