Everyone loves a resortwear look, but dressing for the road to said resort inspires decidedly less joy. Between long layovers and uncomfortable seating, necessity is the mother of the travel outfit; to that end, there’s an art to the perfect travel shoe. It should be comfortable—that goes without saying—but as we deal with increasingly shrinking baggage restrictions, it should also be versatile enough to serve a purpose in your vacation wardrobe beyond TSA checkpoints. Here at Vogue, everyone has their own platonic ideal of the best travel shoes; so we polled the team and rounded up the results ahead.
Vogue Editors’ Favorite Travel Shoes:
The highlight: Everyone loves a sneaker. Practical, comfortable, and airport security-proof, this is the item to invest in ahead of your own travels. For summer getaways in particular, pick a slimmer, retro-inspired pair you can wear with poplin skirts and breezy dresses alike. Flip-flops are also a popular choice (you won’t find a more packable option)—but from there, the list gets varied. From woven flats to the ubiquitous Margiela Tabis, read on to shop our editors’ favorite travel shoes.
Liam Hess, senior lifestyle editor
I have an obsession with the Wales Bonner x Adidas collab sneakers that borders on the pathological—I still have a (now very beaten up) pair of teal and brown SL72s from the first collection in 2020, and I must have picked up six or seven different styles in the years since. To me, they’re the perfect plane shoe—super comfy and easy to slip off, but stylish enough to not feel like a slob. There’s no better travel shoe than a retro sneaker.
Wales Bonner
x Adidas Originals Edition MN Samba Sneakers
Libby Page, executive shopping director
My Ginza flip flop sandals from The Row are my summer prized possession that I never travel without—I exclusively wear these on vacation so from fear of losing my suitcase I always wear them in-flight and almost always with a loose fit, wide-leg linen pant. Being comfortable on a plane is a must, so I'll slip cashmere socks on during the flight to keep me and my feet warm! It's a pairing I've mastered over time and never travel without.
Talia Abbas, associate shopping director
I live in my A.Emery flip-flops during the summer, but could never go through airport security in sandals, so these go in my carry-on. On my feet for traveling are my Dries sneakers. Comfy (good for both short and long walks!) and discreet, they work nicely even with unplanned outfits—a must to streamline packing. Less in my suitcase means more vacation treasures I can bring home!
Elly Leavitt, lifestyle shopping editor
I tend to wear my bulkiest shoes to the airport to save suitcase space, and in the summer, that shoe is a sneaker. I love a red version to wear with my white linen dresses and skirts, and these Adidas SL72 runners are great if you, like me, have Samba fatigue. For ferry trips between islands (as well as an easy beach shoe), I’m always wearing my Birkenstocks. The Gizeh is the perfect chunky sandal that's comfortable enough to walk in.
Chloe Malle, editor, Vogue.com
I’m obsessed with Brave Pudding’s sock shoes—shocks?—they are just kooky enough to give Big and Little Edie but are extremely practical when zooming through JFK onto a red eye. No need to change into socks in flight, they’re already on! I love this deep sea blue color. I also love these Margaux woven flats; they feel like something a chic European fisherman might wear but get me through a day of walking, no matter where I am traveling.
Kasey Busiel, marketing & production manager
I’m always on the hunt for the perfect beach sandal, and these jelly slip-ons from Veronica Beard check all the boxes: lightweight, packable, and effortlessly versatile. Whether I’m heading to the breakfast buffet, the spa, or the beach, they’re the ideal shoe for a resort getaway. As much as I wish I was the type of gal to dress up for the airport, I always end up in my tried-and-true lounge sets and sneakers. My current go-to airport shoes are my Onitsuka Tigers or Asics—they let me stride to my gate in comfort and style.
Lilah Ramzi-Goettemann, parties editor
I’m admittedly trepidatious about wearing open-toed shoes just about anywhere but the beach (a personal quirk I like to think of as adhering to royal protocol). Still, come summer, I crave something breezy, flat, and elegant. Margaux’s Altea slingback strikes the perfect balance: the woven leather feels effortlessly cool, while the closed-toe silhouette carries the polish of a ballet flat. It’s the kind of shoe I can wear from a museum visit to an elegant dinner—no outfit change required.
Leah Faye Cooper, digital style director
I travel exclusively in sneakers and try to wear a pair that I'll also get some use out of in whatever destination I'm heading to. Currently, that means I'm reaching for these Pharrell-designed Adidas, which feel like cozy pillows wrapped around your feet.
Adidas
x Pharrell Superstar 92 sneakers
Elise Taylor, senior lifestyle writer
These clean, modern white sneakers from Distillé have been my go-to travel shoe for quite some time. Comfortable and easy to slip on and off, yet stylish enough that I don't feel like a total schlub walking into my hotel lobby post-flight.
Kiana Murden, senior beauty commerce writer
I normally travel in my Tabis, but if my travel day requires exceptional comfort, I'll whip out my Onitsuka Tigers. The Mexico 66 style fits so snug, making walking around for hours a breeze. I have a pair in silver now, but am eyeing a white pair too.
Cortne Bonilla, senior shopping writer
Judge me all you want! The slay does not stop at the airport. And to me, Tabis are the most comfortable flats that I own—I can quickly slip them on and off, and often wear them with a thin sock. As controversial as it is to wear a flip flop to the airport, nothing looks chicer to me than wearing a pair with a relaxed-fit lounge set. I usually bring a pair of socks in my bag for security.
Alexandra Ditch, associate commerce producer
Even if I’m headed to a tropical destination, I prepare myself for the inevitably chilly temperatures of the planes, trains, and automobiles along the way. Socks and closed-toe shoes are a must for me! The Nike Cortez sneakers are my go-to—they’re easy, comfortable, and perfect for styling upon arrival, too. Pair them with Bombas ruffle socks for a feminine touch.
Fred Sahai, associate commerce producer
No matter how hard I try to diversify my footwear choices during the summer, 90% of the time I will end up wearing flip-flops. I’ve always loved a classic pair of Havaianas, and lately I’ve been reaching for these square-toed flip-flops the most. They’re slimmer than their usual sandals, and the shape makes them feel a little more elevated. They’re great for a beach day and can be dressed up with the right slip dress at dinner.
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