The best women’s travel walking shoes are without a doubt the most important item in your travel wardrobe. Take the wrong pair and your trip may be ruined. However, take the best women’s walking shoes for travel and your feet will thank you and ensure you get around to all the must-see sights.
Not only are good walking shoes for women on a trip vital, but they are usually the bulkiest thing you’re taking. Which is why it is worthwhile doing your homework and try to at least a good pair of ladies lightweight walking shoes.
If your trip involves a lot of city walking, your choice of travel shoes can make or break your trip. (I’m not talking about hiking boots or hiking sandals here but the best women’s city walking shoes.) If you’re off to Europe, you’ll be spending a lot of time walking over those beautiful (but not so great on the feet) cobblestones. So it really does pay to do your research to ensure you find the most comfortable walking shoes for women.
I’m a shoe lover and I’ve tried many pairs of ladies’ walking shoes – so in these women’s walking shoes reviews, let me help you find the most comfortable walking shoes for travel. In this guide, I take you through all the things you need to consider before buying the best walking shoes for women, as well as looking at some of the top rated walking shoes for women now on the market.
Best womens travel walking shoes: comparison chart
Below is a quick overview of all the best walking shoes for travel I review in this guide. Keep reading below for my full ladies walking shoes reviews.
| Title | Image | Type | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skechers Women's Fashion Sneaker |  | Casual Sneaker | Buy Now! |
| Propét Women's TravelActiv Mary Jane Flat |  | Mary Jane Flats | Buy Now! |
| Clarks Women's Desert Boots |  | Casual Boots | Buy Now! |
| Cobb Hill Womens Petra-ch Mary Jane Flats |  | Mary Jane | Buy Now! |
| ECCO Women's Soft 7 Stitch Tie Sneaker |  | Casual Sneaker | Buy Now! |
| Teva Women's Tirra Sandal |  | Sandals | Buy Now! |
| Viakix Womens Hiking Sandals |  | Sandals | Buy Now! |
| ASICS Women's GEL-Venture 5 Running Shoe |  | Athletics | Buy Now! |
How to choose the best womens walking shoes for travel
Below I’ve listed what I consider the best ladies walking shoes for city travel – but why did I choose them, and why do I recommend them as top walking shoes for women? It’s because they fulfilled some (or all) these requirements.
Below is a brief overview of the different types of shoes that can make a great option for comfy walking shoes for women.
- Casual sneakers: Casual walking sneakers for women are a popular choice for city sightseeing and come in a range of great colors and modern designs; it won’t be hard to find the perfect pair for your individual preference and style.
- Athletic shoes: If you’re sporty and don’t mind wearing your trainers during the day, a pair of running shoes are a great choice for the best womens shoes for walking. While they may not be the most fashionable, they’ll keep your feet comfortable for all that city sightseeing.
- Flats: For those you like to look a little more fashionable during their days of city sightseeing, a good quality pair of flats can make good walking shoes for ladies. A nice pair of flats are versatile: they can take you from a day of casual sightseeing to an evening meal at a restaurant.
- Sandals: If you’re traveling during warmer months or in warmer climates, look for the best walking sandals for women, especially for city trips. These days, comfortable walking sandals come in plenty of colors and designs, and usually offer great support for your feet. You can even get relatively heavy-duty sandals for light hiking that can double as city walking footwear.
- Casual boots: During the cooler months, a good quality pair of casual boots can also be a great option for city sightseeing.
General comfort and support
That goes without saying. Travel and sightseeing means you’ll be on your feet a lot longer than you’re probably used to so your shoes need to be that comfortable. Even the best stylish walking shoes for women are not worth buying if they’re not comfortable.
To get that comfort, pay attention to the following parts of the shoe.
Arch support
Arch support is necessary to help maintain your foot properly aligned and well postured, as well as keep your feet comfortable after days of city sightseeing. All the best rated walking shoes for women will have some level of arch support, but some people need additional support. If you need a womens walking shoe with arch support – get a pair! This is no time to overlook your feet’s special requirements.
Good arch support is highly important wherever you go but especially in Europe, where you’ll often be walking up and down cobbled hills.
Foot bed
The best women’s shoes for walking all day have a footbed which is cushioned and properly cradles your foot, so ensure any travel shoe you purchase has a good curved footbed.
Specific bits and pieces
Sometimes a shoe is perfectly comfortable – except for a little seam or thread. If you have sensitive skin, the slightest rub could be a dealbreaker. Make sure you read all available reviews for the best female walking shoes to see what others are saying after they’ve worn them.
Material
When it comes to womens comfy walking shoes, material is a factor. Soft leather feels wonderful but may be hot in summer when compared to some of the newer breathing fibers. You may also prefer to avoid animal products or conversely, you may wish to wear only what nature made.
Lining
The inside of your shoe is as important as the outside. The best womens travel shoes should have lining which breathes easily and doesn’t make your foot sweat. If you’re prone to sweaty feet, look for lining that has been treated with an odor-resistant coating.
Fashion
While it is certainly possible to get comfortable, stylish walking shoes for women, it really is important to put comfort over fashion when it comes to great walking shoes for women. Don’t despair – there really are some excellent supportive and trendy walking shoes for women – just don’t forget that comfort comes first!
Durability
The best women’s shoes for sightseeing should be durable and last you for years (depending upon how often you wear them). You don’t want your shoes to die after a few intensive wears so make sure the memory foam doesn’t flatten or the sides yaw once you’ve put them through their paces. Also look for reinforcements around the toes and flexibility in the soles
Price
Its true that the top rated womens walking shoes often tend to be a little pricey. That said, shoes are one extravagance whose price I pay less attention to. If they fit well, are durable and attractive, I’ll give in.
If you’re on a tight budget but still want the most comfortable women’s walking shoes for travel, stretch your budget as far as possible or look out for sales. When it comes to the best walking shoes for ladies – you really do get what you pay for
Adaptability
Do you need to work while you’re away? If so, consider taking a pair of shoes that can do double duty (unless luggage is no obstacle). And here’s a bit of an unorthodox suggestion: how about a pair of nursing shoes? They’re sturdy, comfortable, and designed to keep you on your feet all day. Just saying.
Sole
Depending on where you’re walking, the thickness of your sole will make a difference. If you’re walking on cobblestones, the most comfortable walking shoes for women will be ones with a thicker sole, as opposed to what you’d need if you were walking through a Hong Kong mall. The treads are also important. A flat tread could be more slippery, depending on the ground’s surface.
Laces
It hit home on a recent trip to Kyrgyzstan – each time I went into a home I had to take my shoes off, sometimes a dozen or more times a day. Imagine doing that with laces! If you’re visiting a country where you are required to take your shoes off regularly, look for the best slip on walking shoes for women – or regret it later.
Weight
The lighter they are, the easier they’ll be to pack. Plus with airlines increasingly strict about weight requirements for both check-in and carry-on luggage, this is something you should keep in mind. That said, ultra-light shoes may be too flimsy for the wear and tear of a full day’s sightseeing.
Easy to clean
Your shoes will get dirty and you’ll need to be able to clean them – certain materials are easier to clean than others. If walking through mud or dust is part of your plan, think about how you’ll brush or wash your shoes afterwards. Some are even machine washable…
Time of year
Do check the weather before you decide which shoes to take! You won’t want to wear those womens leather walking shoes in the middle of the monsoon season and in winter, you’ll be looking for something more sturdy, like hiking boots.
Destination
The shoes I’ve listed below are recommended for tourism in well-kept cities, but if you’re headed somewhere with things to trip over, uneven sidewalks or muddy side streets, you’ll need something sturdier.
The one piece of advice I can provide about city or walking shoes is this: if you find the perfect and most comfortable ladies walking shoes, run and buy a second pair. Models change and you may not get another chance!
The best walking shoes for travel reviews
Below I’ve listed my top recommendations for great walking shoes for city trips.
- If youre looking for casual womens walking sneakers for easy city strolling, I highly recommend the Skechers Sport Womens Empire Fashion Sneaker. In fact these are my favorite when it comes to comfort walking shoes for ladies – and I have two pairs.
- These stylish womens walking shoes for travel are made with a soft jersey knit fabric upper, which makes them super light. They are particularly comfortable thanks to the memory-foam cushioned comfort insole, soft fabric lining, padded collar and tongue, shock absorbing midsole and the ultra-flexible outsole, which has great traction. More generally, these shows simply have a relaxed and roomy design for a very comfortable fit.
- Apart from being comfortable, the best things about these ladies walking sneakers, is that they have a stretchy laced front panel so you can easily slip them on and off – no tying and untying laces. This makes these shoes super convenient when visiting places such as mosques and temples.
- Dirty? Just throw them in the washing machine - and oh so light. But the top wears through after a while; no matter, I get a new pair because theyre that comfortable.
- These shoes have a great fashionable look and are versatile enough to go well with most things in your travel wardrobe (at least if theyre casual). They also come in a range of colors including grey with mint accents and grey with pink accents. Definitely consider these Skechers if you’re after the best walking sneakers for women for the cit
- If you’re not overly keen about the casual sneaker look and want something slightly dressier, consider the Propet Travelactiv Mary Jane’s. These are cute, light and good all-round playful shoes – perfect if you’re after both comfortable and stylish travel shoes for women.
- You wont feel any pain after a day of city sightseeing. These shoes are made of breathable mesh, a flexible outsole and a moulded footbed which can be removed to accommodate your own orthotics.
- With the strap and hook closure, getting these shoes on and off quickly is a breeze – so theyre perfect for visiting sights that require you to take them off regularly. Plus they are really easy to clean too. Just remove the removable footbed and pop them in the washing machine.
- These cute walking shoes for women come in a range of great colors – some subtle, some less so. You’ll also get the perfect fit as the shoes come in a range of widths including standard, narrow and wid
- If you prefer a casual boot, I like the Clarks Women’s Desert Boot. While I appreciate they are an acquired taste and not for everyone, I find them great for tromping around rural areas when not much hiking is involved or for casual city wear - but not for hours of heavy sightseeing over cobblestones.
- These boots are crafted with a soft suede upper, leather lining and crepe outsole which combined create a lightweight walking boot. They keep my feet cool even in high heat, but I don’t recommend wearing them when its humid.
- While they are not slip on shoes, they have a simple lace design so you can get them on and off reasonably quickly, but theyre not ideal for taking on and off multiple times a day.
- These shoes come in plenty of different colors, so if you really love them you can splurge and get more than one pair.
- I find these the most comfortable women’s boots for walking - but only once youve broken them in properl
- If you’re after the best women’s dress shoes for walking all day, then the Petra Mary Jane’s by Rockport are a great option. These are good to consider if you’re after the most comfortable women’s flats for walking. Theyre versatile enough to wear for a day of city sightseeing and with a dress or skirt for an evening meal.
- The Rockport Petra shoes feature a soft leather upper, sturdy synthetic outsole, lightweight cushioning with a contoured footbed and good arch support. They also come in a range of widths including medium, narrow and wide, so you’re guaranteed to get the perfect fit for your foot.
- Being the Mary Jane style, they are easy to put on and take off with the hook and loop closure. They also feature floral-inspired cut-outs across the shoes, which give them a bit of a vintage look.
- These Rockport ladies leather walking shoes are a great combination of style and comfort and come in several traditional colors.
- Another good option for the best womens walking sneakers is the Ecco Soft 7 Sneakers. These shoes come highly recommended as one of the most comfortable walking sneakers for women – perfect if you’re off on a trip where you’ll spend day after day city sightseeing.
- The Ecco Soft 7 are crafted with a nubuck leather upper which features a waterproof coating as well as rugged (yet flexible) rubber outsoles perfect for walking on a range of surfaces. The interior of the shoe has a soft textile lining and a leather covered inlay sole which is removable if you need more width.
- These are good walking sneakers for women but they do have a traditional long lace-up style, which means theyre not ideal if you have to take them off often during the day. However, this design does provide maximum comfort and support for your feet so that they don’t give up on you before the day is out.
- The Ecco Soft 7 also comes in different colors and designs so no matter your fashion style you’ll find a pair you love. They come in subtle colors such as tan or cream to brighter colors like red, orange and pink, as well as floral or metallic designs.
- Tevas are known for making some of the best sandals for walking, and these Tirra model sandals are among the best ladies walking sandals - they will keep your feet cool in warmer climates and well supported for a full day of city sightseeing.
- The sole is crafted from rubber and provides excellent traction and grip for a range of surfaces. The top of the shoe is 100% textile and fully adjustable to ensure the perfect fit. For maximum comfort and support, the sandals also feature a nylon stability shank with cushioned shock padding in the heel, excellent arch support and a molded midsole and topsole.
- These shoes are waterproof so great if your travels take you from the city to the beach or even to cities where it’s the time of the year that downpours are common – but remember, they are actually sandals.
- A final note: these womens waterproof walking shoes for travel are best for all-day wear.
- Another great option if you prefer walking sandals are these women’s Viakix hiking sandals. These sandals are designed to keep your feet well supported and comfortable for long days of walking, perfect for city trips where you will be walking between attractions.
- These sandals are similar in look and design to the Teva Tirras. The Viakix are crafted by hand with a sturdy and durable rubber outsole and textile 4 adjustable straps. To make sure your feet remain comfortable for the entire day, these sandals feature a cushioned foam midsole with arch support to absorb impact.
- With fully 4 adjustable straps, these sandals provide the perfect fit no matter what size feet you have. With their quick-drying webbing, these sandals are also perfect to be worn during downpours.
- A good pair of walking sandals are a great alternative for women who don’t like fully enclosed shoes like sneakers. With sandals like these Viakix, you can still expect all-day comfort and support, just as though you were wearing a good quality pair of sneaker
- If you prefer a sporty look and are after a pair of women’s athletic walking shoes, there is a huge choice out there. A highly rated and popular choice is the ASICS Women GEL Venture 5, a best seller.
- These ASICS are considered to be among the most comfortable womens walking sneakers. These shoes have a synthetic upper and a multi-surface rugged rubber sole which provides great support across a range of surfaces. For maximum comfort, these shoes feature a GEL cushioning system which is designed to absorb impact. They also have a removable liner which is great if you need to insert your own orthotics.
- These ASICS running shoes come in a range of great colors and are a great choice for women who like maximum support with a sporty look.
- If you prefer a sporty look and are after a pair of women’s athletic walking shoes, there is a huge choice out there. A highly rated and popular choice is the ASICS Women GEL Venture 5, a best seller.
- These ASICS are considered to be among the most comfortable womens walking sneakers. These shoes have a synthetic upper and a multi-surface rugged rubber sole which provides great support across a range of surfaces. For maximum comfort, these shoes feature a GEL cushioning system which is designed to absorb impact. They also have a removable liner which is great if you need to insert your own orthotics.
- These ASICS running shoes come in a range of great colors and are a great choice for women who like maximum support with a sporty loo
— Originally published on 24 July 2016
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