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When preparing for a trip, no matter the destination or length, selecting the perfect shoe is a daunting task. Packing uncomfortable or inappropriate footwear can really put a damper on your travels. Here are a few ideas to help you select the most versatile shoes for travel to mix and match with virtually every outfit.
Versatile Shoes For Travel
As you start to narrow down your extensive shoe collection or online shopping cart into feasible options, it’s always important to take into consideration factors like activities, your destination, and the location’s weather. However, what many travelers fail to consider is color choice.
When faced with countless color options, you may automatically default to typical black or brown. While functionally these shoes get the job done, you may be missing out on a great opportunity to select one of the most versatile shoes for travel that would work with anything you pack.
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Animal Print
Leopard Slip-on Sneakers / Snakeskin Sandals
Since I prefer to travel with solid clothing, adding colorful or pattered accessories and shoes helps to infuse some of my personal style into my travel wardrobe. Subtle animal prints are the easiest way to incorporate a fun element, and will coordinate with just about any color. They are the perfect patterned neutral.
These leopard print slip-ons are my favorite pair for trips to a larger city. Leopard print is usually comprised of black, brown, and camel tones making them a great choice to combine with any color outfit.
Snakeskin works is a similar way, and both can elevate your jeans and t-shirt or simple black dress like the sandals above, a pair of heels, or sneakers, too.
Packing cubes make the perfect shoe bags to protect your luggage from dirty shoes.
Metallic
Another versatile travel shoe choice is metallic. Metallic footwear come in a wide range of colors, but pewter, bronze, gold, and silver are smart options to coordinate with most colors.
The ballet flats and sandals shown above easily span seasons, and can add shine to an otherwise unremarkable outfit. They can also add femininity and even glam to otherwise boring footwear.
Neutrals
If your travel wardrobe already includes mostly patterned and bright colored clothes, opting for a neutral solid may be a good decision. Grey, nude, and taupe are natural and safe choices, and will compliment any color.
Choose materials that are easy to clean like patent leather or leather. Baby wipes will easily give them a nice clean and you can use a dab off nail polish remover on an ear bud to remove scuff marks.
Color
Olive green sneakers / Chambray Flats
Similarly if you prefer a little more color in your footwear, navy, olive green, and chambray all pair well with a range of tones. Chambray is a perfect choice, because it acts like denim and will coordinate with all colors.
To learn about how to choose the best shoes for travel, please read this guide!
Shoes take up valuable real estate in your luggage or backpack, and you shouldn’t limit yourself to basic colors or styles. When planning your travel wardrobe, any item that goes into your pack should be able earn its keep and shoes are no exception. There are so many options and patterns that will not only allow you flexibility, but also add interest to your outfits. You can’t go wrong – they’re the most versatile shoes for travel!
What are your most versatile shoes for travel? Share in the comments!
For more tips on shoes for travel, please read:
- Best Shoes for Travel: Don’t Buy Another Pair Until You Read This
- 20 Comfortable and Cute Walking Shoes for Travel
- Walking Sandals for Travel that are Actually Cute- Is it Possible?
- 10 Cute and Comfortable Ballet Flats for Travel
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Is it me? or are cheeta and leopard prints kind of 5 years ago? I see army green, taupe, brown and black as more versatile travel shoes. Educate me!
I love the Naots that you recommended a while back. Perfect for my feet. Great post.
Glad to hear you like them Sharon!
Ditto here! I just wish they had the same lightweight soles and support as my Teva , I did try sending them a hint/
request than included the Naots you like. I’m just afraid they won’t have enough arch support….where the newer TEvas do!
Connie
Great information! I usually bring my champagne gold flats when I travel; matches everything and super comfortable.
Metallics are perfect!
All great options and ideas for travel shoes! I’ve come to really love animal prints recently, so I’m excited to see them on here! I would also add that flats with good support are necessary, you don’t want to wear ballet flats with thin soles and light bottoms. Your feet will be happy you gave them extra support.
Absolutely love animal prints 🙂
I got a super comfy pair of champagne colored 2 strap Birkenstocks that I pack with me everywhere I go. I love them. They’re comfy, they look cute, and I feel like I can wear them to the airport (slip on a pair of socks while in line for TSA), putzing around deck on a cruise ship, or for a fancier night (I don’t wear heels.). They have a cool texture to them and some interesting cut out details. I am going for a weekend trip to a bed and breakfast in the rainy San Juan Islands this weekend and I’m trying to justify packing them. I go to CA in March and they’re definitely in my four day pack.
They are super comfortable – it’s great they come in so many colors!
Love the article. I have most of the suggestions :). Taupe is awesome.
My go to shoes are three in one: gold, snake skin, slip on sneaker! Bought it in Steve Madden. It was an edition from the blonde salad. Though they are a bit big for me they go with everything! Yesterday wore it with a nice dress.
sound perfect!
Eee! I love those snakeskin sandals. I can’t wait for warmer weather to roll in so I can get some shoe shopping time in. 🙂
My most versatile travel shoes are probably my Merrell Pace Glove 2’s. I mostly wear them with skinny jeans or leggings when I’m exploring a new city. They’re super lightweight and breathable so I can wear them in hot weather, and if I get them wet, they dry quickly.
Those sound perfect! I love my leather sandals, so soft and comfy, but they don’t handle getting wet very well! Quick-dry would be great!
I’m a big fan of red – gives a pop of color for wardrobes made of mostly neutral colors.
I love red shoes too. Black is my least favorite color for shoes unless it’s an amazing texture.
I’ve found Merrill sandals were the best for my feet when I went to Europe. Bought them in a couple more colours after I got home.
sounds great! which style worked for you?