Best shoes for walking on your travels!
You always walk so many more steps than you think you will when you travel, right?
Last time I was in New York (we visited twice last year) I think we averaged 18,000 steps per day. And I know many people who walk more than that. All I can say is arch support is a must!
I was also in Hawaii recently and we decided to hike Diamond Head. I didn’t have trainers so had to buy a pair. My Hoka’s were amazing! (Link to two types I now own below).
Below you’ll find my top recommendations for shoes for every trip, summer and winter, plus links if you want to grab a pair.
Some of us don’t plan to walk that much, but before you know it you’ve gone a few more blocks and a few more blocks, and your feet feel like they’ve been pulverized to stumps by the end of the day.
And as for the husband’s suggestion of walking through Central Park instead of taking one of those bicycle buggies – bug off! Thank goodness for the respite of the Beatles buskers at Strawberry Fields.
So one thing you should not scrimp on is a good pair of shoes – or two – for your next escape.
Note: this post contains Amazon affiliate links. That means if you make a purchase from one of my links, I might make a commission at no extra cost to you.
Here are the best shoes for walking around a city
Pro tip: Take at least two pairs of shoes that are comfortable to walk in. The worst thing would be to get a blister in your only pair of shoes and you can’t take the friction away. And in that regard, make them different shapes, like a trainer and a sandal or a flip flop.
My other pro tip is to buy cushioned insoles which you can put into any shoe (except a sandal/flip flop) – provided you have about a half size of wriggle room. I have several pairs and put them in everything from boots to my cute white sneakers and flatforms.
- Arch Support and Pain Relief for Foot Pain: This comfortable cushioning insole is ergonomically designed to effectively relieve foot pain such as plantar fasciitis, heel pain, plantar fasciitis, etc.
- Comfortable and Breathable: These insoles feature a honeycomb design that promotes air circulation and keeps your feet cool and dry. Advanced materials wick away moisture, dry quickly, and help prevent foot odor
- Shock Absorption and Anti-Slip: The U-shaped memory foam heel provides excellent shock absorption, reducing impact on the feet and knees, and there is a comfortable and flexible gel insert at the bottom of the insole for effective shock absorption.
3rd pro tip: I have had to hobble into department stores looking for discrete footlet socks, and failing that, rip up table napkins to do quick blister repairs on the go (reader, it doesn’t take the pain of an emerging-soon to burst blister), so I would also recommend packing some little cushioned bandaids if you’re trying new shoes.
Check out these blister bandaid packs for quick repairs. They’re cheap and come in a pack with all sorts of different shapes for heels, toes and anywhere else.
- SURVIVE EVERY STEP IN COMFORT: Whether you’re conquering mountain trails, breaking in new heels, or battling gym blisters, our medical-grade hydrocolloid cushions adapt to your active lifestyle
- HEEL BLISTER PROTECTION: Thicker cushions provide extra padding to protect broken skin while allowing breathability and flexibility; protects your feet, heels, toes and soles
- WATERPROOF PROTECTION: Blister patches are made with anti-sensitive hydrocolloid gel to absorb fluid and shield blisters from sweat, water, and additional friction; Can be worn while swimming or showering without worries of slippage even during hot summer months; Latex-free; Skin friendly; Lightweight
Summer shoes for so much walking!
If you’re going in the warmer months, take a trainer/walking shoe AND a sandal/slide (or more than one pair!)
Hoka shoes are great for comfort, and they look cute enough. I bought Bondi ones in black and literally felt like I was bouncing through the streets of Chicago like a gazelle. They’re lightweight, roomy in the toe and machine washable. Then on my recent trip to Hawaii, I decided to buy the Clifton to hike up Diamond Head and am thrilled to report that I leapt up there with nary a blister or an ache!
- Light and plush for everyday miles
- A trusted trainer for daily maintenance miles, the Clifton has been the keystone of our cushioned styles for 10 years and counting. Ushering in a new era of plush performance, this next-generation update delivers a revitalized underfoot experience with an additional 3mm in heel-to-toe drop. Delivering the same ultralight cushioning that made the Clifton a fan favorite, we’ve fine-tuned the fit and added a breathable jacquard upper with double-lace lock to mitigate tongue migration.
- Jacquard knit
GDefy – Gravity Defyer – is very good shoe if you are after arch support. They have a patented Versoshock technology sole and reviews show they assist with comfort levels for flat feet and walking posture that leads to knee pain.
- Orthopedic Support for All-Day Comfort – Designed to provide lasting comfort for walking, standing, work, and everyday activities.
- Advanced Arch Support & Shock Absorption – VersoShock cushioning system helps absorb impact and enhance comfort during walking, standing, and everyday activities.
- Includes 3 Orthotic Insoles – Perfect Fit, Comfort Fit, and Corrective Fit insoles allow you to customize support for low, medium, and high arches.
Skechers Womens Uno are another very comfy shoe for a day’s walking. These have an air-cushioned midsole and one-inch hidden heel to give a bit of lift.
- Skechers Air-Cooled Memory Foam comfort insole
- Skech-Air visible air-cushioned midsole
- Flexible rubber traction outsole
Asics are my go-to for thousands of steps, as I had plantar faciittis for two years and I like the support Asics gives in the instep/arch. I wear these for my daily exercise and then stay in tham all day! Update: since I bought my Hokas I only use my Asics for my morning walk at home.
- Runs small
- Engineered mesh upper: A lightweight, breathable mesh material helps reduce the need for additional overlays.
- Rearfoot GEL technology: Shock-attenuating material placed in the midsole of the shoe for cushioning and shock absorption.
Nike Walking Runners. Not all walking shoes are good for running, but running shoes are good for walking. This is what I wore in New York last summer. They have a flyknit upper so are breathable for those hot days. I also like the wide rubber sole on this one to stop the foot from too much rolling.
- Foam cushioning delivers a soft underfoot feel. A higher foam height gives you a plush sensation with every step.
- Flywire cables help secure your feet and provide support when you tighten the laces, so you can stay stable.
- DR2698-015
Dr Scholl’s Women’s Time Off Sneaker. These are a combination of cute and functional. I know – hard to find in one shoe! Reviews are spot on for what we’re looking for: 18,000 – 20,000 steps per day while traveling, and very comfortable. They have support in the arch, without adding orthotics. And who doesn’t like the classic white trainer with a dress!
- ICONIC COMFORT: Enjoy all-day comfort with anatomical cushioning, anti-odor insole technology and arch support that uses 15% cushy plant-based BLOOM foam
- EASY, SECURE FIT: Women’s lace up low top sneaker with lace-up front and padded collar to ensure a snug fit for active and everyday wear plus B+ ball girth & width in medium widths (a half girth/width more than the industry B) and D ball girth & width in wide width sizes for added comfort
- RETRO PLATFORM STYLE: Sporty and versatile water-resistant faux-leather platform sneakers with approx. 1 inch platform offer a modern boost with casual flair, perfect for travel and beyond. As seen (and loved) on TikTok.
Teva Sports Sandal. This ergo-shaped sandal also happens to be cute enough to go with your shorts or dresses as you hammer the streets of New York, or ford streams and hiking trails.
- Quick-dry webbing made from recycled plastic using traceable, verifiable REPREVE polyester yarn by Unifi supports your foot and stands up to abuse
- Injection-molded strap ends for quick and easy grip and adjustability, Easy hook-and-loop closure comes on and off quickly and gets the fit just right
- Robust EVA footbed for enhanced comfort built for all-day wear
Birkenstock Gizeh Flowers. I have these in white and when I want to pack light, these are ideal. I can walk in them all day (weather permitting) with the famous ergo sole, and they’re cute enough to wear with a dress and go to dinner.
- Regular accommodates Regular to Wide Widths.
- Bloom into comfort by styling the Birkenstock Gizeh Flowers flip-flop. Its supportive cork cradles your arches, while the adjustable buckle ensures a perfect fit. Soft suede lining and signature cork/latex footbed & midsole, they offer unparalleled c
- Leather upper.
Oofos Recovery Slide. These are marketed as a “recovery slide” for athletes – and those who’ve walked all day! I like to pack a pair of super lightweight slippers to wear in my hotel, and these would be great for kicking off your trainers and putting these on to recover. Super spongey and comfy. They are ugly, but luckily ugly is cool right now! (Aren’t they Birkenstock?!)
- The Original Recovery Footwear
- Finding Your Size – For your perfect fit, consult the “size chart” link above. Wear a half size? In general, we recommend that women who wear a ½ size size UP, and men who wear a ½ size size DOWN.
- OOmega OOahh – Get an elevated look & feel. The OOmega platform features the MEGA midsole—adding 42% more impact-absorbing OOfoam—for trend-setting active recovery, day or night.
Have a look at these insoles:
You’ll need to ensure the shoe you’re putting them in is roomy enough – like a half size I would suggest. But these are game-changers to provide support for high arches, and especially good for those who work on their feet all day, or have suffered from plantar fasciitis and don’t want to risk it coming back!
By the way, this is a very good post and video on some things you can do to fix plantar fasciitis.
PCSSole Plantar Fasciitis. These are for those over 220lb and are heavy duty high arch support. However, they will take some getting used to, so I would recommend using these at home for a while before storming off for a day in NYC!
- HEAVY DUTY SUPPORT INSOLES: Powerful shoe inserts with 1.4 inches arch for men and women over 220 pounds help distribute body weight, and reduce foot impact.Shoe insoles are highly effective in treating various conditions such as plantar fasciitis, pronation, metatarsalgia, shin splints, bunions, and Morton’s neuroma.
- FOR EVERY DAY USAGE: Our inserts provide maximum foot comfort and will keep your legs and feet full of energy all day.It is an ideal solution to improve work performance and feel superior comfort throughout the day.
- PLANTAR FASCIITIS AND FOOT PAIN RELIEF INSOLES: Insoles help prevent pathological conditions of the foot and are ideal for problems associated with plantar fasciitis because they support the longitudinal and transverse arches of the foot, reducing stress on the feet and the spine.
Orthopedic Insoles. These ones are more malleable and are good for flat feet that need support. They are a good multi-use insole to pop into any shoe or boot and alleviate the pain of plantar fasciitis, spurs, even bunions.
- Arch support: The insole used for arch support is strong and durable, can balance the strength structure of the foot, and provide a convenient and extremely soothing solution for people with flat feet, runners’ knees, shin splints and Achilles tendinitis. Correct abnormal walking, help relieve knee joint pain, plantar fasciitis and help low back pain.
- High-quality materials: Durable EVA foam base and multi-layer cushion provide lasting support and comfort when walking, running and hiking. The upgraded breathable fabric makes you feel more comfortable.
- Functional inserts: Arch support can be distributed and minimize foot pressure. The deep heel support keeps the foot bones vertical to enhance stability. The heel support is great for shock absorption and pain relief.
Ugg Sheepskin insoles. I used these in my winter boots for extra warmth and cushioning.
- Plush 17mm sheepskin insole
- Breathes naturally
- Moisture wicking
If you’re in New Zealand I have these divine Sole Purpose cushioned insoles in my Travel Store, but can only ship NZ-wide. Sorry! The ones above you will find on Amazon.
Winter Shoes for all the walking
We went on a Christmas Markets river cruise, then were back in New York between Christmas and New Year so that I could run around this chilly, drizzly, yet twinkling city taking photographs of the festive decorations!
I actually lived in my hiking boots all day. Yes, even popping into Bergdorf’s in them. I kinda figure no one notices your footwear unless it’s crazy weird!
I also had a cute pair of flat-ish leather boots that I wore to dinner, and the Radio City Rockettes – which I totally recommend in this post on How to Have a Gorgeous Christmas in New York.
We had arrived in New York from a 10-day river cruise of the European Christmas Markets (here’s what I packed for that), so my hiking boots had done many thousands of steps over there walking on slippery cobblestoned streets, then were great for the wet NYC pavements. I had also put sheepskin insoles in them for extra warmth and comfort. Oh, but they are blue and cute!
So I’ve searched out some nice looking hiking boots that will work outdoors and in for NYC.
Sketchers Sneaker Boot. I love this cute boot with the faux fur collar around the ankle. It has a sturdy rubber, anti-slip sole, and a comfortable cushioned insole. This will be great from streetwear to inside.
- Air Cooled Memory Foam cushioned comfort insole
- Midsole with visible air cushioned shock absorbing heel pad
- Flexible traction outsole
Dakota Hiking Boot. This one has orthopedic support, a waterproof leather upper and adjustable cushion support, as well as being wide in the toe with soft padded fabric inside. This is good boot for wintery wet pavements, but cute enough to wear into a department store, a museum or even a restaurant.
- Premium Waterproof Leather: All-weather protection with a moisture-venting membrane keeps feet dry and comfortable through rain, streams, and muddy trails on extended treks.
- All-Terrain Lug Sole: Rugged tread grips confidently on rocky paths, wet surfaces, and uneven ground, delivering reliable traction for high-performance mountain adventures.
- Designed for Relief: Cushioning and arch support help ease plantar fasciitis, diabetes, bunions, flat feet, heel pain, overpronation, and common pains every step.
Sorel Out n About Boot. This is a cross between the hiking boot and the trainer. I like Sorel for the molded insole, traction for those wet streets, and cosy comfort. My bestie wore these on our Christmas Europe trip on and off the cruise, into cafes and shops and on the streets. They look good and feel great.
- Lace Up Waterproof Boots for Winter: These women’s boots for winter are lined with fur for added warmth, making this boot perfect for running errands in cold and wet weather; these Out N About boots are waterproof
- Work Boot for Women: These waterproof boots for women have suede and faux shearling uppers for a moisture-wicking shoe that is comfortable and insulated; the SOREL boot has a microfleece lining
- Women’s Waterproof Boot: This suede boot has a rubber outsole for reliable traction; the EVA midsole of these Out N About boots has a plush but contoured feel
Ariat Darlin Western Boot. Get your inner cowgirl on! I bought these Ariat ankle boots in Nashville and they are very comfortable. I wanted something that was a little western, but not full Honky Tonk. I wouldn’t walk in them all day, but this is the boot I would wear on the plane, then out to dinner if the restaurant is a short walk from the hotel, or you’re grabbing a taxi.
- ATS technology provides ergonomic support on uneven terrain
- Duratread sole provides maximum wear resistance
- Elastic twin gore
Great socks and footlets
A good shoe is super important for knee, hip and back pain, but the right socks are essential to avoid rubbing and blisters.
I like to wear a thick sports ankle sock in my trainers. I also need a little extra at the heel tab to ensure it doesn’t slip under my foot. Nothing more annoying!
Try these ankle socks, that also come in cute colours. They have thick cushioning underneath too and the back tab, plus moisture wicking and are anti-odor! Useful when you’re not doing laundry every day.
- 【Soft Thick Cushioned Socks】Our womens socks with thick cushioning at the bottom, heel and toe areas provide comfort, anti-blister protection, absorb shock and relieve foot pain. Provide effective protection when walking, running, golf, tennis etc
- 【Anti-blister Socks for Women】 The heel tab supplies extra comfort and protection, prevents slipping off, the padding across the achilles tendon, prevents blisters on the ankle and heel. Lycra elastic cuff can lock the ankle and promise socks Non-Slip
- 【Moisture Wicking and Anti-odor】Made of high quality combed cotton and moisture control fibers for extra softness, comfort and durable while retaining sweat-wicking properties. Breathable mesh helps to ventilate release the heat, keep feet dry and fresh
You could also look at compression socks, which sell like hot cakes in my Travel Store. These are not just for inflight use, but great for long days on your feet. Get the right size and they feel like a hug to the legs!
Read more of my New York posts
New year’s eve in NYC is another huge excuse for celebrating and this post lists lots of great places to party including ticketed events with live music, rooftop restaurants you should book early, and where to stand to see the ball drop in Times Square.
Where to have Thanksgiving Day at one of these NYC restaurants.
How to have a wonderful Christmas in New York
Best, dreamy rooftop restaurants in New York
Where to go for the best brunch spots in New York
Awesome flea markets in New York to get your bargain hunting on
Where to find great shopping in NYC from malls to vintage neighborhoods
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Last update on 2026-11-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
