“You can shake the sand from your shoes, but it will never leave your soul.” I’m not sure who said it, but I love it. Depending on the vacation, “sand” could be grass, dirt or gravel. You can wash it off your shoes, but the memories of your vacation remain for a lifetime. The Barking Dog wants those sand, dirt and gravel-collecting shoes to be as comfortable as possible because nothing ruins a vacation faster than blisters, aching arches and pinched toes. See our top picks for comfortable Travel Shoes and sandals.

Nothing ruins a sightseeing trip faster than bum sandals with poor arch support, little cushioning and straps that irritate sensitive feet. Whether you’re pounding urban pavement or negotiating European cobblestone alleys, The Wolky Pichu may very well be the only travel shoes you need to pack! A contoured footbed offers excellent arch support and a deep heel cup (and it’s cushioned with a plush layer of memory foam). Secure a good fit for narrow to wide feet with the Wolky Pichu’s two adjustable straps. Wolky is a Dutch company that specializes in comfort footwear with a unique European vibe. Find the Wolky Pichu in euro sizes 36-43 (4.5-12) for $109-155 from Zappos, Amazon, and Nordstrom.

Another sensational sandal for covering the miles is the Josef Seibel Tonga 25. While I live in my Birkenstock Arizonas during the summer here in Chicagoland, I’d opt for a similar sandal with a back strap for travel (keeps shoe securely on foot and prevents toes from curling as they grip the sandal). The Tonga features a contoured cork footbed with moderate arch support, three adjustable straps for a customized fit and grippy polyurethane outsole for good traction. Find the Josef Seibel Tonga 25 in euro sizes 36-42 (5-11) for $125 from Zappos, Nordstrom, and Amazon. 

Honorable mention: Naot Arataki closed-toe sandal, Born Nirvana adjustable-strap sandal.

Sometimes a sandal just won’t cut it. Either you’re traveling to a cooler climate or you simply prefer the support of a closed-toe shoe as you venture out for the day. Sure you can pack your trusty gym shoes, but neon mesh uppers scream “American tourist,” so consider a pair of toned-down walking shoes.

Sensible, supportive yet chic travel shoes can be hard to find, but the F-Sporty Uberknit sneaker from Fitflop fits the category to a T.  The soft, stretchy uppers accommodate hammertoes and bunions, while the elastic collar allows for easy on and off. The F-Sporty sneaker is super lightweight, yet provides the support and cushioning that sensitive feet crave. In fact, this sporty sneaker carries the APMA (American Podiatric Medical Associaction) Seal of Acceptance for shoes that promote good foot health. Find the Fitflop F-Sporty Uberknit sneaker in sizes 5-11 for $55-110 from Fitflop.com, Zappos, Amazon and Nordstrom.

The Midi Perf continues as one of Vionic’s bestsellers, and for good reason: firm arch support, wide toe box, with a good fit at the heel. The perforations in the leather upper allow air to circulate around feet on hot and humid days. Read Beth’s review of the Vionic Midi Perf here. Find the Midi Perf in sizes 5-11 for $129.95 from Zappos, and Nordstrom.

Traveling to Ireland? Pacific Northwest? No doubt you’ll need waterproof travel shoes with good traction. The Cougar Dash duck shoe is rugged yet street-smart. A removable insole should allow you to add your favorite insole for more support and a lugged no-slip outsole will help you step securely over slippery rocks, wet cobblestones and puddle-filled sidewalks. Tip: this shoe runs big! If planning to use without an insole, I recommend ordering down a size. Find the Cougar Dash in sizes 6-11 for $54 from Nordstrom, $63 from Cougarshoes.com, $58 from Amazon.

If you’re looking for travel shoes that will double as everyday kick-around shoes, the Ecco Soft 7 is it! This versatile sneaker is well-proportioned: wider at forefoot to accommodate bunions with a snug heel to prevent slippage. Multiple reviewers state the the Ecco Soft 7 is roomy enough to add an orthotic. I recommend spraying with Kiwi Camp Dry to fully waterproof the shoe. Find the Soft 7 in a variety of colors in euro sizes 35-43 (4.5-12) from Zappos, Ecco USA (check out the hi-top version for good ankle support) and Nordstrom.

Honorable mention: Dansko Sondra open back sport clog (good choice if you have achilles tendonitis), Crocs Citilane collection (affordable, lightweight, great cushioning and waterproof), Mephisto Lacapa no-lace sneaker (trusted European brand with top-notch support and room for toes to spread out), Blondo waterproof booties and sneakers (so many cute styles), Allbirds merino wool runners (temperature regulating, lightweight and well-cushioned: see my review).

If your idea of a perfect vacation is sitting poolside on a cruise ship with a tiny umbrella in your drink, consider a lightweight EVA Birkenstock sandal from their Essentials line. For under $40, you get similar arch and metatarsal supports as the original Birks, without the potential water damage to the uppers! If you’re not fond of the two-strap Arizona, the Essential collection also includes the one-strap Madrid and Gizeh flip-flop. Find the Birkenstock Essentials line for $39.95 from Nordstrom, and Zappos.

How about an adorable espadrille made of quick-drying neoprene and a non-skid rubber sole? The Sea Star Beachcomber Espadrille functions as a beach-walking, pool-lounging, around-town super shoe that feels like a cushioned slipper. Find it in sizes 6-10 for $89-95 from Nordstrom.

A comfortable espadrille is the perfect shoe for day to evening in warmer climates. The style is classic, non-fussy,  and can be dressed up or down. Toni Pons makes beautiful espadrille sandals in both open and closed-toe options. See the collection at Nordstrom and Zappos.

When’s the last time you’ve taken a look at Easy Spirit shoes? They’ve undergone an update and are looking fabulously youthful! The Ixia is an affordable espadrille-inspired sandal with a memory foam-cushioned footbed with moderate arch support. I’m thrilled that Easy Spirit carries sizes up to 12 and wide widths! Find the Easy Spirit Ixia for $39.99 from EasySpirit.com, $71 from Zappos, and $59 from Shoes.com.

If your travels include hiking through rocky, muddy or wet terrain, see our reviews of favorite outdoor adventure shoes: Ecco Yucatan sandal, Keen Rose sandal (I wore these on a recent trip to Costa Rica and they held up marvelously), Keen Terradora lightweight hiking shoe, four top-notch water-hiking sandals, Teva (formerly Ahnu) Sugarpine hiking boots, and a recent post including the best footwear for camping and outdoor adventures.

We’d love to hear from you! Do you have favorite travel shoes that have kept your feet pain-free during your vacation? Leave a comment and let us know.

The post Top 10 Travel Shoes and Sandals for a Pain Free Vacation appeared first on Comfortable Shoes for Women (1,304 shoes reviewed over 9 years).