Choosing the Best Travel Shoes, Part 2: For Him

This entry was posted on May 30, 2014 by admin.

“I need shoes for travel”
This is a common request we hear from our customers, and we have some suggestions to make your travel time easier, more comfortable, and most importantly – more fun! There are a lot of shoe marketers out there making claims about how their shoes are “great for travel,” and there are (unfortunately) a lot of travelers in the world who may make it seem like white sneakers and tube socks are your best bet for travel…but we’re here to help steer you in a better, more focused direction based on your needs, both form (or fashion) and functionality.

When traveling, comfort supportive shoes are key. And no - this does NOT mean wearing your gym shoes. In European destinations, even with uneven cobblestone streets, bulky gym shoes are a dead-giveaway that you are an American tourist. And you don’t really want to be that guy, right?
There are three things you should consider when choosing shoes for travel. If you make your choices wisely using these factors, you can usually get away with 1-2 pairs of shoes, or 3 at the most (if your travel activities are more specific). The three factors you should consider are: Comfort, Durability, and Style.

Comfort
The comfort factor is obvious. You’re traveling. You’re probably going to be walking all day in your shoes and sometimes on terrain you are not used to (dirt, gravel, cobblestone, hard city streets). Not to mention the time spent waiting in lines...on your feet. You need something supportive, a proper fit, and lightweight so there’s less strain on your legs and back. The easiest way to ruin a vacation is by wearing ill-fitting shoes that cause blisters or backaches on the very first day.

Durability
Of course you want a pair of shoes that will last and that will hold up to a lot of wear and tear. But you also want shoes that have the durability enough to hold up to inclement weather, or muddy, uneven terrain. Easy-to-clean options are an added bonus. A perfect warm-climate option that meets all of these requirements is a pair of Chaco Z/1 Yampa sandals.
While these first two factors, Comfort and Durability, might also lead you to light-hiker or hiker/walker combo options like the Chaco Outcross Lace or the Merrell Moab Vent - and those are both great shoes! - you’ll want to consider the third element, style. It’s important to consider the activities you’re planning for your vacation.

Style
If you are doing nothing but hiking or outdoor activities, light-hikers may be a perfect option. However, if you are planning to go out to dinner, theater or museums, a more casual - yet comfortable and durable - option may exist. Generally a casual brown leather shoe like a Blundstone 510 Work Boot or the Mephisto Felix fits all three bills: all-day comfort, water-repellant durability, and yet stylish enough to go out at night. Instead of a hiker/walker AND a casual shoe, you can satisfy all needs in just one pair. (These two options have the added bonus of being slip-ons to help you breeze through TSA security lines!)
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Another option is a comfort shoe “masquerading” as a casual sneaker. The Keen Timmons lace-up provides supportive, all-day comfort, a lightweight yet durable upper and a stylish look.
Whatever travel shoes you pick, we recommend that you always take time before your travel to break them in and ensure a proper fit. It is also important to let your shoes air out overnight if they have gotten wet or muddy. If they have a removable insole, take that out to let it breathe and dry out as well. Doing so will help keep your feet more comfortable, and --trust us on this one - your luggage smelling fresher on the way home.

Happy feet and happy trails to you!

This entry was posted in Blundstone, Chaco, Keen, Mephisto, Merrell, Travel Shoes on May 30, 2014 by admin.