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These are the best travel shoes (so you don’t waste any space in your luggage)

Every globetrotter needs reliable kicks for exploring In comfort

best travel shoes globe trotting guy lems boulder boot in timber edited recropped
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Whether you’re roaming the ancient streets of Istanbul or pub-crawling in Paris, a good pair of shoes may arguably be the most important item a traveler can pack (or wear). On the other hand, these kicks tend to be the bulkiest item in your suitcase. Choosing wisely what to put on your feet can’t be understated. Here are the best travel shoes to consider for your next trip.

One big note here: a few of these companies are low or sold out of stock. All that we can say is that shopping requires patience nowadays. The times be what the times be.

Fort Worth Brown Sabah (Mens)
Sabah Shoes
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Vivobarefoot Gobi III
Vivobarefoot Gobi III
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Lems Men's Boulder Boots
Lems Boulder Boots
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Salomon Speedcross 5
Salomon Speedcross 5
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Merrell Freewheel 2
Merrell Freewheel 2
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Allbirds Tree Runners
Allbirds Tree Runners
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Men's Fort Worth brown Sabah shoe.
Sabah

Sabah Shoes

Founder Mickey Ashmore created Sabah in the summer of 2013 after wearing out the pair of Turkish slippers gifted to him by his girlfriend’s family in Istanbul. Ashmore tracked down Orhan, a traditional shoemaker using techniques reaching back two centuries.

Almost a decade later, Sabah slippers are available in 48 colors and styles, many produced from butter soft leather. No matter the hue or the shoe, each Sabah pair offers hand stitched seams by one of the 10 shoemakers from the Sabah Workshop in Gaziantep, Turkey. Look close enough inside, and the initials of the maker appear in ballpoint pen.

Fort Worth Brown Sabah (Mens)
Sabah Shoes
best travel shoes globe trotting guy aop version gobi iii mens black
Vivobarefoot

Vivobarefoot Gobi III

Barefoot indeed. Made from finegrain Nubuck leather, Vivobarefoot’s Gobi III feels like walking inside footwear made for an ancient future.

Nubuck has a feel and style close to suede, but the former is more durable because it’s made from the hide’s top grain. This provides the base for a sleek look on stride to any semi-formal or casual occasion. A thin, honeycombed sole keeps walkers close to the ground and a roomy toe box gives breathing room for wide feet. The half ankle height tops give support to ankles. Handcrafted in Portugal, the Gobi II comes together with a potent mix.

Vivobarefoot offers a wide and sometimes funky range of Gobis including vegan versions.

Vivobarefoot Gobi III
Vivobarefoot Gobi III
Lems Boulder Boots on a model, hanging from a cliff.
Lems

Lems Boulder Boots

Men heading to more granola places might lean toward hiking boots. This is why some of the best are born in Boulder at Lems.

In 2008, Lems’ creator, Andrew Rademacher, was fed up, so he directed footwear frustration to design a boot that fit the foot’s natural shape. Relying on his own research, Rademacher studied shoe construction and pattern making to design “shoes to fit like no other on the market.”

The result? Perhaps the most comfortable footwear on the men’s market to go along with a classic organic look. Lems’ foot-shaped boot is a go-to for travelers who to need to save space and weight. Supple leather and tough nylon combine with a fleece lined inner and a comfy trademarked sole — all light material that’s able to compress into a compact space.

Lems Men's Boulder Boots
Lems Boulder Boots
A teal Salomon Speedcross 5 trail running shoe.
Salomon

Salomon Speedcross 5

Speaking of the trail, here’s the platonic ideal of the trail shoe. They work pretty darn well on broken concrete, loose gravel, pothole cobblestone, or any other obstacle-ridden urban surface.

With the fifth edition of the Speedcross, Salomon dug back to the shoe’s roots, adding grip for better surface connection, and added a dynamic upper design. The refined look even goes classic with color scheme — black-on-black, phantom gray-on-black, a moss green grapeleaf-on-back, and a teal twist for those feeling the bright side of the street.

Versatile, aggressive, and lightweight, Speedcrosses wear almost anywhere.

Salomon Speedcross 5
Salomon Speedcross 5
Merrell's Men's Freewheel 2 in gray.
Merrell

Merrell Freewheel 2

Searching for the perfect blend of business and athletic? Well look no more because Merrell has got your back.

An aerodynamic take on the classic oxford, the Freewheel 2 features a full grain leather upper for style and a proprietary M Select Grip sole for pedal power. The suede shoes come in several different color lines that even reach to the Freewheel’s bottom. Flash duel-colored soles walking to work, riding to a coffee shop for remote work, or grooving on the parquet after a long day.

Be careful, Merrell’s suede is not waterproofed, so make sure to waterproof the shoe.

Merrell Freewheel 2
Merrell Freewheel 2
spring shoe releases allbirds tree runners
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Allbirds Tree Runners

We’ve covered Allbirds a few times before here at The Manual, but they keep showing up in shoe wraps because of an incredible combo of look and comfort.

In addition to being sustainably constructed, Merino wool creates a comfortable world for feet. Runners feature a superfine Merino wool that’s softer and cozier than most. Allbirds also claims the fabric to be odor-resistant and makes this shoe to be worn with bare feet. More breathable than cotton or leather, Allbirds get going even in the most heated of situations.

Allbirds Tree Runners
Allbirds Tree Runners

Whether setting out for a weekend jaunt or heading out of town for a long walkabout, it's important to embark armed and ready. Great travel shoes set an excellent standard for comfort, utility, and style. They have you feeling great from the beginning to end of each adventurous day.

Clay Abney
Former Former Digital Trends Contributor, The Manual

Clay Abney is a PR guru and freelance writer living in the wild and wonderful state of West Virginia, where he spends his days trail running, mountain biking, hiking, and working when the mood strikes. Please reach out to The Manual editorial staff with any questions or comments about Clay’s work.

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