Best Travel Shoes

Other posts by MountainMama

If there’s one thing I’ve learned in my (gulp) almost 40 years on this planet, is that you get what you pay for. That adage applies not only to dining, accommodations and gadgets for travel, but to clothing as well. And shoes — well fuggedaboutit. If you’re wearing a lousy pair of shoes while you’re you’re touring the Grand Canyon, sightseeing in San Diego or doin’ the pub crawl in Denver, it can ruin your whole trip! Who wants cramped toes, chafing or blisters?

I’ve bought way too many Payless specials in my day, so I’ve started investing in good (read: often pricey) footwear from brands like Keen and Born. On my summer trips this year — Hawaii, Mexico & New Hampshire — I packed my favorite mules from Born that are ultra-comfortable and made from supple leather, as well as my super-sporty Newport H2 water-friendly sandals. (I actually have another pair of Keens, the flip-flop-like Bali sandal.)

But the open-toed Born and the rubber-toed Keen shoes in my closet weren’t quite what I needed for my business trip to Travel Media Showcase earlier this month. I took the plunge and ordered a pair of $150 El Naturalista Mary Jane clog-like shoes that I’d been coveting at my local shoe store for a while.

Since the store didn’t have my size — and the order wasn’t coming in until after I returned from Kansas City — I bought them online at Endless.com, which offers free OVERNIGHT shipping and free returns. Can you beat that, Zappos.com? (Oh, Zappos, I still love you. You just don’t carry the El Naturalista brand — and that overnight shipping thing just feeds my need to have the shoes now. Right. Now.)

So, I’m lovin’ my Mary Janes, namely because of the darling embroidery and the chunky heel made of recycled rubber. And while I am not terribly environmentally conscious (we do recycle bottles and cans in my house), I appreciate that El Naturalista uses the least harmful materials in the production of its shoes. Leather is tanned with vegetable extracts and ground tree bark. Plus, removable anti-shock insoles are made from recycled cork. Cool.

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September 16, 2008 | Filed Under Eco Travel, The Cookie Jar, Travel News 

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8 Responses to “Best Travel Shoes”

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  1. Kristy says:
    September 16, 2008 at

    Ooh. I’m loving this entry. Those mules are perfect for all-occasion travel.

    I took a rockin pair of tangerine Cole Haan / Nike sneakers on a six month trip through Asia and the Middle East a few years back. Note: this was one of two pairs that fit into my bag.

    Granted, I wasn’t doing a whole lot of fine dining on this trip, but they served me well and went with my traveler uniform just perfectly. I would still be wearing them if the cute tangerine laces had not frayed. Have you ever tried to comb NYC for a pair of tangerine laces? It’s tedious.

  2. jamie says:
    September 16, 2008 at

    This is a post that just had to be posted! What a seriously GREAT idea!

    Here are my go-to shoes:

    In summer I bring a single pair of black Teva Ventura sandals. Zappos baby.

    For winter, it’s black Privo Floats and lots of socks. Zappos again.

    Will you feel a little schlumpy in restaurants? You bet your booty. But no one else is checking out your feet, trust me.

  3. Kayt Sukel says:
    September 16, 2008 at

    BC (before child), I worried about having the right shoes for travel. Honestly, my best bet were usually a pair of Timberland low hiking shoes.

    Now, with a toddler there really are only two options: sneakers (note: puke only improves the color scheme of most Nikes these days) and flip flops. I’ve found a basic black leather flip flop dresses up as nice as I need it to.

  4. MountainMama says:
    September 16, 2008 at

    I had to google Privo Floats — never heard of ‘em! The things I learn from our readers!

  5. Keith says:
    September 17, 2008 at

    Can a mere male comment here?

    The thing with shoes is they take up so much damn’ space in your suitcase. So, you need to choose a shoe suitable for all occasions. My LaCoste loafers have rendered sterling service for wear with almost anything but a black-tie dinner suit (and I don’t wear that very often)

    But, having said that, I don’t like to wear the same shoes two days running … but I invariably pack the lighter pair, and wear the heavier ones while travelling.

    (Says he, just about to leave for the airport wearing a pair of Trezeta hiking boots, with a pair of Tevas in the bag)

  6. Mara says:
    September 17, 2008 at

    Ohhh, I am so not a savvy traveler when it comes to this. I just gotta have my cute shoes, preferably with a bit of a heel (and if I don’t bring ‘em I buy ‘em while I’m there).

    When we’re in Vermont though, it’s Tevas all the way (the same ones that I trekked all over India in).

  7. It’s ‘Green Travel Carnival’ time. says:
    October 19, 2008 at

    [...] Williams from Traveling Mamas looks at some of the Best Travel Shoes. After all, with walking being the ultimate green travel mode, having the right shoes can make all [...]

  8. Nathan Mathews says:
    June 15, 2009 at

    I agree with Keith above, I have size 13 feet and can’t carry a pair of shoes for all occasions; daily walking, something nice to wear at night, ect. But recently I came across a sweet new brand, Kuru Footwear - very comfortable shoes for walking or light hiking during the day but fashionable to wear with a pair of slacks at night, check them out . . .

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