The Very Best Travel Sneakers, According to Vogue Editors
From retro runners to comfortable walking shoes, these are the best travel sneakers on the market, according to Vogue editors.
Everyone loves a resortwear look, but dressing for the road to said resort inspires decidedly less joy. Between long layovers and uncomfortable seating, necessity is the mother of the travel outfit; to that end, there’s an art to the perfect travel sneaker. It should be comfortable—that goes without saying—but as we deal with increasingly shrinking baggage restrictions, it should also be versatile enough to serve a purpose in your vacation wardrobe beyond TSA checkpoints.
Luckily, it’s a great time to be an athletic shoe. From slim runners to trail-ready trainers, the market is saturated with so many fun sneaker trends you’ll have your pick when it comes to pin-pointing one for travel. And if you need a little nudge to point you in the right direction, well, that’s where we come in.
From slim (read: packable) styles that work with poplin skirts and breezy sundresses to more athletic options that’ll come in handy for an outdoorsy vacation, the list of Vogue editor-favorite travel sneakers is a varied one. Read on to find the one that matches your jet-setting style:
Although I always travel with my running shoes… I never actually wear them on the plane. Some might say it defies logic (think of the extra space!). My view? They just aren’t made for walking (and only really work with leggings, which I also don’t wear unless exercising).
My Dries sneakers, on the other hand, are great for walking—and look good doing so, too. If I want more of a beater pair for the trip, I’ll leave them at home and bring my Nike x Jacquemus Moon shoes instead.
I’m not a big sneaker person; I usually don’t even pack a pair on trips! So when I do travel in sneakers, it’s going to be my old faithful: a very beat up pair of white Marnis.
My travel sneaker of choice is Jamie Haller’s Sachetto sneaker. I love the mix of nylon and suede; for someone like me who doesn't gravitate towards a sporty sneaker, it feels elegant and infinitely more versatile.
Do I have any hikes planned for my upcoming vacation? No. Do I still love these gorpcore shoes for travel? Absolutely.
Sneakers are the only shoes I’ll wear through an airport, and these Salomons have quickly become my go-tos. They’re neutral enough to pair with most basic outfits, but add the perfect pop of color, and they’re instantly more fun. While my current vacation plan is mostly just to lay on the beach, it’s nice to know I’m prepared in case a spontaneous hike comes my way.
I have an obsession with the Wales Bonner x Adidas collab sneakers that borders on the pathological—I still have a (now very beaten up) pair of teal and brown SL72s from the first collection in 2020, and I must have picked up six or seven different styles in the years since. To me, they’re the perfect plane shoe—super comfy and easy to slip off, but stylish enough to not feel like a slob. There’s no better travel shoe than a retro sneaker.
I tend to wear my bulkiest shoes to the airport to save suitcase space, and in the summer, that shoe is a sneaker. These bright red Adidas SL72 runners are a nice alternative for anyone suffering from Samba fatigue. I’ve also had some form of an All Star in the rotation since high school; right now, it’s a navy high-top that I like to wear with poplin skirts and white dresses.
I have been eyeing these sleek Adidas Stan Smiths for a bit, and I’ve decided I’ll buy them for my summer travels. These sneakers are ideal for trips because they are lightweight and pair seamlessly with everything from dresses to denim.
I normally travel in my Tabis, but if my travel day requires exceptional comfort, I’ll whip out my Onitsuka Tigers. The Mexico 66 style fits so snug, making walking around for hours a breeze. I have a pair in silver now, but am eyeing them in white, too.
Even if I’m headed to a tropical destination, I prepare myself for the inevitably chilly temperatures of the planes, trains, and automobiles along the way. Socks and closed-toe shoes are a must for me! The Nike Cortez sneakers are my go-to—they’re easy, comfortable, and perfect for styling upon arrival. I like them with Bombas’s ruffle socks for a feminine touch.
There is no sneaker I love more than the Onitsuka Tiger. Given the (surprisingly) incredible arch support, it’s no wonder they were Uma Thurman’s go-to shoe in her iconic Kill Bill role. I’ve walked well over 10,000 steps in these bad boys, locally and internationally. Plus, once your pair of Mexico 66 kicks is broken in a bit more, they slide on and off without the need to re-tie (a nice bonus for TSA lines, if you’re like me and never bothered to get pre-check!).
