The walking shoes frequent flyers will always wear on holidays

From standing at the boarding gate to hitting your tenth tourist attraction of the day, the shoes you wear remain the single most important fashion choice you make while travelling.

I, too, have been a victim of wearing the wrong shoes, getting nasty blisters, and practically having the rest of my holiday ruined from bad shoe choices. It can truly make or break your holiday.

Whether you're prancing around amusement parks, sightseeing through a big city, or visiting historic sites, comfortable, stylish, and durable shoes are the most important thing.

So here's our tried and tested (over 20,000 steps a day) list of the shoes worth packing on your next holiday.

NOTE: Prices are accurate at time of publishing.

New Balance 740

$140 | New Balance

"I wore these sneakers during a trip to Japan, where I walked a jam-packed 204,678 steps in 8 days (full review here). Not only is the colourway the prettiest ever, but these New Balance 740s were super comfortable and breathable. Considering it was humid and sticky, and we were flat-out all day, every day, I expected some aches and pains. But, luckily for me, my feet were kept happy in these!" – Siena.

Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Move Hi Sneakers

"I wear these Converse religiously and have them both in Black and White! As a short girl, I love a platform sneaker, but this platform is the best for walking. Unlike the Converse Lift, the platform on the Move Hi is cushion-y, light and extremely easy to walk in. I bring these all the time when travelling and I have easily walked more than 20k steps a day in them blister-free" – Sindy.

Reebok Club C 85s

Was $150, now $112.53

"I bought Reebok Club C 85s before my Europe trip in 2022 and have worn them on every holiday since! I wanted shoes that would be comfortable but still work with all of my outfits (at the time, I wasn't into chunky dad-style sneakers). Aesthetically, I love the classic, retro style and 'chalk' colourway, which meant I wasn't worried about them getting dirty. They're also a smooth leather with no suede bits, so I can wear them in all climates (they got soaked in Hoi An and at Disneyland – I just blow-dried them and they were fine). And I've done many 25k+ step days in them and haven't gotten sore feet or blisters. If something happened to these Reebok Club C 85s I would rebuy them" – Jess.

Adidas NMD R1's

Was $220, now $187

"The Adidas NMD R1s have definitely served me well; I have both an all-white pair and a black-and-white pair. They're super comfortable without looking like typical runners and offer great cushioning underfoot. I've walked 20-30km days multiple times in a row in them, everywhere from Disneyland to New York and London. And they honestly go with just about any outfit" – Liam.

New Balance 574 White Sneakers

Save $50 off

"I bought these New Balance 574 for New Zealand. We were going for five weeks in the dead of winter, and I knew I needed an enclosed shoe that was good for walking but also cute with an outfit. They're just so comfortable that I wear them all the time, to Woolies for our weekly shop, and even to work! They look great with a casual top and dress pants, plus I don't have to worry about getting sore feet when changing trains or going up escalators. It's a win-win!" – Phoebe.

Teva Midform Universal

Was $130, now $97.50

"For summer trips, you can't go past the backpacker's staple: Teva. Specifically, the Teva Midform Universal sandals. You can glam them up a bit, and I can walk forever in these" – Kerri.

"I travelled Europe in September and it was so much warmer than I'd anticipated. Luckily, I'd packed my Teva Midform Universal sandals, and ended up wearing them a lot more than planned. They never let me down, somehow remaining super supportive through the sole and ankle, and were perfect for the really hot days when I couldn't dream of putting enclosed shoes on" – Erin.

Adidas Stan Smith Shoes

Was $170, now $153

"I wore my Adidas Stan Smiths all through Europe! They probably weren't the most orthopedically-approved choice, but I had no issues or discomfort other than the usual sore legs after a long day. The biggest issue was keeping them clean, but I know to go for a different colour choice when it comes to my next big holiday," – Erin.

HOKA Transport

Was $299.99, now $180

"When running around a travel destination, you feel super secure with the no-lace design, the HOKA Transport sneakers have such a comfortable sole, and you feel like you're almost bouncing with each step. I will never choose another brand now for running/walking shoes, the comfort is next level!" – Mia.

Under Armour SlipSpeed Mega

"These Under Amour shoes are one of my favourite pairs of sneakers for travelling for a few reasons. They are extra padded, making it super comfortable if you're on your feet doing lots of walking on holidays. But they also turn into slides and don't have actual laces. This is super handy when you're flying, as you can easily take your shoes off and slide them back on when needed. I was also travelling in Japan once where it is a custom to take your shoes off indoors, and these were so easy to slip on and off!" – Kristine.

READ MORE: Which Hoka shoe is right for you?