I'm a full-time travel writer, and my favorite travel sandals are on sale right now
I'm extraordinarily lucky to be a full-time travel writer. Even before I began writing travel articles and guidebooks eight years ago, I was already traveling as much as possible. While I would never complain about traveling too much, one potential downside is that your feet sometimes hurt from all the walking.
Enter the perfect travel sandals. I've tried and tested out dozens of travel sandals over the years, and this summer, I discovered what I believe is the absolute best travel sandal for women, a sweet and stretchy Keen travel sandal. Here's why I love them.
KEEN
KEEN Women's Elle Backstrap Open Toe Wedge Sandals
Why these are the best travel sandals
- Super cute and comfortable
- Available in 17 colors and patterns
- Accommodate wide feet
- No break in time required
- Made from recycled materials
- Sturdy
$63 at AmazonExplore More Buying Options$95 at REI$105 at DICK'S Sporting GoodsTravel sandals for walking
Not all travel sandals were made for walking. Some were purely made for fashion, but travel sandals are useless if your feet hurt so much that you have to head back to your hotel early.
AdvertisementAdvertisement#_R_9jckr8lb2mav5ubsddbH1_ iframeThe reason I love these sandals so much is that they are crazy comfortable for walking, which is what I do more than anything else on a trip. Travel sandals for walking are crucial because you don't want to have to cancel a guided tour or miss out on a museum because you got blisters and your feet are swelling up.
For me, the best travel sandals for walking are not only comfortable but also flexible and stretchy. I have wide feet, so I love that the stretchy straps on the Keen sandals stretch with my feet, so I never get any blisters or bumps.
Travel sandals for women should be comfortable, stretchy, and versatileThe best travel sandals for women
While I'm not about to get all sexist and say women should wear skirts and "dress like ladies," some of us do like to dress up a bit while on vacation. As such, for a lot of us, the best travel sandals for women are going to be those that work with a wide variety of outfits. I've been wearing these Keen travel sandals with girly skirts and jumpers, but also with jeans, yoga leggings, and everything in between.
Why these are the best travel sandals for women
I've been wearing these Keen travel sandals for two months for just about any and every activity at home in New York City in summer, and also while out traveling around the country and world.
AdvertisementAdvertisement#_R_bjckr8lb2mav5ubsddbH1_ iframeTo give you an idea of how versatile these sandals are, here's how I've been wearing them:
During guided walking tours on vacation in upstate New York
While giving walking tours of New York City
While dining out attending festivals in Milwaukee
While riding my own bike
When renting a hired bike on vacation
To Broadway musicals and theater performances
Visiting the botanic garden
On dates and during drinks with friends
Keen travel sandals are great for walking, biking, and just about everything you'll do on vacationBest travel sandals for Europe
I'll be in Italy in September, and guess what I think are the best travel sandals for walking in Europe. Yup, you guessed it, so I'm already lining up outfits that will match with these bad boys for that trip.
While these sandals work all over the world, I'm especially excited about bringing them to Europe because I plan to not only do a lot of walking, but also go to nice restaurants in the evening, and maybe catch a few concerts where I'll want to dress up a bit.
AdvertisementAdvertisement#_R_dbckr8lb2mav5ubsddbH1_ iframeI don't feel like packing multiple pairs of sandals, so I'm happy that I'll be able to wear these travel sandals in Europe while going on walking tours, visiting museums, and also dining out and attending concerts.
Is it okay to travel wearing sandals?
Yes, it is. As long as you're not that person popping off your sandals on a plane or in a restaurant, rest assured that it's okay to travel wearing sandals. In fact, sandals are often a far more practical option when you want to dress up on a trip, versus packing a third pair of shoes that you'd only wear once or twice. Travel sandals often can be worn many (if not all) days of the trip.
Do podiatrists recommend sandals?
That depends on the podiatrist. I have super high arches and some early arthritis in one of my feet, so I've been seeing podiatrists since I was about 19. Many podiatrists don't recommend sandals as everyday footwear, but they will concede that they're okay here and there.
I checked in with my own podiatrist about this, and she told me to wear sturdy travel walking shoes (with my fancy, nerdy, and very expensive prescription insoles) when I'm hiking or doing really long walks, but she said my travel sandals are fine here and there on vacation.
AdvertisementAdvertisement#_R_f3ckr8lb2mav5ubsddbH1_ iframeI showed her these travel sandals and she liked how wide they were, noting that a lot of women's sandals are really narrow up front and crowd the toes, which can cause foot problems down the line.
Do podiatrists recommend these sandals specifically? I'm not going to go that far, but my podiatrist was happy for me to wear them around this summer, alternating them with my travel walking shoes.
KEEN
KEEN Women's Elle Backstrap Casual Platform Sandals
- Cute and comfortable
- Available in 17 colors and patterns
- Accommodate wide feet
- No break in time required
- Made from recycled materials
- Sturdy
$63 at AmazonExplore More Buying Options$95 at REI$105 at DICK'S Sporting Goods
Yahoo CreatorCassandra BrooklynI'm Cassandra, a freelance writer, guidebook author, and photographer who loves all things outdoors. I've written for The New York Times, National Geographic, Wall Street Journal, Lonely Planet, Travel + Leisure, and dozens more. My work tends to focus on sustainability, accessibility, and the outdoors and I have a special love for hiking, biking, and kayaking. I started as a solo traveler, now do a lot of family travel, and also multi-gen and accessible travel.FollowFollow
