Wear tennis shoes Backpacking

Backpackers are on their feet a lot, and unless you are a hobbit, finding the right shoes is imperative for your trip. Style and comfort don’t necessarily have to conflict here. Don’t settle for a pair of ugly tennis shoes. There is such a thing as an attractive pair of walking shoes.

I recommend taking two pairs of shoes. The first is a casual, but comfortable pair with plenty of support. I also suggest, though this may seem a little weird, getting a pair that you wouldn’t mind leaving behind. I threw my walking shoes away upon leaving Europe and made more space for souvenirs in my pack. Plus, after walking through the dirty streets of some of Europe’s biggest cities, my shoes were pretty gross.

It’s nice to have a casual pair of shoes that doesn’t look too bad when you decide to go for drinks at the local wine bar, but also won’t leave your feet numb at the end of the day. I recommend something like these Keen Austin Shoes for Men and the Merrell Dassie Mary Jane Shoes for Women.

The second pair of shoes I recommend is a pair of Chaco sandals. If you are showering in hostels, the sandals are imperative, and Chacos have a lot of support, so they are also good for all-day wear as well. They are easy to clean, durable, and I’ve hiked many miles in them without any discomfort. Chaco has a few different styles to choose from, but I prefer ones that have an ankle strap like the ZX/2 Unaweep or the Z/2 Unaweep. however, it is up to your personal preference on this one. I could go on and on about Chacos (they come in different widths, you can have the soles replaced once they wear out, etc.) but I won’t. Just trust me on this and get yourself a pair of Chacos.

Dos and Don’ts of Footwear

Do get a new pair of shoes for your trip.

break in your new shoes. Please, please, please break them in. And I don’t mean just walk around the mall in them once. Put them through at least a few weeks of all-day wear.

Don’t take your favorite tennis shoes that are five years old. No matter how comfortable they are, they are too worn to offer good support.

Don’t buy expensive hiking boots. They look ridiculous and unless you plan to hike a mountain, you won’t need them.