7 Shoes To Wear On Your Long Walking Vacations That Are Actually Cute And Comfortable So You Don’t Look Like Some Sneakers Tourist
Zero foot pain.
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by The Candidly Team
We have destroyed our feet way, way too many times in effort to look stupidly good on vacation. On old cobbled streets. Dirt sidewalks. Sticky sand beaches. By day 3, our achy, blistering feet are reduced to overpriced, rubber gift shop flips.
On the other hand, there have been an equal and opposite number of times that we’ve ruined our cute, carefully chosen vacation outfits with a deeply ugly shoe. A bulky sneaker. A platform flip flop.
It’s been a loooong-time mission of ours to find unbelievably comfortable shoes we could happily walk miles in that are actually attractive - shoes we would have chosen just for their looks but that happen to be orthopedically comfortable.
Turns out, there are 7. They are each special in their respective categories. They’re also versatile enough to wear with most of the outfits we pack so we don’t have to stuff in 9 pairs of shoes for a week-long vacation. We’ve been known to pack just 1 or 2.
Now, one small disclaimer: Good shoes that feel amazing and don’t fall apart after 8 blocks don’t cost $23 at Target. They just don’t. It’s not within our goal (nor within our net worth) to spend $300 on every pair of shoes we buy. But we will spend a little more on a specific shoe we know we will love and wear forever, and that is carefully made to be good for our feet.
Alright, let’s get to the shoes.
1. The Unbelievably Breathable Closed-Toe Flat
Rothy’s is one of our ongoing go-tos for chic shoes that are absolute heaven to wear. They’re known for their flexible, breathable flats … and now, slingbacks! The comfort is truly there. The shoes themselves are light as air, the footbed is plush and cushioned, and the style is perfect for when we’re going somewhere hot but want to keep our toes covered. They’re also washable which is still just wild to us.
Price: $99
* Gifted
2. The Perfect White Leather Sneak That Matches Everything
Soludos The Ibiza Classic Sneaker*
This is a pretty obvious solution to the “I want to look chic but still wear tennis shoes” feeling we all feel when about to walk our way across a new city. A low, white, leather sneak carries a good mix of elegance and coolness, and this one is our favorite little white sneak. It’s great with dresses and skirts and even our evening attire. Just look at the tan leather and stitching detail on the back. They also have a pretty perfect platform version if you want a smidge more height.
And you can use the code THECANDIDLY20 to get 20% off
Price: $59
* Gifted
3. The Minimalist Sandal With Actual Arch Support
This brand hand makes their shoes in Greece from rich, buttery, chemical-free leather. The wedge heel has a memory foam insole but the straps are so minimalist, we get to feel like we’re in the strappiest, sexyish heels. We honestly rarely get more questions about where we got our shoes than when we wear these shoes.
Price: $305
* Gifted
4. This New It Sneaker That Is, We're Sorry To Say, Quite Versatile And Chic
Even lighter and more retro than the Samba, this shoe is having a real moment. And while we’re not usually trend people, this has a more classic, sporty-chic sensibility that definitely works with so, so many outfits we already wear. Their slightness is great in warmer months not to mention it makes them extra packable.
Price: $90
5. These Ugly-Chic Sporty Sandals
Teva Original Universal Slim Sandals*
Tevas get a bad rep for being uncool, but we could never say an unkind word about their surreal level of comfort. And the slim strap in a neutral color is kind of genius. We bring them to every poolside, beachy place we go.
Price: $65
6. This Cloud-like Espadrille That Thought Of Everything
These MJs are incredibly light with so much cushioning and stretchy straps that don’t dig, so we can walk and walk and walk and not feel an ounce of foot pain.
Price: $150
7. The Chicest Walking Flats
These sandals are unspeakably comfortable with pre-softened leather, foam cushioning, and actual arch support that keeps our feet from feeling fatigued step after step after step. Plus, they make every outfit we wear chicer.
Price: $130
Bonus: The F**k It, I just want to be the comfiest sneaker-wearing queen in all the land
Ultimately, of course, there is nothing wrong with fully embracing the single most comfortable sneaker being made and trotting it proudly around the world. We’ve written about this pair of shoes helped transform us into a walker, but if our word isn’t enough, it’s evened earned The American Podiatric Medical Association Seal of Acceptance, a title given to shoes that promote good foot health. So there’s that. And you can pick whatever color combo brings you joy.
Price: $100
At The Candidly, we try a lot of stuff so you don’t have to. We only recommend things we truly love, and that we think you’ll love, too. All products are chosen independently by our creative team, and all details reflect the price and availability of products at the time of publication. If you buy something we link to, The Candidly may earn a commission.
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