Viaggio

What travel actually demands of a shoe

Three things, in this order. It has to be easy to get on when your feet are swollen after a flight. It has to survive long standing on hard, flat floors without the midsole giving up. And it has to stay stable on sloped or uneven ground, because a tired ankle on a ramp is how a good trip turns into a bad one.

Packability comes before everything

A shoe you can fold into a bag solves a problem a beautiful shoe cannot. Most of these styles have a low profile and a soft upper that will not crease badly, and they weigh enough less than a boot that you will actually carry them.

Slip-on wins for airport queues

Nothing improves a security line like a shoe you do not have to lace. The slip-on and elastic styles here go on in a second, which matters more than it sounds when you are standing on one leg with a bag and a boarding pass in your hands.

Are these comfortable for long flights?

They are built for the standing and walking that travel involves, and they are among the lightest styles we make. A pair that fits properly matters more than any feature, so if you can, wear them around the house before the trip.

Do I need a separate pair for the airport?

It depends how long you are travelling. For a long-haul flight, a second lightweight pair for the journey and a better shoe for arrival is the arrangement most people settle on. Everything here is light enough to carry either way.

Can I wear them through security?

Yes, and the slip-on and elastic styles make it quicker than lacing up with a bag in your hands.

If the pain is persistent, getting worse, or you have reduced sensation in your feet, please see a podiatrist or your doctor. Footwear is one part of everyday foot comfort — it is not a treatment.