Finding the Perfect Travel Shoe

One of the challenges in traveling is finding the perfect pair of travel shoes. I want something that I can take off easily while going through airport security. Along those lines, I want to be able to take them off during long flights and then put them back on without any difficulty. So, that means no shoes with laces or zippers. While some may walk around airports and train stations in flip-flops, I prefer to a closed toe shoe in these situations.

After having tried a few pairs of suede slip-ons, I concluded that while these were indeed comfortable, they tended to get scuffed very easily and look a bit ratty. In addition, while they worked well for hiking, they weren't very useful if I wanted to engage in kayaking, sailing and other outdoor sports activities. Also, they proved not to be water resistant and I found I would often have to take off my shoes and socks to dry my feet, an action I would prefer not to do while on a plane, train or bus.

Recently, I tried Teva's new Churn shoe and think I may have found the perfect travel shoe. They slip on very easily and have a breathable mesh upper that dries quickly. The non-marking rubber soles proved to work well whether doing some light hiking or working out in the gym. These shoes breathe so that at the end of the day, my feet don't hurt and at times I even almost forgot I was wearing shoes. I chose the shark color, which was a nice neutral tone that can be worn with just about any casual clothing.

The last time I traveled during the winter, I found that buying a pair of Uggs half size larger than my usual shoe size proved to be very easy to get on and off both during airport security and while in my seat. I have found that leaving them on my feet while sitting for extended periods of time can feel a bit uncomfortable. But so far, I haven't found a better winter boot for traveling.

In my bag, I carry a pair of black dressy flats which are prefect for pairing with a skirt for business meetings or dressing up a pair of jeans when I need to go a bit dressier. I also take a long a pair of beach sandals, which work well when in warm weather or when staying in a place with a shared bathroom or a swimming pool/Jacuzzi, so I'm not walking barefoot in public places.

I've found when I travel somewhere and discover the weather has shifted and I need some other pair of shoes or other item of clothing that a quick trip to the local thrift stores will fix that problem.