My Favorite Boots & Shoes for Traveling • The Blonde Abroad

One of the most frequent questions I get is the following…

What are your favorite boots and shoes for traveling?

While it depends on the type of trip – whether I’m doing a lot of walking on cobblestones through European streets, exploring a bit of outdoor terrain, or hiking through the backcountry – I’m particularly fond of a few brands of boots and shoes.

Typically, all of my favorite shoes and boots come from the same few brands:

Sorel – For rain/snow boots
Danner – For hiking boots
Frye – For stylish leather boots
Dr. Martens – For city-style boots
Free People – For boho styles
Kizik – Hands-free slide-on sneakers
Converse – My favorite sneakers since childhood
Vans – Classic, casual sneakers

Without further ado, here are my go-to boots and sneakers for traveling!

Best Travel Boots

Let’s kick off with my favorite comfortable travel boots, perfect for winter weather and outdoor adventures.

Doc Martens

Shop Now

BRAND: Danner

NAME: Women's Adrika Hiker

Great outdoor boots

Frye Samantha Hiker Boot - Similar Here!

Sorel

Out N About Boot

Blundstone

Chelsea Boot

Similar Boots for Trekking

Frye Alta Hiker Boot - Similar Here!
Danner Mountain Hiking Boot - Shop Here!

BRAND: Danner

NAME: Cascade Light

Premium Canvas Boot

Similar Here!

These Sorel Ainsley Conquest boots are sold out in this color online, but the Sorel Hi-Line Lace-Up Cozy Hiker Booties in Canoe are similar!

Ugg Boot

Shop This Similar Style

The Ultimate Hiking Gear Guide for Women

From pieces to prevent blisters to my favorite foldable water bottle to warm clothing, here's the ultimate hiking gear guide for women!

Read More!

Waterproof Winter Outfit Essentials from Backcountry

This winter, I needed high-quality waterproof winter essentials for my travels! Here are my favorite winter styles from Backcountry.

Read More!

Best Travel Sneakers

While I’m traveling, I like to stick with shoes that can pair well with lots of different outfits—no need to overload my bag with kicks I’ll only be wearing once or twice.

You can’t go wrong with a classic pair of Converse or Old Skool Vans!

I also like to pack a pair of super comfy sneakers for days when my feet really need some extra love (cobblestone streets of Europe where I’m walking 7+ miles a day, I’m looking at you).

A few years ago, I learned about Kizik, and the Vegas and Lima are now my go-to everyday travel sneakers. They slide on completely hands-free—a total game-changer when I was pregnant and now that I have a little one!

Kizik

Lima Sneaker

Kizik

Vegas Sneaker

Gray Adidas Trail Shoes

Similar Here!

My Favorite Travel Sandals

Looking for sandals to complete all your outfits? Find my favorite sandals here!

Do you have any favorite brands when it comes to shoes and boots? Super comfy kicks that I’ve simply got to sample? Let me know in the comments below!

Need some more inspiration? Check out my packing guides!

My Favorite Sandals for Summer

From slides to espadrilles to wraparound ankle designs, I'm all about comfort while still looking chic. Polish off the outfit with any one of these stylin' sandals. Here are my favorite styles for summer!

Read More!

Packing Guides

Not sure what to pack for your next trip? I've put together packing guides and outfit inspiration for everything from tropical vacations to multi-day treks!

Read More!

Instagram

There’s something really special about finding a place that feels like your own childhood… and what you always dreamed of for your own kid 🤍
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Tucked away in the Cape Winelands, about an hour from Cape Town, South Africa, @camp.canoe is one of those places that somehow feels both completely off-grid and perfectly convenient.

Set on one of my favorite family-friendly wine farms, @boschendal, you get the best of both worlds—wide open space, no distractions, and just enough nearby to make it effortless with little ones (and fun for the adults).

Days here look like:
– swimming in the dam
– slow mornings outside
– wood-fired hot tub soaks
– braai (bbq) under the stars

It’s a little bit luxe, it’s nostalgic, and it’s the kind of place that makes you want to stay just a little bit longer. ✨
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#campcanoe #capetown #southafrica #capetownwithkids

685 27

Open post by theblondeabroad with ID 18092910193886215

There’s something really special about finding a place that feels like your own childhood… and what you always dreamed of for your own kid 🤍
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Tucked away in the Cape Winelands, about an hour from Cape Town, South Africa, @camp.canoe is one of those places that somehow feels both completely off-grid and perfectly convenient.

Set on one of my favorite family-friendly wine farms, @boschendal, you get the best of both worlds—wide open space, no distractions, and just enough nearby to make it effortless with little ones (and fun for the adults).

Days here look like:
– swimming in the dam
– slow mornings outside
– wood-fired hot tub soaks
– braai (bbq) under the stars

It’s a little bit luxe, it’s nostalgic, and it’s the kind of place that makes you want to stay just a little bit longer. ✨
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#campcanoe #capetown #southafrica #capetownwithkids

Spending a year abroad sounds exciting… until you see the planning involved.
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Flights, edits, contracts, itineraries — not to mention the admin of being a mom. I’m usually running everything at once, so having a laptop that can keep up makes a huge difference.

I’ve been using an AMD Ryzen AI–powered laptop to keep everything organized, run AI tools even when WiFi isn’t available, and work from wherever we happen to be in the world.

So I can finish what I need to do… and get back to what’s most important ❤️
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#AMDPartner #AMDRyzenAIPower #ad

@AMD

364 9

Open post by theblondeabroad with ID 17988157505951119

Spending a year abroad sounds exciting… until you see the planning involved.
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Flights, edits, contracts, itineraries — not to mention the admin of being a mom. I’m usually running everything at once, so having a laptop that can keep up makes a huge difference.

I’ve been using an AMD Ryzen AI–powered laptop to keep everything organized, run AI tools even when WiFi isn’t available, and work from wherever we happen to be in the world.

So I can finish what I need to do… and get back to what’s most important ❤️
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#AMDPartner #AMDRyzenAIPower #ad

@AMD

Some places are worth coming back to 🐧

Boulders Beach, Cape Town with Oliver
9 months → 21 months → 3.5 years

I blinked and my baby become a toddler…
and my toddler become a little boy. 😭

1955 61

Open post by theblondeabroad with ID 17869856373573722

Some places are worth coming back to 🐧

Boulders Beach, Cape Town with Oliver
9 months → 21 months → 3.5 years

I blinked and my baby become a toddler…
and my toddler become a little boy. 😭

January Wrapped 🗓️
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
We landed in Cape Town mid-January and hit the ground running.

Oliver and I packed up our life and moved abroad for a year — chasing a simple question: what’s the best that could happen?

My parents joined us for the first month — which meant extra hands, loving support, and the sweetest way to begin this chapter.

Between toddler sickness (IYKYK) and playing full-time tour guide, we somehow managed to squeeze in so much life.

A long weekend in Paternoster.
Glamping under the stars at Camp Canoe.
Summertime in the city.
Oliver starting at his new preschool.
Adventures through the Cape Winelands.
Slow weekends at the farmer’s market.
Afternoons stretched long at the beach.

It’s been messy and magical.
Exhausting and energizing.

Somewhere between pharmacy runs and beach swims, it started to feel less like a move…

and more like the start of our biggest adventure yet! 🌍
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#capetown

2216 70

Open post by theblondeabroad with ID 18090265751115394

January Wrapped 🗓️
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
We landed in Cape Town mid-January and hit the ground running.

Oliver and I packed up our life and moved abroad for a year — chasing a simple question: what’s the best that could happen?

My parents joined us for the first month — which meant extra hands, loving support, and the sweetest way to begin this chapter.

Between toddler sickness (IYKYK) and playing full-time tour guide, we somehow managed to squeeze in so much life.

A long weekend in Paternoster.
Glamping under the stars at Camp Canoe.
Summertime in the city.
Oliver starting at his new preschool.
Adventures through the Cape Winelands.
Slow weekends at the farmer’s market.
Afternoons stretched long at the beach.

It’s been messy and magical.
Exhausting and energizing.

Somewhere between pharmacy runs and beach swims, it started to feel less like a move…

and more like the start of our biggest adventure yet! 🌍
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#capetown

Sun-drenched mornings, salty air, and the kind of place that makes you instantly exhale @waldorfastoriacostarica ✌️
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Our stay at this brand-new property was truly a dream — sweeping ocean views, elevated design, and more pools than I’ve ever seen at a hotel in my entire life.

From award-winning wellness to coconuts by the pool, every detail felt thoughtful and intentional.

🧖‍♀️ The Spa
Recently named Costa Rica’s Best Resort Spa, this sanctuary blends modern wellness with local healing traditions — volcanic mud rituals, rainforest-inspired therapies, and grounding treatments that leave you floating.

🛎️ Amenities
World-class service, beachfront access, a stunning collection of pools (truly — endless), curated experiences, and those sweet elevated touches everywhere you turn. Newly opened, yet already operating like a seasoned 5-star icon.

💦 Kids’ Club
One of the coolest spaces for littles — crafts, games, toys, and outdoor play areas that made traveling with Oliver feel easy (and fun for him, too).

🥥 The Food & Coffee
Fresh, locally sourced Costa Rican flavors with elevated execution. Oceanfront bites, poolside snacks, handcrafted coffee experiences, and yes… plenty of coconuts.

🌿 Sustainability
Proud holders of the Bandera Azul Ecológica for conservation and environmental efforts — luxury and responsibility beautifully intertwined.

We truly cannot wait to come back. ✨

If you’re looking for a luxury, family-friendly escape in Costa Rica — this is your spot.

A huge thank you to @waldorfastoriacostarica for hosting us on this sunshine-soaked getaway.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#costarica #waldorfastoria #luxuryfamilytravel #familytravel

473 26

Open post by theblondeabroad with ID 18094787833947297

Cancel reply

Senshoeality

As Lady I surely find is very difficult to decide which pair of boots I should carry on my travels. I don’t want to give up on my favorite ones that easily. So I decided to look up articles and came across this blog of yours. So glad I stumbled upon this article. Brilliantly articulated and very informative article. I absolutely love Doc Martens and Timberland boots, by far my favorites. Thanks for the help.

November 4, 2020 at 11:28 pm · Reply

The Blonde Abroad

Hey there! I’m glad you found this 🙂 It can be tough to narrow down which boots and shoes are best for the location, but Doc Martens are a personal fave!

November 9, 2020 at 11:51 am · Reply

Stephanie Mitchell

Loved this list. Which are the light tan ankle boots with minty green laces?

November 26, 2020 at 12:39 pm · Reply

The Blonde Abroad

Hi Stephanie! Those are the Sorel Ainsley boots — I believe the minty green lace ones are sold out in almost every size though 🙁

November 27, 2020 at 9:52 am · Reply

Older

Newer

What are your favorite boots and shoes for traveling?

Without further ado, here are my go-to boots and sneakers for traveling!

Best Travel Boots

BRAND: Danner

NAME: Women's Adrika Hiker

Great outdoor boots

Out N About Boot

Chelsea Boot

Similar Boots for Trekking

BRAND: Danner

NAME: Cascade Light

Premium Canvas Boot

Made for the Outdoors

Shop This Similar Style

Stylish Boots

Best Travel Sneakers

You can’t go wrong with a classic pair of Converse or Old Skool Vans!

Lima Sneaker

Vegas Sneaker

Gray Adidas Trail Shoes

My Favorite Travel Sandals

Need some more inspiration? Check out my packing guides!

Related Posts

Reader Interactions

Leave a comment

Instagram

Footer