A full day of walking — cobbled streets, museum marathons, airport terminals — can wreck your feet if you're in the wrong shoes. A recent Condé Nast Traveler piece makes the case that arch support isn't just for a niche group: up to 37% of people are thought to have some degree of flat foot, and even travellers with otherwise healthy feet feel the difference on high step-count days.
The writer's own story is a familiar one. She assumed throbbing feet were just part of travel, until a physical therapist spotted uneven wear on her soles — a telltale sign of overpronation linked to flat arches. A visit to a Fleet Feet store in Hoboken, New Jersey, and its free Fit ID 3-D foot scan revealed more surprises: her feet were different lengths, with varying widths and arches at the lowest end of the scale. The takeaway? There's genuinely no one-size-fits-all supportive shoe, which is why an in-person fitting beats any online guess.
For advice, the article turns to Jenny Simpson, a three-time Olympian and Fleet Feet's chief running officer. Her core message: don't shop by label. Plenty of shoes are stamped "supportive" or "orthopedic," but your foot gets the final vote. As a rough guide, people with low or flexible arches tend to do well in stability shoes, while those with high, rigid arches often need more cushioning instead. And anyone with tired, achy feet can benefit from better support — not just those with diagnosed flat feet.
On heel pain specifically, Simpson notes that supportive insoles can be an excellent tailored fix, particularly for plantar fasciitis, while maximally cushioned brands like Hoka can make long hours on your feet far more comfortable. For dependable everyday travel shoes, she points to running and walking specialists: Brooks, Hoka, Asics, New Balance, and Saucony — with the caveat that even two models from the same brand can fit completely differently, so try several.
Why should holidaymakers care? Because shoe choice is one of the few trip-planning decisions you wear all day, every day. The article rounds up 15 options across categories — sneakers, hiking boots, everyday boots, and even loafers and flats — so you don't have to sacrifice looks entirely for comfort. One sensible caveat: if you've had a real injury (the writer developed posterior tibial tendinitis after a half marathon), see a healthcare professional rather than self-diagnosing from a product page.
If you're planning a walking-heavy trip — think Salzburg's Sound of Music trail or Prague's compact old town — sorting your footwear before you fly might be the single best investment you make. Source: Condé Nast Traveler.
