Blisters have ruined more city breaks than bad weather ever has. That's the thinking behind a roundup from Condé Nast Traveler, where the site's editors name the sneakers they've personally logged thousands of miles in — from Paris cobblestones to Tokyo sidewalks to a rain-soaked weekend in Nashville.
The list splits into three camps. For casual everyday wear, the picks lean classic: Adidas Samba OGs (one editor says she wore her last pair for a decade), New Balance's chunky 9060, and the evergreen Converse Chuck Taylor high-top, which one editor sported at the US Open. Rothy's suede Ivy sneaker gets a shout for its restaurant-grade grippy outsole — handy on wet NYC pavements — while the Adidas Gazelle Bold offers about an inch of platform height without heel pain, though it runs big, so size down half a size.
There are also lower-key winners: the New Balance 574 Core (four years of loyal service and Boston walking tours), Atoms' Model 001 white sneaker that stays blister-free even with no-show socks, and Onitsuka Tiger's Mexico 66, praised for a low profile with real arch support. Alo's suede Sunset sneaker and Adidas' easy-clean Jabbar Lo round out the casual section.
For trail-minded travellers, Salomon's much-hyped XT-6 gets a practical endorsement beyond the gorp-core look: the Quicklace system means you can slip them off at airport security without fumbling with laces. Alo's Trail sneaker earns praise for flexible durability on hikes.
The athletic category is where the longest days get covered. The Hoka Clifton 11, with its thick EVA foam midsole, is one editor's permanent in-flight shoe and the only athletic pair she packs — the cushioning is described as walking on pillows. On's Cloud 6 is the pick for blister-prone feet: bungee laces make airport security painless, and the heel doesn't rub.
Why does this matter for your next trip? Shoe choice is the one packing decision that can make or break a holiday — a 20,000-step day in the wrong pair costs you a day of sightseeing. The common threads here are worth noting: lightweight builds that don't bloat a carry-on, neutral or versatile colourways that work across multiple outfits, and slip-on-friendly closures for security lines. Whether your style runs dad-shoe, sleek trail, or timeless court sneaker, there's a pair here with real long-haul mileage behind it.
