Travel Products - Best footwear for travel

I hope this is the right forum for this question, but couldn't find any question quite like mine. :cool:

Simply put, what footwear do you typically find yourselves wearing on flights? I am partial to Birkenstocks, but I realize that my ugly toes are probably not the best thing to show off in the cabin (economy or business).

I am gravitating, as a compromise towards the Birkenstock Boston line (they're essentially clogs) and will allow me to wear socks and look somewhat presentable and not like some hick flying for the first time.

Maybe not as specific a response you were looking for, but in general I wear closed toed lace up shoes during takeoff and landing. If the flight is long (>5 hrs) I'll switch to flip flops mid flight. Reason being is that I want to be able to move fast should there be an incident during takeoff/landing.

Tennis/running shoes and white cotton socks. If it's a long flight (eg, TPAC or TATL) I'll often remove my shoes (after reaching cruising alt) and place them under the seat or in some other appropriate, out of the way place. I typically travel these long routes in F/J so there's little chance of my going shoeless bothering other pax. I put them back on when going to the lav as you never know what you might find there.

Adidas' Sambas. They look stylish, but more importantly, they're designed for indoor soccer (football, depending on your part of the world) so they are comfortable while doing sudden sprints, dodging opponents, kicking hard objects, etc.- all the typical activities you would usually find yourself doing when bad weather turned that 45 minute layover into only 10. It's a bad habit I have as somebody living in Japan, but I don't even untie them at security, just pull them off and on again.

And my heart goes out to anyone wearing sandals/flip flops who gets a bag dropped on or rolled over their toes. Beyond comprehension, but I've seen clumsy passengers do it to others in the airport or during boarding too many times to count.

Over the years I have found the Rockport ProWalker to be a most comfortable pair of shoes at pretty much all times, not only when flying. If your local shoe store does not sell them in your desired size, try zappos.com

Propet Slip On Sneakers.

These are the best casual shoes I have ever owned in my life.

They do slip right on and off and if they get dirty, you rinse them under running water and then wipe dry. They are then ready to be worn again.

I can easily slip them off in flight and, if I need to get up and walk the aisle, they easily slip right back on. No need for your hands to assist either.

Over the years I have found the Rockport ProWalker to be a most comfortable pair of shoes at pretty much all times, not only when flying. If your local shoe store does not sell them in your desired size, try zappos.com

+1 to most Rockport shoes.

My current favorite is the Rockport Encounter 2, also like the World Tour.

Either clogs or sneakers, depending on how much airport walking I expect (if I have layovers, etc.).

I swell during flight and for a good couple days afterward such that I find if I remove my slip-on loafer-type shoes early in the flight, they are VERY hard to borderline impossible to get them back on later. I need something that either has no back on them so they fit no matter what or where I can loosen the laces a lot.

This thread would be most apt for the Travel Products forum and I'll move it there. Ocn Vw 1K, Moderator, TravelBuzz.

Thanks folks...great food for thought. I'll default to sneakers if I have to if I can't find a compromise between comfort and style. Well, I'm off to go shopping for shoes (I never say that, hate shopping, but my feet will thank me).

I would says it doesn't mind, just take your shoes off when you sit and put it on again when landing.

I usually wear Crocs Santa Cruz (http://www.crocs.com/crocs-mens-santa-cruz/10128,default,pd.html?cid=00H&q=cruz) loafers.

They give you all the comfort of Crocs material, but they look like normal shoes. The best part is that you can fold the back down and they essentially become clogs temporarily, which is great for airport checkpoints and such.

For more casual situations I am usually wearing a pair of Scutes (http://www.crocs.com/crocs-duet-scutes/12030,default,pd.html?cid=02S&q=scutes). Those are the most comfortable shoe from Crocs (by far, IMHO). But not quite up to flying in first or business class. Maybe steerage. ;)

In a related thread there is this thread (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/travel-products/1364846-shoes.html) on footwear.

Maybe not as specific a response you were looking for, but in general I wear closed toed lace up shoes during takeoff and landing. If the flight is long (>5 hrs) I'll switch to flip flops mid flight. Reason being is that I want to be able to move fast should there be an incident during takeoff/landing. Me too, for the same reasons. No slip-ons, ever, and no flimsy soles. I have a pair of black Timberland lace-ups that work great.

Me too, for the same reasons. No slip-ons, ever, and no flimsy soles. I have a pair of black Timberland lace-ups that work great.

I don't generally wear slip-on's and loafers either not because of possible incidents but for two other reasons. 1. My podiatrist tells me to stay away from them if I am walking anything more a couple of blocks - some thing to do with over pronation of my gait and 2. they show socks when I walk.

I do, however, wear them from time to time at the airport and through out the flight. then, I change to proper lace up's right after I land.

I think this is the model I have.
http://www.amazon.com/Mephisto-Fortino-Mens-Slip-On/dp/B007NH7T8Y/ref=pd_sbs_shoe_2

The sage advice from George Clooney in UP IN THE AIR rings true today, more than ever. " On and off easily, and quickly. " In other words, don't hold up the line.

INSPECTION & FLIGHT TRAVEL SHOES:

Comfortable slip-on shoes, sans-laces, easy on, easy off for TSA, and in-flight. Don't slow down the inspection process, but try and facilitate the flow. They also look good.

The Mephistos mentioned above make perfect sense getting through the airport, onboard, and upon arrival exiting, and off. Casual wear, semi-formal.

But that is only the arrival part of the travel process. The primary part.

What about walking around on hills, cobblestone, stairways, etc. when you arrive at your destination ? Slip-on leather shoes, as nice as they are to facilitate travelling to your destination, may not work for a great deal of the many hillside steps of Lago Di Como, wet Tokyo or Kyoto, or sandy Rio, once you arrive.

And, what time of the year, the expected or dreaded weather and rainfall, snow, ice, and sand. Where exactly are we travelling to, on (surface), and in ?

A 1000 + one choices for your secondary or ARRIVAL LOCATION footwear.

I wear these http://www.zappos.com/easy-spirit-riptide-black-dark-grey .
I also wear socks. I can't imagine walking through security in bare feet especially the airports with carpet. I mean the carpet smells like dirty sweaty feet already, the last thing I want to do is put my bare feet on it...... lol lol

I wear these http://www.zappos.com/easy-spirit-riptide-black-dark-grey .
I also wear socks. I can't imagine walking through security in bare feet especially the airports with carpet. I mean the carpet smells like dirty sweaty feet already, the last thing I want to do is put my bare feet on it...... lol lol

So do a lot of airlines in the Summer.

Oh, that pervasive aroma of body odor !

+2 on the Rockports....I wore a pair all over Europe a few years ago and they were a lifesaver on the streets of Rome...

Cheers,

I hope this is the right forum for this question, but couldn't find any question quite like mine. :cool:

Simply put, what footwear do you typically find yourselves wearing on flights? I am partial to Birkenstocks, but I realize that my ugly toes are probably not the best thing to show off in the cabin (economy or business).

I am gravitating, as a compromise towards the Birkenstock Boston line (they're essentially clogs) and will allow me to wear socks and look somewhat presentable and not like some hick flying for the first time.

I wear Birks with socks. Not stylish at all but I don't care.

I hope this is the right forum for this question, but couldn't find any question quite like mine. :cool:

Simply put, what footwear do you typically find yourselves wearing on flights? I am partial to Birkenstocks, but I realize that my ugly toes are probably not the best thing to show off in the cabin (economy or business).

I am gravitating, as a compromise towards the Birkenstock Boston line (they're essentially clogs) and will allow me to wear socks and look somewhat presentable and not like some hick flying for the first time.

Are you looking for footwear specifically for the airport and flight, or for general travel footwear?

I'm dealing with the same issue right now. I generally wear running shoes when I'm actually travelling - airport, plane, and often during my travels. Now I'm looking for a dedicated pair of 'airport/plane' shoes, ideally something that will offer enough support and security to sprint to a gate if necessary but that will flatten down to almost nothing during my travels.

Flip-flops satisfy one criteria - compact - but there's no way I can sprint through an airport or even spend much time walking in a large airport with just flip-flops - my feet would be killing me. My Crocs take up too much space and I wouldn't dare run in them. Same issue with Tevas and similar sandals.

Ralph Lauren Moccasins. They are the TRUTH. Don't knock em till you try em!

Are you looking for footwear specifically for the airport and flight, or for general travel footwear?

I'm dealing with the same issue right now. I generally wear running shoes when I'm actually travelling - airport, plane, and often during my travels. Now I'm looking for a dedicated pair of 'airport/plane' shoes, ideally something that will offer enough support and security to sprint to a gate if necessary but that will flatten down to almost nothing during my travels.

Flip-flops satisfy one criteria - compact - but there's no way I can sprint through an airport or even spend much time walking in a large airport with just flip-flops - my feet would be killing me. My Crocs take up too much space and I wouldn't dare run in them. Same issue with Tevas and similar sandals.

I'm looking for easy slip on and off/comfort for the flight, and if it's a decent looking pair of shoes, maybe for a nice dinner at my destination (so yes, that would most likely exclude Birkenstocks, and therefore don't mind changing). The best thing is for me, ultimately, is to go try them on - and take everyone's suggestions into account.

I'm looking for easy slip on and off/comfort for the flight, and if it's a decent looking pair of shoes, maybe for a nice dinner at my destination (so yes, that would most likely exclude Birkenstocks, and therefore don't mind changing). The best thing is for me, ultimately, is to go try them on - and take everyone's suggestions into account.

Ferragamo Ganncio bit moccasin in brown. it does cost $480 so not cheap but i wear these with jeans, shorts, khaki's, pants, suit with no tie, etc. They are comfortable and after two years of use (at least twice per week), they still look great. Since they have a rubber sole, they are uber comfortable. did i mention that they are comfortable?

As I posted on the other shoe thread, Mephisto. I have two pair of cap verts which are great slip ons. The technical walkers from Mephisto are really good walking shoes but are lace up. They also make great dress shoes.

I wear Teva sandles with a closed toe for casual vacation travel.

Easy on and off and very comfortable.

Simply put, what footwear do you typically find yourselves wearing on flights? I am partial to Birkenstocks, but I realize that my ugly toes are probably not the best thing to show off in the cabin (economy or business).

I do open toed Tevas (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002KKCWP4/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002KKCWP4&linkCode=as2&tag=cubiclehermit-20), and on short flights, I just pull on some neutral color before security (grey, green socks) and take the socks off after when there's a safe place to stop.

On longer flights, I'll typically just wear sneakers laced loosely enough to slip on and off. Generally, whatever variety of New Balance trail running is on sale when I need another pair (every other year, give or take...), the most recent ones were these (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005CAKSBO/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B005CAKSBO&linkCode=as2&tag=cubiclehermit-20).

Seriously, I'd go with whatever's comfortable for you. Unless you're on a date, job interview or customer call, anybody who cares about someone else's choice of footwear really should get a life. :)

The point some have made about closed toes and the risk of someone else stepping or dropping something on them is well taken in theory, by in my experience of around 15 years of wearing sport sandals more often then regular shoes it's never happened... although I've had a few moments where I've accidentally kicked something, or dropped something on my own feet, where it'd have been nice to have more protection (although I'm not sure a nylon sneaker would have helped.)

Maybe not as specific a response you were looking for, but in general I wear closed toed lace up shoes during takeoff and landing. If the flight is long (>5 hrs) I'll switch to flip flops mid flight. Reason being is that I want to be able to move fast should there be an incident during takeoff/landing.

The USAF has/had a saying, "Dress to egress." To me that says it all, and it clearly supports keloutwest's philosophy.

I usually wear some variant of The North Face hiking or running shoes (lace-up, naturally).

My absolute favorite shoes for travel are Ecco Helsinkis.

They are versatile-- work in dressy casual as well as formal situations

They are very very light for a dressy shoe

They slip on and off easily, but do not prevent quick egress :)

They are super comfortable, I can walk all day in these

Who could ask for anything more?

I like the converse 6" Rapid Response CT SZ boots. They are totally non-metallic and safety toed. Have not ran into a situation where they failed me YET. Totally comfortable for wearing 15~ hours a day. The shoe game is simple at most airports, I state I'm diabetic (true) and they wave me threw and do the wand/swab and I'm on my way in under a minute, almost as fast as most people struggling to get slip-ons on.

I'm surprised only 2 people have mentioned they choose air travel footwear for safety. I used to wear sandals or whatever when flying, but not anymore. I also tend to dress in wool or cotton instead of synthetics, again for safety. I don't want to lose my life due to dumb clothing or footwear decisions. Close-toed, lace-up walking shoes are my absolute rule for air travel.

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I'm surprised only 2 people have mentioned they choose air travel footwear for safety. I used to wear sandals or whatever when flying, but not anymore. I also tend to dress in wool or cotton instead of synthetics, again for safety. I don't want to lose my life due to dumb clothing or footwear decisions. Close-toed, lace-up walking shoes are my absolute rule for air travel.

When I'm out walking I don't choose my footwear or clothing based on how it protects me from being run over by a car. Yet thats significantly more likely than being in a major incident on a plane.

rubber slippers, or flip-flops to most of you...Though I'm never in shoes unless at the gym or at work

I wear these Merrells!

http://www.amazon.com/Merrell-Pure-Glove-Black-Womens/dp/B004LXY25G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1343919555&sr=8-1&keywords=merrell+pure+glove+womens

They are easy to get on and off and they have some stretch to them as well as the velcro that allows your foot to swell some. Also, the solid black ones look a little dressier that most other travel shoes. They are really comfy to walk in as well. I wear them at the gym regularly when on the treadmill. I also wore them when walking all over Denver.

I recently purchased Olukai Moloa slip ons, I bought them specifically for traveling thru airport security, and on planes. I hated putting shoes on just to go to the bathroom on a plane, and I also liked the idea of being able to quickly slip these on, once thru security. They are so comfortable, that I wear them around the house and office, when I am not on the road. They are a bit pricey, but my feet are very happy.

I'm surprised only 2 people have mentioned they choose air travel footwear for safety. I used to wear sandals or whatever when flying, but not anymore. I also tend to dress in wool or cotton instead of synthetics, again for safety. I don't want to lose my life due to dumb clothing or footwear decisions. Close-toed, lace-up walking shoes are my absolute rule for air travel.

I tend to wear closed toe shoes when travelling for "safety" reasons. Though it's not about airline accidents. It's more luggage and carts everywhere, navigating various ground transportation, etc...I'm trying to avoid the stubbed toe or twisted ankle.