Footwear Voyage Tips and guide

Footwear might be the most critical piece of clothes for a journey, making up much of the cost and baggage weight. Ill-fitting footwear can ruin a journey.

Dress shoes might be needed for business travel, weddings, funerals, nightlife and other occasions with a more formal dress code. If made of leather, they might need to be walked in to fit well.

Sneakers are useful for casual city and outdoor life, unless it is very cold and wet. Ideally, wear a pair which has been walked in, but still whole and clean.

Casual flats and loafers don't always have the cushioning and support found in sneakers, but they are often versatile and take up less space in luggage than some other options.

High heels can be impractical when outdoors or on long days. If you need to wear heels, try a chunky heel or a wedge for greater comfort and safety.

Sandals are practical at the beach or in hot weather, but their casual vibe might be insufficient in nicer restaurants. Flip flops and similarly loose sandals are banned on some hiking trails.

"Kung-fu" slippers are common and cheap in China. Travellers often buy a pair for use on long-distance busses where you are expected to remove shoes on boarding but need to put them back on at various stops.

Hiking boots should fit well and be worn in before they are used on a trip. Fitting hiking boots can be difficult, as the store environment is so different from the terrain. If you intend to wear special hiking socks or two pairs of socks to reduce the chance of blisters or because the climate is so cold, bring those socks to the store.

Activities and conditions which might demand special footwear include cold weather, cycling, fishing, hiking, mountaineering, social dancing and winter sport. In areas where snakebite is a threat, high boots of thick leather are good protection.

Additionally, consider socks and having a fresh, clean pair at all times in case yours get wet. This is especially key if you are doing something physically active.

Try to reduce the number of shoes and boots you need to bring by choosing versatile ones. You can also save space in your luggage by wearing your bulkiest pair of shoes (e.g., winter boots) and packing the smaller ones. You can also save space by packing socks or other garments inside the shoes.

See also: Clothing sizes#Shoe sizes

As footwear is bulky, consider buying it in a destination where the price is relatively low and a good range of products is available, provided that you have the time to try them and break them in. Travellers may have boots made to order in places where labour costs are low; sometimes those are a fine deal. If travelling to a climate different from your own, the climate-appropriate selection may be better at your destination than at home.

Beware of differences between clothing sizes in different countries, especially if ordering over the net: this applies to shoes, too.

Shoe repair shops can be found in most cities, especially in low-income countries, and can prolong the products' life.

Appropriate footwear is required in certain places (e.g. no wearing flip-flops at the Vatican).

Showing the bottom of one's feet—bare or covered—is considered disrespectful or taboo in much of the Arab world. Be cognizant of this when sitting. This comes from Islamic proscriptions about hygiene, so you may find that this is considered rude in other Muslim-majority places. Similarly, tapping someone with your foot is considered rude and filthy.

On the other hand, you may be asked to take off your shoes quite often in much of Asia, especially when entering temples or guesthouses. Wear shoes that can be slipped on and off easily, particularly if you're planning to visit a lot of temples, and make sure your socks aren't full of holes. At temples, the areas where you have to go barefoot differ by country; in Myanmar, you will have to take your shoes off before entering the entire temple complex, while in Thailand, you are only required to take your shoes off before entering temple buildings. At large temples, there are often specific places to leave your footwear.

Also in some other regions, such as the Nordic countries, you are mostly expected to remove your outdoor shoes when entering somebody's home, not to bring dirt to the living areas. For formal occasions, you may want to bring indoor dress shoes. For Nordic cottages, where the floor may be cold but clothing is informal, a pair of warm socks is commonly worn instead.