10 Best Flats for Travel
Traveling is something everyone does at some point in their life. Whether it’s a work trip or vacation with friends and family, travel requires a little extra care be taken when it comes to footwear.
There’s nothing worse than being in a new city and having your feet hurt because you packed the wrong shoes. You don’t want to have to turn down the opportunity to go sightseeing all day or spend the night dancing.
After all, you’re on this trip for a reason and it’d be a shame to have to spend most of your time in the hotel room. If you’re going on vacation, chances are you’ve worked hard to take a trip so you want to make the most of it.
The solution seems simple: just pack a bunch of different types of shoes. But you also don’t want to have too many suitcases or have to pay for additional luggage.
Instead, we’ll let you in on a little secret: just find a few pairs of shoes that can do it all. Flats are perfect for this because they are amazingly comfortable but can also be dressy.
You’ll be ready for just about any occasion short of a formal event that requires heels. You can easily pair flats with jeans, shorts, or a dress for daytime. For business meetings, they go great with a suit or skirt and crisp shirt or jacket. You are the owner of your own fashion and style! Check out how to become a fashion savy in that article!
Flats are also ideal because they don’t take up much space in your bag so you can pack multiple pairs in a variety of styles and colors.
When it comes to traveling, flats are great for heading to the airport or taking a long road trip. They are easy to slip on and off when going through security or can be comfortably worn while driving.
If you’re a passenger, you can slip them off and curl your legs up beneath you to settle in for the long ride. When it comes time to jump out of the car to run an errand or pump gas, just slide them back on without worrying about pesky laces.
Some of the best flats for traveling include:
- Tory Burch Minnie Travel Ballet Flat
- Naturalizer Brittany Flats
- Dexflex Caroline Flats
- Sam Edelman Felicia Flats
- Cole Haan Tali Bow Ballet Flats
- Hush Puppies Chaste Ballet Flats
- Chinese Laundry Easy Does It D’Orsay Flats
- Trotters Alice Slingback Flats
- Calvin Klein Ghita T-Strap Flats
The classic brands and styles outlined in this article would be perfect for any trip. You’ll be able to find some to fit just about any budget while others are a big of an investment.
But it’s worth it to get comfort and durability that will last you for a long time. A few dollars is nothing when it comes to being saved from pinching shoes or painful blisters.
Many of these flats also come in a range of colors and materials, from natural leather to suede and even velvet. Some are even accessorized with bows and buckles for a little touch of flair and personality.
When you’re going on vacation or a short business trip, you never have enough room for all your different types of shoes. You just need to settle for a few pairs of shoes that can do it all. Ballet flats are an example of amazing shoes that look very dressy and are super comfortable at the same time.
Unless you’re going to a very formal black-tie event, we suggest leaving the heels at home, since those could take up extra space from being in a box. Flats are perfect travel shoes since you can pack many of them, walk comfortably (although we wouldn’t recommend sightseeing), and even look dressed up, based on the occasion.
Nonetheless, it’s no easy task to pick your favorite flats to go with you on a summer trip. We’ve asked around and shortlisted some of the best flats out there that you can wear while traveling. While some of these have a higher price point, the comfort and durability make the purchase entirely worth it.
1. Tory Burch Minnie Travel Ballet Flat
The best ballet flats that were made for traveling, the Tory Burch Minnies are meant to be folded and stuffed in your carry on. They’re also very durable, which means they’re made for sightseeing around town squares, museums, and art galleries. If you’re willing to invest over $100 in travel shoes, these should be the ones.
They’re available in suede and leather. You can get them in a range of different textures like embossed, textured leather, and metallic. The embossed designs come in a variety of bright colors, but you can stick to black if you want to match with everything.
2. Naturalizer Brittany Flats
Don’t have the money to spend on designer ballet flats? Don’t worry because Naturalizer’s breathable and cushioned flats are the next best thing. These affordable ballet flats are under $100 and come in a rainbow of colors to choose from. In addition, you can choose between leather and suede.
They have a hidden wedge heel that adds some extra height, and a slip-on fit that lets you put them on as easily as you can take them off. Great for travels and they look cute too.
3. Dexflex Caroline Flats
We’ve all been there – it’s the end of the month and we’ve got close to no money for new shoes. If that’s the case, why don’t you try out these super affordable Caroline Flats from Dexflex? They’re available for less than $50 and you can choose between leather, suede, and perforated velvet.
With a durable outsole and memory foam insole, you can take these with you for traveling and not worry about getting tired. Their flexible design means you can squeeze these into your carry-on any time.
4. Sam Edelman Felicia Flats
If you want a fluffier look, the Sam Edelman Felicia Ballet Flats can offer amazing comfort. They have a rounded front and are comparatively less narrow so they allow easy fits.
The shoe adjusts to your feet to give a custom fit and has soft padding on the inside for cushioned support. The design features a sweet bow and an intricate charm.
5. Cole Haan Tali Bow Ballet Flats
In case you wanted something that looks a little designer but doesn’t cost that much, we’ve got just the thing. Cole Haan’s Tali Bow Ballet Flats are the supreme comfort shoe that will upgrade your airport fashion.
It features smooth leather with a gold Cole Haan signature embellishment that makes these flats great for formal evenings as well.
6. Hush Puppies Chaste Ballet Flats
No list of comfortable travel flats is ever complete without a pair from Hush Puppies. The brand is known for having multiple ranges of comfortable walking shoes and even sandals. But the pair we like the most, especially if you’re going traveling, is their Chaste Ballet Flats.
They’re lightweight, have a cushioned sole, and offer a comfortable fit. Not to mention, you can easily fold these ballet flats to keep them in your travel bag. The affordable price means you can stock up on different colors and finishes, like metallic and suede.
7. Chinese Laundry Easy Does It D’Orsay Flats
Aside from the classic ballet flat, we think that D’Orsay flats are also a good option, especially if you have broad feet that can get blisters from narrow shoes. We really like this pair from Chinese Laundry. These suede flats are available in colors like taupe, black, bright navy, and red.
These flats are super affordable and their soft suede detail makes them easy to keep in a packed bag.
8. Trotters Alice Slingback Flats
The Alice Slingback Flats from Trotters is the ideal choice if you want some support from the back. Moreover, these will do a good job of keeping your feet cushioned if they tend to swell and need extra room.
They also have a stylish look to them which makes them great for formal wear, just switch out of your denim and into a flattering dress.
9. Calvin Klein Ghita T-Strap Flats
We made this pick in case you want to pack a separate pair of shoes for formal evenings but still don’t have the space for high heels. Calvin Klein’s Ghita T-Strap Flats fall within the $100 category and come in three stunning colors with a leather finish.
Choose between black, cognac, and desert sand for a relaxed fit that you can wear in the evenings after sightseeing all day. You’ll also find that they’re ideal for business trips.
Buy a Knitted Jumper Dress
Look classy in transit with these Italian style flats from Everlane. Their traditional Day Glove flats look amazing whether you’re wearing casual or high street. Slide them on for a relaxed and comfortable fit.
Once you break them in, you’ll see how they give a distinct glove-like fit that looks great sorts of occasions. These come with side vents for breathability, a cushioned sole, and pull tabs so you can slide them on quickly. Let’s not forget that you can buy these in a variety of stylish colors.
