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Today, I want to share some budget friendly walking shoes for travel! Because when you’re planning a trip to Europe, it’s easy to focus on the fun stuff like hotels, sightseeing, and outfits, but the shoes you pack can truly make or break your trip.
On most of our European trips, we easily hit 20,000 steps in a single day as we wander through historic neighborhoods, climb hills, and explore cities on foot. Add in cobblestone streets, uneven sidewalks, tours, and long sightseeing days, and suddenly your feet are doing a lot more work than they’re used to at home.
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Budget Friendly Walking Shoes for Travel
Having the right walking shoes matters so much! You want something supportive and comfortable enough for all-day walking while traveling, but you may not want to bring your nicest or most expensive sneakers on a trip where shoes will get scuffed, dusty, and dirty. This is where these budget friendly walking shoes for travel can be such a great option.
Of course, if you have a favorite walking shoe that you already love, you can always use that on your trip!
That said, in this post, I’m focused on sharing several affordable travel shoes from Amazon that are comfortable enough for long days of exploring. I will also include practical tips for walking in Europe so you can enjoy your trip without worrying about your feet!
And it doesn’t even have to be a big trip overseas! In August, I logged nearly 30,000 steps in a day while exploring Austin, Texas.
Comfortable & Budget Friendly Walking Shoes
A few months ago, a popular Amazon shoe seller sent me some of their best-selling shoes to try. They didn’t pay me to write this post, and actually don’t even know I am writing it. And, I made sure to get in a lot of steps before recommending them to you here. But, I really love them and am excited to give you a great option for a budget friendly walking shoe perfect for long travel days!
The funny thing is that when my neighbor and I were walking, she noticed them and actually had them in her cart. These All Swift and Nortiv8 shoes are actually very popular among nurses and healthcare workers who are on their feet all day!
To view their entire selection of shoes for both men and women, just browse:
These brands are essentially the same award-winning travel shoes and styles of shoes from the same company, just under a couple of different names. Some are slip-on walking shoes, and some have laces, and they all look very similar. Just pay attention to whether it says Slip On in the title!
NORTIV 8 Women’s Walking Shoe
This Nortiv8 walking shoe is a solid option if you want budget friendly walking shoes for travel that still feel cushioned and comfortable for long sightseeing days. They’re lightweight, breathable, and easy to wear for walking all day while traveling. I think this color is a great neutral that will match many outfits. This pair has laces and is the one I have been wearing the most.
This version is available in several colors, all great options! These walking shoes have very high ratings, averaging 4.4 stars across more than 2,600 reviews. This is always great information when shopping for budget friendly walking shoes for travel!
Here are some photos, and click here to shop this shoe!
All Swift Slip On Walking Shoes
These All Swift Slip On Walking Shoes for travel offer excellent cushioning, especially at the heel, to support long days of sightseeing. The soft, padded sole helps absorb impact on cobblestone streets and uneven sidewalks, and the breathable upper keeps your feet cool and comfortable even during extended walking days.
I really like the white, especially for summer trips or for wearing with casual dresses! They are slip on, so you can’t tie or adjust the laces. They fit well on my feet, but if you have very wide or very narrow feet, you may want to opt for lace up shoes for greater flexibility.
This pair has very high reviews with 4.5 stars!
Here are some photos, and click here to shop this shoe!
Nortiv8 Walking Shoes
These Nortiv8 walking shoes are also available in several colors, including nude/pink and white. This color is definitely giving off Roll Tide for this Alabama gal! These offer a good balance of cushioning and everyday comfort, making them a solid choice for long sightseeing days.
The supportive sole helps reduce foot fatigue on hard surfaces, and the breathable design keeps your feet feeling fresh even after lots of steps.
Here are some photos, and click here to shop this shoe!
Nortiv8 Slip On Walking Shoes
These are also slip on walking shoes. They come in black, nude, and white if pink is too bold for you. Abby actually claimed these for herself and will be bringing them on our trip to Norway next month. The soft midsole helps absorb impact during long days on your feet, and the breathable upper keeps your feet comfortable as you explore cities on foot.
Again, these are slip on shoes, so best for people with average-width feet. You don’t want them too loose on narrow feet or too tight on wide feet.
Here are some photos, and click here to shop this shoe!
Amazon Walking Shoes For Travel
You can click each link in the sections above to shop for those specific shoes. As mentioned earlier, this company offers several similar styles, all with excellent reviews. So, I put together an Amazon list of all these popular, budget friendly walking shoes for travel!
Or, to view their entire selection of top-rated travel shoes for both men and women, just browse:
Tips for Walking in Europe Without Hurting Your Feet
Buying comfortable and budget friendly walking shoes is only the first step. There are a few extra steps you can take that will have your feet thanking you later!
#1 Break In Your Walking Shoes Before Your Trip
Even comfortable walking shoes for travel can cause problems if they’re brand-new. Wear your new walking shoes on a few longer walks before your trip to break them in and catch any pressure points early. This helps prevent blisters when you’re walking all day while traveling. I recommend acclimating to them for at least a few weeks, if not a full month, before your trip to Europe.
I go through a lot of walking shoes, and even my favorites experience some light rubbing during the first couple of wears, so it’s better to get this out of the way at home before your trip!
#2 Use Cushioned Socks
Good socks matter more than most people realize. Cushioned, moisture-wicking socks help reduce friction, absorb impact, and keep your feet more comfortable during long sightseeing days. This small upgrade can make your shoes feel even more comfortable for walking all day while traveling.
#3 Plan Breaks Into Your Sightseeing Days
Build in short breaks to sit down, grab a coffee, or enjoy a slow lunch. This is especially important if you aren’t used to walking thousands of steps per day. Giving your feet even 10–15 minutes of rest throughout the day can help reduce soreness and keep you feeling better into the evening.
#4 Pay Attention to Street Surfaces
Not all streets are created equal. Cobblestones, steep hills, stairs, and uneven sidewalks can be harder on your feet than flat pavement. Shoes with good cushioning and support will feel noticeably better by the end of the day, especially in older European cities like Athens, Greece, and Paris, France.
#5 Expect Long Walking Days
Even with public transportation, Europe trips often involve far more walking than you expect. Planning your days with the mindset that you’ll be on your feet for hours helps you pace yourself, choose better routes, and avoid packing shoes that aren’t realistic for long distances.
What to Pack With Your Walking Shoes
A few small items can make a big difference when you’re walking all day while traveling. Packing blister-prevention basics helps you treat hot spots early, before they turn into painful blisters. Blister bandages are great to have on hand for quick relief during long sightseeing days, especially if you feel rubbing starting. An anti-friction stick can reduce rubbing in common problem areas like heels and toes.
• Blister prevention
• Blister bandages
• Anti-friction stick
• Backup footwear
• Lightweight shoe bag
Bringing backup footwear gives your feet a break if one pair starts to feel uncomfortable after a long day. A lightweight shoe bag keeps your walking shoes separate from your clothes when packing and helps you stay organized on travel days between cities, especially when walking on dirty city streets.
My best tip is to switch shoes as soon as you notice a blister forming. They usually only get worse. This may mean you need to wear slides or flip-flops for a day to take pressure off your heels. Or, maybe you need to get off your feet and take a couple of Ubers during the long stretches.
Comfortable Walking Shoes Make or Break a Trip
When you’re exploring Europe, your days are built around walking. Whether you’re wandering historic neighborhoods in Malta, climbing hills, or hopping between cafes and landmarks in Amsterdam, your shoes are with you for every step.
Comfortable walking shoes make it easier to enjoy long sightseeing days without constantly thinking about sore feet, blisters, or needing to cut plans short.
Choosing budget friendly walking shoes doesn’t mean sacrificing comfort. The right pair can give you the support and cushioning you need for walking all day while traveling, without stressing about scuffs, dirt, or wear and tear.
When your feet feel good, everything else about your trip feels easier. It’s one of the simplest packing decisions that can have the biggest impact on how much you enjoy your time in Europe!
RELATED POST: My Top 13 Travel Essentials
More European Travel Inspiration & Tips
If you’re planning a Europe trip and want more ideas for destinations, itineraries, and travel tips, you are in the right place! You can browse all my travel blog posts, and here are a few popular posts about Europe.
And, follow us on social media, where we post all our trips!
• Sintra Day Trip From Lisbon
• Top Landmarks in Athens
• Lake Iseo & Monte Isola Guide
• Cap d’Antibes Coastal Walk
• Bruges Canal Tours Guide
• Colosseum Tips for Visiting
• Sitges, Spain Activities
• Camogli, Italy Travel Guide
• Towns of Cinque Terre
• Brussels Chocolate Tours
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