My Favorite Boots & Shoes for Traveling • The Blonde Abroad

One of the most frequent questions I get is the following…

What are your favorite boots and shoes for traveling?

While it depends on the type of trip – whether I’m doing a lot of walking on cobblestones through European streets, exploring a bit of outdoor terrain, or hiking through the backcountry – I’m particularly fond of a few brands of boots and shoes.

Typically, all of my favorite shoes and boots come from the same few brands:

Sorel – For rain/snow boots
Danner – For hiking boots
Frye – For stylish leather boots
Dr. Martens – For city-style boots
Free People – For boho styles
Kizik – Hands-free slide-on sneakers
Converse – My favorite sneakers since childhood
Vans – Classic, casual sneakers

Without further ado, here are my go-to boots and sneakers for traveling!

Best Travel Boots

Let’s kick off with my favorite comfortable travel boots, perfect for winter weather and outdoor adventures.

Doc Martens

Shop Now

BRAND: Danner

NAME: Women's Adrika Hiker

Great outdoor boots

Frye Samantha Hiker Boot - Similar Here!

Sorel

Out N About Boot

Blundstone

Chelsea Boot

Similar Boots for Trekking

Frye Alta Hiker Boot - Similar Here!
Danner Mountain Hiking Boot - Shop Here!

BRAND: Danner

NAME: Cascade Light

Premium Canvas Boot

Similar Here!

These Sorel Ainsley Conquest boots are sold out in this color online, but the Sorel Hi-Line Lace-Up Cozy Hiker Booties in Canoe are similar!

Ugg Boot

Shop This Similar Style

The Ultimate Hiking Gear Guide for Women

From pieces to prevent blisters to my favorite foldable water bottle to warm clothing, here's the ultimate hiking gear guide for women!

Read More!

Waterproof Winter Outfit Essentials from Backcountry

This winter, I needed high-quality waterproof winter essentials for my travels! Here are my favorite winter styles from Backcountry.

Read More!

Best Travel Sneakers

While I’m traveling, I like to stick with shoes that can pair well with lots of different outfits—no need to overload my bag with kicks I’ll only be wearing once or twice.

You can’t go wrong with a classic pair of Converse or Old Skool Vans!

I also like to pack a pair of super comfy sneakers for days when my feet really need some extra love (cobblestone streets of Europe where I’m walking 7+ miles a day, I’m looking at you).

A few years ago, I learned about Kizik, and the Vegas and Lima are now my go-to everyday travel sneakers. They slide on completely hands-free—a total game-changer when I was pregnant and now that I have a little one!

Kizik

Lima Sneaker

Kizik

Vegas Sneaker

Gray Adidas Trail Shoes

Similar Here!

My Favorite Travel Sandals

Looking for sandals to complete all your outfits? Find my favorite sandals here!

Do you have any favorite brands when it comes to shoes and boots? Super comfy kicks that I’ve simply got to sample? Let me know in the comments below!

Need some more inspiration? Check out my packing guides!

My Favorite Sandals for Summer

From slides to espadrilles to wraparound ankle designs, I'm all about comfort while still looking chic. Polish off the outfit with any one of these stylin' sandals. Here are my favorite styles for summer!

Read More!

Packing Guides

Not sure what to pack for your next trip? I've put together packing guides and outfit inspiration for everything from tropical vacations to multi-day treks!

Read More!

Instagram

Some places are worth coming back to 🐧

Boulders Beach, Cape Town with Oliver
9 months → 21 months → 3.5 years

I blinked and my baby become a toddler…
and my toddler become a little boy. 😭

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Some places are worth coming back to 🐧

Boulders Beach, Cape Town with Oliver
9 months → 21 months → 3.5 years

I blinked and my baby become a toddler…
and my toddler become a little boy. 😭

January Wrapped 🗓️
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
We landed in Cape Town mid-January and hit the ground running.

Oliver and I packed up our life and moved abroad for a year — chasing a simple question: what’s the best that could happen?

My parents joined us for the first month — which meant extra hands, loving support, and the sweetest way to begin this chapter.

Between toddler sickness (IYKYK) and playing full-time tour guide, we somehow managed to squeeze in so much life.

A long weekend in Paternoster.
Glamping under the stars at Camp Canoe.
Summertime in the city.
Oliver starting at his new preschool.
Adventures through the Cape Winelands.
Slow weekends at the farmer’s market.
Afternoons stretched long at the beach.

It’s been messy and magical.
Exhausting and energizing.

Somewhere between pharmacy runs and beach swims, it started to feel less like a move…

and more like the start of our biggest adventure yet! 🌍
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#capetown

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Open post by theblondeabroad with ID 18090265751115394

January Wrapped 🗓️
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
We landed in Cape Town mid-January and hit the ground running.

Oliver and I packed up our life and moved abroad for a year — chasing a simple question: what’s the best that could happen?

My parents joined us for the first month — which meant extra hands, loving support, and the sweetest way to begin this chapter.

Between toddler sickness (IYKYK) and playing full-time tour guide, we somehow managed to squeeze in so much life.

A long weekend in Paternoster.
Glamping under the stars at Camp Canoe.
Summertime in the city.
Oliver starting at his new preschool.
Adventures through the Cape Winelands.
Slow weekends at the farmer’s market.
Afternoons stretched long at the beach.

It’s been messy and magical.
Exhausting and energizing.

Somewhere between pharmacy runs and beach swims, it started to feel less like a move…

and more like the start of our biggest adventure yet! 🌍
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#capetown

Sun-drenched mornings, salty air, and the kind of place that makes you instantly exhale @waldorfastoriacostarica ✌️
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Our stay at this brand-new property was truly a dream — sweeping ocean views, elevated design, and more pools than I’ve ever seen at a hotel in my entire life.

From award-winning wellness to coconuts by the pool, every detail felt thoughtful and intentional.

🧖‍♀️ The Spa
Recently named Costa Rica’s Best Resort Spa, this sanctuary blends modern wellness with local healing traditions — volcanic mud rituals, rainforest-inspired therapies, and grounding treatments that leave you floating.

🛎️ Amenities
World-class service, beachfront access, a stunning collection of pools (truly — endless), curated experiences, and those sweet elevated touches everywhere you turn. Newly opened, yet already operating like a seasoned 5-star icon.

💦 Kids’ Club
One of the coolest spaces for littles — crafts, games, toys, and outdoor play areas that made traveling with Oliver feel easy (and fun for him, too).

🥥 The Food & Coffee
Fresh, locally sourced Costa Rican flavors with elevated execution. Oceanfront bites, poolside snacks, handcrafted coffee experiences, and yes… plenty of coconuts.

🌿 Sustainability
Proud holders of the Bandera Azul Ecológica for conservation and environmental efforts — luxury and responsibility beautifully intertwined.

We truly cannot wait to come back. ✨

If you’re looking for a luxury, family-friendly escape in Costa Rica — this is your spot.

A huge thank you to @waldorfastoriacostarica for hosting us on this sunshine-soaked getaway.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#costarica #waldorfastoria #luxuryfamilytravel #familytravel

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Open post by theblondeabroad with ID 18094787833947297

A little late sharing this — but I needed time to sit with 2025. It was so much more than what made it to Instagram.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
This was the year I stopped measuring life in miles traveled… and started measuring it in the days we weren’t promised.

Not in passport stamps.
Not in hotel check-ins.
Not in how far we could go.

But in the quiet relief of “clear.”
In small hands squeezing mine tighter.
In birthday candles and quiet camping mornings.
In laughter that came back after fear.

2025 was the plot twist year.

The year I learned strength doesn’t look like control —
it looks like surrender.
It looks like showing up anyway.
It looks like choosing joy even when you know how fragile it is.

And it looks like being surrounded by the people who love us most.

We traveled the world.
But more importantly —
we celebrated what we almost lost.

And at the end of it all?
We packed up our life and chose a new continent. 🇿🇦

2025, you were heavy.
You were also beautiful.
You changed me.

2026 — I’m ready.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#2025wrapped

2538 84

Open post by theblondeabroad with ID 18380851606081524

A little late sharing this — but I needed time to sit with 2025. It was so much more than what made it to Instagram.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
This was the year I stopped measuring life in miles traveled… and started measuring it in the days we weren’t promised.

Not in passport stamps.
Not in hotel check-ins.
Not in how far we could go.

But in the quiet relief of “clear.”
In small hands squeezing mine tighter.
In birthday candles and quiet camping mornings.
In laughter that came back after fear.

2025 was the plot twist year.

The year I learned strength doesn’t look like control —
it looks like surrender.
It looks like showing up anyway.
It looks like choosing joy even when you know how fragile it is.

And it looks like being surrounded by the people who love us most.

We traveled the world.
But more importantly —
we celebrated what we almost lost.

And at the end of it all?
We packed up our life and chose a new continent. 🇿🇦

2025, you were heavy.
You were also beautiful.
You changed me.

2026 — I’m ready.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#2025wrapped

My favorite smart features of my old home! 🏠
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••⁠
I put a lot of thought and design into my home, so I knew I had to get curated, high-tech window shades to match.

Enter @rollishades — sleek, custom motorized shades that actually elevate the space while solving the very real sunlight problem. From light-filtering to blackout options, everything is tailored to fit perfectly and controlled with the touch of a button (or app). It’s the kind of smart, intentional design that makes a home feel finished. 🪟🤍

I easily installed these in my guest bedroom and let me just say, when guests come over, they’re getting what feels like a hotel experience in my home (minus the room service).
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••⁠
#gifted #homedesign #interiorinspo #smarthome #rollishades

515 20

Open post by theblondeabroad with ID 18083248064243187

My favorite smart features of my old home! 🏠
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••⁠
I put a lot of thought and design into my home, so I knew I had to get curated, high-tech window shades to match.

Enter @rollishades — sleek, custom motorized shades that actually elevate the space while solving the very real sunlight problem. From light-filtering to blackout options, everything is tailored to fit perfectly and controlled with the touch of a button (or app). It’s the kind of smart, intentional design that makes a home feel finished. 🪟🤍

I easily installed these in my guest bedroom and let me just say, when guests come over, they’re getting what feels like a hotel experience in my home (minus the room service).
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••⁠
#gifted #homedesign #interiorinspo #smarthome #rollishades

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Senshoeality

As Lady I surely find is very difficult to decide which pair of boots I should carry on my travels. I don’t want to give up on my favorite ones that easily. So I decided to look up articles and came across this blog of yours. So glad I stumbled upon this article. Brilliantly articulated and very informative article. I absolutely love Doc Martens and Timberland boots, by far my favorites. Thanks for the help.

November 4, 2020 at 11:28 pm · Reply

The Blonde Abroad

Hey there! I’m glad you found this 🙂 It can be tough to narrow down which boots and shoes are best for the location, but Doc Martens are a personal fave!

November 9, 2020 at 11:51 am · Reply

Stephanie Mitchell

Loved this list. Which are the light tan ankle boots with minty green laces?

November 26, 2020 at 12:39 pm · Reply

The Blonde Abroad

Hi Stephanie! Those are the Sorel Ainsley boots — I believe the minty green lace ones are sold out in almost every size though 🙁

November 27, 2020 at 9:52 am · Reply

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What are your favorite boots and shoes for traveling?

Without further ado, here are my go-to boots and sneakers for traveling!

Best Travel Boots

BRAND: Danner

NAME: Women's Adrika Hiker

Great outdoor boots

Out N About Boot

Chelsea Boot

Similar Boots for Trekking

BRAND: Danner

NAME: Cascade Light

Premium Canvas Boot

Made for the Outdoors

Shop This Similar Style

Stylish Boots

Best Travel Sneakers

You can’t go wrong with a classic pair of Converse or Old Skool Vans!

Lima Sneaker

Vegas Sneaker

Gray Adidas Trail Shoes

My Favorite Travel Sandals

Need some more inspiration? Check out my packing guides!

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