Fall travel requires footwear that can withstand changing weather and long days of exploring. The right walking shoes make the difference between enjoying your trip or nursing your aching feet in your hotel room. These top picks for fall 2025 combine comfort, support, and style to keep you moving through airports, city streets, and unexpected weather conditions.
On Cloud 6: weightless comfort for all-day exploration
Imagine yourself floating on clouds while navigating busy airports and cobblestone streets. The On Cloud 6 delivers exactly that feeling with its revolutionary foam midsole technology.
Recognized by Forbes Vetted as the Best Overall Walking Shoe of 2025, these lightweight champions feature a breathable mesh upper that adapts to changes in temperature. Slip-on design makes security checks easier.
Travelers especially love how these shoes easily transition from morning museum visits to evening restaurant visits without sacrificing style or comfort.
New Balance Fresh Foam X 880v15: Friendly travelers with wide feet
Wide-footed wanderers rejoice! New Balance’s Fresh Foam
These shoes feature an innovative ventilated upper that beautifully regulates temperature during unpredictable fall conditions. The cushioning system absorbs impacts while maintaining responsiveness, perfect for those unexpected detours that add miles to your daily tally.
Travelers report that these shoes require virtually no break-in period – an essential feature when traveling light.
Skechers Arch Fit 2.0: superior support for problem feet
Foot pain shouldn’t limit your travel adventures. Skechers Arch Fit 2.0 shoes feature podiatrist-certified arch support that keeps plantar fasciitis and other common foot conditions at bay.
Removable insoles adapt to the unique shape of your foot over time, creating a personalized feel. Memory foam cushioning responds to pressure points, distributing weight evenly throughout your stride.
Consistently ranked #1 by athletic shoe review sites, these shoes excel during long museum visits and city tours where standing time exceeds walking time.
Brooks Ghost Max 3: Champions of the city sidewalks
Urban explorers need shoes that can handle miles of concrete without punishment. Brooks Ghost Max 3 offers exceptional cushioning that Forbes reviewers call “plush yet responsive.”
The DNA Loft midsole adapts to your stride and weight, providing personalized impact absorption. A segmented crash pad ensures smooth heel-to-toe transitions, reducing fatigue on those ambitious days when you’re determined to see everything.
The Ghost Max 3 especially shines in moderate to cool temperatures, making it perfect for fall city escapes where walking is your primary mode of transportation.
Hoka Clifton 10: balanced performance for varied adventures
Finding the perfect balance between weight and cushioning isn’t easy, but Hoka’s Clifton 10 achieves this delicate balance masterfully. The iconic meta-rocker geometry encourages the natural movement of walking while reducing ankle strain.
Despite their substantial cushioning, these shoes remain surprisingly lightweight at just 8.7 ounces. The engineered mesh upper adapts to temperature changes throughout the day – a crucial feature for fall travelers who feel the cool of the morning and the heat of the afternoon.
Glamor magazine touts them as ideal for travelers who mix city exploring with light hiking.
Hoka Bondi SR: non-slip safety in unpredictable weather
Fall travel often means encountering wet leaves, light rain, and slippery surfaces. The Hoka Bondi SR meets these challenges with its exceptional slip-resistant outsole that grips with confidence on wet marble, polished hotel lobbies and wet paving stones.
Beyond safety, these shoes offer Hoka’s signature soft cushioning which absorbs shock remarkably well. The leather upper provides better water resistance than mesh alternatives, keeping feet dry during unexpected downpours.
Athletic shoe testers especially recommend them for travelers with joint problems who need maximum impact absorption.
Altra Experience Flow: natural movement for demanding travelers
Foot-shaped toes may seem obvious, but most shoes actually constrict your toes unnaturally. Altra’s Experience Flow defies convention with a design that allows toes to splay naturally, reducing fatigue during long walks.
OutdoorGearLab’s rigorous testing has confirmed that these shoes excel in comfort without sacrificing support. The no-drop platform (heel and toe at equal height) promotes good posture and reduces strain on the knees and hips.
Travelers especially love the way these foldable shoes compress almost flat in luggage, solving the age-old problem of storing shoes while traveling.
Nike Motiva: laboratory-tested excellence for effortless walking
Science supports the supremacy of the Nike Motiva. RunRepeat’s lab testing crowned these the best overall walking shoes based on measurable metrics like energy return, stability, and pressure distribution.
The ingenious rocker-style sole creates a forward rolling motion that actually reduces the energy required for each step. Responsive foam cushioning combats fatigue even after hours of exploring, while the breathable knit upper adapts to changes in foot volume throughout the day.
Fall travelers especially appreciate the Motiva’s versatility: it easily transitions from morning walks to afternoon museum visits.
Keen Hightrail EXP waterproof: travel companion for rainy days
Fall showers won’t slow down your adventures with the Keen Hightrail EXP waterproof shoes. These hybrid walking shoes provide waterproof protection without the bulk and stiffness of hiking shoes.
The eco-friendly, PFC-free water repellent keeps feet dry in unexpected downpours. Keen’s distinctive toe protection prevents painful crash incidents on uneven European cobblestones and hidden curbs.
T3 Magazine praises these shoes for their grip on wet surfaces and quick-drying properties – perfect for when your travel itinerary can’t afford waiting for the shoes to dry overnight.
Salomon X Ultra 360 Gore-Tex: adventure-ready versatility
Fall travel often involves unpredictable terrain and weather conditions. The Salomon X Ultra 360 Gore-Tex excels at this variability, transitioning effortlessly from city streets to country trails without missing a beat.
Gore-Tex waterproofing keeps feet dry during unexpected downpours while maintaining breathability. The Contagrip outsole provides exceptional traction on wet leaves, muddy paths and slippery urban surfaces.
Despite their rugged capabilities, these shoes remain light enough for all-day urban exploration – a rare combination that T3 magazine calls “the ultimate travel shoe for variable conditions.”
