Minimalism is the ideal quality to strive for when packing for a trip, but it’s often easier aimed for than accomplished. Shoes can become an egregious culprit in taking up the limited space inside a suitcase or duffel, and when the activities of even a quick weekend trip span from city exploration and restaurant dinners to backcountry hiking and trips to the beach, a bag can run the risk of being filled entirely with footwear.
Sometimes, it makes sense to leave the spare shoes at home and take on vacation in a single pair that can handle everything as best as possible. That’s stating the obvious, but finding such a shoe is no easy task. We’ve found that the best options for an adventurous trip provide the same features as outdoor footwear: a sturdy sole, a breathable and maybe waterproof upper, a secure fit. Style is important too; any shoe that’s overly outdoorsy will shout tourist when wandering around town. The best travel shoes walk the fine line between, and they could be anything from a hiking boot that’ll pass as a sneaker to a burly pair of sandals.
Five Ten Access Knit
Five Ten is well-known among rock climbers and mountain bikers, and the lessons it’s learned in those categories have translated into its small line of hiking shoes. Among the collection is the Access Knit, a shoe with a tongueless, knit upper that’s considerably lightweight, breathable and comfortable as a result. The Access Knit features less toe and heel protection than traditional approach shoes but maintains a sticky rubber sole that provides excellent grip and is capable of hiking in cities and on trails. It’s more supportive than it looks, and it’s about as stylish as hiking shoes come, which is crucial when exploring urban environments too.
