An important part of any trip is your footwear! Think it’s not an issue? Try walking for a mile in the wrong shoes. You will wish you had given your shoes some thought. Wearing the right shoes for all parts of your trip can make that great trip even better.

First, where are you going? Think about your climate. Is it a warm or cool climate? A warm climate may call for sandals and open toes. A cool or cold climate may call for something a little sturdier.

Second, what will you be doing? Are you walking the streets of Venice or hiking the Grand Canyon? Do you have an excursion that indicates that you will do a lot of walking? This part is probably the most important factor in determining your shoes.

Example: The terrain in Ephesus is quite rugged and it is hot in September.

I wore a favorite Converse sneaker because the terrain is rocky, slippery, and steep. September temperatures in Ephesus are hot, but a sandal would have been a disaster at the site.

For a hike, make sure you know the distance. Think about what works best for you if you have to walk one mile or two or more. Whether a hiking boot or a sneaker with good traction, think about whether you need ankle support. My go to boots for hiking, are a pair of Timberland boots that are very old but give me the support I need when hiking. (I am waiting on Timberland to bring them back!)

These are also my go to boots whether the climate is hot or cold. They are not waterproof but water resistant so they work in the rain too!

Lastly, for trains and planes, I wear what is comfortable whether slip on or a sneaker. My new favorite for travel is a sneaker that I discovered, which is actually a knock off of a pricey designer shoe. The look and comfort in this shoe make it my new favorite. I can even dress it up!

When you start to pack for your next trip, make sure that you pay attention to your footwear. You feet will tell you if you got it right.