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Slip-on or lace-up shoes? Which one makes more sense for your next holiday? An avid traveller's insights
Slip-ons make travel easier, while lace-ups offer better support for walking, running and active holidays across different destinations.
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There is always that one footwear debate before a holiday. Do you pack the easy slip-on or the trusty lace-up? At first, the answer seems obvious. Slip-ons are quick to wear, easy to remove at airport security and handy when you are moving between the pool, hotel and lunch. But holidays are rarely that simple. A day that starts with coffee can turn into 15,000 steps, a long walk through a new city or an impromptu hike. So before you make room in your suitcase, think about what your holiday actually involves.
Are slip-on shoes really the easiest choice for travel?
I love a good slip-on for travel, mainly because they make those small, nuanced moments so much easier. At the airport, you can put them on without sitting down and take them off quickly at security. Once you are on the flight, they are also handy when you want to give your feet a little breathing room.
They make sense once you reach your destination too. Heading to the pool? Slip them on. Walking down for breakfast? Slip them on. Changing into something dressier for dinner? They are easy to take off without turning the whole process into a footwear ceremony.
I also like them for holidays where I am not planning to spend the entire day on my feet. A relaxed resort stay, a cruise or a trip with plenty of time by the pool is exactly where a slip-on makes sense for me.
The catch is that convenience is not the same as support. On long cobbled streets, uneven roads or days involving serious amounts of walking, a slip-on can start feeling less convincing. If your holiday involves sudden dashes for trains or plenty of uneven ground, I would think twice before making them your only pair of reliable sneakers for the trip.
Slip-ons make the most sense when you want:
• Quick changes between activities
• Easy airport security checks
• Something simple for poolside and resort use
• Casual wear for short walks
• A shoe you can easily remove on a flight or train
Are lace-up shoes better for long days of walking?
This is where lace-ups make a much stronger case. Their biggest advantage is support, particularly when you are going to spend hours walking, running or taking part in physical activities.
A well-fitted lace-up keeps your foot more secure, which can make a real difference when you are walking long distances or tackling light trails. If your holiday includes hikes, treks, runs along the beach or days spent moving between several destinations, this is the kind of shoe I would pack first or simply wear before leaving the house.
There is another useful benefit too. Your feet can swell a little during long flights and hot weather, and laces let you adjust the fit as the day goes on. That little bit of control can make a shoe feel much more comfortable after several hours.
The downside is obvious. You have to tie them.
That sounds trivial until you are at an airport, entering a place where shoes need to come off or standing on a beach trying to get ready for a quick walk. Lace-ups are not difficult, but they do ask for a few extra seconds every time.
Lace-ups are worth considering when you plan to:
• Walk for several hours each day
• Visit cities where you will cover plenty of ground on foot
• Hike or trek on uneven surfaces
• Run during your holiday
• Spend time moving between several destinations
• Prioritise foot support over quick changes
Should you pack slip-ons or lace-ups for your next holiday?
The easiest way to decide is to think about the holiday rather than the shoe.
| What matters on holiday | Slip on | Lace up |
| Airport security | Very easy | Takes a little longer |
| Poolside trips | Very convenient | Less convenient |
| Long walks | Better for shorter, casual walks | Better for long days |
| Hiking and light trails | Not the best choice | Better support |
| Beach runs | Fine for casual use | Better choice |
| Changing shoes often | Quick and easy | Takes longer |
| Foot support | Depends on the design | Usually better |
| Relaxed holidays | Great fit | Can feel unnecessary |
If you are a city explorer or active traveller, choose lace-ups. If your days are likely to involve long walks, hikes, runs or lots of movement, the added support is worth the small inconvenience of tying your shoes.
If you are heading to a beach resort or taking a relaxed cruise, slip-ons make more sense. They are quick, comfortable for casual use and particularly useful when you are constantly moving between your room, the pool, restaurants and other easygoing stops.
If you are somewhere in the middle, you have options. A slip-on sneaker can give you some of the convenience without feeling quite as casual as a pool slide. You can also look for lace-up styles with elastic laces, which give you a more secure fit without making every shoe change a five-step process.
So, which travel shoes should you actually pack?
Before you put either pair in your suitcase, ask yourself a few simple questions.
• How much walking will I actually do? If your answer is several hours a day, lean towards lace-ups.
• Am I spending most of my time at a resort, by the pool or on a cruise? Slip-ons will probably get more use.
• Will I be hiking, running or walking on uneven ground? Take the lace-ups.
• Will I be taking my shoes on and off constantly? Slip-ons win here.
• Can I fit both? If your luggage has the space, take both and give each pair a job.
For me, there is no universal winner. A slip-on is the easygoing holiday companion that saves time and makes airport days, flights and poolside stops simpler. A lace-up is the pair I would reach for when I know the holiday is going to involve serious walking and plenty of activity.
So before you automatically pick the easiest shoe to wear, think about the kind of holiday you have planned. Your feet may have a very different opinion once day three hits 15,000 steps.
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