Best Travel Sneakers For 2026: 10 Stylish Shoes Experts Recommend
As space on airplanes becomes more of a luxury, travelers are packing lighter. The carry-on is king. And the shoe — the primary method of transportation to and from your seat — requires even more consideration. When choosing only one pair that will meet every need on the next trip, luxury travelers are increasingly turning toward the almighty sneaker.
According to Statista, the sneaker industry generates more than $161 billion worldwide, with the U.S. estimated to reach $42 billion in 2026. In the U.S., athleisure/lifestyle sneakers generated $31 billion in sales in 2024, making them the country’s largest footwear category. Even during a soft retail environment, consumers gravitated toward versatile, seasonless shoes such as sneakers instead of occasion-specific footwear.
Luxury expert Kristen Shirley of La Patiala says that the dad sneaker is over. Travelers need slimmer silhouettes that work from day through evening. “Just being comfortable isn’t enough anymore,” Shirley said in an email. “Travelers are looking for stylish sneakers that they can wear with multiple outfits, while comfortably walking 15,000 steps a day and navigating cobblestones, steep streets, and stairs.”
Rachel Goldflam, CMO of Sneex, says that hybrid sneakers like Sneex are also seeing an uptick in popularity. “At the moment, we’re seeing a real embrace of hybrid sneakers — styles that effortlessly bridge fashion and function and everything in between,” she said in an email. “The rise of this category is a reflection of how women are living today: constantly on the move, blending work, travel, and play. Women no longer want to choose between feeling powerful, stylish, and comfortable.”
Exclusivity with sneaker brands is also a critical component for the ultra-wealthy traveler. Ramon Blackburn, founder of Hush Lifestyle Boutique, in Englewood, NJ, one of the top Black-owned sneaker stores in the country, says says brand collaborations are critical among consumers. “Most of these brands release collaborations in extremely limited numbers; for example, Vans released a collab with designer Satoshi Nakamoto that was extremely sought after. Even brands like ON and Brooks have done collaborations with well-known boutiques. Exclusivity in footwear is tough because it’s not a niche collector hobby anymore. Sneaker culture is mainstream.”
No longer relegated to the “streetwear” category, here are 10 sneakers breaking out among luxury travelers.
The Valetta sneaker ($127) from Valentina Rangoni is a linear look made of soft Italian suede and is completely lined with Italian leather. The goes-with-anything style works from dusk to dawn and does triple-duty for frequent flyers who take airport time seriously.
According to Stephon McCoy, founder of HauteFire, the shift to chic, low-performance sneakers is best reflected in the Maison Margiela Replica Sneaker ($890), which uses duct tape to craft more of a sneaker concept, rather than the typical use of a logo. “This is fashion literacy for those who value the nuance of craftsmanship,” McCoy said in an email.
The Valentina Rangoni Sneaky Sneakerina ($288) is one of the most popular sneakers in the viral sneaker trend on social media. “The ballerina sneaker is having a moment and can entice non-sneaker wearers to embrace the trend,” says La Patiala founder Kristen Shirley. The popular sneaker is also available in a soft pink ($201).
Alex Kokx, a customer success representative for K&K Brands for Rivieras USA, wears the Rivieras Classic Match Nudude Navy ($158) for door-to-door travel. “A few months ago, I traveled to Little Rock and wore nothing but Rivieras — from airport to hotel to conferences to dinner! I absolutely love them,” she wrote in an email.
The SeaVees Acorn Trainer ($130) is reportedly a favorite among celebrities like Rachel Zegler, Laura Dern and Jennifer Garner. Wearing these is like walking on a cloud all day. Due to the clever design of the black and tan, they transition well from day to evening. No need to wear these with socks — there’s no rubbing.
HauteFire, a gamified social app for collectors, rates the Nike Air Max 95 Golf Waste Management ($250) and the Jordan MVP Pink Lemonade ($80 - $200) highly among sneakerheads — and built for travel. “The Nike Air Max 95 Golf Waste Management gives a playful and wearable expression of the season, but also reflects that larger shift to versatility and wardrobe transition,” McCoy said in an email.
The Anne Klein Women’s Compete ($55.63) captures the traveler’s ethos perfectly. The Women’s Compete could also be easily packed as a second shoe to complement the wardrobe; black goes with everything and these have super shock-absorbent wedge soles. They’re also slip-ons and very lightweight. With an embedded crystal embellishment, they easily go from day to night.
Laura Sawyier, a behavioral style expert and stylist, likes both the Adidas Samba OG ($100) in silver and the Vivaia round-toe lace-up Mesh Sneaker ($149): “Many of my clients I’ve packed for multiple weeks in carry-ons, and the core of that is the ability to maximize shoe wear from day to night. Unexpected colors and materials are trending. People are approaching sneakers like part of a wardrobe, not an airport or workout necessity. Travelers need slimmer silhouettes that work with more elevated evening looks, summer dresses, and casual day outfits.”
Sawyier’s overall edits for the most popular brands include Prada, Miu Miu, Loewe, Celine, Isabel Marant and Common Projects.