As the American actor Laura Marano once so sagely said, “the best way to get to know the place you are travelling in is to walk around… and the best way to walk around is with comfortable shoes!”.
We couldn’t agree more.
Here at IDEAL, we think that investing in the right pair of travel shoes is as essential to the success of a freewheelin’, spontaneous travel adventure as remembering to pack your passport.
Because a holiday spent in the wrong shoes is also one where precious minutes are wasted struggling at airport security, suffering from a bloody blister or ankle injury, and generally feeling a little downtrodden whenever you’re treading. And no one wants that…
It’s worth spending a little money on some comfortable shoes for your trip, then. You’ll also want to look after those new travel shoes, to ensure you get maximum longevity and durability from them. Enter our IDEAL shoe care guide for travellers…
Protect & Clean Your Shoes Before You Go
Shoes can take one hell of a beating when you travel, and get grubby fast. One of the best things you can do to any pair of shoes before you go on your travels is to spray them with a protectant. The best shoe protector sprays safeguard your kicks from the effects of the natural elements, come rain or shine, and are essential for a smoothly run (or should that be ‘walked’?) holiday.
If you’re going somewhere rainy, a water resistant protectant is an absolute must for keeping shoes clean and free from water damage. If you’re off somewhere hot, then be sure to find a protectant that safeguards against fabric-fading UV rays, especially useful for leather shoes where hot, direct sunlight can also cause severe drying that may even lead to cracking. Protecting your shoes before they are exposed to the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun will make a huge difference.
Whether you’re looking for protection from water, stains, or UV rays, there are lots of different sprays out there. However, be sure to choose a stain repellent formulated for your particular type of shoe material, otherwise you could end up ruining them before your trip has even begun.
Also, be mindful of the setting time of the spray you buy; sprays can take anywhere from minutes to days to set. Oh, and some sprays require more frequent reapplication – when travelling around with your mind on sightseeing, street eats and catching some culture, you’ll probably appreciate a long lasting spray that you don’t keep having to top up.
Bring A Travel Shoe Care Kit With You
All that said, a simple spray may not be enough – and we speak from bitter experience. If you truly want to keep your shoes in tip top condition on the road, then you’ll need a travel shoe care kit.
There are lots of pre-made travel care kits out there. But your best bet is to build your own with the specific shoes you’re travelling with in mind.
That said, no matter what type of shoes you bring, a cleaning brush is a must. We’re big fans of Boot Buddy, which is designed to clean a whole variety of different shoe types without damaging them, including white leather trainers, notoriously difficult to clean properly. The brush even managed to convince three investors on Dragon’s Den, with Peter Jones, Deborah Meadan and Touker Suleyman, to part with £60’000 of their ‘hard-earned’ cash, which is no mean feat.
The brush is arguably most useful if you’re planning on going hiking or trekking, as it’s fantastic for cleaning hiking boots, helping to prolong the lifespan of your footwear even if it’s been facing the most challenging of conditions.
Speaking of white trainers, here at IDEAL we always bring a pair of kicks with us when we travel; being a versatile shoe, they pretty much go with every outfit, which is especially useful when luggage space is tight. We do recommend packing a sneaker whitener though, ideally one which uses a whitening agent to help restore whiteness to leather, vinyl and canvas sport.
Start A New Habit
After a long day of traipsing around a new city or exploring dusty ancient ruins, your shoes can get pretty filthy. Dirty shoes can be full of sweat and dirt, making them hospitable for bacterial and fungal growth (nice).
If you want to avoid a trip to the local pharmacy to treat fungal infection, it’s a good idea to get into the habit of cleaning your shoes before you put them on, helping to prolong the lifespan of your shoes in the process.
Also, consider some bamboo charcoal deodoriser pouches for your shoes. Charcoal is one of the most powerful natural deodorisers there is, known for its ability to absorb and neutralise odours and moisture.
How do they work? Well, charcoal pouches contain millions of pores that absorb humidity like a sponge, stopping bad smells, bacteria, mould and mildew in their tracks. They are also an environmentally friendly alternative to chemicals and sprays. What’s not to love?
Rotate Your Shoes
We’re told that we shouldn’t wear the same shoes every day otherwise they’ll warp and lose their shape. When we wear shoes, the material absorbs the sweat from our feet and if you wear them day in, day out. They don’t have time to dry out which means they will lose their shape fast, not to mention stink. You don’t want to be that guy who takes off their smelly shoes on a plane and causes a wave of passengers to suddenly don their masks…
Just us? Anyway, wearing different shoes is good for your feet and ankles, too, helping the muscles, tendons and ligaments of your feet and ankles to stay active and on their toes, as it were, leading to less habitual wear and tear, too.
This get’s a bit tricky if you’re only travelling with a couple of pairs. Most globetrotters swear by the ‘3 pairs of shoes’ rule; this is to pack two pairs of functional and comfortable shoes, and one pair that’s a little more dressier; not all travel days call for comfort-first shoes, after all.
Should you pledge allegiance to the power of three, try to wear one pair of shoes in the morning and another in the afternoon or evening to give each a breather. Moisture wicking socks are also a game-changer for travellers, helping your feet stay dry and prolonging the lifespan of your shoes, too.
Elastic shoelaces are a smart move, too, as they’re more durable than your usual laces and tend to be easier to clean. It’s all in the details, after all!
Packing Your Shoes
We know what you’re thinking – get some plastic shopping bags from under the sink, stuff your shoes in there, and you’re good to go.
However, we’ve all been there when the plastic bag breaks and accumulated dirt from our shoes rubs off onto our clothes in the suitcase .
Or, perhaps you’ve never thought twice about tossing your shoes in your suitcase with the rest of your clothes? In which case, we especially urge you to consider the travel shoe bag, designed with the single aim of keeping your shoes separate from your belongings.
Unlike a flimsy plastic bag, they ensure that dirty soles are kept away from your clothes, and can also help protect your shoes from scuffs, scrapes and that inevitable shampoo or sunscreen spill in your suitcase. They also make for especially efficient packing when space is at a premium. Plus, you can grab them and just pop them in your hotel wardrobe, making unpacking a breeze.
A final word to the wise; make sure your shoes are dry before you pack them in your suitcase, as packing dirty shoes can lead to mould and mildew. A festering suitcase or backpack can put a dampener on your free-spirited travelling adventure pretty sharpish!
