Travel shoes — what’s your approach?

[montecristo#2]

What do you do for shoes when traveling? Particularly on shorter business trips, I don’t want to bring any other footwear than what is on my feet. I refuse to wear sneakers, even though my industry is very casual, so that’s not an option. I’ve kind of defaulted to Tod’s gomminos, they’re comfortable and easy to slip off and on when going through security, but they don’t offer much in the way of support, have a limited life, and have other disadvantages. I’m wondering if I should go to an EG loafer, or even a Dover. What is your solution to this problem?

 

[JFWR]

I generally bring a shoe that fits me well, is not easily scuffed (so frequently cordovan) and is versatile for day and evening wear. Black shell is usually a good pick in this respect.

 

[gimpwiz]

TSA pre-check so you don't have to take your shoes off and back on in a hurry?

 

[TomTom]

My go to is a dark brown loafer as I can wear them with trousers, suits and jeans if needs be.

 

[stuffedsuperdud]

I'd recommend not making decisions based on airport security, and I don't know how this ever became a thing, since the shoes part is done and dusted after about 30 seconds. Quite frankly, emptying your pockets, going through the scanner, and then inevitably realizing you hadn't actually emptied your pockets is a bigger hassle. That at taking off your belt, or having them wand you if you have suspenders.

Anyway to answer your question, I travel a lot for work and also like packing light, so my go-to is a pair of dark brown suede chukkas with rubber soles that I got for $60 at Nordstrom. They work with everything from jeans all the way to a flannel suit, are just as suitable for the manufacturing floor as they are for dinner afterwards, and are passable for going to any janky hotel gym you might stop at. The dark brown suede also hides all scuffs and stains, perfect for if things get messy on day 1 of a two week trip.

For trips where I know I'll be wearing a suit or SC + trousers the whole time and won't have time to wander off by myself, I like a pair of Fugashin lazyman brogues for the convenience and comfort.

 

[bicycleradical]

I usually have one pair of loafers and one pair of bluchers for the average trip. If I'm going on business, it'll be two pairs of oxfords one of which I would wear on the plane.

 

[SartoriaModerna]

Alternative to the Tod’s gomminos, you probably will like a loafer in the style of summer walks/ open walks? These are great travel shoes as well. The open walks can also be dressed a little dressier if you opt for a regular colour.

 

[Blastwice]

I want to wear nice shoes always, but I do worry about all the sharp edges in planes. However, with care, I have worn shell and calf through the whole process without any major issues.

I usually reach for something in either suede or horsehide when I'm traveling. Single Leather + Toppy or a thin rubber sole can get you through most weather, but depending on the destination and activities, a dainite-type sole also works well. When you travel the last thing you want are heavy shoes weighing you down so with that in mind I had a MTM pair of loafers made in horsehide with a sponge sole and a toppy and those are typically my plane shoes.

I usually pack another pair in my suitcase or carry on.

 

[JFWR]

I want to wear nice shoes always, but I do worry about all the sharp edges in planes. However, with care, I have worn shell and calf through the whole process without any major issues.

I usually reach for something in either suede or horsehide when I'm traveling. Single Leather + Toppy or a thin rubber sole can get you through most weather, but depending on the destination and activities, a dainite-type sole also works well. When you travel the last thing you want are heavy shoes weighing you down so with that in mind I had a MTM pair of loafers made in horsehide with a sponge sole and a toppy and those are typically my plane shoes.

I usually pack another pair in my suitcase or carry on.

The reason I use shell is partially because of worries about scratches. Shell, being as impervious as it mostly is, can always be fixed with a buffing.

As @gimpwiz pointed out, the real concern shouldn't be the TSA stuff. As noted, the best way is to just get TSA precheck, which pays for itself if you travel a few times a year by plane (as I do). Nevertheless, even if you don't do that, just carry a plastic shoe horn in your carry on, or use your credit card to get back into your shoes. The laces don't take that long to lace. People act as if it is such a pain in the neck to lace shoes, when it...isn't.

Incidentally, I also recommend shoes with minimal metal content in them. Heavy steel shanked shoes, for instance, do make the alarms go off, so something like Allen Edmonds shankless design is preferable in many instances, though my Crockett and Jones shoes don't go off, and I had thought they had a shank, but maybe it's wood. Not sure!

Note: They do. So Crockett and Jones is safe for airport security. I know I once wore a pair of cheap boots that had a metal shank and that made the alarm guys mad.

 

[montecristo#2]

The reason I use shell is partially because of worries about scratches. Shell, being as impervious as it mostly is, can always be fixed with a buffing.

As @gimpwiz pointed out, the real concern shouldn't be the TSA stuff. As noted, the best way is to just get TSA precheck, which pays for itself if you travel a few times a year by plane (as I do). Nevertheless, even if you don't do that, just carry a plastic shoe horn in your carry on, or use your credit card to get back into your shoes. The laces don't take that long to lace. People act as if it is such a pain in the neck to lace shoes, when it...isn't.

Incidentally, I also recommend shoes with minimal metal content in them. Heavy steel shanked shoes, for instance, do make the alarms go off, so something like Allen Edmonds shankless design is preferable in many instances, though my Crockett and Jones shoes don't go off, and I had thought they had a shank, but maybe it's wood. Not sure!

Note: They do. So Crockett and Jones is safe for airport security. I know I once wore a pair of cheap boots that had a metal shank and that made the alarm guys mad.

I worry about shell cordovan because even though they are tougher, in my experience a bit of rain will spot them. And sometimes in travel you can’t control that exposure.

 

[JohnMRobie]

It really depends how short of a trip you’re talking about but my packing/dress is dictated by my meetings not by the flight or airport.

If I’m in and out the same day I just wear whatever works best with my outfit like I would any other day.

For anything that’s one night I’ll grab my tri fold garment bag and usually a pair of black tassel loafers because they work with anything from jeans to a suit.

Anything longer than that and I’ll grab my rolling bag and toss a spare pair of shoes in.

 

[ter1413]

It really depends how short of a trip you’re talking about but my packing/dress is dictated by my meetings not by the flight or airport.

If I’m in and out the same day I just wear whatever works best with my outfit like I would any other day.

For anything that’s one night I’ll grab my tri fold garment bag and usually a pair of black tassel loafers because they work with anything from jeans to a suit.

Anything longer than that and I’ll grab my rolling bag and toss a spare pair of shoes in.

^
+1

I have a pair of Tod's tasseled brown suede loafers that I wear for casual work travel.

However, if meeting clients, I wear what goes with my outfit(s).

 

[Blastwice]

The reason I use shell is partially because of worries about scratches. Shell, being as impervious as it mostly is, can always be fixed with a buffing.

As @gimpwiz pointed out, the real concern shouldn't be the TSA stuff. As noted, the best way is to just get TSA precheck, which pays for itself if you travel a few times a year by plane (as I do). Nevertheless, even if you don't do that, just carry a plastic shoe horn in your carry on, or use your credit card to get back into your shoes. The laces don't take that long to lace. People act as if it is such a pain in the neck to lace shoes, when it...isn't.

Incidentally, I also recommend shoes with minimal metal content in them. Heavy steel shanked shoes, for instance, do make the alarms go off, so something like Allen Edmonds shankless design is preferable in many instances, though my Crockett and Jones shoes don't go off, and I had thought they had a shank, but maybe it's wood. Not sure!

Note: They do. So Crockett and Jones is safe for airport security. I know I once wore a pair of cheap boots that had a metal shank and that made the alarm guys mad.

The shank conversation never made sense to me. Regular TSA makes you take your shoes off (or in some places just doesn't check shoes at all) and TSA Pre (as I remember last time I did it) never paid attention to anything apart from my ID. I've never had any kind of shank or shoe-related thing trip a detector, but I also don't wear Alden so this may be a specific brand issue.

 

[Blastwice]

I worry about shell cordovan because even though they are tougher, in my experience a bit of rain will spot them. And sometimes in travel you can’t control that exposure.

I don't consider rain an issue for shell. Spotting turns into patina when you get enough of it.

Can't buff out a gouge from an aluminum hook or screw though.

 

[JFWR]

The shank conversation never made sense to me. Regular TSA makes you take your shoes off (or in some places just doesn't check shoes at all) and TSA Pre (as I remember last time I did it) never paid attention to anything apart from my ID. I've never had any kind of shank or shoe-related thing trip a detector, but I also don't wear Alden so this may be a specific brand issue.

With TSA pre you still go through metal, so if you have a quite heavy steel shank in your shoes, chances are it will trip them off as they are so psycho about the shoe nonsense, which is so absurd.