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We’ve traveled all over this great wide world (including all over the U.S.), and while travel backpacks and the perfect pair or trail to tavern pants so we can pack less and experience more are always on our radar, the quest for the perfect vegan boots for travel has been a personal mission of mine for years. That’s because when I travel, I travel light, often only bringing along one or two pairs of shoes total.
So I want those shoes to be able to do it all: take me from the hiking trail in the morning to a cafe for lunch to a cidery at dinnertime. I want to be able to wear them mountain biking, for a hike to a rad viewpoint, and into town without people staring at my feet and grimacing in disgust.
Naturally, style is relative and shoes I might find perfectly suitable to wear with nice jeans you might think are ridiculous, but here are a handful we think fit the descriptors “stylish” and “functional” supremely well (and are often packable, to boot–see what I did there?).
So we dug in, put our feet in boots, pounded the pavement, hit the trails, tested a few travel-friendly boots that also happen to be vegan, and found five of our faves.
The Best Vegan Boots For Travel
Lems Boulder Boot: The Chill Multi-Tasker
If you ask us, there’s no better boot to pair with flannel than the Lems Boulder, especially if you’re a fan of flexible footwear with zero drop that are also super comfy to wander around it. They are minimalist boots, which means there’s no aggressive arch support, unnecessary cushioning, or chunky heel, but that’s why we love them. They move with your feet, are cozy in cooler temps, and give off a chill lumberjack vibe that, not gonna lie, we’re here for.
They’re available for men and women in two colors: black and brown. The soles don’t feature terribly aggressive tread (though there’s a vegan version of the Boulder Summit that does), but for easy hike, they’ll do nicely.
What we liked: We love the light weight of these boots and the flexible, comfy footbed and sole. They’re cozy, too, making them ideal for spring and fall travel. Plus, when you’re done with the, Lems encourages customers to donate gently used shoes to Souls4Soles, an org that provides shoes and clothing to people in need.
What makes them great for travel: They look good enough to wear around town with jeans, are comfy for long days on your feet, and are capable enough to take out on easy trails.
Vivobarefoot Magna Trail II: The Sleek Barefoot Boot
We’ve tested and reviewed previous models of the Vivobarefoot Magna Trail before, and let’s just say we’re big fans. In fact, they quickly became my go-to boot for travel because they didn’t take up much room in my bag, fit well, were suitable for hiking, and looked pretty decent with a pair of skinny jeans! Bonus that they’re also barefoot shoes, which happens to be they type of footwear I prefer.
And the updated version got a few welcome tweaks, like an all-black construction (which I dig) and an ankle sock that makes the boots way easier to slide on and off. Win! They’re not waterproof, but I’ve been known to spray them down with Nikwax if I’m expecting wet weather when I travel. Works like a charm. Also worth noting that the men’s version of this shoe is nearly sold out as of posting, but if you’re a dude, you can always order a women’s pair and size up!
What we liked: The barefoot style sole and flexible upper make them supremely packable and once you get used to barefoot shoes, they’re super comfortable for all-day wear. Plus, they’re made of recycled materials and the brand’s ReVivo program encourages customers to send their used shoes in for refinishing and reselling!
What makes them great for travel: Not only are they packable and streetwear stylish, but they dry quickly when wet, and the combination of the barefoot sole and sticky traction make them excellent hiking boots.
Feelgrounds Chukka: The Stylish, Trail-Ready Boot
For a perfectly stylish boot that can absolutely handle everything from cobblestone streets to easy hikes (and not weigh down your bag), take a look at the new Chukka boot from Feelgrounds. Especially suitable for spring and fall travel, it’s not only comfortable and supports natural foot function, it’s made of more responsible materials, too. It features a breathable blend of abacá (like hemp, but made of a banana plant found in the Philippines) and cotton for the upper, the collar is made of TENCEL™ Lyocell and recycled polyester, and the inside is cotton. It even has a PFC-free water-repellent treatment! So if you get caught in the rain, you’re still golden.
The best part? They’re zero drop, have a super wide toe box, and are super flexible. It’s available for men and women in three colors: All Black, Gum Black, and Desert. Get 5% off with code TERRADRIFT5
Astral Pisgah: The Built-For-Adventure Boot
A bit more concerned with support than style? We won’t say these Astral Pisgah’s aren’t stylish (we’d totally wear them into the bar post-hike), but they’re certainly better suited for the outdoors over urban adventures. Why? Because those soles are STICKY! They should be, they’re made with Astral’s G rubber. Makes sense, because the brand is known for designing shoes meant to be worn in, on, and around water. So yeah, you can trust the grip on these bad boys in wet and slippery weather and on wet and slippery surfaces.
They come in two colors for men and two for women, and are made of recycled polyester, which makes them more sustainable than synthetic boots. Bonus: they’re waterproof!
What we liked: A minimal drop in the footbed (just 4 mm) makes them more natural to walk in that other built up boots, plus they’re comfy to walk in for hours. Bonus: They’e made of recycled materials.
What makes them great for travel: While this shoe may be better suited for trail-centric travel, we wouldn’t be embarrassed to wear them with a pair of jeans into the local brewery. Plus they’re waterproof, which means your feet will be protected from soggy situations.
Feelgrounds Patrol Winter: The Classic Barefoot Multitasker
Like the street-style look of Timberlands but not so much the leather, heft, and clunky soles? If you’re ready to give barefoot boots a try (and you totally should), get yourself a pair of Feelgrounds Patrol boots. They’re warm in cool weather, waterproof, stupid flexible, and even have tread that can handle off-road adventures. There’s also a Patrol Lite if you’re looking for something for spring or fall.
Another favorite Feelgrounds barefoot boot is the Chelsea, which give serious Blundstone vibes, but, you know, lighter, more flexible, and better for your feet and spine. Once I put these babies on this fall, I never took them off. They’re more suitable for light outdoor activity as opposed to serious hikes, though. If that’s what you’re looking for, check out our review of two different barefoot hiking boots here.
What we liked: The cozy lining in the winter version makes these boots feel like you’re actually wearing slippers. We love that they’re street-style forward but also capable on hiking trails. Plus they’re flexible and feel like wearing much lighter sneakers, all with the barefoot benefits of a wide toe-box and zero drop.
What makes them great for travel: Both the Patrol and Chelsea look great with a variety of styles depending on where you’re headed. Plus, they’re pretty light for how warm they are. They’re especially suitable for cool to cold-weather travel.
Bottom Line
What defines “the perfect travel boot” may be relative, but if your goal is to pack just one or two pairs of shoes on your next trip, a sleek look, capable tread, and comfort after long days of wear are of the utmost importance. Especially if you’re going to be sliding your feet into the same pair day after day. So hopefully, we helped you find one that’s right for you. If we did, or we missed your favorite, let us know in the comments! Then get out there and wander on already!
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Want more foot-related content? Check out this article with over a dozen vegan hiking boots or this one about vegan hiking socks!
Alisha is a freelance outdoor journalist and photographer based in Ogden, UT. She loves backpacking, hiking, mountain biking, kayaking and snowboarding (even though she’s terrible at it). She’s also pretty sure she’s addicted to coffee. alishamcdarris.com