These Cushioned Running Shoes Are Travel-ready

Shortly before my two-day road trip to Puebla, a charming colonial city two hours outside of Mexico City, I was given simple instructions: pack light. Minimalism has never been my strong suit, and this time the situation was dire — I was only allowed to bring a small backpack. Forced to stick to the essentials for a weekend getaway that would include a lot of walking, I knew packing a comfortable pair of shoes would be non-negotiable.

So into the backpack went my brand new Brooks Ghost Max Sneakers, which are up to 20 percent off right now at Amazon. As a former runner — and current globetrotter — who has lived with Achilles tendonitis for more than 10 years, I take my walking shoes very seriously. It was a bold move to bring shoes that I hadn’t broken in yet, but I’d heard so many stellar things about the Ghost Maxs — they’ve earned the coveted APMA Seal of Acceptance, for starters, and Brooks is a nurse-trusted footwear brand — that I felt confident taking the risk.

Brooks Ghost Max Sneakers

And 20,000 steps later, I can tell you the risk paid off. We covered a lot of ground in Puebla, including day strolls around the Barrio del Artista, nighttime excursions around the Centro Historico (in search of the best mezcal, of course), and even an uphill climb to a glorious church built atop Tlachihualtépetl, the largest pyramid in the world, during a pitstop in the city of Cholula. My Brooks Ghost Max Running Shoes kept up every step of the way. 

The deeply grooved rubber outsoles alone deserve five stars, as I felt completely stable during my entire trek up and down the long — and unnervingly tilted — staircase leading to the pyramid — as well as some pretty steep slopes along the way. These shoes are designed primarily for running, so they have a rocker sole (think of the curve of a rocking chair) engineered to propel you forward. That definitely assisted with the uphill climb; I could see the Brooks Ghost Maxs excelling on light hikes, too.

Now let’s talk about the cushioning: it’s incredible. The Ghost Maxs have the most cushioning available in the Brooks lineup, and for my overused Achilles tendon, that was heaven on Earth. I know a shoe is comfortable enough for all-day walking when I feel no pain in my ankle after about three hours on my feet, and this pair passed the test. They have the arch support necessary to keep my feet in proper alignment, mimicking the orthotics I should wear but never do. And they’re super light, so they have that walking-on-clouds appeal I’m always searching for.

Brooks Ghost Max Sneakers

As for not breaking them in, it wasn’t a problem at all. I’m happy to say that my tour of Puebla and Cholula was a blissfully blister-free experience and the Brooks Ghost Max Sneakers‘ soft and breathable upper — made with more than 50 percent recycled materials, by the way — gets a lot of the credit. My slightly wide feet were grateful for the roomy toe box, too. I got my Ghost Max kicks in Oyster to keep up with my “white sneaker summer” aesthetic, but this pair comes in an equally cute blush colorway and a few darker alternatives.

If you’re serious about stocking up on walking shoes that pass the 20,000 steps test, grab the Brooks Ghost Max Sneakers on sale at Amazon — and check out these other options that are equally well-suited for travel.

More Comfortable Sneakers for Travel:  

Nortiv 8 ActiveFloat Sneakers

The ActiveFloats, the newest pair of running shoes by Nortiv 8, are designed with ample shock absorption to take the stress off your joints — specifically your knees. The tightly knit breathable upper and a rugged outsole make these shoes ideal for city explorations and dirt-road runs. That plush EVA midsole might remind you of a particularly popular running shoe, and shoppers say it rises to the challenge. 

“I am a nurse, so I spend the majority of the day on my feet and every step is painful…up until I got these sneakers,” a shopper shared. “Yesterday was my first day wearing them. I was on my feet more than usual, and for the first time in years, I had absolutely zero foot pain.”

New Balance Fresh Foam X More V4 Running Shoes

I love the current New Balance renaissance, and the Fresh Foam X More V4s are a breath of fresh air for the iconic brand. Just look at that big, squishy midsole! That’s from the brand’s proprietary foam cushioning, made partly with recycled materials, and it’s New Balance’s highest-stacked sole to date. This pair has earned the APMA Seal of Approval and comes in the cutest colorways, like this cream one with orange and yellow accents and a retro-inspired gum sole. 

Not convinced? Take it from this one reviewer, who quipped that the shoes “hug you better than your husband.” They also added, “My feet are in love.” 

Lululemon Beyondfeel Trail Running Shoes

When Lululemon debuted the Beyondfeel Trail Running Shoes, it announced that it would be their first pair designed in both women’s and men’s sizes. And, these stylish shoes have lived up to the hype surrounding them thanks to their flexibility, grippy soles, and ergonomic fit. The shoes are designed for trail running, of course, but they have the shock absorption needed for concrete trekking, too. If you like cushioning but not too much of it, pick up this pair in one of three colorways and enjoy a 30-day trial.

“You have outdone yourself again [with this] fabulous and comfortable shoe,” a shopper said in a review directed at the brand. “[They’re] my favorite running shoes, and I’ve been running 6 miles a day for years.” 

On The Roger Advantage 2 Shoes

Leave it to On to design a tennis sneaker that rivals a running shoe for all-day walkability. The Roger Advantage 2s are named after the tennis legend who inspired it, Roger Federer, and just like their namesake, they’re an icon in the making. It has the brand’s famous Cloudtec cushioning, but without the chunky sole that usually comes with it. So you can style this pair with your casual travel outfits and still enjoy the comfort of a running shoe. Flexibility and a breathable upper make this one a strong contender for go-to walking shoe territory.

“I finally found the perfect white leather casual shoes,” a Zappos customer exclaimed. “Wearing them is like walking on a cloud and there is plenty of room in the toe box.” 

Naot Adonis Slip-on Sneakers 

If a lightweight slip-on shoe is more your style, give the Adonis sneakers by Naot a spin. This brand is strategic about comfort. Like most of the brand’s styles, they have a removable cork and latex footbed with proper arch support designed to reduce pressure on your joints and keep your foot stable so it doesn’t shift inside the shoe. This pair has a sock-like mesh upper, so it’s lightweight and perfect for hot climates.

At the time of publishing, the price started at $120. 

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