Last Updated on 28 July 2024
When interrailing Europe, you’re gonna need 2 good pairs of shoes to bring with you. What’s generally recommended is a pair of trainers/sneakers and a pair of sandals. If you’re interrailing Europe during off-season (autumn/fall and winter) then a pair of boots and trainers will do you good. But there are thousands of different shoes to choose from so how can you decide what will be best to take with you? Well, you’ve come to the right place! Here are the 10 best shoes for interrailing around Europe. These include the best trainers/sneakers, boots and sandals and the type of traveller they would be perfect for!
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Don’t have time to read the full article? Here’s the list of the best shoes for interrailing Europe:
- New Balance 57/40 – Best for the stylish traveller who also wants comfort
- Hoka Clifton 9 – Best for the hikers and long-distance runners
- Veja Esplar – Best for the sustainable traveller who doesn’t compromise on style
- Nike Court Legacy – Best for the traveller who loves walking, partying and relaxing
- Nike Air Force 1 – Best for the city break lovers
- Adidas Astirs – Best for the travellers with wide feet
- Blundstone 550 – Best for the adventure travellers who love to travel during off-season
- Teva Midform Universal – Best for literally everyone
- Birkenstocks EVA Arizona – Best for the vacationer who loves relaxing in hot European countries
- Chaco Z1 – Best for the traveller with flat feet and/or loves water hiking
1. New Balance 57/40
Best for: The stylish traveller who also wants comfort
According to CN Traveller, New Balance dad shoes are the ultimate travel sneakers. They’re comfortable, cushioned and very versatile which is why they’re one of the best shoes for interrailing Europe! Yes, they’re dad shoes but they strike the perfect balance of being stylish and comfortable at the same time! If you’re the type of person who loves walking everywhere when travelling, then you’d be glad to know that a pair of New Balance 57/40 can withstand your 20,000 daily steps when exploring European cities.
So if you want a pair of shoes that are comfy but don’t sacrifice style, then these are the perfect sneakers to take for your interrailing adventures!
2. HOKA Clifton 9
Best for: The hikers and long-distance walkers
HOKA shoes are well known amongst runners. They feature a curved “Meta-Rocker” that makes you feel like you’re walking on clouds. Additionally, they have a cushioned midsole, which is perfect when you’re spending hours on your feet. Hoka’s impressive shoe technology is what makes it one of the best shoes for running but also one of the best shoes for interrailing Europe. Whether you’re hiking, walking around the city or even going out for drinks, the all-white HOKA Clifton 9s are the perfect travel shoes for interrailing. They’re versatile as you can wear them with anything and they’re lightweight, so are kind to your feet.
HOKA shoes are even recommended by podiatrists because of how much comfort and support they provide. So if you’re looking for the best shoes for interrailing Europe that are perfect in every way, HOKAs are your best bet! Just remember to go half a size up when buying HOKAs as they are quite tight!
3. Veja
Best for: The sustainable traveller who doesn’t compromise on being stylish
When interrailing, you will find that Vejas are very popular among Europeans. They’ve got a sleek design, they go with everything and best of all, they’re a sustainable sneaker brand! The canvas and laces of Veja sneakers are made from Brazilian and Peruvian organic cotton while the soles are made of Amazonian rubber, rice waste and recycled rubber.
Veja’s eco-conscious approach to footwear along with their design and comfort make them one of the best shoes for interrailing Europe. If you’re looking for the perfect white sneakers to wear around Europe, then the Veja Esplar sneakers are calling your name! They’re stylish and appropriate for any travel situation you’ll find yourself in while interrailing!
4. Nike Court Legacy
Best for: The traveller who loves walking, partying and relaxing
Another pair of white sneakers for interrailing that might tickle your fancy is a pair of Nike Court Legacy sneakers. These are the best shoes for interrailing Europe because they are the perfect mix of stylish and functional. They can be dressed up and dressed down and best of all, they’re very comfortable to walk around in for hours! Nike Court Legacy sneakers have that tennis shoe kind of look to them which makes them so appealing!
5. Nike Air Force 1
Best for: The city break lovers
Nike Air Force 1s are probably the most versatile sneakers in the world. So of course, this means that they’re also one of the best shoes for interrailing Europe. They literally go with every single outfit and they’re comfortable!
If you’re only visiting cities during your interrailing trip, then I can vouch for Nike Air Force 1s. You can dress them up, dress them down and take them everywhere with you! I wore these everywhere when I visited Athens and did 20,000 steps minimum every day in them with no issues!
6. Adidas Astirs
Best for: The travellers with wide feet
Another pair of dad sneakers on the list of best shoes for interrailing is the Addias Astirs. They’re the kind of dad shoes that will be an amazing staple piece for your outfits.
What makes these sneakers great for interrailing is that they’re cushiony and have a lot of space! So if you’ve got wide feet, then these are the perfect choice of sneakers to take with you when interrailing!
7. Blundstone Boots
Best for: The adventure travellers who love to travel during off-season
If you’re interrailing plans look like doing outdoor activities during autumn/fall and/or winter time, then a pair of Blundstone boots are the perfect shoes to take with you! They’re one of the best shoes for interrailing because they’re comfortable, lightweight and stylish. If you love Chelsea boots, then that’s automatically a plus too!
You might think that bringing boots along with you when interrailing will make your feet sore, but that’s not the case for Blundstones! You can walk everywhere with these and best of all, you won’t get any blisters!
Blundstones are definitely on the higher end in terms of price but it’s so worth it since they can last you for years! So even after you go interrailing, you can bring them along with you on all your other travel adventures!
8. Teva Midform Universal
Best for: Literally everyone
If you’ve never heard of Tevas then let me introduce you to the most popular travel shoes amongst backpackers across the globe! Tevas are the best shoes for interrailing around Europe (and backpacking anywhere) because of their versatility and durability.
Tevas are incredibly comfy and you can walk 30,000+ steps daily without sore feet. There are many different designs of Tevas but the ones I recommend are the Teva Midfom Universal sandals. They’re easy to put on, take off and adjust, thanks to their velcro straps, they can handle walking on rough terrain and you can also wear them in water! So it’s no wonder that many backpackers recommend these sandals when travelling!
Tevas are the kind of shoes that are made for anyone and if you’re interrailing Europe, especially in the summer, then you need to get yourself a pair!
9. Birkenstocks EVA Arizona
Best for: The vacationer who loves relaxing in hot European countries
You can’t go wrong with a pair of Birkenstocks when travelling. They’re comfy, they provide firm arch support and they require no break-in period. But hear me out…The best shoes for interrailing around Europe aren’t the typical Birkenstocks. They’re actually the Birkenstocks EVA Arizona.
What makes the Birkenstocks EVA Arizona better for interrailing around Europe is the material. It’s made of EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate) which is a kind of plastic that feels rubber-like. Unlike the normal Birkenstocks, the Birkenstocks EVA Arizona can withstand heat much better and they’re more lightweight! This is perfect for when you want to sunbathe out in the sun on the balcony or at a European beach.
So if you’re interrailing around Europe in the summer, then a pair Birkenstocks EVA Arizonas will treat you well!
10. Chaco
Best for: The traveller with flat feet (and/or loves water hiking)
Chaco sandals are a bit heavier than the typical sandals but what makes them one of the best shoes for interrailing around Europe is their arch support and durability. They’ve got more traction on the sole than the typical pair of sandals too, which makes them great for walking on rough terrain and for water hikes!
There’s debate amongst travellers about Tevas vs Chacos. But my verdict? Get what you think is best for you. Chaco sandals are great for travellers with flat feet, feet with high arches and who prefer reliable and rugged traction on the sole. On the other hand, Tevas are great for travellers who want a lighter pair of sandals to wear with a smoother footbed.
Best Shoes for Interrailing Europe: Final Thoughts
Preparing for your interrailing trip includes figuring out the best shoes to take with you. So I hope this guide has helped you figure out what shoes you will be taking on your interrail trip! If you’re interrailing Europe during spring or summer, then a pair of trainers and sandals would be fine. And if you’re interrailing Europe during autumn/fall or winter then a pair of trainers and boots is the best combo!
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