Which Shoes to Pack When Traveling? A Guide to Choosing & Caring for Footwear on Every Trip

Every trip has its own enemies for your shoes: muddy trails in Da Lat, beach sand in Phu Quoc, rain-slicked streets in Hoi An during the wet season, or a full day of walking on stone floors in Singapore. Choosing the right shoes — and knowing how to care for them — keeps you comfortable and protects your favorite pairs.

Choosing Shoes by Trip Type

🏙️ City Break (Saigon, Hanoi, Bangkok, Singapore)

Priority: Lightweight, breathable, comfortable all day.

• Best options: Lightweight sneakers (Nike Pegasus, Adidas Ultraboost), canvas shoes
• Avoid: Stiff leather shoes, heels if you'll be walking a lot

🏖️ Beach & Resort (Phu Quoc, Da Nang, Bali)

Priority: Water-friendly, easy to rinse.

• Best options: Sport sandals (Teva, Chaco), quality slides
• Avoid: Suede — sand and saltwater are its worst enemies

🏔️ Trekking & Nature (Da Lat, Sapa, Ta Nang)

Priority: Grip, ankle support, slip resistance.

• Best options: Trekking boots (Salomon, Merrell), trail runners
• Avoid: Flat-soled sneakers — they slip on wet ground and mossy rocks

✈️ Flights & Long Transits

Priority: Easy to slip on and off, comfortable when seated for hours.

• Best options: Slip-ons, soft leather loafers, laceless sneakers
• Avoid: High lace-up boots with complicated lacing

5 Shoe-Care Tips for Travelers

1. Apply Nano Spray Before You Go

Spray two coats of nano water repellent on your shoes at least 24 hours before departure. Rain, puddle splashes, and spilled coffee will bead off the surface instead of soaking in.

2. Pack a Small Microfiber Towel

A folded microfiber cloth barely takes up any luggage space, but it's invaluable for wiping down your shoes after a dusty or muddy day.

3. Store Shoes in Their Own Bags

When packing shoes in your suitcase, put each pair in a dustbag or zip pouch to keep them from dirtying your clothes. Stuff them with paper or rolled socks to hold their shape.

4. Treat Stains the Same Day

Stains wiped off within the first few hours have a very high chance of coming out completely. Left overnight, they soak deep into the fibers and become far harder to remove.

5. Never Dry in Direct Sunlight

After shoes get wet (rain, beach), dry them in a shady, breezy spot. UV rays and high heat are the main causes of color fading and yellowed soles.

After the Trip: Shoe Spa at EXTRIM

Nothing is more normal than shoes coming home from a trip dirty, stained, and smelly. Rather than struggling with them at home, send them to EXTRIM to:

• Deep clean out embedded dust, sand, and mud
• Deodorize after days of nonstop walking
• Apply a protective nano coating for your next trip
• Run a general inspection to catch loose glue or worn soles early

Sneaker cleaning service from 120,000 VND. Combo for 3 pairs saves 15%.

👉 Book a cleaning after your trip | See combo deals

Public case note

This article is not linked to a specific customer case. Once before–after photos and a coded case file cleared for public release are available, EXTRIM will add them along with the scope of treatment and result limitations.