The Sensus has become my go-to transit shoe. I reached this conclusion after spending over 100 hours on trains during the testing period. It feels more secure than a slip-on yet is as buttery-soft as a pair of slippers; I have never felt an urge to kick them off after a long train ride. It is worth noting that this is the most minimalist of the shoes in this article, so you will really feel the ground beneath your feet. I occasionally borrow the foam insoles from another pair of Vivos to provide a few millimeters of extra cushion, which was fantastic in the early days of getting used to making smaller strides with less heel-to-pavement impact than I’d have in a beefier shoe.
The Z-Trail has become my default summer shoe, paired with everything from jeans to dresses (your mileage may vary; my sense of style is decidedly ‘hiker chic’) and I can’t remember the last time I traveled without them in my bag or on my feet. They’re secure enough for short, moderate hikes and all-day city adventuring. These shoes, too, have been to the Eras Tour (I never thought I would be the sort of person who would go to the same concert twice; oops, I am), and were great for both the long walk to and from the venue and nearly four hours of standing in between.
For everything else in everyday life, I reach for the Gobi. It’s a brilliant everyday city shoe that blends right in in London, where I live, where it seems almost everyone has agreed to wear exclusively white footwear. A close friend has an identical pair in men’s sizing and we often show up to drinks or dinner (accidentally) twinning. That it’s a sustainable option with 98 percent of the shoe is made from natural materials is a major bonus, but far from its only selling point. It’s also comfortable, stylish, and practical, full-stop.
There is no perfect shoe that will replace physical therapy, if you need it, and hopefully, we don’t have to tell you to go to the doctor and take care of your body. But in my experience, this has been a great first step at addressing the heart—or, perhaps, sole—of my travel footwear woes.
