Figuring out what to wear to feel comfortable and cute for a full day of travel is tricky business. And while I feel pretty confident in my current go-to outfit combination—wide-leg trousers, a cotton T-shirt and cashmere pullover—footwear is almost always where I find myself getting a bit stuck. Airport shoes need to be supportive for when your gate is inevitably on the opposite side of the terminal, easy to slip on and off for going through security and ideally something that makes you feel good, if not cool. It’s a lot to ask of a shoe, but I think I’ve finally found the perfect pair and it’s definitely a surprising pick: trail running sneakers.
These Shoes are My Secret to Easy & Comfortable Air Travel
breeze through TSA in style
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Published Sep 23, 2025
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Merrel; original photography by Abby Hepworth
original photography by Abby Hepworth
Yes, recommending trail running sneakers for the airport is an oddly specific choice, but hear me out. Running sneakers in general are often a great choice for travel as they’re designed to offer support, stability and comfort on the go. And while you may not care too much about the extra traction on the outsole of a trail running shoe when power walking to your gate, there are other trail-specific details that are weirdly great for air travel.
First, many trail running sneakers feature a drawcord in place of a traditional shoelace. For runners out in the wilderness, this eliminates the risk of a lace coming undone and causing you to trip or fall, something that’s typically much more dangerous on a trail than it is on a sidewalk. At the airport, that drawcord allows me to super quickly remove my shoes when going through TSA—just tug on each to loosen and slip ‘em off—and pull them back on just as fast. And for longer flights where swelling may be a concern, it’s incredibly easy to give my feet some extra wiggle room without taking off my shoe entirely (a hard and fast no when it comes to airplane etiquette).
Merrel
Trail shoes often also have great cushioning to keep your feet feeling fresher for longer while running over uneven terrain, including rocks and twigs. My go-to pair at the moment is the Merrel SpeedARC Matis sneakers ($180), pictured above. They’re incredibly comfortable, supportive without feeling too stiff and are easy to wear with wide-leg trousers or jeans (and, of course, sweatpants and leggings too).
As someone who loves to hike and explore the outdoors, having a trail running shoe on hand has the added benefit of not needing to pack true hiking boots or another activity-ready shoe in my suitcase. Even if all I’m doing is strolling around a city all day, I know these sneakers won’t slow me down, especially if we happen upon a neighborhood of cobblestone streets.
Ready to test this unconventional travel shoe out for yourself? Shop some of my other favorite styles below—and enjoy those extra few minutes you’ll save going through security.
Shop Trail Running Sneakers
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