These Are Easily The Best Shoes To Wear At The Airport

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Airport style is a careful balance of three main components: comfort, practicality, and aesthetics. Footwear may be the most important component of your flying 'fit since it not only ties a look together but can also be the difference between sore feet and comfort on your flight. Not to mention, shoes can make your time in the TSA line run much more smoothly. While we're clear on what shoes definitely shouldn't be part of a well-planned airport outfit, we turned to the founder of KS Style Consulting, Katie Schuppler, for guidance on the best footwear for the job.

Speaking exclusively to Glam, Schuppler reveals that a comfortable sneaker is one of the best choices. "Sneakers are comfortable and make it a reliable option for getting through big terminals and/or rushing to your connection," she explains. Certain sneakers have made our list of the most outdated shoe trends to ditch in 2025 (condolences, chunky dad shoes), but there are plenty of styles to look for that are both on-trend and practical for the airport. 

If you're a sneakers fan, Schuppler has another suggestion for airport-wear: "Slip-on loafers are easy on your feet and a quick option for going through security." Loafers are the one shoe that will always dress up leggings, so if you're planning on going super-casual, they're a great choice. Meanwhile, sneakers are even more versatile, suiting everything from jeans to dresses to matching sets. "I love a set for travel!" Schuppler confirms. "You can get outfits like this from anywhere from Nordstrom to Amazon. It's easy, complete, put together, and you want to be feeling good and comfortable when traveling." The SAMPEEL Two Piece Set comes in more than 16 colors, for example, making it easy to work into your personal style. Love the idea of finishing off a set with a good pair of comfy sneakers? Let's take a look at which pairs are the best for the airport and what details to look for. 

There are plenty of shoes you should avoid while traveling, but the classic sneaker isn't one of them. Keeping in mind the holy trinity of comfort, practicality, and aesthetics, slip-on styles are one of the best options since they won't hold you up in TSA and will also be easy to remove if you want to go shoe-free during the flight. Lace-free sneakers are ideal — think the Women's Hands Free Slip-ins Summits from Skechers — but you could also opt for a pair with tucked-in laces. "Adidas is my personal favorite for any sneaker for any occasion," Katie Schuppler exclusively confirms to Glam. "They are light, always well padded, and the quality is there to last a long time."

Along with the quality, you'll also want to ensure that the sneakers lean more toward a slimmer silhouette than a bulky one — this will make them easy to store under the seat in front of you if you do need to take them off during the flight. Adidas Sambas tick all the boxes since they're comfortable, easy to slip on and off, and en-vogue — particularly as retro shoe styles are seeing a resurgence in 2025. Meanwhile, even more minimal styles, like the Adidas Stan Smiths, are endlessly versatile. Not only are they great for the airport and the flight, but they can also be worked into almost any outfit in your luggage and any activity in your travel itinerary. Whether you want to give trendy traveler or comfy chic, a plain pair of sneakers is vital when creating airport outfits that will never go out of style.