As a Globetrotting Writer, These Comfy Hoka Shoes Are the Only Sneakers I Pack in My Carry-on When I Travel
I wore them straight out of the box for a 27,000-step day, and there wasn’t a blister to be seen.
Travel + Leisure / Madison Woiten
I’ve spent the last three years as a nomadic writer and editor, traveling to more than 20 countries with just a carry-on and backpack. As such, my wardrobe is limited in every sense. I have only a few pairs of shoes with me at any time, so every pair has to wear a lot of hats — and, even more importantly, be comfortable enough to stand up to the longest travel days. My exact footwear mix depends on the season and destination, but I always like to have a solid athletic sneaker in my suitcase for walking, workouts, and outdoor adventures.
The latest addition to my (very tiny) rotation — the Hoka Mach 5 — is by far the most comfortable pair I’ve worn in years. Even better, it’s proven itself to be pain-free right out of the box when I logged a 27,000-step day walking around on hot pavement in Kona, Hawai’i while spectating the Ironman World Championships. I was dog-tired by the end of it, but you better believe my feet didn’t hurt. Since then, these sneakers have become the only athletic shoes I travel with and have proven their comfort time and time again.
Hoka Mach 5 Sneakers
Zappos
$140
Buy on Zappos
You’ve likely seen Hokas around — on the feet of travelers, fashion influencers, and fitness instructors across TikTok and also celebs like Cameron Diaz and Reese Witherspoon. But this model, the Mach 5, doesn’t get enough love. Technically, it’s meant to be an everyday running shoe, but I’ve found it to be fantastic for walking on pavement and trails, casual jogs, bike rides, and even the occasional functional strength workout.
The Mach 5 features a lower-profile midsole than Hoka’s more well-known pairs (like the Clifton or Bondi, which have literal platforms of cushion), giving them a more grounded feel and making them slimmer to pack. But just because they don’t have inches of cushion doesn’t mean they aren’t cloudlike. In fact, it’s the special ProFly+ midsole layer that makes these even more comfortable than other Hokas I’ve tried. They have neutral stability and responsive cushion, which helps send energy back up into your legs while feeling like you’re walking on memory foam. They make a great travel sneaker since they’re also super light, weighing 6.8 ounces compared to the Hoka Bondi 8, for example, which weighs 8.9.
Lauren Mazzo
The creel jacquard mesh upper is super light and breathable, making this a great shoe for warm-weather travel or exercise. (Because they’re so ventilated, they’re not water-or weather-proof, so keep that in mind if you’re looking for a shoe to wear in wet or rainy destinations.) I’ve worn them for walks and hikes in Hawai’i, Colorado, Portugal, and Argentina, in spring, summer, and fall temps, and despite the fact that they’re not trail-specific shoes, they have pretty decent grip.
My pair is a unique colorway from the brand’s Ironman collection, and it’s nearly sold out — but you can get the Mach 5 in 14 other colors on Zappos, including a solid white or black, in case you want something that matches with more of your travel looks. No matter which color you choose, they have a low-profile tongue and knitted laces with a really premium feel.
Hoka Mach 5 Sneakers
Zappos
$140
Buy on Zappos
The Mach 5 has a 4-star rating on Zappos (after nearly 1,000 reviews), and a 4.5-star rating on the Hoka website. Zappos customers who’ve reviewed the sneakers can back up my claims that they’re impressively comfy: “I feel like I’m walking on clouds when I wear my Mach 5’s,” wrote one buyer. Many others call the Mach 5 a godsend for long days spent on your feet, whether it’s for work or travel. Another Zappos shopper wrote: “I am a clinical in the medical device world and cardiac surgery can take hours of standing on your feet. These shoes are amazing. I never realized how much my feet hurt after working all day and flying to the next surgical procedure [until] I wore these and my feet feel amazing after a full day.”
Lauren Mazzo
Another Zappos customer purchased these sneakers specifically for a walking-heavy trip and was more than pleased with their performance. “I bought these shoes for a trip my husband and I were taking, knowing we would walk a lot, be hiking up hills, etc.” they wrote. “[I]n the first almost two weeks we’ve walked over 100 miles, done over a hundred flights of stairs and my feet feel wonderful. No blisters, no cramps, nothing. I’m a new loyal fan.”
Hoka Mach 5 Sneakers
Zappos
$140
Buy on Zappos
Sneaker choice is very personal, and this style may not work as well for you as it does for me and these other reviewers. The Mach 5 offers neutral support — meaning, they have a symmetrical bed of cushion and don’t try to prevent your foot from rolling inward the way stability sneakers do. If you have lower arches or your feet tend to roll inward when walking or running (called overpronation), stability sneakers could be a better fit for you. If you’re looking for a light and easy travel sneaker that’ll feel great even when walking for miles, though, you may have found your perfect fit.
I’ve had my pair of Mach 5s for about four months now, and they look well-loved because they are. They’ve earned their place in my limited travel shoe selection — and are so comfortable and bouncy that they even led me to go for my first (very slow) run in years. If you’re heading out for an active trip and need a do-it-all sneaker rec, or are looking for a shoe that’ll keep you feeling good after hours on your feet, I can wholeheartedly say these will treat you right.
More Comfy Walking Sneakers From Hoka:
Hoka Transport
Zappos
$150
Buy on Zappos
Hoka Clifton 9
Zappos
$145
Buy on Zappos
Hoka Clifton L Suede
Zappos
$170
Buy on Zappos
At the time of publishing, the price started at $140.
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