Traveling with Happy Feet

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In this post, I'd like to share some tips on how to keep your feet happy when you travel! I guess this would apply to frequent city walkers on a daily basis, too, like those of us living in New York City.

Growing up, I've always had issues with wearing the right pair of shoes that wouldn't hurt, cut or bruise me in any way; my feet have suffered a lot from multiple battle wounds. It took me a long time to learn the importance of taking good care of my feet and to pick up the how-to tricks in avoiding getting any blisters, especially when I'm traveling.

New Shoes Might Be a Bad Idea

First things first: Never, and I repeat, NEVER, even think about packing those newly-bought cute shoes into your suitcase. I know we all want to wear new things when we go on vacation, but it really isn't ideal! Even if it is just a pair of "nice heels for dinner" or sneakers that are "supposed" to be comfortable.

When you travel, you want to be able to walk everywhere and see everything. It's tiring enough to walk with comfortable shoes, let alone uncomfortable ones. Although "nice heels for dinner" may seem harmless, because you're mostly just sitting down, a new pair of heels can easily cause discomfort in a matter of a few hours. And what if you decided last minute to check out a local bar after dinner, but your feet is in pain? A total mood-killer! 

This pair of chunky block heels traveled to London with me, because they are the most comfortable pair of heels I own. Photo by Elena Gola Photography.

I say no to a new pair of sneakers as well because I've come across so many pairs that would rub against the back of my heel initially, too. So be sure to break them in first, and be extra sure they no longer pain your feet in any way, before you decide to pack them into your suitcase.

Bring the most comfortable pair of shoes you own with you on your trip, and your feet will thank you. And YOU will thank you. 

Packable Shoes Will Save Your Day

Packable shoes tend to be very flexible, and a very good backup plan. Keep a pair in your bag, just in case your feet get tired from the pair you've been wearing all day.

Some of my favorite foldable shoe brands include Yosi Samra, Hobes, and TIEKS. I used to own other packable shoes as well, but the ones I got from these three brands have been the most comfortable to wear.

Last year, when I went back to London to visit some friends, I made the mistake of bringing a fairly new pair of flats. The back was still so tough, not only did it gave me huge blisters, but it also gave me cuts; I was actually bleeding. The only pair of shoes I brought with me that was wearable the next day, was the boat shoes from Hobes. They really saved me!

My pink Hobes were a lifesaver.

Need a Little Magic 

There are always a few things I now keep in my cosmetic bag for my dear feet: band-aids and Neosporin. They don't take up a lot of space and may come in handy in times of need.

Another recent discovery that I have fallen in love with is a product called Sole Serum, a cream that helps relieve foot pain! The moisturizing cream is made of lidocaine, which is a pain reliever, peppermint oil, lavender oil and tea tree oil. When I wear heels, I apply it before I leave the house and sometimes re-apply it after a few hours in the ladies' room. It doesn't stain your shoes, so I know it is safe to use even with my nice shoes. PreHeels is another product I've tried before, but I personally prefer Sole Serum.

A Little Massage Goes a Long Way

After a long day of walking, our feet swell. Give your legs a little massage with some body lotion after your shower, or massage your legs while you shower if you're too lazy to do put lotion on. Be sure to massage upwards, too, for maximum results. This may not seem like much, but it really does make a difference the following day! 

Legs Up Against the Wall Before Bedtime

If you really don't want to massage your legs, another option is to just prop your legs up against the wall before you go to bed! I find this method to be the easiest and the most effective. Allowing blood flow to go the opposite direction will release stress from your feet and ease with the swelling.

I have bad water retention, so I actually try my best to do this on a nightly basis. If you combine this with a massage, your feet and legs will be forever grateful.

Do you have any other tips that I didn't cover? Leave a comment below and share it with me!

Thank you for reading!

xoxo,

Tricia