The Article Of Clothing That's Well Worth The Investment Before Your Upcoming Trip

When preparing for a trip, what would you consider the most important piece of clothing? You might say shirts and trousers, but really, these are pretty easy to pick up on the go. The same goes for socks and undergarments. As long as you're wearing enough to cover your body when you leave the house, you shouldn't have trouble replacing most clothing items. Hats and caps are a similar story, as they're designed for a wide range of head sizes. If you rule out necessary wear, like prescription glasses or hearing aids, you can theoretically hit the road without much at all. Some people even "fly naked," an extremely cost saving travel hack that may or may not be worth it. But one article is especially hard to get right: shoes.

The moment you step out your door, you're generally expected to have some kind of footwear at all times. Until you reach a private space (or a beach), you'll need shoes or sandals every step of the way. At the same time, you don't want to wear just anything. Shoes are designed to protect our feet, yet a poorly fitted design could impair or injure us, a critical consideration if you're traveling to areas with trickery terrain. Even walking around city streets can be tough if your shoes lack the proper support, cushioning, or durability. Meanwhile, shoes are one of the most unwieldy things to pack into a suitcase; they bulky, they're heavy, and they're more likely to besmirch other attire. Luckily, there are simple hacks that make packing your shoes even easier. Regardless of how you carry them or even how many pairs you bring, shoes are worth investing in before you embark on your vacation.

There are several things to consider before you select shoes for travel. What kind of trip are you taking? What is the terrain like, and how much walking do you plan to do? If you're hopping trains to cities across Europe in summer, you might consider something stylish but sensible, so you can stroll plazas and museums all day but still feel dressy enough for a romantic dinner. If you're hitting up a Caribbean island, where you'll spend most of your time sunning yourself or lounging around a catamaran, flip-flops or boat shoes will make more sense. Winter locales may demand snow boots, while storm-drenched destinations, like the Scottish highlands or the Alaskan panhandle, call for waterproofing.

The most important thing is that the shoes fit well, as many people walk more on vacation than they do in their daily lives. By some estimates, as much as 81% of Americans suffer from serious foot pain at some point in their lives, and miles of strolling around Paris or Rome could easily trigger it. If you don't have the ideal pair, take the time to visit a store and test out a few. Severe foot pains will ruin a trip, as can blisters, wetness, and sprains. And while some savvy travelers will already think of this, you should consider bringing more than one pair of shoes, a footwear travel hack taken from runners that keeps your feet fresh for long days of sightseeing.