Shoes are by far the most awkward thing to pack, they’re heavy, weirdly shaped, and don’t compress. So when packing for study abroad it is important to focus on efficiency and prioritize quality over quantity. Now your choice in footwear will be highly dependent on where you are studying. But, there are a few things to ask yourself before packing them; the first question to ask is are they comfortable? Oftentimes during study abroad we walk a lot more than we do at home. For example I knew that I was walking a minimum of a mile a day because my tube station was a half mile from my house. So any shoe that is slightly uncomfortable is just not going to be practical considering all the extra walking. The next question to ask is what role does this shoe play in my wardrobe? Is this an everyday shoe, a dress shoe, or a trekking shoe? Try to find a shoe that could work for multiple situations and stay away from shoes that can only serve one purpose. This means shoes like rainboots or high heels, these shoes aren’t necessary unless you know you are going to need them multiple times (and even then you’re probably better off buying them there). If you are thinking you need heels to go to a club or out to parties you definitely don’t. Furthermore many streets in old cities are cobbled or very uneven and public transportations often includes many stairs. My favorite travel shoes are sneakers, for wet or cold places like London I suggest something that isn’t mesh. Classic Adidas like the Stan Smith or Superstar are great options; generally a leather or some synthetic that won’t let in water or cold air is best. I personally like to use a water treatment (ex. Kiwi camp spray) to help make my shoes more water resistant; it also can help them from getting too dirty. I also really like a basic black ankle boot. My favorite boot brands are Sorel and Clark’s, they make really clean classic boots that are very comfortable and durable. Currently I am wearing the Cate boot by Sorel which I find to have the right amount of height and structure to look nice without sacrificing comfort. Your feet are your base and if they aren’t comfortable and happy then you’re just not going to have a good time. The last thing you wanna be thinking about while exploring new locations is sore feet. So invest in something that is going to support your foot and keep it protected from the elements. Overall if you can limit the number of shoes you bring you can avoid wasted space in your suitcase; if you are anything like me chances are you’ll end up wearing the same two or three pairs on repeat. Remember your better off buying one good pair that will last then five pairs that will fall apart.
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