Travel Shoes: Water-Resistant Styles

Exploring Lake Como in my favorite travel shoes. Details at une femme d'un certain age.

When assembling a travel wardrobe, I always start with the shoes, and usually include at least one water-resistant pair in the mix. But not just any pair…they have to be comfortable enough for hours of walking, and stylish enough to wear out to dinner. (You can see my prior travel wardrobes HERE.)

Ankle Boots

My preferred footwear for travel is a low-heeled ankle boot. I find them easy to style for either casual or “smart casual” outfits. I’ll almost always opt for black, not only for the “doesn’t show dirt” factor but also because I find black easiest to coordinate and dress up.

Aquatalia Fausta weatherproof chelsea bootie. Details at une femme d'un certain age.

My favorite brand for comfortable, water-resistant footwear is Aquatalia. They’re on the pricier side, but hold up very well. The pair I’m wearing above is from a few seasons back, and has now accompanied me on several trips. Here are some recent waterproof booties.

This is a very similar style in brown suede, still available in most sizes here.

This is a zip rather than pull-on style, but with the same sleek look.

Here’s a more budget-friendly boot option with a slightly lower heel.

These are fun too…a little bit biker without being too clunky.

La Canadienne weatherproof booties. Details at une femme d'un certain age.

Another brand that I’ve read good things about is La Canadienne. They’re also on the pricier side, but very well-reviewed. The higher shaft on these would be great for colder or wetter climates. (I’ve also heard that their knee boots are a good fit for those with more slender calves.)

Blondo is a more budget-friendly brand that offers water-resistant styles. This style is available in a few colors…the dark grey is a nice alternative to black.

If you prefer a smooth leather to suede, these are nice. (Several colors in suede also available.)

These are a more casual style, but also budget-friendly and offered in several colors and finishes.

Other Styles To Consider…

Perhaps ankle boots aren’t your thing, or you’d like an alternative.

These loafers are sharp-looking and quite comfortable.

These loafers are fun, also available in black and white.

Waterproof slip-on sneakers. Details at une femme d'un certain age.

These are similar to the slip-on sneakers I just bought, but more budget-friendly (under $100!) and waterproof!

Check back tomorrow for a fun giveaway, and early next week to see my Paris travel wardrobe.

What’s your preferred style of travel shoes?

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32 Comments

  1. Several years ago you posted a pair of Randall Loffler rain boots, which I purchased and always pack as part of my travel waredrobe, mine are in a wonderful olive. They look as nice as the day I bought them. On one trip to Stockholm, I wore them everyday. I am happy to see some new options. Thank you for your guidance.

  2. I also take my black ankle boots when I travel. The ones I have been taking are not water resistant but they are well worn so they are very comfortable. I recently bought another pair of black leather ankle boots that are water resistant from Sebago from 6 pm.com. They were only $65 – a steal.

  3. La Canadienne boots are fabulous! Stylish, comfortable, waterproof (slushproof is very important for our weather!) and the only company that has winter boots that fit my calves. And you gotta love the name… 🙂

    1. Yea, La Canadienne! Love mine to death. I swear, they are 20 years old and are still just as cool (if a little broken-in looking) as the day I bought them. I don’t know what I’d have to do to them to wear them out. GREAT price-per-wear value on those suckers. (OK, I’ll calm down now.)

  4. I’ve been walking around Paris and Hvar, Croatia, the last several days. My Naturalizer slip ons (resemble yours but in a semi-sparkly gunmetal) are the most comfortable shoe ever. I also brought a pair of the Blondo waterproof ankle boots in black suede. These look good and are comfortable enough for a few hours, but I find they pinch a little across my big toe after a long day of walking. I’ve mostly been earring them for dressier occasions or shorter term excursions.

  5. I’ve been searching for a pair of nice-looking low-heeled booties for my narrow foot … for a year and a half! In fact, beside me on the floor is a package going back to Donald Pliner, whose shoes usually fit me, but not this pair. I’ve sent umpteen packages back to Nordstrom and Zappos. To find a pair that fit and are waterproof would be a dream come true. But, I’ll settle for a good-looking pair that fit, and that I can walk in for long periods of time. Sigh …

      1. Yes, I have tried Munro. Several pair in fact. I’ll have to look and see if they have any new styles that I haven’t tried. Thanks for the reminder.

    1. I have narrow feet, too. Blondo and La Canadienne have a few styles in narrow sizes, and they specialize in waterproof boots and booties. Munro and Sesto Meucci have narrow widths and usually one or two bootie styles per year that are waterproof. You have to comb through their offerings to find the waterproof options, though, and sometimes a seller like Nordstrom won’t mention the waterproof feature. One option is to go directly to, say, the Munro website, which gives a full description. Once you locate a style there, you can either buy it directly or see if your favorite retail websites carry it. I have never found such a shoe in an actual brick and mortar store.

      1. Thanks, Marie. I’d never heard of La Canadienne before Susan’s post, so I will have to check them out. For some reason, Munro shoes and boots just don’t fit me. I’ve tried/returned several pair and two years ago, actually bought a Chelsea-style boot out of desperation and they ended up killing my feet. Ugh. I’ve had Sesto Meucci shoes before, but not in a long time. I’ll check them out as well. Thanks!

  6. I have two pair of the low heeled Aquatalia (chestnut brown and black) and they’re really comfy right out of the box. In winter, I wear La Canadienne and they’re also wonderful. I tried those Blondo boots on and just walking on the hard floor in Nordstrom found them not so comfortable, so I don’t think I could wear them for a day of walking. I LOVE the Aquatalia loafers, but I’m not sure I can justify the cost. Tempting!

  7. I love my La Canadienne boots. I have them in both black and brown and have even replaced a black pair after I wore the first pair out (it took about three years of constant wear). Of course they are winter boots and could not be worn in warm weather travel.

  8. I find that suede doesn’t wear well. Maybe it’s just me, but it seems as if there’s always a spot that rubs bare and looks terrible.
    Low boots are great. One way to deal with the damp is plenty of socks, and a spare pair of shoes so they get a day to dry out between wearings.

  9. Another vote for Le Canadienne boots here! I own 6 pairs. Le Canadienne are available on Zappos too, which is very customer oriented.

  10. A vote here for the Hispanitas brand, which I recently discovered. Not marketed as waterproof, but a double application of waterproofing spray does the trick. I wore these boots on a recent trip to Seattle and Vancouver BC and was very pleased: https://www.6pm.com/p/hispanitas-lydia-soho-black-crosta-black-lizard-black/product/8758841/color/645206 The Nordstrom Vancouver store had a good selection in stock; 6pm has the best prices. Made in Spain.

  11. I had three pairs of Aquatalia by Marvin K. patent loafers which I wore until they pretty much wore out: the style name was Whoopie (no idea why!?) and I am seeking similar. I can still wear the ones I have but they are unraveling a bit after several years of steady wear. Thanks for these ideas as I need something not obviously waterproof for upcoming trips.

  12. I travel with my black leather Sam Edelman low heeled ankle boots, never given me any problems and I can walk in them all day. Very comfortable boot for my long, narrow feet.

    1. Vicki, Are you a true narrow (i.e. AA). The only Sam Edelson shoes I’ve ever been able to wear with my 8N feet is a pair of fancy sneakers.

  13. I bought your Aquatalia boots ( the first pair profiled) on your recommendation. They have been worth every penny. Few shoes in my wardrobe are this comfortable, fashionable, practical, and versatile.

  14. I have a pair of Blondo that felt a little stiff at first, but actually wear quite well for walking. They are round toed chelsea style, more moto/casual with a chunky bottom. So, of course, I was *forced* (ha!) to buy the Aquatalias for a dressier look. Got the Franca during the Anniversary sale and love the look. Praying for rain to fight the fires up here. Wearing the boots would just be a blessing at this point.

  15. I have several pairs of La Canadienne boots, 2 pairs of which I’ve had for almost 20 years and they still look almost new. I also like Dubarry’s Chelsea boots.

  16. Love those Aquatalia- just got to Venice and it will be a beautiful fall stay , weatherwise. Thank you for the advice on your recent trip to Venice. Packed in a carry on am now ready to walk/view. Wearing my MBT’s helpful on long walks ( Florence this summer), Happy travels to you— hope the strike of airport workers and etc. ends soon.