Countless people travel every year. In fact, over 60 million Americans traveled overseas in 2016 (to say nothing of domestic trips)! Their reasons are manifold — business trips, family reunions, taking that long-overdue vacation. But wherever they’re going and whatever the reason, every traveler faces the same dilemma: what shoes should I bring?

Look, I get it. Most shoes are bulky and hard to pack, and in a world of insane luggage fees we’ll all take every inch of suitcase we can get. Here are a few tips for picking out a great pair of travel shoes and packing them in a way that saves space and ensures your shoes stay in great shape!

Consider Your Plans

If you’re taking a vacation to Cabo San Lucas, you wouldn’t wear a three-piece suit, right? And you wouldn’t wear board shorts and flip flops to your cousin’s wedding in Connecticut (I sure hope not). Wherever you’re going, it’s important that you dress for the part, down to the soles of your feet.

The first thing to do is figure out what shoes you need for your trip. Are you going for a job interview? Get some nice dress shoes that will complement your suit. Backpacking through Europe? Get a sturdy pair of hiking boots (and some shoe care tips — hiking is rough on your shoes).

Function Over Fashion

We all have that one pair of perfect shoes that are… less than comfortable to wear. Let me be clear: those shoes should stay at home, no question about it! If you think you’re going to enjoy traipsing through an airport in your stiffest dress shoes, let’s just say you’re in for a surprise.

The shoes we wear to the airport are often the shoes we wear the entire trip, so consider comfort over fashion when choosing your travel shoes. Keep those stiff dress shoes, stiletto heels, and flip flops (Lifehacker says they increase your risk of injury on unknown terrain) at home.

Test Them Out, Break Them In

Let’s say you’re visiting New York City. You’d like to take in some of the culture the city has to offer on your trip. You find a lightweight, breathable, stylish pair of shoes, perfect for touring art museums in between long walks through Central Park. Throw those puppies in your suitcase immediately! Right?

Wrong. Before you pack any pair of shoes, you should be certain that they’re broken in — unless, of course, you love aching soles and blisters on your achilles tendons. Either pack some of well-worn, comfy shoes, or give yourself enough time (at least two weeks) to wear the shoes and break them in.

Pack Carefully

So, you’ve found your perfect pair of travel shoes. You’ve worn them intermittently for a few weeks, so you know they’re comfortable. You’ve even invested in some leather and fabric care so they look their best! Now, your suitcase is open in front of you, ready to be packed up for your trip.

Where do the shoes go? The easiest answer is on your feet. This way, they won’t take up valuable space in your travel bag! However, if you do decide to pack your shoes away for a special occasion at your destination, it’s important that you pack them carefully so you can breeze through the airport.

The TSA prefers that you pack your shoes on top of your other belongings, so they can be easily searched if necessary. You can also stuff them along the edges of your bag if they fit. If you’re packing dress shoes, slip some leather oil into your bag, to renew their shine later.

With the right shoes for traveling, you can look your best wherever your latest trip will lead you. Even better, you’ll be able to comfortably enjoy everything your destination has to offer! So get out there and enjoy that new city, new country, or new experience; we all know that you deserve it!

Guest Contributor : Alex G Forrestor

Author Bio – Alex G Forrester, a freelance content marketer and consultant, with nearly 7 years of content writing experience about everything from marketing and technology to family and travel. When he’s not brushing up against a deadline, he can be found on the beach with his black lab, Louie. You can find Alex on Twitter and Facebook.