These Neutral Shoes Will Pair With Everything You Own (2024)

These leather sneakers channel a luxe yet laid back vibe perfect for dressing any outfit up or down. They easily landed our top pick thanks to their top-notch leather construction, which is water resistant and wonderfully low maintenance — simply wipe them down with a wet cloth to buff out scuffs or light stains. The fine leather takes these from everyday sneakers to an elevated essential that’s ready to take on hours at the office, a long day of travel, and anything in between.

While the durable upper can take a few wears to break in, these are still comfortable enough to wear out of the box and get even better with every wear. We also love the cushioned microfiber-covered EVA footbed, which provides ample arch support and helps to stabilize the foot while walking. These come in a generous range of sizes, with both medium and wide options available.

The Details: Leather, rubber | 5 to 13 | Black, gray, white

A timeless take on a trendy style, these fisherman-inspired slides are versatile enough to pair with your entire travel wardrobe. The high-quality leather looks great with everything from jeans and a white T-shirt to wide-leg trousers and a tank top. A low stacked heel makes these the perfect day-to-night shoe, as they’re casual and comfortable enough to wear all day at the office or while pounding the pavement in a new city — yet they’re also elegant enough to pair with dressier looks for a night on the town. The covered toe box is also ideal for more formal settings requiring a closed toe, as these provide a stylish and airy alternative thanks to the cut-outs. Despite how sturdy these are, they’re more lightweight than they look.

Best of all, we love that there’s no break-in period thanks to Madewell’s Cloudlift Lite padding, meaning you can slip into these immediately and wear them all day long.

The Details: Leather | 5 to 12 | Black, brown

Crafted from fine Italian leather, these classic slides are an elegant way to elevate your everyday style. The blunted toe creates a beautiful contrast against the curved straps, which come together in a medallion design at the center. These are comfortable from the first wear and hold their shape well over time, proving to be a worthwhile investment that will hold up for years to come. Note that those with high arches may find that these aren’t supportive enough, given the flat footbed. As for sizing, they tend to run narrow, so you may want to consider going up a half-size if you have average or wide feet.

To best protect the gorgeous, goes-with-everything light brown shade from unwanted stains, we suggest using Cadillac Select Premium Water Repellent Spray, which is ideal for treating luxurious leather (remember to always try a test patch first!).

The Details: Leather | 5 to 12 | Black, brown

For a fraction of the price of Birkenstock’s iconic Arizona sandal, you can stock up on several of these top-notch dupes in a range of colors and materials. Choose from vegan leather, suede, metallic, and more —each boasts a fantastically cushy footbed (as per the name), which molds to your foot with every wear. The cork provides a firm yet flexible foundation and excellent arch support. While it does take a little while to break them in, it’s worth the wait —these are durable and great quality for the price. The adjustable straps allow you to further customize the fit, and also help to keep your feet from sliding around.

The Details: EVA, cork, vegan leather | 6 to 12, plus wide | Black, brown, gray, light blue, tan, white, pink, rose gold, silver, leopard print, navy

These minimalist sneakers from Thousand Fell are redefining what sustainable footwear looks and feels like. They’re crafted from innovative and recycled materials, including plastic bottles, natural rubber, and food waste —instead of using plastic, the brand relies on coconut, sugarcane, and palm in order to create certain structural details. The result is an incredibly durable and comfortable shoe, which requires minimal break-in time.

Anyone who spends long days on their feet will love how plush the insole is, as it's made from recycled yoga mats that offer a slight lift and excellent support. Travelers in particular will appreciate the breathable, anti-odor liner (so you can go sockless, if that’s your thing), and the quartz coating that resists stains and repels water, helping to keep your sneakers in pristine condition for longer. If and when you do finally wear your shoes down, send them back to be recycled and for a $20 credit towards your next pair.

The Details: Recycled plastic bottles, natural rubber, food waste | 5 to 10 | White, gray black, sand

With the perfect 2-inch heel height for long afternoons of roaming that turn into late nights of dancing, these shoes are sure to become a mainstay in your carry-on. An adjustable ankle strap keeps your feet secure, while the dual-density midsole and molded EVA footbed cradle your foot for optimal support. The chunky lug sole isn’t just for the ‘90s vibe —it also helps prevent shock while walking around and is surprisingly lightweight, so these won’t weigh down your suitcase. Nurses, hospitality workers, and anyone else spending long hours on their feet will love that these offer top-tier arch support, for which they’ve received the American Podiatric Medicine Association (APMA) Seal of Acceptance.

The Details: Leather, rubber | 5 to 11 | Black, brown

We tested 28 women’s boots in search of the comfiest options on the market, and these Chelsea-inspired booties from Marc Fisher earned a spot on our list for their sophisticated design. We love the pointy toe and chic metal accent at the tip, as well as the stacked heel, which offers just the right amount of lift for day-to-night wear. While the shaft opening may feel wide for some, it makes the boots easy to slip on and off.

The boots earned top marks in our tests for their true-to-size fit, exceptional comfort, and high-quality construction. We love that these pair with everything from jeans to an elegant dress, meaning they’ll definitely earn their keep in your suitcase —plus, they’re relatively lightweight.

The Details: Leather or suede | 5 to 11 | Black, light brown, dark brown, tan, olive, navy, dark red

Delicate yet durable, these strappy leather sandals are designed to match everything you own. They’re crafted from buttery-smooth leather that boasts plenty of padding from the very first wear, and continues to break in over time for that lived-in feeling. We appreciate that the leather is sourced from a tannery awarded a Gold Rating from the Leather Working Group (LWG), which upholds higher sustainability standards in the industry.

The footbed is also cushy enough to wear straight from work to happy hour, thanks to Madewell’s airy Cloudlift Lite padding. Plus, the modest 2.5-inch stacked heel is elegant yet low-key enough for daily wear — and pulls double duty by helping to reduce shock as you move.

The Details: Leather | 5 to 11 | Camel, black, white

Beyond the ultra-stylish and comfortable design of these slip-on sandals, there’s another reason you’ll feel great about wearing them: every purchase helps to fund the Ama OluKai Foundation, which works to preserve local Hawaiian traditions and serve communities — an effort which makes a particular difference in the wake of the devastating Maui fires.

Kāmola — meaning “to weave” or “tie loosely” — is a perfect name for these beachy sandals, which strike an ideal balance between laidback and dressy. They’re elegant enough to wear from morning until night, thanks to the beautifully woven leather uppers, yet also completely low-maintenance thanks to their slide-on construction. The ergonomic footbeds are designed to mimic the feeling of walking on wet sand with bare feet, offering a flexible yet firm amount of cushioning and support with every step. You can feel confident wearing these just about anywhere, as the Wet Grip Rubber outsole helps provide maximum traction as you move.

The Details: Leather | 5 to 11 | Black, brown

Beloved by our editors, Allbirds is a brand that prioritizes comfort, style, and sustainability. All three are present in this lightweight and minimalist pair of sneakers, which are made from ultra-breathable and cooling eucalyptus tree fiber, as well as recycled plastic bottles. They’re next-level comfy, too, thanks to the bouncy SweetFoam midsole that’s made with sugarcane-based green EVA, and a moisture-wicking merino wool lining on the heel that keeps feet feeling fresh. Travelers will appreciate how easy they are to clean as well: simply toss them in the wash, and you’re all set.

Their casual construction is better suited to walking or all-day sightseeing; anyone looking for a more formal sneaker option should consider the Vionic Winny Sneaker, which is our overall top pick on this list.

The Details: Tencel Lyocell, SweetFoam, recycled plastic bottles, ZQ merino wool | 5 to 11 | Black, white, gray, navy, blue, tan, beige, red camouflage, orange, pink

With a charming tassel detail, metallic accent, and patent leather construction, these chunky loafers are a playful and versatile addition to any travel wardrobe. The faux leather exterior is durable and easy to clean with a cloth in case of light scuffs or spills, while the thick built-in platform and rugged lug sole offer a little lift. The widely-spaced lugs also offer exceptional traction, helping to absorb shocks and aid stability as you wander on gravel, grass, and anything in between.

Our favorite part are the ergonomic insoles, which cushion your feet with contoured padding to ensure you can comfortably wear these for hours.

The Details: Faux leather, faux patent, crinkle patent, or microfiber | 5 to 13 | Black, white, navy, brown, silver, gray, purple

Beloved for their buttery soft construction, these leather flats offer a polished way to finish off any outfit. They’re available in a range of seven essential colors — neutrals including black, cream, and several shades of classic brown — as well as six limited edition hues, which offer muted pops of color, like olive green and Bordeaux red. As their name suggests, these really do fit like a glove, crafted from supple leather that molds to your foot with every wear for a perfect fit. We love that they’re snug without feeling constricting, and they never pinch. Side vents ensure they’re comfortable and breathable enough for all-day wear, while the cushioned insole provides superior comfort that’s matched by the rugged rubber outsole.

The Details: Leather | 5 to 11 | Black, brown, tan, cream, navy, light blue

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the best neutral color for shoes?

  The beauty of neutral-colored shoes is that they truly go with everything, from denim to brightly patterned dresses. Basic shades like black, white, cream, navy, brown, and gray are safe and stylish bets, which typically mix well with other pieces in your closet. But it’s important to consider your personal style first, and select colors that will best complement your existing wardrobe from there.

• Why are neutral colors best for traveling?

  Shoes tend to add a lot of bulk to suitcases, so being able to pack fewer pairs makes an enormous difference in terms of available space and weight. Neutral colored shoes by definition are more versatile and can be worn with a variety of outfits, so it eliminates the need to pack multiple pairs in order to coordinate with each outfit.

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