There are two things I inherited from my late grandmother: A passion for travel, and a love of the shoe section at Nordstrom. During her visits from Taipei, we’d take trips to the department store, where I’d aspire to emanate her elegance as she browsed the selection, before we indulged in fancy treats from the café. Whenever it’s time for the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, those nostalgic times come to mind as the best deals of the year for travel-friendly footwear come around.
During the sale, items across all of Nordstrom’s categories, from apparel to beauty, are marked down to some of the lowest prices of the year (you can find more of our Anniversary sale recommendations here)—this year, more than 65 new brands were added to the mix. There’s a wide selection of comfortable shoes on sale, from beach vacations-ready sandals and walking shoes for urban adventures to sneakers to start training for that fall destination race and boots for the upcoming season.
The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale runs through August 3, but there’s no guarantee popular shoes will still be in stock by then—meaning you should jump on these top shoe deals ASAP. We found deals from a variety of editor-recommended brands, including Vince, Hoka, On, Frye, and Ugg. There’s even a wide selection of arch-support shoes from Vionic and Birkenstocks, and shoes from sustainable French brand Veja, a favorite of Duchess Kate Middleton. Below, you’ll find our top picks of the best shoe deals to shop during Nordstrom’s biggest sale of the year.
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Casual sneakers
No matter what kind of trip you’re packing for, a casual sneaker is always a good idea. These days, white sneakers have turned into a traveler’s ultimate all-purpose wardrobe item, like the picks from Nike and AllSaints on sale. Shoppers can also lean into the retro trend with the Adidas and Rag & Bone shoes below. For long days of pounding the pavement, opt for a pair with a comfy footbed, like the Birkenstocks or Cole Haan selects.
Athletic shoes
One of my favorite ways to explore a new place is on foot. Sometimes it’s going for a long walk, like I did when I walked across the entire nation of Monaco last summer. Other times it’s going for a casual run, like I did on my first visits to Rio de Janeiro and San Juan. But perhaps the very best method is actually participating in a destination race, whether it’s the untimed runDisney Springtime Surprise at Walt Disney World or the super serious Boston Marathon, both of which I did in the last 15 months. However you take your steps, it’s essential to have the right sneakers designed for running. This year’s deals include styles from runner-favorite brands like Asics, Hoka, New Balance, Nike, and On.
Boots
Sure, it’s still flip-flop weather, but in a snap it will be time for cooler temperatures when boots become the ideal travel footwear. This year’s sale features Chelsea boots from AllSaints and Johnston & Murphy; arch-support picks from La Canadiene, Vionic, and Dansko; plus zip-up options from Frye and Bruno Magli, just in case you’re flying through a country that still requires you to take off your shoes in the security line.
Sandals and flip-flops
Whether you’re finally off on that dream beach vacation, or just managing to get through another muggy hot summer’s day, there’s always a need for an airy shoe. Maybe it’s a pair for that destination wedding, like the one from Ted Baker, or maybe it’s a good ol’ fashioned pair of flip-flops like the ones from OluKai. Podiatrist-approved Vionic has open-toed shoes of every kind in between.
Mules and loafers
Mules and loafers just might be the secret weapon of travel shoes. The best ones are comfortable enough for urban exploration, but also chic enough for business trips and nights out on the town. This year’s sale lineup includes favorite brands like Marc Fisher, Cole Haan, and Söfft on the women’s side, while the men’s side has styles from Sperry and Vince. There are even slip-ons from Ugg for a more casual look.
