White Sneakers Were My Travel Uniform Until I Found This Ultra-comfy, Celeb-loved Pair That Matches Everything

Let's be honest: finding the perfect travel shoe is never easy. What works well for one trip might be completely off for another. We all want shoes that are cute but not flashy, comfortable but not clunky, versatile but still show off our unique style—and bonus if they don't scream 'tourist.' After years of lugging multiple pairs of shoes around the world 'just in case', I've finally found one of my favorite travel shoes: the Puma Speedcat OG sneakers.
Don't get me wrong, I do love a good pair of white sneakers. But after ruining one too many on muddy streets (I tend to hike or run wherever I go), I started looking for something more practical. I wanted shoes that were colorful, versatile, and could keep up on subway commutes in London or trails in Colorado. The Puma Speedcats aren't just another pair of sneakers; they make my feet feel good even after thousands of steps, and still look cool when you are stepping out for dinner in a new city after exploring all day. Plus, they come in a variety of colors and work with everything in my travel bag. $100 at Nordstrom $100 at Puma.com
I picked up the Puma Speedcat OGs right before a work trip that took me from Santiago to Punta Arenas and then onto an Antarctica cruise with Aurora Expeditions. Traveling light was key as I was taking a charter flight with strict luggage weight restrictions (33 pounds) from Punta Arenas to King George Island before my cruise, but I also had a couple of days in Santiago with plenty of exploring crammed in. Normally, I'd bring at least two, maybe three pairs of shoes: something to walk in, something to dress up, and a backup. But these Speedcats made me gamble, and that really paid off in terms of traveling light.
I wore them straight out of the box onto my flight and all over Santiago. I paired them with everything from my comfortable airport joggers, jeans, and a T-shirt in Santiago, and a dress for the captain's dinner aboard Aurora Expeditions' Silvia Earle.
What I really like about these shoes is their low-profile sole, which is flat but surprisingly supportive, keeping me comfortable for hours on my feet without the dreaded arch ache. That's thanks in part to the OrthoLite insert built into the shoe, which adds just the right amount of cushioning and support. Despite their street style appeal, the Puma Speedcat OG's rubber outsole has a similar grip to the traditional performance shoes I'd normally wear for running or hiking, a nod to Puma's motorsport heritage; the original Speedcat, which debuted in 1998 as a Formula 1 racing shoe, was designed with an ultra-slim profile to help drivers shave off precious milliseconds on the track. $100 at Nordstrom $100 at Puma.com
There's also a padded tongue and collar that provide extra cushion without adding too much weight. I've worn these shoes with jeans, joggers, and even a skirt, and they work flawlessly. Another thing I appreciated about the Puma Speedcat is its sleek, aerodynamic profile. They come with either a suede or leather upper with Puma's iconic Formstride leather. Maybe that's why these shoes have been embraced by celebrities like Rihanna, Dua Lipa, and Jennifer Lawrence, who were spotted wearing them everywhere.
If you're still not brave enough to travel with just one pair, let me tell you a secret: these shoes collapse down surprisingly well in a suitcase for easy carry (the flexible shape helps). However, they're so comfy that I never end up packing them; instead, I just wear them through security, on the flight, and straight out into whatever city I land in. The only thing to keep in mind is that, because of their sleek design, the shoe may seem narrow for those with wide feet. In that case, just size up for a little bit more room. $100 at Nordstrom $100 at Puma.com
So, if you're a frequent traveler, a light packer, or just tired of swapping shoes midday like me, I can't recommend the Puma Speedcat OG Sneakers. But if you don't want to travel with just one pair and want to explore other stylish options from Puma, here are five other travel-ready picks worth checking out.
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