I Walked 13,000 Steps Around Madrid in These Pillow-like Ballet Flats-and I'm Never Going Back to Sneakers

"Sure, sneakers may be the practical choice for long vacation days, but frankly, I've gotten fed up with wearing them on every trip. As someone who prefers to dress up while traveling, they aren't always the right vibe for my outfits. That's why I set out on a mission to find a comfortable, fashionable travel shoe that isn't a sneaker before my Euro trip this summer."

"After countless online orders gone wrong, I discovered the ultimate travel flat in an unlikely place: the New York City subway. When I spotted a woman wearing a pair of tan woven Mary Jane flats on my train, I knew instantly that they would fit the criteria for my upcoming trip. Not only were they sleek and stylish, but the woman appeared to be commuting to work, which signaled to me that the flats were probably comfortable, too."

"It makes sense that someone would choose a pair of Birdies for walking around New York City-after all, the brand is known for designing flats that feel like slippers. The Hummingbird Mary Jane flats have pillow-like footbeds, which made them comfortable to wear straight out of the box. I immediately started swapping my usual 'dressy' sneakers for these flats, and was impressed at how supported my feet felt in them."

Preference for dressing up while traveling led to a search for a comfortable, fashionable non-sneaker travel shoe. A tan woven Mary Jane spotted on the New York City subway led to identifying Birdies' Hummingbird Mary Jane flats. The Hummingbird features pillow-like footbeds, Birdies' 7-layer cushioned arch support, and high-quality materials such as leather and handcrafted raffia, producing a substantial, supportive feel straight out of the box. The flats replaced dressy sneakers during city commuting. A pair was packed for a 10-day trip to Spain, selected for style, comfort, versatility, and suitability for both beach and city settings.

Read at Travel + Leisure