In the world of travel - we are inundated with choice: hotels, rental cars, airlines, dining, tours, choosing your own adventure, tourist trap or off the beaten path, to check bags or not to check. As ardent travelers, we make those choices every time we plan a trip. There's also another area of critical choice one must consider when we travel solo, and its one often overlooked. It’s our shoes.

Now, I'm not a shoe gal in the sense that I have one hundred pairs. I'm a shoe gal in the sense that the right pair of shoes are worth more than one hundred pairs. So what are the right kinds of shoes for your next trip to the airport?

1. Slip ons or easy on and offs.
Why? Two words - airport security.

You will have to take off your shoes no matter what at airport security, and you will thank yourself every time you hit the security line if you have shoes that you can slip on and off without the production of having to kneel to tie or fuss with them in any way. Also - if the thought of standing barefoot on airport carpet or tile gives you the chills, wear socks or look for booties that most airports provide to keep your feet pristine. The other reason "quick and easy" is critical - with solo travel, the more distractions you have, the more you make yourself a target for someone to relieve you of some of your belongings.

2. No or very low heels
Why: ever tried to sprint in pumps?
No matter how carefully you plan your itinerary to include leisurely blissful moments at the airport strolling from gate to gate, in the world of travel, you must remember that you're traveling on someone else's schedule, and that schedule is impacted by weather, mechanical failure, crew sleep schedules, and a host of other factors. You will never know when your two hour layover will turn into a 20 minute sprint from one end of the airport to the other. If you NEED fashion forward shoes to complete your look, take them in a carry on and change into them. Another factor - when you're traveling solo, it’s important that you minimize opportunities for injury, so wearing safer shoes will help. And along with that...

3. Choose "Old" Shoes over New
Why: your feet will thank you, and you'll minimize risks of injury.
When we plan for vacation, we usually treat ourselves with vacation clothes and shoes, purchased especially for our destination. Ever see someone limping on vacation? It’s not generally because of dire injury – it’s blisters! And blisters are nothing to scoff at, solo travelers. Untreated, blisters can get infected and cause serious issues.

So - in an nutshell - solo travel and any travel needs to start with a great foundation - your shoes are the best place to start! Wear your old reliable shoes when traveling, and you’ll have a better solo travel experience!