As full-time global travellers, one of the biggest issues we have always faced is finding the ideal travel shoes.
Especially as the majority of our traveling is done with just one backpack, so space-saving is important.
We can’t afford to take 3 or 4 pairs of shoes each.
Having just one pair of shoes each to do everything is the ideal scenario for us!
That’s why, when the guys at Tropicfeel reached out to us asking if we’d like to trial their shoes; we were more than happy to give them a go!
And over the last 4 years we have reviewed Tropicfeel shoes in all environments. Including water, sand, cities and even in the snow; in order to see just how well they hold up.
We've tested the Monsoon range, Canyon range, Jungle range, Sunset range (previously known as Cala), Lava range, Geyser Litli & Geyser Great.
Meaning the ONLY Tropicfeel shoes we have yet to personally try out are Dune.
Below I’ll take you through everything we’ve discovered; including my overall Tropicfeel shoes review and whether or not I think they’re worth buying and including in your travel packing list.
Full disclosure: These shoes were provided to us for free so that we could trial them and consider letting our audience know about them. However, do note that all views below are 100% our own and we were not paid to write this article or promote the shoes.
Currently, the best place to buy Tropicfeel shoes is directly from their website.
You can choose from 5 different currencies and they ship internationally to dozens of countries.
We have had ours shipped to the UK and they arrived all the way from America in less than a week; which I was very happy with.
As a quick side note: I also really liked the packaging; and they arrived in perfect condition despite having travelled thousands of miles to reach us.
Here’s the links to the pairs of Tropicfeel shoes we review below (some colours may no longer exist):
A common question asked is how to choose the correct Tropicfeel shoe size.
You can use the handy Tropicfeel fit finder guide here.
I agree with the Tropicfeel team's general advice which is, if you find yourself in between sizes when doing the conversion, go for the higher of the two sizes.
Based on personal experience (and those of other reviews) it's best to ensure the shoe isn't too tight.
In order to stand out these days, you need to be doing something different.
Well, Tropicfeel are indeed a bit different and they’ve had a massive go at creating a diverse, yet durable travel shoe.
In fact, the second Tropicfeel trainer, the Canyon, raised more than €2 million in funding from Kickstarter!
Since then they have gone on to massively ramp up their range of shoes (as you will see below) and even delve into other forms of travel products.
So it’s fair to say there’s been a lot of hype about them amongst the travel community!
If you read up on the story behind Tropicfeel, you’ll soon realise that they are committed to creating an ethical and sustainable shoe.
They carefully check out suppliers to ensure they follow eco-friendly practices.
Each pair of shoes can be made from up to 7 recycled recycled plastic bottles. It just depends on which shoe you opt for.
Sure, they’re not going to change the planet overnight, but it’s great knowing you’re buying from a company is fully aware of the impact we are having; and doing their small part to help.
One thing that immediately stands out on all Tropicfeel shoes is the unique lace design.
These are called "sprint laces".
Instead of the typical need to tie your shoelaces, instead, the Tropicfeel approach means all you need to do is slip the shoes on and fasten the small rubber band up the lace.
To me, the principle behind it is pretty simple …
Instead of the laces being responsible for holding your shoe on, it is instead the natural fit of the shoe that does this.
So long as you buy the correct size of shoe, then the laces don’t make the world of difference; instead they are there just to provide a little extra tightness.
The benefit of this so that they can then be slipped on and off a lot more quickly than a typical trainer.
This is a feature that both Cazzy and I love.
Another thing you quickly realise is that the shoes are really well made.
Despite being a company founded by two guys raising money on Kickstarter, they have clearly done their homework and work with some top quality suppliers.
At the same time, the shoes weigh only 200 grams; meaning they are incredibly lightweight; and they are also pretty small meaning it’s easy to pack them away.
Combined, Tropicfeel shoes are both lightweight and durable!
For me; the final key feature of these shoes is the fact that they are multi-terrain.
What does this mean?
Well, they are suitable in a massive range of environments; including both dry and wet locations.
They are fast drying, so if you're out for the day in Asia exploring waterfalls, then you don’t even need to worry about taking them off!
They even incorporate drainage holes which allow water to leave the shoes, but not enter.
As of writing, we have used the Canyon and Monsoon range in 3 different countries.
In Morocco we used them to explore the city of Marrakech; as well as all day to day use for 3 weeks; and even for our desert buggy tour!
Back in England we’ve used them at the gym and when playing racket sports.
In the south of France; I used them on my week-long ski holiday in the Alps.
They have held up incredibly well for everything we’ve done; except for 1 terrain … snow. They are simply not built to handle the snow very well; which is pretty understandable.
They are built to be quick drying and lightweight, meaning they easily get damp in snow and don’t do very much to stop your feet getting cold.
***2021 update - For both of us, Sunset is our number shoe recommendation. We wear them for 95% of our travels. Whether we are in our campervan driving around the world, eating out, or walking all day in a city. They have proved the comfiest and most stylish evening shoe. In our opinion, these are the ultimate travel shoe.
I opted for the Chocolate Red Sunset shoes, and was immediately very impressed when they turned up!
To me, the Sunset is the best-looking shoe Tropicfeel have so far released. It's got great grip and has the same waterproof properties as the Canyon & Monsoon.
But it's also the smartest looking, the sort of shoe I'd be happy to wear out and about, for example when going for meals with friends.
In terms of comfort, so long as you select the correct size, then it really is a very cosy shoe.
It's also super convenient not needing to untie and re-tie laces every time you take them on and off.
What they've also done well is having the rear of the shoe more naturally foldable than on the Canyon and Monsoon; meaning I think it will hold up better over time after endless slipping on and off.
As you will read below, I really am a fan of the Canyon, but after trying the Sunset, I don't think I would go back.
It's like the design team picked up on some of the more minor flaws with the Canyon and Monsoon and did a fantastic job of creating something unique with the Sunset.
The only real issue I have so far picked up on is with the strip of white that goes around the base of the shoe.
Because it's so white it picks up any dirt really quickly and very soon looks messy.
I's a shame as the Sunset is the sort of shoe you would feel comfortable wearing out and about in the evening, but if you've also used it in the day time in wet or muddy environments, then it's going to need a good scrub to look the part.
As so, you almost have to decide where you realistically want to wear the Sunset, and commit to one area of your life.
Read more about these in my in-depth Tropicfeel Lava shoes review.
***2022 update - For me (Bradley) - This has been my go-to travel trainer for much of the year and I love it! I have recently gotten back into running and being more active in general, and find it offers a lot more support. It may not be as stylish as the Sunset (preference) but I am a really big fan of these.
What ultimately sets the Lava shoes apart from other Tropicfeel trainers is the higher level of cushion and traction.
Meaning they are much more impact-resistant and better for higher impact activities. Such as running, hiking or general movement over dodgier terrain.
I love how they look (though to be honest I am a big fan of almost all Tropicfeel shoes in that department) and quite like the orange/sand look that I went for with these.
I find they do a great job of encouraging me to be active.
After a long day spent driving (around the world by the way) the fact that I already have these on makes it much easier for me to just head out for a light run and burn off some steam.
The grip is great and after a lot of heavy use already, they seem to be holding up great!
Honestly, in terms of what they are supposed to do, they really do a fantastic job.
I mean, if you want something that is truly perfect for running, then get a running shoes.
Or if you want a shoe that looks slightly more stylish, then go for the Sunsets.
But it really is a great blend of different use cases and makes for an awesome all-round shoe.
If they soon suddenly start falling apart, I will update this. But after some heavy use they are designed for, they seem to be holding up great.
***2023 update - For me (Bradley) I have been using the Geyser Great shoes almost daily now for 7 months. I can honestly say, they genuinely are a fantastic weatherproof shoe. They certainly lack in as much cushion as other Tropicfeel shoes, but I am a big fan overall.
I was very excited to try these shoes as (not only did I think they looked fantastic) I was very intrigued by the whole "waterproof/weatherproof" tagline.
So I'm just going to cut to the chase and answer the big question you probably have ...
Yes, they genuinely are waterproof!
I mean, if you submerge your feet in water, then they will fill up and your feet will be soaked. There isn't some magic vacuum seal around your ankle. But they do indeed keep out heavy rain and just day to day contact with water.
So in that regard they are a big win. Much like most of their range, I also think they look great and for general gay-to-day use (whether traveling or not) they are comfy to walk in.
They are also warmer than other Tropicfeel shoes, so well suited to cooler climates.
It's worth pointing out I wore these extensively across Mexico as well in hot weather, and it wasn't unbearable by any means, but wearing something a little more breathable probably would have been smarter.
I think Tropicfeel have come a really long way in their journey of creating the "perfect travel trainer".
So with it's weatherproof / waterproof capabilities and it being the (7th? I keep losing count!) generation of their shoes, you'd think perhaps this one does everything?
Well, no.
It fills a great gap where other Tropicfeel shoes are lacking. It's warmer, so better in colder climates, and the weatherproofness (definitely not a word) is a great selling point, but for a lot of travel it is lacking.
For long distance walking, for example, I find that my feet get a lot more sore and a lot quicker. I did a 5.5 hour walk across Montevideo in early 2023 and my feet were in bits for days.
Definitely not Tropicfeel's fault by the way and they never claim to be the ideal long distance walking shoe. But i just want to make that clear.
Also, I'm not convinced the grip is the best either.
That being said, they have held up extremely well, perhaps better than any other Tropicfeel shoe I have worn for a period of 6+ months. But they are certainly not perfect.
They are also a little less compact and lightweight than the rest of their range, so bear that in mind when deciding which shoe in their range is best for your form of travel.
*2023 update*
I (Cazzy) have been using the Geyser Litli shoes for the last 6 months around North and South America, and I can tell you, I love them!
I have found all my previous Tropicfeel shoes to be a perfect fit, and super comfortable, and these ones were no different.
Comfortable, stylish and I've been able to wear them for long periods of time and not get sore feet.
I also like that I can wear them with jeans, shorts and dresses, which is super important to me because I only tend to travel with one or 2 pairs of shoes, so the shoe needs to be versatile!
My main love for these shoes is that they're comfortable, versatile and they handle water well.
Like most other Tropicfeel shoes, they are water resistant, I haven't walked with them fully submerged in water, simply because I haven't needed too.
They are a little more bulky than other Tropicfeel shoes, so depending on what type of luggage you are travelling with, you may find they are more difficult to pack.
I also went for the lighter green/cream colour and they were definitely hard to keep clean.
They are easier to clean but they do get dirty quite easily!
So it requires some extra maintenance to keep them their original colour.
When Tropicfeel first reached out to us in 2019, I opted for the Sage Green Canyon trainer, as I thought they looked smart enough to wear in almost all day-to-day use.
Well, I’d say that’s true as in Marrakech I was happy to wear them all day, whether we were out exploring cities; in a cafe working from our laptops or at a restaurant enjoying an evening meal.
They look relatively smart and really have been a perfect all round travel trainer.
The one thing I was a little wary of was selecting the right shoe size over the internet.
I can be a little fussy sometimes; as my ideal size can sometimes range all the way from a 7 to a 8 (UK size).
I used their fit finder guide and opted for the UK mens 7.5; fortunately enough they fitted perfectly from the get-go.
As mentioned, they weren’t particularly good on my ski holiday, both because they struggle with gripping the snow and also at keeping out the cold.
So if you are heading somewhere where it gets cold in the evenings; then you may want to consider taking another pair of warmer shoes with you.
One thing that I have heard a lot of people say to me when wearing them is “your shoe laces aren’t tied”.
When they look down they soon realize the laces are a bit different; but it does seem to be everyone’s first thought!
So, as long as you’re happy with that, then you’re fine.
Back in 2019, Cazzy opted for the Choco Red Monsoon shoes.
She thought they looked pretty stylish and the colour could go well with almost everything she wears.
This was actually one of the highlights of the shoe for her.
She wears a range of clothes when travelling, including dresses, skirts, trousers and shorts, and the Tropicfeel shoes go with practically everything.
This means there’s no need to pack another pair of shoes, these work in almost all cases.
She also loves how lightweight and breathable they’ve been.
Cazzy actually has type 1 diabetes, so having a high quality shoe that looks after her feet is really important when travelling; and she would say the Monsoon did a great job of allowing her feet to breathe in the hot weather which is great!
She also loves that they can be used in water since they are quick drying.
When in The Philippines, she would have switched her water shoes to “normal shoes”, when she got back on land, but it would have been great to keep wearing the Tropicfeel shoes since they’re fast drying!
She definitely intends to test them next time we get to go snorkelling.
Cazzy sometimes felt like the shoe weren’t as secure as she’d like them to be, and sometimes she was worried it would rip at the front.
The design of her shoe is a little different to mine, and due to this she felt that after hours of sightseeing, her feet began to get sore.
She prefers them for day-to-day use, rather than long days of sightseeing in different terrains.
Back in 2021, the Tropicfeel Jungles were the most recent addition to Tropicfeel's range of footwear.
Straight of the batt, we were big fans, as they incorporate many of the great features that we love about Tropicfeel's other shoes.
Including the fact that they are fast drying, compact, and use the same unique lace design, .
This coupled with their new "Slip Sock" design makes slipping them on and off really easy.
After two years of non stop abuse, I also found that my Tropicfeel Sunsets were pretty well used and I have recently switched to wearing my new Jungle's as my go-to trainer.
Most notably, I use them whenever at the gym as they offer suitable cushion for everything I need.
Okay it's not that I have anything to dislike about the Jungle shoes, but what I do what to point out is that there is nothing particularly groundbreaking about them.
In my opinion, they act as a great upgrade to the Canyon, but aren't significantly different enough for me to rave about them in a particular way.
One update is something they call "slip sock", which is the ability to more easily open up the shoe and slip it on; just as easily as you would slip on a sock.
Tropicfeel do have a range of new shoes on the horizon/newly released in 2022 and I will talk about them below. And these seem to be doing a bit of a better job of pushing into new horizons; which is probably more exciting.
They also have yet ANOTHER shoe available called the Dune.
Which in their words is an:
"all-terrain sneaker with an urban vibe designed with modern day travelers in mind so you can explore urban to outdoor in comfort and style."
Honestly, I'm not fully sure how significantly different it will be from their existing range, but I'm excited to see!
They're pushing it as a shoe with drainage holes and designed to quickly be used in all terrains, both in and out of water.
When I get my hands on it later this year I will be sure to do a better job of pointing out it's features.
Since I first published this review, popularity for Tropicfeel seems to have exploded!
The company have expanded into a range of other travel products, so I wanted to give them a quick mention here. This includes ...
And, of course, a few different backpacks, including (but no longer limited to) ...
In my humble opinion, the Shell backpack is a game-changer. It's officially our top choice amongst best sustainable backpacks you can currently buy. We have tried it for a couple of years now (at the time of last updating this post) and it is AWESOME!
So many new backpacks on entering the market that claim to be different, end up doing the same old thing.
Well, the Shell really is a super-practical backpack, great for all kinds of travellers. But especially for fellow backpackers constantly switching between hostels and hotels.
One of the most frustrating things is the need to unpack half your backpack just to get to that final pair of socks buried right at the bottom of your bag.
With it's clamshell opening and optional wardrobe packing, it means you can fit a lot more clothes into a smaller space. And at the same time, keep everything perfectly compartmentalised.
Then, when you arrive at a new hostel or hotel, simply take out your mini wardrobe and hang it up for use.
Another cool feature is that the bag itself can be adapted to become bigger or smaller, depending on your needs.
So it's an all-in-one bag that is great for smaller trips, all the way to 6 month long round-the-world backpacking adventures!
For more info check out my in-depth Tropicfeel Shell backpack review.
The Nest Backpack is a great addition to the line of Tropicfeel's backpacks, and we were lucky enough to be among the first who got to try it out.
It's much more compact than the Shell, instead serving as a great day bag for city adventures or even some more rugged day trips.
We love how stylish it is and is clearly extremely well made.
And also includes a number of unique features that help it to stand out amongst the many other travel backpacks out there. Including it's ability to expand from 16L to 30L.
Read our full Tropicfeel Nest review for more info.
The guys at Tropicfeel were kind enough to send me a Cruiser backpack to review, and we have now used it extensively when hiking across both Scotland and Ireland. As well as for 6 months as a handy day bag during our campervan travels through Europe.
Based on my experience, I'd say that the Cruiser backpack is an incredibly lightweight bag, designed to be packed away and pulled out when you are out exploring for the day.
It folds down into a tiny pouch that can easily be stuffed away inside of a larger backpack, or tucked away into a cupboard in your camper (which is how we now travel!)
It's perfectly big enough to hold a drone, food, water and spare waterproofs.
It also feels very well made, so I wouldn't be worried about it tearing or ripping any time soon, I guess so long as you don't overload it with stuff.
Comfort-wise, it's been great for hikes up to 3 hours that we have used it for.
If I was going to be a multi-day trip, for many dozens of miles, then this certainly isn't the right bag.
It just simply doesn't have the suitable waist support, but at the end of the day that's not what this bag was designed for.
Based on our travel experiences, I would say this backpack is ideally suited to backpackers heading off for a few months (or years) around Asia.
You'll find yourself doing tonnes of shorter day trips, for which this bag is perfect!
And when not in use for a week or more, it's so small that it can be tucked away and stuffed at the bottom of your main rucksack.
I think back to our backpacking trips to Bali and Sri Lanka and know this bag would have come in super useful there!
Quick answer: yes!
Based on our joint experience with Sunset, Monsoon, Jungle, Canyon, Lava, and Geyser ranges, I can say I would wholeheartedly recommend these to other travellers like ourselves.
Their shoes hold up well across all kinds of environments and really are an awesome all round travel shoe.
But whether any of their shoes are truly the "ultimate travel shoe" is hard to say. But I would argue not.
The biggest testament to this being just how many different lines of shoe Tropicfeel has gone on to make.
They understand that no one shoe can truly encompass all travel needs.
Instead you need to understand what sort of travels you will be embarking on and then choosing the shoe that best suits your needs for that trip.
And hopefully this post and our thoughts after years of genuine testing can help you with that!
If you have any more questions please do drop them below!
This post has officially become one of the most in-depth and frequently updated on our site, but even we are struggling to keep up with the rate Tropicfeel role out new products!
So drop any thoughts in the comments and if we can help I will (chances are we just haven't yet had chance to update this post with the answer).
Other travel gear reviews you might like:
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