When taking a long haul flight, this controversial shoe is the only one I’ll wear

As an Australian expat living in London and working in the travel industry, I’m no stranger to a very uncomfortable and long flight. From my travels, I can report that Seoul Airport is without a doubt the nicest airport in the world (yes, better than Singapore), the layover times at Doha Airport are never long enough, and you can order bubble tea onboard China Southern flights. I know now that avoiding your reflection in the plane’s bathroom mirror is an act of self-care, packing cubes in your hand luggage is essential and brushing your teeth before landing will always make you feel better.

I have also found that what you wear on a long flight can make or break the experience. Jeans have no place on a 10-hour journey. And trainers, while comfortable, are not very practical – see: bending down to tie laces while sitting in a cramped economy seat. Instead, I’ve always sworn by an easy loafer or ballet flat to wear on a flight, that is until I discovered the comfortable mule flat.

Tasman UGG

Of all the different shoes I’ve worn on a long-haul flight, I think the Tasman Ugg slipper is the holy-grail of plane shoes. The below-ankle unisex style is ideal for long-haul journeys – easy to slip off but sturdy enough to walk or, as I found when late for a flight in Geneva, even run in. The tread on the sole is impressive too. Unlike ballet flats that can be slippery, I’ve worn them outside on snow-covered streets and lived to tell the tale. The other element I really like about this style is the seasonal versatility – wear them with socks to the airport in the UK and then remove the socks when you land in, say, Thailand or the Caribbean.

More than anything though, they are incredibly comfortable. Possibly the most comfortable pair of shoes I own. The soft, shearling-lined style gives your feet a nice warm hug while remaining incredibly lightweight. The shoes are not just great for wearing on a flight but also for slipping on to head to breakfast at the hotel, or popping out to get a coffee.

Birkenstock Bostons

In a similar vein, the Birkenstock Bostons are a team favourite for wearing on a flight and travels in general. Like Uggs, the once staid shoe has enjoyed a recent glow up, becoming a go-to shoe for the fashion-set. Unlike Uggs, the soles are cork rather than shearling, so they’re much more studier and practical, especially for warm weather. They are on the heavy side though, so not a great choice for when you might need to move quickly. They also need to be sprayed with a decent suede protector the second you unbox them if you want them to stay looking pristine.

The shoe, though technically in a sandal-leaning category, works with socks, either chunky wool socks for a Scandi vibe or in-flight socks for another wellness consideration. Plus, the wide, non-snug shape and fit mean that your feet can expand (as they want to do mid-flight) without rubbing or discomfort.

Leather mules

For an elevated option, the leather mule offers similar slip-on benefits while avoiding fragile suede. Leather options are also lighter than Birkenstocks while being sturdier than Uggs, so it’s the best of both worlds. The one downside is stiff leather shoes are notorious for causing blisters, so be sure to break them in before boarding that long flight.