If there’s anything the Marie Kondo craze has taught us, it’s that we all attach meaning to inanimate objects. For our ninth issue, we wanted to learn more about the travel memories of Here readers—so we asked you to send us the shoes you were wearing when you made them. From the sandals that were cherished on the beaches of Bali to the boots that survived off-roading in the Atlas Mountains, this is how you go the mile.
Erica McCarthy
Content Editor, 30
Everywhere
“These sneakers are a part of me, truly. Mainly because I wear them on every plane and every adventure. They go with everything and have been in so many countries and cities, it’s hard to keep track, but any time I go somewhere I bring them—they’re like the sisterhood of traveling shoes.”
Allison Matina
Graphic Designer, 26
Italy, April 2018
“I found these shoes in a tiny, family-owned shop while traveling in Italy. This trip—like these shoes—marked a shift in how I now travel: with true intention and care for the places I go.”
Tabitha Chasse
Customer Experience, 23
London, July 2011
“I have a pair of Converse that I only wear on vacations where I travel by plane. As soon as my plane lands I throw The Shoes on and get ready to roll. I bought them on vacation in Orlando, and they’ve since been to Orlando a few times, New Orleans, and London—they really look it! They’re very well-loved, nothing will take the travel off of them.”
Mary Morgan Gladney
Investment Banking Analyst, 26
Copenhagen, April 2019
“These are the perfect travel shoes because they’re already supposed to be distressed. If you mess them up a little, even better! It adds to the vibe. They’ve been everywhere, including London, Paris, and Athens just last year. Sadly, my travel companion (my mom) wasn’t really feeling these shoes. She took a photo of me in the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek and said, ‘Wow, this is a great picture of you! I just need to crop out your feet.’”
Keanna Erickson-Chang
Rally Driver, 24
Morocco, March 2018
“The Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles is a navigational rally raid that takes place across Morocco for nine days each year. The competitors (teams of two) are all women and there is no technology allowed! The landscape goes from the massive Erg Chigaga and Erg Chebbi dunes to the flats of a once-shallow sea, to the lower Atlas. It can be easy to get turned around or drive around an obstacle (tree, rock, ravine) and get back on the incorrect path. Just half a degree of difference at one point can equate to being kilometers away from your intended destination. It’s the ultimate test of endurance, precision, and racing the sun.”
Seth
Researcher, 24
Bali & Nusa Lembongan, August 2017
“I wore these to a beach spot in Bali that my Balinese friends took me to. We watched the sunset, danced, and played music. They got soaked and so sandy (a.k.a. ruined), but it was so beautiful that I refuse to get rid of the sandals.”
Dulani Porter
Branding/Advertising, 38
Machu Picchu, January 2017
“This was me and my husband’s first extended trip after having our daughter. He’s not super into backpacking so it was a stretch for him. Plus, if we could make it through the hike without getting into a huge argument, it would be a miracle. The transformative part, however, was rediscovering my identity as not just someone’s mom. This trip helped me realize that I can do the things I set out to do, I just may not be able to do it all at once. Balance is just as important as goals. I needed this trip to walk in my own shoes again.”