The Best Shoes for Elders (+ Buying and Sizing Tips!)

Shoes are a big deal for missionaries! Missionary guidelines say Elders should be prepared to walk 6 miles per day or bike 12 miles per day…and they often do more than that! Because missionaries live in such varied environments…from hot and humid to cold and snowy; good quality, weather appropriate shoes are SO important! 

You want your missionary to be comfortable and dry as they serve…and in some cases it is nearly impossible to send another pair of shoes mid-mission. The shoes you choose need to last a long time!

Church dress and grooming guidelines state “Shoes should be comfortable, polished, and conservative in appearance. Shoes, including winter boots, should look professional and be appropriate for the climate and conditions of your mission.”

I’ve been combing missionary Facebook Groups to get the most recommended shoes for all different types for missions. Keep on reading to get tips and tricks for buying the best shoes for your missionary and to see the best shoes for Elders as recommended by Elders (and their parents!)

7 Tips for buying shoes for your missionary: 

1. Start your shoe journey by going to a higher-end shoe store and getting your missionary measured, both shoe size and width. Wearing appropriately sized shoes will prevent foot pain and other problems like in-grown toenails. 
2. If your son has any chronic foot issues (flat footed, bunions, ingrown toenails etc) make an appointment with a podiatrist to find out the best options for keeping their feet healthy. 
3. Try on shoes in person if at all possible (This can mean at a store or purchasing online and returning them). While at the store, search the shoe name, style and size on both the shoe manufacturer’s website and Amazon to make sure you are getting the best price. 
4. If you purchase shoes from Amazon, make sure the style and size you are choosing says “Free Return” directly underneath the price. Some shoe companies will charge postage and/or restocking fees. You can also look for shoes that have a toggle switch for “Prime Try Before You Buy.” If you choose that option, you can “Choose up to 6 items and enjoy a 7-day try-on period. You will only be charged for what you decide to keep.” Returning Amazon purchases has become SO easy, with options to take them back to Kohls, Whole Food Markets, UPS stores and Amazon lockers. This is a great option for trying on a bunch of shoes without breaking the bank!
5. After purchasing, have your son wear the shoes, with socks, to wear them in. Home MTC is a great time to have him break in the shoes. (see below for more info about breaking in the shoes).
6. Lighter colored shoes will show water damage more easily. If your son is going somewhere with rain, humidity or snow, you might want to consider purchasing darker colors. 
7. Shoe care is super important to increase the longevity of this investment. Buy products (and teach your son how to use them) that will help keep the shoes dry, clean and waterproof. Read below for recommendations on shoe care. 

How do shoe recommendations differ from mission to mission? How do I find out what shoes are best for my son’s mission? 

In the missionary portal after a mission is assigned, there is a list of “Items to Bring” including how many pairs of shoes. Some missions will specify that you can bring sandals and/or rubber or plastic flip flops or crocs, and snow boots. 

Please look at the list provided by the church in the missionary portal to get specifics about what types of shoes your missionary will need. 

The best way to find out shoes that are working for your son’s particular mission is recommendations for missionaries who have served or are currently serving there. I did lots of research and have included product recommendations below from missionaries (and included where they served). 

How many pairs of shoes should I send with my missionary? 

The (somewhat) frightening answer is anywhere from 4-10 pairs YIKES! But don’t panic just yet…the amount of shoes will depend a lot on where your missionary is serving and the recommendations you will get on your packing list.

After a lot of reading, I compiled this list of how many shoes most missionaries prefer (again…dependent on area but this is a general idea!).

• 2-3 pairs of comfortable, well soled shoes for tracting. If they are serving in a humid wet area they will need to rotate through shoes so they can dry. One of these pairs should be snowboots if your Elder is serving in a snowy area. 
• 1 pair of “nicer” looking shoes for baptisms/church days: This is optional, but some Elders like a pair of shoes that is nicer to have for these occasions!
• 1-2 pairs of athletic shoes for P-day (many missionaries recommend bringing a pair that can get dirty when doing servic on P-day…perhaps an older pair of shoes or less expensive shoes). 
• 1-2 pairs of sandals (if recommended in the mission portal list or approved by mission president). These would be in place of the 2-3 tracting pairs above.
• 1-2 pairs of shower flip-flops to prevent spreading of foot disease/warts
• 1 pair of supportive “slides” to wear around the house (their feet will be sore!) This is another optional that depends on your missionary.

If your missionary is serving in a humid or wet area, many missionaries are saying they like to have 2-3 shoes that they can rotate through so the other pairs can dry out. A good rule of thumb is two “working” (proselyting/tracting) shoes and one for nice events like church and baptisms. If your son says he doesn’t want an extra “fancy” pair, don’t send it! A lot of missionaries are perfectly fine using their working shoes every day of the week.  

Many missionaries recommend sending two pair of shoes for P-Day. One pair of athletic shoes and one pair that can get dirty performing service (maybe an old pair of tennis shoes or inexpensive pair). sandals for showering. 

If your missionary will be serving in a snowy area, you will also want to purchase snowboots. 

Some especially hot and wet areas will recommend sandals for Elders. 

What are important features to look for in shoes for an LDS Missionary?

Material: The best type of material for your shoes will depend on the weather your missionary will be in. Shoes made from natural material like leather will last a long time, can be reconditioned to look like new, and will mold to your missionaries feet with wear. However, leather shoes are generally heavier weight than synthetics, not as breathable and require more upkeep. Leather seems to be the best choice for missions with rough terrain that aren’t particularly wet or humid. Synthetics will be lighter weight and faster drying for hot, wet and humid areas. You may have a preference based on how they feel on your foot!

High Ankle/Boots: If your son will be tracting in rough terrain and/or there are rainy seasons and mud, a high ankle boot might be the best choice to keep their feet dry. This is definitely a personal preference…some people do not enjoy wearing high-ankle shoes.

Soles/Traction: Consider where your son will be walking and choose shoes with appropriate soles and tread. A missionary who will be walking city streets will not need shoes with deep tread. Alternatively, a missionary who will be walking in a rainforest or on snow will want to have soles that are durable and will help them not slip around. 

Waterproof: The level of waterproofness your missionary will need may vary. I don’t think it is ever *bad* to have waterproofing, but if you have a son going to an area with rainy seasons, high humidity and snow, waterproof shoes are a necessity. 

Slip-on/Tie: Check with your mission president or missionaries from that area if your Elder will need to take shoes off in people’s homes. If yes, slip-on might be the best choice. Tie shoes will generally allow for a more specific and tighter fit. Slip-on shoes may be less comfortable in a mission where there is a lot of tracting because they have the potential to slide up and down. 

Insole: If your son has flat feet, hammer toes or other foot issues, the shoe’s insole will be important part of the fit. You might want to purchase specially made insoles in this case. Many shoe stores have a Dr. Scholl’s machine that can scan and make custom orthotic inserts while you are in the store. 

Width: Knowing that your son has wider width, or thinner feet will play a big part in getting a shoe that fits comfortably. 

Weight: Some shoes (especially those labeled as workboots) will have a more durable and heavy construction. While this means they will potentially last longer, it also means they will be harder to walk around with! They say one extra pound on your feet is equivalent to five pounds of weight on your back!

Unfortunately, shoe weight isn’t always listed so you might need to decide if the weight is comfortable for your Elder by comparing (and weighing) shoes in-person. 

How to know if your missionary shoes are the right size

My first piece of advice is to have your missionary go to a dress shoe store to get his feet measured. Not only will they give you the current correct shoe size, but a shoe store employee can also determine if your son has wide or narrow feet. This is a great time to research shoes and determine what brands might work best for your son’s feet. Don’t feel pressured to buy right then, though! It is totally okay to get measured and tell them you need to look around more before purchasing. 

Additional ways to know if shoes are the right size: 

1. Look at sizing chart to make sure that you are comparing apples to apples. Some companies size differently. 
2. Shoes should be snug, but not painful. 
3. Shoes should not slip up and down when walking. This is a sign they are too big and should be sized down.
4. You shouldn’t have pain across the footbox. This is a sign they are too narrow.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post contains affiliate links. This means, if I will get paid a small commission (at no cost to you!) if you purchase products through my links. I always try to recommend products I have personal experience with and LOVE. I also read reviews and ratings to make sure that I am offering up the best possible gift option for you. You can read more in my full disclosure.

Most Recommended Shoes for Elders

Let’s get to the meat of this post! I’m starting off with the most recommended shoes for missionaries by missionaries! Obviously everyone’s feet are different, so you may want to try all of these shoes and then make your decision.

I go into more detail on most of these shoes near the end of the post so keep reading. 

Ecco Men’s St. 1 Hybrid These shoes for missionaries have a dressier look with a sturdy sole for walking. Sometimes in rougher environments these need to get resoled. 

Recommended by Missionaries in: Brazil, Cambodia, Chicago, IL (USA), Dominican Republic, Ghana, Guatemala,Honduras, Jamaica,Korea, Mexico,Oregon (USA), Peru, Portland, West Africa.

Cole Haan Zerogrand These are very in style currently, and super comfortable! Check with your mission in particular to see if white soles are okay (there are dark soles available in some colors/sizes). 

Recommended by Missionaries in: Dominican Republic, Ghana, Mexico

Johnston and Murphy : This brand is very comfortable and has waterproof options. They also have a nice slip-on shoe which is great for missions where you remove your shoe before entering someone’s house. 

Recommended by Missionaries in: Mexico, Peru, Phillipines

Hush Puppies: Another brand that is mentioned often as being especially comfortable and great in water/humidity. 

Recommended by Missionaries in Brazil, Cambodia, Ecuador, England, Peru

Doc Marten: The real workhorse of missionary shoes, Doc Marten’s have been keeping missionaries’ feet dry and comfortable since the 90s! Most missionaries say these last their whole mission and still look great. 

Recommended by Missionaries in Brazil, El Salvador, France, Ghana, Mexico, Peru, Sierra Leone, South Africa

Clarks Lightweight: This lighter weight shoe feels like a tennis shoe but looks more dressy. 

Recommended by Missionaries in: Arizona (USA), Bolivia,Dominican Republic, Texas (USA), 

Most Comfortable Shoes for Elders

You hear a lot about ECCO shoes as a comfortable option for missionaries serving all over the world. They combine the look of a church shoe with the comfort of a tennis shoe and are super popular with Elders for that reason. They come in a wide variety of styles. Some missionaries seving where there is rough terrain have reported that the ECCO soles don’t last as long…so keep that in mind. Your missionary might be able to find a cobbler to resole the shoes fairly inexpensively.

ECCO MX MEN’S LOW

This type of ECCO shoe has a sock-like construction that makes for a comfortable and snug fit. It is NOT waterproof but has mud guards on the side and excellent traction for rough terrain. It was recommended by a missionary who served in Guatemala. 

Fabric: Synthetic

Prime Try before you Buy Available? YES

Waterproof? NO

Sizing Notes: True to Size, Order usual size

Available size Range: 5-13.5

Colors available: Black, Carmel and Titanium look like the best, conservative color options. 

ECCO Men’s Soft Classic Sneaker

The tread of this shoe makes it a better choice for city-type missions. They are less expensive so they might not be as long-lasting as other ECCO shoes. Make sure and check with the mission president to make sure that white soles are okay. If not there are darker soles available. 

Fabric: Leather

Prime Try before you Buy Available? YES

Waterproof? NO

Sizing Notes: True to Size, Order usual size

Available size Range: 5-16.5

Colors available: Five different neutral color options

ECCO Men’s Fusion II Tie Oxford

These ECCOs are a bit fancier but still have thick soles (but not super great traction) . 

Fabric: 100% Leather

Prime Try before you Buy Available? YES

Waterproof? NO

Sizing Notes: True to Size, Order usual size

Available size Range: 5-13.5

Colors available: Black and Cocoa Brown

Best Waterproof Shoes for Elders

Some shoes have been specially treated to make them more waterproof. From “infused” leather, to moisture wicking linings, you will definitely want to purchase waterproof shoes if your missionary is serving somewhere that is humid and/or has rainy or snowy seasons. 

Johnston and Murphy Stanton Moc Slip Ons

These loafer style slip-on shoes look really nice and were recommended by missionaries in Guatemala. 

Fabric: 100% Leather

Prime Try before you Buy Available? YES

Waterproof? YES

Sizing Notes: True to Size, Order usual size

Available size Range: 7.5-14

Colors available: Black and Tan

ECCO Men’s Track 25 Goretex Waterproof Hiking Shoes With proven Goretex Waterproofing, these shoes are amazing for missionaries serving in rough and wet terrains. 

Fabric: Nubuck Leather

Prime Try before you Buy Available? YES

Waterproof? YES

Sizing Notes: True to Size, Order usual size

Available size Range: 5-16.5

Colors available: Brown or Black 

Hush Puppies Men’s Strategy Oxfords Hush Puppies are often recommended by missionaries serving in wet climates. These are probably not the best proselyting shoes if there is rough terrain, but they look nice and their waterproofing is excellent. 

Fabric: 100% Leather with a Leather Sole

Prime Try before you Buy Available? YES

Waterproof? YES

Sizing Notes: True to Size, Order usual size

Available size Range: 8-16 (Wide options available)

Colors available: Brown or Black 

Best Shoes for Elders with Narrow/Wide Feet

Dunham Men’s Burlington Waterproof Oxford These shoes look really nice and come in normal, narrow, wide, extra wide and XX wide! 

Fabric: 100% Leather, Synthetic Sole

Prime Try before you Buy Available? YES

Waterproof? YES

Sizing Notes: True to Size, Order usual size

Available size Range: 7-20 XX Wide

Colors available: Brown or Black 

Best Sandals for Elders

Church guidelines for sandals might vary by mission, so you should check on the list in your missionary portal. In some countries, sandals need to be closed-toed and closed-heeled, other missions they don’t have to be closed-toed or closed-heeled. 

Here are the most recommended sandals for Elders: 

Keen’s Men’s Arroyo II Sandals : These sandals are brown, 100% leather with water resistant uppers and great traction. 

Fabric: 100% Leather

Prime Try before you Buy Available? YES

Waterproof? Water Resistant

Sizing Notes: Run ½ size big. Order half size smaller than usual size (i.e. if normal size is 10, order 9.5)

Available size Range: 7-17

Colors available: Slate Black/Bronze Green

Teva Mens M Omnium 2 Leather Fisherman Sandal  These are nice looking sandals (although the size range isn’t ideal!

Fabric: 100% Leather

Prime Try before you Buy Available? YES

Waterproof? Unknown

Sizing Notes: True to Size, Order usual size

Available size Range: 9-9.5

Colors available: Turkish Coffee

Rockport Men’s Darwyn Fishermen Fisherman Sandal Rockport shoes are another highly recommended brand for missionary shoes. These sandals are a little fancier all leather. 

Fabric: 100% Leather with a Rubber Sole

Prime Try before you Buy Available? YES

Waterproof? Unknown

Sizing Notes: True to Size, Order usual size

Available size Range: 6.5 Wide to 10.5 wide

Colors available: Brown Leather

Best Boots for Elders

ECCO Men’s Track 25 High Winter Boot

Although these say Winter Boot, their construction is great for wet/humid/muddy conditions as well. They are high ankle boots with Goretex construction to keep feet dry. Recommended by Missionaries in Dominican Republic and Africa.

Fabric: Leather + Nubuc TPU Sole

Prime Try before you Buy Available? YES

Waterproof? YES

Sizing Notes: True to Size, Order usual size

Available size Range 5-16.5

Colors available: Brown and Black

Palladium boots

Pampa Sport Cuff WPN Waterproof Boots don’t have as formal of a look but they are workhorses! They are made of ballistic nylon (fabric created for flak jackets in war) and leather. These are lined with polarfleece so they might be a better choice for places that are cold and wet (not hot and humid) especially if your son tends to run on the warm side.  The waterproof level of these shoes is phenomenal. Reviewers suggest going one size up from your normal size to allow for thicker socks. 

Recommended by missionaries in Guatemala. 

Fabric: Leather and Ballistic Nylon, Polarfleece Lining, Rubber Sole

Prime Try before you Buy Available? NO

Waterproof? YES

Sizing Notes: Order one size up to fit thick socks

Available size Range 4.5-14

Colors available: Black, Chocolate Brown, Brindle Brown

Timberland Men’s Anti-Fatigue Hiking Waterproof Leather Mt. Maddsen Boot

These are the #1 Best Seller in Men’s Snow Boots on Amazon for good reason. They are affordable (usually under $100), have anti-fatigue insoles for tracting/hiking comfort, and are supremely waterproof. 

Recommended by Missionaries In: Brazil, Chicago, Costa Rica

Fabric: 100% leather with Rubber Sole

Prime Try before you Buy Available? YES

Waterproof? YES

Sizing Notes: True to Size, Order Usual Size

Available size Range 7-14 Wide (Wide Sizes Available)

Best Snow Boots for Missionaries

Columbia Men’s Bugaboot III Snow Boot Columbia boots are amazing quality that will keep your missionary’s feet warm and dry in snowy environments. This boot is a mid-calf. While it looks like a snow boot, the leather upper makes it a great pick for missionaries. 

Recommended by Missionaries In: Alaska (USA), Mongolia

Fabric: 100% leather with Rubber Sole

Prime Try before you Buy Available? YES

Waterproof? YES

Sizing Notes: True to Size, Order Usual Size. May want to order a half size up for socks.

Available size Range 7-17 (Wide Sizes Available)

KEEN Men’s Anchorage 3 Pull On Waterproof Boot One benefit of these boots are that they are pull on/pull off. The insulation is ranked to -25 degrees Farenheit 

Fabric: 100% leather with rubber sole

Prime Try before you Buy Available? YES

Waterproof? YES

Sizing Notes: True to Size, Order Usual Size. May want to order a half size up for socks.

Available size Range 7-17 

Colors Available: Black, Dark Earth, Steel Gray

Nautica Mens Duck Boots – Waterproof Shell Insulated Snow Boot – Channing Duck Boots keep your feet so dry in wet and snowy conditions. 

Fabric: 100% vegan leather upper with rubber sole

Prime Try before you Buy Available? NO

Waterproof? YES

Sizing Notes: True to Size, Order Usual Size. May want to order a half size up for socks.

Available size Range 7-16 wide

Colors Available: Tan, Charcoal, Brown, Black

Best Shower Sandals for Elders

Vertico Shower Sandals Recommended by a missionary in Brazil, these are quick drying, light weight and inexpensive. 

ShowerShoez Sandals: These flip flops have holes built in to help with drainage. They are inexpensive and would make great shower shoes for Elders. 

Shower slippers: A great combo between sliders and shower shoes, these are easy to get on and off and have drainage. 

Best Socks for Elders

Socks can make a big difference in your missionary’s dryness (whether from weather or sweat) and comfort. Here are some of the most recommended socks for missionaries. 

 Drymax Wicking Socks Made for runners, Drymax socks help wick away moisture to keep your feet dry. They also come in light and medium cushion (and different heights). Unfortunately they only come in black and white colors.  

Time May Tell Wool Cushion Socks Besides being an Amazon best seller in hiking socks, these come in great colors for missionaries! A four pack includes two brown, a light gray and a dark gray pair of socks. 

Smartwool Men’s Socks Wool does a great job of naturally wicking and keeping feet warm. Smartwool is a well known brand, but a bit pricey. 

Icebreaker Socks are another brand recommended by many missionaries.  They are also pricey and come in lots of different colors. 

Extra Shoe Products to send with your missionary: 

Once you’ve made an investment in shoes that you hope will last your son’s entire mission, you’ll want to purchase things that will help the shoes last as long as possible.

Here are some great suggestions recommended by missionaries and missionary moms! 

Replacement shoelaces

Durable shoelaces that are the proper length might be hard for your Elder to find, so send him with replacements! First, remove the shoelace and measure it, then find a shoelace option that matches in color and length. (Make sure they fit in the holes before sending them with your missionary!).  

Shoe tree to maintain shape

A shoe tree will help keep the shoes in their shape and eliminate creasing. They are also great to keep the shoes looking good while traveling. These plastic shoe trees are inexpensive and lighter than a traditional cedar shoe tree (although they don’t smell as good!) 

Boot Bananas Wet shoes can be a huge problem both for the comfort of missionaries as well as the longevity of their shoes/boots. There are electric shoe  drying options available (but those aren’t the best on leather shoes plus converting the electricity might be tricky) but these reusable Boot Bananas look like a great option. You put them into the wet shoes or boots and the Boot Bananas absorb the moisture and eliminate odor. They do need to be “regenerated often” by putting them in the sun or the oven for 1-2 hours. So they do require some upkeep by your missionary. 

Shoe Deodorizer Charcoal Bags When you only have 2-3 shoe choices, the last thing you want is stinky shoes! These charcoal bags are reusable and really do the trick. They do need to be “recharged” by placing them in the sun for 2-3 hours about once a month. 

Shoe Polish and Care Kit Teaching your missionary about the importance of caring for his shoes is so important! Try and encourage him to make it a habit…brush shoes off after returning home and shine and clean them up every Saturday night. This kit is compact (9” x 3”) and has everything he will need to brush, polish and shine his shoes. It’s also a great idea to send Mink Oil Waterproofing Gel/Leather Reconditioner If your Elder has leather shoes, this simple application every week will extend the life of the shoes AND keep his feet dry! 

Shoe Travel Bags

Another good missionary purchase is shoe travel bags. Not only will they keep your missionary’s shoes from getting dirt on other items in the suitcase, it will also help keep him organized. 

Best Footcare products for Elders

Many missionaries will be walking far more than they ever have before. Teach them the importance of taking care of their feet so they can continue working hard. Here are the best products to keep your Elder’s feet pain-free. 

First Aid Products for Missionary Feet

Rolls of Moleskin: While you can purchase moleskin that is cut into shapes, a roll (or two!) will be easier to customize to the necessary shape. Just make sure you send along some first-aid scissors (or small scissors) in the checked baggage. This moleskin has adhesive on one side so they can cut out and stick it to skin that is “hot” (feeling uncomfortable but not yet a blister) or put it on blisters when they have them. Moleskin acts like a second skin AND a padding. 

Green Goo Footcare: This product is natural, is a small tube and can help with so many foot problems including cracked heels, blisters, athlete’s foot, fungus, dry feet, ingrown toenails, rashes, and cuts.

Massage Ball for Foot Pain Relief: These help so much for pain relief! As a bonus, it can be used on more than just your feet and is easy to pack up. 

What are the best shoe inserts for missionaries? 

An insert can add extra support and cushion where your missionary needs it. These are not placed permanently in a shoe, but can be taken out and inserted in other shoes (which is great for missionaries who need to alternate shoes!). 

Be sure to look at the size of the inserts you are choosing and read the specifics before buying. Some inserts are to correct problems like high arches or flat feet. If you aren’t sure what type to buy, consider going to a podiatrist or finding a shoe store that has a machine that creates custom inserts. 

Many shoe inserts need to be eased into incrementally…wear them for a few hours one day and then increase the time you are using them. (Home MTC is a great time for this!). 

You might want to send several inserts with your missionary as they will stop being as effective over time (probably around 6 months of missionary walking!). However, they are pretty skinny so you might be able to put them into an envelope. 

Superfeet Shoe Inserts are by far the most recommended inserts by missionaries.  **Buy one size up and then trim to the shoe after you decide to keep them. There are wide versions available. 

PowerSteps is another brand of shoe inserts that is about half the price of Superfeet but also is recommended by many missionaries. 

Dr. Scholls Gel Comfort shoe inserts might not last as long as the other, harder inserts but are super comfortable (and inexpensive). 

How to Break-In Dress Shoes: 

1. Have your missionary wear the shoes with the socks they plan on taking on their mission. 
2. Try out the shoes inside on soft surface: Most companies won’t allow returns for shoes that have scuffed soles. Home MTC is a GREAT time to have your missionary wear their new mission shoes around the house to break them in.
3. If there are minor “hot spots” where there is discomfort and the shoes are 100% leather, you can use either heat or leather shoe conditioner to help mold the shoe. You can rub the shoes with leather shoe conditioner and then have your son wear them. Alternately, use a hairdryer on high heat setting and warm up the shoe upper. Have your missionary immediately put the shoes on and wear them. This will cause the leather to stretch where it is tight creating a better fit. 
4. Wear shoes in the morning before your feet start to swell. If you start feeling pain, switch to a different shoe for the rest of the day to allow your feet to rest. 

Phew! That is a LOT of info about The Best Shoes for Elders. It took a long time to gather recommendations and information and I hope it is so helpful to you!

I want this to be a community…if you have a shoe recommendation that worked for you (or your missionary!) please comment below with the shoe, the mission and what you liked about it.

Sharing is caring!