A Holiday Travel Foot Care Guide from Sweeney Foot & Ankle Specialists
The holiday season is one of the busiest travel windows of the year, especially for Texans. Houston’s airports alone are expecting over 2 million passengers this Thanksgiving travel period, as George Bush Intercontinental (IAH) and Hobby airports see enormous spikes in travelers from Turkey Day through New Year’s.
According to Fox26 Houston, approximately 1.6 million people will pass through IAH and around 500,000 through Hobby, contributing to the roughly 6 million U.S. travelers expected to take domestic flights over the Thanksgiving holiday period.
Many families are also hitting the road for long drives to visit loved ones. Add holiday shopping marathons, colder weather, and endless hosting duties and errands, and suddenly your feet are working overtime all season long.
While holiday travel brings joy, togetherness, and a welcome change of pace, it also introduces new demands on your feet. Extended periods of standing, walking through airports, waiting in security lines, sitting in cramped airplane seats, and navigating unfamiliar environments all increase your risk of soreness, swelling, and injury.
From Turkey Trots to dancing the night away on New Year's Eve, and all the holiday travel in between, this guide provides practical foot care tips to help you stay comfortable throughout the season.
Why the Holidays Are Tough on Your Feet
The holidays are often about excess, and holiday travel and the stress it puts on our feet are no exception:
More walking than usual
Airports are packed, parking is farther from terminals, lines are longer (security lines at IAH were three hours+ at one point during the government shutdown!), and crowds are thicker. Even holiday shopping (especially the frenzy of Black Friday deal hunting) can double or triple your usual step count.
Long periods of sitting
Flights out of IAH and Hobby often experience holiday delays, and road trips mean hours behind the wheel. Sitting for long periods restricts circulation, causing swelling and stiffness.
Temperature swings
Many Houstonians travel from warm Gulf Coast weather to cold, dry northern climates. Winter air dehydrates skin and increases the risk of cracked heels or flare-ups of conditions like eczema.
Unfamiliar surfaces and shoes
From icy sidewalks and slushy streets to holiday party dress shoes, the season brings many new environmental challenges. Understanding these seasonal stressors makes holiday foot care more manageable and prepares you for a more comfortable trip.
Holiday Travel Footwear Checklist
Choosing the right footwear is one of the most important things you can do before you leave the house.
✓ Weather-appropriate footwear: Traveling to Chicago, Colorado, or New England from Houston? Bring insulated, waterproof shoes with good traction for icy or snowy conditions.
✓ Supportive walking shoes: Avoid brand-new shoes. Break in anything you plan to wear and prioritize cushioning and arch support.
✓ Dress shoes with limits: If holiday events involve heels or fashion boots, wear supportive shoes during transit and change only when you arrive.
✓ Compression socks for flights or long drives: They help reduce swelling and encourage circulation, especially on flights longer than two hours.
What to Pack: Your Holiday Foot Care Kit
In addition to packing smart footwear, you will need a holiday foot care kit to treat your feet right:
✓ Moisture-wicking socks: Keep feet dry when walking long distances in winter boots or warm indoor environments.
✓ Blister pads and moleskin: Crowded airports + new shoes + long walking = blister risk.
✓ Antifungal foot powder: For gyms, hotel showers, or spa areas.
✓ Travel-sized moisturizer: Winter air and indoor heating rapidly dry out the skin.
✓ Bandages and antiseptic wipes: Great for unexpected cuts, cracked skin, or abrasion.
Packing these essentials ensures that minor issues don’t become trip-derailing problems.
In Transit: On-the-Go Foot Care Checklist
Holiday travel often means more time sitting: on planes, in cars, on buses, or in terminals waiting out delays. Keep your circulation healthy and your feet comfortable with these steps:
During Flights or Long Car Rides
- Stand up and stretch every 1–2 hours: Walk the aisle when cruising altitude is reached or take stretch breaks at rest stops.
- Perform simple foot exercises: Ankle circles, pointing and flexing toes, heel lifts all boost circulation and reduce stiffness.
- Stay hydrated: Dehydration increases swelling and discomfort.
- Wear compression socks: Especially helpful for anyone with swelling tendencies or long-haul flights.
- Elevate your feet when possible: Even slight elevation reduces gravitational swelling and pressure.
Baby, It’s Cold Outside: Winter Foot Safety Tips
Many Houstonians fly north for the holidays with the ski slopes often full of UT and A&M fans whooshing by. This sudden exposure to cold climates can affect your feet more than you expect.
Remember to:
- Protect your skin in dry weather: Cold air + indoor heating can crack heels quickly. Moisturize nightly and avoid walking barefoot.
- Wear warm socks that breathe: Wool or thermal options keep feet warm without trapping moisture.
- Choose shoes with traction: Slips and falls are common for travelers unused to ice or snow.
- Layer socks correctly: Avoid doubling up too tightly, which restricts circulation.
- Give wet shoes time to dry: Damp footwear can cause blisters and increase infection risk.
A few extra precautions keep your feet comfortable even when temperatures drop dramatically.
Holiday Shopping and Event Foot Strain
Foot pain during the holidays isn’t only caused by travel, but can often come from marathon shopping sessions, standing during gatherings, or exploring holiday lights and festivals.
Experts say that you should wear supportive shoes to malls, outlets, and markets, and remember that concrete floors are unforgiving.
Take breaks every hour, sit and stretch as needed, and periodically reassess your foot comfort before blisters can set in.
One tip: switch your shoes every day during the holidays as this can reduce repetitive pressure on the same areas of your feet.
Holiday Foot Health: Do and Don’t List
| DO |
DON’T |
| Stay hydrated to reduce swelling |
Wear tight or unsupportive shoes for long periods |
| Wash and dry feet thoroughly after public showers |
Ignore persistent swelling or color changes |
| Moisturize nightly when traveling to cold climates |
Walk barefoot in hotel rooms, spas, or gyms |
| Use compression socks during long travel |
Push through pain when sightseeing or shopping |
| Listen to early signs of foot pain |
Forget to break in new footwear before your trip |
When to See a Specialist After Holiday Travel
After returning home, pay attention to lingering symptoms such as:
- Persistent swelling lasting more than 24–48 hours.
- Sharp or increasing heel pain.
- Blisters that won’t heal or show signs of infection.
- Numbness, tingling, or burning sensations.
- Pain that worsens with weight-bearing.
If holiday travel leaves you with foot or ankle pain, swelling, or injury, the team at Sweeney Foot & Ankle Specialists is here to help. Schedule an appointment and start the new year with healthier, happier feet.
