Create an out of combat speed buff for every character / race that is weapon independent for traveling. You could put this on for running around and it would slow down / be removed if you were hit and forced into combat. Kind of like weapon based speed buffs are now except it would stay on permanently until disrupted by combat or turned off by the player.
This would be nice for exploring. Kind of like the engineer has where he/she can gain constant speed by switching kits. Except just make this a toggle button buff that is weapon / skill independent like toggling walk/run.
This may have been discussed before. If so sorry for the repeat post.
Thanks