Have You Replaced Your Walking Shoes Lately? Shop 14 Expert-Approved Pairs Now (2024)

“Hoka is leading the way in cushioning and comfort right now in the shoe market,” says Anne Sharkey, D.P.M., a podiatrist with the North Austin Foot and Ankle Institute in Texas. One of the most cushioned options in Hoka’s lineup, the Bondi 8 uses an EVA midsole for a plush feel. Translation? “These will make activity feel like you are walking on clouds!” says Sharkey. Indeed, Tulpule agrees that the cushioning makes them wonderful walking shoes.

These shoes made our list of the best Hoka shoes for walking, and Senior Commerce Editor, Christie Calucchia, put them to test. “The thick cushioning creates a seriously comfy place for your feet to land after every step,” she says. (Read her in-depth review of the Hoka Bondi 8 sneakers to learn more.)

Sometimes, you can’t do better than the classics. Largely available for under $75 and offering tons of much-needed support, these chunky yet cute sneakers are ideal for walkers who don’t want to spend an arm and a leg to hit the trail in comfort. They come with an oversized heel crash pad to absorb impact, a molded PU insert, and a part-suede-part-mesh upper.

“The quality of these shoes [is] so wonderful. I have been looking for a really great shoe for work,” wrote an Amazon shopper who’s often on their feet all day. “These shoes are the best! I have purchased many brands and styles. If you want happy feet, legs and, back—buy these.”

Tupule “love, love, loves,” the GTS 21 version of these ever-popular Brooks kicks, and the GTS 22 is full of the same aspects she appreciates, including their powerful arch support, sturdy construction, and stability. They’re a great choice for both over-pronators and those with plantar fasciitis. A removable footbed ensures you can insert your own orthotics, and they come in four distinct widths. Better yet, they are as stylish as they are functional.

Not only are Brooks shoes celebrity-loved (Jennifer Garner has repeatedly been spotted wearing them!), but they’re also a favorite among Prevention editors. The GTS 22 in particular earned a spot on our list of the best Brooks running shoes, and Deputy Editor, Emily Goldman, highly recommends them.

“These are hands down the most comfortable shoes I have ever worn,” says Goldman, who started wearing them after a foot injury. “I laced them up for a walk, and it was like my foot pain disappeared.”

These shoes are good for your feet and look good. Made with a rubber sole and an anatomical precise-return footbed designed for a woman’s foot shape, these kicks are sure to keep you comfortable daily. A lightweight molded shoe with a RE-ZORB platform and a full-length internal insert level up these sneakers. Plus, there’s sure to be a style here to fit your wardrobe since the shoes come in seven color combinations.

Thousands of Amazon shoppers give these shoes a five-star rating. “I could walk 10 miles easily with these on, and when I take them off, my feet feel great,” wrote a reviewer.

The On Cloud 5 sneakers are designed to reduce the energy required for forward motion, and they have cushioning to increase shock absorption and comfort, Sharkey explains. “These features make this a shoe that is comfortable for walking and everyday activities like errands and shopping,” she says.

We spotted Brooke Shields wearing a pair of these comfy walking shoes, and they landed on our list of the best shoes for nurses (and others on their feet all day). You’ll also find them on Prevention’s list of the best On Cloud shoes for walking.

“These shoes are a game changer for me. My feet were getting sore and tired until I started wearing these. Love them!” wrote an Amazon reviewer.

Sharkey recommends this pair of Asics for its lightweight cushioning. She describes the WalkRide as “a comfortable shoe that will leave each and every step cushioned.” Plus, the breathable upper is ideal for those who can’t stand the feeling of warm and sweaty feet, she points out.

“This walking shoe is lighter and the toe turns up,” said a reviewer. “I feel it is very comfortable. I walk my dogs over a mile and a half each day on sidewalk. This shoe is perfect for that type of walking.”

Vionic is one of the most comfortable shoe brands in our book, and it has plenty of walking shoes to choose from, including this classic sneaker. Designed with a stylish suede upper and a removable orthotic developed with podiatrists, the shoe offers both style and functionality. It also features a breathable, moisture-wicking mesh liner, a PU foam base, a removable molded EVA midsole, and a firm heel counter for stability.

“These are the only sneakers I wear mostly to walk my dog or run errands. It is a good, solid shoe that keeps your foot in place and has the arch support and cushioning that I need for my arthritic flat feet,” wrote a reviewer.

A lightweight, highly cushioned neutral sneaker, the Saucony Echelon 9 is suitable for both running and walking. It has a thick PU sockliner for comfort, a durable rubber outsole, and supportive wrapping on the midfoot. It’s also entirely vegan and partially made with recycled materials.

“These are my everyday shoes. Great for walking with good support, cushioning, and padding,” wrote a shopper.

These sneakers are ideal for any activity—your daily walk, the gym, errands, or a run—because they’re super-flexible and absorb shock on top of encouraging better walking form. They also have a slim fit that’s ideal for narrow feet. “I love the Altra brand for their natural foot shape design feature. This allows for adequate room for the toes to spread during activity,” says Sharkey.

The road running shoe is the latest iteration of the Altra Rivera model, and it has already racked up many positive reviews from shoppers. “I have a narrow heel and this shoe hugs my heel perfectly and has a wider toe box to let your toes spread naturally as you walk and run,” one customer wrote. “They felt amazing from the moment I put them on.”

A neutral shoe designed for everyday walking and running, the Ghost 15 from Brooks has soft cushioning and a classic fit, weighing just over nine ounces. The midsole was designed for smooth transitions from heel to toe with each step, and the air mesh upper is comfortably breathable.

“They are technically running shoes, but they’re so great for walking because they are light and soft while still being really supportive, and they have a wide toe box, which for me is critical—I don’t quite have bunions, but my front foot has widened over the years after pregnancy and lots of, well, walking!” Stephanie Dolgoff, deputy director of Prevention’s Health Newsroom, shared in a Prevention Picks roundup.

“I use these shoes every time I hit the treadmill for a walk, as they are sturdy, don’t slip, and perfectly fit my orthotics for a comfy, supported stride,” adds Goldman. “I love that they come in so many colors and that they have a soft, flexible upper, making them plush without feeling like a slipper.”

Still need more convincing? Read an in-depth review of Brooks’ Ghost 15.

Tulpule recommends the New Balance Fresh Foam Arishi for walking. While she initially spoke to us about the v3 model, the v4 has similar foam outsoles for shock-absorption, which is what Tulpule loved about the style. Plus, they’ve got other all-important features like mesh uppers, cushioned ankle support, and lightweight construction.

“I bought this shoe because I loved last year’s version—I feared the new model wouldn’t be as comfortable, but it has even improved!” according to an Amazon reviewer. “I love the wide toe box, excellent arch support (without being obtrusive or harsh), stability of my foot, the good tread on the shoe, and overall comfort.”

These walking shoes from Dansko, recommended by Tulpule, are ideal for people with high arches and conditions like plantar fasciitis, which require plenty of arch support. With a roomy toe box, a padded heel, and breathable linings and uppers, they’re all-around great sneakers.

“I bought these shoes for a trip and they were great!” said an Amazon reviewer. “I have plantar fasciitis and these shoes were so supportive [with] great heel padding. The arch support is just right.”

These best-selling Skechers shoes are affordable, comfortable, and easy to put on and take off. They’re made of vegan material and despite how lightweight they are, they still offer supportive cushioning to help you feel your best while walking.

The Go Walk Joy sneakers are one of our picks for the best shoes for walking on concrete, and they have thousands of fans on Amazon. “I got these for the ease of being able to slip them on and off easily in airports, as well as to have a cute and comfy shoe to wear with business casual attire, and they are perfect,” wrote a shopper who travels often for work. “These shoes go with just about everything, and they are so comfortable!”

If you haven’t heard of the shoe brand Kuru, Prevention’s deputy editor says its Atom sneakers are one of the best walking shoes for women. Though they’re pricey, they offer an athletic look with superior support and heel cushioning for comfort.

“They fit my orthotic insoles and have a sturdy, non-bendy sole that my podiatrist recommended I use due to a past injury on the ball of my foot,” Goldman says. “They’re super easy to slide on thanks to loops on the tongue and heel which make them great for running errands.”

✔️ Find the right features. Our experts suggest looking for cushioning in the arches and heels, roomy toe boxes, mesh uppers, durable soles with traction, and removable insoles. Each will keep your feet feeling much more comfortable during walks of any distance and allow you to avoid common pitfalls like blisters and arch pain.

✔️ Opt for flexibility. “Avoid walking shoes that are too heavy, too rigid, and too narrow in the toe box,” Tulpule warns. If your shoes aren’t friendly to your feet, your walks will be more painful, and you might end up hurting yourself, or just walking less than you’d like to.

✔️ Identify your feet type. Knowing your specific foot type is crucial to finding the right walking shoes. You can identify your feet type by looking at the wear pattern in your shoes and the imprints your feet leave in wet sand, says Sharkey. Flat feet will cause excessive wear on the inner portion of shoes and will leave behind a pretty complete footprint in the sand. High arches will cause more wear on the outer boarders of shoes and won’t show in footprints. Neutral feet will shoe fairly even wear on shoes and show about half of the arch in footprints, she explains.

✔️ Shop for your unique feet. People with flat feet should ideally find a shoe with more stability and support in the arch and heel area, says Ricardo Cook, M.D., an orthopedist at the Centers for Advanced Orthopedics in Maryland. People with higher arches should look for more cushioning to help absorb shock. And if you have arthritis or trouble with ankle instability, opt for more cushioning and support instead of lighter options, recommends Damian A. Richardson, M.D., a foot and ankle surgeon.

✔️ Don’t deal with pain. While it’s normal for shoes to have an adjustment period, “they should absolutely not cause pain or blisters,” Sharkey notes. “If this is the case, then return them and try a different style.”

Walking shoes fall into a category distinct from kicks designed for running. “Shoes that are made strictly for walking usually have more arch support to protect where the force is greatest when you walk,” Giordano notes, “as opposed to running shoes, where the cushioning is usually more in the heel.”

Plus, Tulpule says, walking shoes provide more flexibility in the arch and typically lack the extra cushioning that runners require. They also tend to have a lower heel height. That’s not to say that you can’t walk in running shoes—but if you’re an avid walker, it’s worth investing in a specialized pair of kicks.

Here’s how to tell if your sneaker fits properly, according to Dr. Richardson:

• You do not feel the top of the shoe with your toes, and you can comfortably wiggle your toes.
• The sides and top of your foot are supported while your toes still move freely.
• The heel cup does not slide off or pinch. The pressure around the entire foot and heel should feel cradled without any points of extra contact or squeezing.

We consulted experts Saylee Tulpule, D.P.M., a Maryland-based podiatrist; Dan Giordano, D.P.T., C.S.C.S., a physical therapist in New York City; Ricardo Cook, M.D., an orthopedist at the Centers for Advanced Orthopedics in Maryland; Damian A. Richardson, M.D., a foot and ankle surgeon; and Anne Sharkey, D.P.M., a podiatrist with the North Austin Foot and Ankle Institute in Texas. Additionally, we sifted through tons of online reviews and took editor testing into consideration to find the best walking shoes available.