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If you enjoy walking for all its benefits, then finding the best walking shoes needs to be on top of your list of priorities! Whether you’re a regular power walker or just starting out, having the right pair of walking shoes can make those feet enjoy it all the more.
Walking has many health benefits, but it’s incredibly important to buy walking shoes that fit you properly to avoid blisters, discomfort or other issues.
But with so many options out there, it can be overwhelming to choose the perfect pair for your needs. No one pair of walking shoes is perfect for everyone, but there are a few things to keep in mind when finding the one that’s right for you.
Below you’ll find a list of our top 7 recommendations, along with tips on what to look for when choosing the right pair. As running coaches, we also spend a whole lot of time taking walks with friends and for workouts ourselves.
7 Best Walking Shoes
Here are the 7 best walking shoes that we’ve tested and tried over the years. Truly I take at least one walk a day and when we’re on vacation I’m putting in well over 30,000 steps. So I put the miles on shoes to find out what feels good.
I’m sure you’ll easily be able to find a pair that fits your needs from this list:
1. Overall Best Walking Shoes: HOKA Skyflow
This is a new shoe to the HOKA line up and has captured my heart immediately! I find it far superior to the Clifton in terms of comfort for working out and possibly a better option that the Bondi for folks who sink too much in to that plus cushion.
I mean the Clifton is their flagship, but this is the major winner lately!!
In fact, you’re getting the same supercritical foam that we see in top end racing shoes. That means cushion with a little bounce. And, I know you aren’t racing in these shoes, but who doesn’t love some pep in their step!!
Not only did the shoe feel like it had plenty of room for my foot, but the padded tongue and heel collar are extremely comfortable. In a walking shoe, we want both that secure fit and not to worry about anything rubbing or causing blisters.
As noted, I think this shoe simply provides a fabulous feeling underfoot that you’ll be happy to wear all day and still provides enough support that you won’t have any issues with feet rolling in or collapsing into the cushion.
2. Most Stylish Walking Shoes: Allbirds Tree Dasher
The Allbird Tree Dasher is a game-changer for those seeking a lightweight and comfortable active shoe.
Designed with the environment in mind, these sneakers feature a breathable upper made from eucalyptus tree fibers, allowing your feet to stay cool and dry even during intense workouts.
The fit of the Tree Dasher is snug yet flexible, providing ample support without sacrificing freedom of movement.
The shoe’s cushioned insole, combined with the responsive sole, offers a cushioned and responsive feel with each stride.
It’s not a plush feeling, but you absolutely know it’s a cushioned shoe and the flared heel is designed to provide more stability.
When it comes to fashion, the Allbird Tree Dasher strikes a perfect balance between sporty and stylish. The sleek design and minimal branding make them a versatile option for everyday wear.
Additionally, the Tree Dasher incorporates reflective details, enhancing visibility during low-light conditions for added safety.
3. Best Cushioned Walking Shoes: Hoka Bondi
You just can’t go wrong with the Hoka Bondi if you’re looking for maximum cushioning in a walking shoe – you’ll truly feel like you’re walking on pillows!
These are the softest shoes I’ve ever tried, with excellent shock absorption and plush comfort.
Also, these shoes are excellent in terms of lateral stability and support, making them a good choice for walkers who need a firm, stable shoe.
I would definitely recommend these shoes, especially to people who want a well-cushioned walking shoe.
If you’re prone to plantar fasciitis, the well-cushioned heel area and overall support will come in handy.
Even with all that cushioning and stability, the Hoka Bondi manages to feel surprisingly light. The durable rubber outsole provides reliable traction during long walks and lends to the shoe’s stability and durability.
- Weight: 10.5 oz Men’s, 9.3 oz Women’s
- Heel drop: 5 mm
- Available in slip-resistant (SR) for the workplace and BondiX with a carbon fiber plate for speed
- Comes in 6 colors
- Available in most sizes and colors on Hoka.com for $170
4. Most Supportive Walking Shoes: On Cloudmonster
Not only do I like running in these, but my husband has a pair now and thinks they feel great for walks. Which he is forced to do when I drag him to running events. 🙂
For On the cushion is more about the absorbing of impact, rather than what you might think of as traditional plush cushion. That’s not a bad thing, just different expectations.
And for those wearing it all day that additional firmness is actually benefit as it can prevent low back pain.
This absolutely felt like the most cushioned On running shoe I’ve tested. Making it a good daily trainer.
This shoe is probably the closest from On Running to any of the HOKA walking shoes that I recommend. It feels just a bit wider, a bit taller midsole and stable.
On has also stated they are moving this show out of their running line up as they think it’s a more ideal fit for everyday wear compared to their newer crazy cushioned shoes.
- Weight: 10.6 oz Men’s, 8.11 oz Women’s
- Heel drop: 6 mm
- Stylish neutral, moderate cushion
- Comes in 7 colors
- Available in most sizes and colors from on.com for $160
- Read our complete On Cloudmonster review >>
5. Best Walking Shoes for Wide Feet: New Balance Fresh Foam X More
New Balance’s Fresh Foam is every bit as lovely as it sounds. These shoes feel fabulous when you slip them on and yet maintain good responsiveness. In fact, I’ve been running A LOT of miles in the NB 1080 model and recommend it frequently as well.
With a roomy area for your mid-foot, it still has a good heel cupping to help prevent your foot from sliding out.
This is a maximal road shoe, meaning it has a higher stack height from toe to heel. If you’ve never run in a shoe like that, trust me within a few minutes you don’t notice anything different (except the great cushion here!).
That taller stack height provides a slightly wider base and more stability without in any way being a stability shoe.
- Weight: 10.4 oz Men’s, 8.4 oz Women’s
- Heel Drop: 3 mm
- Again older models are cheaper and still great
- Available in regular and wide, but not extra wide
- Available on the New Balance website for $155
6. Best Everyday Walking Shoes: Brooks Ghost
The Brooks Ghost is the perfect choice for your everyday walking needs. It offers exceptional cushioning and support while maintaining its lightweight design.
The DNA Loft midsole is designed to absorb shock, which helps to reduce impact on your feet and joints.
The shoe also features a BioMoGo DNA outsole that provides flexibility as well as traction, so you can feel safe and secure when walking on any type of surface.
The Brooks Ghost provides support and has a great grip. And if you’re concerned about slipping while walking outside in the winter, this is an excellent option.
Plus, its design provides enough support and cushioning, making it ideal for those who walk long distances or have joint problems.
What’s best is that these everyday walking shoes even have the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) Seal of Acceptance, which means they’ve been worn, reviewed, and approved by a committee of podiatrists too!
7. Best Walking Shoes for Flat Feet: ASICS Gel-Kayano
The Asics Gel Kayano is an excellent choice for those with flat feet or who tend to overpronate. This means the shoe is going to feel a bit firmer to provide that support on the inside of your foot to keep it from collapsing inward.
These shoes offer superior support to reduce fatigue, as well as a secure fit that won’t slip or slide while in motion. On top of that, the heel-locking system helps keep your foot in place providing even more stability and comfort on longer walks.
The old hard medial post that made shoes so firm has been replaced with their new 4D Guidance system, which combined with their new Flytefoam Blast Plus Eco foam results in a much softer and more comfortable stability shoe.
The ASICS GEL Kayano was first released in 1993 and due to its popularity is now on the 31st edition!
Trust me, these are incredibly walking shoes that are especially ideal for anyone with flat feet.
- Heel toe drop: 10mm
- Weight: 9.3 oz women’s, 11 oz men’s
- Stack Height: 39mm women’s, 40mm men’s
- Usage: Stability daily trainer
- Available in wide and Extra wide
- Available in 9 colors
- Available at Asics.com and Zappos.com for $165
Can I Wear the Same Shoes for Running and Walking?
You should have a different pair of shoes for walking and a different pair of running.
Running has a different footstrike than walking. While walking, your heel will undoubtedly strike first, followed by a roll into the forefoot to lift off the ground.
In running, your heel may strike first, but it is extremely quick before rolling forward. Plus, the way your foot rolls most likely differs between a fast-paced run and a walk.
These different movements put different stresses on your feet and legs, so you need shoes that have a different focus for each of these.
Many great running shoes are also great for walking, it’s just important that you have different pairs for each activity at all times.
Running shoes typically have more cushioning and support in the heel and forefoot to absorb the impact of running, which puts more pressure on these areas.
They also often have a lower heel-to-toe drop (the difference in height between the heel and toe) to encourage a more natural stride.
Walking shoes, on the other hand, are designed to provide more support in the midsole to help with shock absorption, as well as a more flexible sole to accommodate the rolling motion of the foot during walking.
They also typically have a higher heel-to-toe drop to accommodate the heel-first striking pattern of walking.
You also don’t want to wear out your running shoe faster than necessary or develop a foot pattern that could cause your foot to pronate.
How Long Do Walking Shoes Last?
Usually, you can walk 350 to 500 miles in a pair of shoes before the support, cushioning, and shock absorption wear out. This makes you more likely to get injured.
If you wear them every day, they should last you roughly six to eight months. Even though the shoes might look fine, they will need to be replaced by then.
Whew that’s a ton of information around the best walking shoes. And honestly, I could probably add more to the list. But let’s keep it simple to start.
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