A good walking shoe will make logging miles that much more enjoyable. And the more comfortable you feel in your shoes, the more likely you’ll hit your daily step count and reap the health benefits of walking.
Choosing the right walking shoes is critical for maintaining foot health and comfort, especially if you’re walking long distances, says Miguel Cunha, DPM, board-certified podiatric surgeon and founder of Gotham Footcare. A proper walking shoe, first and foremost, should feel comfortable—that means it should provide plenty of cushion, stability, responsiveness, and breathability. With thousands of shoe models on the market to choose from, it can be difficult to know where to start when it comes to choosing a new pair, though. We tested some of the most popular walking shoes and asked foot health experts to weigh in on why they’d recommend them. Read on for our top picks.
What Healthcare Providers Want You to Know
- Choose the right size and fit: Choosing a shoe that fits properly is crucial for preventing discomfort and injury, Cunha says. Even if you think you know your size, have your foot measured with a Brannock device for both length and width. Cunha recommends trying at least three different shoe models—try two different models at the same time, wearing one model on each foot. The tip of your thumb should fit between the end of the shoe and the end of your longest toe. Also, keep in mind that the length and width of our feet tend to change over time. That can be due to ligamentous laxity that occurs over time, leading to falling arches, or because of hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy, Cunha says.
- Try on shoes at the end of the day: If the shoes feel comfortable at the end of the day—when your feet are most swollen—they’ll most likely feel comfortable throughout the day, says Cunha.
- Shop for your foot condition: If you have any pre-existing foot issues, such as flat feet or bunions, look for shoes that will accommodate for that. If you have flat feet or high arches, Cunha recommends shoes with good arch support to help lessen the pressure on the ligaments and tendons in the foot and help with distributing weight across the foot.
- Prioritize comfort: A good walking shoe should be comfortable from the moment that you try it on. If it doesn’t feel right or rubs you the wrong way, keep trying on shoes until you find an instant match, says Raymond Agostino, DPT, doctor of physical therapy, sports performance coach, and owner of Agostino Athletics. There shouldn’t be a “breaking in” period.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
If you feel any pain when walking—especially if it’s persistent or worsening—schedule a visit with your doctor. “If you find it difficult to walk normally, or if you experience instability or frequent tripping, you should seek medical evaluation,” Agostino says. These can potentially indicate a serious injury, such as a strain, fracture, or ligament damage.
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Aetrex
Key Specs
Sizes: 5 to 12 | Weight: 10 ounces | Heel to Toe Drop: Not listed | Materials: Mesh upper, rubber outsole
Why We Recommend It
Aetrex’s Danika Arch Support Sneakers have a padded removable insole and built-in arch support that evenly distributes pressure across the foot, which is essential for people with plantar fasciitis, Cunha says. We love that this shoe has a lot of cushioning that helps absorb the shock under the heel and forefoot. A cushioned footbed and arch support help prevent the plantar fascia from collapsing, reducing fatigue and pain—and these shoes lived up to the hype in our tests.
When testing this shoe, we found that the arch support helped prevent our feet from overpronating (rolling inward), and the firm midsole provided good stability and support. We really felt like we were walking on air with these on; they didn’t aggravate our plantar fasciitis or heel pain.
The toe box is also spacious and has room for the toes to spread naturally. Plus, these shoes feature a pull tab that can be pulled over your heel for a personalized fit. Lastly, we found them to be springy when pushing off, making these a great choice for walking outside on the pavement or inside on the treadmill or elliptical.
Keep In Mind
The shoes felt stiff the first time we laced them on. They also slipped a bit in the heel, but we didn’t get any blisters and they were very comfortable overall.
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Dr. Scholl’s
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Helps correct gait
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Excellent arch support
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Ample cushioning
Key Specs
Sizes: 5 to 11 | Weight: 8.5 ounces | Heel to Toe Drop: Not listed | Materials: Mesh upper, rubber outsole
Why We Recommend It
Dr. Scholl’s Hannah Sneaker has excellent cushioning, comfort, and arch support, making it great for people who overpronate. When we tested this shoe, we found the arch to be higher than most shoes, but they didn’t dig into our foot or cause any pain. The high arch actually helped prevent our flat feet from rolling inward. These shoes also have great movement control, and our feet felt very stabilized while wearing them.
While testing the Hannah sneaker, we never felt instability in the knees or ankles. The inserts are on the thicker side, so we felt like we were walking on the cushion rather than on the sidewalk. The shoes were able to handle the transition from sidewalk to grass to turf without catching us off balance, and they provided the same amount of support for each of these terrains. What’s more, their 1 1/4 inch platform sole makes them a good choice for daily walks and travel, Cunha says.
Keep In Mind
The shoe design looks a bit clunky on narrow, small feet. We also noticed that our feet felt a bit clammy after a long day of wearing these shoes.
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Keen Footwear
Key Specs
Sizes: 5 to 12 | Weight: 12 ounces | Heel to Toe Drop: Not listed | Materials: Mesh upper, rubber outsole
Why We Recommend It
Low or flat arches get the support and stability they need with Keen’s Versacore Speed Shoe. These shoes offer a contoured fit that comfortably accommodates your foot’s shape, Cunha says. And the arch support felt perfect from the very first day of testing these. When wearing these, we especially loved that they didn’t trigger ankle pain—even after seven hours of wear. At the end of the day, our ankles and arches felt great thanks to the high-rebound foam cushioning along with a removable, resilient foam insole.
We wore these shoes while walking around the neighborhood, hiking, and gardening and found that the shoes had great stability on different terrains. They have a wide, deep toe box, a firm midsole and padding in the heel that gives a great springy effect when walking.
Keep In Mind
At first, the toe box felt too wide, and it took some time to adjust to the fit. But after a short wear and a full day of errands, exercise, and regular activity, the wide toe box felt very comfortable.
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Amazon
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Plush cushioning
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Molds to the feet
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APMA seal
Key Specs
Sizes: 5 to 13; narrow, standard, wide, extra wide | Weight: 7.7 ounces | Heel to Toe Drop: 6 mm | Materials: Mesh upper, rubber outsole
Why We Recommend It
New Balance’s Fresh Foam 1080 come in three different width options—standard, wide, and extra wide—to accommodate feet of many shapes and sizes. When trying these, we loved that their sock-like feel molded to our feet, yet there was plenty of space in the toe box. Our feet stayed in place all day and didn’t slip in any part of the shoe. We also noticed that the shoes absorbed shock on uneven terrain really well—that’s thanks to the plush cushioning, Cunha says.
We liked that the inner soles have extra cushion at the ball of the foot as well as a cupped heel. Plus, the arch support isn’t too firm or hard—think of it more like a comfortable, padded arch suggestion. We also liked that the tongue has a pretty curved shape, which prevents it from digging into the front ankle joint (where your foot meets your shin). The cherry on top: These walking shoes have earned the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) seal of acceptance, which means they’re designed to promote good foot health.
Keep In Mind
If you’re purchasing the wide or extra wide versions, note that these special widths aren’t available in all colors. And while the mold-to-your-feet mesh may feel snug at first, these sneakers provide plenty of space—especially if you opt for the wide or extra-wide versions.
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Nike
Key Specs
Sizes: 5 to 12 | Weight: Not listed | Heel to Toe Drop: Not listed | Materials: Knit upper, rubber outsole
Why We Recommend It
Nike’s Motive Women’s Walking Shoe comes recommended by Agostino to anyone with narrow feet. These Nike sneakers provide a snug, controlled fit at the heel, while still allowing space in the toe box. This is important because loose-fitting shoes at the heel can cause unnecessary friction, leading to painful blisters.
The exaggerated rocker bottom is the most stand-out feature in this shoe. Not only does it make a streetwear-style fashion statement, but it’s also very springy and propels you forward with each step. What’s more, the insole has a dense, supportive cushion, and we found there to be ample padding in the arch for adequate support. The bounce-back and cushion in these shoes made us feel like we could walk in them for days on end.
Keep In Mind
The material on the upper of the shoe felt a bit warmer during a marathon walk session, so the knit fabric may not be ideal for warmer months. Also, if you have wide feet, you may find that the toebox feels too snug.
Verywell Health / Kimberly Souza
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Amazon
Key Specs
Sizes: 5 to 13; standard and wide widths | Weight: 8.9 ounces | Heel to Toe Drop: 8 mm | Materials: Knit upper, rubber outsole
Why We Recommend It
Asics’ Gel-Nimbus 25 is a great shoe for walking, especially if you’re on your feet all day. These shoes are all about comfort, with their cloud-like cushion and extremely soft feel, allowing you to walk mile after mile without feeling the stress in your joints, says Agostino. During testing, we found ourselves reaching for them over and over again. They’re super springy and responsive, with a higher-than-average amount of bounce-back. We felt bouncy, lightweight, and nimble when wearing them, and the added shock support made our landings feel soft and low-impact, so we never had any foot pain.
We also appreciated that the end of the tongue has a little extra padding, which helped it lie comfortably against the top of our feet. The knit upper felt like the perfect cross between hugging our feet and letting them move freely, almost like wearing a more engineered sock. Plus, around the inside of the top of the shoe, there’s an extra collar of padding that both prevented our feet from slipping out and added an extra dose of plush comfort.
Keep In Mind
These shoes are more cushioned than stable. We wore them briefly for a bodyweight warm-up that included single leg balancing and lunging, and ended up wobbling a lot—so while these felt great walking on uneven terrain, they may not be ideal for cross-training.
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Allbirds
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Not much cushion
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Not very durable
Key Specs
Sizes: 5 to 11 | Weight: 7.7 ounces | Heel to Toe Drop: Not listed | Materials: TENCEL Lyocell (eucalyptus tree fiber) upper
Why We Recommend It
If you’re looking for a breathable, lightweight shoe that’s great for the warmer weather months, Agostino gives Allbirds’ Tree Runners his stamp of approval. They’re also a great option for travel, since they’re easy to slip on and off and can be worn for hours on end without even noticing,” he says. When trying on these Allbirds, they felt like putting on a sock with a sole—they hugged our feet perfectly.
The sole is pretty flat and decently thick, which made us feel supported and on steady ground, even when walking on uneven surfaces. Allbirds’ Tree Runners are comfortable right out of the box, and we didn’t experience any blisters or chafing when wearing these. We especially love that they didn’t cause our feet to feel clammy, and even after a few weeks of wearing these almost daily, we didn’t experience any odor problems. We found them to be a great everyday shoe that’s very breathable, and they’d make a perfect primary shoe to take on vacation.
Keep In Mind
These don’t have a ton of cushion, so they may not be best for very long walks (such as hiking) or runs. They’re also very lightweight and the material doesn’t feel as durable as other shoes, so we don’t expect them to last very long.
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On
Key Specs
Sizes: 5 to 11 | Weight: 7.1 ounces | Heel to Toe Drop: 7 mm | Materials: Synthetic upper and outsole
Why We Recommend It
On Cloud 5s have more cushion than Allbirds’ Tree Runners yet they’re still lightweight and breathable, perfect for everyday wear. These comfortable shoes allow you to be on your feet all day at work, run errands on your way home, and even add a fitness walk when you get home, all without changing shoes, says Agostino. When putting this popular shoe to the test, we found them to have enough support for long walks, and we especially appreciated the durable material that felt like it can withstand many miles.
We loved that the On Cloud 5s felt cushy and supportive with some springiness, but not to the point where we felt like our feet were caving into the insole. We also felt very stable while wearing these and found them to be very breathable, which makes them a great choice for warmer weather months.
Keep In Mind
The only area we would have liked some additional padding or cushioning is the arch, so people with flat or high arches may want to add insoles or find a shoe with more arch support. And when testing these on cold days, we found that the mesh didn’t do a great job keeping our feet warm.
Verywell Health / Isabel Mayne
How We Tested the Women’s Walking Shoes
- Fit: We evaluated how the shoe felt on the first wear, checking if the arch support aligned comfortably with our foot’s arch and if the heel fit snugly without slipping. We also noted any areas of tightness or looseness.
- Stability: We noted whether the shoe helped maintain good foot alignment and any knee or ankle instability. We also looked at whether the shoe has a curve on the sole that helps transition from one surface to another.
- Responsiveness: We assessed how well the shoe propelled each stride, noting its springiness and energy return during push-off.
- Cushioning: We tested shock support over long walks, and how smoothly the shoes helped us transition from different terrains, like grass and concrete. We also noticed whether there was extra cushioning in the tongue or heel and how it affected the overall feel during walking.
- Quality: We checked how the shoes held up after many daily walks, noting any excessive signs of wear and tear. We also evaluated whether the shoes held on to odor compared to other shoes we’ve worn in the past.
- Value: Finally, we compared the shoes’ performance to their prices, assessing whether they’re worth their cost.
What To Look for in Walking Shoes
- Arch support: Good arch support is especially important if you have flat feet or high arches. Arch support helps lessen the pressure on the ligaments and tendons in the foot and helps in the equal distribution of weight across the foot, Cunha says.
- Breathable materials: Shoes made of mesh allow for good heat ventilation, keeping your feet cool and dry—especially on longer walks or hot days.
- Cushion: Walking involves repetitive impact, so a shoe with good cushioning absorbs shock, reducing stress on your joints, says Agostino. This is particularly important if you walk long distances on hard surfaces.
- Lightweight: Choosing shoes that are lighter with adequate support and cushioning can help reduce energy expenditure and fatigue during long walks, Cunha says.
- Traction: Make sure the sole of your shoe has good traction (look for a grippy sole) to prevent slippage and falls.
Benefits of Using Proper Walking Shoes
Generally, a good walking shoe will make getting your steps in feel more enjoyable. The benefits of wearing quality walking shoes include:
- More comfort: Walking shoes with good cushioning means you’ll be more comfortable during your walk, which allows you to walk longer distances with less strain, Agostino says.
- Injury prevention: Good walking shoes help absorb impact and stabilize your foot with each step, reducing the risk of injuries related to overuse or improper gait, Agostino says. This is especially important for people who walk frequently, walk longer distances, or are recovering from injuries.
- Better efficiency: Walking in shoes that are too heavy, inflexible, or poorly cushioned can make your body work harder with each step, leading to faster fatigue and reduced walking efficiency, Agostino says.
Common Foot Problems and How Walking Shoes Can Help
A good walking shoe can help alleviate pain associated with common foot problems. Our experts recommend looking for specific features depending on your foot condition—look to the below guide for help:
- Plantar fasciitis: If you have this common condition, look for a shoe with a well-cushioned footbed, anatomical arch support, and a rigid heel cup. These features will help hold the plantar fascia and prevent it from collapsing to minimize fatigue and pain, Cunha says.
- Flat feet and overpronation: Look for shoes with supportive elements, including sturdy heel counters and reinforced midsoles, that promote proper alignment and limit excessive inward rolling of the foot that may result in pain and injury, Cunha says.
- High arches and underpronation: If you underpronate and have high arches, look for shoes with ample cushioning and shock absorption, Cunha says.
- Bunions and hammertoes: If you have bunions or hammertoes, you need a roomier toe box to allow your toes to splay and move freely without restriction, Cunha says.
- Ankle instability and achilles tendonitis: A rigid heel counter and deep heel cup can help maintain proper foot realignment and maintain pressure relief from these conditions, Cunha says.
Our Experts
To help put together this list of the best walking shoes, we consulted foot health experts on what to look for in a quality shoe. The experts we spoke to include:
- Miguel Cunha, DPM, board-certified podiatric surgeon and founder of Gotham Footcare
- Raymond Agostino, DPT, doctor of physical therapy, sports performance coach, and owner of Agostino Athletics
Why Trust Verywell Health
April Benshosan is a health journalist and editor who’s interviewed many medical experts throughout her career and has tested countless athletic shoes—so she knows what makes for a high-quality product. She personally loves her New Balance Fresh Foams for long walks, and always turns to them on days when she knows she’ll be on her feet all day. April’s work highlights her passion for arming people with the information they need to make confident decisions about their health.
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