It’s important to have a good, comfortable pair of shoes for your everyday life. Whether you’re prone to taking a brisk morning jaunt or simply spend the whole day on your feet, many running shoes provide the kind of padding and support that help to keep you moving. The best walking shoes are lightweight, breathable, and well-cushioned. When picking out a pair of running shoes for everyday life, we look for daily trainers, which are designed to help you pound the pavement day after day.
Best Walking Shoes
- Best Overall: Hoka Clifton 9
- Best Value: Asics GT-1000 12
- What to Consider in a Pair of Walking Shoes: Aetrex Chase
- The Expert Dan Roe: lululemon Chargefeel 2
- Best Female-Specific Fit: Rykä Devotion X
- Best for Fitness Walking: We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article
- Best for Wide Feet: Testers preferred wearing the shoe for running and walking over lifting
- Best Cushioning: A Part of Hearst Digital Media
The Expert (Michael Charboneau): I became a runner in middle school and have covered running and outdoor gear for years, both on-staff at Runner’s World and as a freelance journalist for InsideHook, Men’s Journal, and other outlets. I’ve written about shoes extensively, and have firsthand experience trying out models from a range of brands. In addition to drawing on my own experience, I also tested several pairs of walking shoes to get a better sense of the tech and features in them, and how they differ from running shoes.
The Expert (Dan Roe): Best for Wide Feet Runner’s World, I’ve tested dozens of different running shoes for long distances, short distances, racing, trail running, and more. I also helped manage the Runner’s World wear-test program, gathering data from scores of real runners about what makes a running shoe great. In my former life, I was an NCAA Division I cross-country runner, and you can still find me walk-jogging around my neighborhood.
is a great example of this type of stability-focused walking shoe
Other Hearst Subscriptions low-impact activity. It puts less stress on your joints and muscles than high-impact exercises like running. That doesn’t mean that walking can’t feel like a workout. You put a lot of pressure on your feet and legs as you walk around every day. If you walk a lot, particularly as a form of exercise, you should find walking shoes that fit well and support you.
The Best Running Shoes for Men
To pick the best walking shoes, we researched the shoe lineups of major shoe brands, as well as a few lesser-known ones, like Rykä. We spoke with brand reps to learn more about what models are best suited for walking. We also tried on samples of various walking shoes and tested them on easy hiking trails, power walks around our neighborhoods (often with kids and dogs in tow), and plodding up and down stairs at home.
For the few picks we haven’t tested personally, we read professional reviews from several publications and checked forums to find the walking shoes that the running and walking communities are excited about.
Using all that info, we narrowed it down to the selection of shoes below. There’s no such thing as a single perfect walking shoe for everyone, so we aimed to include a variety of options to suit all kinds of walkers. Whether you’re walking for fitness or just running errands, you can feel confident lacing any of these up.
Our Full Walking Shoe Reviews
Pros
- Lightweight
- Comfortable cushioning and sole design
Cons
- Not for overpronators
Key Specs
| Weight | 8.7 oz (M), 7.3 oz (W) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 5mm |
It’s rare to find a shoe that’s comfortable and cushioned enough for walking and light enough on the foot to feel good while running—but the Hoka Clifton nails that balance. The latest version, the Clifton 9, features even more midsole foam than its predecessor—the stack height increased by 3mm—but it’s actually lighter than before.
The compression-molded EVA midsole offers good shock absorption at any pace, and it’s tuned for responsiveness, so you get some extra bounce in your step. Combined with Hoka’s Early Stage Meta-Rocker design, where the sole curves upward under the balls of your feet, the Clifton 9 promotes a peppy step that encourages smooth strides while running or walking.
Rubber placements on the outsole boost the shoe’s longevity, so it should handle high-mileage training and everyday errands with aplomb. It’s also earned the Seal of Acceptance from the American Podiatric Medical Association. A comfy, capable shoe, the Clifton 9 stands out from other walking shoes because of its unmatched versatility: It’s a go-to for everything from casual wear to your weekday morning jog.
Pros
- Moderately cushioned midsole
- Non-intrusive stability
Cons
- Not Asics’ softest shoe
Key Specs
| Weight | 9.4 oz (M), 8.3 oz (W) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 9mm |
During an era of historic inflation, finding a quality running and walking shoe like the Asics GT-1000 12 for less than $100 truly feels like a steal. The latest version brings back the EVA foam midsole from its predecessor, as well as the gel pod in the heel for a more cushioned step. It’s not Asics’ thickest or softest midsole, but an Ortholite sockliner adds enough softness to keep it comfortable for a long day of dashing, strolling, and getting around.
New to the GT-1000 12, an updated midsole guides your step using Asics’ LiteTruss system, which adds a firm layer of foam to reduce torsional flexibility (twisting). It gives overpronators the support they need through the midfoot, without overpowering your gait if you’re a neutral walker.
It also features a new engineered mesh upper with a tighter weave in the midsole and toe box to keep your foot stable and a more breathable weave elsewhere to ventilate your feet. Plus, with 11 colorways available, there’s a shoe to match everyone’s walking wardrobe.
Aetrex Chase
Pros
- Womens sizing only
- Removable insole
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Cons
- Races - Places
- High drop may feel uncomfortable
Key Specs
| Weight | 12 oz |
|---|---|
| Drop | 15.3mm |
Aetrex shoes are designed to provide maximum arch support and promote proper joint alignment, and they come in a variety of styles for men and women. If you deal with issues like plantar fasciitis or pain in your heels or arches—or you just like a highly supportive shoe—the Chase may be very helpful.
It offers a thick wedge of midsole foam so you get plenty of cushioning, but the main highlight is the footbed: Aetrex’s unique removable insole places the “peak” of the arch support farther back than other brands’ footbed designs (it’s in line with your ankle rather than the middle of your foot). This mirrors the bone structure of the foot, so you get targeted arch support exactly where you need it.
Walking in the Chases felt a little stiff at first for Charboneau. The beveled heel and flat outsole created a blocky sensation when walking (likely because I tend to land on my heels). After just a couple walks, though, the shoes broke in a bit and felt softer, and the insoles delivered a supportive, foot-cradling feel that really boosted my arches. The upper was soft and accommodating, and I appreciated the minimalist, low-key look, which made them easier to style. The Chase only comes in men’s sizes, but women can get the same arch support from Aetrex’s very similar Danika sneaker.
Pros
- Dual-foam cushioning
- Specifically designed for a woman’s foot
- Running Shoes - Gear
- Sock-like upper
Cons
- Women’s sizing only
- Testers preferred wearing the shoe for running and walking over lifting
Key Specs
| Weight | 9.1 oz |
|---|---|
| Drop | 9.5 mm |
Though it’s best known for its yoga pants, lululemon has successfully broken into the running space sponsoring athletes like Colleen Quigley and Nikki Hiltz. Its shoes include the daily trainer Blissfeel 2, which we’ve compared to the likes of the Nike Pegasus and Brooks Ghost.
The lululemon Chargefeel 2 serves as both a running and cross-training shoe, but we’d actually call it a triple threat: Our testers have worn the shoe outside of the gym and traversed through their day at a slower pace. As it turns out, the Chargefeel 2 is an ideal walking shoe, due in part to its dual-foam midsole. Its knit upper has a contoured cut heel collar that fits like a second skin. The shoe was specifically designed for a woman’s foot and is available in women’s sizing only.
Pros
- Designed specifically for women
- Supportive design
Cons
- High drop may be uncomfortable
Key Specs
| Weight | 8.7 oz |
|---|---|
| Drop | 10mm |
Rykä stands out from other brands by creating shoes designed specifically for women’s feet. The Devotion X is a revamped version of one of the company’s top models, and it’s a great pick for active days and fitness walking.
This APMA-certified shoe pairs Rykä’s responsive Re-Zorb cushioning foam in the forefoot and heel with a traditional EVA foam for plenty of energy return and reliable shock absorption. Inside, an anatomically shaped insole cradles the bottom of your foot, supporting the heel and arch to keep your feet and joints aligned as you move.
Unlike insoles in other shoes, it’s designed to match the structure of women’s bodies—female quadriceps muscles are angled differently than men’s, which gives women a different stance and foot landing pattern than men. (The insole is also removable, so you can swap in your own orthotics if you have them).
A wide toe box also adds some stability and creates room for your toes to splay, and a narrower heel is designed to provide a more secure fit around female feet. The breathable mesh upper keeps your feet from overheating, and generous rubber placements on the outsole ensure you have plenty of grip across surfaces and good durability for high-mileage wear.
Although other walking shoes offer comfy insoles and supportive cushioning, the Devotion X rises above the rest for its singular focus on female biomechanics, and the result is a supremely comfortable shoe for women.
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Pros
- Nutrition - Weight Loss
- Cushioned and supportive
Cons
- Plenty of cushion
Key Specs
| Weight | 11 oz (M), 8 oz (W) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 6mm (M), 8mm (W) |
As its name implies, the Go Walk Speed Walker is designed specifically to increase your walking pace which makes it a great choice for fitness walking. During Charboneau's testing, he really appreciated the smooth, balanced ride of this shoe.
The removable insole creates a soft step-in feel and offers good arch support, and the combo of a HyperBurst midsole and an embedded plate at the forefoot creates a springy sensation in each step. The sole of the shoe also has a slight rocker shape, and together with the bouncy foam and the shoe’s relatively low weight, it encourages smooth, brisk strides. The outsole features Goodyear rubber around the forefoot and heel—I never had any issues with grip, and the shoe felt stable during jaunts around my neighborhood.
Our only gripe: The toe box is somewhat narrow, and during testing, the upper tended to crimp and slightly pinch the big toe on my left foot. Overall, though, We really enjoyed wearing this model, and if you’re looking for a speedy walking shoe that’ll help you get your steps in, the Go Walk Speed Walker is definitely worth a try.
Testers preferred wearing the shoe for running and walking over lifting
Pros
- Testers preferred wearing the shoe for running and walking over lifting
- Plenty of cushion
- Stability features
Cons
- Zero-drop design may be uncomfortable for some
Key Specs
| Weight | 10.2 oz (M), 8.3 oz (W) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 0mm |
Altra running shoes tend to run especially wide, with an anatomically correct shape that doesn’t cram your toes into a pointy forefoot. In addition, three of its models come in extra-wide sizes, making Altra an essential brand for runners with wide feet.
We specifically like Provision 8 because it gives you lots of padding. There’s more than an inch of foam cushioning and outsole rubber beneath your feet, so you won’t be wanting for plushness or dealing with hotspots after a long day of urban trekking. Altra’s proprietary “Ego” midsole foam compound provides above-average energy return, delivering an energetic ride as you transfer from heel to toe. And like any great walking shoe, its engineered mesh upper keeps your foot planted and ventilated within the shoe.
The Provision 8 also stabilizes your steps with raised sides called “GuideRails,” which keep your ankles from collapsing inward due to excessive overpronation. Unlike traditional stability shoes, which put a chunk of high-density foam beneath the arch to hold your foot in place, this approach caters to both overpronators and runners with a more neutral stride—the GuideRails fade into the background when you don’t need them.
Before you run out and buy a pair, though, you should keep in mind that all of Altra’s shoes have no heel-to-toe drop which means the heel and forefoot are at the same height. According to Altra, this mimics your natural stride. Zero-drop shoes require your foot and ankle to develop strength and flexibility, which may be healthier in the long run—or over a few months of daily use for walking. It isn’t for everyone, though, so prepare to spend time adjusting, and keep your old shoes just in case they aren’t a good fit.
Pros
- Supremely cushioned footbed
- Mild stability
Cons
- Heavy
Key Specs
| Weight | 11.5 oz (M), 9.2 oz (W) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 11mm (M), 10mm (W) |
The Diadora Mythos Blushield Vigore 2 is as plush as it is stylish. These luxurious sneakers offer an uncanny combination of comfort, stability and energy return. Few shoe designs give you all three: Soft, stable shoes typically feel sluggish on your feet, like walking in wet sand. While the Mythos Blushield Vigore does pay a weight penalty for its padding—the men’s shoe weighs in at 11.5 ounces, and the women’s comes in at 9.2 ounces—its elaston EVA footbed is thick, plush and springy, so your foot sinks in at touchdown and helps you spring back at toe-off.
A soft, chunky midsole sits beneath the footbed, and Diadora’s TRX stability system controls all that foam by separating the forefoot from the heel counter. Together with a soft and snug-fitting engineered mesh upper, the Mythos Blushield Vigore’s combination of plushness and stability makes you want to head out for a walk.
Q+A With Running Shoe Expert Michael Charboneau
Supremely cushioned footbed Runner's World and other publications; when he's not writing, he's usually biking, hiking, and running in the mountains around Los Angeles, where he lives.
A former Division 1 runner, Dan grew up riding fixies and mountain bikes and now reviews everything from performance running shoes to road and cross bikes, to the latest tech for runners and cyclists at Bicycling and Runner’s World.
