Best Walking Shoes

In a Hurry? Editors choice:
New Balance MX608V4
Test Winner: New Balance MX608V4
Amazon Link
Walking is a great activity that can help you relax and gets you outside to enjoy the scenery and gets you to do some low-impact exercise that’s great for your heart. If you are planning on walking often, then you’ll want to make sure your feet feel comfortable and supported so that you can continue to pursue the activity and get yourself into shape. Walking shoes can greatly increase the comfort your feet feel when you are out on the roads or trails. If you have foot problems, walking shoes can provide you with the support and assistance you need so that you won’t feel pain or fatigue and won’t have to take a break from your activities.

Standout Picks

New Balance MX608V4
If you’ve got any foot problems and are searching around for the perfect pair of walking shoes, then you might want to check out New Balance’s MX608V4 Training Shoe. This shoe is made to give you the perfect fit and adjust to your feet. You’ll love all the comfort, support, and stability you get with these shoes.
Amazon Link
Adidas NEO Cloudfoam Race
Adidas is a brand that is well known for creating high-quality outdoor and active wear, and their NEP Cloudfoam shoes meet this standard. You’ll get great cushioning and stability in this shoe’s high-quality design, which will protect your feet on any walks you want to take. Also, the high-quality design you’ll get if you purchase these shoes offers a lot of durability, which is a nice bonus.
Amazon Link
Skechers Performance Go Walk 4 Pursuit
Made to be lightweight, comfortable, and breathable, the Sketchers Performance Women’s Go Walk 4 Pursuit Walking Shoe will give you a lot of protection for your long walks. Made to be breathable and comfortable, you’ll like the high-quality design found in this shoe. Plus, this shoe offers a lot of assistance for people with foot problems.
Amazon Link
$51.95
ASICS GEL-Tech Walker Neo 4
ASICS designed their Neo 4 Walking Shoes to have styles for both men and women, and the fit and functionality of the shoe gives you a lot of comfort even for very long walks. While these shoes are a bit more expensive and not quite as fashionable as some other options, you’ll still get a nice, durable shoe that will give you the high-quality performance you want, and the are stable enough to help people with foot problems.
Amazon Link
Reebok Work N Cushion 2.0
Reebok’s Work N Cushion 2.0 Walking Shoes are great for people looking for a decent, versatile workout shoe that also provides great cushioning and support whenever you want to go for a walk. This shoe is so stylish it also works well to wear on casual outings, since it has a very fashionable look. You’ll also get all the cushioning and stability you need with the design of this shoe.
Amazon Link
Saucony Grid Omni
Saucony is a great gear manufacturer that is well-known for making high-quality walking shoes. Their Saucony Grid Omni Walking Shoe meets this bill, and offers a lot of comfort and stability in its excellent design. Designed for long walks or long days on your feet, these shoes will help keep your feet comfortable and going strong all day long.
Amazon Link
Dream Pairs
Dream Pairs is becoming increasingly more popular in their development of shoes, and these shoes are another great product from this manufacturer. Made to be both comfortable and breathable, you’ll get the stability and support you need on your long walks. Also, designed to slip on easily, you’ll get a shoe that’s easy to use and brings you a lot of cushioning.
Amazon Link
New Balance 577
Designed with a leather exterior, these shoes will both look good and feel good anytime you want to talk a walk. Also, the shoes are easy to get on and off by design, and give you the cushioning and support you’ll need to keep your feet happy. You’ll also get plenty of ventilation with these shoes as you walk, which helps cut back on other potential foot problems.
Amazon Link
$55.95
ASICS Gel-Quickwalk 3
ASICS is a brand that is known for providing excellent outdoor products, and focuses on promoting a healthy and happy lifestyle through high-quality products and excellent customer service. Their shoes are some of the best products they make, and the ASICS Women’s Gel-Quickwalk 2 Walking Shoe is no exception. These shoes are made to be very comfortable and fashionable, and will give you everything you need to enjoy your walks.
Amazon Link
New Balance 840V3
New Balance is another brand that’s well-known for making great walking shoes, and what they offer in their 840V3 certainly fits this bill. They have a high-quality design that offers people a lot of comfort and stability even when you go on very long walks, or plan on being on your feet all day long. And if you are looking for a shoe that’s got a great cushioning system, then this might be the pair of walking shoes you’ll really want.
Amazon Link

Criteria Used for Evaluation

Comfort

The comfort of your shoe will really depend on how well the cushioning system is designed inside of your shoe, and exactly what you need to help give you the support and stability you need. While the products on our list above all offer decent cushioning systems, many people are quite selective about the amount of cushioning they want or need in their shoes. Some feel more comfortable with more cushioning, while others feel less comfortable with it. Whatever your final choice is, just make sure that you select shoes that can accommodate any foot problems you might have, or help you avoid foot issues in the future.

Some of the cushioning systems on our list were built to conform to your foot and mold so that you get the best fit possible. EVA is the technology typically used on the interior of the shoe to help create this ability for the shoe, and if you do need extra stability and support, EVA is going to really help you out.

Style

When you consider the style and design of the shoes you want to purchase, you’ll need to figure out how important both style and fashion are to you before you buy anything. If you do really want a stylish shoe, we have listed a few options on our list that can suit that desire. However, if you wind up focusing on style over functionality, you might not get the pair of walking shoes that are best for your feet, especially if you have foot problems. So, you’ll need to consider what you need to do and what you want in style, but also balance that decision out by making sure you’ll get shoes that are designed to help you out with any foot problems you might already have. Design, on the other hand, can tell you a lot about the durability of the shoes and how well they’ll take care of your feet, which are also other important concepts.

Features

The features on a shoe are really defined by any bonuses you might get when you buy the product. Some shoes are slip-on without laces, and others use straps. Some have extra support and cushioning that will conform to your feet, while others don’t. Also, you’ll want to look at the arch and ankle support, especially if you are trying to accommodate foot problems. We also discussed the breathability of shoes when looking at features, which is another thing to consider if you want to avoid other potential foot problems.

Value

Value is important if you are shopping on a budget, or even if you aren’t, and we’ve discussed the type of value you’ll get if you purchase any of the products on our list. With value, we looked into the durability of the shoe and also how much cushioning and support you’d get if you bought the shoe. We factored in everything a shoe has to offer as well as covering what it would provide you with the price range.

Top Ten Walking Shoes

1. New Balance MX608V4

Where to buy
Amazon Link
New Balance MX608V4
Amazon Link

If you’ve got any foot problems and are searching around for the perfect pair of walking shoes, then you might want to check out New Balance’s MX608V4 Training Shoe. This shoe is made to give you the perfect fit and adjust to your feet. You’ll love all the comfort, support, and stability you get with these shoes.

Read more

Comfort:

Designed with a rubber sole and a dual density collar, you’ll get a great shoe that’s well cushioned, ready to conform to your foot, and great at absorbing shock while you walk. This shoe is designed to help people with foot problems, and even if you don’t fall into that category, you’ll love how well this shoe feels.

Style and Design:

These New Balance shoes do come in a wide variety of colors, which is great if you are looking to match your shoes to a specific work out suit. They are designed more for functionality than style, however, and aren’t going to give you a fancy appearance. Regardless, they do get the job done.

Features:

Made with a flexible IMEVA midsole, you’ll get cushioning that’s flexible and ready to adjust to your feet. These shoes also bring you a very thick rubber sole, which is one of the reasons they are so great for people who do have foot problems.

Value:

Considering all the support, stability, and cushioning you get with these shoes, you’ll get everything you need in a shoe that’s priced very affordably. These shoes also offer a lot of durability and are built to last, so you’ll get a lot of use out of them.

Amazon Link

2. Adidas NEO Cloudfoam Race

Where to buy
Amazon Link
Adidas NEO Cloudfoam Race
Amazon Link

Adidas is a brand that is well known for creating high-quality outdoor and active wear, and their NEP Cloudfoam shoes meet this standard. You’ll get great cushioning and stability in this shoe’s high-quality design, which will protect your feet on any walks you want to take. Also, the high-quality design you’ll get if you purchase these shoes offers a lot of durability, which is a nice bonus.

Read more

Comfort:

Designed to be both light and comfortable, you’ll get a great and comfortable shoe. You’ll get the additional bonus of a nice traction system tied into a high-quality cushioning system, which can greatly assist you when you walk. With a nice cushioning system and plenty of support while you walk, you won’t mind hitting the trails in these shoes.

Style and Design:

Designed to offer a lot of ventilation and breathability, these shoes will help cut back on blisters and chaffing since you don’t need to worry about sweat building up on the interior of these shoes, and creating other feet problems. It is also designed to be very lightweight. There is a strong focus on functionality with this shoe’s design over style, but you still get the look of a traditional walking shoe.

Features:

The unique cloud foam sock liner that’s designed into this shoe will give your feet a lot of extra cushioning and support. Also, you get a seamless toecap with this shoe, which further helps protect your toes from uncomfortable rubbing or contact with seams.

Value:

This shoe is priced affordably, and offers you a lot of cushioning and superior durability. You’ll get to use these shoes for a long period of time, which means you’ll get a lot for you money, and one quality investment.

Amazon Link

3. Skechers Performance Go Walk 4 Pursuit

Where to buy
Amazon Link
$51.95
Skechers Performance Go Walk 4 Pursuit
Amazon Link

Made to be lightweight, comfortable, and breathable, the Sketchers Performance Women’s Go Walk 4 Pursuit Walking Shoe will give you a lot of protection for your long walks. Made to be breathable and comfortable, you’ll like the high-quality design found in this shoe. Plus, this shoe offers a lot of assistance for people with foot problems.

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Comfort:

Made with a 5GEN cushioning system, you get a very responsive cushioning system made to help absorb impact and also designed to conform to your feet. Plus, the cushioning system designed into this shoe is made to be antibacterial and antimicrobial, so it helps combat any additional foot problems that activity might create. Also, the lightweight design of these shoes helps to make them feel very comfortable.

Style and Design:

This shoe has a nice, unique appearance, and is quite stylish. It doesn’t have the appearance of your regular tennis shoe, although it is designed to give you all the comfort of a walking shoe. It comes in many colors, and has a nice, easy slip-on design. Since it is fashionable, it can be worn just about anywhere.

Features:

The midsole of these shoes is designed to give your feet extra arch support, which will help balance you out and give you the stability you need when you are on your walks. Also, with a comfortable mesh upper, these shoes breathe very well, which will also help prevent foot problems like blisters and chaffing, and keep your feet happy and dry.

Value:

The price of this shoe can range depending on the size and the color you want to purchase, but overall, these shoes are still very affordable for what you’ll get out of them. Plus, if you are really wanting something that looks stylish when you take your walks, then you’ll love the look of this fashionable shoe.

Amazon Link
$51.95

4. ASICS GEL-Tech Walker Neo 4

Where to buy
Amazon Link
ASICS GEL-Tech Walker Neo 4
Amazon Link

ASICS designed their Neo 4 Walking Shoes to have styles for both men and women, and the fit and functionality of the shoe gives you a lot of comfort even for very long walks. While these shoes are a bit more expensive and not quite as fashionable as some other options, you’ll still get a nice, durable shoe that will give you the high-quality performance you want, and the are stable enough to help people with foot problems.

Read more

Comfort:

ASICS designed their Women’s GEL-Tech Neo 4 Walking Shoe to be comfortable for anybody, even people that suffer from foot arthritis. There is impressive cushioning designed into these shoes, which will help give you the right amount of support and shock absorption. Designed for walking, you’ll be glad you have these shoes when you are out and on the go.

Style and Design: These shoes aren’t quite as fashionable as some of the other options on our list, and come in only two colors, white and black. If you’re looking for something with impressive style, you won’t get that with this shoe, but you will get a shoe that delivers impressive functionality.

Features:

Designed to be a very comfortable shoe with lightweight uppers and a lot of great cushioning, you’ll never have to worry about foot pain when you wear these shoes and walk distances. They are also made with mesh panels, which provides great breathability and ventilation, which means you won’t have to worry about your shoes rubbing or any additional sweat build-up.

Value:

These shoes are listed at a great price for what you’ll get with them, and you’ll love their comfortable feel. While they aren’t as affordable as some other options on our list, they still give you a high-quality shoe made for durability.

Amazon Link

5. Reebok Work N Cushion 2.0

Where to buy
Amazon Link
Reebok Work N Cushion 2.0
Amazon Link

Reebok’s Work N Cushion 2.0 Walking Shoes are great for people looking for a decent, versatile workout shoe that also provides great cushioning and support whenever you want to go for a walk. This shoe is so stylish it also works well to wear on casual outings, since it has a very fashionable look. You’ll also get all the cushioning and stability you need with the design of this shoe.

Read more

Comfort:

These shoes have a lot of cushioning and stability, which will help you avoid foot problems or keep going if you already have them. These shoes are made to prevent you from experiencing pain whenever you’re on your feet for a long period of time or taking a long walk, which is a great bonus for people that want their feet to feel great.

Style and Design:

These shoes are stylish, although if you’re really looking for something that’s striking, these aren’t going to fit that bill. They are designed to be fashionable for casual wear, and they are also highly functional.

Features:

Comprised out of synthetic materials, this shoe offers you a great rubber sole that’s designed to keep you going all day. It also has faux rubber on the outside of the shoe, which helps give it that stylish casual appeal we’ve described.

Value:

For what you’ll get if you decide to purchase this shoe, this is one affordable walking shoe. Plus, they are made by a great manufacturer, and will give you all the comfort and stability you need to get through your day while allowing your feet to feel great.

Amazon Link

6. Saucony Grid Omni

Where to buy
Amazon Link
Saucony Grid Omni
Amazon Link

Saucony is a great gear manufacturer that is well-known for making high-quality walking shoes. Their Saucony Grid Omni Walking Shoe meets this bill, and offers a lot of comfort and stability in its excellent design. Designed for long walks or long days on your feet, these shoes will help keep your feet comfortable and going strong all day long.

Read more

Comfort:

The cushioning in this shoe is fantastic, and designed around a heel-centered focus for extra balance and support as you walk. Made with Walk Trac outsole design technology, this shoe utilizes this technology to make your walking very smooth. You’ll also get an EVA rubber designed into this shoe, which will adjust to your feet and give you even more comfort while you are on the go.

Style and Design:

You won’t get a lot of options in colors or styles with these shoes, since they are made primarily for functionality. They do offer a wide variety of size and fitting choices, so even if they aren’t made with a focus on fashion, you can still find a size that will work great for you.

Features:

Made with an engineered Asymmetrical Sole, these shoes are designed to fit and adjust to your feet. They’ll be able to give you the stability and support you need when you are on the go walking, and help you out with your foot problems if you have them. And if you don’t have them, they’ll help prevent any uncomfortable issues with your feet.

Value:

Saucony has always been great at making high-quality products while keeping prices affordable, and this shoe is no different. For what you’ll get packed into this shoe’s design, this is a very affordable shoe, and a great investment.

Amazon Link

7. Dream Pairs

Where to buy
Amazon Link
Dream Pairs
Amazon Link

Dream Pairs is becoming increasingly more popular in their development of shoes, and these shoes are another great product from this manufacturer. Made to be both comfortable and breathable, you’ll get the stability and support you need on your long walks. Also, designed to slip on easily, you’ll get a shoe that’s easy to use and brings you a lot of cushioning.

Read more

Comfort:

These shoes don’t feature shoelaces, but they are still designed for excellent comfort and a great overall fit. With an elastic mesh area manufactured to help the shoes fit well even without laces, these shoes also have a great cushioning system built into them.
Also, these shoes are very flexible by design, and while the cushioning might feel thick at first, these shoes do a great job of conforming to your feet.

Style and Design:

These shoes have a nice, fluid look and are pretty stylish when compared to some of the other shoes on our list. You get a nice, casual looking shoe that can be worn to a lot of places easily, and you’ll get all the comfort you need. Plus, these shoes do come in different colors, so if fashion is a concern of yours, you’ll love these shoes.

Features:

Made with a padded collar and a very thick cushioning system, you’ll get ample protection from impacts when you walk, since these shoes are made to do a great job with shock absorption. Even with the extra thickness and padding, these shoes are still very comfortable.

Value:

These shoes are decently priced and not overly expensive, which makes them a nice choice, especially if you want a walking shoe with an innovative design. Also, these shoes are also very lightweight, and built to give you a lot of durability, so they are a good investment.

Amazon Link

8. New Balance 577

Where to buy
Amazon Link
$55.95
New Balance 577
Amazon Link

Designed with a leather exterior, these shoes will both look good and feel good anytime you want to talk a walk. Also, the shoes are easy to get on and off by design, and give you the cushioning and support you’ll need to keep your feet happy. You’ll also get plenty of ventilation with these shoes as you walk, which helps cut back on other potential foot problems.

Read more

Comfort:

Made to provide you excellent balance and stability, these shoes have a good cushioning system and excellent traction for all of your walks. Plus, they are also lightweight, and have a lot of great supportive features designed in them. They are great for people with foot problems, and they are also excellent for preventing foot problems even if you don’t have them.

Style and Design:

These shoes are designed more for functionality than for looks. There isn’t a huge focus on style, and instead what you’ll get is a traditional looking shoe if you select these shoes to purchase.

Features:

Made with a good ventilation system and feature mesh panels, you’ll be able to walk without feeling the sweat build up inside of your shoe. Also, these shoes come with straps if you don’t like dealing with laces, which helps to make it very easy to get them on and off.

Value:

These shoes are very affordable, and offer a lot for the price you’d pay to purchase them. You’ll get a lot of great cushioning and protection from them, and they are certainly worth the money you’ll pay for them.

Amazon Link
$55.95

9. ASICS Gel-Quickwalk 3

Where to buy
Amazon Link
ASICS Gel-Quickwalk 3
Amazon Link

ASICS is a brand that is known for providing excellent outdoor products, and focuses on promoting a healthy and happy lifestyle through high-quality products and excellent customer service. Their shoes are some of the best products they make, and the ASICS Women’s Gel-Quickwalk 2 Walking Shoe is no exception. These shoes are made to be very comfortable and fashionable, and will give you everything you need to enjoy your walks.

Read more

Comfort:

Designed with a cushioned midsole and a supportive upper, these shoes are made to give you the cushioning you’ll need and want when you are on your walks. The shoes are very breathable, so you’ll get great ventilation when you are walking, and also feature a plush collar tongue that adds a boost in comfort. These shoes also feature a gel cushioning system to help with shock absorption, which should make your walks very comfortable.

Style and Design: AHAR is designed into this shoe to make them very durable and abrasion resistant, so you know you’ll be getting a long-lasting show. Also, it offers great arch support for people that experience foot problems, and features a stylish and fashionable look.

Features:

These shoes are designed to be very lightweight, and should give you all the support and cushioning you need whether you like to walk or run. With the excellent shock absorption and extra cushioning protection, you’ll get a lot of great experiences out of these shoes.

Value:

These shoes are priced affordably, which is a nice benefit considering the quality you’ll get when you make your purchase. Plus, they are built to last a long time and offer all the comfort and support you’ll need while you walk, even if you are prone to experiencing foot problems.

Amazon Link

10. New Balance 840V3

Where to buy
Amazon Link
New Balance 840V3
Amazon Link

New Balance is another brand that’s well-known for making great walking shoes, and what they offer in their 840V3 certainly fits this bill. They have a high-quality design that offers people a lot of comfort and stability even when you go on very long walks, or plan on being on your feet all day long. And if you are looking for a shoe that’s got a great cushioning system, then this might be the pair of walking shoes you’ll really want.

Read more

Comfort:

Made with a full length EVA midsole, these shoes have a high-quality cushioning system that is made to fit the size of your feet perfectly, and will adjust to your feet as you wear them. Also, these shoes have ABZORB shock absorbing foam designed into the cushioning system, which is a technology that helps prevent your feet from feeling any impact as you walk. The ABZORB technology allows the cushioning system to absorb any impact as you walk, and then the cushioning system is designed to immediately bounce back into place, so it can take impact over and over again and still give you extra protection.

Style and Design:

These shoes are built more with functionality in mind than style, and there is nothing striking about their appearance. They look like a traditional walking shoe or tennis shoe, and come in only two colors. While they do have a nice appearance, there is nothing overly stylish about them.

Features:

This shoe features interior mesh liners that help increase the shoe’s ability to breathe, so you’ll get a great ventilation system designed into this shoe. You won’t have to worry about your feet feeling too hot or getting covered in your own sweat and then rubbing and possibly creating blisters. You’ll always feel comfortable in these shoes.

Value:

For what you’ll get if you purchase this shoe, this is really a great value. These shoes are n’t priced too high, and will give you all the comfort and support you need each time you want to take a walk. With an excellent fit and a high-quality design, you’ll be making a solid investment if you purchase these shoes.

Amazon Link

Sources

  1. Ryan Sabin, The Top 10 Best Walking Shoes, Informational Outdoor Website
  2. The Editors of Prevention, Top 10 Best New Walking Shoes, Informational Consumer Website
  3. Health.com, The Best Sneakers for Walking, Informational Outdoor Website