Our verdict

In the realm of walking shoes, we consider the Skechers GOwalk series a godsend. With comfort woven into every aspect of these shoes, we found the women's GOwalk Joy is no exception. As a slip-on walking shoe that is super easy to put on and take off, it is an attractive option for those on the go. Despite its low price point, this Skechers shoe exceeded our expectations with its comfort. It truly felt like an extension of our foot even on the longest walks.

Pros

  • Very easy to put on and off
  • Fits the foot closely
  • Extremely lightweight
  • Well-cushioned for all-day wear
  • Marshmallowy plush sole
  • Highly flexible
  • Comfortable from the box
  • Minimal design

Cons

  • Less breathable than seems
  • Poor sole durability
  • Not supportive
  • Slippery on wet

Audience verdict

91
Great!

Who should buy

We think that this cozy slip-on can be a worthy addition to your shoe rotation if:

  • you prefer hassle-free slip-ons to the traditional laced sneakers
  • you need a comfortable walking shoe for long walks and traveling
  • you like shoes to be so light that you forget about having them on
  • you want a simple yet elegant design from Skechers

Skechers GOwalk Joy review

Who should NOT buy

The GOwalk Joy doesn't offer any arch support or additional stability components. Its plush midsole can be a problem for people with flat feet and/or overpronation.

If you are someone who needs that kind of support for your foot arches and ankles, consider Skechers Arch Fit instead.

Skechers GOwalk Joy lab test

Breathability

The GOwalk Joy has a fairly thin mesh upper with wide ventilation pores. A perfect formula for breathability, right?

Well, apparently not in this case. We were quite surprised when this Skechers shoe failed to meet our expectations. In our smoke-pumping machine test, we saw that the shoe's fabric didn't let the smoke pass so easily. The reason for that is the tightly woven inner lining which feels more like an extra sock.

Thus, on a 1-5 scale, where 5 is the most breathable, we only rated the GOwalk Joy's breathability as 2.

However, this doesn't mean that the shoe is toasty. We could still feel a cooling breeze on warm summer days. But it just wasn't as ventilated as we thought it would be given how breathable it looks.

It is also evident from our transparency test that the inner lining below the mesh holds back the airflow.

You can also see from our microscope shot below that there is a thicker fabric layer underneath the mesh.

Skechers GOwalk Joy microscope 2

Test results
GO WALK Joy 2
Average 2.8
Compared to 26 walking shoes
Number of shoes
1
Breathability
5

Durability

Toebox durability

Judging by the shoe's dainty construction, we wouldn't expect it to last longer than the average walking shoe. And yet, the GOwalk Joy held up to our demanding Dremel test pretty well!

After 4 seconds of drilling its toebox with a Dremel, we only scratched the upper mesh layer but never got through the inner padding. For that reason, we gave this Skechers shoe a well-deserved 3 out of 5 score for toebox durability.

Test results
GO WALK Joy 3
Average 3
Compared to 20 walking shoes
Number of shoes
1
Toebox durability
5

Heel padding durability

Back in the heel, the shoe's padding and lining didn't do so well in the same Dremel test.

The damage here was much more detrimental than that in the toebox. Thus, the heel padding got a lower durability score of 2.

Skechers GOwalk Joy heel padding durability test

Test results
GO WALK Joy 2
Average 2
Compared to 19 walking shoes
Number of shoes
1
Heel padding durability
5

Outsole hardness

The exposed foam is SO soft on the GOwalk Joy that it showed a reading of 51.4 HC on our durometer. For reference, that's a whopping 45% softer compared to the average of walking shoes!

Unfortunately, in a duel between concrete pavement and soft foam, the latter is less likely to be the winner.

Skechers GOwalk Joy Outsole hardness
Test results
GO WALK Joy 51.4 HC
Average 75.8 HC
We use an average of four tests. The photo shows one of those tests.
Compared to 26 walking shoes
Number of shoes
50.1 HC
Outsole hardness
92.0 HC

Outsole durability

Of course, it was no surprise to see our Dremel get through the GOwalk Joy's sole like it was a piece of butter.

The depth of the dent created by our Dremel was insanely large. Using a tread gauge, we measured it at 3.72 mm, more than 2 mm deeper than average!

Skechers GOwalk Joy outsole durability test

If you wear this pair of Skechers daily, we anticipate that it will only last one summer.

Test results
GO WALK Joy 3.7 mm
Average 1.4 mm
Compared to 19 walking shoes
Number of shoes
0.0 mm
Outsole wear
2.0 mm

Outsole thickness

Having zero rubber to cover up the shoe's foam midsole is a huge red flag for durability (or lack thereof).

Test results
GO WALK Joy 0.0 mm
Average 2.6 mm
Compared to 26 walking shoes
Number of shoes
0.0 mm
Outsole thickness
5.9 mm

Weight

Imagine holding a 200ml cup of coffee in your hand. Now imagine that the Skechers GOwalk Joy is even lighter than that!

Weighing the shoe in a women's US size 11, we got as little as 6.8 oz (193g). This is practically weightless compared to the average of walking shoes!

Skechers GOwalk Joy Weight
Test results
GO WALK Joy 6.17 oz (175g)
Average 9.59 oz (272g)
Compared to 26 walking shoes
Number of shoes
6.17 oz (175g)
Weight
14.25 oz (404g)

Cushioning

Heel stack

Believe it or not this seemingly minimal Skechers shoe has the same amount of cushioning as many other walking shoes. It was even enough to keep us comfortable for the entire 10-hour wear test.

Skechers GOwalk Joy heel cushioning

Using a caliper, we measured the shoe's heel stack at 32.7 mm. This is a typical stack height for the brand's GOwalk shoes.

Skechers GOwalk Joy Heel stack
Test results
GO WALK Joy 32.7 mm
Average 32.6 mm
Compared to 26 walking shoes
Number of shoes
11.2 mm
Heel stack
45.7 mm

Forefoot stack

The shoe also has a good amount of cushioning in the forefoot. We got a measurement of 23.2 mm under the toes.

Skechers GOwalk Joy Forefoot stack
Test results
GO WALK Joy 23.2 mm
Average 21.7 mm
Compared to 26 walking shoes
Number of shoes
5.5 mm
Forefoot stack
31.2 mm

Drop

Given the difference in stack heights, the shoe has a moderate drop of 9.5 mm.

This means that your heel sits a little higher than the toes inside the shoe and, consequently, gets more cushioning. That way, when you take a step and land on the heel, it feels very well-cushioned and protected from the impact.

Skechers GOwalk Joy Drop
Test results
GO WALK Joy 9.5 mm
Average 11.0 mm
Compared to 26 walking shoes
Number of shoes
5.7 mm
Drop
21.4 mm

Midsole softness

Note: a low durometer measurement equals a soft material, whereas a high measurement means it's firm.

Skechers and plushness have long become synonyms to us. The brand uses its popular 5GEN foam as the primary cushioning for the GOwalk Joy.

Skechers GOwalk Joy Midsole softness

We measured its softness with a durometer and it returned 19.4 HA. Compared to the average of walking shoes, this is a whole 30% softer! If you can imagine walking on a huge marshmallow, that's probably the most accurate description of this shoe's cushioning.

Test results
GO WALK Joy 19.4 HA
Average 25.0 HA
We use an average of four tests. The photo shows one of those tests.
Compared to 26 walking shoes
Number of shoes
7.8 HA
Midsole softness (soft to firm)
32.9 HA

Insole thickness

Additionally, the cushioning is enhanced with the Goga Max insole. This insert felt ultra plush and adapted to the shape of our feet from the start.

We measured its thickness at 4.5 mm in the heel.

Skechers GOwalk Joy Insole thickness
Test results
GO WALK Joy 4.5 mm
Average 5.8 mm
Compared to 26 walking shoes
Number of shoes
3.5 mm
Insole thickness
10.3 mm

Stability

Lateral stability test

The Skechers GOwalk Joy is designed as a neutral shoe through and through. That means no arch support and no stabilizers whatsoever!

This shoe follows the natural movement of your foot, bending and adjusting to your foot's gait as you go. It was a very pleasant experience for us, making it feel like we stepped out the door in a pair of bedroom slippers.

However, for people with flat feet/overpronation, wearing this shoe can turn into an ankle-rolling disaster, and to them, we recommend the more supportive Skechers Arch Fit series instead.

Torsional rigidity

Twisting this Skechers shoe in our hands made it feel like it had absolutely no "spine." With its high degree of softness and flexibility, the GOwalk Joy gets the lowest score for torsional rigidity - only 1 out of 5.

Test results
GO WALK Joy 1
Average 2.7
Compared to 26 walking shoes
Number of shoes
1
Torsional rigidity
5

Heel counter stiffness

What's more, the shoe has absolutely no structure in the heel counter. If you are used to having a firm heel hold at the back of the foot, this Skechers shoe is the complete opposite of that.

On a scale from 1 to 5 where 5 is the stiffest, we obviously rated it as 1. The GOwalk Joy proves its similarity to a house slipper once again!

Test results
GO WALK Joy 1
Average 2.2
Compared to 26 walking shoes
Number of shoes
1
Heel counter stiffness
5

Midsole width in the forefoot

Even if you have a neutral gait and no issues with pronation, you still need a wide enough landing surface to feel surefooted as you go through your day.

We found that the sole of this Skechers shoe is adequately wide. Measuring the widest part of the forefoot with a caliper, we got a reading of 104 mm. But if you need a slightly wider platform, have a look at the Skechers GOwalk 6 which is about a centimeter wider at 114.5 mm.

Skechers GOwalk Joy Midsole width in the forefoot
Test results
GO WALK Joy 104.0 mm
Average 111.4 mm
Compared to 26 walking shoes
Number of shoes
98.8 mm
Midsole width in the forefoot
124.1 mm

Midsole width in the heel

In the widest part of the heel, we got a caliper measurement of 89.1 mm. That's a pretty standard heel width for our lab-tested walking shoes.

Skechers GOwalk Joy Midsole width in the heel
Test results
GO WALK Joy 89.1 mm
Average 89.5 mm
Compared to 26 walking shoes
Number of shoes
75.6 mm
Midsole width in the heel
102.2 mm

Flexibility

Stiffness

At this point of the review, you probably wouldn't be very surprised if we told you that the GOwalk Joy is in the top 15% of most flexible walking shoes in our catalog!

Using a force gauge, we measured how much force it takes to bend this Skechers shoe to a 90-degree angle. Turns out, it only takes 7.5N! That's a whopping 140% less than it takes a walking shoe on average!

Test results
GO WALK Joy 7.5N
Average 20.4N
We use an average of four tests. The video shows one of those tests.
Compared to 26 walking shoes
Number of shoes
1.1N
Stiffness
52.7N

Grip / Traction

We strongly recommend staying away from slick and wet surfaces while wearing this Skechers GOwalk shoe. It has no rubber to create traction on slippery ground and the exposed foam certainly does an awful job with that.

Skechers GOwalk Joy Lug depth

Size and fit

Toebox width at the widest part

In our experience, the GOwalk Joy fits exactly as expected and true to size.

Measuring the widest part of the toebox, we got 97.9 mm. This is an average walking shoe width in a women's US size 11.

Skechers GOwalk Joy Toebox width at the widest part

What's also great about the shoe's upper is that it stretches. As the temperatures rose around noon and our feet began to swell, the fabric expanded just enough to accommodate our swollen feet.

Test results
GO WALK Joy 97.9 mm
Average 98.5 mm
Compared to 26 walking shoes
Number of shoes
89.5 mm
Toebox width at the widest part
103.1 mm

Toebox width at the big toe

Another thing that makes the shoe's toebox quite comfy and accommodating is the fact that it's not tapered. Measuring the upper width around the big toe, we got 77.9 mm, which is the same as the average.

Skechers GOwalk Joy Toebox width at the big toe
Test results
GO WALK Joy 77.9 mm
Average 77.5 mm
Compared to 21 walking shoes
Number of shoes
73.7 mm
Toebox width at the big toe
82.0 mm

Tongue: gusset type

As a slip-on walking shoe, the Skechers GOwalk Joy has a one-piece upper that wraps around the foot like a sock.

Skechers GOwalk Joy Tongue: gusset type
Test results
GO WALK Joy Sock like

Comfort

In-shoe comfort

You should not worry about a break-in period with this GOwalk shoe at all. As long as the size is right, the Joy feels incredibly comfortable straight from the box.

Skechers GOwalk Joy mesh

Tongue padding

Because there is no tongue in the GOwalk Joy, we measured the thickness of the upper material instead.

The caliper returned 2.5 mm which is an average thickness for a Skechers slip-on shoe. It feels amazingly light against the instep.

Skechers GOwalk Joy Tongue padding
Test results
GO WALK Joy 2.5 mm
Average 4.9 mm
Compared to 26 walking shoes
Number of shoes
0.3 mm
Tongue padding
11.5 mm

Heel tab

It was pretty quick and easy for us to slip in and out of the Skechers GOwalk Joy in the first place. But there’s also a handy pull tab on the back of the collar which makes it even easier.

That's one of the reasons why we recommend the GOwalk Joy as a travel shoe. It is super convenient to slip off at the TSA security gate or while you are on a plane/train/bus. It is also light and flexible enough to be packed into a carry-on.

Skechers GOwalk Joy Heel tab
Test results
GO WALK Joy Finger loop

Removable insole

IF you need to level up the comfort with a custom insole, you can easily do that by removing the default insert.

Skechers GOwalk Joy Removable insole
Test results
GO WALK Joy Yes