6 Best Fitness Walking Shoes, 20+ Shoes Tested in 2023

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6 Best Fitness Walking Shoes, 20+ Shoes Tested in 2023
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Lace-up with any of these fitness walking shoes to take your workout to a higher level. From established brands like Skechers, ASICS, and On to relatively new labels like OluKai and Propet, you have several great options to keep your long walks comfortable and enjoyable.

Depending on the weather or the terrain where you’ll walk, there’s a perfect pair of walking footwear for you. If you prefer lightweight, easy-to-wear style, and quick-dry ability shoes, then the OluKai Inana will definitely fit the bill. For more known brands, Skechers’ Arch Fit and On Cloud Nexus are the popular choices.

To help you get your ideal pair, we’ve tested and ranked all the best fitness walking shoes out there. Read in-depth reviews from experts and check out our top picks in different categories.

How we test walking shoes

Each shoe comes with specific functions and commercial features. To identify the top performers for this list, we’ve examined each model inside our independent shoe testing lab. We test the shoes in an actual walking regimen covering around 10000 steps for each pair.

These are the steps involved in our selection:

  • We purchase the fitness walking footwear ourselves. This is the best way to provide 100% unbiased reviews and top rankings.
  • To assess the shoe’s comfort, ankle support, breathability, and durability, we walk thousands of steps to get a first-hand impression and our final assessments.
  • We subject the shoes through a series of tests and scrutiny to check their cushioning technology, lacing system, heel protection, and all other key parameters.
  • We walk in these pairs on different surfaces to see each shoe's strengths and shortcomings.

In the end, we give each pair of fitness walking shoes a rating from 0 to 100. Go to the CoreScore to see the overall rating of a particular model.

Best fitness walking shoes overall

On Cloudnova
On Cloudnova

Corescore

91
Great!
4.5 / 5 from 497 users
88 / 100 from 5 experts

Pros

  • Perfect for all-day wear
  • Great travel shoe
  • Attractive design
  • Comfortable in-shoe feel
  • Fits well straight from the box
  • High quality
  • Weighs below average
  • 10% recycled materials

Cons

  • Pricey
  • Sole catches debris
  • Mid-cut is not for everyone

What makes it the best overall?

On Cloudnova is part of the brand’s athletic lifestyle series which packs all the right things from their running shoes to make a go-to daily beater. The Cloudnova exceeded the expectations of first-time purchasers. It has become many people’s favorite for its comfort and exclusive visual appeal.
Read our full review of On Cloudnova here
on cloudnova review
on cloudnova lab review

Best fitness Skechers walking shoes

Corescore

92
Great!
4.6 / 5 from 1,076 users
90 / 100 from 1 expert

Pros

  • Mind-blowing cushioning
  • Can be used for jogging
  • Helps to ease foot pain
  • Needs no break-in
  • Accommodating toebox
  • Breathable
  • Surprisingly lightweight
  • Machine-washable
  • Good-looking
  • Vegan

Cons

  • Lacks colorways
  • Tongue could be more padded

What makes it the best Skechers?

For those who want to get as much cushioning out of a Skechers shoe as possible, the Max Cushioning Elite - Destination Point is the way to go. It offers wearers heavenly underfoot comfort with its 2-inch heel thickness. A relief to many tired feet, the shoe also grabs attention with its visual aesthetic.
Read our full review of Skechers Max Cushioning Elite - Destination Point here

Best fitness walking shoes for plantar fasciitis

Skechers Max Cushioning Arch Fit
Skechers Max Cushioning Arch Fit

Corescore

91
Great!
4.6 / 5 from 2,882 users
N/A

Pros

  • Offers lasting comfort
  • Supportive footbed
  • Appealing design
  • Adds height to wearers
  • Alleviates pain
  • No break-in period
  • Attracts repeat buyers

Cons

  • Low collar section
  • Noticeable wear after a few months

What makes it the best for plantar fasciitis?

The Max Cushioning Arch Fit is an athletic-inspired shoe ideal for everyday walking. It is also a reliable work companion because of its sustained comfort. Moreover, this neutral walking shoe also provides ample support for flat-footed wearers. It also has an elevated sole unit and fashionable style that earned the admiration of many owners.
Read our full review of Skechers Max Cushioning Arch Fit here

Best fitness New Balance walking shoes

New Balance 624
New Balance 624

Corescore

86
Good!
4.3 / 5 from 1,179 users
N/A

Pros

  • Comfortable for walking
  • Available in multiple widths
  • Helps to relieve pain from plantar fasciitis
  • Affordable
  • Fits well with orthotics
  • No slipping or sliding
  • Good for moderate gym use
  • Approved for diabetes (A5500 code)

Cons

  • Laces are too long
  • Not many colorways

What makes it the best New Balance?

The New Balance 624 belongs to the brand’s long-standing silhouettes. Over the years, it has gained plenty of “believers” who claim it to be their 3rd, 6th, and even 20th(!) pair. With a classic dad-shoe appeal, it may not be a head-turner but it surely delivers comfort and support.
Read our full review of New Balance 624 here

Best value

On Cloud 5
On Cloud 5

Corescore

90
Great!
4.5 / 5 from 8,324 users
87 / 100 from 5 experts

Pros

  • Perfect for all-day wear
  • Unbelievably lightweight
  • Can do low-impact workouts
  • Amazing in-shoe feel
  • Very breathable
  • Super easy on-off
  • Great flexibility
  • Regular laces are added
  • Sustainable materials (44%)

Cons

  • Lacks durability
  • Outsole catches pebbles

What makes it the best value?

Numerous owners of the Cloud 5 commented that, thanks to this shoe, they finally understood the hype around this high-class footwear. It is a quality lifestyle shoe that shines as a daily driver and as an athleisure option. If you are someone living on the go, you will be delighted with its weightless construction and the ease of on-and-off. This shoe just disappears on the foot.
Read our full review of On Cloud 5 here
on cloud 5 lab review
on cloud 5 lab tested
Author
Laci
Laci

Laci is a contemporary dancer turned shoe aficionado. She is the most knowledgeable person when it comes to athletic shoes, size conversions and details people nitpick about footwear. She keeps the RunRepeat content gears turning 24/7. And she walks 20miles/week.