7 Best Walking Shoes in 2023

Only one pair got us head over heels when we tested for the ultimate slip-resistant walking shoe and that is Hoka Bondi SR. On the bottom surface, it creates an exceptional amount of friction against glassy surfaces that eradicates any chance of missteps and mishaps. Inside, it’s so inviting that we never want to wear anything but Bondi!

To learn more about the non-skid ability of Bondi, we made contact between our durometer and the outsole. With a 73.1 HC hardness flashed on the device, we learned two things: It is equally soft as the average and this allowed the shoe to cling hard on tiles and other smooth floors.

Aside from the slip protection, we also got our feet a home whenever we were out racking up the distance. We once again utilized our durometer, but this time we pressed it to the midsole, giving us a 20.4 HA softness, which is 20% softer than average. We also measured the tongue’s padding and a whopping 11.1 mm was recorded by our caliper. Not only did it surpass the average by 177.5% but the overall padding and cushioning rendered us more than satisfied, comfort-wise.

Too bad the Bondi’s upper did not emit the smoke we filled up its interior. Accordingly, we rated its breathability a 1/5, so if you plan on getting Bondi, make sure to use it bearing this information. Otherwise, we recommend choosing a more air-circulated pair.

Allbirds Tree Runners is unparalleled in being the superior walking shoe out there and its maximum-extent functionality is what won us over. For all-day wear, work, travel, and everything in between, this walking shoe is definitely number one. As if that isn’t enough of a reason, Tree Runners also stands out in sustainability and easy-to-slip-on convenience!

A forever and a day didn’t feel like a long time when we were in Allbirds Tree Runners. One reason we found for our painless long walks is its delightfully firm midsole. We validated what we felt through our durometer, which reflected a 29.6 HA hardness that’s slightly softer than the 31.2 HA average. 

Another factor that got us through the day with ceaseless comfort is the shoe’s breathability. While Allbirds Tree Runners only scored 3/5 on our breathability test, our bright light revealed its very porous upper, which allowed our feet to feel superb airflow. Correspondingly, this shoe is also super lightweight. With a weight of 8.6 oz (245g), it is 22% lighter than average.

Although our caliper measured the shoe’s insole to be 7.2 mm, which, by the way, is 38% more cushioned than average, we still felt like it lacked arch support. That being said, we do not recommend this pair to people who require extra supportive shoes.

In our search for the best walking shoe for standing all day, we looked for a shoe that feels amazingly soft yet secure on foot. Based on our time spent in the shoe and in the lab where we thoroughly tested it, the Hoka Transport is just that! It does all this with its perfectly balanced cushioning which comes in a very secure package.

We found it perfect for spending full days on our feet. It's plush underfoot but not squishy at all. Our lab tests confirmed this: we pressed a durometer against its midsole foam and it scored 21.9 HA, making it 23% softer than an average walking shoe while still providing a sufficiently firm platform to stand on.

What seals the deal when it comes to this well-balanced cushioning is that we felt no wobbling! No wonder, given that it is 45% stiffer than the average walking shoe. We tested this with our force gauge that showed 30.4N when we bent the shoe to 90 degrees. The semi-gusseted tongue and relatively stiff heel counter also helped us feel more secure in the Hoka Transport.

We do not recommend Hoka Transport to those who live in warm climates. As shown in our breathability test, this shoe is less breathable than average. Hello, sweaty feet!

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.

A shoe that can make 12 hours of walking a breeze? We believe that the On Cloudnova Form perfectly matches that request. Generously cushioned and more supportive than the other On shoes, it kept us comfortable all day long. Accompanied by a cozy in-shoe feel and a breathable upper, we believe that On hit a sweet spot with this Cloudnova. Even if it means a higher price point.

Skechers Summits is the best lightweight walking shoe we ever put on our feet and brought back to our lab. Apart from its nearly weightless feel, we are especially pleased with the plump footbed combined with the memory foam that provides a delicate sensation underfoot.

There is no doubt that the weightlessness of Skechers Summits brought us bliss. What’s interesting is that this airiness also manifested in our lab when we weighed the shoe. Our scale registered a 6.95 oz (197g) weight, 23.6% lighter than the mean.

Even though Summits is as light as a feather, on our feet, it never felt like it cut back on cushioning. To be sure, we probed its midsole and measured its thickness with our caliper. It’s 36.4 mm at the heel, which puts the average behind by 16.7%, and 20.6 mm at the forefoot, which is just around the 20.8 mm average. These stack height values resulted in a 15.8 mm drop, which provided us with a substantial footbed.

What made our underfoot experience even special is the shoe’s very plush midsole. We stuck our durometer against it and got a 21.1 HA measurement, which suggests that it’s 17.3% softer than average. On the flip side, we aren’t thrilled with the softness of the Summit’s outsole, which we found to be 53 HC. This is 27.5% softer than average, indicating a weaker outsole. True enough, our Dremel tool easily ate the material away, leaving a 2.5 mm dent, 1 mm deeper than in the other shoes. Therefore, we advise picking up pairs with harder outsole if you prioritize durability.

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.