5 Best City Walking Shoes, 100+ Shoes Tested in 2023

Laci
Laci on
5 Best City Walking Shoes, 100+ Shoes Tested in 2023
We earn affiliate commissions at no extra cost to you when you buy through us.

Enjoy long walks in the city with these high-quality walking shoes from across different brands. Whether you need a new pair or two of go-to street shoes for active rest days or all-day wear, our team of shoe fanatics recommends a comprehensive selection of footwear that suits your needs.

In this guide, you’ll find top-rated pieces from trusted labels such as Skechers, On Cloud, K-Swiss, Merrell, and New Balance, as well as proven brands like OluKai, Propet, and Ryka. The extensive list includes well-cushioned and supportive pieces that deliver protection and comfort in your daily routine.

We’ve reviewed 130+ of the best city walking shoes available today in the market. Each shoe is thoroughly tested for our top recommendations, which we highlighted below for faster browsing.

How we test walking shoes

To make the top list, all the footwear in this category is subjected to lab and field tests. We gather all data from our testers, and also take into account the reviewing community in general. We then come up with our own final assessments and top rankings.

We follow these steps for this selection:

  • We procure all pairs of city walking footwear from our own pockets. This is our approach to keep our reviews 100% objective and unbiased.
  • After walking around 10000 steps in each shoe, we rate its out-of-the-box fit, comfort, ankle support, cushioning, breathability, and durability, among others. We compare notes and insights with other testers to get a consensus.
  • We put the shoes to the wear and tear of walking in the city. We double-check every essential parameter of each model. We further evaluate the pairs on a variety of surfaces to determine their strengths and weaknesses.

In the end, we assign each pair of city walking shoes an overall rating from 0 to 100. See the CoreScore to discover which models get higher ratings.

Best city 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 city walking shoes for flat feet

Skechers GOwalk Arch Fit - Iconic
Skechers GOwalk Arch Fit - Iconic

Corescore

90
Great!
4.5 / 5 from 15,379 users
N/A

Pros

  • Podiatrist-approved arch support
  • All-day comfort
  • Memory Foam padding
  • Easy on-and-off
  • Sock-like fit
  • Comfortable from the box
  • Breathable
  • Machine washable
  • Removable insole
  • Affordable

Cons

  • Heel sliding
  • Heavier than expected

What makes it the best for flat feet?

The GOwalk Arch Fit - Iconic offers the same versatile, casual style and time-tested pleasurable experience the brand is known for. It is a walking shoe that covers all the essentials when it comes to intense days at work, recovery periods, or long-distance walks.
Read our full review of Skechers GOwalk Arch Fit - Iconic here

Best city walking shoes for plantar fasciitis

K-Swiss Tubes Comfort 200
K-Swiss Tubes Comfort 200

Corescore

91
Great!
4.6 / 5 from 5,265 users
N/A

Pros

  • Comfortable for extended use
  • No break-in period needed
  • Helps a variety of foot conditions (plantar fasciitis and heel pain)
  • Does not tip the scale
  • Excellent ventilation
  • Budget-friendly
  • Stylish
  • Compliment-magnet

Cons

  • Limited colorways
  • Not durable
  • Lacks grip on wet surfaces

What makes it the best for plantar fasciitis?

Look good and feel good on the street with the Tubes Comfort 200 from K-Swiss! This model is one of the walking shoes that will be able to support your feet with its unique style. Also, with its lightweight construction and breathable design, you can go on with your day pleasantly.
Read our full review of K-Swiss Tubes Comfort 200 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.