7 Best Shoes For Walking On Concrete

While searching for the best concrete shoes, we looked for a shoe that’s tough enough to handle rough days on the job. We found what we were looking for in the Hoka Transport with its soothing cushioning, resilient outsole, and secure fit. These factors grabbed our attention when we tested them in the lab and on the streets, putting the Hoka Transport firmly above the rest.

The Hoka Transport’s cushioning felt heaven-sent as we pounded the streets in them. We looked into this further in our lab, where we pressed our durometer to its midsole to see how it compared to other shoes. We got a reading of 21.9 HA (after performing the test 4 times for improved accuracy), making it 23% softer than the average walking shoe - truly a gift for those who want to give their feet some pampering.

Since concrete can be a bit more abrasive than other surfaces, we found it great that the Hoka Transport’s sole is well-protected. Our durometer test on its outsole yielded a reading of 81.9 HC, making the shoe 13% firmer than the average. Even if something does make a dent, the Hoka Transport’s outsole is sufficiently thick to remove all worries about it wearing through. In the lab, we used our calliper to measure its thickness, giving us a figure of 3.7 mm which is impressive since the average walking shoe’s outsole thickness is at 1.7 mm.

Another thing we found amazing about the Hoka Transport is the way that it keeps feet locked in. After systematically pushing and prodding its heel counter, we gave its stiffness a reading of 3 out of 5 (where 1 is the most flexible), making it stiff enough to reliably resist ankle wobbling. We also found that it was able to embrace our feet well with its semi-gusseted tongue, giving us better lockdown.

One thing we must warn about is the Hoka Transport’s lack of breathability. It performed worse than the average walking shoe in letting air in and out, so we cannot recommend it for those who spend their days in sweaty conditions.

We walked and pounded the concrete streets for long hours and found Nike’s Motiva serves the ultimate comfortable experience. Our lab reveals why: it has generous and plush cushioning, a unique geometry that promotes seamless transitions, and a grippy and long-lasting outsole.

Motiva brought the clouds to the street through its above-average stack height with below-average density. Our calliper shows a 34.9 mm heel that absorbs much of repetitive landing impact. Meanwhile, our durometer unveils a plush 15.0 HA foam, explaining Motiva’s all-day comfort and leg-saving nature.

Motiva elevates comfort with its effortless, smooth strides, courtesy of its prominent rocker. It has raised curvy edges that lead us forward. To preserve this rocking motion, a level of resistance is needed. Upon checking with our bend test, Motiva is 43.1% more resistant than average.

Beneath the shoe is an outsole that blends traction and durability well. We had no issues with grip even on wet surfaces and the shoe barely had wear after extensive testing. Our lab confirms its compound is a tough 92.0 HC that’s 3.0 mm thick, both exceed the average and indicate a long lifespan.

Unfortunately, taking this shoe out on a hot day isn’t the best idea because of its subpar breathability. Best to use this during cooler seasons.

Hoka Clifton LS gave us exactly what we’re looking for when standing on hard surfaces for extended periods — an unbelievably cushioned, supportive, and durable platform. We wore and lab-tested the best concrete walking shoes and confirmed Clifton LS is the best for all-day wear.

Our feet can’t get enough of the generous foam that protects our legs from solid surface impact. We measured the stack with our calliper at an above-average 35.2/27.0 mm. The moderate rocker paved the way for smoother transitions.

Surprisingly, this monstrous beast feels steady on foot. It’s soft for all-day wear, yet firm enough to not collapse easily when we move laterally. Our durometer confirms a balanced 21.3 HA. The midsole offers a very generous landing platform, adding to our surefootedness. Its 122.8/95.5 mm heel and forefoot area is one of the widest in our lab.

Underfoot, the Durabrasion Rubber impressed us with its excellent traction and resistance to wear. In all our lab tests, the results point to a sturdy outsole. Our durometer shows an above-average 80.5 HC that’s 1.1 mm thicker than the average walking shoe. It performed with flying colours in our Dremel test by showing only 0.6 mm indentation, 60% more resistant than average.

The upper has real leather and suede parts for durability but at the expense of breathability. We find that Clifton LS isn’t ideal for warm weather.

Among walking shoes we tested on concrete, the KEEN WK400 proves it’s the best-rockered shoe. It paves the way for seamless and effortless strides, packed with luxurious comfort and toughness in its outsole.

The ride feels enjoyable thanks to its plush and responsive cushion. Our durometer reveals it’s 12.0% softer than average. Further delivering impact protection is its very generous 45.7 mm heel—one of the tallest we’ve ever seen. On the other end is a modest forefoot that leads to a staggering 21.4 mm drop. A steeper incline translates to smooth forward motions and less pressure on our Achilles and feet.

To boost stability, WK400 has a rigid plate beneath the midsole that also helps retain the KEEN CURVE's shape. This stiffness is essential in maintaining our forward momentum, and our bend test reveals it’s 60.8% more resistant than average.

Our lab tests show the rubber in the outsole is 12.7% harder and 2.4 mm thicker than average. Our observations further support its durability since it looked new despite rigorous testing. We also found it to be grippy and protective enough for moderate trails.

Our cut-in-half shoe reveals a dual-layer fabric in the upper, which explains why it lacks airflow on hot and humid days. Best to use this pair in moderate to cooler temperatures.

The Brooks Addiction Walker 2 delivered exceptional stability in our trials and comfort for prolonged wear, making it our concrete walking shoe with the best arch support. It displayed remarkable durability in our lab and sturdiness in its platform that promotes foot health, earning the approval of podiatrists.

The AW2 inspires surefooted strides even as our feet get tired. An Extended Progressive Diagonal Bar enhances support and minimises excessive movements, earning a 5/5 in stiffness, which helps maintain control. The midsole, measuring a balanced 25.9 HA, provides comfort without bottoming out.

The AW2 features a resilient framework, from its all-leather upper to its tougher-than-average 84.5 HC outsole. It bravely resisted our abrasion test, earning a 5/5 in toebox durability and sustaining 40.0% less damage than average in the outsole. As if that wasn’t enough, the rubber is 5.5 mm thick! It feels impossible to wear this shoe down.

Unfortunately, its durable build comes at the expense of weight. At 13.7 oz (388g), it felt like a drag vs. the 9.8 oz (277g) average walking shoe.

Steady pillowy landings and springy takeoffs are what we experienced in the On Cloudtilt. Its plush nature erases the harshness of concrete ground, making it our best-cushioned walking shoe for this type of surface. Moreover, our lab even shows the outsole is durable enough for rough ground.

Our durometer confirms the heavenly bliss our feet experienced with a 20.2 HA reading, 17.9% softer than average. As if that’s not enough, Cloudtilt stands at a sky-high 35.5/26.8 mm for unmatched impact protection. The CloudTec compression takes comfort to the next level by making the shoe feel softer than it is.

Despite its height, Cloudtilt feels light and stable. Our scales show it’s only 9.4 oz (266g), feeling effortless on foot compared to the average walking shoe (9.8 oz/277g). Further alleviating our worries is the wide 117.7/96.7 mm base, providing a secure feel with every step.

The tough 81.6 HC rubber covers the shoe’s high-wear areas in the outsole. It resisted our abrasion test fiercely and sustained minimal damage compared to average, cementing its durability.

However, we can only recommend this pair in cool weather because of the tightly woven upper’s lack of ventilation. Those who need more breathability should check other options.

We felt ultimately protected in our strolls while wearing the Hoka Transport GTX. It has a robust framework—from its tough Cordura upper to its rugged Vibram outsole—that can withstand any road and weather conditions while securing our strides. Based on our lab results, it’s the best waterproof concrete walking shoe.

Besides the effective Gore-Tex membrane, Transport GTX adds a tough fabric called Cordura. Combining the two creates an impenetrable barrier, as confirmed by our breathability test with the lowest 1/5 score. This makes it highly effective in keeping us warm and dry. Additionally, its 4/5 durability score makes it our shield.

The shoe’s tough construction enhances stability by containing unwanted twists and ankle rolls. Our manual assessment proves it strongly resists movement torsionally, earning the highest 5/5 score. Even in our bend test, it emerged 22.8% stiffer than average.

Beneath the midsole, the Vibram outsole does the dirty work. Our lab confirms its solid defence with an above-average 81.0 HC durometer reading and a thickness of 3.4 mm. Furthermore, it showed 33.3% less damage than average in our Dremel test, cementing its durability. 

However, its solid build is a heavy 11.6 oz (330g), 19.1% above average. If weightlessness is a priority, best to look elsewhere.