7 Walking Shoes With The Best Traction in 2025

The ASICS Gel Nimbus 27 is joint-friendly through its abundant cushioning and enhanced, slip-resistant control. Lab results show it combines the unwavering grip of Hybrid ASICSGRIP rubber with its wide and stable base to keep us in control of our footing. We could walk around mindlessly all day with its exceptional combination of support and comfort, making it our best high-traction walking shoe.

In our wet-condition test, we recorded a strong friction score of 0.84. Gel Nimbus 27 earned one of the highest ratings we’ve seen and shows 78.7% stronger traction than average! Whether dealing with rainy sidewalks or smooth tiles, the outsole keeps a strong hold of our footing.

Gel Nimbus 27 suits its name with its skyscraper 42.7/34.4 mm stack. Besides its bottomless cushioning, the foam itself reduces impact 22.5% better than average with its strong 136 SA score in our shock absorption test.

Despite its height and softness, the wide base and sidewalls boost our surefootedness. Our calliper reveals a massive 119.5/99.8 mm platform, explaining why each touchdown feels steady and secure.

However, its bulky midsole comes at the expense of flexibility. Gel Nimbus 27 feels slightly stiffer than we’d hope, so we can’t recommend it to people who prefer a natural underfoot sensation.

The Hoka Bondi SR offers enhanced control and surefootedness through its superior grip and wide, stable base. It features a monstrous cushion that takes care of our feet, making it a comfortable place to be in during long shifts of walking and standing. Through wear and lab tests, we back up the SR in its name, as it is our best slip-resistant, high-traction walking shoe.

Whether we deal with spilled water on the kitchen floor or inclined snowy streets, the Bondi SR was locked in and did not yield to slips. Our traction test shows an elite score of 0.77, making it a mind-blowing 67.4% grippier than average! Our lab result cements its title with zero doubts.

The Bondi SR has generous rubber coverage due to its massive 124.1/102.2 mm base. It’s one of the widest we’ve ever measured in the lab! Besides extensive rubber to grip the ground, it also allows us to find our footing well so that we don’t lose our balance.

The midsole offers strong all-day support with its generous 39.4/31.2 mm cushioning. With so much foam beneath our feet, we could spend long hours on foot without feeling too tired.

With traction as its priority, the outsole has a higher risk of premature wear. It showed its vulnerability in our Dremel test when it got damaged 148.0% more than average.

The On Cloudtilt keeps fatigue at bay through premium cushioning in a lightweight frame. Lab evaluations reveal its generous height and strong shock absorption in the midsole, while its outsole hits the sweet spot, offering both reliable traction and durability. Ultimately, it’s perfect for all-day wear among high-traction walking shoes.

Cloudtilt carries its name well, with a minimal build that makes us feel like gliding. Its light 9.4 oz (266 g) build makes hitting our daily step count effortless, moving naturally with our feet.

Cloudtilt feels well-cushioned, and our calliper confirms a generous 35.5/26.8 mm stack height. Besides its foam thickness, it effectively reduces the forces of each landing, offering a gentler experience to our muscles and joints. In our shock absorption test, it excelled with a strong 132 SA score, 18.9% above average. The CloudTec technology also enhances the overall sensation of the shoe with softness and bounce.

The outsole shows superior performance in our lab tests, proving it offers the best of both worlds. In our traction test, we recorded a highly reliable 0.47 score. Meanwhile, our Dremel shorn off 57.1% less rubber than average, proving it will last longer.

Unfortunately, the thick fabric in the upper limits Cloudtilt’s ventilation. Therefore, we cannot recommend prolonged wear in hot and humid weather.

Delivering both unwavering support and grip in our strolls, the ASICS Gel Kayano 32 instantly rose to the top of our list as the best stability high-traction walking shoe. Further lab evaluations show it features the 4D Guidance System and a broad base, which helps guide our foot alignment. Its superb traction offers more control, while its strong impact protection keeps fatigue away.

The 4D Guidance System offers effective arch support in the midfoot area, with built-in sidewalls to help centre the ride. The platform is ultra-wide at 119.8/97.2 mm, ensuring we maintain our balance. The midsole is highly twist-resistant, proven by its maximum 5/5 torsional rigidity rating.

GK32 is proof that stability shoes can offer plush comfort. We confirmed its cloud-like touch when we recorded a high shock absorption score of 133 SA in the heel, cushioning our landings significantly compared to the 111 SA average walking shoe.

We assessed the Hybrid ASICSGRIP rubber in our traction test, and it skyrocketed to 0.84, one of the highest we’ve seen in the lab! At this level, it’s a mind-boggling 78.7% gripper than average! No room for doubt, we can confidently handle slippery tiles.

Amazingly, the outsole shows strong performance in our durability test, which is why we would’ve appreciated a thinner outsole to make the shoe less bottom-heavy. While the average rubber is 3.2 mm, GK32’s is 4.5 mm!

The Hoka Transport GTX is a reliable shield against harsh conditions, delivering an effective barrier in the upper and a protective, slip-resistant outsole underneath. Whether it’s walking in a sudden downpour of rain or dealing with wet, slippery tiles at work, the Transport GTX kept us dry and safe. We confirmed through lab assessments that it’s the best waterproof pair among high-traction walking shoes.

On top of the Gore-Tex membrane, we discovered a tightly woven and sturdy Cordura upper, which explains why zero smoke could pass through in our breathability test. We awarded it the lowest 1/5 rating, which is good news for waterproof shoes! During testing, our feet remained warm and dry during our encounters with cold and wet conditions.

We strutted the streets with confidence because of the Vibram rubber’s undeniable grip. Testing it using our traction test, it scored a solid 0.56, showing 21.7% stronger bite than average.

Transport GTX is perfect as a daily beater because of the all-around durability it proved in the lab. Our Dremel only damaged the outsole by 1.0 mm compared to the 1.4 mm average. It also exceeded the standard with a solid 4/5 durability rating in both the toebox and heel padding.

However, all the sturdy elements brought its weight down to 11.6 oz (330g). Those seeking a lightweight and agile option should look for alternatives.

The Cloud 5 Coast is here to make our lives easier with its collapsible heel and functional slip-on design. We found it wears its name proudly as it embodies the sea's breeze with its breathable and lightweight structure. If you love travelling, you're gonna adore the pliable materials of this On pair, as it curls up into a ball that will fit even in your most stuffed suitcase. Just forget about it if you have high insteps or wide feet!

If you're all into the dad-vibe shoes, the 608 v5 is gonna be your cup of tea. Its comfortable and supportive design will make your feet forget they've been working all day, and its trendy aesthetics will help you rock most outfits. As soon as we put it on, we could tell it was a New Balance pair thanks to its wonderful insole. So, if you're looking for a new walking companion and you don't have narrow feet, we believe you should give a chance to this excellent deal of a shoe!