6 Best Trail Walking Shoes, 20+ Shoes Tested in 2023
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Be ready and let the next adventure on the trails begin with these high-performance trail walking shoes. If you like taking a stroll in the woods like many of us here at RunRepeat, we have exactly the perfect list for you of walking sneakers for the trails.
From a wide array of known and trusted brands like Adidas’ Terrex Voyager, Vibram’s Furoshiki, or Reebok’s Ridgerider series, just to name a few, these are walking shoes that are designed for the rugged trails and urban pavements, providing superb traction and water-repellent technology.
For all your trail walking footwear needs, we’ve rounded up and tested the best of trail-ready shoes available today in the market. Check out our top recommendations in various categories.
Table of contents How we test walking shoesBest overallBest for for standing all dayBest for heavy peopleBest New BalanceBest valueMost popularComparison
Overview
How we test walking shoes
From walking shoes intended for flat feet and plantar fasciitis to waterproof models, we’ve vetted and rated all the shoes for this selection. To identify the best pieces, we took the shoes to the local trails and some rugged paths to check their real-life performance.
The selection process involves:
- Buying all pairs of walking shoes for the trails using our own funds. This keeps us 100% brutally honest when publishing our in-depth reviews and top rankings of all the sneakers in the database.
- Evaluating each model’s actual fit, cushioning, water-resistance technology, supportive features, stability, motion control features, surface traction, and durability. We cover at least 10,000 steps for each shoe. We then come up with our final assessments.
- Scrutinizing all footwear through mechanical tests to assess their overall value and performance.
- Gathering more useful info and data from feedback given by other shoe experts and reviewing health-conscious community who have tried the shoes.
To conclude our guide, we assign all the trail walking shoes their respective ratings. Go straight to the highlighted CoreScore to find all the best-rated sneakers (from 0 to 100) on the list.
Best trail walking shoes overall
Adidas Terrex Voyager 21
Amazon
Prime & free shipping
$41
Zappos
Free shipping & returns
$46
REI
Free shipping
$70
Shoebacca
Free shipping & returns
$70
Corescore
Pros
- Good for light trails
- Reliable for long walks
- Shocking comfort
- True-to-size
- Breathable
- Has great grip
- Unbelievably light
- Stylish and fun colorways
- Easy to slide on and off
- Eco-friendly
Cons
- Mesh is fragile
- Long laces need tucking in
- Takes up luggage space
What makes it the best overall?
Adidas Terrex Voyager 21 is a must-have for traveling. Whether going on a vacation in the tropics or off to rugged terrain in the countryside, these reliable travel shoes have it all for your needs. The breathable meshed upper is secured with a bungee lace system, while the Traxion outsole provides grip and support like no other. Bonus: it is partly made of recycled materials!
Best trail walking shoes for for standing all day
On Cloud Hi Waterproof
On Running
Free shipping
$200
Amazon
Prime & free shipping
$200
Zappos
Running Warehouse
Corescore
Pros
- Perfect waterproofing
- Keeps the foot warm
- Secure lockdown
- Quick lacing
- Quality-made
- Protective
- Good-looking
Cons
- Tight and stiff
- Lacks traction
What makes it the best for for standing all day?
A slick high-top for cooler weather, the On Cloud Hi Waterproof keeps the foot dry and warm. This Swiss-quality shoe is 100% waterproof and can withstand rainy, slushy, and even snowy conditions. It fits snugly but is very supportive with its ankle-high collar.
Best heavy person trail walking shoes
Corescore
Pros
- Comfortable fit
- Highly durable
- Great quality-price ratio
- Suitable on various surfaces
- Nice brawny-looking design
- Easy to clean
- Excellent gift idea
Cons
- Heavy
- Lacks arch support
What makes it the best for heavy people?
The Reebok Ridgerider Leather suits the outdoors, be it for walking around the neighborhood or easy trails in the woods. It features a full-length rubber outsole with prominent lugs that help bite the ground during treks. Meanwhile, the leather upper provides a protective and supportive wrap. Despite calls for better arch support, the Ridgerider Leather has been commended for the comfort it offers during long walks.
Best New Balance trail walking shoes
Corescore
Pros
- Comfortable everyday wear
- Appealing design
- Easy to put on and take off
- Good quality-price ratio
- Ample cushioning
Cons
- Requires familiarization with lace loops
- Inadequate undefoot support
What makes it the best New Balance?
Most wearers marveled at the sufficient comfort the New Balance 669 v2 offers when worn on urban pavements and forest trails. Its design appealed to several purchasers too. On the downside, the need to add custom inserts to have more underfoot support has become an issue to some. Despite that, its positive traits coupled with moderate price won the admiration of many.
Best value
Reebok Ridgerider 6
Amazon
Prime & free shipping
$39
Shoe Mall
Free shipping
$70
Zappos
Running Warehouse
Corescore
Pros
- Road-to-trail design
- Cozy in-shoe feel
- Affordable
- Great value for money
- Excellent grip
- Lightweight
- Good-looking
Cons
- Not for slippery surfaces
- Non-removable insole
What makes it the best value?
The Ridgerider 6 from Reebok is a walking shoe that shines on rugged trails and urban pavements. It is highly praised for its running shoe-like comfort and durability comparable to that of a hiking shoe at a very budget-friendly price. The insole problem can be quickly remedied by adding your own set.
Most popular trail walking shoes
On Cloudaway
On Running
Free shipping
$140
Sun and Ski
Free shipping
$140
Getzs
Free shipping
$140
Amazon
Prime & free shipping
$150
Pros
- Versatile design
- Can handle all-day wear
- Exclusive look
- Surprisingly lightweight
- Sock-like fit
- Quick-to-adjust lacing
- Feels supportive
- Quite durable
- Good traction
- Uses recycled materials (20%)
- Reflective details
Cons
- Firm cushioning
- Lacks breathability
What makes it the most popular?
The Cloudaway is a unique hybrid shoe from On. It is a truly adventure-ready trainer that can accompany you from the urban jungle to the great outdoors. Its bold looks and quality craftsmanship have attracted many return customers. Not to mention that it is reasonably priced compared to its On counterparts.
