7 Best Walking Shoes, 100+ Shoes Tested in 2023
Walking is rarely considered a fitness activity on its own. That’s why people usually go with their running shoes or gym trainers for taking strolls and getting around. And these shoes do get the job done in many cases.
But when your feet start craving for more comfort and support in your daily walks, it’s time to consider a dedicated walking shoe.
We have tested over 80 pairs of walking shoes to help you find the best one. Understanding that people may expect different things from their walking shoes, we have selected top picks in five different categories.
How we test walking shoes
We are a team of shoe fanatics who has dived into the nitty-gritty details of 250+ walking shoes from over 10 brands. Our specialists spend 7 hours per product on average, putting hundreds of user and expert reviews into a concise summary.
On the back-end, our proprietary algorithm collects all available user ratings for every shoe. The result comes back as a number from 0 to 100, which we call the CoreScore. Based on the users’ opinion only, it shows where the product stands compared to all other models.
Best walking shoes overall
CoreScore
- Top 6% in walking shoes
- Top 6% in cushioned walking shoes
- Top 3% most popular walking shoes
Pros
- Extra comfortable interiors
- Equally cozy in 40 and 85ºF
- Can be worn without socks
- Lightweight and packable
- Flexible sole
- Removable insoles
- Easy to style
- Machine washable
- Sustainable design
Cons
- No half sizes
- Lacks arch support
Verdict
Best walking shoes for flat feet
CoreScore
- Top 7% in walking shoes
- Top 10% in Skechers walking shoes
- Top 25% most popular walking shoes
Pros
- Excellent arch support
- Comfortable for all-day wear
- Fits good from the start
- Comes in Extra Wide
- Easy on-and-off
- Durable
- Light on the foot
- Machine-washable
- Easy to style
Cons
- Some prefer regular laces
- Not for rainy days
Verdict
Best slip-on walking shoes
CoreScore
- Top 2% most popular walking shoes
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
Verdict
Best walking shoes for all-day wear
CoreScore
- Top 4% in walking shoes
- Top 16% in OluKai walking shoes
Pros
- Sleek leather style
- Collapsible heel
- Comfortable in-shoe feel
- Well-made
- Worth the money
- Comes with a warranty
- Feels light on the foot
Cons
- Makes squeaky sounds
- Lacks breathability
Verdict
Best walking shoes for heavy people
Out of stock in all 52 shops
Skechers walking shoesCoreScore
- Top 13% in walking shoes
- Top 19% in Skechers walking shoes
- Top 21% most popular walking shoes
Pros
- Mind-blowing cushioning
- Can be used for jogging
- Helps to ease foot pain
- Needs no break-in
- Accommodating toebox
- Breathable
- Surprisingly lightweight
- Machine-washable
- Good-looking
- Vegan
Cons
- Lacks colorways
- Tongue could be more padded
Verdict
Best value
CoreScore
- Top 19% in walking shoes
- Top 18% in cushioned walking shoes
Pros
- Cozy in-shoe feel
- Relieves foot pain
- Comfortable for all-day wear
- Lighter than average
- Breathable mesh
- Easy on-and-off
- Machine-washable
Cons
- Laces can't be tied
- No arch support
Verdict
Most popular walking shoes
CoreScore
- Top 25% in On walking shoes
- Top 30% in Shoes for standing all day
- Top 1% most popular walking shoes
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
Verdict
3 types of walking shoes
Depending on how you are going to use your pair of walking shoes will help you decide on the kind of shoe you need. Here are the three most common categories of walking footwear based on their intended use:
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All-day wear
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Shoes in this range are meant for walking and standing all day long, be it for leisure, errands, fitness, casual outings, or a trip to Disneyland. They will keep you comfortable on concrete or any other urban surface, as well as cobblestone, and not too rocky trails. Additionally, you can consider running shoes designed for walking to expand your options. See our selection of comfy walking shoes for all-day wear. |
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Traveling
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These are lightweight, airy shoes that are barely noticeable on foot. Most of them have a slip-on design, which makes them easy to put on and take off. This footwear will cushion your feet in long airport lines, on sightseeing trips, and while meandering around your vacation spot. Check out the full list of travel walking shoes. |
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Work
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These models are meant for the workers of healthcare, food, and other essential industries. They typically come with a leather upper which makes them hard-wearing and easy to maintain. The outsole often features a slip-resistant characteristic to keep the wearer sure-footed on dusty and wet tile floors. Medical staff might specifically look into walking shoes for nurses. See our collection of footwear for work. |
Walking shoes for flat feet, plantar fasciitis, and other foot conditions
Do your feet have special needs?
Be it a proven condition like diabetes or just a periodic heel pain, your walking shoe should relieve discomfort and not aggravate it. Here are some general guidelines on what type of footwear to choose for various health issues:
Flat feet / Overpronation
- stabilizing components prevent excessive inward rolling of the foot
- the heel is held firmly by a solid ankle collar or an external stabilizer
Go for stability walking shoes if the overpronation is moderate and choose motion control footwear in severe cases.
Plantar fasciitis
- moderate cushioning: soft enough to protect the foot from the impact but firm enough to prevent wobbling
- more padding in the heel takes the strain off the plantar fascia ligament
- a broad sole ensures stability and cushioning in the entire heel area
- the heel is locked inside a firm heel counter
See walking shoes for plantar fasciitis that meet these criteria, according to users.
Bunions
- a spacious toe box doesn’t constrain the forefoot
- flexible upper material stretches in the ball foot area
If you need even more space in the forefoot, go for wide and extra-wide walking shoes.
Diabetes
- spacious toe box doesn’t cramp the forefoot and helps to accommodate foot deformities if any
- a moderately-soft midsole keeps the foot cushioned and ensures stable movement
- the interior is seamless, minimizing any chance of chafing and blistering
- the midsole has supportive elements that don’t let the foot roll excessively
These shoes are marked with an A5500 code, which makes them subject to compensation by Medicare.
Heavy weight / Obesity
- extra space in the toe box can fit a larger foot
- firmer and thicker cushioning helps to absorb impact effectively under heavy load
- more durable materials prevent the shoe from wearing out too soon
Consider shoes for heavy walkers recommended by overweight wearers.
Disclaimer: These recommendations are based on the general podiatrists’ advice and are not meant as a substitute for professional medical treatment.
Choosing the right material in walking shoes
For a soft, light, and airy experience, choose knit or mesh walking shoes. You can expect a more supportive feel and longer service from shoes with leather or suede uppers.
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Knit |
Mesh | Leather | Suede |
| Pros | |||
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vegan more breathable softer feel |
more durable more supportive take longer to soak |
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| Cons | |||
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less durable less supportive soak easily not waterproof |
non-vegan less breathable stiffer feel |
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| Other properties | |||
| stretchy, conforming | moderately stretchy | stretch to a small degree with usage | |
| easier to clean and maintain |
require special maintenance |
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