5 Best Walking Shoes in 2023

Laci
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5 Best Walking Shoes in 2023
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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

What makes it the best?

Despite its simple looks, the Allbirds Tree Runner is very likely to entice you into buying multiple pairs. The merino wool goodness blended with a lightweight, flexible, and foot-hugging design made the shoe a love at first try for thousands of people. Take it on your next trip or wear it around the office, the Tree Runner is going to feel equally at home.

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
Full review of Allbirds Tree Runners

Today's best price

Men
Women

Best lightweight walking shoes

On Cloud 5
89
Great!

What makes it the best?

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.

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

  • Not for wide feet
  • Lacks durability
  • Outsole catches pebbles
Full review of On Cloud 5

Today's best price

Men
Women
Any color
Niagara Black (5998915)
Black (5998919)
Blue (5998916)
Green (5998912)
All Black (5998986)
Olive/Alloy (5998364)
All White (5998902)
Green (5998559)
More colors

Best walking shoes for standing all day

On Cloudnova
90
Great!

What makes it the best?

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.

Pros

  • Perfect for all-day wear
  • Great travel shoe
  • Attractive design
  • Comfortable in-shoe feel
  • Fits well straight from the box
  • High quality
  • 10% recycled materials

Cons

  • Pricey
  • Sole catches debris
  • Mid-cut is not for everyone
Full review of On Cloudnova

Today's best price

Men
Women
Any color
Phantom White (2699116)
Black (2699814)
White/Mineral (2698989)
White/Red (2698991)
Navy White (2699117)
Eclipse/Meadow (2698992)
White (2698493)
98492 Ivy Eclipse (2698492)

Best waterproof walking shoes

What makes it the best?

This is the rainy weather edition of On’s most popular walking shoe. The Cloud 5 Waterproof inherits most of the well-loved characteristics of the original. It is amazingly light, comfortable, and easy to put on, making it perfect for daily wear and traveling.

Pros

  • Perfect for all-day wear
  • Super light for its kind
  • Easy on-and-off
  • Amazing in-shoe feel
  • Sustainable materials (40%)
  • Regular laces are added
  • Reflective elements

Cons

  • Catches rocks and debris
  • Can get smelly
Full review of On Cloud 5 Waterproof

Today's best price

Men
Women
Any color
All Black (5998838)
Blue (5998837)
Olive Black (5998836)
Mustard/Rock (5998529)
Blue (5998531)
Cocoa/Frost (5998839)

Best travel shoes

Hoka Transport
83
Good!

What makes it the best?

Whether the roads are slippery, wet, or have a bit of light trail in them, these walking shoes from Hoka make sure that your feet stay well-protected and your strides well-planted throughout your adventure. For commuters who are always on the go, its overall comfort and good looks make it the perfect daily beater. As an added bonus, it’s super easy to slip on, too!

Pros

  • Unbelievably comfy
  • Spacious toe box
  • Adequately cushioned
  • Superior traction
  • Reliable outsole durability
  • Easy to slip in and out
  • True-to-size fit
  • Easy to clean
  • Sustainable

Cons

  • Not great for warm weather
  • Squeaky during break in
Full review of Hoka Transport

Today's best price

Men
Women
Any color
Grey (CKBC)
Black (BBLC)
Green (AHMS)

Comparison of the 5 best walking shoes

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Best
CoreScore
Users rating
Experts
Best price
Ranking
Popularity
# of colorways

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:

All-day wear

all-day-wear.png

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.

Traveling

travel.png

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.

Work

work.png

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.

Knit

Mesh Leather Suede
Pros

vegan

more breathable

softer feel

more durable

more supportive

take longer to soak

some models are waterproof

Cons

less durable

less supportive

soak easily

not waterproof

non-vegan

less breathable

stiffer feel

Other properties
stretchy, conforming moderately stretchy stretch to a small degree with usage
easier to clean and maintain

require special maintenance

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.