The 14 Best Walking Shoes of 2025, Tested

Walking is a great form of exercise with many health benefits, and wearing the right shoes is key to staying comfortable and injury-free. Whether you walk for fitness or spend significant time on your feet, look for shoes with quality all-around cushioning and support to prevent fatigue and soreness. The best walking shoes should fit well right away without having to be broken in. Podiatrist Ami Sheth, DPM, FACFAS, says that you also shouldn’t feel any pinching or trouble moving your toes when first wearing walking shoes.

• How We Tested

  To find the best walking shoes, we spoke with four podiatrists to better understand which key features to look for in a quality pair. Then, we spent more than 48 days testing over 75 pairs of walking shoes in The Verywell Testing Lab and at home, wearing them on pavement, trails, the treadmill, and more. We evaluated each pair for its fit, stability, responsiveness, cushioning, comfort, quality, and value to find the top options on the market. When we test walking shoes, we keep the following key questions in mind. 

  • Cushioning: During testing, we observe how the shoe’s cushioning feels and performs. Is it pillow-like or firm? Is there extra cushioning around the ankle collar and under the heel? After several weeks of testing, we also evaluate whether the cushioning holds up over time or compresses and becomes less effective.
  • Fit: When we first try on the shoes, we note if they fit true to our usual size. Is there room between the end of our big toe and the shoe? Is the toe box wide enough to allow our toes to splay? Is there any squeezing or pinching anywhere? We prioritize shoes that fit comfortably and are true to size right out of the box.
  • Responsiveness: To evaluate responsiveness, we look for shoes that feel springy and bouncy. Shoes that help propel us forward with each step have good responsiveness. We also note how our feet and legs feel after each walk—refreshed, fatigued, and achy? Over time, we continue to evaluate the responsiveness of the shoes to see if they hold up over time.
  • Comfort: Comfort in a pair of walking shoes is a top priority. We select breathable shoes that keep our feet cool and comfortable and allow us to wear them comfortably all day. During our test walks, we also note whether any chafing, hot spots, or blisters begin to form.
  • Quality: When we first try on the shoes, we examine their condition and note any flaws. Do the materials feel high-quality and sturdy or cheap and flimsy? We perform a bend test to see if the shoes bend under the toe, as they should. At the end of the testing period, we evaluate their condition to see if we notice any wear and tear beyond what we’d expect, given normal usage.
  • Stability: To test for stability while walking in the shoes, we note whether different surfaces, such as grass, gravel, or concrete, make us feel more or less surefooted. We also consider whether our ankles and knees feel supported. Does the shoe stabilize and align our gait? Do the shoes provide adequate shock absorption? Or do we feel the impact with every step?
  • Value: To determine each shoe’s value, we don’t check the price until the end of our testing period, after evaluating them in all other key categories. Based on how the shoe performs, we ask ourselves: Are the shoes priced fairly? Or would we only buy them on sale? We also consider whether we would recommend these shoes to friends and family.

• What to Look For

  • Midsole Cushioning: A good pair of walking shoes will have gel, foam, or air midsole cushioning, which reduces impact and helps with shock absorption as you walk. You should look for shoes with good shock absorption and minimal friction, says podiatrist Emmanuel Fuzaylov, DPM.
  • Support: Support is key when choosing a walking shoe, especially for those with a history of foot pain and issues. A shoe should have a sturdy sole that is flexible at the toe, not through the midfoot, and you shouldn’t be able to wring it out like a dishrag, Sheth says.
  • Arch Support: Make sure there’s enough support in the arch area, too. Flat shoes with no arch support may cause plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, and ankle pain, Fuzaylov says.
  • Durability: Walking shoes should be durable enough for all-day wear but lighter than most running shoes. Stick with quality brands that specialize in walking (and running) shoes. Avoid court shoes and cross trainers designed for more lateral movements.
  • Traction: Look for sturdy rubber outsoles to help you maintain grip on a variety of surfaces. For trail walking, deeper treads can be helpful for traction.
  • Breathability: If you do a lot of fitness walking, especially in warm weather, you’ll want a shoe that won’t make you overheat. According to podiatrist Mark Mendeszoon, DPM, FACFAS, walking shoes should be made of breathable materials such as mesh or perforated leather.

• What We’ve Updated

  • Since publishing our initial tested roundup of the best walking shoes, we’ve tested 25 additional walking shoes. We evaluated them for fit, stability, responsiveness, cushioning, comfort, quality, and value to find the top options on the market.
  • Based on our testing insights, we’ve re-evaluated the picks for some of our superlatives, including Best Walking Shoes for Women, Best Walking Shoes for Men, Best Budget Walking Shoes, and Best Slip-On Walking Shoes.
  • Based on our testing insights, we’ve added more superlatives, including Best Hoka Shoes for Walking, Most Comfortable Walking Shoes, Best Walking Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis, and more.

Compare Top Picks

Compare Top Picks

Best Walking Shoes for Women New Balance Fresh Foam Arishi V4	Best Walking Shoes for Women New Balance Fresh Foam Arishi V4	View on Amazon		$75 $60		All-day wear		Women’s 5-12 (medium, wide), Men’s 7-15 (medium, wide, extra-wide)		Mesh upper, foam midsole, rubber outsole		Balanced	Full Review
Best Walking Shoes for Men Altra Men’s Solstice XT 3	Best Walking Shoes for Men Altra Men’s Solstice XT 3	View on Amazon		$130		Fitness walking		Women’s 5.5-12, Men’s 7-15		Mesh upper, foam midsole, rubber outsole		Firm	Full Review
Best Hoka Shoes for Walking Hoka Women’s Skyflow	Best Hoka Shoes for Walking Hoka Women’s Skyflow	View on hoka		See Retailer		Casual wear and fitness walks		Women’s 5-12 (medium, wide), Men’s 7-16 (medium, wide)		Fabric upper, foam midsole, rubber outsole		Balanced	Full Review
Most Comfortable Walking Shoes Asics Gel-Nimbus 27	Most Comfortable Walking Shoes Asics Gel-Nimbus 27	View on Amazon		$165		Long walks		Women’s 5-13, Men’s 7-15		Polyester upper, foam and gel midsole, rubber outsole		Plush	Full Review
Best Walking Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis Dr. Scholl’s Women’s Feel Support Lace Up Sneaker	Best Walking Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis Dr. Scholl’s Women’s Feel Support Lace Up Sneaker	View on Amazon		$130 $87		Walkers with plantar fasciitis		Women’s 5-12 (medium, wide), Men’s 8-13 (medium, wide)		Knit upper, foam midsole, rubber outsole		Balanced	Full Review
Best Walking Shoes for Flat Feet Anodyne No. 50 Men’s Sport Trainer	Best Walking Shoes for Flat Feet Anodyne No. 50 Men’s Sport Trainer	View on Amazon		$155		Walkers with flat feet		Men’s 7.5-14 (medium, wide, extra-wide)		Leather upper, foam midsole, rubber outsole		Moderate	Full Review
Best Shoes for Runs/Walks Asics Women’s GEL-Pulse 16 Sneakers	Best Shoes for Runs/Walks Asics Women’s GEL-Pulse 16 Sneakers	View on Amazon		$100 $90		Run/walks		Women’s 5-12, Men’s 7-15		Mesh upper, foam and gel midsole, rubber outsole		Plush	Full Review
Best Walking Shoes With Cushioning Brooks Men’s Ghost Max L Sneaker	Best Walking Shoes With Cushioning Brooks Men’s Ghost Max L Sneaker	View on Amazon		$158		Cushioning		Men’s 7-15 (medium, wide), Women’s 5-12 (medium, wide)		Leather upper, foam midsole, rubber outsole		Maximum	Full Review
Most Breathable Walking Shoes Allbirds Men’s Tree Runner Go	Most Breathable Walking Shoes Allbirds Men’s Tree Runner Go	View on Amazon		$120 $60		Everyday wear and travel		Women’s 5-11, Men’s 8-14		Tree fiber upper, sugarcane foam midsole, natural rubber outsole		Responsive	Full Review
Best Shoes for Trail Walking Keen Men’s WK400 II Walking Shoe	Best Shoes for Trail Walking Keen Men’s WK400 II Walking Shoe	View on Amazon		$170 $112		Trail walking		Men’s 7-15, Women’s 5-12		Mesh upper, foam midsole, rubber outsole		Moderate	Full Review