We Tested 90 Pairs of Walking Shoes — These 11 Were Our Favorites

“Right away, these shoes felt extremely cushiony and comfortable,” notes tester Jana Pollack. “I was impressed by how soft and supportive they were.”

We found these shoes to be of high quality and great for walking. Pollack wore them for about 3 miles a day of casual walking around the neighborhood, and even up big hills, and says that her feet felt great. During our tests, our feet felt supported and almost like they were floating. The Yasus remained in very good shape, even after a lot of walking. We would recommend these shoes to anyone looking for a comfortable, supportive walking shoe. The only downside we found was some minor rubbing at the laces on one foot.

The shoe’s upper is made of breathable mesh, while the outsole is durable, high-abrasion rubber. To top it off, they’ve earned the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) Seal of Acceptance, so you can feel confident that your arches will be supported mile after mile.

With a stack height that ranges from 37 to 42 mm and an ultra-cushioned sole, super shock absorption is the name of the game with these Hokas. Many users swear by these shoes, saying they are the only ones they can comfortably wear as sufferers of plantar fasciitis. “I really like the cushion these shoes provide,” says writer Mary Sauer. “I have pretty severe mechanical foot pain that impacts my entire foot, as well as localized heel pain, and these seem to help.”

The plush soles provide a cloud-like feel, although the exaggerated lift, which added about an inch to our height, took some getting used to. (These 9s are even taller than the Bondi 8s.) But once we adjusted, we really appreciated the added shock absorption. We also liked that they can accommodate custom orthotics and have a breathable mesh and cotton upper.

We found the shoes to be high-quality and high-performing; they held up well after a week of heavy use. Sauer notes that she plans to continue using them for exercise and everyday wear. The only change we’d make is to add a pull tab on the back to make them easier to slip on. And while there are a decent number of color options, only three are available in the extra-wide width.

Orthofeet Kita shoes are fully hands-free when slipping them on and off, with a stiff yet plush shoehorn-like heel and stretchy upper materials. This is a major perk, allowing you to tie them once and then simply step in and out from then on. Kitas are designed to relieve many types of foot and heel pain, and during testing we found that these shoes provided more ankle structure and stability than other ones we tried. Tester Olivia Campbell had been experiencing heel pain with her previous shoes (Asics Gel Contend 7s), but she had no pain wearing these.

The shoes only took a couple of wears to get used to, and they seem well-made and long-lasting. They feature grippy, slip-resistant outsoles, water-repellant fabric, anatomical arch support for proper alignment, and a mild ergonomic rocker sole with multilayer cushioning. Fully customizable for a wide range of foot shapes, the shoes come with fitting spacers that can be placed under the orthotic insole to create the perfect fit. Also included are removable arch boosters, and the shoes can accommodate other medical insoles.

Campbell has continued to wear these as her everyday sneakers after the testing period, and they are holding up well and remain comfortable, cushy, and supportive. Our only complaint is that the pretty light-blue color got dirty very easily, and they were graying within one wear, so we’d recommend the darker colors. Also, they aren’t super fashionable, but for convenience and comfort, the Kitas were a clear favorite.

If you’re looking for comfy walking shoes with thick cushioning, active support, and breathable fabric for under $60, look no further than these Nortiv 8 ActiveFloat sneakers. They feature a thick, shock-absorbing EVA midsole that offers bounce and a multi-directional rubber outsole for excellent traction.

We were impressed by the support, cushioning, and stability of these shoes, especially given the price point. Editor Katrina Cossey’s husband, Michael, tested the men’s version of these. He found that they were easier on his knees and feet than his current sneakers.

“The thick soles are awesome. They provide a lot of comfort when walking,” Michael says. “The thick sole evenly supports my feet, and they don’t hurt as badly when I walk. I can comfortably walk in them for miles without feeling like I'm unstable or unsupported.” He was pleasantly surprised by how wide and comfortable the toe box was, given that these are only available in medium width.

Thanks to the mesh fabric, “they're lightweight and breathable, too, and that's important for a man with sweaty feet like me,” he says.

Still, we thought that the laces at the top of the shoe could use some improvement. They were a bit tight, so we had to loosen them often to get a good fit.

Lightweight and super-comfy, Salomon’s XT-Whisper sneakers can seamlessly transition from errands to trails thanks to their fantastic balance of traction, cushioning, and protection. They feature a breathable mesh upper, a removable OrthoLite insole, and Quicklace closure for one-pull tightening. The treads supply grip on loose, soft, or rugged surfaces, while the chassis provides structure and biomechanical support to enhance stability in the event of uneven terrain. The construction is also meant to cradle your foot for a more secure fit.

We love that more than 10 colorway options of these cute, stylish shoes are available. (Just note that the most popular colors tend to sell out quickly with Salomons.) We also appreciate that these shoes are unisex and available in a large size range. These are only available in standard width, though. If you’re between sizes, it’s recommended that women order a half size down and men order a half size up.

Diadora is bringing the bounce with these Mythos Blushield Vigore V’s. Our tests found that you really can’t go wrong with anything you choose from this Italian shoemaker, which offers consistent cushioning and support. The brand site lets you see at a glance each shoe’s level of cushioning and reactivity from a range of low to extreme, support (neutral or extra), and which surface it’s best on (track, road, or trail).

These Vigores are for road use. They feature high cushioning, extra support, and standard responsiveness. It’s a recipe our tester loved.

“These are the most cushioned running shoes I've ever owned, and now I don't think I can go back,” says editor Sabrina Rojas Weiss. “They give me so much bounce when I run or walk, it almost feels like I'm faster in them. I felt less fatigued after running. They fit me so well, too. I didn't need to adjust the laces too much or use a special insole.” The sizing was exact, and the shoes were cute, stable, and supportive.

Men’s sizes are also available. All the Diadoras we tested were not very wide, so this brand may be best for people with narrow or medium feet.

Reebok’s FloatZig Tread sneakers are created with treadmill workouts in mind, so they can handle changes in pace and incline with ease. The dual-density midsole utilizes cushiony foam and a zig-zag shape to promote flexibility, while the mesh upper provides breathability.

I tested these and felt like they were actively soothing my extreme arch pain. Offering immediate comfort, these shoes felt like they were made for my feet; I don't think I've ever had a shoe fit so perfectly in length and width and be so comfortable. I normally wear wide shoes, but these fit fine, even though they’re available only in medium width. They’re fabulous, and I plan to use them as my daily go-to sneakers. Though they’re made for use on treadmills, they also work fine for walks on pavement and indoor flooring.

Nike’s Motiva Walking Shoes feature tall foam stacks and squiggle-shaped outsoles, offering maximum shock absorption and flexibility. But the real stars here are the exaggerated rockers.

“They propel my foot forward with each step,” says Sauer. “I liked the thick foam footbed because it provided a lot of cushion for my feet. I think they’re really great for walking because of the exaggerated rocker shape and good cushion.”

Sauer felt these shoes were the complete package: fashionable, affordable, and comfortable, with great traction and support. “I enjoyed wearing [them] for long stretches of time and on the treadmill. I think they’re also really nice for all-day wear, especially for an active job,” she says. While she tends to prefer wearing shoes with more-structured uppers, she appreciated how these were flexible and molded to her feet.

Sauer has plantar fasciitis, flat feet, and a lot of foot pain. The cushion provided a really nice break from the stress that other shoes place on her feet, she says. According to the brand, these sneakers provide “ultimate comfort.” Sauer says they live up to this claim, and “that’s a big deal for someone with chronic foot pain.” 

Shoes that don’t fit right can cause irritation and pain, whether it’s cramping from being too small or short, or shifting around from being too big. A good fit can mean the difference between comfort and soreness.

Our tester’s favorite thing about Lululemon’s Split Shift Running Shoe was the fit: “I love how well these fit my feet. They snuggle my feet and grip them, so they don’t slide around while I'm walking or running,” says writer Jen Sinclair. “That’s huge, since a lot of times my socks will start to bunch if the fit is too wide. They keep the foot locked in to avoid movement that can lead to irritation. Even when my feet swell, these don’t get too tight.”

Stylish and comfortable, these shoes feature responsive cushioning and a forefoot rocker, making them better than other sneaker options Sinclair’s tried for both walking and running. “They have a very cushioned but supportive feel. The rocker design helps propel movement, leading to an overall seamless running and walking experience,” said Sinclair. “The arch support makes these way more comfortable for short and long-term use.” We also appreciated that the mesh allows the foot to breathe and prevents sweat and odor from getting trapped.

One negative was the hard section around the top of the toe box. While it offers additional support, it could get a little uncomfortable. It also made the toe box feel narrow. By the third wearing, we didn’t seem to notice it anymore. We appreciate that these are also available in men’s sizes.

Many of our testers were trying out shoes in frigid (and wet) winter weather. So they often found that breathable mesh uppers were too cold to wear outside. These vegan leather Snibbs Spacecloud shoes, on the other hand, offered protection against the elements.

“I did wear these out in the snow, and they delivered on water resistance,” says writer Chelsea Avila. And happily, this feature is paired with slip-resistant traction: Even when walking on snowy ground, she didn’t slip.

Lightweight and durable, we found these shoes really live up to their name: “These sneakers feel like you are walking on clouds,” Avila says. She also appreciated their style. “They provide support for your foot and arch without the style of running shoes, which makes them versatile. I absolutely see myself incorporating these shoes into my routine, because they are comfortable, look great with wide-leg jeans, and don't start hurting my wide feet after a few hours of wear.”

Avila was “pleasantly surprised” that these shoes had no break-in period. “They molded comfortably to my feet when walking; if anything, they remind you how comfortable they are the longer you wear them.”

We only had a few minor issues: The shoes are a bit stiff when you first slip them on, they don't offer much ankle stability, and the vegan leather creases up quickly. But we love how customizable these are: They’re available in a wide variety of sizes and in laced or slip-on versions. The lace-up option comes in standard or wide widths with five color options.

For occasions when you want a little more style while also doing plenty of walking and standing — like museum-going, vacations, theme parks, or city commuting — we love these Alegria Averie shoes.

“These are my go-to sneakers for casual wear. They’re stylish, look good with jeans, and are really comfortable,” says Ziegler. “I like that these are cushiony and offer arch support, which isn't always the case with sneakers meant for style rather than fitness.”

These feature a stain-resistant suede and vegan leather upper, a mesh lining, adjustable laces, a canvas-wrapped footbed with polyurethane and cork, and a lightweight, slip-resistant outsole. We also like the side zipper, so you don’t have to tie and untie them with each wear.

They have a slightly lifted heel but still feel stable. We did find that they run slightly big; so if you’re between sizes, we recommend sizing down. We love the 10 color options and the cute zipper pull.