Best walking shoes 2024
The list in brief ↴
1. Best overall: Hoka Transport
2. Best Nike walking shoe: Nike Pegasus 40
3. Best for concrete: Skechers Motion Breeze
4. Best for wide feet: Brooks Ghost 15
5. Best for trail walks: Danner 2650
6. Best for waterproofing: Merrell Moab 3
7. Best gym shoe for walking: Reebok Nano X3 Adventure
Other tried and tested shoesHow to chooseFAQs
I’m a fitness writer with an active lifestyle and an energetic dog, so I spend a lot of time on my feet. This isn’t an issue for me as I love a stroll—I can wax lyrical about the benefits of walking for days—but I struggle to find shoes that offer the right support and bounce, especially on concrete surfaces.
As a result, I’m constantly trying out new sneakers, in a quest to find the ultimate comfy walking shoes. On my journey to find the best of the best, I’ve tested sneakers from brands like Skechers, New Balance, Nike, and HOKA.
After months of rigorous testing, I’ve whittled down my list of favorites to create this rundown of the best walking shoes. A lot of the designs double up as running shoes too, so they can be used for outdoor sprints.
If you need more advice, read through our guidance on how to choose walking shoes. Or scroll down to find some comfy sneakers to support you during your 10,000 steps a day.
The quick list
These are, quite simply, the most comfortable walking shoes we’ve ever tested. They have a compression-molded EVA midsole that provides the perfect level of cushioning; it’s springy, supportive and grippy on the outsole.
The Nike Pegasus 40s are a comfortable, springy shoe that can effortlessly carry you for miles. The grippy soles offer great support without adding too much weight and they’re stylish enough that they can be worn anywhere.
The podiatrist-certified arch support offered by these shoes makes them a great choice for those who are on their feet all day. The springy GO WALK midsole carried us through more than 22,000 steps without a single sore or blister, but the lack of proper waterproofing and solid grip means that they’re best for city walks.
The Brooks Ghost 15s are a great example of a top-notch walking shoe, with hundreds of style, size and width options. They provide a comfortable, neutral ride on well-cushioned soles and a soft midsole that flexes with your foot
A balanced shoe offering sturdy support and comfort, with excellent grip in slippy conditions. These aren’t the best shoes for city walking as they don’t have ultra-soft cushioning, but if you’re looking for a firm shoe to hit the trails, these are great.
A heavy-duty waterproof offering, more suited for trail walking than walking on concrete, these are still excellent walking shoes due to their durability and reasonable price.
A do-all shoe that can take muddy walks and gym classes in its stride, the Nano X3 Adventure has a grippy Vibram outsole, a water-resistant mesh upper and a “Lift And Run” chassis for support while running and lifting weights.
The best shoes for walking you can get right now
You can trust Fit&Well We give honest reviews and recommendations based on in-depth knowledge and real-world experience. Find out more about how we review and recommend products.
Best overall
The HOKA Transport are easily the most comfortable walking shoes I've ever worn. I didn't expect it to be this way — they look quite sturdy, if a bit generic — but once I got them on my feet, I was reluctant to wear anything else.
I take a 90-minute walk every morning, head out for a lunchtime stroll, and sometimes venture out in the evenings, too, and the Transport were easily my shoe of choice throughout the warmer months (for winter, I opt for the Hunter Explorer Insulated Lace-Up Commando Boots).
This was also partly because they were really quick to put on, thanks to the toggle laces (the shoes do come with regular laces if you prefer that). They're light as well; just 9oz for the women's version and 11 ounces for the men's.
I tested the white version, which fared quite well, despite living in a dusty city without a lot of rain. When it was wet, they got quite messy, but it only took a quick wipe with a damp cloth to restore them to their former glory. However, the shoes are only water resistant, so it's best to avoid heavy rain while wearing them.
Fortunately, there are four colors to choose from in the men's and six in the women's, so you're not stuck with white. My partner tested the women's Transport in Raisin/Wistful Mauve and found they were just as comfortable and durable on our walks. [Reviewed by James Frew]
Best Nike walking shoe
Buy it if
✅ You want a good multitasker: Although I tested these as walking shoes, you could use them as a day-to-day sneaker or as a running shoe. They’re comfortable from the get-go with no break-in period and you can wear them on hard surfaces all day without getting sore feet.
✅ You like a bit of bounce: The main factor that set the Pegasus 40s apart for me was the springiness of the soles. They carried me through seven-mile walks up and down hills without any discomfort, thanks to the responsiveness of the sole.
✅ You want a classic Nike look: The Pegasus 40s have a classic Nike build, which makes them an attractive shoe as well as comfortable.
Don't buy it if
❌ You like a lot of arch support: These shoes offer quite a neutral ride, which I prefer in a walking shoe, but might not be so good if you want a chunky, highly supportive shoe.
Cushioning + support
The Nike Pegasus 40s are comfortable and well-cushioned. I took them on a couple of 15 thousand-step walks and found myself just as comfortable at the end of the walk as at the beginning (if slightly sweatier).
They offer neutral support and what Nike describes as medium cushioning; I found this meant that they were actually very springy, which is perfect for me. They are technically running shoes, but I found them great for long city walks, where cushioning was needed to protect my feet from hard concrete.
Design + features
The Pegasus 40s have quite a narrow fit, however, Nike does offer an extra wide option for men and women, so if you usually buy a wide-fit shoe, you’ll want to opt for this. I have fairly narrow feet, but found the Pegasus 40s quite snug and had to loosen the laces to get them on my foot.
The soles aren’t as grippy as the Nike Motivas but they are still fairly solid. I walked across frozen streets and icy hills and stayed upright the entire time, despite my horrendous balance.
Materials + durability
I got the shoes really muddy and unfortunately, they didn’t wash completely clean again, so if you have a white pair, don’t expect them to stay white. They are water resistant but not waterproof, so not the best choice for wet days.
The soles are wonderfully springy, which was an upgrade from the fairly unyielding tread of the Nike Motivas that I was testing before. Nike have included two “Zoom Air” units in the heel and toe and you can feel the support and responsiveness with every step.
Best for concrete
The Skechers Go Walk Arch Fit are some of the most popular everyday walking shoes, thanks to the podiatrist-certified arch support that keeps you comfortable on your feet. I tested the Motion Breeze women's shoe, but the men's series has the same midsole technology and arch support,
I was blown away with the comfort of these shoes. After a long day spent racking up more than 22,000 steps, I still didn’t have any of the dull aches and pains you usually get at the end of a long walk.
What’s more, the springy GO WALK midsole kept me feeling fresh throughout my hike. The upper isn’t substantial enough to protect you from knocks and brambles and they’re not waterproof, so these shoes are best suited to urban environments.
- Read our full Skechers Go Walk Arch Fit Motion Breeze review
Best for wide feet
Buy it if
✔️You want cushioning and comfort: these are very comfortable shoes, I found them to be on par with the Nike Pegasus 40s for cushioning. You can easily wear them all day on hard surfaces like concrete and your feet won’t get sore. They didn’t need breaking in either.
✔️You need width options: Brooks offers four width options for this shoe. I have quite narrow feet but found the “medium” option a good fit. They also offer a wide and extra wide option.
Don't buy it if
❌You need a grippy toe: the downfall of these shoes is the lack of grip in the toe area in particular. While making my way up slick concreted hills in the rain, I found myself slipping, only to be caught by the heel of the shoe. This might not be much of an issue on flatter surfaces, but living in a hilly city it became treacherous at times.
❌You want a lot of arch support: These are neutral shoes, so they are good for most people, but if you want a more supportive shoe you might want to look elsewhere.
Cushioning + support
These are well-cushioned shoes, with a soft midsole, making them suitable for walking long distances. I found them to be comfortable even on long city walks where I’d be walking on hard surfaces for hours.
They offer more cushioning than a “standard” offering by Brooks, but not as much as “maximum support” options, making them a good middle-of-the-road shoe in terms of supportiveness. They are neutral shoes, designed for the average Joe, with standard arch support. The sole is chunky at the back without being overly so. I found that they gave a smooth ride and I didn’t feel weighed down or encumbered by them.
Design + features
There are seemingly endless color and design options for the Ghost 15s, so you should be able to find your perfect style match. I liked that they were stylish enough to wear to work or out and about but supportive and durable enough to wear for sports or running. Once tied, the laces don’t budge and you can trust the shoe to remain snug on your foot.
Materials + durability
Brooks is proud of their sustainability efforts and states that the shoes are carbon neutral, with 57% recycled materials in the upper. The mesh upper is breathable and it kept my feet cool on long, sweaty walks.
Best for trail walks
The Danner Trail 2650 deserve their spot near the top of our list thanks to the clever balance of comfort and sturdy support. The chunky Vibram 260 outsole provided excellent grip in slippy, ice-covered conditions and the EXO heel system moves part of the shoes' heel counter to the outside of the shoe to improve the secure fit.
Although the pair are primarily designed for weekend or day hikes, I think they'd suit a three or four-day walk too. I found the cushioning hit that sweet spot between cushy enough for comfort without making it feel like you're sinking into the shoe.
They’re also incredibly lightweight, coming in at just 18 oz; it’s impressive that they still manage to feel so solid and supportive. They aren’t waterproof (unless you opt for the pricier Gore-Tex versions, but even these aren’t fully waterproof) and anyone who’s looking for a city-walking shoe will want more arch support.
However, if you’re looking for a lightweight trail companion, this is the best option we've tested. And, unlike some of the best walking shoes, these are available in a men's and women's edition.
Best for waterproofing
The Merrell Moab series are very popular with walkers, thanks to the reasonable price and impressive durability. Despite using tough pig suede leather for durability, I found them supremely comfortable and they never left sore spots on my feet.
At just over 2lbs, they are heavier than some modern walking shoes, but I found that this was counteracted by the springiness of the shoe. I actually found the fit to be almost like a sneaker; snug, comfortable, and responsive, rather than clunky and restrictive.
They were at the top of this guide for a long time, only recently knocked off the number one spot by the HOKA Transport, which we prefer for everyday walking, especially around cities and urban environments. [Reviewed by Harry Bullmore]
- Read our full Merrell Moab 3 review
Best gym shoe for walking
The Nano X3 Adventure is a spin-off from the popular Nano range, which tops our list of the best cross trainers. It’s designed to stand up to the rigors of pretty much any workout, including heavy lifting sessions, short runs and long, muddy walks.
It features the famous “Lift and Run” chassis found in the Nano shoe. This clever design compresses under heavy loads, offering a flat and stable surface for weightlifting. When operating under normal weight, the wearer will be supported by the springy Floatride Foam cushioning in the shoe, which makes runs and walks feel easier.
Unlike other shoes in the Nano line, the Adventure X3 has a water-resistant mesh upper and a Vibram outsole with thick grooves. Combined, these features allow me to walk through shallow puddles, wet grass and muddy fields without fear of slipping or wet socks.
The only flaw here is that the shoe took a little while to break in. The upper felt stiff at first, but after a few wears it softened up and soon felt comfortable. I also wouldn’t wear them for longer rural outings, which require the use of a rugged hiking boot.
However, if you’re looking for an incredibly versatile shoe that can take you from long walks to gym workouts, the Reebok Nano X3 Adventure will be right up your street.
Other tried and tested shoes
The shoes listed above are the best we’ve tested, scoring high for comfort, cushioning and durability. We’ve also tried out the below options, but they didn’t quite make the cut.
There's no getting around the fact the KEEN WK400 are an unusual walking shoe. The curved outsole is something that pops up on running shoes to help propel you forward, and the intention is the same here.
The curved sole blends a plate, high-energy midsole, and rubber outsole to roll your foot as you walk — it's an odd sensation that I did gradually warm to, but it took a while to adjust when you're used to your foot bending instead.
In fairness, I may have found it harder than some as I'm hypermobile, so have extremely flexible joints, especially my knees. This also caused a few problems when I was stood still, as it's a bit of a balancing game to not rock on the sole.
And, because of my hypermobile knees, they'd often lock backwards while trying to stay upright. But when walking, the shoes did serve to make walking easier. I wouldn't say these are an everyday shoe, though. The WK400 are best if you're going somewhere for a dedicated walk, rather than taking a stroll in your neighborhood.
I tested them in quite a vivid yellow, which definitely made them stand out in the evenings when the light was low, but there are three other more muted colors if you want something that blends in better. [Reviewed by James Frew]
These lightweight, environmentally-friendly sneakers are great for travel, thanks to their breathable upper made of sustainably-sourced eucalyptus fiber. And much of the shoe is also eco-friendly, from the sugarcane midsole to the recycled shoelaces.
There is very little cushioning here, so the shoes might not suit people who like a thicker layer of support. However, I found that there were certain benefits to having a lightweight, more flexible design.
I enjoyed that you could flex the shoe around rocky surfaces, which sometimes helps on uneven terrain. And there is something refreshing about feeling the earth beneath your feet when you’ve been testing chunky walking shoes for a long time.
- Read our full Allbirds Tree Runners review
The sustainable Adidas Terrex AX4 hiking shoe unites trail-running sneakers with hiking boots to produce a versatile, durable, and bouncy walking shoe. They're a visible shoe, too, with multiple color options, including the orange, beige, and amber design I tested.
The AX4s are low-cut just below the ankle, which improves the range of motion around your ankle but creates less stability than mid-rise designs. But a thickly ridged continental rubber outsole added grip underfoot and provided me with a solid base in wet weather.
VA (foam) midsoles bring the shoe together and absorb shock while creating a cloud-like bounce that elevates comfort to the next level. I did, however, find that solid waterproofing was lacking in this shoe, and my toes got wet on rainy walks.
How to choose the best walking shoes
There are three main things to consider when considering how to choose the best walking trainers for you: cushioning, support and breathability.
Cushioning
You need a trainer with plenty of cushioning to help relieve the pressure on your feet when walking, and ideally this will be zoned to provide extra where you need it. Some shoes also use foam that provides rebound; once compressed, it will spring back into place that can help give your feet a little energy boost.
Support
Support is also important, ensuring that both the sole and the whole foot are able to move but without moving about within the trainer. If you’re walking all day, also check for internal seams which can cause hot spots or rub and produce blisters. The best walking trainers will often have a seam-free construction to avoid this.
Breathability
Breathability is especially important for walking in hot weather, or if you’re prone to hot feet. That said, this often comes at the cost of weatherproofing, so if you’ll be walking in wet conditions you may prefer a shoe that provides a little more weather protection.
FAQs
How should walking shoes fit?
The heel collar at the back of the shoe should sit comfortably against your foot and not rub as you walk. And there should be a little space within the design; never opt for walking shoes that feel too tight when you try them on.
George Hill, a podiatrist at Fleet Street Clinic, told us that you might want to size up in walking shoes to accommodate thick hiking socks. This might not be necessary if you’re planning on wearing the shoes for light walking activities and don’t need thick, padded socks, but if you’re going up a mountain you’ll need that extra protection.
Hill advises that you make your own decisions about some design elements of the shoe: “Rocky terrain will require a stiffer, boot-style shoe to shield the arch from stone or uneven ground and higher ankle support to protect the ankles from rolling.” However, some people may prefer a lightweight, well-cushioned shoe if they are walking across flat, concrete surfaces.
George Hill is a podiatrist at Fleet Street Clinic in London, UK. He is HCPC-registered a member of the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists, and treats on lower-limb conditions at the clinic.
How long do walking shoes last?
This will depend on the shoe itself along with your walking habits. Some manufacturers suggest replacing walking shoes every 350-500 miles, but there are reports online of users hiking with Merrell shoes past the 1,000-mile mark.
What’s important is to look for signs of wear on your shoes; if there is extensive damage to the upper, or the cushioning feels ‘flat’ when you walk on it, then it’s time to buy yourself a new pair.
Is it ok to wear running shoes for walking?
Most running shoes are made with similar design features to the best walking shoes so will be suitable for keeping you comfy on walks. However, this varies between models and manufacturers.
So, a pair designed for speed and reaching the 5km finish line won't be best suited to a long hike on rough terrain. This is why it pays to consider the type of walking you do and find a pair of shoes to match this.
-
Five Pilates exercises that are better than sit-ups for your corePilates Work smarter with a Pilates instructor’s top exercises for strengthening your core
-
A yoga instructor recommends doing these four standing wall stretches whenever you want to relieve back painYoga A quick mobility routine that could provide relief
