The best walking shoes: 15 comfortable sneakers that you can wear all day

I love walking: it’s free, low-impact, and boosts both your mental and physical health. I average around 8,000 steps a day, which means I’m perfectly placed to test out the latest and best walking shoes.

My ideal walking shoe has great energy return, cushioning, support and grip. In pursuit of this perfect sneaker, I’ve tested the best offerings from Skechers, New Balance, Nike, HOKA and others, making notes about what I do and don't like about each one.

I’ve also spoken to a podiatrist to better understand what to look for depending on your unique footprint. She answered some of my burning questions, which I’ve pulled together in the FAQs below.

Here are my recommendations if you are looking for the very best walking shoe for your needs, whether you're on a budget, want something waterproof to keep your feet dry or even if you're in the market for a walking sandal.

Our expert panel

Lou Mudge

Lou Mudge is Fit&Well's resident fitness writer. She walks between 6,000 and 10,000 steps every day, usually with her dog. She is a supinator, meaning her feet roll outward rather than inward, and favors neutral shoes with lots of cushioning and bounce.

About our expert

About our expert

Dr. Lori Grant, MD

Dr. Lori A. Grant is a foot and ankle surgeon and a board certified podiatrist. During her residency at Florida Hospital, she performed more than 1,200 surgical procedures. She is a specialist in sports-related foot and ankle injuries, diabetic foot care and traumatic injury. She regularly works with conditions such as bunions, heel pain, hammer toes and has completed multiple complex post-traumatic foot and ankle repairs.

The quick list

The best shoes for walking you can get right now

Best overall

Cushioning + support: These are the most cushioned shoes I’ve ever tested. Mega stacking (35mm at the heel, 29mm at the toe) and a nitrogen-infused foam midsole make these shoes super bouncy. In comparison, the Hoka Bondi 8 (my previous favorite) has a 31mm stack at the heel and a 27mm stack at the toe.

The Glycerin Max is a neutral shoe, which will suit most people. If you have issues with overpronation, you will need more arch support, but anyone whose gait is broadly normal will find this shoe comfortable. The Max has a heel-to-toe drop of 6mm, designed to encourage your foot’s forward motion.

Design + features:The shoes lack a heel-pull tab, but the pointed collar is easy to grab, making them easy to pull on. The upper is also super plush without being too heavy.

The shoe features a GlideRoll rocker, to encourage smooth heel-to-toe transitions. In the past, with walking shoes like the Nike Motiva and the Keen WK400, I’ve found the rocker to be intrusive and uncomfortable, pushing up into the middle of my foot and making me feel unstable. However, the Brooks Glycerin Max gets the rocker right. It guides the foot’s forward motion without creating an uneven-feeling ride.

Materials + durability: The stacking on the sole meant I could barely feel hard surfaces like concrete underfoot. The high energy return also put a spring in my step even on an incline and decline.

I’ve had issues with Brooks's shoes slipping at the toe, especially on slick surfaces like concrete. This was a major issue I had with the Ghost range, but the Glycerin Max is thankfully much grippier. I found it easy to keep my footing on uneven surfaces and go up and down hills— top marks, Brooks.

These are not waterproof but can navigate shallow puddles easily, as the stacking carries you above the water’s surface.

Best on a budget

Cushioning + support: Some of the technical trail shoes I’ve tested have been remarkably hard but these were plush and bouncy. They’re not as soft as my favorites (the Brooks Glycerin Max) but they were still comfortable after hours of walking over concrete pavements and hills.

They also feature one of my favorite things: a well-stacked sole. They don’t reach the lofty heights of other shoes in this guide but have a 27.5 mm heel height, 17.5 mm toe height and a heel-to-toe drop of 10 mm. This leaves a lot of room for foam in the midsole, which explains why they’re so bouncy.

Design + features: These are grippy shoes, designed to take you from urban environments to hiking trails, so they work well on both slippery wet pavements and uneven terrain. I tested the version of the shoe with Outdry technology, which wasn’t fully waterproof but held up in light rain—as long as you don’t walk directly through a puddle you should be ok.

There’s a tab on both the heel and the tongue of the shoe, which makes them easy to pull on. There’s also a bump on the rear of the heel to help you kick them off, which I found handy.

Materials + durability: These shoes still look and feel great after six months of testing. The outsole is particularly durable. The lugs (the raised rubber sections on the outsole) show a bit of scuffing but their fundamental structure is intact.

On the downside, the white pair I tested picked up stains quickly, which are impossible to remove (even after a run in the washing machine).

Best for concrete

Cushioning + support: These are light, comfortable shoes with a stacked midsole providing lots of pillowy cushioning. While the Hoka Bondi 8s technically have more cushioning stacked underfoot, those shoes are slightly heavier and the cushioning feels denser. The Clifton 9s are lightweight and the support is softer so you ‘sink’ into it, which feels delightful when you’re on your feet all day or doing long-distance walks on concrete.

I often struggle with pinching or rubbing on the back of my heel but the Hoka Cliftons were incredibly comfortable from the moment I put them on. The high back offers good support around the bottom of the Achilles tendon, which I’ve not found in many other shoes. There’s no pull tab on the shoe, but I found it easy to grab onto the high backs and slip my foot in.

I also found that the Hoka Clifton 9s offer excellent energy return with each step, making their ride bouncy and comfortable. The upper is soft and flexible, hugging the foot gently.

Design + features: The Hoka Clifton is a lightweight shoe, with plenty of flexibility in the sole and upper, allowing the shoes to move with your feet. This is ideal if you’re on your feet all day or doing long-distance walks on concrete, as they have ample support and cushioning but don’t weigh your feet down.

They come in a wide variety of colors and offer both regular and wide-fit options.

Materials + durability: These shoes were excellent in hot weather, keeping my feet cool on hot and sweaty 10km walks. However, the breathable mesh upper isn’t waterproof, so they’re not ideal for rainy days.

While the sole is not as chunky as the Bondi 8, it still offers a thick layer of cushioning, so you’ll feel supported even on hard surfaces.

Best slip-on

Cushioning + support: The Hoka Transport is a great shoe, with a good amount of firm cushioning in the midsole. They aren’t quite as stacked as other Hokas I’ve tested, which means they don’t have the same energy return, but they’re still very comfortable.

You can use these sneakers for walking, running or hiking, as Hoka has designed them to work as a multipurpose shoe. I loved their versatility and used them on a variety of terrains.

Design + features : The lace-free toggle option on the shoe makes them easy to slip on and off, but there are some laces included if that’s your preference.

The upper is more rigid than some of the other shoes I’ve tested, but not so rigid as a hiking shoe. They are stylish enough to be worn as a sneaker, and comfortable enough to walk (or run) for five miles.

Materials + durability: These shoes are perfect for a stroll in the city. I found that the grippy soles handled wet concrete, wet grass and slippery shop floors well. The sole has ridges and bumps that make it resistant to slipping on low-traction surfaces.

The model is water-resistant but not waterproof, so can be worn in mild wet weather conditions. The mesh is breathable and I didn’t find my feet getting sweaty, even when I walked long distances.

Best for wide feet

Cushioning + support: Inov8 claims these shoes offer a soft ride with great bounce, but they didn’t match up to bouncier shoes I’ve tested like the Nike Pegasus or Hoka Bondi. The soles were quite stiff and hard. However, this didn’t mean I didn’t like them. They were still relatively comfortable and didn’t feel overly chunky on my feet.

The responsiveness of the shoe (its ability to efficiently transfer energy and propel you forward) was minimal when compared with other road-running shoes I’ve tested, which you might miss when walking on concrete but they're brilliant for muddy hills.

Design + features: I have narrow feet, so the wide toe box didn’t suit me but it's ideal for wide-footed walkers who need space to spread.

The soles are very grippy. I’ve found myself practically ice skating in other shoes I’ve tested, but this wasn’t an issue with these Inov8 shoes. As they are designed for trail running, the soles are deeply grooved and can handle a swift pivot on slippery ground.

There are a few color options available, but the pair I tested were green and orange, which isn't something I would usually choose for my wardrobe.

Materials + durability: I walked several seven-mile slogs in these shoes and there were no signs of wear. I washed them once as they got muddy and they came out as good as new.

My only complaint is that they aren’t waterproof, although Inov8 says they are water-resistant. As a shoe designed for trail running, I would have expected them to be suitable for rainy days, especially as the grippy soles make them great for wet-weather walking. Inov8 suggests re-waterproofing occasionally with a water-repelling product.

Best for grip

Cushioning + support: I mainly test shoes designed for road running, which tend to be very bouncy and well-cushioned, but as this is a trail shoe, the design has some other priorities. There is less cushioning than a road runner but the Danner N45 is more durable, and able to take on rougher and more variable terrain thanks to its sturdier build and grippy sole.

The shoe did cause some chafing on the ankle, as the upper material is quite stiff, which is a common issue I have with trail shoes. However, after a couple of longer walks, the shoe felt far more comfortable, as the structure had molded to fit my feet and bony ankles. The Danner N45 is now my go-to shoe for rural walks.

Design + features: The grip on this shoe is something else. The chunky lugs on the outsole (the raised bits of rubber on the bottom of the shoe) are well-distributed and shaped like a 'v'. This means they have multi-directional grip and kind find traction even on slippy surfaces like ice and muddy hills. While other shoes have similar designs, none have executed it as well as Danner.

The laces are easy to tighten and loosen, and once the shoe is done up, it doesn’t come undone again. You will need to undo the laces to remove the shoe though, as the collar is snug once the laces are done up.

Materials + durability: Trail shoes aren’t generally lightweight, and the Danner N45 weighs in at 22 oz per pair of men’s shoes, and 19 oz for the women’s shoes. The soles and upper are both really tough, with no signs of wear after my usual 40,000-step testing period. The midsection (including the tongue) is made from a lighter mesh material, which keeps your feet cool while you’re on the go—but it does also let water in if it’s raining.

The colorway of my Danner N45’s is ‘Ghost’, a pale off-white, so the shoe did pick up some marks and stains pretty quickly, but these were purely superficial.

Best for trail walks

Cushioning + support: There’s a lot of support built into this shoe. It has a solid upper along with heel and toe caps, to protect your foot from brambles and knocks, while the rigidity of it means that your foot won’t twist at an awkward angle when tackling uneven ground. This is why the model is my top pick for trail walks. It’s not an ideal companion for concrete—in fact, I found it a bit slippery in the city—but off-road hiking is a dream.

The shoes have firm midsoles but are still comfortable. I walked over 10km while wearing these and my feet didn’t hurt. Usually at the end of such a walk, I’ll need to massage the balls of my feet and arches, but that wasn’t necessary with these Merrells.

Design + features: The tongue and heel loops (the looped tab at the back of the shoe) make them easy to get on and the laces are textured, so once they are fastened, they stay tied. They’re also easy to loosen and tighten without getting stuck in the eyelets.

These shoes are water resistant rather than entirely waterproof. On a rainy day, they will keep your feet cozy and dry, but they will allow water through when submerged in water (I got a damp sock when walking through a puddle).

Materials + durability: These are more of a trail shoe than a city walking shoe. While the grip is great on uneven surfaces, when I walked up and down hills around town, I slipped on the wet concrete.

The shoes seem fairly durable, showing no signs of wear after my usual testing protocol (40,000 steps per shoe) other than a bit of surface dirt. They are also quite light, despite the thickness of the sole (12.34oz/350g per shoe for men, 9.7oz/275g per shoe for women.)

Best for waterproofing

Cushioning + support: These are certainly firm shoes, bordering on stiff, but offer excellent support for those wanting to go off-road on potentially slippery or uneven terrain. The sole offers little bounce and energy return, but are deeply ridged to prevent slipping.

They are quite heavy shoes and I found that they took a few days to break in. They need to be worn with sports socks or hiking socks to avoid rubbing, particularly around the ankles and Achilles tendon.

Design + features : The laces need double knotting if you want to be certain they won’t come untied as they are quite slippery and can loosen over a long walk.

Most walking shoes have a grabbable loop on the heel, but these shoes also have a loop on the tongue, making them incredibly easy to put on. There is also a toe cap to protect your feet.

Materials + durability: I’ve tested many shoes that claim to be waterproof or water-resistant with a GORE-TEX element, but very few have been truly watertight. I was impressed when I clumsily put my foot in a puddle on the first day of testing these shoes and still had bone-dry socks afterwards.

These are very well-structured shoes and will support your feet over rocky terrain. While this is an asset on the trail, it can be a bit much when walking on concrete and I found the balls of my feet felt compressed after a long walk over flat pavements.

Best sandal

Cushioning + support: When I say sandals, you probably picture something with a flimsy sole, but that’s not the case for these shoes from KEEN. These are the off-roading Jeep version of sandals: as suitable for hiking up a mountain as they are for inner-city mooching. The sole is cushioned and I felt as though it cradled my foot. It was also an unexpectedly bouncy ride with good energy return on each step.

I tested it with and without socks and preferred the former option. While the insole is lightly textured to prevent slipping, I started sliding around inside the sandals whenever my feet got sweaty. I also found that they chafed the side of my foot without socks on.

Design + features: The toggle fastening and the tabs on the heels made it quick and easy to put on the sandal. You can also tuck the toggle away to prevent it from flapping around and hitting your. The crisscrossed stretchy laces felt secure during my walks but still allowed the shoe to flex with my foot.

The outsole material covers the front of the foot, which I found handy when walking on uneven terrain, as it protected my toes. The toe box is wide too, so your toes can naturally spread out. They’re also great as water shoes (I took them for a dip in the local stream) protecting your feet from underwater rocks and drying off quickly once on land again.

These are functional, comfortable shoes, but I couldn’t get over their appearanace. I tested a pair in a yellow and black colorway and felt as though I was wearing construction equipment on my feet. If you can get past this, they are great, purpose-built sandals and perfect for hot climates.

Materials + durability: These are tough shoes. Despite getting them wet and testing them over many miles on hard concrete and rocky footpaths, there wasn’t a mark on them at the end of the testing period.

The outer sole was grippy on slick surfaces and flexible enough to mold to my feet on uneven surfaces. They weigh 9.52oz / 270g, which is roughly equivalent to some road running shoes I tested. I expected them to be lighter, being sandals, but the sole is heavy duty so that contributes to the overall weight.

Best barefoot

Cushioning + support: The Motus Flex is designed to mimic barefoot walking, allowing your foot do what it “wants” to do. There’s no cushioning or support to speak of, which I thought I’d dislike, but I found the design surprisingly comfortable. The balls of my feet did get a little sore after a few hours of walking, but that’s to be expected when you’re new to barefoot shoes.

Speaking previously with Fit&Well, podiatrist Dr Sondema Nikpmo Tarr said: “To be able to wear barefoot shoes for a full day can take upwards of a month for your feet to adapt. The breaking-in period for barefoot shoes is key in order to prevent joint, tendon or bone injuries.”

The key is to go slowly, wearing them a few times a day for short periods of time, and gradually extending this in line with your own comfort levels. I personally found that if I wore the shoes without socks they rubbed my mid-foot, so I ended up opting for the (daring) socks and barefoot shoes look.

Design + features: I was anxious about my feet being vulnerable in this model, but I needn’t have worried. The protective pieces of outsole that wrapped around my mid-foot were robust, protecting my feet from sharp stones and uneven surfaces.

Despite the “decoupling” of the soles—they are split into three distinct sections to allow your foot to flex—the outsole material comes up quite far on the sides, offering a good amount of protection. There is also a protective rubber plate on the back of the shoe to keep your heel and Achilles tendon safe.

The toggle laces were handy and quick to fasten. There is also a handy hook on the end to tuck them away so the ends aren’t flapping about.

I enjoyed that these shoes allowed my feet to wrap around things. This allowed me to grip like a monkey and stay stable while hopping over rocks and branches.

Materials + durability: After my usual testing period of 40,000 steps these shoes were barely scuffed on the bottoms. Will they last as long as regular shoes, with their thin soles? The rubber construction does seem tough, but I’m skeptical that they’re equally durable as something like the Merrell Moab Speed 2.

They are incredibly lightweight, with the women’s size 7.5 weighing just 214g/7.5 oz. They fold up small too, making them perfect if you want a comfy backup shoe to keep in your bag for the commute home.

Best Nike walking shoe

Cushioning + support: These are well-cushioned shoes, designed for road running, which makes them excellent for walking on hard surfaces like concrete. If you work on your feet all day, these shoes will keep you feeling comfortable and supported.

The Nike Pegasus 41 is a neutral shoe, so it will suit most people. I'm a supinator, which means that my foot rolls outwards slightly when I walk, but I found this shoe very comfortable. If you have a tendency to overpronate, which means your foot rolls inward to an excessive degree, then you'll need something with more arch support. But anyone with a fairly average gait should get on with these sneakers. You can read more about supination vs pronation in the FAQs below.

Supinators like me also tend to get on with chunkier, stacked soles, as the cushioning absorbs some of the impact when walking. These are not as stacked as some of the other shoes I’ve tested, but the sole is still reasonably chunky.

Design + features: I like the design of the Pegasus sole, with a large crash pad and a divot on the heel that makes it easier to kick these shoes off your feet. They are cute, retro-looking shoes that can be worn casually, despite being designed as athletic shoes.

There's little difference between the older and newer Pegasus models. Nike says that this is a lighter shoe than the previous generation and that the mesh upper is more breathable, but I honestly could not tell the difference. The outsole design on the 41 has a break at the arch that did not feature in the Pegasus 40, but as this part of the foot makes little contact with the ground, I found it made no tangible difference.

Materials + durability: These shoes are decidedly not waterproof and remain a fair-weather shoe only. The mesh is breathable and light, making it great for summer walks where your feet might get sweaty. My pair are white and I did find that they picked up dirt very quickly, but with a quick scrub, they were back to normal.

The sole is durable, with a waffle design that doesn’t pick up pebble or debris, but still provides a good amount of grip, even on slick surfaces.

Best Hoka walking shoe

Cushioning + support: These are the most comfortable shoes I’ve tested, beating my previous favorites the Nike Pegasus 40s. I’ve not enjoyed wearing chunky-soled shoes in the past, but here they give the Hokas a comfortable bounciness without adding any weight.

According to Hoka, these shoes have a reworked sole that uses softer, lighter foam. This means that it doesn’t feel heavy on the foot, which is probably why I prefer this model to other chunky-soled shoes. I think the sole’s impressive width and height is what makes it feel so comfortable.

Design + features: I tested the Blanc De Blanc / Swim Day colorway, which looked like something a unicorn would wear—not my vibe but they grew on me, perhaps because they are such a comfy shoe. I eventually found myself enjoying the bright pink laces and flashy yellow soles. The Bondi 8 also comes in colorful pastel tones that complement the shoe’s cloud-like spring, along with solid black or white options.

Despite the plush, chunky sole, these shoes offer neutral support and don’t tip your foot in any direction. The heel pull tab is helpful, as they are a snugly-fitting shoe and I found my heel often squashed the back of the shoe down when putting them on.

Materials + durability: The springy soles are grippy and the deep grooves kept me on my feet even on slick surfaces. Despite their size, these are lightweight shoes (11 oz/311g), and it doesn’t feel like you’re carrying a load around while walking.

The upper is soft and flexible. It cradled my foot without rubbing or crushing, thanks partly to the memory foam collar. I have bony ankles and it was nice not to have to worry about rubs under the ankle joint due to the soft fabric and foam.

Best Brooks walking shoe

Cushioning + support: There are two things I look for in a good walking shoe: bounciness and comfort. The Glycerin 21s tick both boxes, thanks to the shoes’ thick midsoles. Even after walking for several hours, the midsole remained plump and my foot didn’t feel as if it had compressed the cushioning.

This model feels softer underfoot than the Brooks Ghost model, which is why it’s my preferred shoe from the brand. The neck is also well padded, making it comfortable around the ankle, and the knit upper offers a secure but flexible fit.

Despite the well-stacked sole, these are a neutral shoe, which will suit most people.

Design + features:There were no tabs at the back of the heel to help pull on the shoe, but once my feet were inside they weren’t budging.

I’ve previously had issues with the grip on Brooks shoes but had no issues with the soles of the Glycerin 21. I walked uphill and downhill on wet concrete and didn’t slip once.

The toe box is wide, leaving plenty of room for your digits to spread out. I have quite narrow feet so found them a little too roomy, but most people shouldn’t have this issue.

The wide crash pad at the back of the shoe stabilized my foot without affecting my natural gait, which made it ideal for uneven terrain.

Materials + durability: These are light, breathable shoes, with the women’s pair weighing 8.8oz / 249.5g. The upper is made from breathable material and even on hot days, my feet didn’t feel uncomfortable and they dried quickly if my feet got wet.

The sole seems to be pretty tough, with no marks on it after my standard 40,000-step stint of testing.

Best New Balance walking shoe

Cushioning + support: Like the Nike Pegasus 40, these well-stacked shoes are incredibly bouncy. I preferred these models to the other New Balance sneakers I tested—the Hierro v8s—because of their soft, flexible upper. This still offered plenty of support and I felt that my feet were secure and cradled.

They were fairly comfortable shoes off the bat, but I did find that I developed hot spots on the back of my heel after a few hours of walking in them. This only occurred on my first walk, as my foot adapted to the new shoe.

Design + features: I found the fit quite wide around my narrow feet. I was able to lace up tightly to combat this, but the toe box left lots of wiggle room.

These shoes have a rocker design, which means they have a curved sole to help with forward propulsion. A lot of rocker shoes I’ve tested are uncomfortable as they press against the arch of my foot, but I didn’t find that this time. It felt as though the 860v14 had subtle arch support rather than a design that was forcing my foot to roll forwards.

Materials + durability: The mesh upper is breathable and lightweight, making these shoes great for summer. I tested them on some very hot days and although my feet got a little sweaty, they didn’t feel too uncomfortable. The inner dried off quickly after sweaty walks.

The grip is good and the shoes handled slippery surfaces well. They aren’t quite as grippy as the Hierro v8, but the textured sole gave me plenty of purchase on concrete. Like most of the shoes I’ve tested, these models are not waterproof.

Best Skechers walking shoe

Cushioning + support: These shoes are a great budget option if you want the comfy Hoka Bondi 8 experience at a smaller price. Even though they are recent releases, Skechers’ Max Cushioning Elite Speed Play only costs $100, which is about $65 cheaper than the Hoka Bondi 8.

These are stacked shoes, taking your foot two inches off the ground, and all of that cushioning makes every step delightfully soft. Even on rough terrain, my feet remained comfortable and I couldn’t feel the hard edges of rocks or gravel underneath.

I liked the soft upper, too. Like a lot of sneakers, they don’t have much structure around the ankle, but I prefer this to feeling restricted by high-top footwear like hiking boots.

Design + features :The grab tab on the heel and the soft upper make these shoes easy to slip on. They are technically running shoes, so the energy return from the sole is great. They aren’t quite as bouncy as the Nike Pegasus 40 or the Hoka Bondi 8, but they are on par with the Hoka Clifton 9. The light, mesh upper was great for hot days, as it was breezy and breathable.

Materials + durability: These are grippy shoes, which can handle steep hills and wet concrete without issues. I didn’t find that stones got stuck in the outsole either, despite the deep hollows and ridges in the grippy underside (an issue I’ve had with other Skechers models).

After 40,000 steps, these shoes are showing few signs of wear and tear, thanks to that super-stacked sole.

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.

Cushioning + support: Like many of the other shoes in this guide, the Gola Lansens are designed for running. They offer a comfortable, neutral ride, which means they don’t have awkward in-built support to offset any pronation. The upper is solidly structured—to the point of being a little inflexible. They also have a very firm sole. Once laced up, the shoes won’t move around on your feet.

I don’t generally like a chunky sole, as I find it cumbersome. But while the Lansen is thick underfoot, it still feels like a lightweight shoe.

Design + features: I liked the simple design of the Lansen shoes—my pair have a black upper and white sole—they can be worn with any outfit and are more subtle than other shoes I’ve tested.

The colorways are limited, but the options are minimalist and aesthetically pleasing.

There's not a lot of grip on the underside of these shoes, which might mean they're better for city walks rather than rural environments. That said, I didn't find them slippy, even on wet days.

Materials + durability: The Lansens aren’t as springy as high-tech running shoes from the likes of Nike or Hoka, which makes sense given their lower price. Despite this, they are still fairly comfortable. I could happily wear these shoes all day. They are extremely lightweight, which compensates for the hardness of the sole.

The mesh upper is breathable, more so than sportier shoes I’ve tested. The material is slightly stiff and the pleather detailing looks a bit cheap, but again, they’re great value shoes and I only noticed this feature when inspecting them closely.

Cushioning + support: Allbirds describes these lightweight shoes as “plush” but I wouldn’t use that word. When compared to shoes like the Brooks Glycerin Max or the Hoka Bondi 8, they don’t have anywhere near the same levels of cushioning or bounce.

Design + features: There is no tongue to these shoes—instead, they have an elastic collar around the ankle. This didn’t impact how easy it was to put the shoe on; it felt like a standard shoe in that regard, with the usual tabs at the heel and collar making it easy to grab. You can still loosen and tighten the shoes with the laces, as normal.

The shoe is similar to the hybrid slip-on Hoka Transport model I tested but it doesn’t provide the same level of comfort. They are soft to the touch and have a more flexible upper than the Transport, but the materials feel flimsy.

The Tree Gliders do have an exceptionally well-designed footprint, though. Unlike other athletic shoes, which tend to have slim toe-boxes, the Tree Glider gives the toes plenty of room for toe splay. They outdo the Transport in this respect, as it is a narrow shoe.

Materials + durability: AllBirds is an eco-friendly brand, which uses renewable materials such as tree fiber and sugarcane to construct its shoes.

They aren’t the most durable shoes I’ve tested. The elasticated upper is flexible but thin, so if you catch it on anything sharp you’ll make a hole. The outsole is reasonably tough and stands up well to pavement walking, but if you’re tackling any more complex terrain I’d opt for something more rugged, like the New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v8.

Cushioning + support

These are comfortable, lightweight shoes that have a good level of cushioning and feel springy underfoot. They’re not as bouncy as the Hoka models in this guide, but that’s typical for trail shoes.

Unfortunately, they lose points for their sizing issues. The pair I received came a full size too small!

Design + features

These are high-tech trail shoes, designed for runners. They feature carbon fiber plating to propel your foot forward, a cushy FuelCell midsole and an engineered mesh upper. In short, New Balance has put a lot of effort into these shoes, and the price reflects this. They have an RRP of $200, but you can often find them for slightly less.

Most of these high-tech features are unnecessary in an everyday walking shoe. Additionally, they run very small. I’m used to my walking shoes being on the snugger side—I’m a firm size 6 in Hokas and Brooks, but I needed a 7 when I tested the FuelCell Supercomp Trail. The original pair I tried, a 6, was far too small.

Materials + durability

The carbon plating is a big selling point of this shoe—it’s designed to give a spring-like sensation as the foot strikes the ground. This is great if you’re a runner, as it improves running economy—the energy spent moving you forward. As a walker, meh. I’ve not noticed the difference between carbon plating and no carbon plating. The fact they have this feature jacks up the price, though.

The Vibram Sole is lightweight and incredibly grippy in wet and dry conditions. It is one of the reasons I loved the Hierro V8 so much when I tested it and it serves the FuelCell SuperComp Trail just as well, making each step secure and slip-resistant.

Cushioning + support

These took a while to break in and pinched my Achilles tendon and toes for the first few days. Once worn in, they were a lot more comfortable and on par with the Brooks Ghost 15 for cushioning and support—but I didn’t have to spend time breaking in my pair of 15s, so this felt like a downgrade.

The sole has medium energy return: less bounce than some shoes I’ve tested but much more than others. You can tell they are designed to be road-running shoes but they are not the most comfortable I’ve tested.

Design + features

My main issue with the predecessor, Brooks Ghost 15, was that the toe offered little to no grip and I found myself slipping on wet pavements. Unfortunately, the Brooks Ghost 16s haven’t improved this flaw, and I lost my grip when going uphill. While this is less of an issue at a walking pace, these are shoes designed for running, and it worries me that a swift direction change could lead to the shoe losing grip. I suspect this is due to the vertical grooves in the sole, as they don’t offer grip for a back and forward motion (like walking) and the horizontal grooves end in the middle of the toe box, meaning any weight put forward of that final horizontal groove puts you at risk of slipping.

Visually, there is little difference between these shoes and the Ghost 15.

There are several width options, making these a good choice if you have wider feet. However, I would still recommend going for the Ghost 15 over the 16, which is cheaper and has a better base fit.

Materials + durability

The air mesh upper kept my feet cool on warm days and they were reasonably water-resistant in the rain. The sole stood up well to my testing, with very little visible wear after the usual testing over 40,000 steps.

Cushioning + support: The Hyper Pillar Technology (round foamy springs on the bottom of the shoe) provides an ultra-responsive, bouncy ride, which is comfortable and supportive.

Design + features: While I appreciate the springiness of the Hyper Pillar Technology on the bottom of the shoe, it does have a practical defect: the gaps between each pillar are a magnet for gravel, pebbles and other debris. This shouldn't be a problem if you're keeping to urban environments, but it means the shoes aren't ideal for rural hikes.

Otherwise, the design is comfortable and practical. The mesh uppers kept my feet cool and the lace-up design meant I could tighten the shoes to my preference.

Materials + durability: This is a moderately grippy shoe on slick concrete surfaces thanks to the textured sole. However, I found the pebbles trapped by the pillars caused chipping and damage to the sole, leaving holes and tears.

Interestingly, this is an all-vegan shoe. It's also machine washable, which makes it easier to keep them looking fresh.

Cushioning + support: These are supportive shoes, though I personally didn’t enjoy them. I found the sole too chunky, the heel too high and the inner arch support invasive. I prefer a neutral ride in a shoe, so was not as comfortable in these as other shoes. However, this reflects personal preference rather than flaws with the shoe.

Design + features: The laces are mostly there for show: the slip-in features make this shoe easy to take on and off from standing. The sole is removable, making the shoes fairly easy to clean. I found them to be loose on my feet, I got them in a UK 6 as I am between a size 5.5 and 6 and would advise sizing down. The flexibility offered by the slip-in technology may also be partially responsible for the looser fit.

Materials + durability: These are more durable than the other Skechers I’ve tested, the Go Walk 7s, and the sole looked the same at the end of my testing period as it did in the beginning: these shoes are tough. They aren’t waterproof but are more water resistant than the Go Walk 7s, making them suitable to wear in light rain.

Cushioning + support: I found them a little uncomfortable to start with due to the stiffness of the upper—my other Nikes (Pegasus) were softer and more comfortable to wear from the get-go, but the Motivas took more time to mold to my foot. Once I’d worn them for a few hours, they stopped rubbing my Achilles and underneath my ankles and became much better walking shoes. They are supportive and chunky; once broken in I could walk or stand for hours with no discomfort in my feet.

Design + features: The ridge at the back of the sole makes it easy to slip the shoe off from standing (undo the laces first to avoid damaging the shoe) and the laces won’t easily come untied while walking.

Materials + durability: They are fine to wear in light rain and make easy work of slick concrete surfaces due to the grippiness of the soles. They are water-resistant, but not waterproof, so they’re great for city walking or if your job requires you to stand for long periods, but I wouldn’t hike through wet grass in them.

How we test the best shoes for walking

I’ve tested the most popular walking shoes from all the major shoe brands: Nike, New Balance, Hoka, Skechers and more. I do a minimum of 40,000 steps in each shoe and a five-mile walk. Each shoe will have gone through around 20m/35km of walking before I write a review.

I’ve clocked up nearly 400 miles in the last nine months testing shoes in this way and I’ve conducted this testing alone. The benefit of doing this, rather than reviewing with a wider team, is that I now have an encyclopedic knowledge of all these shoes and can compare them fairly and accurately. Here’s a list of the criteria I consider when testing a shoe.

• Cushioning: I like a shoe with a lot of cushioning for long walks on concrete, so I evaluate how much support there is in the midsole and review how well it retains its springiness and bounce. If it has overly firm cushioning, I’ll flag that in the review, and if I find it interferes with my natural gait, I’ll mention that too.
• Comfort and fit: For a shoe to be comfortable, it needs to fit well without pinching the toes or rubbing the heel, so I’ll evaluate how well it does this. Breathability is a big factor here, too, so I’ll always highlight when a shoe has managed to keep my feet cool. I’ll also analyze whether or not the fit is true to size and if you need to adjust your order accordingly. Some shoes require a ‘breaking in’ period to be comfortable; if that’s the case I’ll mention it in the review.
• Stability and grip: I make sure I test each shoe over different terrains (both rural footpaths and concrete) to examine how well they handle different surfaces. I’ll also always analyze how well the shoes’ lugs grip concrete in wet, slippery weather. If a shoe has an extra-wide crash pad for stability on uneven surfaces, it will earn extra points from me.
• Value for money: A good set of walking shoes can cost upwards of $150, but you don’t need to spend this much to find something comfortable. When I give a shoe a star rating, I’ll take its cost into account. If I don’t think the price is justified, it will lose points.
• Durability: Each shoe is tested for a minimum of 40,00 steps. If it doesn’t hold up well for this testing period, I’ll flag this. I also revisit the shoes after a month and update my review if I think the level of disintegration is unacceptable.

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.

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