After Testing Over 50 Pairs, These Are the Most Comfortable Walking Shoes We've Ever Worn (2024)

Whether you’re standing long hours at work, walking for exercise, or just getting stuff done, wearing comfortable, supportive shoes can benefit energy levels, posture, mobility, and blood flow.

Do a quick search for “most comfortable walking shoes,” and you’ll be inundated with bold claims, indecipherable jargon, a labyrinth of materials, cushion types, and slickly produced marketing materials.

Luckily, we know your pain. Our editors encompass the full spectrum of foot shapes and health concerns, from flat feet to plantar fasciitis, bunions to bung knees. To help you cut through the noise, we set off on a journey of hundreds of miles, testing and reviewing over 50 popular walking shoes to select our top picks across various categories. A podiatrist from our Medical Expert Board also reviewed the content in this article about walking shoe features and shopping for walking shoes for accuracy.

• Best Overall: Kizik Roamer
• Best Budget: Skechers Go Walk Flex Alani
• Best Cushioning: On Cloud 5
• Best for Wide Feet: New Balance Fresh Foam 1080 V12
• Best for Plantar Fasciitis: Asics Gel-Nimbus 25
• Best Traction: Vessi Cityscape Shoes
• Best for Bunions: Orthofeet Kita Hands-free Sneakers
• Best Arch Support: Dansko Penni Walking Shoe
• Best for Flat Feet: Rykä Romia Walking Shoe
• Best Slip-On: Allbirds Women's Tree Dasher Relay Walking Shoes

What to Look For When Shopping for Comfortable Walking Shoes

• Support and stability: If this is your top priority, look for rigid shoes with contoured arch support that fits your foot type. Saylee Tulpule, DPM, of Foot and Ankle Specialists of the Mid-Atlantic, recommends a firm over-the-counter or custom orthotic to promote stability, cushioning, and support. She also suggests a firm but not tight heel counter to protect your heel from rolling. She recommends the New Balance Fresh Foam 1080v12 and ASICS-Gel Nimbus.
• Shock absorption: While your arches are your natural shock absorption, the midsole/insole is the impact-reducing engine room of your shoe. These days, most shoes are fitted with EVA foam, gel or polyurethane cushioning to help prevent jarring step-to-step. Or you can provide your own. Many of the shoes we tested offered not just great shock absorption for comfort but also produced a feeling of forward propulsion. If you’re moving mostly across hard surfaces or your feet are prone to aches or injuries, look formore cushioning to reduce impact.
• Durability: From traditional leather uppers to injection-molded EVA, breathable mesh to waterproof layers—the shoes we tested come in various materials, each with their benefits and drawbacks. Dr. Tulpule recommends replacing walking shoes every 300–500 miles or every six months. So, before you buy, consider what kind of terrain you’ll be walking or standing on. Inside or outside? Creek-side rambles or workplace hallways? Gritty pavement or muddy dog park? How many hours per day or week? Let the way you intend to use them inform your choice of shoes.

Stable, cushiony, and responsive, the Kizik Roamer kept us comfortable and supported across multiple surfaces, including grass, gravel, and rubber. Despite their heavier construction and feel, we found the fabric to be surprisingly breathable, even while traipsing around the city in hot weather. However, the stiff sole didn’t provide the springiness of some other models we tried.

The tongueless slip-on design makes for fewer moving parts and joints, which means no awkward tucks or crumpled heels causing irritation or blisters. The tradeoff for all this deeply considered comfort? These aren’t the kind of high-performance trainers you’ll wear to play tennis or run your next half marathon. Nevertheless, the variety of colors means you can wear them while running errands, to the office, or on an evening walk. Overall, for super comfy, multipurpose, everyday wear, we rate the Kizik Roamer near the top of the pack.

Product Details:

• Sizes: 6–13
• Weight: N/A
• Closure: Lace up
• Materials: Foam outsole, rubber sole

Considering the lower price point, we found a lot of surprises in these shoes. With a whole lot of heel cushioning, the shoes soak up any impact for a smooth transition through every step. The flat insole felt like stepping on a dense memory-foam mattress, cushioning then springing back as we walked. The lightweight construction was just as airy and cushy as more expensive models, and the laceless design lets you slip the shoes on hands-free, with no folded-down heels or under-tucked tongues.

The breathable mesh upper does its job, though they’re prone to getting a little warmer than others we tried due to their snug fit. The downside of the lace-free closure is that once they’re on, you can’t adjust the fit. That said, throughout testing we found these shoes undeniably comfortable, durable, and well constructed for the price. If you’re after a little extra forward propulsion in your step without draining your savings, the Skechers Go Walk Flex Alani might be the budget shoe for you.

Product Details:

• Sizes: 5–13 (+ wide options)
• Weight: N/A
• Closure: Stretch bungee
• Materials: Engineered mesh upper with stretch laces; Air-Cooled Goga Mat breathable insole; multi-surface rubber paneled sole

We’d seen these shoes around everywhere before we tried them out, and now we know why. The good news is they more than match their funky design (available in 15+ colors!) with high-quality materials and cushioning for one of the most comfortable shoes we tested. With their balanced cushioning, these shoes felt supportive all day long straight out of the box.

Lightweight and breathable, the slip-on design offers a great amount of toe space and comfortable support from heel to toe. The pre-laced bungee system initially felt a little looser than we expected, especially around the midfoot, but if speed laces aren’t your thing, the shoes also come with optional laces. The upper mesh is super breathable in hot weather—so much so that on cold days it’d pay to wear socks (waterproof options are available, too).

In terms of stability, the curved sole felt responsive and solid on grass and offered great shock absorption on blacktop. If you’re looking for a shoe to wear on uneven or rougher terrain, we’d recommend something with more ankle and arch support. But for casual daily wear, neighborhood walks, chasing the kids around, travel days, or a little light jogging, we highly recommend the On Cloud 5 as a well-cushioned choice.

Product Details:

• Sizes: 5–11
• Weight: 7.16 ounces
• Closure: Speed laces (optional lace up)
• Materials: Mesh upper with stretch laces; 44% recycled materials

With heightened cushioning and support, the New Balance Fresh Foam 1080s were one of our favorites for long-distance walks. Fitting true to size (albeit a little wider than others we tried), the thick but breathable cushioning and tongue held our feet snug. The ergonomically molded uppers were so comfy they felt like thick socks, in a good way. And the curved sole offered a smooth and responsive energy transfer from heel to toe, allowing for quick transition between strides and almost propelling you forward.

Though the outer felt rigid and the shoe is difficult to bend or twist, the sturdy structure added to the overall stability of this model without contributing too much extra weight. The cupped heel and arch cushioning offered great support across varied terrain. All in all, we found this a durable, well constructed, all-day choice, with a little extra heel and toe space for wide feet.

Product Details:

• Sizes: 5–16 (+ wide options)
• Weight: 8.2 ounces
• Closure: Lace up
• Materials: Mesh upper; foam midsole; blown rubber outsole

Fitting true to size, the Asics Gel-Nimbus 25 matched our expectations in terms of comfort, design, and walkability. After slipping these shoes on using the clever large heel and tongue loops, we found the toe box was roomy and the heel area offered solid support.

The cushioning is where these shoes rate highly, providing almost pillow-like softness, absorbing shock, and promoting a natural gait. Springy and responsive, they offered great bounceback, propelling forwards while keeping us feeling bouncy, light and nimble across various environments. We loved how the extra tongue and upper-foot padding added plush comfort throughout the shoe—a must for people prone to inflammation or plantar fasciitis.

However, after several days of wear the firm heel rubbed slightly, causing a small blister, so consider wearing thicker than average socks. We also noted that while the shoes performed well walking (even on uneven terrain), they felt inadequate during cross-training, so it’s best to keep them to light duties.

Product Details:

• Sizes: 5–13
• Weight: 9.2 ounces
• Closure: Lace up
• Materials: Soft knit upper; rubber outsole

Super stable, responsive, and grippy, the soles of the Vessi Cityscape Classic shoes offered excellent traction on various surfaces, with zero slips even in the rain. We also rated them highly for their overall responsiveness and bounce. The cushioning felt light yet supportive, especially in the arches, offering comfort for long days of wear (even around Disney World!). As an added bonus, they’re also waterproof and survived several Florida downpours.

Out of the box, we noted the shoes didn’t live up to the stylish professional shots on the site. They also fit on the snug side for their size, so maybe order a size up or down (no half sizes!) depending on how you like them. The glove-like fit offered only a little room in the toe box, and the snugness took a bit of getting used to. But over time their lightness, breathability and support more than outweighed any initial misgivings.

Product Details:

• Sizes: 5–11
• Weight: N/A
• Closure: Lace up
• Materials: 100% waterproof knit textile and synthetic uppers

After logging many miles in Orthofeet Kitas, we experienced no ankle or knee instability, and the shock support proved comfortable across asphalt, concrete, grass, dirt, and on treadmills. The cushioning and arch support scored highly for people with plantar fasciitis and bunions, causing no flare-ups or irritation. However, we did notice some sole soreness after walks longer than five miles, which is definitely a consideration for distance walkers.

At first sight, they looked a little more chunky and boxy than we expected, but they came with two different insoles as spacers and also a hard plastic arch support for each shoe, so we were able to adjust the fit until it felt right. Once modified to suit our feet, we loved that we were able to step into these shoes without bending down at all. And though their sizing is spot on, the adaptability of the design lets you remove bulk and easily go up a half size if you need to work around painful bumps or bunions.

Product Details:

• Sizes: 5–12 (standard, wide and extra wide options)
• Weight: 9.74 ounces
• Closure: Lace up
• Materials: Fabric uppers; cushioned soles

After slipping the Dansko Penni on, it took a little adjustment of the toggle to find the right fit. But once we did, we found the toe space was just the right amount of roomy. The Dansko Natural Arch Plus support offered superb stability for all-day wear, and we loved the bungee-lace slip-on style and simple tightening mechanism—a real win for people with arthritis or dexterity issues. The shoe performed solidly over long periods and across varied terrain, with great shock absorption and no wobbles or slips.

The firm sole is offset nicely by the squishy, cushioned insole, to give great bounce and forward propulsion from step to step. Although they felt heavier than other shoes we tried, the balance of comfort, bounce, and support meant we never felt weighed down. It’s also worth noting that this shoe is approved by the American Podiatric Medical Association. If arch support is top of your priorities, we rate the Dansko Penni as a solid choice.

Product Details:

• Sizes: 5–12
• Weight: N/A
• Closure: Bungee laces
• Materials: Recycled mesh uppers; EVA footbed and midsole; rubber outsole

Rykä’s “made for women” claims lived up to their promises. The narrow heel and wider toe area offering exceptional stability and support. From the solid base to the stretchy knit uppers and extra material around the ankle, our feet felt cradled and stable from the first wear. The level of support more than made up for the extra time we spent taking these shoes on and off. At just 8.3 ounces each, their lightweight design offers great springiness, shock absorption, and flex from heel to toe. And even in SoCal heat, they remained breathable and cool.

Whether testing on tracks, grass, asphalt, in stores, on wooden flooring, on pavement, or a mix of terrains, they felt comfortable and our feet secure—at least, initially. One drawback of the light construction is the thinness of the soles, which offer sub-par cushioning for all-day wear. Over time the novelty of the extra ankle material wore a little thin, causing chafing around the front of the foot.

It’s also worth noting that the white material gets dirty relatively quickly, so if cleanliness is a must, go for the black option (the only other choice). All in all, we found the Rykä Romia Walking Shoe a comfy option for flatter-footed women, though the construction proved a little flimsy over time.

Product Details:

• Sizes: 5–12 (standard, wide and extra wide options)
• Weight: 8.3 ounces
• Closure: Slip-on with laces
• Materials: Seamless stretch knit upper; rubber outsole with flex grooves

Fitting true to size, the Allbirds Tree Dasher Relay offers a snug and stable fit with little break-in time. Although the oversized sole looks a little odd, it provides a solid base and excellent traction on wet and dry surfaces, concrete, linoleum, sand, grass, and more.

Lightweight and responsive, these shoes give a little extra spring in your step for great transitions between strides. We noticed the cushioning took a little pressure off our lower back, especially when moving from one activity to the next. We also found them great as recovery shoes after training. Our big toe tended to touch the upper fabric, but this caused no noticeable irritation.

What we loved most was the slip-on design, which was super convenient when we had to put on shoes to run a quick errand, head to the beach, or walk the dog. After traveling from New York City to Los Angeles and back in a day, we loved the ease of use during airport security checks. While the casual look of these shoes won’t be to everyone’s tastes, we rate them as a durable, versatile all-rounder to keep near the door.

Product Details:

• Sizes: 5–11
• Weight: N/A
• Closure: Laceless
• Materials: Recycled mesh uppers; foam midsole; merino wool heel counter; rubber sole

When we slipped on the Skechers Go Walk Joy — Sensational Day sneakers, the roomy toe box and well-supported ankle felt solid and stable, keeping our feet firmly in place without being restrictive. Once broken in, the cushioning felt great, even after standing or walking for hours on grass, concrete, or gravel. The base of the shoe is sturdy and has a slightly curved rocker, so we were pleasantly surprised by the springiness and level of forward propulsion. Also surprising was the level of support and shock absorption for such a lightweight slip-on.

The thing that won us over about these sneakers was their machine washability. From sweaty, sock-free walks on New York City streets and dog parks, to 80-degree Georgia days, we were able to refresh these shoes with a gentle machine cycle, and the light beige color we tested showed little dirt, wear, or odor after a month of testing. One thing to consider is that an early heel blister caught us by surprise, so we’d definitely recommend a brief break-in period before wearing all day. All in all, we found these shoes were a comfy, durable choice at a reasonable price-point.

Product Details:

• Sizes: 5–13
• Weight: N/A
• Closure: Laceless
• Materials: Mesh upper; rubber sole

Our first impressions of the Teva Canyonview were that they felt stiff, with a heel that was a smidge too roomy. But after a period of 2–3 wears to break them in, we discovered they’re a great all-terrain multipurpose shoe, albeit with far less cushioning than others we tried.

In terms of stability, the shoes scored high, even over a full day of wear across pavement, grass and concrete. Springiness? Not so much. They’re light for a hiking shoe, so they don’t feel like they’re weighing you down, but the firm soles and lack of cushioning don’t give you the propulsive feel that you get from other sneakers. However, there is a nice oval cushion at the base of the heel for a subtle pep in your step.

Breathable and light, these shoes don’t have any issues with overheating, though we did find choosing the right sock thickness made a huge difference in terms of comfort. The waterproof materials and construction held up wonderfully, even after extended testing in wet and muddy conditions.

Aesthetically speaking, Teva Canyonviews definitely fall into the hiking shoe end of the sneaker spectrum. But if you’re happy to carry a slight mountaineer vibe wherever you’re walking, we found them a versatile shoe for casual walks and easy-to-moderate hikes. Just be ready for a small period of discomfort while breaking them in.

Product Details:

• Sizes: 5–11
• Weight: N/A
• Closure: Lace up
• Materials: Waterproof leather and textile upper; EVA foam midsole; rubber outsole

Kane Revive slip-ons are a comfortable, durable, and incredibly breathable slipper for low-key walking, yard work, water sports, and even light jogging. One glance and you’ll know whether these pass or fail the look test. But in terms of functionality, we found these airy injection-molded sneakers far outstripped our expectations.

Although not overly cushioned, they firmly hold your foot in place, and did a great job transitioning from concrete to grass, grass to sand, barring a few instances of rubbing on hotter days. We found it best to avoid loose rocks, as they have a tendency to get stuck inside the shoes.

Super lightweight and breathable, they performed well in hot weather, though it’s worth noting that we found wearing socks preferable for extra comfort during prolonged wear. Quick drying? Check. Durable? Definitely. The renewable Kane Revive sugarcane material measured up to a lot of punishment, so they also pass the longevity test. The big question mark: will you still like the look of them in 12 or 24 months’ time? That’s one only you can answer.

Product Details:

• Sizes: 3–20
• Weight: N/A
• Closure: Laceless
• Materials: Eco-friendly foam made from sugarcane

Fitting true to size, the Saucony Integrity Walker 3 felt comfy, if a little clunky (almost clog-like) out of the box. Although we wouldn’t describe them as light or airy, what they lack in cloud-like cushioning they more than make up for in support. Even members of our testing team with previous ankle injuries felt confident striking out across multiple surfaces with no stumbles, rolls, or trips.

In terms of responsiveness, the shoes lacked the springiness we’d found in other pairs we tested. But again, the tradeoff is stability. The full-grain leather uppers offer great durability, and the American Podiatric Medical Association has even given their Seal of Approval, recognizing these shoes as beneficial to foot health. For an all-round solid performer, we’d recommend the Saucony Integrity Walker 3 as a highly functional walking shoe, though a little dreary in the features and fashion departments.

Product Details:

• Sizes: 5–12
• Weight: 10.3 ounces
• Closure: Lace up
• Materials: Leather upper
  

To determine the most comfortable walking shoes, we first spoke with some experts, including:

• Saylee Tulpule, DPM, Foot and Ankle Specialists of the Mid-Atlantic
• Diana Levin Valencia, DPM, NYC Foot & Ankle Center

Based on their recommendations, our team of more than 20 editors subjected more than 50 popular models to a rigorous step-by-step process. The testing methodology included bend and twist testing to gauge stability, followed by initial light walking.

We then ramped up the test duration across several three-hour periods of intermittent walking, general movement (running errands, sightseeing, shopping, etc.), and standing. Last came full-day wear for no less than eight hours at a time. Our key considerations included fit, stability, responsiveness, cushioning, comfort, quality, and value for money.

Your Foot Type

No two feet are exactly the same (even your own). Here are a handful of anatomical considerations and recommendations:

1. Arches

• High: Choose a cushioned running shoe with a softer midsole and lots of flexibility.
• Low: Opt for a supportive shoe that is designed for stability and motion control.
• Average: Select a shoe with equal amounts of stability and cushioning to help absorb shock.

2. Pronation (inward ankle rolling)

• Look for shoes with a firm heel counter for stability and responsive, flexible soles for reduced impact.

3. Foot Width

• Wide: Look for shoes with roomy toe boxes, and plenty of grip. Choose sneakers with removable insoles to decrease bulk if you’re using specific orthotics or inserts.
• Narrow: If narrow options aren’t available in the style you want, look for shoes with lots of cushioning and padding. Some shoes even offer a sock-like wrap. Lace ups also have the advantage of being able to be tightened for a snug fit.

4. Other foot concerns/related conditions (plantar fasciitis, bunions, arthritis, diabetes, etc.)

• See our product reviews for recommendations for people with plantar fasciitis and bunions. If you have specific medical or health considerations, we always recommend talking to a podiatrist or footwear consultant before you change your footwear.

We tested these popular pairs, but they didn't impress us:

Altra Rivera 3: Although these shoes fit roughly true to size, we found the wide front and loose heel felt awkward, and the arch support was lacking. And though they offered great forward propulsion between strides, the lack of shock absorption and the flat, squishy soles led to weary legs when worn on long walks across the concrete.

Vionic Captivate Sneaker: Sturdily constructed, these shoes have a wide-for-their-size toe box, and the stiffness made it difficult to tighten the laces for a snug fit around the ankles. The rigid insoles and hard, flat soles won’t suit everyone’s tastes. But if sturdiness is your number one consideration, these are definitely built to last.

Adidas Supernova 2.0: Springy and responsive, these shoes offered great stability across various surfaces. The heel cushioning makes them an extremely comfy option for people with low to moderate arches. It definitely pays to try before you buy or order a half size up, as we found them a little on the small side, even compared to other Adidas shoes we’ve tried.

Who We Are

Samson McDougall is a journalist, copywriter, editor and biology graduate. His work encompasses everything from web copy for science museums to sexual health articles for universities, info sheets for first-in-category pharmaceuticals to brand messaging for wearable touch therapy by neuroscientists. Samson is a walker, hiker, surfer, and all-round nature lover. He has narrow paddle-like feet with supremely high arches and weird elongated pointer toes that curl at the end.