The 15 Most Comfortable Walking Shoes, Road Tested and Reviewed by Health Editors

Best Overall

Rykä Devotion X Walking Shoe

4.9

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From the moment we slipped into the Rykä Devotion X Walking Shoe we experienced walking-on-cloud comfort that set them apart from the rest. Silky soft materials meet supportive stability in a shoe that had us bouncing our way across sand, cement, city streets, parklands, shopping malls, and the gym (even with a baby in tow). We found the firm but lush sole and the unobtrusive arch and heel cushioning offered great support without sacrificing flexibility. 

With their energy-absorbing bottoms, inner cushioning, and featherweight breathable uppers, the shoes screamed quality straight out of the box. Despite their lightweight construction, these shoes held up remarkably well through testing with little wear or tear. Given the range of colors, the weightless feel, and the absolute comfort of these kicks, we rated them best overall across every model we tested.

Price at time of publication: $110

Product Details:

• Sizes: 5–12
• Weight: 8.7 ounces 
• Closure: Lace up
• Materials: Breathable mesh uppers; foam midsole; eight-piece rubber sole

Best Overall Runner-Up

Kizik Women's Roamer Hands-Free Shoe

4.8

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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. 

Price at time of publication: $149

Product Details:

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

Best Budget

Skechers Go Walk Flex Alani Walking Shoes

4.9

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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. 

Price at time of publication: $70

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

Best Cushioning

On Cloud 5 Women's Running Shoe

4.9

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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.

Price at time of publication: $140

Product Details:

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

Best for Wide Feet

New Balance Fresh Foam 1080 V12 Running Shoe

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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.

Price at time of publication: $140

Product Details:

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

Best for Plantar Fasciitis

Asics Women's Gel-Nimbus 25

4.8

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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.

Price at time of publication: $160

Product Details:

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

Best Traction

Vessi Cityscape Classic Waterproof Shoes

4.9

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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.

Price at time of publication: $135

Product Details:

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

Best for Bunions

Orthofeet Kita Hands-Free Women's Athletic Sneakers

4.8

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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.

Price at time of publication: $155

Product Details:

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

Best for Flat Feet

Rykä Romia Walking Shoe

4.5

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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. 

Price at time of publication: $100

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

Best Arch Support

Dansko Penni Walking Shoe

4.7

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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.

Price at time of publication: $140

Product Details:

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

Best Slip-On

Allbirds Women's Tree Dasher Relay Walking Shoes

4.9

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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.

Price at time of publication: $135

Product Details:

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

Easiest to Clean

Skechers GO WALK Joy Sensational Day Sneaker

4.8

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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.

Price at time of publication: $60

Product Details:

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

Best for Hiking

Teva Canyonview Women's Waterproof Hiking Shoe

4.5

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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.

Price at time of publication: $120

Product Details:

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

Best All-Season

Kane Revive Active Recovery Shoe

4.5

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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.

Price at time of publication: $75

Product Details:

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