From casual strolls to invigorating runs, wearing a comfy pair of shoes can truly make your usual route more enjoyable. Maybe you’re toying with the idea of g women’s UK 8.5 or you’re a marathoner recovering after a hard race? Either way, the most essential gear is a pair of shoes. Trainers with supportive cushioning and built-in stability help pad pounding on the pavement as you stroll, rush, power walk, half-jog and, occasionally, run through your day.
There’s a reason we recommend running shoes over say a pair of Gazelles or Vans. The Tested: Tracksmith Eliot Range trail running shoe mitigate the impact of moving around all day, whatever pace you’re going. Their uppers are made with lightweight materials that are both breathable and insulated to keep you content in a wide range of conditions. When we’re talking about walking, speed and responsiveness take a back seat to padding, support, and durability. A narrow platform and rocker midsole shape will help you compete, but aren’t necessarily what you want on a leisurely tour around your neighbourhood.
mm heel, 24mm forefoot
The best overpronation running shoes, expert-tested low-impact activity, but that doesn’t mean you’re not expending energy, getting your heart rate up, and, sometimes, working up a sweat. Finding the right walking shoes is essential, especially since it still puts stress and pressure on your feet and legs. Follow these shoe picking tips so your walks can be more enjoyable.
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We picked the best walking shoes based on our testing. All of our staff had to walk before we could run, and we continue to go at that leisurely pace when we’re off the track and running course.
We put in hours of power-walks, coffee ‘runs’, dog walking, and lunch-break wandering in hundreds of shoes to help determine the best pair for every kind of walker. For products we didn’t test in-house, we referred to experts and cross-checked online forums to recommend the shoes both walking and running communities are excited about.
The Beyondfeel was a part of
Key Specs
| Weight | 278g (M), 227g (W) |
|---|---|
| Stack height | 42mm (heel), 34mm (forefoot) |
| Drop | 8mm |
Read our full Hoka Clifton 10 review
We loved the Clifton 9 for its superb cushioning and surprisingly lightweight package. The Clifton 10 doesn’t disappoint, with a few minor updates that make us love this Hoka legend all the more.
The compression-moulded EVA (when EVA pellets are heated and compressed) midsole is tuned for responsiveness and comfort at any pace. ‘The firm but ample cushioning hits the sweet spot for me,’ said a tester. ‘I like to have some cush underfoot, but in an age where everything has gotten bloated and pillowy, it’s nice to have a shoe that is resilient and gives you snappy feedback, but still delivers protection from the pavements so you get some extra bounce in your step.’ Hoka added 3mm more cushioning in the heel, which translates to even more impact absorption and plush comfort.
The Clifton 10 is just a little peppier than your average walking shoe thanks to its curved sole — Hoka’s early-stage MetaRocker — encouraging a smooth heel-toe transition.
Just like the previous version, the Clifton 10 has unmatched versatility. We wore it as a casual trainer and everyday jogger.
Key Specs
| Weight | 292g (women’s UK 8.5) |
|---|---|
| Stack height | 42mm (heel), 37mm (forefoot) |
| Drop | 5mm |
Read our full Hoka Bondi 9 review
Speaking of the Clifton, if there’s one shoe that screams Hoka, it’s the Bondi. The trainer is quintessentially Hoka for its max-cushioning and soft interior. The Bondi 8 came out three years ago, so we expected a major makeover with the Bondi 9. The latest version is 10mm thicker than its predecessor (the men’s Bondi 8 had a 33mm stack height). Though the Bondi 9 towers over previous iterations, one thing the Hoka team wanted to change was its ‘billowiness’. This shoe has a sleeker, more refined look compared to past Bondis.
Our run/walkers found the shoe supremely bouncy, making their interval training go a smidge faster than planned. The Bondi 9 is ideal for brisk walkers who need some extra cushioning to pad their jaunty bounce when they’re impatient to get wherever they need to go.
Key Specs
| Weight | 272g (M), 245g (W) |
|---|---|
| Stack height | 35mm (heel), 29mm (forefoot) |
| Drop | 8mm |
Walking or running, you may need support if your foot rolls inward, or overpronates; especially if you’re walking for long periods of time.
The Guide 18 has Saucony’s original Pwrrun foam, which is responsive and supportive. The shoe has a wider last than its predecessor; it’s straighter on the medial side making it perfect for wide-foot walkers. Saucony increased the foam around the heel for a more secure fit and to prevent annoying slippage. The brand’s CenterPath tech provides stability with higher sidewalls and a broader base. ‘I loved the high wall upper design that literally holds your foot in the center of the cushioning, creating a comfortable ride,’ said one tester.
Another praised the comfort of the Guide 18. ‘The first time I tried on the shoe, I cracked a big smile,’ they said. ‘I loved the feel. It’s just so darn soft and comfortable inside! It put me in a positive frame of mind before I went out the door. If memory serves, this shoe has the most comfortable interior among all those I’ve wear-tested.’ How’s that for high praise?
Key Specs
| Weight | 270g (UK size 6) |
|---|---|
| Stack height | 35.5mm (heel), 26.5mm (forefoot) |
| Drop | 10mm (M), 9mm (W) |
The Adidas Ultraboost 5X was a favourite among our wear testers and lululemon’s Further kit. Further was an ultra that took place in March 2024 in Lake Cahuilla in La Quinta, California. Ten women participated in this gruelling event that was the perfect breeding ground for gear testing. And with six days trekking on a looped course, culminating 2,000+ mileage, you can bet they were walking for a few stretches.
The Beyondfeel has tiny details that make it specific to men and women. ‘The oval-shaped heel clips, found on both sides of the rearfoot, are designed uniquely for him and her. (The men’s clips are slightly longer, while the women’s clips are slightly higher.),’ said Simon Atkins, lululemon’s senior vice president of footwear. “All these differences are being tuned specifically for each gender.”
The shoe has firmer cushioning, making it ideal for long walks and days when you’re constantly on your feet.
Key Specs
| Weight | 275 g (size UK 8.5) |
|---|---|
| Stack height | 39mm (heel), 29mm (forefoot) |
| Drop | 10mm |
Tested: Tracksmith Eliot Range trail running shoe RW staffers recommending shoes for new runners getting into the habit with a mix of running and walking. It’s plush, with a tall 39mm stack height in the heel and 29mm in the forefoot, giving it enough squish to absorb bumps and cracks in the sidewalk like they’re not even there.
At the same time, it’s also fairly light: at around 275 g (size UK 8.5), it is around the same weight as other trainers. The secret is Adidas’ Light Boost foam compound, which Adidas claims is 30 percent lighter than its last-generation Boost cushioning. Our testers lauded the shoe for getting a bouncy, but responsive feel in a high-padding shoe.
Its Primeknit material delivers a sock-like fit that allows the foot to expand and breathe, while shaving down the shoe’s weight. Some of our run testers didn’t love the tongueless, one-piece design, though. ‘I just don't feel as stable in a shoe that has those collars, almost like I am going to roll my ankle or something. (Even though I know it’s most likely not going to happen, given my lack of nimbleness and speed.),’ said one tester.
But when you’re walking, that stretchy, lightweight upper works wonders, keeping your feet dry and happy all day long.
Key Specs
| Weight | 297.7g (M), 269.3g (W) |
|---|---|
| Stack height | 42.25mm (heel), 39.25mm (forefoot) |
| Drop | 6mm |
Read our full Brooks Glycerin Max review
It can be tough to avoid overhyping the soft, pillowy, dare we say marshmallowy padding of max cushion trainers, which shoe manufacturers design with taller stacks and softer materials every year. Brooks Runners World US.
With a towering 45mm stack at heel and just under 40mm at the forefoot, it has one of the thickest midsoles on a running shoe right now. The midsole, made with Brooks’ new nitrogen-infused DNA Tuned foam, is softer in the rear. It’s ideal for absorbing the initial impact of your heel touching down. Meanwhile, the front of the shoe turns upward and features a slightly firmer cushioning to create a stable platform for your next step.
With heavily padded shoes, you have to watch out for an overly squishy step, which some may find uncomfortable or even destabilising. Our wear testers found that, even with so much foam underfoot, it felt ‘quite lightweight and responsive‘ with great rebound. The testers also enjoyed the snug upper, which did well to keep runners’ and walkers’ feet planted while going around corners.
Key Specs
| Weight | 249.5g (UK 6) |
|---|---|
| Stack height | 36mm (heel), 24mm (forefoot) |
| Drop | 12mm |
Read our full Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24
The Brooks Adrenaline GTS — the brand’s moderate stability shoe — got lighter, softer and bouncier in its 24th rendition due a revamped midsole. Switching to the company’s nitrogen-infused DNA Loft v3 foam gives the Adrenaline GTS 24 a sportier ride.
‘It was enough cushioning to sustain me on my eight-mile runs,’ said one tester. ‘At the same time, my feet didn't ‘sink’ as I ran; the cushioning didn't undermine the bounce I felt.’
Brooks’ stability support feature, coincidentally also called ‘GuideRails‘ adds extra-firm foam on either side of your heel to prevent overpronation and encourage a fully aligned stride. Up top, the shoe’s soft yet secure upper fit was confidence-inspiring for testers, who praised the Adrenaline GTS 24’s comfort, especially the well-padded heel.
One thing to keep in mind: some of our testers felt the toe box felt narrow, and that the sizing generally runs small compared to other Brooks shoes. We’d recommend buying a half-size up to compensate.
