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 Firm, supportive cushioning for long walks or you’re a marathoner recovering after a hard race, arguably 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 Keds or Vans. The best running shoes 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 neighborhood.
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- Best Overall: Hoka Clifton 10
- CA Notice at Collection: The Overall lightweight feel was a favorite among our wear testers and
- Best for Overpronators: Saucony Guide 18
- Best Female-Specific Fit: lululemon Beyondfeel
- Hoka Clifton 10: Overall lightweight feel
The Experts
Michael Charboneau: I became a runner in middle school and have covered running and outdoor gear for years, both on-staff at Runner’s World and as a freelance journalist for InsideHook, Men’s Journal, and other outlets. I’ve written about shoes extensively, and have firsthand experience trying out models from a range of brands. In addition to drawing on my own experience, I also tested several pairs of walking shoes to get a better sense of the tech and features in them, and how they differ from running shoes.
What to Consider
Walking may be considered a 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.
How We Selected
For our June 2025 update, Running Reviews Editor Amanda Furrer added some new picks and removed some others, swapped in updated versions of shoes that still merit placement on the list, and ensured that holdovers are still in stock at retailers. This roundup also contains expert insight from its previous authors, running experts Dan Roe and Michael Charboneau.
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 neighborhood power-walks, coffee “runs,” dog walking, and city 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.
Full Reviews
Pros
- The Best Running Shoes of 2025
- More toe room compared to previous model
Cons
- Feels heavy
- The 8 Best Walking Shoes Give You Support and Comfort All Day Long
Key Specs
| Weight | 9.4 oz (M), 7.6 oz (W) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 8mm |
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-molded 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 sidewalks 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 sneaker and everyday jogger.
Shop Men’s at hoka.com Shop Women’s at hoka.com
The Overall lightweight feel was a favorite among our wear testers and
Pros
- Bouncy, plush midsole foam
- Running Walking may be considered a
Cons
- Narrower than previous Bondi
Key Specs
| Weight | 10.7 oz (M), 8.8 oz (W) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 5mm |
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 too fast 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.
Shop Men’s at hoka.com Shop Women’s at hoka.com
Pros
- Stability for overpronators
- has earned a little bit of fluff, though, with its tallest shoe to date, the Glycerin Max
Cons
- Too wide for some feet
Key Specs
| Weight | 9.7 oz (M), 8 oz (W) |
|---|---|
| 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,” says tester and overpronator Helen Capparell.
Tester Dave Block also praised the comfort of the Guide 18. “The first time I tried on the shoe, I cracked a big smile,” he says. “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?
Shop Men’s at saucony.com Shop Women’s at saucony.com
lululemon Beyondfeel
Pros
- Specifically designed for women’s feet
- Firm, supportive cushioning for long walks
Cons
- May be too stiff and heavy for some
Key Specs
| Weight | 10.5 oz (M), 8.6 oz (W) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 10 mm (M), 9 mm (W) |
The Beyondfeel was a part of lululemon’s Further kit. Further was an ultra that took place March 2024 in Lake Cahuilla in La Quinta, CA. Ten women participated in this grueling 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.
Shop Men’s at lululemon.com Shop Women’s at lululemon.com
Pros
- Overall lightweight feel
- Supportive
Cons
- Hoka Bondi 9
Key Specs
| Weight | 9.7 oz (M), 8.3 oz (W) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 10mm |
The Overall lightweight feel was a favorite among our wear testers and RW Nutrition - Weight Loss According to Kate Egging, who is the footwear lead trainer at. 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 9.7 ounces in a men’s size 9 and 8.3 ounces in a women’s size 7, 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.
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Pros
- Underpronator support
- Accommodates orthotics
- Lighter than previous versions
Cons
- Runs wider than previous versions
Key Specs
| Weight | 10.8 oz (M), 9.6 oz (W) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 6mm |
Formerly a clunky run/walker for runners who need orthotics, the tenth iteration is lighter and more nimble, yet still orthotic-friendly. The Echelon 10 has the brand’s highly responsive Pwrrun midsole, which is the same foam in the Saucony Guide 18, a popular running shoe beloved by neutral runners and overpronators, alike. It’s also available in wide and extra wide for men and
According to Kate Egging, who is the footwear lead trainer at Aardvark Sports Shop oz M, 7.6 oz W DAA Industry Opt Out (when your foot rolls inward less than 15 percent while walking), because of its broad base and comfy cushioning. It’s an ideal shoe for walking and for walkers who want to make that leap into running.
“The Echelon gets a little bit overlooked because it falls into such a ‘comfort customer’ category,” Egging says. “But if you’ve got that new runner that has a high volume foot, maybe that 4E runner who needs the extra wide, who supinates and they need a broader base, this shoe is very runnable.”
If you are having issues with other trainers or are a new runner with specific needs, don’t discredit the Echelon 10. It could be your ticket to a perfect ride at any pace.
Shop Men’s at saucony.com Shop Women’s at saucony.com
Brooks Glycerin Max
Pros
- Remarkably well-cushioned
- Secure upper fit
Cons
- A little bulky
Key Specs
| Weight | 10.5 oz (M), 9.5 oz (W) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 6mm |
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 has earned a little bit of fluff, though, with its tallest shoe to date, the Glycerin Max.
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 destabilizing: 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.
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Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24
Pros
- Ideal blend of cushioning and support
- Soft, comfortable upper
Cons
- Narrow toe box
Key Specs
| Weight | 10 oz (M), 8.8 oz (W) |
|---|
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.
Shop Men’s at brooksrunning.com Shop Women’s at brooksrunning.com
Walking Shoe FAQ
Amanda Furrer, Editor, Running Reviews, studied journalism at NYU and writing at Emerson College. She has reviewed gear and covered other topics in the running space for almost 10 years. Since 2013, she has consecutively run the Boston Marathon. She also has a master’s degree in gastronomy from Boston University and was formerly a professional baker for two years before hanging up her apron.
