We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Apparel and Gear Workout Clothes Shoes Step Into the New Year Right with the Best Walking Shoes Podiatrists Love 10,000 steps a day feel even better in these bad boys. By Shelby Deering Shelby Deering Shelby Deering is a lifestyle writer, print and digital journalist, and storyteller with more than 17 years of writing, editing, and content creation experience who specializes in home, decor, and travel topics. Shape's editorial guidelines and Summer Cartwright Summer Cartwright Summer Cartwright is a marathon runner, certified cycling instructor, and senior editor at Shape. She has raced in the New York City Marathon, Chicago Marathon, Columbus Marathon, Houston Half Marathon, Brooklyn Half Marathon, New York Mini 10k, and dozens of other events. She has expertise in running shoes, performance gear, and recovery equipment. She's from Columbus, Ohio, and has three pets: two cats named Polly and Peaky and a dog named Rhubarb. Shape's editorial guidelines Updated on February 6, 2025 In This Article View All In This Article Our Top Picks Reviews What to Know Why Trust Shape Photo: Shape / Joy Kim Walking into the New Year feeling a bit apprehensive? Put one foot in front of the other and you got this! Building healthy habits is something we always cheer on, so if this 2025 you're looking to amp up your step count, we got you. So we're here to stray you from the wrong walking shoes, which cause plenty of foot pain and knock your entire body out of alignment, from your feet to your spine. “While sometimes price and quality don’t correlate, there are instances that they do,” says Diana Levin Valencia, D.P.M., a podiatrist based in New York City. “A good pair of walking shoes will prevent injury and pain, and last a long time, thus keeping us walking pain-free longer.” To help you find the best walking shoes, we got to stepping. Over the course of a month, we examined and tested 33 pairs of walking shoes, judging each pair on fit, comfort, stability, responsiveness, cushioning, quality, and value. These walking shoes met our high standards for comfy, supporting footwear. The Rundown Our pick for the best walking shoes overall, the Adidas Ultraboost Light Women's Running Shoe is flexible and breathable. If you need more structure to keep your feet from pronating or rolling while you walk, try the Saucony Tempus 2 shoes. They're fitted out with alignment designs that ensure your feet stay in the right spot no matter the terrain. Our Top Picks Best Walking Shoes Overall: Adidas Ultraboost Light Running Shoe at Amazon $79 Jump to Review Best Structured Walking Shoes: Saucony Women's Tempus 2 at Saucony.com Jump to Review Best Walking Shoes Under $75: Skechers Go Walk Flex Alani at Amazon $65 Jump to Review Best Podiatrist-Approved Walking Shoe: SALE Rykä Devotion X at Amazon $110 $80 Jump to Review Best Investment Walking Shoes: SALE Asics Gel-Nimbus 25 at Amazon $160 $100 Jump to Review Best Walking Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis: On Cloud 5 at Amazon $160 Jump to Review Most Versatile Walking Shoes: Allbirds Tree Dasher Relay Walking Shoes at Amazon $130 Jump to Review Best Waterproof Walking Shoes: Vessi Cityscape Shoes at Vessi.com $105 Jump to Review Best Walking Shoes for Bunions: Orthofeet Kita Hands-free Sneakers at Amazon $123 Jump to Review Best Walking Shoes for All Terrain: SALE Altra Women's Lone Peak 7 Trail Running Shoe at Amazon $150 $120 Jump to Review Best Walking Shoes Overall Adidas Ultraboost Light Running Shoe PHOTO: Amazon $79 $74 at Amazon $141 at Zappos View on Shoppremiumoutlets.com Why We Like It Very lightweight Outsole grips extremely well Comfortable even for those with foot issues like bunions Breathable and stretchy Multiple color options It's Worth Noting Not the best choice for those who like firm shoes Some may find them too wide Sizes: 5-12 | Width: Standard | Midsole drop: Unlisted | Weight: 9.2 oz. This lace-up, road-running shoe happens to be a pretty phenomenal walking shoe, too. Even when walking several thousand steps a day, and dealing with foot issues like bunions, the shoes continued to be comfortable and breezy through every hour. With responsiveness that feels altogether smooth and whisper-light fabric that provides amazing breathability, the bonus is that these shoes stretch, allowing for plenty of free movement. Another pro is that these are Adidas’s lightest Ultraboost shoes ever, making for shoes that will feel like little airy clouds on your feet. PHOTO: Shape / Sarah Felbin PHOTO: Shape / Joy Kim PHOTO: Shape / Joy Kim Best Structured Walking Shoes Saucony Women's Tempus 2 Image: Saucony. View on Saucony.com Why We Like It Lots of built-in stride protection Solid arch support Made from vegan and recycled materials It's Worth Noting Takes some time breaking in Sizes: 5-12 | Width: Standard | Midsole drop: 8mm | Weight: 8.2 oz If you're looking for a stability shoe that'll essentially lock your foot into the exact position it needs to be in for a healthy stride while walking, look no further. These Sauconys have support from your toes to your heel, and will lock your foot into proper position no matter where you're walking. The sole grip is fantastic on slippery surfaces during rain, or gravel roads for trail hikes. PHOTO: Shape / Lauryn Higgins PHOTO: Shape / Lauryn Higgins PHOTO: Shape / Lauryn Higgins PHOTO: Shape / Lauryn Higgins PHOTO: Shape / Lauryn Higgins PHOTO: Shape / Lauryn Higgins Best Walking Shoes Under $75 Skechers Go Walk Flex Alani PHOTO: Skechers $65 $59 at Amazon Why We Like It Budget-friendly Machine-washable Made with vegan materials Breathable mesh and cooling insole It's Worth Noting Not adjustable Limited colors Sizes: 5-13 | Width: Standard | Midsole drop: Unlisted | Weight: 7 oz. Yes, the brand that you religiously wore as a young'un is back for the adult set, and this time, Skechers is making a well-designed walking shoe that is affordable to boot. Rendered in breathable mesh with a cooling insole, vegan materials, and lightweight cushioning, these shoes are highly responsive, which will put a nice spring in your step. We enjoyed the high level of comfort that came with these shoes, provided by the generous padding around the heel and cushion that absorbs tons of shock. PHOTO: Shape / Katie Bowler PHOTO: Shape / Katie Bowler Best Podiatrist-Approved Walking Shoe Rykä Devotion X PHOTO: Amazon $110 $80 at Amazon $78 at Zappos $80 at Nordstrom Why We Like It Extra cushioning in forefoot and heel Great shock absorption American Podiatric Medical Association Seal of Acceptance Wide forefoot for stability and narrow heel for improved fit Partially recycled lining It's Worth Noting Only available in neutral colors Fabric can get dirty easily Sizes: 5-12 | Width: Standard, wide | Midsole drop: 10 mm | Weight: 8.7 oz. Along with the American Podiatric Medical Association Seal of Acceptance, we like that these Ryka shoes have features that are ideal for women, like the wider forefoot for bonus stability and a narrower heel for an improved fit. We also like that the mesh fabric breathes very easily (gotta love the partially recycled linings for an eco-friendly touch, too), and we also felt as if our knees, ankles, and toes were all more than adequately supported. We did find that the fabric can get dirty fairly easily, especially the white. PHOTO: Shape / Kelly Meehan Brown PHOTO: Shape / Sahara Borja Best Investment Walking Shoes Asics Gel-Nimbus 25 PHOTO: Amazon $160 $100 at Amazon View on Academy.com View on Roadrunnersports.com Why We Like It Great cushioning and gel technology Available in multiple colors Rocker helps reduce tension in your legs Good for plantar fasciitis It's Worth Noting Higher price point than others on the list Roomy toe box could make them feel slightly large Sizes: 5-13 | Width: Standard | Midsole drop: 8mm | Weight: 8.9 oz. Even though the Asics Gel-Nimbus 25 is a cushioned road-running shoe, we love it as a walking shoe, too. The rocker will make you naturally rock forward, which can help reduce tension in your legs. Designed with underpronation in mind (that’s when you push off the sides of your feet using your smaller toes), whether you’re running or walking, these shoes are great for injury prevention, including pesky plantar fasciitis and ankle strain. We liked the fact that the toe box more than adequately accommodated our toes and our heels never slipped out of place. Shape Best Walking Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis On Cloud 5 PHOTO: On $160 at Amazon $140 at Zappos $140 at Nordstrom Why We Like It Speed-lacing makes them easy to slip on Great for reducing pain Good choice for those with high arches Available in more than a dozen colors It's Worth Noting Tend to run a bit narrow Sizes: 5-11 | Width: Standard | Midsole drop: 8mm | Weight: 7.16 oz. Sporting a modern look and a speed-lacing system, these walking shoes were developed by pros in Switzerland and have all the bells and whistles if you need shoes for plantar fasciitis. Think: comfortable foam that cushions even your most powerful “push-off” movements during a walk or run. And since that cushioning absorbs shock, your painful fascia won’t absorb it, resulting in less pain. Plus, there’s great support for high arches—high arches without support can often cause or exacerbate plantar fasciitis. We reported less plantar fasciitis pain and inflammation after wearing these shoes, even after walking through airports. PHOTO: Shape / Ashleigh Morley PHOTO: Shape / Ashleigh Morley Most Versatile Walking Shoes Allbirds Tree Dasher Relay Walking Shoes PHOTO: Allbird $130 at Amazon $130 at Zappos $135 at Nordstrom Why We Like It Machine-washable Slip-on Made with renewable materials Mesh helps minimize odor Reflective detailing helps you stay safe at night It's Worth Noting Casual look doesn't go with all outfits Not many color choices Sizes: 5-11 | Width: Standard | Midsole drop: Unlisted | Weight: Unlisted These walking shoes from beloved brand Allbirds have a lot going for them. They’re machine washable. You can slip them on, which means you can put them on in a hurry. They’re eco-friendly in renewable materials. And the mesh lends itself to minimizing odor. The shoe also has excellent cushioning, a lightly padded heel collar that helps your ankle stay in place (buh-bye sprained ankles!), and reflective detailing that’ll help you feel safer at night. We loved the fact that there was basically no breaking-in period while first wearing them Best Waterproof Walking Shoes Vessi Cityscape Shoes PHOTO: Vessi $105 at Vessi.com Why We Like It Made with stretchy mesh fabric Waterproof True-to-size fit It's Worth Noting Not very colorful or stylish Sizes: 5-11 | Width: Standard | Midsole drop: Unlisted | Weight: Unlisted This streamlined shoe from Vessi is a walking shoe that’s also waterproof, which is ideal if you walk in all kinds of weather. It uses Dyma-tex 100% waterproof technology, a patented material with pores that are too small for water droplets to get in. Waterproof shoes are often not breathable, but these shoes are, in mesh that allows air in. One editor found that they withstood a theme park trip in pouring rain and were incredibly comfortable and surprisingly supportive as well. PHOTO: Shape / Sarah Naftzger PHOTO: Shape / Sarah Naftzger Best Walking Shoes for Bunions Orthofeet Kita Hands-free Sneakers PHOTO: Orthofeet $123 at Amazon $120 at Zappos View on Orthofeet.com Why We Like It Great for those with bunions Available in medium, wide, and extra-wide widths Optional arch booster insole Slip-on and water-repellent It's Worth Noting Not the best-looking shoe May be a bit squeaky Sizes: 5-12 | Width: Standard, wide, extra-wide | Midsole drop: Unlisted| Weight: 9.74 oz. When you have a bunion, every step can feel like torture. That’s why it can be helpful to seek out a shoe for bunions that will alleviate that pain instead of adding to it. With their wide toebox and three width options, these Orthofeet shoes will give your bunion plenty of breathing room so it’s not smashed up against the inside of your shoe. If you also deal with arch issues, the shoes come with optional arch booster insoles for added support. They’re also slip-on and have a stretchy water-repellent upper, for a couple extra bonuses. We thought they felt cushy yet supportive. PHOTO: Shape / Brie Goldman PHOTO: Shape / Brie Goldman Best Walking Shoes for All Terrain Altra Women's Lone Peak 7 Trail Running Shoe PHOTO: Amazon $150 $120 at Amazon $117 at Zappos View on Sunandski.com Why We Like It Available in several head-turning colorways Can handle almost any terrain Outsole is lightweight with a grippy pattern It's Worth Noting Not very springy Some may find the toe box slightly wide Sizes: 5-12 | Width: Standard, wide | Midsole drop: 0mm | Weight: 11 oz. Since this walking shoe is a trail runner, you better believe that it can handle almost any terrain you throw at it while walking. If you find that you frequently take your walks beyond the pavement (parks, trails, etc.), you’ll need some extra stability on those uneven surfaces. While the outsole is lightweight, it also packs a traction punch with its grippy patterning that will feel sticky no matter where you’re walking. But don’t worry, it’s not a heavy shoe — it’s actually highly responsive, so you’ll feel light on your feet. Shape / Ciara McCune Best Lightweight Walking Shoes Hoka Clifton 9 PHOTO: Hoka $190 $168 at Amazon $145 at Zappos $109 at Nordstrom Why We Like It Lightweight cushioning Available in a range of fun color options Width options include medium and wide Runs true to size It's Worth Noting Tongue is somewhat long Sizes: 5-12 | Width: Standard, wide | Midsole drop: 5mm | Weight: 7.3 oz. Hoka shoes are known for pillow-like cushioning and these feel incredibly lightweight and plush for walking. The midsole is designed to almost cradle your foot with each step, offering both comfort and support for all your walks. We felt really stable despite how light and flexible these are. Plus, they come in a range of fun color options. Image: Shape. PHOTO: Shape Image: Shape. PHOTO: shape Image: Shape. PHOTO: Shape Best Walking Shoes for Wide Feet Hoka Women’s Arahi 7 PHOTO: Hoka $177 at Amazon $145 at Zappos $145 at Nordstrom Why We Like It Roomy and offer great stability J-Frame cushioning helps keep feet secure through long walks Available in fun colors It's Worth Noting Not as springy as some other options Sizes: 5-12 | Width: Standard, wide | Midsole drop: 5mm | Weight: 8.10 oz. This stability shoe is a great choice if you have wide and flat feet since it offers arch support and is nice and roomy. There's a J-Frame cushioning around the heel and up the inner side to provide added support and to keep your feet secure through long walks. If you like a flexible and springy feeling through each stride, however, these may be a bit too firm for you. PHOTO: Shape PHOTO: Shape PHOTO: Shape PHOTO: Shape What to Know About Walking Shoes Cushioning: Cushioning, or the soft stuff that absorbs the force of impacts, “is important in terms of comfort,” says Dr. Valencia. While cushioning is important for anyone who puts in a lot of miles every day, it’s especially key for people with thin feet in which either the fat pad has atrophied or there are bony prominences, or areas of the foot bones that are close to the skin’s surface. “That lack of cushion in their own feet is why cushioning in the shoes is important,” she says.Stability: To avoid a sprained ankle or other injury, stability is oh-so-essential when it comes to walking shoes. “Stability is important to make sure that when we are walking on uneven surfaces, our shoes can help to prevent injuries, which also goes hand-in-hand with responsiveness," says Dr. Valencia.Responsiveness: Speaking of responsiveness, that’s when your shoes can quickly and efficiently transfer energy from your foot to the ground. You’ll feel faster and lighter, and a lot more stable, if your shoes are responsive. “We need our shoes to be able to slightly ‘move’ when needed to accommodate for various surfaces,” says Dr. Valencia.Shock absorption: “Shock absorption is most important when walking on cement or other hard surfaces,” says Dr. Valencia. It's something to keep in mind if you frequently walk to work on sidewalks or take your workouts to the pavement. Why Trust Shape Shelby Deering is a health and lifestyle writer who has been working full-time as a writer for nearly a decade. After earning her master’s degree in journalism and mass communication from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, she worked as a magazine editor for nearly seven years. Since then, she has written on health topics widely ranging from spinal conditions to running advice to mental health disorders, contributing to print outlets and websites including USA Today, Prevention, Runner’s World, Healthline, Good Housekeeping, HealthCentral, and more. As a lifetime runner who frequently suffers from plantar fasciitis, she knows the importance of wearing the right shoes. Summer Cartwright is a marathon runner, certified cycling instructor, and the senior commerce editor at Shape. She has raced in the New York City Marathon, Chicago Marathon, Columbus Marathon, Houston Half Marathon, Brooklyn Half Marathon, New York Mini 10k, and dozens of other events. She has expertise in running shoes, performance gear, and recovery equipment. She's from Columbus, Ohio, and has three pets: two cats named Polly and Peaky and a dog named Rhubarb. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit