Everyone should have a good pair of walking shoes. Whether you’re a veteran distance runner or you barely run at all, having a supportive pair of shoes designed to provide padding and stability will help you pound the pavement as you stroll, rush, power walk, half-jog and, occasionally, run through your day.
Yes, the best walking shoes are technically running shoes. Best Female-Specific Fit cushioning to mitigate the impact of moving around all day. They’re made with lightweight materials that are both breathable and insulated to keep you comfortable in a wide range of conditions. When we’re talking about walking, speed and responsiveness take a back seat 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.
The 9 Best Asics Running Shoes
- Best Overall: Hoka Clifton 9
- Best Value: Asics GT-1000 13
- Best Arch Support: Aetrex Chase
- staffers recommending shoes for new runners getting into the habit with a mix of: Best Stability Running Shoes for Ultimate Support
- A little bulky: Adidas Ultraboost 5X
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.
Dan Roe: As a former test manager and test editor at Runner’s World, I’ve tested dozens of different running shoes for long distances, short distances, racing, trail running, and more. I also helped manage the Runner’s World wear-test program, gathering data from scores of real runners about what makes a running shoe great. In my former life, I was an NCAA Division I cross-country runner, and you can still find me walk-jogging around my neighborhood.
What to Consider
Walking is a low-impact activity. It puts less stress on your joints and muscles than high-impact exercises like running. That doesn’t mean that walking can’t feel like a workout. You put a lot of pressure on your feet and legs as you walk around every day. If you walk a lot, particularly as a form of exercise, you should find walking shoes that fit well and support you.
What to Consider
To pick the best walking shoes, we researched the shoe lineups of major shoe brands, as well as a few lesser-known ones, like Rykä. We spoke with brand reps to learn more about what models are best suited for walking. We also tried on samples of various walking shoes and tested them on easy hiking trails, power walks around our neighborhoods (often with kids and dogs in tow), and plodding up and down stairs at home.
For the few picks we haven’t tested personally, we read professional reviews from several publications and checked forums to find the walking shoes that the running and walking communities are excited about.
Using all that info, we narrowed it down to the selection of shoes below. There’s no such thing as a single perfect walking shoe for everyone, so we aimed to include a variety of options to suit all kinds of walkers. Whether you’re walking for fitness or just running errands, you can feel confident lacing any of these up.
Full Reviews
Pros
- Lightweight
- Comfortable cushioning and sole design
Cons
- Can take some time to break in
Key Specs
| Weight | 8.7 oz (M), 7.3 oz (W) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 5mm |
It’s rare to find a shoe that’s comfortable and cushioned enough for walking and light enough on the foot to feel good while running—but the Hoka Clifton nails that balance. The latest version, the Clifton 9, features even more midsole foam than its predecessor—the stack height increased by 3mm—but it’s actually lighter than before.
The compression-molded EVA midsole offers good shock absorption at any pace, and it’s tuned for responsiveness, so you get some extra bounce in your step. Combined with Hoka’s Early Stage Meta-Rocker design, where the sole curves upward under the balls of your feet, the Clifton 9 promotes a peppy step that encourages smooth strides while running or walking.
Rubber placements on the outsole boost the shoe’s longevity, so it should handle high-mileage training and everyday errands with aplomb. It’s also earned the Seal of Acceptance from the American Podiatric Medical Association. A comfy, capable shoe, the Clifton 9 stands out from other walking shoes because of its unmatched versatility: It’s a go-to for everything from casual wear to your weekday morning jog.
Pros
- New design with softer midsole
- Subtle stability
Cons
- Not that breathable
Key Specs
| Weight | 9.5 oz (M), 8.3 oz (W) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 8mm |
In its first 12 iterations, the Asics GT-1000 earned a reputation as a trusty stability shoe for mild overpronators on a budget. The latest design checks all those same boxes, with some tweaks and a slight price increase that brings it above the $100 line. Even with that shift, it remains a remarkably affordable shoe that looks and feels like a premium running shoe, but costs $110 or less.
The GT-1000 13 features a thicker layer of Asics’ EVA-based FlyteFoam in the midsole, with a widened platform in the rear for added support. A pocket of PureGel cushioning offers additional cushioning in the heel. As a result, the shoe feels more plush than its predecessor, while providing a subtle but effective stability for overpronators.
“The shoes are able to provide an adequate amount of support without being too heavy (like the [Asics] Gel-Kayanos), or too clunky (like the Brooks Ghost Max 2),” said one wear tester. “They provide a solid ride even when picking up the pace a bit.”
Overall, our testers liked the shoe overall, but a couple of the changes in the new upper turned out to be polarizing. Some runners enjoyed that it had extra padding around the ankle collar, but others found it intrusive. One tester felt the tongue was too thin, albeit an appropriate length. Keep in mind that, by definition, a stability is designed to help support your foot, so it will very subtly impact your stride.
Pros
- Prominent arch support
- Removable insole
- APMA Seal of Acceptance
Cons
- Can take some time to break in
- High drop may feel uncomfortable
Key Specs
| Weight | 12 oz |
|---|---|
| Drop | 15.3mm |
Aetrex shoes are designed to provide maximum arch support and promote proper joint alignment, and they come in a variety of styles for men and women. If you deal with issues like plantar fasciitis or pain in your heels or arches—or you just like a highly supportive shoe—the Chase may be helpful.
It offers a thick wedge of midsole foam so you get plenty of cushioning, but the main highlight is the footbed: Aetrex’s unique removable insole places the “peak” of the arch support farther back than other brands’ footbed designs (it’s in line with your ankle rather than the middle of your foot). This mirrors the bone structure of the foot, so you get targeted arch support exactly where you need it.
Walking in the Chases felt a little stiff at first for. The beveled heel and flat outsole created a blocky sensation when walking (likely because I tend to land on my heels). After just a couple walks, though, the shoes broke in a bit and felt softer, and the insoles delivered a supportive, foot-cradling feel that really boosted my arches. The upper was soft and accommodating, and I appreciated the minimalist, low-key look, which made them easier to style. The Chase only comes in men’s sizes, but women can get the same arch support from Aetrex’s very similar Danika sneaker.
Best Stability Running Shoes for Ultimate Support
Pros
- Women-specific design
- Wide, stable stance
- The 10 Best Hoka Running Shoes of 2025
Cons
- Polarizing forefoot shape
Key Specs
| Weight | 8oz |
|---|---|
| Drop | 6mm |
Women tend to have narrower feet than men, with a higher arch and instep, according to the Best For Wide Feet. Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association, women’s running shoes are simply shrunken down versions of designs calibrated for a man’s foot. There are brands, however, that design shoes specifically for a woman’s foot: lululemon has made a number of women-first running shoes, including the Chargefeel 3–a multi-purpose training shoe for walking, running, and hitting the gym.
The Chargefeel line has gotten high praise from our testers for its plush dual-foam midsole and snug-fitting knit upper. The new shoe features a wide forefoot that fans out toward the outsole to create a stable platform, keeping you even during exercise with a lot of lateral movement (or dodging a pedestrian as you turn a corner on the run.) The new engineered mesh upper sports a hidden strap in the forefoot to keep your foot locked in place.
As a nice little flourish, the heel counter is made with lulu’s Nulu fabric, the same material it uses in its Align leggings, for a soft, comfortable feel. The Chargefeel 3 is a comfortable, stylish option for walking, light running, cross-training, and anything else that benefits a stable athletic shoe.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Supportive
Cons
- Somewhat flimsy upper
Key Specs
| Weight | 9.7 oz (M), 8.3 oz (W) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 10mm |
Credit: Trevor Raab 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 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.
Michael is a freelance writer with years of experience covering gear and the outdoors for
Pros
- staffers recommending shoes for new runners getting into the habit with a mix of
- As a former test manager and test editor at
- Stability features
Cons
- Zero-drop design may be uncomfortable for some
Key Specs
| Weight | 10.2 oz (M), 8.3 oz (W) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 0mm |
Altra running shoes tend to run especially wide, with an anatomically correct shape that doesn’t cram your toes into a pointy forefoot. In addition, three of its models come in extra-wide sizes, making Altra an essential brand for runners with wide feet.
We specifically like Provision 8 because it gives you lots of padding. There’s more than an inch of foam cushioning and outsole rubber beneath your feet, so you won’t be wanting for plushness or dealing with hotspots after a long day of urban trekking. Altra’s proprietary “Ego” midsole foam compound provides above-average energy return, delivering an energetic ride as you transfer from heel to toe. And like any great walking shoe, its engineered mesh upper keeps your foot planted and ventilated within the shoe.
The Provision 8 also stabilizes your steps with raised sides called “GuideRails,” which keep your ankles from collapsing inward due to excessive overpronation. Unlike traditional stability shoes, which put a chunk of high-density foam beneath the arch to hold your foot in place, this approach caters to both overpronators and runners with a more neutral stride—the GuideRails fade into the background when you don’t need them.
Before you run out and buy a pair, though, you should keep in mind that all of Altra’s shoes have no heel-to-toe drop which means the heel and forefoot are at the same height. According to Altra, this mimics your natural stride. Zero-drop shoes require your foot and ankle to develop strength and flexibility, which may be healthier in the long run—or over a few months of daily use for walking. It isn’t for everyone, though, so prepare to spend time adjusting, and keep your old shoes just in case they aren’t a good fit.
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 staffers recommending shoes for new runners getting into the habit with a mix of.
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.
Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association
Pros
- Best Stability Running Shoes for Ultimate 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.
FAQ
With Running Shoe Expert Michael Charboneau
Michael is a freelance writer with years of experience covering gear and the outdoors for Runner's World and other publications; when he's not writing, he's usually biking, hiking, and running in the mountains around Los Angeles, where he lives.
