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Walking isn’t just underrated: it’s one of the most effective, accessible forms of exercise, point blank. Research shows that even a short daily walk can lower your risk of heart disease, boost your mood, and sharpen your memory. And with more people prioritizing low-impact movement over punishing workouts, walking has quietly become the go-to way to stay active—whether you’re logging steps on your lunch break or turning a neighborhood loop into your daily ritual.
Experts in This Article
foot and ankle surgeon based in Coon Rapids, Minnesota
Australian Qualified Podiatrist’and founder of FRANKIE4 Footwear
board-certified podiatrist based in Austin, Texas
foot and ankle surgeon based in Dallas, Texas
Of course, your experience on foot is only as good as the shoes you’re wearing. The wrong pair can leave you dealing with aches and pains, blisters and foot fatigue. But the right walking shoe? It supports your stride, cushions each step, and manages to look good while doing it.
To help you find your perfect match, we tapped podiatrists, certified trainers, and avid walkers to test the best walking shoes on the market. From all-day errands to long-haul travel days, these picks are built to keep up—comfortably and stylishly.
The best walking shoes for women, at a glance:
- 1.Best overall: Hoka Gaviota 5 ($175)
- 2.Best for running *and* walking: Brooks Glycerin 22 ($165)
- 3.Most versatile: Frankie4 Billie ($208)
- 4.Best arch support: New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v14 ($165)
- 5.Most lightweight: On Running Cloud 5 ($110)
- 6.Best for city dwellers: Klaw 528 Walking Shoe ($148)
- 7.Best for foot pain: Hoka Clifton 9 ($116)
The 7 best walking shoes for women
Hokas are beloved by nurses and other healthcare professionals, so they’re a tried and true option for those of us who have to stand for long periods. And the Hoka Gaviota 5 is also a favorite among podiatrists, particularly for its comfort level. For Jason Spector, DPM, MS, AACFAS, a board-certified podiatrist in Florida, this shoe is perfect for extra support and control.
“I like the Gaviota as it provides the highest degree of stability and cushioning,” Spector says. He likes that it also has increased shock absorption, provides comfort, and reduces the impact on the foot, which “may help during long periods of standing and walking.”
Pros:
- Plush tongue and collar
- Breathable mesh upper
- Soft EVA foam
- Stabilizing H-Frame™ technology
- MetaRocker for propulsion
Cons:
- Rocker bottom may not be ideal for those with balance issues
If you’re looking for plush cushioning that can handle casual walks and long runs, the Brooks Glycerin 22 delivers. Designed with Brooks’ latest DNA LOFT v3 midsole—now nitrogen-infused for an even lighter, softer, and more adaptive ride—this neutral shoe offers max comfort without sacrificing performance.
Whether you’re logging double-digit miles or heading out for a recovery stroll, the Glycerin 22 provides the kind of underfoot feel that keeps fatigue at bay. The updated engineered mesh upper is more breathable and adaptable than ever, hugging the foot for a secure yet flexible fit. Add in the shoe’s smooth heel-to-toe transitions and enhanced outsole coverage for better durability, and it’s clear Brooks is leaning fully into luxurious, long-lasting comfort with this model.
Pros:
- Versatile
- Nitrogen-infused cushioning
- Soft and smooth transitions
- Made with recycled materials
- Breathable
Cons:
- Pricey
For a unique spin on a contemporary style, the Billie shoe from FRANKIE4 is the perfect hybrid of support, comfort, and style. Aesthetically, the Billie shoes specifically have a sleek silhouette made with a side zipper and butter-soft leather that can be worn with just about anything.
But inside is what counts; the shoe has a patented footbed that lifts, cradles, and cushions your heel, and has arch support to help with better lower-level limb alignment. There are two cushioning zones to help prevent any foot pain, and the shoes come with a Sole Saver Pack of different footbeds that allows you to mix and match components for the perfect fit.
Plus, all of the materials are chosen with impact in mind, including responsibly sourced leather, foam made from recycled water bottles, shoelaces made of recycled cotton, and recycled packaging. Talk about a win-win for your feet and the planet.
Pros:
- Versatile
- Made from recycled materials
- Triple-layer arch support
- Hidden heel support
- Customizable sizing
- Podiatrist-designed
Cons:
- Pricey
- Run narrow
If comfort and support are at the top of your checklist, the New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v14 is a serious contender. This latest version maintains the ultra-cushioned Fresh Foam X midsole the series is known for, but introduces subtle tweaks to its geometry for added stability and a more structured feel. Whether you’re walking for exercise, commuting, or spending all day on your feet, the 1080v14 offers plush cushioning with enough support to keep your stride feeling smooth and natural.
One of the biggest upgrades in this model is the redesigned outsole, which adds more rubber in high-wear zones for better durability and traction. The forefoot has also been reshaped to encourage a more propulsive toe-off, giving the shoe a slightly more energetic feel on the move. A breathable engineered mesh upper hugs the foot comfortably without overheating, and the shoe’s rocker-like profile promotes easy transitions from heel to toe. It also carries the APMA Seal of Acceptance, meaning it’s recognized as a foot-healthy option by experts.
Pros:
- Supportive, especially for those with flat feet
- Cushioned
- Breathable
- Podiatrist-approved
Cons:
- Might be too structured for those with high arches
While you could go for the brand's latest iteration, when it comes to a solid option for a lightweight walking shoe, we're big fans of the On Cloud 5. (Which, bonus, are discounted compared to the newest style.) A big part of that is due to the patented cushioning to soften the impact of each step.
These shoes are great for a long day of walking thanks to the lightweight odor-fighting mesh that keeps things breathable while preventing the growth of odor-causing germs. The shoes also have an embedded Speedboard® that transforms each foot strike into springy energy to propel you forward. Best of all, they’re made with recycled materials (about 44 percent of each pair is recycled) to reduce your environmental footprint.
Pros:
- Lightweight and breathable
- Embedded Speedboard
- Recycled materials
- Slip-on style with knotted elastic lacing
Cons:
- May feel firm to some wearers
Urbanites: If you’re pounding the pavement in between subway rides and work commutes, Klaw’s retro-looking sneakers are for you. They’re another podiatrist-designed shoe crafted with walkers in mind, made to cradle your feet from toe-off through touch-down.
“The deep heel cup prevents abnormal outward and inward tilting of the heel, which throws off alignment,” the brand’s podiatrist and founder, Nelya Lobkova, DPM, previously shared with us. “The medial and lateral arch support allows the arch of the foot to touch the insole and trigger the proprioceptive response to pronate through midstance.” Bonus: They look really cute with skirts, trousers, dresses, and more, so style won’t be compromised.
Pros:
- Podiatrist-designed
- Crafted for walking
- Shock-absorbing
- Supportive, especially for those with flat feet
- Deep heel cup
Cons:
- Pricey
- Heavier and chunkier than other options
If you’ve been struggling with foot pain, consider a shoe like the Hoka Clifton 9. Like other options on the list, you could opt for the Clifton 10 (which we love for running). But if your primary focus is walking, and you're looking for a good deal, we highly recommend this model. For Allison Willkom, DPM, AACFAS, foot and ankle surgeon in Minnesota, this shoe is a perfect option because it has “more cushion, as well as a forefoot rocker,” which helps take the strain off forward ambulation.
The shoe combines its meta-rocker outsole with a foam midsole and breathable mesh upper—or, in layman’s terms, ultimate comfort and mobility while standing and walking. Like some of the others on our list, these shoes received the Seal of Acceptance from the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA).
Pros:
- Good for those with foot pain
- Lightweight
- EVA foam midsole
- MetaRocker for forward propulsion
- Durable
- Podiatrist-approved
Cons:
- Rocker sole may not be ideal for those with balance issues
Running shoes vs. walking shoes
Caroline McCulloch, Australian Qualified podiatrist and founder of the footwear brand FRANKIE4, explains that running shoes have a more technical sole and a mesh upper—the soles are usually quite thick, and made with different materials, as well as wedging to provide specific levels of control.
“Such running sole designs aim to combat the higher impact of running, and often to reduce prolonged or excessive pronation,” McCulloch explains, “and though walking shoes can have a thick sole, a slimmer sole can work even better since you experience much lower impact while walking.”
What to look for in a walking shoe
As you look for a pair of walking shoes, you’ll want to keep in mind the correct fit, individual support needs, and cushion preference.
According to McCulloch, walking shoes shouldn’t feel heavy, (except for trail shoes, which are specifically designed for uneven surfaces) and instead, should feel like supportive clouds under your feet. Your walking shoes should fit well so you can avoid joint compression and skin discomfort. This goes beyond just your numeric shoe size; many people have wide or narrow feet and need to choose shoes accordingly.
“A footbed designed to prevent or alleviate common foot symptoms is ideal,” McCulloch shares, but above all, comfort is key. She explains: “A good walking shoe has the responsibility to be the most comfortable pair in your wardrobe—as you’re shopping, set the comfort bar sky-high so you prevent problems down the line.”
How do you choose the right size and fit for walking shoes?
Always go with the feel over numerical size! According to McCulloch, if you find your toes hitting the end of your shoe, it can create other issues over time. “Ensure you have enough space at the front so you can comfortably walk in the shoes and not bang against the end,” she says. Similarly, you don’t want too much space so that your shoes are slipping and you have to fight to keep them on—your feet shouldn’t strain while walking around.
Over time, you’ll want to make sure you take good care of your walking sneaks, too. For leather shoes, purchase a good quality leather conditioner and waterproofing spray. “Treat your leather shoes like your skin—keep them moisturized to avoid drying out and wearing down before their time is up,” McCulloch says. You should avoid getting your leather shoes too wet, but if you do end up in a rainstorm, always dry your shoes in a shaded place out of direct sunlight. And for non-leather shoes, you can make an easy at-home cleaning mix with laundry detergent and water. Just spot clean and leave in the shade to dry.
Finally, remember, your shoes should be worn, McCulloch says. “A lot of materials aren’t designed to sit in your closet and only be worn once a year, so keep your shoes on a rotation and wear them often to get the most out of them.”
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