Walking is one of the easiest and best ways to take control of your physical and mental health. Whether it's on a treadmill or around the block, every step can help build muscle, strengthen your cardiovascular health, improve your mood and so much more.
No matter what your step goal is this year, the key to making sure you hit it every day is having comfy walking shoes that help you enjoy pain-free walks. The best walking shoes come with generous amounts of cushioning and just enough arch support to prevent strain and foot fatigue as you rack up those steps.
If you're not sure where to start, here are our favorite walking shoes in 2024.
Best walking shoe overall: Hoka Clifton 9
Hoka is one of the most recommended brands for plantar fasciitis, so it's no surprise they also make some of the most comfortable and supportive walking shoes on the market.
The Hoka Clifton 9 is one of the most balanced Hoka running shoes to date, featuring a more neutral footbed and enough cushion to keep you comfortable whether you're running, walking or standing. The newest model in the Clifton lineup also boasts a lighter weight, more responsive midsole so you can go the distance without feeling like your shoes are weighing you down.
Flex grooves on the outsole and a wider toe box give your foot the flexibility and room to move naturally through your stride. Combine that with the extra cushion and the Clifton 9 is one of the best running shoes to use for walking or as your go-to shoe for traveling or running errands.
The plush yet balanced shoe costs $145 for a pair at Hoka.
The previous generation Hoka Clifton 8, one of our readers' favorite Hoka shoes, is on sale right now. So if you're looking for a similar design and feel as the Clifton 9 at a lower price point, you can get the Clifton 8 starting at just $112 for both women's and men's sizes.
Top features of the Hoka Clifton 9:
- The balance of comfort and responsiveness makes this a great go-to shoe for everyday wear or a new fitness walking regimen.
- The wider toe box gives room for your toes to spread as you walk.
- A plush heel minimizes friction on your ankle so you'll be just as comfortable on longer walks.
Shop men's sizes:
$145 at HokaShop women's sizes:
$145 at HokaMost stylish walking shoe: New Balance 550
New Balance is one of the most celeb-loved sneaker brands around. The comfy casual shoe was most recently spotted on the feet of Taylor Swift. The pop music icon wore a red and white pair of New Balance 550 shoes to complete her Kansas City Chiefs outfit as she cheered on Travis Kelce this season.
While Swift's seal of approval is reason enough to get a pair, the New Balance 550 is a comfortable walking shoe in its own right. Featuring a lightweight yet structured construction, the shoe gently hugs your foot. Meanwhile, a cushy midsole absorbs impact so you can walk all day without straining your feet.
Available in unisex sizes, get the stylish walking shoe in a variety of stylish colorways directly from New Balance for as low as $110.
For Swifties, the exact colorway she wore is perpetually sold out at major retailers but you can try to find a pair in your size on a resale platform. We've spotted some red and white New Balance 550s for as low as $100 on StockX.
Top features of the New Balance 550:
- The durable leather upper gently cradles your foot to provide all-day support.
- A thick midsole adds comfort for all-day walking and standing.
- The classic low-top silhouette makes it easy to style so you can enjoy all-day comfort that matches your outfit.
- Taylor Swift loves them, and we love her.
Best budget walking shoe: Nike Roshe One
The Nike Roshe One first rose to fame in 2012 for its super comfortable fit and affordable price tag. The lightweight, breathable upper is made from a plush fabric with added cushioning in the collar and an airy, almost weightless foam sole.
It looks like a shoe and acts like a shoe -- but it feels like wearing your favorite pair of socks.
For the sneakerheads or Nike loyalists out there, the relaunched Roshe will be a blast of nostalgia and comfort in one. But even those who have never even heard about the Roshe craze of the past will appreciate the plush yet weightless fit of this sneaker.
You can get one of Nike's most in-demand shoes at one of its lowest prices yet right now. Regularly priced at $75, select colorways are up to 33% off so you can get a pair for as low as $50.
Top features of the Nike Roshe One:
- Built for all-day comfort, the Nike Roshe One is plush and supportive enough to keep you comfortable for hours of walking or standing.
- The soft, stretchy upper is so comfortable, that you can wear this shoe without socks.
- The versatile shoe is stylish enough to dress up or down so you'll have no problem wearing them all day long.
Shop men's sizes:
$50 and upShop women's sizes:
$64Best walking shoe for speed walking: Brooks Trace 3
The Brooks Trace 3 features a comfortable cushioned sole with a segmented crash pad that flexes around your foot with each step. This design is a great balance between comfort and flexibility so your foot can move naturally while still being protected from the impact of your footfall. This sneaker works just as well for walking or standing as it does for running.
Get a pair of the Brooks Trace 3 running shoes for $100
Top features of the Brooks Trace 3:
- Thick cushioning provides a super comfortable feel that's great for fitness walking or all-day support.
- The surprisingly lightweight and flexible design lets your foot move naturally as you walk.
- A breathable mesh upper prevents your feet from getting hot and sweaty, even if you wear them all day.
Shop men's sizes:
$100 at BrooksShop women's sizes:
$100 at BrooksShop more top-rated walking shoes
- Rep your favorite team while you walk: NFL edition Nike Pegasus 40, $71 (reduced from $140)
- A plush running shoe that gently hugs your feet: Saucony Tempus, $140 (reduced from $160)
- A slip-on shoe you can wear all day: Skechers Go Walk 7, $100
- A Hoka shoe with great arch support: Hoka Arahi 7, $145
When should I buy new walking shoes?
A general rule of thumb is to replace your shoes every 300 to 500 miles. If you walk two miles every day, for example, you'll need to buy new walking shoes at least once a year.
The more you walk or run in your shoes, the more often you're crushing the foam underfoot. While that's exactly what the foam was put there for, it will eventually lose its springiness over time. Once that happens, it's no longer providing the same support and comfort it did when the sneaker was new.
If you start to notice your shoes don't feel as cushy as they used to or they start to lose their shape, it's time for an upgrade.
Is it ok to wear running shoes for walking?
It's fine to use running shoes for walking. Some of the most supportive and comfortable shoes on the market are those that were designed specifically for runners. They offer great shock absorption and cushion while still keeping the structure flexible enough to allow your foot to move.
With that said, you shouldn't wear the same shoes you wear for running on your walks. If you love your Nike Pegasus 40s for running, for example, get a separate pair to use for walking instead of using the same ones. That way, you won't wear them out too quickly.
Keeping separate shoes for running and walking is also important for preserving their shape and support. Your stride when you run is different than when you walk, including where you land on your heel, where your foot lifts off and how much force is behind each footfall. As you break in a pair of shoes, the foam and upper layer of the shoe will stretch and mold around your foot based on that stride. For the most secure fit, it's important to only use them for one activity or the other so you're always applying pressure to the same places in the shoe.
Should you wear the same walking shoes every day?
It's usually better to rotate between two or three different pairs rather than wearing the same walking shoes every day. The biggest reason for this is hygiene. The sweat and dirt that accumulate in a shoe from a day of walking can create the perfect breeding ground for bacteria and fungi. By switching shoes each day, you give yesterday's pair a day or two to air out.
