Category: Walking Shoes

Best walking shoes are not just a matter of comfort. They are a matter of style, health and happiness. You deserve to walk with confidence, ease and joy.

You also deserve to walk without pain when you’re sightseeing, exercising, travelling, running errands or enjoying time outdoors.

What you need to protect your feet:

• Traction
• Stability
• Support
• Cushioning
• Fit

But how do you find the right shoes? There are so many options, and not all of them are good.

Some of them are too expensive, too ugly or too flimsy.

That’s what many of our interviewees told us. They shared the same frustrations and disappointments with different shoes as you.

Shoes wear out quickly, hurting their feet or not fitting well.

We have ranked walking shoes based on three criteria:

• Availability in retailers
• £150 or lower
• Trusted brands

Do you consider yourself to be a sneakerhead and love everything shoe related?

Check out our list of 27 Coolest Sneakerhead Christmas Gifts Right Now.

Read on to see the best walking shoes of 2024 in action!

Best For Outdoor Adventures

Asics Gel Quantum 180 Trainer

From casual walks to walking on light, rubbled trails, the Asics Gel Quantum 180 is the best walking shoe, providing excellent grip and GEL™ technology cushioning in the midsole heel for a fantastic feeling of comfort.

Plenty of synthetic and leather layers on the upper make easy cleaning after long, muddy walks. 

Read more about the Asics Gel Quantum 180 with our in-depth review of fit, sizing and style tips.

Consider an outdoor adventure shoe: 

• The shoe is fantastic for any walk, whether strolling around the park or hiking on rocky trails. The shoe grips the ground well and keeps you steady and balanced.
• Cleans easily with wipes, thanks to the mesh and the synthetic and leather materials. We recommend the Pocket-Sized Jason Markk Wipes for the best result.

Skip the outdoor adventure shoe if:

• You need your feet to stay cool throughout long walks. When the Asics Gel Quantum 180 was tested, it heated up quickly; the mesh didn’t cool feet down. Recommend wearing thin socks.

Best For Men

Nike Air Max TW

• You’ll love how this shoe feels on your feet. The Nike Air Max TW has an air bubble cushioned heel that provides comfort, shock absorption and stability. It also has a lace-up closure, ensuring a snug and secure daily fit.

Skip the best men walking shoe:

• Do you have wide feet, avoid the Nike Air Max TW. This shoe has a narrow toe box that may not fit your foot shape or width; also, it’s difficult to put on.

Best Women

• 
  New Balance 530
  £95.00
  BUY NOW

New Balance 530

The New Balance 530 blends past and present design features inspired by early 2000s running shoes. Overlaid design panels with vents to help breathe feet throughout the day. Round edges in the toe box and heel for a roomy, snug fit to keep you locked in on walks. The ABZORB midsole soaks up the impact from the pavement.

Read more about the New Balance 530 with our in-depth review of fit, sizing and style tips.

Buy the best women walking shoe if:

• You’ll love the retro style of this shoe. The New Balance 530 blends past and present design and performance features inspired by early 2000s running shoes. 

• You’ll enjoy the comfort and cushioning of this shoe. It has rounded edges in the toebox and heel for a roomy, snug fit that keeps you locked in on walks. 

Skip the best women walking shoe if:

• You may find this shoe too bulky or heavy for your liking. In addition, it has a thick midsole and a chunky silhouette that may not suit your preference or style.
• You may need help finding your perfect size or colour. This shoe is trending with many colour options, which means it may sell out quickly or have limited stock.

Nike Air Max 270

Slightly at odds with this sneaker, it feels good from the upper regarding flexibility and comfort and is also locked in. The heel air bubble cushioning I found to be on the firm side and would be better suited for walking indoors rather than on concrete.

Read more about the Nike Air Max 270 with our in-depth review of how it fits, sizing and cleaning tips.

Buy the best men walking shoe if:

• Do you want a sneaker that feels good and looks good? Then you’ll love the Nike Air Max 270. The upper is flexible and comfortable, and the heel air bubble gives it a unique and eye-catching appearance.
• Your feet will thank you for choosing the Nike Air Max 270. This sneaker is built to last and can withstand wear and tear. I’ve worn mine for a long time, and they still perform well. They are ideal for indoor walking or casual outings.

Skip the best men walking shoe:

• Are you a fan of outdoor adventures and long walks? Then, you should skip the Nike Air Max 270. The heel air bubble is firm and can feel harsh on hard surfaces. Recommend the Crep Protect Insole Comfort to improve comfort.

• How do you feel about laces? If you hate fiddling with or adjusting them, you might not like the Nike Air Max 270. The lacing system could be more comfortable and can be frustrating to use. 

Best Comfort

New Balance – Fresh Foam 1080 V12

If you had to pick a walking shoe from coast to coast, it would have to be the New Balance – Fresh Foam 1080 V12. Sweat and hot feet are a thing of the past; the upper is lined in Hypoknit material. With a broader footprint in the midsole area, walking on clouds is no longer a dream. A rounded heel lessens the impact of every step for a smooth landing. 

Buy the best comfort walking shoe if:

• Do you want a walking shoe that keeps your feet cool and comfortable? Then you’ll love the New Balance – Fresh Foam 1080 V12. The upper is made of Hypoknit material that is breathable and flexible. You’ll feel like you’re walking on air. You’ll enjoy every mile in this shoe.

• You can easily buy it online or in the sale for the previous year. It’s a simple and perfect shoe for walking or running.

ON Cloudmonster

The ON Cloudmonster is a powerful walking shoe that unleashes your dominance on any terrain against anyone. With its plush CloudTec® sole, jagged tunnel rubber holes, and airy mesh upper that helps to keep feet cool, allowing you to walk with ease.

The ON Cloudmonster will carry you, thereby exploring waterfalls, scaling mountains, or cutting through back alleys.

Buy the best comfort walking shoe if:

• You want a walking shoe that can handle any terrain and challenge? Then you’ll love the ON Cloudmonster. This shoe is powerful and versatile, with its plush CloudTec® sole, jagged tunnel rubber holes, and airy mesh upper that keep your feet comfortable and supported.

• The ON Cloudmonster has a unique design; the upper has only two material layers, preventing heat buildup and allowing breathability.

Skip the best comfort walking shoe if:

• You looking for a walking shoe that has reliable laces? This shoe comes with thin laces that can unloosen easily, which might cause you to trip or fall. You should invest in a better pair of laces for this shoe. 

• Tread channels are too close together and don’t provide enough grip. As a result, they are more likely to slip in the woods or on wet surfaces.

Best Cushioning

Salomon XT-Pathway

Make your dreams a reality by navigating mountains and urban spaces with the versatile Salomon XT Pathway—superior comfort for long walks, cushioning rough terrain and glue-like traction on slippery surfaces.

The sneaker is ready to tackle any distance with a clean, sleek design and a durable upper. A protective synthetic toe cap provides essential safety against jagged rocky terrain. 

Buy the best cushion walking shoe if:

• You want a walking shoe that can easily navigate mountains and urban spaces? Then you’ll love the Salomon XT-Pathway. This shoe is versatile and comfortable, with superior cushioning, glue-like traction, and a sleek design. It’s ready to tackle any distance and any terrain.

Skip the best cushion walking shoe if:

• You are looking for a walking shoe that is lightweight and breathable? Then, you should skip the Salomon XT-Pathway. This shoe is heavier and warmer, which might make you feel tired or sweaty.

Diadora N902

The styling and comfort of the upper are dominated by premium soft materials such as suede. The lacing system is perfect for walking around concrete urban areas, ensures foot feels locked in.

Read more about the Diadora N902 with our in-depth trainer review of fit, sizing and style tips.

Buy the best cushion walking shoe if:

• Are you looking for a stylish sneaker that uses premium material? You will love the Diadora N902. This sneaker feels buttery smooth on the foot due to the ankle and heel area cushioning. 

Skip the best cushion walking shoe if:

• Will you be walking on muddy or rocky surfaces? The cushioning in the midsole is not ideal for going on adventures. This shoe works best on concrete in urban areas. 

Best For Casual Walking

Adidas X PLRBOOST

From daily city walks to runs, the Adidas X_PLR Boost floats on a cushioned chunk of BOOST midsole. Level up your daily step count with the edgy, subtle performance sneaker. Silicon, textile and rubber upper deliver a comfy feel when laced. Adidas branding is hidden to offer an even greater clean look. 

Buy the best casual walking shoe if:

• You want a walking shoe that combines comfort and style? Then you’ll love the Adidas X_PLR Boost. This shoe has a breathable upper, a responsive Boost midsole, and a futuristic lace cage. It’s a sleek and subtle performance sneaker that will take your daily walks to the next level.

Skip the best casual walking shoe if:

• You are looking for a walking shoe that fits well? Then you can skip the Adidas X_PLR Boost. This shoe runs small and narrow and lacks stability. You might have to size up. 

• This shoe has a hefty price tag that might not fit your wallet. So you might have to wait for a sale or a discount to get this shoe or look for a cheaper alternative. But, on the other hand, you should spend less money. 

Adidas Avryn

Look no further than the Adidas Avryn for city exploring for cushioning and comfort. Hybrid midsole for complete all-day comfort. Adiwear outsole for endless clawed grip. Lightweight recycled flexible mesh upper that allows toes to wiggle all day. The futuristic and simple style blends in with smart or casual outfits. 

Buy the best casual walking shoe:

• Imagine walking in the city with a shoe that feels like a cloud on your feet. This shoe is the ultimate walking shoe for city exploring. The hybrid midsole provides absolute all-day comfort, an Adiwear outsole with an endless clawed grip. In addition, it has an incredible, unique heel clip that looks like a spoiler.

Skip the best casual walking shoe:

• The Adidas Avryn has a unique heel clip that looks like a spoiler. Some people might find it cool and unique, but others might find it weird and ugly. You might not like the look of this shoe or get teased by your friends for wearing it. 

Best Everyday Use

Nike Zoom Vomero 5

The Nike Zoom Vomero 5 combines lifestyle and performance features. It has a mesh, leather, and plastic upper with reflective details. In addition, cushlon foam and Zoom air midsole offer comfort and cushioning.

Read more about the Nike Zoom Vomero 5 with our in-depth review of fit, sizing and style tips.

Buy the best overall walking shoe:

• If you want to rock this shoe for hitting the gym or the town, you’ll love the mesh, leather, and plastic upper with reflective details that make this shoe pop.
• You’ll feel like you’re walking on a bed of pillows. The Cushlon foam and Zoom Air midsole provide comfort and cushioning. Plus, the upper is attached to the tongue of the shoe for a snug and secure fit.

Skip the best overall walking shoe if:

• You may have trouble keeping this shoe clean and dry. The wind and rain can quickly get into the shoe, and the upper mesh is hard to wipe off.

• You may need to find a better fit with this shoe. Also, the heel cup on the rear of the shoe doesn’t hug your foot, which may cause slippage or blisters.

If you want more details, watch my YouTube video, where I share my honest thoughts. 

Walking and Running Shoe Myths

Walking with running trainers

There’s confusion about whether you can walk in running shoes. 

Can you wear running shoes to walk? Of course, you can, as running and walking shoes offer more traction, stability, support and cushioning.

Running shoes are lightweight and made with mesh-like material, as they are breathable in all terrain types. In addition, they are durable enough to last countless kilometres. 

Most importantly, don’t force a shoe that is too tight; this can cause foot pain over time. 

Good walking shoes should provide the following features:

• Protect feet from injury 
• Not provide excessive cushioning and arch support. 
• Light in weight 
• Minimal heel-to-toe drop  

Walking with cushioned shoes

Cushioned shoes provide many benefits, such as lessening the ground impact and related injuries. Walking causes less impact on feet than running, so these shoes could get away with less cushioning.

Cushioned shoes for walking needs to fit well and be softened evenly rather than a large stack at the heel than the toe area. 

Studies show no evidence of reduced running injury rates with increasing cushioning in walking and running shoes.

FAQ

If you found the 11 Best Walking Shoes of 2024 helpful, check out the latest trainer reviews and video content by following @saucedby on Instagram and Pinterest or liking our Facebook Page.