Best Overall Walking Shoe
Hoka Mach 6
Pros
- Feels super plush
- Ideal for knee pain
- Comes in wide sizing
Cons
- Sole gets hot when running
After testing dozens of walking shoes, WH fitness commerce editor Nicolette Accardi calls the Hoka Mach 6 her ride or die. It was named our best walking shoe in our WH Fitness Awards 2025 for a reason!
It’s her favorite recovery shoe after long runs because of its flexible lightweight build and plush cushioning that doesn’t aggravate her knee pain. The cushioning also doesn’t feel bulky compared to other Hoka models, such as the Bondi 8.
“The pillowy insoles cradle my heels perfectly, while the heel-to-toe drop is a neutral 5 mm—not too high or low,” she says. “This helps reduce the stress on my knees.”
Another brownie point? It comes in wide sizing. “I find standard Hoka sizing pretty narrow, but the wide fit has adequate space in the toe box, so I can walk for hours without experiencing any friction,” she says. For extra room overall, podiatrist Shital Sharma, DPM, recommends going up a half-size in all walking sneakers because your feet tend to swell and expand from physical activity.
The only con Accardi points out about the Mach 6 is the sole can get hot if you use it for running, so she suggests just sticking to walking when wearing these.
Read more: Best Running Shoes
| Sizes | 5—11 |
|---|---|
| Colorways | 10 |
| Materials | Vegan materials, mesh |
| Weight | 6.70 oz. |
| Heel-To-Toe Drop | 5 mm |
| Stability | Neutral |
Best Maximalist Walking Shoe
Hoka Bondi 8
Now 20% Off
If cushioning is your first priority, look no further than Hoka’s cult-favorite Bondi 8 sneaker. The lightweight foam and extended heel on this shoe cradle your feet and support them from every angle.
As a trainer and coach in New York City, Colette Nguyen, CPT, of Soho Strength Lab, clocks anywhere from five to 12 hours a day on her feet training clients and commuting.. She says the Bondi 8 perfectly fits her narrow and flat feet without being too snug, and is very comfortable.
After spending an entire workday in the Bondi 8s, Nguyen wore them through her personal workout session and then proceeded with her post-workout outdoor walk. “My usual walking route can take me about 48 to 55 minutes to complete and covers roughly 2.6 miles—I was very pleased with how supportive and secure I felt,” she says. Nguyen also adds she has suffered many ankle sprains from dance and is especially cautious when walking on cobblestone streets, but the support the shoe has given her a huge confidence boost.
One negative Nguyen noticed: She noticed Hoka Bondi 8 is not slip-resistant on wet surfaces like trail running shoes. “It had lightly rained earlier in the day, so the city ground was damp for my outdoor walk—smooth sidewalks and pavements were surprisingly slippery with the Bondis on,” she says. (If you’re looking for extra-grippy sneaks, check out our best trail running shoes guide). Lastly, they do have a chunkier aesthetic so if you’re looking for a low-profile walking shoe, these aren’t it.
Read more: Best Hoka Walking Shoes
| Sizes | 5—12 |
|---|---|
| Colorways | 21 options |
| Materials | Mesh |
| Weight | 1.8 oz. |
| Heel-To-Toe Drop | 4 mm |
| Stability | High |
Best Nike Walking Shoe
Nike Pegasus 41
Pros
- Breathable and lightweight
- Allows for a smooth walking cadence
- Option to design your own colorway
Cons
- Not ideal for colder weather
Lined with mesh to make this an ultra-breathable sneaker, the Pegasus is a winner because it has a slim, low heel that Perkins says is awesome for maintaining a smooth walking cadence. (The newest version available is the Pegasus 41, but WH editors have worn multiple models over the years and stand by the shoe’s consistency and reliability even with small engineering improvements and changes.)
Andriakos has worn countless versions of the Nike Pegasus for both running and walking and has logged hundreds of miles in them. “I find the sole a bit on the firmer side, and the mesh upper really hugs and forms to your individual foot shape,” she says. “The shoe feels perfectly snug and secure as you step, without being too constricting.”
She also flags that the tongue sometimes gets folded up and tucked under the laces in a slightly uncomfortable way. “I fix this by being really diligent when I put the shoes on, making sure to pull the tongue taut and make sure it’s laying flat before tying my shoes.”
Overall, this is a “go-to walking shoe recommendation” that Andriakos gives friends and family when they ask—and so far she’s only heard happy feedback from loved ones who have purchased a Pegasus shoe.
Read more: Best Nike Running Shoes For Women
| Sizes | 5—12 |
|---|---|
| Colorways | 20 |
| Materials | Mesh |
| Weight | 0.53 lbs |
| Heel-To-Toe Drop | 10 mm |
| Stability | Medium |
Best New Balance Walking Shoe
New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 V14
Pros
- Extremely size inclusive
- High cushion
- Secure laces
Cons
- Doesn’t dry fast
The latest edition of the Fresh Foam x 1080 wows us with its inclusive sizing, with narrow, standard, wide, and extra-wide fits available to accommodate all feet.
“I have a hard time finding walking shoes that are both cushioned and supportive enough for my high arches and sensitive balls of the feet, but that are also narrow enough,” Andriakos says. “These are absolutely perfect if you deal with any foot pain issues or struggle with sneakers being a bit too wide—I have walked over 100 miles in these at this point and have never even had a sore or tender spot from rubbing or chafing (they also required zero break-in period).”
On the opposite end of the spectrum, Accardi struggles with bunions and loves wearing the wide version. “My feet don’t rub against the sides of the toe box, which is especially important since toes spread apart when in motion and feet can swell throughout the day,” she says. “These feel sponge-like and cradle my heels, but still maintain semi-firmness to keep me balanced.”
Andriakos also finds the laces super secure and don’t come untied easily. The only downside she noticed? “When I’ve worn them on rainy days, I notice my feet will feel damp and they take a bit to dry out.” To help combat that, she just throws them in the dryer which hasn’t damaged the silhouette!
Read more: Best New Balance Shoes
| Sizes | 5—13 |
|---|---|
| Colorways | 11 |
| Materials | Mesh, rubber |
| Weight | 8.3 oz. |
| Heel-To-Toe Drop | 6 mm |
| Stability | Neutral |
Best Arch Support Walking Shoe
Hoka Clifton 9
Pros
- Loved by multiple editors
- Podiatrist-approved
- Arch support
Cons
- Slightly pricier than some picks on this list
Podiatrists Diana Rogers, DPM, and Casey Pidich, MD, both recommend Hoka’s Clifton series to patients for arch support, so you know it’s a good one.
Pidich loves that the design encourages great form—the sole ensures that your feet rock off the ground rather than push off your toes. Rogers specifically recommends the shoe for her plantar fasciitis (a condition where you feel pain in the arch) patients for this exact reason. “The lightweight feel on this shoe propels feet forward rather than making them do extra work,” she says.
Living in New York, WH news and features editor Currie Engel walks an average of five or six miles a day. “When I tried the Hoka Cliftons last spring, they were an immediate no-brainer for my long weekend days and errand runs,” she says. They’ve tons of cushioning and are so lightweight Engel forgets she is wearing them. “They literally just felt like an extension of my own feet—plus they almost never come untied!”
Engel has a very high natural arch, which sometimes calls for insoles, but the Clifton arch support makes it much easier to walk for hours (and miles) at a time without getting a single blister, squished toe, or ache.”I’ve never had a more comfortable pair of shoes, and have put in over 200 miles by just walking in them,” she says. Engel also thinks they’re great for all weather including rain, snow, and sweat-inducing temperatures, and always makes sure to bring a pair on vacation.
Read more: Hoka Clifton 9 Review
| Sizes | 5—12 |
|---|---|
| Colorways | 28 |
| Materials | Mesh and rubber |
| Weight | 7.2 oz |
| Heel-To-Toe Drop | 5 mm |
| Stability | Medium |
Best Budget Walking Shoe
Skechers Go Joy Walking Shoe
Now 25% Off
For those who appreciate a good slip-on shoe, the Skechers Go Joy’s lightweight, breathable mesh is great for sweaty feet while having a bargain price starting at $35. The ultra-cushioned midsole offers great arch support, too.
“I consider these a no-frills walking shoe—perfect for errands, quick trips outside, or for walking your dog if you’re a pet owner,” Andriakos says. “They’re very convenient to keep next to your front door to slip on and go.”
Andriakos was skeptical about whether they would be supportive and secure enough without laces, but the breathable, stretchy mesh offered surprisingly good compression around her feet.
“They hold my feet in place and shockingly don’t rub, even without socks on,” she notes. “I also never notice any plantar fasciitis flare-ups when I wear these” (her longest walk in the Go Joys was 4.3 miles).
However, she is critical of the style and doesn’t find them to be the most fashion-forward option, although the white colorway can look cute with jeans or dresses.
Finally, Andriakos would be careful about wearing these without high socks in colder temps. “The low ankle profile makes it a better fit for warm weather, for sure.”
Read more: Best Skechers For Walking
| Sizes | 5—13 |
|---|---|
| Colorways | 24 options |
| Materials | Synthetic and rubber |
| Weight | 0.3 lbs |
| Heel-To-Toe Drop | N/A |
| Stability | Medium |
What Else To Consider When Buying A Walking Shoe
Outsole: Look for walking shoes that have an outsole with more rigidness in the midsole for stability.
Insoles and arch support: Different feet have different needs, so it’s important to have insoles that can be removed in case you use orthotics. “Most shoes don’t offer adequate support alone,” says Dr. Daughtry. “You should supplement most shoes with a more custom-molded orthotic, which your local podiatrist can make for you as this gives most shoes adequate support but also helps with shock absorption and the ability for additional cushioning that the shoe may lack.”
Meet The Experts
- Colette Nguyen, CPT, is a personal trainer and strength coach at SoHo Strength Lab in New York City.
- James Stavosky, DPM, is a podiatric surgery specialist in Daly City, California with over 40 years of experience.
- Chanel Perkins, DPM, is an assistant professor of foot and ankle podiatry in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Rehabilitation at the University of Texas Medical Branch.
- Elizabeth Daughtry, MD is a podiatrist and foot and ankle specialist with Foot and Ankle Specialists of the Mid-Atlantic.
- Diana Rogers, DPM, is a podiatric foot and ankle surgery specialist in Crystal Lake, Illinois.
- Casey Pidich, MD, specializes in podiatry and foot and ankle surgery and is based in the Bronx, New York.
- Dr. Shital Sharma, DPM, is a podiatrist at Pinewood Family Care Co. in New Jersey.
Jasmine Gomez is the lifestyle and commerce editor at Women’s Health, where she tests and writes about the best products across home, sleep, travel, and more. She holds an MA in digital journalism and has contributed to other outlets including Seventeen, Teen Vogue, MamásLatinas, Bustle, and more. When not shopping online, she enjoys cooking, dance cardio workouts, karaoke, and traveling to places with palm trees.
Nicolette Accardi is the Fitness Commerce Editor at Women’s Health with a specialty in running content. She likes to chase her next best time by testing out shoes and other running gear while training for races. Nicolette studied journalism and health sociology at Rutgers University. She has written for NJ.com, VICE, Rolling Stone, NBC News Select, and U.S. News & World Report.
Jacqueline Andriakos, CPT, is the executive health and fitness director at Women’s Health, where she oversees all health and fitness content across WomensHealthMag.com and the print magazine. She has more than a decade of experience covering the wellness space and has edited ASME-nominated health features, spearheaded brand packages such as Fitness Awards, and represented the brand on the TODAY show, podcasts, and more. Before Women’s Health, Jacqueline was the deputy health features editor at Self.com, and previously worked as the senior editor at Health magazine. As a writer-reporter, she has contributed to print and online publications including TIME, Real Simple, and People, among others. A dancer throughout her youth, Jacqueline went on to study journalism at the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University and stoked her passion for health and fitness during her college years, ultimately inspiring her to make women’s health content the focus of her media career. She is constantly researching the latest health and wellness trends, trying a buzzy new workout class, hiking and snowboarding, or browsing athleisure. Her friends would describe her as the confidant to turn to for fitness and wellness advice, not to mention answers to any weird body questions. Jacqueline is also a former group exercise instructor and is a certified personal trainer via the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM).
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