Yahoo LifestyleFound: Walking Shoes So Comfy You'll Actually Hit Your Steps
- 1/11
Found: Walking Shoes So Comfy You'll Actually Hit Your Steps
Not in the mood to run? No problem. Walking is actually a great form of exercise and burns wayy more calories than you think (about 100 cals per mile, tbh!). But in order to walk the walk and still be comfortable, you need an A+ pair of walking shoes.
"You want to make sure you have a sneaker with a stiff midsole,” says Melissa Lockwood, DPM, ABPM-certified podiatrist and founder of Heartland Foot and Ankle Associates. “When you try to twist the shoe back and forth, it should be stiff. There can be flexibility in the toe box, though.” A mesh upper will give you that space for your feet to breathe and move around.
Meanwhile, opt for a rubber outsole. “Man created concrete, so we need something that supports us on pavement,” Lockwood says. You also want to make sure you have a finger nail-width space between your longest toe and the top of the shoe, says James Stavosky, DPM, owner of Daly City Podiatry.
And contrary to popular belief, you shouldn’t have to “break in” a shoe, either. “One of the things that I always tell my patients is that shoes should fit and feel comfortable as soon as you put them on,” says Stavosky.
All of this intel is great (and important!), but when faced with a market chock-full of different sneaker options, the process of finding the right walking shoe that provides great arch support, cushions your heel, and still maintains your sense of style, becomes increasingly more difficult.
But that's why Women's Health tapped the experts. With help from podiatrists, the friendly folks on the Internet, and trusty ratings, these top 10 walking shoes are here to make your shopping experience feel like a walk in park.
Tl;dr? All good—here's the highlight reel.
Best Walking Shoe With Arch Support: Asics Dynaflyte 3
Best Cushioned Walking Shoe: Hoka One One Bondi 7
Best Walking Shoes For Wide Feet: Asics Gel-Contend 5
Best Walking Shoe For Flat Feet: Brooks Ghost 11
Best Overall Walking Shoe: New Balance 860V11
Best Hiking Walking Shoes: Hoka One One OV Clifton
Best Lightweight Walking Shoe: Vionic Alma Active Sneaker
Best Value Walking Shoes: Ryka Devotion Plus 2 Walking Shoe
Best Travel Walking Shoe: Adidas Edge Lux Clima
Best Shoes For Walking All Day: Allbirds Wool Runners
- 2/11
1) Asics Dynaflyte 3
ASICS
amazon.com
Lockwood says Asics are great for those with higher arches, and these also have good spacing in the forefoot to allow toes to move, plus a durable foam sole. The breathable mesh upper also makes them light and airy.
Reviewer Rave: "I am already obsessed with these shoes. The colors are vibrant, the fit is amazingly comfortable, AND they fit my orthotics in perfectly!!!"
- 3/11
2) Hoka One One Bondi 7
HOKA
hokaoneone.com
$150.00
If you need lots of cushioning for a shoe to be comfy, look no further than Hoka One One. These offer a plush feel under your foot.
Reviewer Rave: "I love these shoes; they are the second pair I have bought because they are so comfortable."
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- 4/11
3) Asics Gel-Contend 5
ASICS
amazon.com
Thanks to features like its rearfoot GEL cushioning system and an internal heel gradient, these sneakers do a stellar job at reducing shock absorption and supporting your every step.
Reviewer Rave: "GREAT shoes! I am on my feet all day for work! Very comfortable and fit perfect."
- 5/11
4) New Balance Fresh Foam 860v11
New Balance
newbalance.com
$129.99
New Balance is a fave of both experts. You get a perfect mix of stability and cushioning from the ground with this pair.
Reviewer rave: "Love these sneakers! I had to size up, but they fit great and are extremely comfortable even without my usual arch supports. I wore them for the first time while also wearing my 20-lb. baby in the carrier and it was a great walk."
- 6/11
5) Brooks Ghost 11
Brooks
amazon.com
$179.99
A good brand for those with flatter feet according to Lockwood, this Brooks pair has a flexible forefoot, which makes for an easy stride when walking. You also get that stretchy upper that moves with you.
Reviewer Rave: "These shoes are more than just good looking. They are super comfy while giving plenty of support. These are perfect for someone constantly on their feet."
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- 7/11
6) Women's OV Clifton
Hoka One One
hokaoneone.com
$140.00
Because these shoes allow your feet to rock off the ground rather than push off with the toes, Dr. Casey Pidich, DPM, recommends these supportive sneaks to patients and has seen results IRL. "A friend of mine with painful flat feet ran the NYC marathon in Hokas!"
Ranking: 4.9/5 stars
Number of reviews: 471
Reviewer Rave: "If I could give this shoe 100 stars I would. These are the most-comfortable athletic shoe, or any shoe for that matter, I have ever encountered. They really do make you feel like you are walking on clouds and add a little bounce when you walk."
- 8/11
7) Alma Active Sneaker
Vionic
amazon.com
$109.95
A rubber outsole, a flexible but durable construction, and knit upper to stretch in many directions—this shoe checks all the boxes, while still being lightweight.
Ranking: 4/5 stars
Number of reviews: 63
Reviewer Rave: "I put these on right out the box and wore them around the house for about an hour. Then I went on a walk and had NO PAIN! It was wonderful! I didn’t even have to break these in! I’m looking forward to many walks with these!"
- 9/11
8) Devotion Plus 2 Walking Shoe
Ryka
amazon.com
$75.32
You’ll get great arch support and a narrower construction from Rykas. This pair, in particular, offers an extra-durable outsole.
Ranking: 4.4/5 stars
Number of reviews: 2,667
Reviewer Rave: "I walk an average of 3 miles a day and have for years. I NEVER have to break in my Rykas. Put this pair on this morning for the first time and walked 3.5 miles with comfort and support."
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- 10/11
9) Edge Lux Clima
Adidas
amazon.com
With every step, the springy foam sole adds some bounce to your stride. You can’t beat these lightweight, breathable kicks.
Ranking: 4.7/5 stars
Number of reviews: 175
Reviewer Rave: "They are SO comfortable, and super cute. The best thing though is that they are really light weight so they don't make your feet and calves sore from too much walking."
- 11/11
10) Women's Wool Runners
Allbirds
allbirds.com
$95.00
These lightweight kicks were designed with comfort at the very front of the mind. Not only are the outsides made of breathable wool but the insoles are lined with the fabric as well to create the ultimate soft experience.
Ranking: 4.9/5 stars
Number of reviews: 465
Reviewer Rave: "Highly versatile, extremely comfortable, you can throw them in the wash and they come out looking brand new. I have three pairs in different colors. Can't say enough good things about them."
Each pair is like wearing pillows on your feet.
