Two Fitness Editors Say These Are The Five Best On Shoes For Walking

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If you're looking for chic walking shoes that look as great as they perform, our editors recommend On sneakers. The Swiss-Based brand shot to sneaker stardom for its Cloudtec, On's signature midsole cushioning of circular pods that compress with each step to reduce impact on your feet. Also, this unique foam cushioning just looks super cool, and has been worn by just about every A-list celebrity—most recently Zendaya.

We've named these kicks some of the best running shoes for plantar fasciitis, but, after vigorous testing, we absolutely love On shoes for walking, too. Podiatrist Brad Schaeffer, DPM, foot surgeon and owner of Central Park Sole in New York City, says he actually walks around the city all the time in his On sneakers because they make him feel supported and comfortable and they also support his Dr. Scholl's insoles. "Thanks to the thicker sole and rounded heel, they provide that perfect mix of function, stability, and cushion without sacrificing on each category," he notes.

But, the brand has a large roster of sneakers, so it can be tricky to find the perfect pair for your specific walking needs. That's why we tapped Schaeffer, podiatrist Daniel Geller, DPM, and Women's Health fitness editors to give us the lowdown on what to look for when shopping for the best walking shoes for women as well as which On shoes we think you'll love, based on a year of vigorous testing.

Best On Shoes For Walking

What to consider

Weight

On sneakers are known for being comfortable, but Schaffer says that's because most of its shoes have a bit of weight to them. "If a shoe is too lightweight, it sacrifices function and stability," he notes. But don't get it twisted—these don't feel like bricks on your feet either. Most of the shoes we feature are between four and 10 ounces, which means they're light, but not too light that they slack in the support category.

Heel-to-toe-drop

If you have a need shoes for shin splints, arch pain, heel pain, or plantar fasciitis, our experts recommend a sneaker with a higher heel-to-toe drop. This feature refers to the height difference between the shoe's heel and forefoot. Schaeffer says that opting for a drop higher than eight millimeters (hi, Cloudrunner 2) can take the pressure away from your heel when you're walking or running, which can alleviate foot aches. If you don't struggle with foot pain or conditions, Schaeffer says a super big drop height isn't as necessary in your walking shoes. Rather, you can opt for something flatter in the seven millimeter range, like The Roger Advantage 2.

Cushioning/Stability

According to podiatrist Daniel Geller, DPM, support and stability are number-one qualities you should look for in a walking shoe. "Being on our feet and hustling around town to catch public transport, meetings, and work gatherings require our feet to be well supported," he says. "When walking, the arch of the foot does most of the heavy lifting, as it dictates what the rest of the foot and lower leg will do when standing as well as control the gait cycle." He notes that when said arch is supported, you create an "excellent" platform to launch from, meaning the feet are in the ideal position for take off and landing. This can help avoid foot injuries down the line.

Geller also says that many good walking shoes, including motion control shoes, will have medial posting—a firm wedge at the midsole's ankle that holds the heel of the foot up—and firmer cushioning to offer more support for the foot. "Firmer cushioning will resist the inward roll of the foot and ankle complex, controlling the knee and hips better," he says.

Finally, consider seeking out shoes with a broader sole if stability is a priority for you and you aim to minimize excess movement in your footwear. According to Geller, the increased material along the sides and front of your foot when you wear these shoes creates a wider platform, which naturally resists unnecessary motion. In other words, it's a great feature for walkers whose feet tend to roll. An option on this list with a wider sole is the Cloudrunner.

How we chose

To narrow down a list of the brand's best walking shoes, fitness editor Talene Appleton and executive health and fitness director Jacqueline Andriakos tested On shoes for months, using them during long walks, short and long runs, busy move-in days, and weekend strolls. We considered shoes that had a high heel-to-toe drop, amble cushioning, and stability. After comparing notes, the below five picks made the cut as the absolute best On shoes for walking.

If you're a walker, these shoes are sure to amp up your strolls, whether short or long. Keep reading to find the best pair for your specific needs.

Cloudrunner 2

If WH executive health and fitness director Jacqueline Andriakos says this is one of her favorite pairs of On shoes, that's saying a lot given the amount of pairs she's tried. Her praise def made these shoes a frontrunner on our list.

Andriakos also loves the OG version of this shoe, the Cloudrunner, which is featured on this list, too. But, the second edition has some updates that make it stand out just a little more than the first version. Here's what we love about it:

For starters, we feel like the Cloundrunner 2 is the most comfortable On shoe on this list. "On average, I walk two to four miles per day in them, and I have never had any rubbing or chafing on the feet or the ankles, or any weird sore spots," says Andriakos. This shoe has one of the most plush midsoles on this list, only second to the OG Cloudrunner.

Above all, it's the most lightweight-feeling shoe on this list, coming in hot at four ounces, which is almost half of what the original version of this shoes weigh. This makes the sneaker super light on the feet, so your walks don't feel even harder. Like Schaeffer notes, you don't want a shoe that feel too lightweight as it may lack support, so the four-ounce weight of The Cloudrunner 2 is just right in our book.

One thing to note about this shoe is it has the highest heel-to-toe drop on this list. Shoes with a higher drop tend to place a lot of load on the knees, making this shoe better for heel strikers. Because of the higher drop, it's also great for people who struggle with plantar fasciitis.

Read More: Best Running Shoes For Women

Cloudmonster 2

"The Cloudmonter 2 features the classic Cloudtech cushioning pods that On is really well known for," says WH fitness editor Talene Appleton, who notes that it's her all-time fave On walking shoe. "It has a very cushioned, high stack," she adds, meaning that this shoe has a lot of cushioning material between your foot on the ground, which explains why the heel-to-toe drop is on the smaller side. This shoe is the most supportive, cushioned option on this list if you're looking for something that ~literally~ feels like a cloud.

Appleton says that she doesn't love the shoe for running, as the upper feels a bit thin and doesn't conform to her mid-foot enough. But that makes her love it even more for walking. "Whenever I want to feel super comfortable in my shoes but don't want that tight, locked-in feeling like I do when I'm running, the Cloudmonster is my go-to," she says.

She wore the kicks while moving into her fourth-floor Brooklyn walk-up, and she notes that it kept her feet comfortable through the entire day of moving. The shoes also never felt too hot or compressed thanks to the breathable upper.

One thing Appleton notes, though, is that the laces on the shoe run a bit short. "This isn't a super big issue because the shoe runs wide, so I end up pulling the laces super tight," she says. "If you have a wide foot, I think this shoe would work really well given the roomier upper and toe box."

The Roger Advantage 2

If you're looking for a walking sneaker that doubles as a cute, casual everyday kick, look no further than The Roger Advantage 2, which is one of Andriakos's favorite walking option from the brand. "It's the perfect sporty, flat, white, leather lifestyle sneaker," she says. While it's less cushioned than a typical running or walking shoe from On, Andriakos says she's always comfortable in it thanks to the added cushioning in the midsole. "It looks and feels really high quality, whether I’m wearing workout clothes, jeans, or a sundress."

She also loves packing The Advantage 2 when she travels, as she notes it's perfect for strolling all day and sightseeing, but it also easily transitions to go out to eat or attend an event. And, if you're a tennis gal, this sneaker was inspired by the game, so it comes in handy if you're engaging in some light movement.

Although the Roger Advantage 2's Cloudtec cushioning is not as plush as other shoes on this list, we found that the midsole provides a soft, supported feel. Pair it with the inner sock construction, additional cushioning in the forefoot, and grooves in the outsole that support the natural movement of your feet, and you've got a comfortable sneaker to log steps in.

One thing to note, though, is that the kicks run slightly large, so we recommend opting for a half size smaller than what you would normally go for in a walking shoe.

Cloudnova Form

The sole of the On Cloudnova Form is a bit more cushioned than The Roger Advantage 2, making it awesome for all day walking and errands, says Andriakos. She likes that the sole doesn't feature that super prominent "bubble" style that On is known for. Rather, it has a bit of a lower-cut silhouette to make you feel more grounded and slightly less bouncy. However, there are rubber reinforcements inside the shoe to mirror the natural rolling motion you know and love from On.

She says that above all, her favorite feature is that she doesn't have to untie the shoe every time she puts it on and takes it off because it has a wider entrance. "That tongue on the back of the heel also adds that little touch of extra comfort when I'm on my feet all day." This feature it feel super comfortable from the moment you put it on—no breaking-in necessary.

Another pro? The shoes are made with a breathable upper and a microfiber tongue, so you won't find your feet getting super sweaty while you're out and about.

One con we found, though, was that the shoes run a bit small, so we recommend sizing up a half size and going from there.

Cloudrunner

Andriakos has both the Cloudrunner 1 and 2 iterations (see the 2, above!), and she said she's "obsessed" with both for workouts and long walks. Plus, both are incredibly lightweight while still having enough cushion on the sole and they don't have a break-in period.

The OG Cloudunner has a nine millimeter heel-to-toe drop (one millimeter smaller than the second version), meaning both shoes are a solid option if you struggle with discomfort in your feet during walks or runs, per Schaefer. It's more supportive than the Roger Advantage 2, but not as cushy as the Cloudnova Form, so it has a nice, neutral feel. However, it still has that super soft response, a nice cradle-shaped construction to guide your heel-to-toe transition, and a wider bottom unit, making it suitable to run on as it helps propel you forward. Another tester actually says it's their favorite shoe for road running.

It's not made out of recycled materials like the Cloudrunner 2, which knocked it down a few points, but it's still made out of a breathable upper with cooling ventilation, so your feet don't get overly sweaty during workouts.

Read More: Best Arch Support Running Shoes

Meet the experts

• Podiatrist Brad Schaeffer, DPM, foot surgeon and owner of Central Park Sole in New York City

• Podiatrist Daniel Geller, DPM

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