Amazon’s bestselling women’s walking shoes for every foot type
These options from Amazon are ideal for those who love to power walk or simply need a supportive shoe for long hours out and about.
Ryka Women's Devotion X Walking Shoe
$75.99
$119.99
In a previous guide on best women’s walking shoes, podiatrists Olga Shvets and Miguel Cunha said the first step to buying the right walking shoe is knowing what type of arch support you need — neutral, low or high. This depends on knowing whether your foot type is pronator (when your ankle or arch rolls or tips inward slightly), supinator (when your weight rolls onto the outer edges of your feet) or neutral (when your foot lands on your heel and rolls forward so that your impact is distributed evenly). If buying online, Shvets recommends looking at a well-worn pair of sneakers you already own to see where they are worn out.
Here are some of the other important factors our experts provided when we were coming up with our list of the best walking shoes on Amazon:
To help you shop for a great-quality walking shoe on Amazon, we’ve rounded up 20 of the best options in line with our expert guidance, as well as some highly rated brands that are breathable, lightweight, provide excellent arch support and more. We’ve also included options in every price range, from the most budget-friendly to the most splurge-worthy.
These mesh slip-on shoes are breathable and lightweight and include a sock liner that adapts to your foot while you walk, according to the brand. The insole is made of Skechers’ Gogo Max technology, which provides added cushioning and support, according to Skechers. The Go Joy comes in medium, narrow and wide sizes and 37 color options, including hot pink, red, charcoal, black and taupe. These shoes have a 4.5-star average rating from over 98,330 reviews on Amazon.
These sneakers have a leather upper and rubber soles to provide grip as you walk. They’re made with a memory foam sole for cushioning and the way they are constructed moves air from your heel to your forefoot and back to keep feet cool, according to the brand.
Cunha highly recommends the Saucony brand for neutral- or low-arched people due to their good stability and extra padding for shock control. Shvets agrees: “This shoe is really great for an overpronator because it offers a lot of support,” she notes. The Integrity Walker 3 has the American Podiatric Medical Association seal of approval — the organization says that APMA-approved shoes have been “found to promote good foot health.”
NBC Select editorial director Lauren Swanson loves Saucony and has worn the brand for both of the marathons she ran. “They’re incredibly comfortable and light, which has not been the case with other popular shoes I’ve tried,” she says.
These slip-on walking sneakers have a flexible mesh insole and a soft upper that feels like a sock to provide comfort for women who suffer from plantar fasciitis, bunions and other foot pain, says HKR. They also have a durable rubber sole and a traction heel designed to grip surfaces indoors and out, says the brand. The insoles are memory foam for extra cushioning and arch support, and the fabric is breathable. Lightweight at just 1.46 pounds, these shoes are good for walking and for those who spend a lot of time standing, says HKR. They come in 18 colors, including taupe, dark grey, navy, grey black and purple.
Another Cunha favorite, the Guide 15, has been redesigned with thicker cushioning and higher sidewalls for better stability. They also have a thick sole from heel to toe to absorb impact. “I always recommend this shoe because it delivers a softer heel strike and takes some stress off the foot,” he says.
The Clifton 8 from NBC Select editor-favorite brand Hoka has recently been re-engineered with a midsole that offers one of the brand’s lightest, most energetic foams to date, said the company. It’s made of mesh fabric for extra breathability and has an extended heel crash pad to help protect against injury, according to Hoka. It comes in 16 fun colorways, including aquarelle/eggshell blue, grape wine/beautyberry and blue graphite/ibis rose.
According to the brand, this ASICS shoe contains gel technology that provides extra cushioning for shock absorption. It is also made of mesh fabric to allow for proper airflow and ventilation and includes an Ortholite Sockliner for moisture management. According to Asics, it comes in 25 bold colorways, including French blue/barely rose, orchid/white, mist/blazing coral and black/hot pink.
The v13 was designed for walkers and average runners who aren’t focused on speed, according to the brand. Shvets likes this shoe for the additional cushioning that helps absorb impact and protect the joints. These shoes can also accommodate orthotics comfortably and are great for the elderly population, says Shvets.
These sneakers were tested for the NBC Select Wellness Awards and were a big hit amongst many staffers. “These are so well-cushioned that I can wear them all day,” says NBC Select associate SEO reporter Ashley Morris, who says she has flat feet. The sneakers have a wider toe box and soft cushioning for all-day wear.
Made of a breathable, lightweight mesh upper, this shoe has a minimal heel drop, a cushioned EVA midsole and a solid rubber outsole for good traction — all things our experts recommended keeping in mind while shopping for a walking shoe. It also has a sock liner that molds to your foot for extra comfort and extra cushioning in the heel to better absorb impact from when your heel strikes the ground, according to the brand.
Another highly rated slip-on, the Doussprt is made of mesh fabric and has an elastic cuff for easy on and off. Its perforated arch is designed for extra ventilation and its air cushion technology provides a buffer between you and the ground to help protect you from injury, according to Doussprt. The footbed is made of mesh and EVA for added arch support. They also have a slip-resistant heel and a wide, round toe, which make these ideal for those who need to stand for long periods, according to the brand.
Like the Doussprt, this STQ walking shoe is made of breathable mesh fabric with a wide, round toe, so they are comfortable enough for all-day standing, according to the brand. Best for those requiring low arch support, these shoes have a thick sole with air cushioning to help absorb the impact as you walk. At just under 1 pound, the STQ is extremely lightweight. These mesh slip-ons are machine washable and come in 13 colors, including taupe, dark grey, navy and purple.
These popular shoes are lightweight and breathable and have extra padding in the sole and heel collar for added comfort. They’re also machine washable for easy cleaning.
These sneakers are a NBC Select Wellness Award winner and one of the best walking shoes. They slip on, though they look as though they have laces. The shoes have thick foam cushioning that is bouncy and supportive to provide comfort all day.
Suitable for activities like walking and running, this sneaker — an NBC Select Wellness Award winner — offers a structured yet comfortable feel. “I felt sturdy and supported even though I almost forgot I was wearing sneakers at all,” says associate updates editor Zoe Malin. The Revel 6 has a cushioned heel and knit construction for breathability. It’s available in 11 colors including white/black and purple/pink.
This number-one bestseller on Amazon is Brooks’ first carbon-neutral shoe. It is designed not only for stable walking on all terrain but for everyday runs, says the brand. The Ghost 14 offers neutral support and utilizes its DNA Loft technology for extra cushioning. It also has an integrated system of shock absorbers with a rubber outsole to offer traction on wet surfaces, says the brand. This shoe comes in 35 colorways.
Shvets is a fan of this lightweight shoe (just 1.3 pounds) from ASICS because of its high arch, making it ideal for people with flat feet, she said. The heel is reinforced with the brand’s GEL technology for extra cushioning, and the shoe is made of mesh fabric for breathability. Its outsole is rubber, and it also contains an Ortholite sockliner to manage moisture. It comes in wide options as well as 20 bold colors.
According to the company, the FuelCell Propel is good for all foot types and comes in Normal, Wide and X-Wide. Cunha says he recommends this shoe to all his patients because of the carbon fiber plate embedded in its midsole that absorbs the impact of a heel strike. “It helps propel your foot by pushing that force back onto the ground, allowing you to run longer and faster,” he says, adding that it’s also lightweight, at just 9 ounces, and has a rubber outsole that makes it durable.
This hybrid lifestyle/running shoe from NBC Select favorite brand On is another favorite of Cunha’s, for its ability to absorb impact and provide a cushioned landing. The On Cloud 5 is super lightweight and has a textile and synthetic upper for maximum breathability, according to the brand. It also has a removable insole and rubber sole, along with reflective accents and a cushioned collar for extra comfort. ON’s Cloud 5 comes in 16 colors, including kelp/shadow, denim/white and rose/shell.
At NBC Select, we work with experts with specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
Bethany Heitman is a contributor at NBC Select and a journalist who regularly covers beauty, home and lifestyle. For this story, she interviewed two podiatrists.
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