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If you’re shopping for women’s walking shoes, experts say it’s important to prioritize the following factors, all of which I kept in mind while curating my list of recommendations.
Before putting together this list, I asked podiatrists and NBC Select staff for their recommendations. I also note which sneakers have the American Podiatric Medical Association’s Seal of Acceptance — shoes earn this stamp of approval after they’re reviewed by a group of APMA podiatrists who find them to promote good foot health. All of the sneakers on this list are available in half and whole sizes.
Most of the shoes I recommend come in a variety styles, so if you’re looking for something specific, like a certain color or pattern, browse the full selections online. Remember that you’ll need to break in any shoes you buy before wearing them across long distances or for long periods of time, says Wynes. He recommends doing this by wearing them for a couple hours a day for about a week.
“These are the most comfortable walking shoes I’ve tried. They make me feel like I’m walking on clouds,” says NBC Select editorial projects manager Rebecca Rodriguez.
The shoes are made with thick, plush foam cushioning, and they’re bouncy — NBC Select senior editor Nikki Brown compared the feel to mini trampolines or bed springs. Nike’s Motiva shoes also have a wavy-patterned outsole that helps them absorb the impact of your steps and grip the ground, according to the brand. Plus, their rocker shape propels you forward while walking.
Ryka’s lace-up sneakers are one of the lower priced options on this list, and they don’t compromise on quality. The shoes are specifically designed around the shape of women’s feet, so Ryka gave them a narrower heel, a roomy toe box and soft cushioning in the midsole. They also have a grippy rubber outsole, arch support built into the insole and extra cushioning in the forefoot and heel. NBC Select associate SEO reporter Ashley Morris says they soften her landings, too. “These sneakers absorb the shock from my steps really well, which is important to me since I deal with shin splints that can be irritated by too much pressure,” she says.
Cunha recommends Hoka’s Bondi sneaker for its maximum cushioning and breathability. The midsole is made from an even layer of soft, lightweight foam, which helps diffuse impact across the feet while walking and gives the shoe its minimal heel drop. The sneaker also has an internal heel counter, a piece of supportive material in the back that stabilizes the heel and reduces your risk of getting blisters, experts say. Beyond walking, Shvets recommends highly cushioned Hoka sneakers like these for anyone whose job requires them to stand for long periods of time, like nurses and teachers.
It’s rare that I find a sneaker I’m equally happy to walk and run in, but this one is cushioned and comfortable enough to support me across both types of exercise. The sneakers feel soft under my feet, are slightly springy and have plush foam that protects my joints and absorbs impact. The shoes’ curved outsole also lets me easily roll through strides, especially when I’m speed walking or jogging. Anyone can wear these sneakers, but Shvets says she specifically recommends them to her elderly clients because they have a rounded toe and grippy rubber bottom that helps prevent falls. She also likes that the insole is removable, so you can add custom orthotics if needed.
I’ve been a fan of Brooks’ Glycerin sneakers for years and can rely on them whether I’m walking three or 10 miles. Their bouncy, nitrogen-infused foam keeps my feet comfortable for hours, and while the cushioning is on the softer side, I never feel like I’m sinking into it. There’s noticeably more cushioning in the shoe’s heel rather than its forefoot and toe, which is why it has a higher heel drop of 10 mm — I don’t mind the feeling this creates, and I appreciate that there’s more shock absorption in the heel since that’s where my foot hits the ground first while walking. Even when my feet swell in the heat or across long distances, the shoe’s upper never makes them feel squeezed or restricted due to the breathable material it’s made with. I also like the stabilizing broad base of the Glycerin 22s.
“I always recommend these shoes because they deliver a soft heel strike and take some stress off the feet,” says Cunha. Saucony’s Guide 18s have high sidewalls and a broad platform, which stabilizes your feet and encourages them to roll through each stride, thus reducing fatigue and preventing injury, according to the brand. The sneakers are made with soft, lightweight cushioning throughout, giving you rebound with each step. They also have a padded heel collar to help secure your feet in place while walking.
These sneakers are designed to support walking workouts and speed walking, according to the brand, but Brown says they’re also a dream to wear while running errands. “They’ve been comfy since the first wear — there was no dreaded break-in period,” she says. “I love that they fit snugly yet I can wiggle my toes around. I can also easily slip in and out of them without having to bend down and untie the laces.” The sneakers are made with lightweight cushioning, a padded tongue and heel, an anti-odor lining and a two-piece flexible rubber sole. The insole also has extra arch and heel support.
“When I worked at Orangetheory, I noticed that all my coworkers, trainers and members were wearing these shoes. Finally, after getting my own pair, I understood the hype,” says former NBC Select associate reporter Bianca Alvarez. “I love using them to walk on the treadmill or outside, and I also wear them during HIIT classes, running and lifting. They’re cushioned enough to get me through cardio, but keep me stable while training.” The sneakers have a rubber outsole, a form-fitting, sock-like upper and built-in heel loop, making them easy to slip on your feet. There’s soft, lightweight cushioning in the shoe’s midsole, and you can remove its insole.
The Transport is one of our favorite Hoka walking shoes, and Rodriguez says they’re best for commuting, running errands and walking around her neighborhood. “These sneakers are so convenient to pull on and go since they have a toggle lace closure rather than traditional laces that you tie,” she says. “They offer so much comfort and support, so I can walk in them all day without my feet feeling tired or sore.” The shoes have a firmer feel and a thick, durable rubber outsole with pronounced treads, giving you extra traction in slippery weather conditions or on uneven terrain like trails. There’s reflective details on the Transport’s upper, which is coated in a water-repellent coating.
“I bought these sneakers as a colorful, comfortable footwear option for a trip to Brazil, and they were the perfect choice,” says Morris. “The bottom was grippy enough to keep me upright during jungle hikes and walks on the slick, cobblestoned streets of Rio (which is quite a feat for a habitual tripper such as myself), and the shoes have a cozy, airy feel that lets me wear them all day without any aches or pains from my flat feet.” The Salomon XT-6 are slip-ons with toggle lace system, and they have a cushioned orthopedic insole, a protective toecap and an internal fit sleeve that hugs your feet. Additionally, the shoe’s outsoles are designed with deep lugs, giving you maximum traction on all surfaces.
Your arch determines the direction and severity of the way your foot rolls or pronates. “You can identify your [foot type] by paying attention to which part of your foot hits the ground first,” says Shvets. She recommends looking at the soles of an old pair of sneakers to see where they’re worn out, as this will indicate where you’re making most of your impact and tell you whether your foot type is a pronator, supinator or neutral. Below is a more detailed description of the three types of feet.
Pronating is a natural, normal movement of the feet, and it occurs when your ankles or arches roll or tip slightly inward. But if your feet roll too far inward, you’re overpronating. This gait can cause flat feet, which is when there’s little to no arch in the feet. Some people are born with flat feet, but other times it’s a result of an injury to the ligaments or tendons, causing the arch to collapse. Those who are pronators and have flat feet will see worn tread in the middle of the heel and toward the inner edge of the heel, experts told us. A shoe with a supportive sole and a firm but cushioned insole is best for overpronators, says Cunha.
When your weight rolls to the outer edges of your feet, you are supinating. Supinators will see a worn tread on the outer edge of the heel and should look for added cushioning at the heels, experts say.
If your foot lands on your heel and rolls forward during your stride, evenly distributing impact across the forefoot, you have a neutral gait. Those with a neutral gait will see the most wear at the heel, as well as below the first and second toe.
Experts recommend replacing your walking shoes every 300 to 500 miles. If you walk briskly for 30 minutes a day, five days a week, that means you’ll need a new pair every six to 12 months.
There is a difference between shoes specifically designed for walking and shoes specifically designed for running, says Wynes. Walking is a lower impact activity and puts less stress on the bones, joints and muscles, while running is a high impact activity that puts more stress on the body. Because of this, running shoes usually have more shock absorbance, cushioning and rotation resistance compared to walking shoes. Running shoes also often weigh less compared to walking shoes so runners can quickly put one foot in front of the other, says Wynes.
The wear pattern on walking and running shoes differ, too. While running, you spend more time on your tiptoes and the balls of your feet, and less time on your heels. But when you’re walking, your feet tend to smoothly move through a heel-to-toe movement, says Wynes. Sneaker manufacturers use these wear patterns to decide what supportive elements and stability features their sneakers should have.
So in general, you can walk in running shoes, but you shouldn’t run in shoes specifically designed for walking, experts say. Walking shoes generally don’t have enough cushioning to protect the body while running, and they can feel too heavy.
Arch support refers to padding built into shoes’ insoles that’s positioned under each foot’s arch to keep it in a neutral position instead of rolling inward or outward. There are three types of arches: neutral, flat and high. Buying shoes with arch support that’s incompatible with your feet can cause pain, especially if you’re standing, walking or running for extended periods of time, experts say. That’s why it’s important to know what type of arch you have before shopping.
Below is information about the three arch types and how that impacts what features you should look for in shoes.
Yes, if possible, you should get fitted in-person before buying sneakers online, says Cunha. The staff at specialty footwear stores are knowledgeable about shoe choices, and they’ll spend time with you to recommend sneakers that align with your needs. The length and width of women’s feet can also change over time due to falling arches or hormonal fluctuations. Because of this, getting professionally fitted before buying sneakers ensures you know what your current size is and what feels comfortable to you right now.
The best way to tell that your shoes fit is to make sure there’s one thumb’s width of space ahead of your longest toe, says Wynes. Cunha also recommends getting fit for walking shoes in the evening since that’s when your feet are the most swollen. “If the shoe feels comfortable at the end of the day, it will most likely feel comfortable throughout the day,” he says.
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure that all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and with no undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
I’m a reporter at NBC Select who covers fitness, and I specifically write about sneakers like running shoes with arch support, carbon plate running shoes, training shoes and walking shoes. For this article, I interviewed three experts about women’s walking shoes and rounded up expert and NBC Select staff picks. I also test dozens of sneakers throughout the year, which helps guide my recommendations.
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