5 Best Walking Shoes for Women, According to Podiatrists and Footwear Experts
You don't have to be a marathon runner to be fit — walking is actually one of the healthiest forms of exercise. Before heading out the door, you want to be armed with the best walking shoes for you. You want a shoe that’s comfy all day, supports your arches, cushions your heel and actually looks cute. With so many factors to consider, the pros in the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab partnered with medical experts to put popular shoes to the test to find the best walking shoes to buy, evaluating over 1,000 data points collected over 200 hours of walking.
How we test walking shoes
We sent shoes to testers with a range of shoe sizes and foot shapes. Testers walked for at least two hours before giving feedback on cushioning, support, comfort, traction, appearance and more. In the Lab, we weighed each sneaker to nix clunky styles that’ll weigh you down. We also sawed each sneaker in half so our experts could evaluate the inside and insole of each shoe. We teamed up with Jordan Metzl, M.D., a sports medicine physician at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York and Emily Splichal, D.P.M., a podiatrist at the Center for Functional & Regenerative Podiatric Medicine in New York City, to find the shoes that are comfy to wear and healthy for your feet.
How to find the best walking shoes for you
Running shoes tend to have more control to brace for impact on the sole, while walking shoes have a bit more flex and bend. Many walking sneakers have added foam, which is especially important for people who are heavier and put more weight on the shoe because it’ll return some of the force back to your body. Dr. Splichal recommends only running in running sneakers, especially ones with more cushioning for long distance running. For walking shoes, consider the following:
- Pick them up before trying them on. Avoid super heavy styles that’ll keep you bogged down. One exception: If you have flat feet and need more support, a heavier style might be preferred to offer sufficient control.
- Give the shoe a twist. Dr. Splichal says to twist the sneaker as if you're wringing out a towel. Our experts recommend styles with more twistability (i.e. less control): It helps you develop stronger muscles from your feet to your glutes.
- Try on as many styles as possible. There’s no one-size-fits-all shoe. Each brand — and even each style — will vary in sizing and fit, which can have a big impact on your foot.
- Find the right fit. Wiggle your toes to make sure the shoes are not too tight, and make sure you walk a few laps around the store so you can avoid shoes that pinch or squeeze your feet. If you have any existing foot pain, Dr. Metzl suggests going with the pair that "makes the pain go away when you’re walking around the store," as that's a good indicator you've found a winning shoe.
- Choose comfort over everything. Dr. Metzl stresses that comfort is key. Regardless of the product claims, you should be "as objective as you can for support and comfort." And trust your instincts — your feet will know which shoe is right. If your toes feel cramped or your heels are rubbing while you're testing the shoes, ditch them: It'll only get worse.
Whether you’re walking long distances for exercise, travel or work or just running errands, you’ll need the right pair of shoes to keep you on your feet all day pain-free. Shop the best walking shoes of 2022:
Gel-Quantum 180 4 Sneakers
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| Gel-Quantum 180 4 Sneakers |
Testers loved the Asics Gel Quantum 180 for being comfortable, supportive, well-cushioned and having an excellent fit. Testers also loved the stylish appearance — these sneaks are available in eight colors from classic black and white to bright blues and reds. Dr. Splichal and Dr. Metzl both like these sneakers for providing excellent stability and control, ideal for people with flat feet. All testers reported that they liked these sneakers more than their current ones and would continue to wear them.
Why we love it?
- Loved by podiatrists for offering great stability and control
- Trendy color options
- Ideal for walking and running alike
Athletic Walking Shoes
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| Athletic Walking Shoes |
These slip-on sneakers by Tiosebon were popular for their cushioning. One tester said, “They didn't look like clunky, orthopedic shoes, but they felt as if they were padded with four inches of memory foam.” Not only are they by far the most affordable sneaker in our round-up at just $20, they also have over 24,000 rave Amazon reviews. Dr. Splichal likes how lightweight they are, but testers didn’t rate the appearance as high as other styles.
Why we love it?
- One of the lightest sneakers we evaluated
- Soft cushioning for support
- Over 24,000 rave Amazon reviews
Devotion Plus 3 Walking Shoe
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| Devotion Plus 3 Walking Shoe |
Ryka designs shoes based on women’s foot shape; the brand says it’s based on the angle between the hip and knee. Testers found these sneakers comfortable and supportive while providing excellent cushioning and traction. However, testers did not rate these sneakers as stylish. Dr. Metzl likes this style for hard surface walking, making this pair ideal when walking all day.
Why we love it?
Great cushioning when walking on hard surfaces
High traction outsole
Brand designs shoes specifically for women's foot shape
Stretchable Plantar Fasciitis Sneakers
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| Stretchable Plantar Fasciitis Sneakers |
If you have wide feet, sneaker shopping can be a huge pain. Orthofeet Stretchable sneakers are offered in standard, wide and extra wide widths with sizes from 6 to 12 (half sizes included!). Testers gave these sneakers a perfect score for cushioning and comfort, but didn’t rate the appearance as high. One tester noted, “The most comfortable shoe I’ve ever worn but aesthetically not my favorite.” As Dr. Metzl advises, prioritizing comfort is essential!
Why we love it?
- Wide and standard sizing available
- High marks from testers for comfort and cushioning
- Reviewers recommend these shoes for those with plantar fasciitis
Ultraboost 20 Sneaker
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| Ultraboost 20 Sneaker |
Testers raved about Adidas Ultraboost sneakers’ “cloud-like” cushioning and support, thanks to the high foam levels and extra air pockets to cushion impact. All testers found the Ultraboost line of sneakers to be comfortable and said they would continue wearing them. Dr. Metzl likes the midsole of these sneakers and recommends them for those “complaining of joint aches.”
Why we love it?
- Thick cushioning
- 20 color options
- Slip-on design for easy on/off