Best Walking Shoes
Best Walking Shoes for Women
Best Walking Shoes for Men
Best Walking Shoes for Narrow Feet
Best Walking Shoes for Wide Feet
Walking is simply one of the best things you can do for your health. A 30-minute-per-day walk can help with everything from high blood pressure to brain health and heart conditions. Unlike running, just about anyone can walk. Knee injury? No problem. Overweight? No biggie. Bad ankles? Sure! Walking is easy to do, because you can do it at your own pace.
Whether you’re taking the dog for a walk, taking your kids for some outdoor time, or just stretching your legs on a treadmill, there’s always an opportunity to go for a walk. While most of us own sneakers or trainers to exercise in, be it training at the gym or going for a run, did you know that you need a separate pair of shoes for walking?
That’s right! It’s likely that your other sneakers aren’t supportive enough, or even geared for walking. There are a number of reasons why you need separate shoes for walking, running and training and we’re here to help guide you through this process!
Can my running shoes be used for walking?
We’re going to be real with you. Wearing your running shoes for a walk isn’t going to kill you. In fact, if you’re heading on a trip or packing for a weekend and can only take one pair of sneakers, doubling up on the use is more than fine. But on a day to day basis, it’s best to have separate pairs for the separate workouts. But why?
The truth is, when you’re running, you’re striking the ground differently than when you walk. That being said, sneakers you use for running are worn down in different areas compared to sneakers you use primarily for walking, so when it comes down to it, your foot may not be getting the best support in the long run (no pun intended) when it comes to walking.
What are the main differences between shoes for running and walking?
Running shoes are often well-cushioned, prioritizing good support and a comfortable fit, because the average runner places 2-3x their body weight on their feet and legs when running. Walking shoes, on the other hand, only need to support 1-2x the body weight, and therefore need less cushioning.
Running shoes are also built with less flex, especially near the ball of the foot, where you usually land mid-run. Walking shoes need more flexibility, as your foot goes through the full range of motion, landing heel-first and then rolling forward to your toes.
Most importantly, running in the wrong kind of shoe can be detrimental, leading to foot pain and sometimes serious injury. Each foot structure differs, and whether your ankles lean inward or outward or not at all, or whether you have a high or low arch, can affect what sneaker you need. With walking, while it’s important to buy shoes that fit your feet comfortably, the incorrect shoe will not lead to injury – only slight discomfort at worst.
So, if you’re planning to hop on the TikTok walking workout trend 12-3-30, walking on a 12 incline at 3.0 speed for 30 minutes, it’s time to invest in a proper walking shoe. And we’re breaking down our favorites today for men and women.
Best Walking Shoes for Women
While these sneakers are advertised as running shoes, we’ve found that they’re perfect for walking. In fact, some runners even left reviews saying they’d recommend this pair for walking over running.
Created with a rear-foot and fore-foot Gel Cushioning System, this sneaker reduces shock on impact, allowing for flexible movement all throughout the foot as you go through the full range of motion. This sneaker also boasts ComforDry Lasting material which keeps your foot comfortable with moisture-wicking fabric to give you even more breathability while you walk.
With a range of sizes from 5 to 11, and six different color options to choose from (we especially LOVE that rouge one!), these sneakers are a must for any women who want to walk!
Best Walking Shoes for Men
With 100% leather/synthetic material, this walking shoe is perfect for any man who’s ready to lace up and go for a stroll! This sneaker features a sporty and masculine design, with perforated details, stitching and overlay accents in muted colors.
Skechers has long been the go-to brand for walking shoes, known for their flexible Articu-Lyte rubber soles. These walking shoes are especially comfortable for men, with a built-in Memory Foam insole to ensure that every step is enjoyable.
With 13 different color options, across the black, brown, blue, gray and green colorways, this sneaker is neutral enough to rock for walking, or casually with jeans or slacks while running errands or hanging out with friends. Plus, for men with wide feet, you’ll want to look no further than this shoe! It’s available in regular and extra wide of each size, ranging from size 6.5 all the way up to size 16 X-Wide.
Best Walking Shoes for Narrow Feet
Wearing ill-fitting shoes with narrow feet can lead to your feet slipping, blisters, calluses and corns – and no one wants that. But unless you have narrow feet, you won’t know just how difficult it is to find proper-fitting shoes. Look no further! We’ve found the perfect walking shoe for men and women with narrow feet.
This walking shoe from New Balance is available for both women and men, and is considered one of the best options for narrow feet sneakers as it’s incredibly size diverse! Each size is available in Narrow, Regular and Wide feet options, so that you don’t have to compromise when it comes to your sizing.
Made of durable leather, this shoe also features perforation holes to increase breathability and flexibility. This shoe will offer the support that you need while allowing your foot the full range of motion to make each step absolutely comfortable. Using ABZORB Technology, these walking shoes have a heel crash pad that will absorb, cushion and compress impact while walking.
Plus, the Dual Density Collar Foam is made to prevent irritation around your ankles, while offering the support that you need in a narrow fit. All in all, this shoe is the epitome of comfort when it comes to a walking shoe!
Available in four different neutral color options, this shoe is a must-buy for those with narrow feet who are looking for a sneaker to take them from shopping to strolling, and everything in between!
Best Walking Shoes for Wide Feet
Women with wide feet, you KNOW how hard it is to find a walking shoe that caters to your width. Get a regular sized sneaker and the fit is never right, causing major discomfort along your arch and soles. Well, we’ve just solved your problem. These are the BEST walking shoes for wide feet!
Made of 100% leather, these New Balance sneakers have the perfect balance of cushioning and durability, all without the hassle of laces to slow you down. No, we don’t mean velcro – these shoes feature a hook-and-loop design, so you can slip into your new walking shoes easily, with a secure, custom fit.
They feature ABZORB cushioning to ensure the utmost shock absorption, making these shoes not just comfortable, but made for walking and the full range of motion. These shoes are what you call built to last, made from the finest materials and solid rubber outsoles to ensure all-day comfort with a long shelf life.
Embrace the dad sneakers trend with these beauties. Available in only two colors –black and white– these shoes will take you from fashion to function, and whether you’re wearing it to brunch or around the block, they will take you places! Plus, these walking shoes are available in Narrow, Regular, Wide AND X-Wide sizing, so there’s a fit for everyone, no matter your foot width!
FAQs about Walking Shoes
How do I know what kind of feet I have?
Trust us, if you have wide feet – you definitely know! But it can certainly be confusing when a lot of walking shoes mention catering to your arches. How do you know if you have normal feet, high arches or flat feet? Well a good way to check is to do the paper bag test. Take a paper bag (or even a paper towel!) and place it on the floor. Then, wet your foot and place it on the bag or towel with your full weight on it. The imprint that’s left behind will tell you what kind of arches you have.
If you see the full outline of your foot, you probably have flat feet. If your outline looks like the foot emoji (????), you definitely have a normal foot. If there’s spaces missing from your imprint, you’ll need shoes that cater for a higher arch.
Can I wear my running shoes to walk?
Like we said above, the short answer is yes! Wearing a running shoe in the short run to walk won’t cause any serious damage to your feet, but due to the differences in wear as your foot presses down differently between the two activities, we recommend keeping it separate. So, if you pack a sneaker for your commute to work, we recommend it be a walking shoe instead of your good running shoe, before it later affects you on your next run!
How often should I replace my walking shoes?
The general rule of thumb is to replace any sneaker after amassing about 500 miles in it. So, quick math, if you walk 30 minutes a day, or three to four hours a week in these shoes, you’ll want to replace them every six months. If you walk an hour each day, or seven hours a week, it’s time for an upgrade in three months.
If you notice any new aches and pains while wearing your current sneakers, it probably means that they’ve worn down and no longer offer the support you need, and it’s a good sign that it’s time for a replacement.