We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. The Best Walking Shoes We Tested While Running Errands, Catching Flights, and Everything in Between Our favorite pairs include picks from Hoka, New Balance, and Brooks By Averi Baudler Averi Baudler Averi Baudler is a senior shopping writer for PEOPLE who focuses on fashion, celebrity style, beauty, sales, and trends. She regularly interviews celebrities on their top shopping picks, and she's never met a lip gloss she doesn't like. People Editorial Guidelines Published on October 10, 2025 03:15PM EDT In This Article View All In This Article Best Overall Best for Seniors Best for Travel Others We Liked How We Tested Pairs Well With Credit : People If you want to make getting from point A to point B a little easier, faster, and more comfortable, it may be time to pick up a new pair of walking shoes. No matter the needs of your feet, a quality pair of walking shoes is a closet staple that will aid you during every season. Whether you’re looking for trendy flats that won’t leave your feet sweaty and blistered at the end of each day, or you’re on the hunt for tennis shoes that are as fashionable as they are functional, we did the leg work (literally) to narrow down the best walking shoes available right now based on design, durability, breathability, and fit. Keep reading to learn more about our top picks from brands like New Balance, Hoka, Brooks, and more starting at $89. What to Know About Walking Shoes, According to a Podiatrist Before conducting our tests, we tapped Dr. Bobby Pourziaee DPM, “The High Heel Doctor” and board-certified foot and ankle surgeon, to learn more about elements of walking shoes that are best suited for various foot types. Dr. Pourziaee has worked with an impressive list of celebrity clientele, including Christian Louboutin and Michelle Obama, to provide expertise, therapies, and treatments to heal and soothe bodies “from the ground up.” “Foot type plays a major role in shoe selection because it changes how your foot absorbs shock and distributes weight,” Dr. Pourziaee tells PEOPLE. “The right match helps prevent injuries and improves overall comfort when walking.” Flat Feet: “Flat feet tend to overpronate (roll inward), which can strain the arch and ankle,” he shares. “These individuals often benefit from shoes with strong arch support and stability features to prevent excessive motion.” Dr. Pourziaee suggests those with flat feet look for “motion-control or stability shoes” with a “firm midsole and structured heel counter.” High Arches: “High arches usually underpronate (roll outward), which reduces shock absorption,” Dr. Pourziaee explains. “People with this foot type often do better in shoes with extra cushioning and flexibility to soften impact. What should a shopper with high arches look for, exactly? “Prioritize cushioning (especially in the midsole), flexibility in the forefoot, and shock-absorbing insoles,” he says. “This compensates for limited natural shock absorption.” Neutral Feet: According to Dr. Pourziaee, “Neutral feet generally have more versatility but still need shoes that balance support and cushioning.” As such, a “balanced walking shoe with moderate arch support and cushioning is usually best.” No matter your foot type, Dr. Pourziaee recommends all shoppers look for shoes that “feel good right away” — there shouldn’t be a break-in period, he explains — and have considerable arch and heel support and shock absorption. “If I had to pick the most important element, it would be fit and comfort,” he adds. “Even the best engineered shoe won’t help if it doesn’t feel right for your foot shape and stride.” Best Overall Walking Shoes Hoka Clifton 10 New Balance 327 Hoka Bondi 9 Asics Gel-1130 Hoka Women's Clifton 10 Running Shoes Credit: People $155 at Nordstrom View on Zappos $155 at Hoka.com If you’re looking for a walking shoe that’s comfortable straight out of the box, the Hoka Clifton 10 may be your new go-to. In our testing, we found them to be bouncy and breathable for walking, working out, and being on our feet all day — so much so that one writer said they felt like “walking on clouds.” The thick midsoles struck a balance between cushion and support, never feeling overly squishy, while the lightweight design actually allowed us to move faster during long walks and jogs. Add in excellent arch support, a roomy toe box, and no pinching, rubbing, or soreness, and you’ve got a walking shoe that absolutely earns its spot in your sneaker rotation. Credit: People Credit: People Credit: People Credit: People Credit: People We Tried the Comfy Shoe Brand Jennifer Garner and Blake Lively Have Worn — and So Did Our Moms New Balance Women's 327 Credit: People $85 $80 at Amazon $105 at Nordstrom $105 at Zappos For the stylish walker, these running shoes offer a perfect mixture of fashion and function, according to our tester. Not only did they offer considerable comfort and traction — well-suited for long days of wear — but they were also incredibly versatile thanks to their sleek, wear-with-anything black-and-white color scheme. The canvas material kept feet from overheating while running errands or commuting, and the soles didn’t show any signs of wear, even after multiple outings. Bonus: The shoes didn’t require any break-in period, so you can start wearing them immediately without fear of blisters. Credit: People Credit: People Credit: People Credit: People Credit: People Hoka Women's Bondi 9 Running Shoes Credit: People $175 $123 at Nordstrom View on Zappos $175 at Hoka.com Another Hoka sneaker to earn our approval, the Bondi 9 left a lasting impression during our testing — even garnering praise from long-time Hoka fans. What made this style stand out from the others? Its modern yet sporty look, well-cushioned footbed, and durable design. Our tester, who used to cut walks short due to foot and knee pain, found that the sneakers took pressure off her joints, allowing her to walk longer distances without discomfort. Whether running, shopping, or standing on your feet all day, these sneakers are up for the challenge. Pro tip: While our tester appreciated the clean, fresh look of her all-white pair, she suggested going with a darker color to minimize the appearance of dirt and wear over time. Credit: People Credit: People Credit: People Credit: People Credit: People Asics Women's Gel-1130 Sneaker Credit: People View on Asics.com View on Freepeople.com View on Revolve As a New York City resident, PEOPLE senior shopping writer Averi Baudler appreciated that these walking shoes didn’t make her choose between comfort and style. Their soft gel cushioning and roomy toe box kept her high arches and sensitive feet feeling supported and stable while doing everything from walking through Central Park to running around the city, while their trendy silhouette allowed her to go from workout classes to dinner with friends without ever having to change her shoes. “I appreciated that I didn't have to worry about my feet blistering or aching in the name of fashion,” she shared of one specific outing. “I simply threw them on with a sundress and felt comfortable for the entire day.” Credit: People Credit: People Credit: People Credit: People Credit: People Best Walking Shoes for Seniors Seavees Acorn Trainer Brooks Glycerin GTS 22 New Balance 1906R On Running Cloudtilt SeaVees Women's Acorn Trainer Credit: People View on Seavees.com These sneakers from Seavees couple a supportive design with a ’90s-inspired silhouette for an everyday walking shoe even Jennifer Garner would wear. Constructed with recycled materials, including breathable bio-based memory foam, these sneakers impressed our tester with their styling capabilities for multiple occasions — a must for seniors looking to simplify their wardrobes. Not only did their spacious toe box and moderate cushioning make for a comfortable fit — so much so that our tester wore them for over eight hours on multiple occasions — but they looked just as stylish with leggings and a sweatshirt as they did with jeans and a blouse. Plus, with 13 colors to choose from, you’ll be sure to find an option that meshes with your fashion sense. Credit: People Credit: People Credit: People Credit: People Credit: People Brooks Women's Glycerin GTS 22 Running Shoes Credit: People $165 at Amazon View on Zappos View on Brooksrunning.com During our testing, these sneakers stood out as a reliable option to reach for ahead of long days on our feet. From running errands to sneaking in gym sessions, these walking shoes remained extremely supportive and comfortable throughout, especially for those with low arches and overpronation. The material’s soft and flexible nature moves with your foot, not against it, and we found that it performed well when completing lunges, jumps, and other HIIT workout movements. Plus, the shoes’ traction held up even in wet conditions, making them well-suited for seniors who value stability. Credit: People Credit: People Credit: People Credit: People Credit: People New Balance 1906R Sneakers Credit: People $160 at Amazon $155 at Nordstrom $155 at Footlocker.com New Balance sneakers are a popular brand among PEOPLE staffers and celebrities alike (hi, Taylor Swift). This pair, in particular, earned high praise from senior shopping writer Alyssa Grabinski for its satisfactory support and cushioning, which aided her when embarking on daily walks. “I love these shoes,” Grabinski said. “They fit right in with the dad shoes trend that’s going around. In fact, my sister and mom — the latter of which is a gym shoes-hater — even wanted to borrow them.” She also wore them during a long day of travel and didn’t experience any foot fatigue, rubbing, or blisters. Overall, if you’re looking for a solid walking shoe for casual wear, these are definitely worth your consideration. Credit: People Credit: People Credit: People Credit: People Credit: People On Women's Cloudtilt Running Shoes Credit: People $170 $119 at Nordstrom $170 at Zappos View on On.com Speaking of celebrity-worn sneaker brands, we’ve spotted Oprah wearing On Running shoes on multiple occasions — and it’s not hard to understand why. We appreciate that this pair’s no-fuss, slip-on silhouette eliminated the need to bend over when taking them on and off, making them great for those with limited mobility, and that its elastic laces kept our feet secure and stable while walking, running errands, and hiking. Although their sporty appearance made them best suited for workout and athleisure attire, they more than made up for it with their immense comfort. They required zero break-in time, and they felt springy and cushioned but never weighed down. Credit: People Credit: People Credit: People Credit: People Credit: People Best Walking Shoes for Travel Veja Volley Leather Silver Pierre Vivaia Square-Toe Mary-Jane Gola Elan Sneaker Cariuma Oca Low Canvas Sneaker Veja Women's Volley Leather Sneakers Credit: People $145 $116 at Zappos $155 at Shopbop.com View on Veja-store.com Spotted on style icons like Kate Middleton, Reese Witherspoon, and Scarlett Johansson, Veja sneakers have earned a reputation as a closet must-have — and we can confirm that this pair lived up to the hype. Inspired by the Brazilian volleyball shoes of the ’70s, these shoes were favored during testing for their versatile design, making them great for pairing with multiple outfits when traveling. These shoes didn’t have the best arch support, but that wasn’t something that bothered us when walking for short or long periods of time. The traction offered stability, even in wet conditions, and there was no soreness or rubbing. Credit: People Credit: People Credit: People Credit: People Credit: People Vivaia Square-Toe Mary-Jane Flats Credit: People $139 at Amazon View on Vivaia.com Sneakers aren’t the only comfy shoes worthy of a spot in your footwear rotation: We also found these Mary Jane flats from Vivaia to be among the best walking shoes we tested. Their adjustable instep strap is fully customizable — no more fighting with pre-made holes that fit too tight or too loose — and their easy-to-style look allowed us to walk to work, the grocery store, and dinner with confidence. Although they didn’t offer much in terms of support (they are flats, after all), we found that they didn’t cause any soreness, rubbing, or fatigue. Plus, we loved that the square toe offered a trendy twist on typical flats. Credit: People Credit: People Credit: People Credit: People Credit: People Gola Women's Elan Sneaker Credit: People $120 at Nordstrom $110 at Zappos View on Golausa.com One of the most affordable models on our list, we found these sneakers to be a fashionable, comfortable, and reliable option for those looking to try out colorful styles without breaking the bank. Although their bright green color made them harder to style than, say, classic white sneakers, we appreciated that they added a trendy pop of color to average outfits. The flexible material moved with our feet throughout the day, and we didn’t notice any rubbing or pinching. If green isn’t your color, don’t worry: There are plenty of additional shades, including lavender, hot pink, and yellow. Credit: People Credit: People Credit: People Credit: People Credit: People Cariuma Oca Low Canvas Sneaker Credit: Cariuma View on Cariuma If you’re on the hunt for a sneaker that holds up while chasing kiddos, running errands, and commuting to the office, look no further than the Cariuma Oca Low Canvas Sneaker. Throughout testing, we found these sneakers to be much more flexible and comfortable than similar canvas models (like Converse and Keds) while still offering support on walks around New York City. Although we wish that the toe box was a little roomier, we didn’t experience any soreness or fatigue while wearing the shoes and expect them to become more comfortable over time. Bonus: Not only are the shoes sustainably sourced, but every pair you purchase results in the planting of two trees in an effort to restore biological diversity in the Brazilian rainforest. Other Walking Shoes We Liked With so many great options, not every walking shoe we tested could earn a spot on our list (a great problem to have, in our opinion). A few styles we loved that didn’t quite make the cut include sneakers from celebrity-worn brands, like Adidas, Puma, and Veja, and sandals and flats from Naturalizer. Adidas Gazelle Indoor Shoes Veja Campo Leather White Natural Sneakers Kane Footwear Revive White/Pacific Speckle Shoes Puma Speedcat OG Sneakers Naturalizer Estie Ballet Flats Autry Medalist Low Sneakers People Step Count: How We Tested Throughout the testing period, our testers were tasked with walking at least one mile in their shoes on four separate occasions to accurately assess each model’s comfort, stability, and durability. Upon receipt, our testers unboxed the shoes to inspect the material, style, and workmanship for any abnormalities. They then walked for 15 minutes to judge the initial comfort, fit, and support of the shoes right out of the box. From running errands to embarking on lengthy hikes, our testers logged 1,775,000 steps (approximately 739 miles) throughout the course of the test, documenting their experiences with photos and written feedback all the while. Pairs Well With Now that you’ve got walking shoes covered, why not give your entire footwear collection an upgrade? Luckily for you, we’ve also put all kinds of flats, Chelsea boots, and slides through rigorous testing to determine which models are the best of the best. Keep scrolling to check out some of our most comfortable recommendations from brands like Rothy’s, Birkenstock, and Ugg. Rothy’s The Driver $189 at Nordstrom Nisolo Carmen Chelsea Boot $250 $225 at Zappos Birkenstock Boston Clog $170 at Nordstrom Vivaia Margot Mary Jane $139 at Amazon Blundstone 585 Classic Chelsea Boots $220 at Nordstrom UGG Goldenstar Platform Slide Sandal $140 $126 at Zappos Read more: Shopping Fashion Shoes