We Tested Over 50 Pairs of Walking Shoes for Women — These Are the 11 We Recommend

The Hoka Bondi is a neutral walking shoe with an exaggerated stack that provides cushioning for the entire foot, making it our top pick for the best women’s walking shoe for long walks. Hoka uses a newly developed supercritical foam in the bed of this shoe, which improves the foam’s durability and increases cushioning, while also reducing the environmental impact of the product.

This shoe is designed for performance and comfort from top to bottom, starting with a breathable, knitted upper that features a molded collar to support the ankle. The rear outer sole of the shoe is designed to stabilize the landing of each step. All of this rests on a durable rubber sole that increases the longevity of the shoe and stands up to gravel, cracks, and bumps in the road.

During testing, I experienced a short adjustment period as I got used to the high footbed of the Hoka Bondi 9. Ultimately, I became obsessed with the high level of cushion and shock absorption all the extra foam provided — it was like walking on a cloud. And because of the removable sock lining, these shoes can accommodate inserts or custom orthotics, making them great for women with chronic pain, those who spend a lot of time on their feet, or women who like taking long walks.

We chose the Asics Gel-Kayano 32 as the best women’s walking shoe for wide feet because it is a highly rated walking shoe that is available in narrow, standard, and wide widths, which can be challenging to find.

The Gel-Kayano 32 is called a stability shoe, and that stability is provided by what Asics calls its 4D Guidance System. This system begins with a wider outer sole that keeps each step stable, with a lateral groove in the outer sole to help support walkers who tend to overpronate. When wearing this shoe, walkers may notice that their feet sit deeper in the shoe than in other walking shoes, and this is an intentional choice, designed for extra stability. The fourth aspect of the guidance system is a pod of gel in the arch, which encourages you to bounce back if you roll inward when you step.

I tested the Asics Gel-Kayano 32, and the comfort of these shoes was a standout for me. I suffer from chronic pain in my feet, and while the shoe’s cushioning provided a plush feel to each step, I still felt like I got the support and stability I needed during long walks. These shoes feel good on my wide feet, and I love that there is also an extra-wide option to accommodate more foot types. One thing worth noting is that due to this shoe’s cradled shape, it isn’t as accommodating to inserts or custom orthotics.

“For people that are struggling with plantar fasciitis or strange heel pain, I would encourage you to look for a shoe that has a firm heel cup,” says Brandon Haghverdian, MD, an orthopedic surgeon and foot-and-ankle specialist at the Hoag Orthopedic Institute in Irvine, California. “Bonus if you can find one with a little bit of lift. This can take pressure off of the heel if you find yourself standing a lot.”

Wearing the right shoes is an important part of managing heel pain, and we chose the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24 as the best women’s walking shoe for heel pain because of the balanced support and cushioning this shoe provides.

I originally tested the Adrenaline GTS 23 and was impressed by its balance of comfort and support. It proved to be especially helpful in helping me deal with my severe mechanical foot pain and persistent heel discomfort. I also appreciated its removable sock lining and roomy, flexible upper, which made it easy to slip in my custom orthotics when I needed extra support. The newest version of this shoe, the Adrenaline GTS 24, keeps many of those features I loved while adding Brooks’s DNA Loft v3 midsole, made of nitrogen-infused foam that offers even softer, more responsive cushioning. Like its predecessor, the GTS 24 is also available in extended sizes and four different widths, making it one of the most size-inclusive shoes on our list.

Excellent arch support was the standout feature of the Kuru Atom during testing, so we awarded it the title of best women’s walking shoe for high arches. Its durable rubber, shock-absorbing cloud foam, and responsive, heel-hugging Kurusole technology work together to provide a supportive yet cushioned foundation for this walking shoe. The upper portion is made of breathable mesh and features a wide toe box, which further adds to the comfort of the shoe.

Our tester, Brittany Vargas, wore them for walks and running errands, and she says that these shoes performed very well. She notes that the roomy toe box and flexible upper shoe kept her feet from feeling constricted or stuffy.

“I wore them holiday shopping and to a boat parade,” says Vargas. “My feet weren’t sore or tired by the end of the day.”

Kuru Atom’s run true to size, and they’re available in medium and wide widths. Shoppers can choose from a variety of colors, and we think the shoe’s trim and minimalistic design makes it a great option for everyday wear.

For walkers with plantar fasciitis, Matthew Galliano, DPM, a podiatric surgeon at at Kansas City Bone & Joint Clinic, recommends a shoe with a wide sole and added arch support. Based on this advice and our tester’s experience, we chose the Brooks Addiction Walker 2 as the best women’s walking shoe for plantar fasciitis. This shoe is a maximum support shoe designed for everyday wear, long walks, and short runs. This is a balanced shoe; it offers comfortable cushioning but also plenty of support for the arch and heel.

The Brooks Addiction Walker 2 has a removable liner, which can be a great option for someone with plantar fasciitis, since adding an insole is another recommendation Dr. Galliano gives for walkers with inflammation in the plantar fascia.

“Remember to stretch regularly,” Galliano adds. “Try a runner’s stretch, concentrating on the Achilles tendon and back leg muscles, and avoid barefooted ambulation.”

During testing, the support offered by the Addiction Walker 2 was firm in the arch and heel. A unique feature of this shoe, compared with the others on this list, is its leather upper, which is durable and easy to wipe clean.

“They were very stiff when putting them on the first time,” says tester Raki Swanson. “I think this had to do with the fact that these are made of leather. They were comfortable overall.”

Swanson did note that because of the firm support these shoes provide, they took about a week to break in. After the adjustment period, however, she felt like this was a great shoe for walkers who require extra support.

Before testing, we wondered if all of this support would make these shoes feel stiff or hard, but our tester, Ashley Ziegler, reported that these cushioned shoes are very comfortable to wear.

“These feel so cushiony!” she says. “I was worried they’d feel clunky, since the soles are so thick, but they felt so comfy from the first step. I love how much cushioning there is around the back of the foot. Seriously dreamy.”

Ziegler took these shoes out for a 3-mile walk as well as to an event at her kids’ school, which required walking and standing for a few hours. The Hoka Arahi 7s kept her comfortable the entire time.

The one downside of this shoe is that it isn’t available in the fun colors Hoka has become famous for. Hopefully Hoka will introduce more colors in this supportive and comfortable style at some point.

The Brooks Ghost Max 2 is a protective walking shoe that is our pick for the best women’s walking shoe for bunions. As one of Brooks’s most cushioned shoes, the Ghost Max 2 has a plush feel that may help increase the comfort of walkers with bunions. This is a neutral shoe that is fairly soft, and we think that people with bunions will appreciate that extra cushioning, whether they’re taking off on a walk or wearing this shoe around the house. It has a rocking design, which helps to propel the foot forward and eases transitions between each step.

“A deep toe box with a wider cut is a good choice for bunions,” says Samantha Landau, DPM, an assistant professor at the New York College of Podiatric Medicine. “This prevents the toes from impinging and compressing upon each other.”

“I love the support of these shoes,” Modglin says. “They offer a lot of support and cushioning, so they absorb the shock of harder foundations like concrete, hard floors, and rocky terrain.”

The Hoka Transport is designed as a commuter shoe with the performance of an athletic shoe, earning it the title of best women’s walking shoe for everyday wear. Whether you’re walking for exercise around the neighborhood, walking to work in the city, or chasing your kids around the park, we think Hoka Transports will perform well. Hoka calls this a balanced shoe, which means you can expect both a good, soft cushion and strong support for a responsive step.

During testing, we noted that these shoes came ready to wear and were easy to pull on, thanks to their toggle laces. We also found that the water-repellent nature of these shoes not only resisted water but also made them easy to clean.

“I wore these shoes during my son’s field trip, in which I stood for several hours at different points throughout the day,” says Modglin. “My feet were slightly achy that evening, I think more so due to adjusting, but I had no back or knee pain.”

The Hoka Transport walking shoe is available in a wide range of fun and bright colors, as well as more neutral ones — just another reason we love them for everyday and casual wear.

The Skechers Vivi is a perfect choice for the best slip-on women’s walking shoe because its supportive pillow heel stays in place so that you can push your foot into the shoe while leaning down or lacing up. These shoes provide a lot of cushioning, and the midsole is lightweight and plush, while providing plenty of support for a long walk.

We loved how easy these shoes were to put on during testing, but we noticed that we had to adjust the tongue for the most comfortable fit. We found them plush and comfortable for all-day wear and short spurts of exercise. Tester Olivia Campbell reports that they are durable shoes that would wear well over time.

“These shoes are pretty comfy and supportive,” she says. “Though my pinky toe was a bit cramped in the width, and the heel pillow was annoying but not uncomfortable.”

One downside of the Sketcher Vivi slip-ons is the lack of extended sizing. They’re only available up to a women’s size 10 in the regular width, and the wide width is only available up to a women’s size 9.

The Nike Motiva is a specifically designed for walking, with a tall foam stack that provides comfort and cushioning, earning it our pick for the best women’s walking shoe for standing all day. This shoe has an exaggerated rocking shape, which helps propel each step forward and aids in an easy push-off at the toes.

Its unique outer sole, which is grooved, absorbs bumps and cracks in the road and also improves the overall durability of the shoe. During testing, we found that the unique shape of the shoe, with its high stack and rocker shape, can take a little time to get used to. After a short adjustment period, we loved the shape and feel of this shoe.

“Wow, these turned out to be some of the best walking shoes I’ve owned,” says tester Jen Sinclair. “It did not take long for me to get used to the feel of the rocker. My calves were slightly sore after the first day, but I think that’s probably because of the adjustment.”

We wanted to confirm our belief that these shoes are perfect if you’re standing all day, so Sinclair took them to a theme park. After spending all day waiting in line or walking around the park, she says that her feet loved these shoes and that they performed really well.

We chose the Brooks Glycerin 22 as the best women’s walking shoe for running because its nitrogen-infused midsole creates a bouncy, responsive step. This means that transitions between each step are smooth and push-off is easier.

The Glycerin 22 is a neutral shoe with a knit upper, which is both breathable and flexible. It is available in medium and wide widths, with many colors to choose from.

“These felt like clouds on my feet,” says tester Grace Gallagher. “Before trying these, I hadn’t worn sneakers with such a thick sole — but now I get the allure. They were incredibly comfortable from the moment I put them on.”

We tested the Glycerin before it was discontinued, and Brooks has carried over the same great qualities of the 21 and improved on the design with a nitrogen-infused midsole for a plusher run. We found these shoes to be soft on the feet, and they felt broken-in right out of the box. They run true to size. We recommend these shoes for high-impact activities like running, or anytime you’re planning to be on your feet for an extended period of time.