From casual strolls to invigorating runs, wearing a comfy pair of shoes can truly make your usual route more enjoyable. Maybe you’re toying with the idea of starting to run, or you’re a marathoner recovering after a hard race; arguably the most essential gear is a pair of shoes. Trainers with supportive cushioning and built-in stability help pad pounding on the pavement as you stroll, rush, power walk, half-jog, and, occasionally, run through your day.
There is a reason we recommend specific styles of shoes over, say, a pair of Keds or Vans. The best running shoes mitigate the impact of moving around all day, whatever pace you’re going. its uppers are made with lightweight materials that are both breathable and insulated to keep you content in a wide range of conditions. When we’re talking about walking, speed and responsiveness take a back seat to padding, support, and durability.
A narrow platform and rocker midsole shape will help you compete, but aren’t necessarily what you want on a leisurely tour around your neighborhood. We test hundreds of shoes per year, but for this list, we focused on shoes that are the best designed for walking. That eliminates carbon-plated shoes, many trail shoes, racing shoes, and shoes with a minimal stack.
From there, we pare down to the most balanced options. For this year’s list, we tested 40 pairs over at least 20,000 steps per day of walking in various environments ranging from amusement parks to New York City sidewalks, to a mix of trail and terrain across Prague, Czechia. We evaluated chiefly for comfort and stability, but also for breathability, traction, and durability.
There were a few pairs that we tested that felt great, but didn’t hold up over time. This is a nonstarter for us. Overall value is critical when making a purchase.
And yes, style is also a factor. If you don’t want to be seen in the shoes on a regular walk or while on vacation, you’re not going to wear them. If you spend your days logging miles on pavement like a morning walk before work or a weekend errand marathon that somehow turns into six miles, or even a trip to Disney, you need a shoe that holds up without making your feet feel like they’ve been through something.
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