The 14 Best Walking Shoes for Women, According to Podiatrists

A quick look at the best walking shoes for women

• Best overall women’s walking shoe: Saucony Triumph 19
• Best sandal for walking: PowerStep Archwear Women’s Sandals
• Best slip-on walking shoe: OOFOS Women’s OOahh Luxe Recovery Sandal
• Best lightweight walking shoe: Brooks Women’s Adrenaline GTS 22
• Best value walking shoe: Ryka Women’s Devotion Plus 4
• Best cushioned walking shoe: New Balance Women’s 928 V3
• Best walking shoe for travel: OOFOS OOmg Low Shoe
• Best walking shoe for hiking: HOKA Women’s Speedgoat 5
• Best walking shoe for high arches: ASICS Women’s Gel-Nimbus 24
• Best walking shoe with cushioning technology: On Cloudmonster
• Best walking shoe for overpronators: ASICS GT-1000 11
• Best walking shoe for wide feet: Brooks Ariel 20
• Most comfortable walking shoe: Skechers GO WALK Massage Fit
• Most trendy walking shoe: New Balance 990 V5

When it comes to buying walking shoes, many people prioritize style over fit.

However, according to Kenneth Cornell, DPM, a podiatrist at Austin Regional Clinic in Texas, it’s important for women to have good quality shoes — not just for maximum comfort but also to prevent injuries, especially when walking for longer periods.

“Women tend to wear a wide variety of shoe types that are often not very supportive. High or medium-height heels, many flats like ballet slippers, flip-flops with thin soles, pointy shoes, and very flexible shoes can lead to foot, leg, and back pain,” Cornell explains.

That makes it all the more important to have a reliable walking shoe in the mix.

While this can vary depending on the brand, he explains that shoes for men are typically constructed with much more stability and longitudinal arch support and tend to have more cushioning across the forefoot region.

Meanwhile, walking shoes designed for women are often more narrow and sleek, with less motion control and typically less padding across the forefoot.

With that in mind, we’ve asked Cornell and other podiatrists to weigh in on the best walking shoes for women to help you make the best choice.

How we chose

To help you find the best pair of walking shoes to meet your needs, we considered the following criteria:

• Expert recommendations: We asked podiatrists for their recommendations on what makes for a great walking shoe, as well as any specific brands and models they often recommend to their clients.
• Comfort and durability: All the shoes listed below have mostly positive customer reviews for comfort and durability.
• Intended use: We included walking shoes to fit various needs, from hiking shoes to recovery sandals.
• Price: All the shoes on our list offer good value for the price.

We even tried one of the shoes in real life (more on that later).

Here are the 14 best walking shoes for women, according to podiatrists.

Healthline’s picks of the best walking shoes for women

Best overall women’s walking shoe

Saucony Triumph 19

Price: $$$

The Saucony Triumph 19 comes in a wide range of color combinations, including solid black and simple gray, as well as bright orange, dark blue and green, and more.

The shoe’s bouncy, cushioned midsole; geometry; and blown-rubber outsole provide flexibility, durability, and springiness in a lighter foam that makes for a comfortable walk or run.

According to Cornell, the Saucony Triumph 19 is a good choice because it’s a supportive running-style shoe that provides cushioning to the forefoot and support and stability to the whole foot.

Best sandal for walking

PowerStep Archwear Women’s Sandals

Price: $

When it comes to sandals, Cornell recommends selecting a pair with adequate arch support and cushioning for the forefoot, both of which this shoe offers.

Unlike many other sandals, which can be thin and flimsy, this PowerStep sandal has built-in arch support and plenty of cushioning in the midsole to absorb impact.

Its lightweight treaded outsole provides better traction than many other sandals, and its comfortable straps won’t dig into the tops of your feet.

Best slip-on walking shoe

OOFOS Women’s OOahh Luxe Recovery Sandal

Price: $

OOFOS have a reputation for feeling like walking on clouds, which is why they’re the recovery shoe of choice for runners to switch into after a long marathon-training run — myself included.

These rubber sandals are also a great house shoe for those who may be prone to plantar fasciitis, an injury that causes sharp, stabbing pain on the bottom of your foot and heel.

Thanks to its cushioned arch support, this recovery sandal offers a comfortable way to avoid making your plantar fasciitis any worse.

“OOFOS shoes are made with a special foam that is designed to absorb shock and reduce impact on the joints, making them a great choice for those looking to reduce foot and leg fatigue while walking,” says Daniel Pledger, DPM, a podiatrist and founder of ePodiatrists.

Best lightweight walking shoe

Brooks Women’s Adrenaline GTS 22

Price: $$

The Brooks Women’s Adrenaline GTS 22 is a versatile shoe that can be used for walking and running.

It’s also great for cross-training and comes in many colors, including solid black, gray, white and purple, and fun combinations like orange and teal or blue and green.

The shoe is lightweight and features a DNA Loft Crash Pad to cushion your feet with every step and stride.

It also offers the brand’s GuideRails holistic support system, which is designed to help you move comfortably and to reduce excess shin and heel rotation. It likewise promotes natural knee motion to reduce or prevent pain.

Basically, this technology provides additional support by keeping excess movement in check, allowing you to maintain your natural stride even when you start to feel fatigued and supporting your feet, knees, and hips.

“This shoe promotes adequate motion control of the foot,” Cornell says. “The heel counter of the shoe tends to be more rigid to provide stability and motion control to the arch during walking and running.”

Considering that they offer support and cushioning to promote stability and decrease pronation, it’s no surprise these shoes have many favorable reviews.

Best value walking shoe

Ryka Women’s Devotion Plus 4

Price: $$

Featuring a lightweight molded ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) foam midsole and a platform specially designed to absorb shock and impact, the Ryka Women’s Devotion Plus 4 is a relatively affordable walking shoe that will keep your foot comfortable, even over long distances.

What’s more, the shoe is designed specifically for the unique shape, muscle movement, and build of women’s feet.

“Ryka is a brand that specializes in shoes for women, so they are definitely worth considering if you are a woman looking for a good walking shoe,” says Pledger. “The brand’s shoes tend to be very supportive and comfortable, with features such as padded collars and insoles to help cushion the foot.”

Reviewers note that the shoe fits true to size and remains comfortable even after all-day wear.

Best cushioned walking shoe

New Balance Women’s 928 V3

Price: $$$

If you’re looking for a shoe with lots of cushioning that’s available in a range of sizes, the New Balance Women’s 928 V3 is a great option.

In addition to offering sizes 6–13, this shoe comes in narrow, standard, wide, extra-wide, and XX-wide, making it easy to find your best fit.

The shoe features a ROLLBAR stability post system, which works to control rearfoot movement for enhanced support, and it’s designed with Walking Strike Path outsole technology to guide your foot through its walking gait cycle with motion control and stability.

According to Cornell, this shoe is a great option for optimal motion control and features a rigid heel counter for stability and support of the foot arch while you run and walk.

Plus, the shoe includes a cushioned midsole that absorbs impact and offers compression resistance, and the removable polyurethane foam footbed is designed for extra durability and comfort.

While it isn’t the most stylish of shoes, your feet will be thanking you for prioritizing a good fit.

Best walking shoe for travel

OOFOS OOmg Low Shoe

Price: $$

Choosing comfortable shoes for traveling can be challenging.

On one hand, you want to make sure your shoes are comfortable enough for all-day wear, but on the other hand, you don’t want a bulky shoe that takes up precious suitcase space.

The OOFOS OOmg Low Shoe is a great solution, as it’s easy to slip on and off (good for airport security), goes with a variety of outfits, and is extra cushioned to keep your feet comfortable.

The brand claims that its OOfoam technology absorbs 37% more impact than traditional footwear foam, reducing stress on your feet, joints, and back. (According to the brand’s website, this is based on a 2018 study by the University of Virginia School of Medicine Speed Clinic.)

Plus, the footbed provides ample arch support, which helps reduce energy exertion in your ankles and makes all-day wear easier and more enjoyable. They’re an ideal choice for comfort and recovery, as they also contain that special foam to absorb shock and reduce the impact on your joints, according to Pledger.

Best walking shoe for hiking

HOKA Women’s Speedgoat 5

Price: $$$

HOKA shoes have a reputation for being ultra-cushioned and are arguably the gold standard for trail runners.

“These shoes have a thick midsole, which offers better support and padding to the forefoot to address pain to the ball of the foot,” Cornell says. “In addition, HOKAs tend to have more of a rocker bottom shape to the shoe, which can help address ball-of-foot pain.”

It’s no surprise, then, that the HOKA Women’s Speedgoat 5 is a popular option for hiking, whether you’re walking on flat gravel trails or hilly, technical terrain.

This shoe has a softer sole and a stronger grip than hiking boots. You might even forget about your feet and instead be able to take in the scenery as you log some serious mileage.

As a bonus, the Speedgoat 5 comes in eye-catching colorways, including solid purple and a bright green and teal combination.

Best walking shoes for high arches

ASICS Women’s Gel-Nimbus 24

Price: $$

If you have high arches, you’ll want to choose a shoe that offers arch support as well as plenty of cushioning and stability — all of which you can find in the ASICS Women’s Gel-Nimbus 24.

Specifically, the shoe features ASICS Gel technology cushioning for top-notch shock absorption. Plus, the FlyteFoam Propel Technology offers extra bounce thanks to the unique elastomer compound it contains.

According to Cornell, these shoes provide optimal motion control and stability, as well as a rigid heel counter and good arch support.

The Gel-Nimbus 24 has a roomy toe box and is available in a variety of fun colors.

Best walking shoe with cushioning technology

On Cloudmonster

Price: $$$

Asim Sayed, DPM, a podiatrist in Overland Park, Kansas, recommends these shoes for long walks or jogs, thanks to their shock-absorbing CloudTec technology, which provides ample cushioning.

The company claims that the design reacts to your individual running motion, with a flexible sole that cushions your forefoot as you run or walk.

I recently tried these myself after visiting On’s headquarters in Portland, Oregon, and found that they were super comfortable.

However, the fit is on the narrow side, and these aren’t available in a wide option, which I usually need. As a result, my feet got pretty blistered after an hourlong run back home in Houston’s high summer humidity.

They don’t come in as many color options as some of the other shoes on this list, but I was a fan of the vibrant blue and dark purple colorway I received.

Best walking shoe for overpronators

ASICS GT-1000 11

Price: $$

In addition to being a comfortable walking shoe, this neutral everyday trainer is versatile enough for various running distances.

The shoe’s FlyteFoam cushioning and rearfoot Gel technology provide lightweight impact absorption.

“These combine a great cushioned sole and support, which is important for overpronators [or people with flat feet],” Sayed says.

They come in several color options, including white and dark pink/red, though most are some variation of black. If you prefer bright and bold, you may find a better selection with other brands.

Best walking shoe for wide feet

Brooks Ariel 20

Price: $$$

“Brooks [shoes] are known for superior stability by employing their patented GuideRail tech, which aims to put your rearfoot in optimal position during long walks,” Sayed says.

These are also a good option for jogging, as they offer a stable, soft, and cushioned feel, providing optimal support and minimal impact.

The shoes come in four primarily neutral color combinations, with one featuring a turquoise stripe on the side.

Most comfortable walking shoe

Skechers GO WALK Massage Fit

Price: $$

While it’s still an underdog in the running world, Skechers has a solid, long-held reputation for its walking shoes.

The shoe features a Massage Fit wave design to gently massage your feet with every step, and the Hyper Burst midsole offers optimal cushioning.

“These have a great stable insole with superb arch support, [in addition to the] promise to massage your feet,” Sayed says.

At just over $100, they’re not the most expensive option on our list, either.

Most trendy walking shoe

New Balance 990 V5

Price: $$$

Who would have thought dad shoes would have a second wind? Thanks to TikTok, shoes like this one are, er, popping off these days.

Sayed is a fan of the variety of width options that New Balance offers. While not everyone may consider it fashionable, this shoe offers solid support and is nice enough to pair with athleisure or a dressed-up outfit for daily walks.

“These provide a firm, rigid sole for added stability on uneven surfaces,” Sayed adds.

Other features include dual-density collar foam that offers support and comfort for your ankles and an Encap midsole to provide cushioning for long lasting support.

How the best walking shoes for women compare

How to choose the best walking shoes for women

Curious about what to look for in a walking shoe? We asked Cornell and Derek Anders, DPM, a podiatrist at Permanente Medical Group in Antioch, California, for their top tips for choosing the right pair.

Go shopping at the end of the day

When it comes to shopping for walking shoes, Anders recommends trying on shoes at the end of the day, as feet tend to be at their biggest or may be swollen at that time.

Pay more attention to the fit than the listed size

“[Pay less attention to] the stated size of a shoe and be open to the fact your feet change and your foot size changes,” says Anders.

He also recommends trying on different brands, as sizing will differ between brands and lines of shoes.

“There should be some space between the longest toe and the front of the shoe — about a finger width,” he says. “It’s also common for one foot to be slightly bigger or longer than the other, so size your shoes to your bigger foot.”

Consider your intended use and foot and ankle structure

According to Cornell, the best choice for a walking shoe will vary for each person.

“Some may need extra cushioning because they walk long distances, and others might need motion control because they overpronate,” he explains. “Universally, shoes should be flexible and properly fitted.”

If you’re unsure about how to identify a good fit, Cornell recommends visiting a local athletic or running store, as their employees are likely to understand foot sizing and can make sure you leave with the right shoe for your foot.

Ask a professional about orthotics

If you have chronic foot pain issues you can’t seem to figure out, it may be worth talking with a podiatrist about considering orthotics.

Anders recommends wearing orthotics for 1 month to give them a chance to make a difference. It’s also important to avoid walking barefoot and to limit slipper and sandal use during that time.

Follow up with a physician or podiatrist about any changes in your comfort level in the meantime.

Frequently asked questions

What walking shoes do podiatrists recommend?

Podiatrists typically recommend athletic shoes with arch support and cushioning technology for walking, often from popular running shoe brands such as Brooks, ASICS, and HOKA.

There are also a lot of solid sandal and slip-on options out there, such as those from OOFOS and PowerStep, that are equipped with similar technology to promote optimal foot health.

Shoe shopping is tricky, and it really depends on your foot’s individual shape and your preferences. Look for shoes you can try on in-store or return if the fit isn’t exactly what you wanted.

Is it OK to wear running shoes for walking?

Yes — many of the shoes podiatrists recommend for walking happen to be running shoes. If a pair of shoes provides optimal comfort on the run, they can often be solid walking shoes.

“A good running shoe will offer the foot more stability and motion control, so the structure of the shoe should be rigid in nature (as opposed to a thin, flexible shoe),” Cornell says.

Which shoes should you avoid wearing for long walks?

For long walks, you should avoid wearing any shoe that doesn’t offer arch support to control the collapse of the longitudinal arch of the foot, as well as support across the fall of the foot in the form of adequate padding and cushioning, Cornell says.

This includes flat flip-flops and ballet flats as well as high heels and boots.

The bottom line

Walking has numerous benefits for your health, but finding the right pair of walking shoes can be tricky.

When shopping for your next pair, be sure to consider your intended use and foot shape to narrow your selection.

By doing your research ahead of time and trying on shoes toward the end of the day, you can walk away with the right pair for you.