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I walked over 50 miles testing out the most comfortable walking shoes for women — here are my 10 favorite pairs
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If you're wearing fashion sneakers, thin flip flops, or even overly-cushioned running shoes on your walks, you're not supporting your feet as best you can. The best walking shoes for women will feel supportive for your specific foot structure and help minimize the impact on your joints, protect your foot tendons from feeling strained, and lower your chances of developing a stress fracture, which women are more prone to, says Elizabeth Daughtry, DPM, FACFAS, podiatrist with Foot & Ankle Specialists of the Mid-Atlantic.
I put 20 walking shoes and five walking sandals to the test over 50 miles to determine the 10 most comfortable options. From walking shoes on a budget to street-style sneakers, each pick proved to be supportive and worth your money.
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The top 3 best walking shoes for women:
My top pick is the Adidas Ultraboost Light, which have spacious uppers for your feet to spread out, a supportive midsole, and an attractive design.
If aesthetics are the reason you always reach for a fashion sneaker, I recommend this retro-inspired design with extremely comfortable and supportive technology underfoot.
These walking sandals have straps made of soft webbing that won't give you any hot spots, and their soles are cushioned with padding that's the perfect balance between plush and firm.
My top pick is the Adidas Ultraboost Light, which have spacious uppers for your feet to spread out, a supportive midsole, and an attractive design.
What we like
- Soft upper
- Well-cushioned, supportive midsole
- Lightweight
What we don’t like
- May be uncomfortable on wide feet
- Limited color availability
Of the 20 walking shoes I tested, the Adidas Ultraboost Light were the pair I kept reaching for when headed out the door to run errands time and time again. These shoes weigh just 9.2 ounces and have a soft, textile upper, which Daughtry says is crucial in a great walking shoe as it offers more space and breathability for your foot.
The midsole is well-cushioned, which Daughtry also highlights to help with shock absorption and minimize added stress. After walking all day in these shoes, my feet felt pain-free and well-supported. The BOOST technology in the midsole offers a little bounce with every step. Though they are technically a neutral shoe, my high arches also felt well-supported on long miles, so they seem to be a good fit for all pronation types.
While I enjoyed walking in these shoes the most of everything I tested, it's a bonus that they're good-looking. They're also made from at least 20% recycled materials, sometimes more depending on which color you buy.
I know some people with wide feet who've found the plastic lace closures in this shoe dig into the top of their foot since that upper isn't rigid, but my feet are on the regular-to-wide side of the spectrum and I didn't find any issue with this. Otherwise, the major downside is these shoes are pricey (unless you catch them on sale).
Great Price
What we like
- Roomy knit upper
- Comfortable on extra long walks
- Affordable
What we don’t like
- Not super durable
These Ryka sneakers are proof that you don't have to spend big to find supportive shoes for your feet. For just $80, the Devotion X have all of Daughtry's must-haves: a roomy knit upper for breathability on long, hot miles; responsive cushioning for shock absorption; an EVA proprietary foam that provides soft cushioning, including built-up cushioning in the midfoot for stability and arch support; and a padded heel. They even boast the Seal of Acceptance by the American Podiatric Medical Association.
These are one of the few shoes on our list designed specifically for walking, which means they don't have a meta-rocker or any unnecessary design features that come with some running shoes. After a 3-mile walk, I found these shoes to be incredibly comfortable. The knit upper is very soft and formed to my foot shape, so these shoes felt like a light hug but not at all tight. They were also extremely breathable and kept my feet from building up heat after multiple miles.
The design isn't revolutionary so these shoes won't earn you a ton of compliments, but they're not noticeably unattractive.
The main downsides are that if you underpronate (supinate), the stability design for these shoes might throw off your biomechanics. Also, while the construction matches the price point here, these shoes aren't the most durable with minimal reinforcements in the knit upper, so if you wear through your shoes quickly, a budget option might not equal value for you.
These walking sandals have straps made of soft webbing that won't give you any hot spots, and their soles are cushioned with padding that's the perfect balance between plush and firm.
What we like
- Comfortable on first wear
- Cushioned straps minimize hot spots
- Soft yet sturdy footbed
What we don’t like
- Limited color options
- No half sizes
Whether you're going on "hot girl walks" or looking for a sandal to hike in, the Teva Zymic Hiking Sandal is incredibly comfortable right out of the box and keeps your feet supported on long miles. It proved to be the best walking sandal of the five I tested.
Crafted with a dual-density foam footbed and a thick, responsive midsole, these walking sandals feel stable yet slightly cushy and bouncy under-foot (but definitely not squishy). During testing, I wore them all day and, unlike with other walking sandals, my feet didn't feel sore underneath or strained on top. My arches were supported and even on the first wear, I didn't get any hot spots on an 85°F walk.
These walking sandals use a four-strap system, crafted from cushioned webbing so it feels very soft against skin and securely holds your foot in place. That way, none of your small tendons are being strained as you step, like with slides or flip flops. The straps are easy to adjust to fit the shoes snugly against your toes and ankle, and then very easy to release and slip off.
I love that the outsole has some traction so you can wear them on light hikes or in the water without slipping. Also, nearly all of the material in the shoe is partially or entirely recycled. These sandals come in four colors and, while they're certainly an outdoorsy aesthetic, they give off a cool retro vibe.
What we like
- Comfortable on extra long walks
- Lightweight
- Well-cushioned
What we don’t like
- Expensive
- Only 1 color
- Runs small
Cushioned walking shoes are great for anyone with special needs in their feet, be it extra high arches, flat feet, overpronation, or achy knees. Puma's Magnify Nitro 2 have the thickest piece of foam among all the shoes in Puma's line-up, but it's also very lightweight so you get all the cushion without too much weight (just 8.07 ounces overall).
During testing, I found these shoes to be far less stiff and more comfortable across the entire foot when walking for long distances compared to the high-cushion competitors I tested like Hoka's Bondi 8. Instead, the Puma's knit upper is breathable, forms to the foot, and feels very durable, as it's reinforced with proprietary seamless tape. I found the molded heel collar to be especially comfortable on long, hot walks. In my opinion, Puma has inserted highly-engineered features in all the right places while keeping the shoe streamlined overall to keep that weight down—and it shows in how comfortable the Magnify Nitro 2 are to wear on long walks.
It's worth noting these shoes run a full size small, so I wore an 8.5 instead of my regular 7.5.
Unfortunately, these shoes only come in one colorway. And while I found the toe box to be very comfortable with my standard-to-wide feet, if your feet are markedly wide, they might feel slightly too snug.
What we like
- Extra high arch support
- Balanced cushioning
- Roomy toe box
What we don’t like
- Expensive
- Too wide for narrow feet
Women with higher arches usually need additional support in their shoes or more stability in the midfoot area to prevent excessive flattening of the foot and arch, Daughtry says. I myself have high arches, and often find that running shoes leave my arches aching after 2 miles of walking. Among the 20 shoes I tested, the Hoka Gaviota 5 were the most supportive.
The Gaviota 5s have a similar amount of cushioning and weight to Hoka's best-selling Bondi shoe, but is infused with additional stability and a slightly higher heel drop to better support high arches. Because of the proprietary stabilizing frame in the shoe, the designers were able to also use a softer foam which I found incredibly plush under-foot.
The Gaviota 5 also has a mesh upper and wider forefoot base and toe box, which kept my feet cool and roomy (in a comfortable way, not a swimming-around-the-shoe kind of way). This shoe also has a plush tongue and collar that feels soft on foot. It boasts the the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) Seal of Acceptance.
Note that this shoe does have a rocker design, which Daughtry says some people won't find as comfortable in a walking shoe. Also, the wider toe box design may mean this shoe is too wide for those with a narrow foot. Lastly, like most Hokas, the Gaviota 5 are one of the pricier shoes on our list. In my opinion, the design, quality, and craftsmanship makes them worth it if it's in the budget.
What we like
- Versatile tread for road to trail
- Knit, fitted upper
- Good price
What we don’t like
- May fit too snug for high-volume feet
- Lacks extra arch support
I could not be more thrilled with the performance of this dark horse shoe. Merrell has long been a leader in the hiking shoe space, but in 2022, the brand made renewed its place in the trail shoe category. The Morphlite is an incredibly lightweight, incredibly comfortable shoe that felt so good on long walks, I only wanted to keep wearing them.
These shoes are technically a road-to-trail shoe, which means they have a center of shorter lugs for road running and a perimeter of slightly-deeper lugs (2mm) to grip slippery trails. And while wearing a true trail shoe on pavement can often feel like a cleat, I found the Morphlite to be incredibly balanced and comfortable on both pavement and trail. That's probably thanks to the proprietary foam midsole which feels like a balanced plushness, sitting between lightly foamy and firm.
After an hour of walking in these shoes, I did feel a bit of strain in the back of my arch and front of my heel, so they probably aren't ideal if you have extremely high arches or an issue like plantar fasciitis. But for the average foot, they're very comfortable.
The Morphlite's Jacquard recycled knit upper encases the foot for a very close fit. I found this to feel secure and comfortable, but if you have a high-volume foot, it might be too snug. I like that the knit is strategically reinforced for harder trail wear.
What we like
- Completely waterproof
- Simple lace system
- Comfortable on extra long walks
What we don’t like
- Sizing differs from other Hokas
- Expensive
These waterproof sneakers are my choice for a lightweight alternative to rain boots. I wore these on multiple walks and hikes and found them to be very comfortable. The Transport GTX isn't as cushioned as other Hokas —they're more balanced than plush — but the EVA midsole felt comfortable for 1- to 3-mile walks.
Most of all, the waterproofing is a 10/10: I tromped through a pile of snow on one early spring testing walk and, where my husband's feet were soaked in normal sneakers, mine remained bone dry. That's not surprising, considering the upper is treated with GORE-TEX, which, it's worth noting, does cost you some breathability. But I loved that the upper was still mesh for a roomy fit, while also being strategically reinforced to last against the elements.
I also really liked the functionality of these shoes. The main laces are a pull-tab design which makes it easy to secure or loosen the shoe, but unlike a lot of other similar designs, Hoka's quick-toggle lace tucks away so the tail isn't flopping anywhere. I also love that the shoes come with traditional laces you can restring if desired, as I know a lot of people who don't like the quick-toggle designs.
Note that these shoes have neutral stability, so they may not be supportive enough for people with high arches. And if you like a plush walking shoe, these might be too stiff for you.
The Allbirds SuperLight Tree Runners are practical lifestyle sneakers retrofitted to feel almost weightless.
What we like
- Incredibly lightweight
- Easy to break in
What we don’t like
- Too thin for cold weather
- Lacks extra arch support
Allbirds' SuperLight collection is one of our favorites we've has tested from the brand. Since a key component of walking shoes is being lightweight (these are just about 5 ounces) and we were already fans of their original Tree Runners, this upgraded version makes perfect sense for anyone who wants a shoe that literally leaves a light carbon footprint. They're especially ideal for warmer weather thanks to their perforated eucalyptus fiber knit upper and airy sugarcane-based foam soles.
Style editor Samantha Crozier tested a pair and was impressed with their barely-there feel. "If you're going on a trip and want to take a pair of sneakers that will barely take up any weight or room in your suitcase, these are it. But even though they weigh almost nothing, they don't feel cheap or like they'll fall apart. Plus, I love the extra bit of padding on the heel right where most sneakers will give you blisters."
Read more in our full Allbirds SuperLight review.
If aesthetics are the reason you always reach for a fashion sneaker, I recommend this retro-inspired design with extremely comfortable and supportive technology underfoot.
What we like
- Vintage-inspired design
- Comfortable midsoles
What we don’t like
- Require break-in period
I lost count of the number of times friends complimented me on these shoes, only to follow with, "They're Under Armour!?" If you're looking for supportive walking shoes that will look just as good as they feel walking around cities and airports, the Under Armour Essential Runner Shoes are for you.
Under Armour has taken its athletic performance technology and infused it into this retro street-style design: These walking shoes have a cushioned EVA midsole that feels perfectly supportive — not overly cushioned or stabilized like many running-based shoes on our list, but also not stiff or cramped like most comparable fashion sneakers of this design. The heel cup is cushy with a foam sockliner for extra comfort. The Essential Runners are designed with a lightweight, breathable nylon upper and suede overlays strategically placed to not restrict the natural shape of your foot like other designs do.
These shoes come in five colorways and some are certainly more attractive than others. And at 12 ounces, these sneakers aren't as light as some shoes on our list, but they're definitely not heavy on foot. I've walked over two miles in them and wore them for eight hours non-stop while traveling, and can definitively say the comfort and design of this shoes has earned them top spot as my new city sneaker — especially considering they're very affordable.
What we like
- Decently comfortable footbed and midsole
- Solid traction
- Wide size range
What we don’t like
- Unisex design may not be a great fit for all feet
- Too stiff for extra long walks
These hypebeast-worthy sneakers made by the streetwear arm of Caterpillar Tractor Co. were surprisingly comfortable to walk in for upwards of 45 minutes during testing. I won't pretend like these shoes were nearly as comfortable as most winners on this list. But it's incredibly hard to find a cool-looking sneaker that is supportive and comfortable, so the CAT Intruder is worth putting forth.
These sneakers are made with a soft EVA foam footbed that feels responsive and comfortable underfoot. However, they are also designed with beefy lugs to deliver that workwear aesthetic, and because of this, I found they start to feel a bit stiff after an hour. However, they are still far more comfortable than most street shoes.
One important fact to highlight about these shoes is they're unisex, which means they aren't specifically designed for a woman's foot shape, which is typically narrower across the board, tapers more at the heel, and often has higher arches. That being said, I think they actually fit women better than they would men. Often unisex designs mean female heels slip out easier, but these sneakers have a soft nylon mesh sock lining that's padded at the heel; I loved how much vertical coverage and cushy support these shoes offered at the heel and I never felt any risk of slippage. That said, they aren't super supportive for high arches.
The Intruder Shoe is designed with upper panels of soft nylon that help to shave a little weight off and offer some breathability. But, in reality, the suede overlays are pretty pervasive across the shoe's body which add to the rugged aesthetic but prevent the sneakers from being markedly breathable; I didn't have an issue with my feet overheating during testing, but could see that happening at the height of summer.
All in all, if you're looking for max comfort, this shoe isn't it. But if you're looking for a trendy silhouette that'll be far more comfortable to walk in than most other options, the CAT Intruders are certainly worth the mid-price point.
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Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at reviews@businessinsider.com.
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