The 12 Best Walking Shoes for Women of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Best Overall

Adidas Cloudfoam Pure 2.0 Running Shoes

$61 at Amazon

The comfortable and easy to throw on Cloudfoams lived up to their name during our testing process, practically sweeping us off our feet despite the fact that we never even wore socks with them. They held up on long, hilly city walks and park trails, and even put a bounce in our step with zero rubbing or foot fatigue. The stretchy top creates a flexible, cradled feeling even on slightly wider feet. With regular wear, they haven’t shown any fading or developed any odor. We were especially impressed by their low price tag and noted they were more comfortable than other shoes three times the price. As a bonus, the Cloudfoams come in more than 20 different colors/styles, so you can get the perfect match for your travel outfits, and they’re made from at least 50 percent recycled materials.

The Details: Running sneaker | Sizes 5 to 11 | Synthetic recycled materials

Most Comfortable

Nike Motiva Walking Shoes

$110 at Nordstrom $110 at Dick's $110 at nike.com

We admit the Nike Motiva’s exaggerated rocker on the outsole felt a bit strange on first wear, but it quickly became the reason we love them so much. The rocker, or the curved sole, actually propels the wearer forward, which we found to be incredibly useful once we got used to it. We felt like we could literally walk in them forever thanks to a combination of the rocker, efficient cushioning, and reliable arch support. During testing, we compared the soles’ springiness and bounce-back to those of moon shoes, and although they run slightly heavy, they’re also quite flexible and bendable. The best part is that there are so many colors to choose from, including bright crimson, muted blush, classic black or white, and more.

The Details: Walking sneakers | Sizes 5 to 12

Best Leather

OluKai Leather Sneakers

$115 at Amazon $140 at REI $120 at Nordstrom

The Pehuea Lī ‘Ili may feel stiff out of the box, but that just shows how solid their construction is. We tried to bend them in half, and they hardly bent at all, showing that they will stay durable with quality leather and a thick, supportive sole. We loved the roomy, wide toe box and the great amount of arch support. They also have a unique collapsible backing — the back of the shoe folds down so you have the option to wear them as a slip-on and breeze through airport security without having to stop and tie your shoes. The footbed is removable and washable, and you can choose from white, black, tan, or dark brown to match your favorite neutrals. Plus, the leather makes it easy to take them from day to night without having to go back to your hotel to do a complete change.

The Details: Collapsible heel sneaker | Sizes 5 to 11 | Leather upper, rubber sole

Best Casual

New Balance 574 Sneaker

View on Amazon $90 at Nordstrom View on Shopbop.com

If you’re in the market for a more sporty-looking, casual sneaker, these may be the best walking shoes for you. They’re so comfortable and light, you'll forget you're wearing these sneakers. They’re well-made, with solid construction, and the laces stay tied — perfect for easy, breezy walks in the park, through city blocks, and for exploring new places.

The style is one of New Balance’s classic looks. Though it may not be to everyone’s personal tastes, people looking for an easy, neutral sneaker that is well made and highly comfortable will love them. Note that available sizes may vary based on whether you choose a unisex or women-specific style (the main difference seems to be the colors). There are also wide options available in all sizes for those who need a little more space.

The Details: Running sneaker | Sizes 5 to 12 | Suede and mesh upper, foam midsole

Best Sandals

Keen Women's Elle Backstrap Sandal

$64 at Amazon $95 at REI $105 at backcountry.com

The Elle is understated yet totally stylish. These shoes are extremely comfortable, and we found that they held up for miles of walking wherever your travels take you. They run true to size with the perfect amount of room at the toe and heel, and the elastic straps are very secure. Elastic can be tricky, but these sandals tackle it with ease, offering a good amount of stretch, a feeling of security, and the ability to stay in place without being too restrictive or cutting off circulation.

We did experience some minor rubbing, but it went away quickly with wear; we felt a little bit of hip and knee pressure as well, which also lessened over time. The soles are slightly cushioned for comfort, but don’t provide a lot of arch support. There’s also a good range of colors available for multiple outfits, which is always a travel bonus. You can dress them up or down with any outfit and know that your feet will be comfortable wherever the day or night takes you. They’re stylish and durable, and they’re flat, so they’re easy to pack for a trip or quick getaway.

The Details: Sandals | Sizes 5 to 11 | Recycled PET stretch upper, EVA midsole and footbed, rubber outsole

Best for Plantar Fasciitis

On Cloud 5

$140 at REI $140 at Nordstrom $140 at backcountry.com

The first thing we noticed when sliding these on was the impressive support for people with high arches. The second thing we noticed was how much wiggle room we had. Our toes could move freely without feeling cramped, but the shoes are also snug enough to stay on during high-intensity activities. And the third thing we noticed? There’s virtually no break-in period — after a few days of wear, we still had no sores, blisters, or discomfort of any kind (which is a major selling point for people who often do have foot pain or plantar fasciitis). Other features of these shoes we appreciate are the high-quality cushioning, shock absorption, ankle support, and breathability. Snag these in more than 40 hues ranging from solids to color block styles.

The Details: Running sneaker | Sizes 5 to 11 | Rubber, recycled polyester, and zero-gravity foam

Best Cushioning

Asics Gel-Nimbus 25

$120 at Amazon $95 at Zappos $160 at Dick's

Before we even tried the Asics Gel-nimbus 25 sneakers for ourselves, we’d heard about the shoes’ legendary cushioning. When we finally got to put them to the test, the sneakers more than lived up to the hype. In addition to providing serious comfort and padding around the foot, we also found the toe box to be very spacious, our heels never slipped out, and the curved soles helped propel us forward. The shoes also boast incredible shock absorption, so we felt that every step and landing was a soft one, and we didn’t feel any pain at all over weeks of wear and walking over various terrains. We also love that they come in more than two dozen unique colorways.

The Details: Running sneaker | Sizes 5 to 13 | Knit upper, AHAR outsole rubber

Best Boots

Bogs Holly Lace Leather Boots

$170 at REI View on Bogsfootwear.com View on Dsw.com

If you want a solid, waterproof, reasonably attractive do-it-all boot, the Holly is your best pick. We did find that they started out fairly stiff, so you may want to break them in before you travel, but they softened up during our testing period. They also aren’t very breathable (which makes sense given their waterproof construction), so you may want to reserve these for cooler weather, though we didn’t feel sweaty when wearing them. The footbeds are very cushioned and provide great arch support, and the material of the upper didn’t look scratched or dinged at all after testing. The dense rubber soles make them a little on the heavier side (though they were still comfortable to walk long periods in), but also provide grip across rougher terrain or wet conditions. They also impressively kept our feet dry even when standing ankle-deep in a lake. These practical lace-up boots make a great alternative to sneakers if that’s not your style.

The Details: Lace-up boot | Sizes 6 to 11 | Leather upper, recycled PET lining, EVA footbed | Waterproof

Best Arch Support

Chaco Women's Zx2 Classic Sandal

$105 at REI $100 at Nordstrom $105 at backcountry.com

If you prioritize foot comfort, these are the sandals for you. They are not only incredibly supportive and sturdy, but truly have all-day comfort. Though the high level of arch support can take some getting used to, our feet felt comfortable all day and never tired; the sandals even alleviated our standing-desk-related foot pain at home. We noted some chafing from the toe loop, but it improved over the course of the break-in period.

Chaco is known for its adjustable strap system, which provides a great fit for thin feet, but achieving that perfect fit had the side effect of the straps dragging on the ground — though if you have average or wide feet, you likely won’t encounter this. We thought the quality felt superb, with a supportive, hardy sole and exceedingly comfortable arch and heel support. The sandals also come in a fun array of colors in addition to basic black, so you can wear these in multiple situations whether hiking, trekking through water, or exploring a city.

The Details: Sandals | Sizes 5 to 12 | Polyester webbing, rubber sole

Best Lightweight

Kizik Lima Slip-on Sneaker

$109 at Amazon $109 at Nordstrom $109 at kizik.com

Kizik’s Limas fit perfectly from the first wear, with nary a problem popping up even during two straight weeks of daily wear. Though their sturdiness makes them look heavy, they feel light while still being supportive. They’re also super breathable and airy, which is great for long, sweaty travel days. We thought they felt true to size, with a nicely spacious toe box. After wearing them for hours, we noted they had consistent arch support throughout the day, as well as excellent traction across various weather conditions and types of terrain. As an extra travel bonus, they’re also designed to easily slip on and off without having to use your hands, though some online reviews note that they’re not always easy for everyone to slip on.

The Details: Slip-on sneaker | Sizes 5 to 13 | Recycled-textile upper, textile lining, rubber sole

Best Traction

Merrell Speed Eco

$100 at Amazon $100 at REI $75 at Nordstrom

When you’re hitting tougher terrain, you need shoes with a little more grip. Opt for the Merrell Speed Eco if you’re going out on the trail or spending the day walking on dirt rather than concrete. They were super comfortable straight out of the box, even paired with thin, everyday socks, and our feet felt supported the entire time. The material feels durable and high-end, as well as extremely breathable, and they offer good arch support no matter where you’re walking. While they’ve gathered a little dust, they stayed in great condition during our hikes and still look almost brand-new even after five months of testing. Do note that if you’re doing more hardcore hiking, though, that they don’t have a lot of ankle support.

The Details: Hiking shoe | Sizes 5 to 11 | Rubber outsole, EVA midsole, jacquard upper

Best Waterproof

Sam Edelman Laguna Chelsea Boot

$120 at Nordstrom $133 at Zappos $102 at Bloomingdales

It’s always nice to have a rain boot that isn’t just a piece of plastic. Sam Edelman’s Lagunas are sturdy, stylish, and extremely supportive, making an excellent option when you want to walk around in something other than a sneaker. They do take a while to break in, but they feel stiff, not painful at all during that break-in period. They offer a lot of traction and water-repelling ability — we felt no wetness seeping through even when standing in a puddle that covered the entire top of the shoe. We stayed dry after tramping through city puddles, and the boots still managed to look nice afterward, too.

The Details: Chelsea boot | Sizes 5 to 12 | Leather, synthetic, and fabric | Waterproof