The best walking shoes for all-day comfort in 2026, tested and reviewed

Sizes available: 7 to 15 (men’s) and 5 to 12 (women’s) | Half-sizes available: Yes | Arch support: High | Cushioning: Medium | Widths: Medium, Wide

Choosing a best overall walking shoe wasn’t easy — no two feet, or walks, are exactly alike. But one pair consistently stood out in our testing: the Kuru Atom 2. It’s comfortable right out of the box, supportive enough for long days on your feet, and versatile enough to wear with leggings or jeans.

I wore the shoes for more than four months, including during a trip to Peru, where I logged full days of walking across varied terrain without ending up with sore, achy feet. I also appreciated the easy slip-on design during hectic mornings getting my kids out the door.

Much of the comfort comes from the shoe’s thoughtful design. Kuru’s signature heel-cupping technology adds targeted cushioning, while a subtle rocker sole helps create a smoother heel-to-toe stride without the exaggerated feel of heavily rockered sneakers. The result is a supportive, stable shoe that still feels natural for everyday wear. I have a high instep and found the fit especially accommodating.

While I don’t have plantar fasciitis, the Atom 2 has a loyal following among shoppers who do. That said, one Yahoo tester with bunions found the fit particularly uncomfortable, so it may not work for every foot shape. Another downside: The Kuru Atom 2 is pricey, and because it’s sold online only, you can’t try it on in-store before buying. The company offers exchanges, but as with all returns, they can be a bit of a hassle.

Sizes available: 5 to 12 (women’s) and 7 to 14 (men’s) | Half-sizes available: Yes | Arch support: Medium | Cushioning: High | Widths: Standard, Wide

Kiziks stand out for their stiff rubber heel counter, designed to help with balance or mobility limitations, and have also grown a loyal following among women looking for a supportive, all-day walking shoe that doesn’t break the bank.

During testing, Senior Style Editor Jessica Teich’s mom gave the Athens 2 Sneaker high marks across the board, including a 5 out of 5 for almost every comfort category (the only exception was a 4 for breathability). She also gave them perfect scores for stability, traction and security, noting that they worked well for walking and treadmill workouts.

While some colorways are discounted to $100, the original Athens are down to $98 on Amazon if you can’t find your size or preferred style in the Athens 2 and don’t want to spend over $100. The difference? The Athens 2 is specifically designed for women and has a more secure, structured design. In contrast, the original Athens are unisex and provide a softer, less structured feel, which some people may prefer.

Like Kiziks but not the technical design of the Athens 2? Check out our full Kiziks review for alternative options.

Sizes available: 7 to 16 (men’s) and 4 to 12 (women’s) | Half-sizes available: Yes | Arch support: Neutral | Cushioning: High | Widths: Regular, Wide

If that telltale heel pain is flaring up, the right walking shoe can make a huge difference. For plantar fasciitis, podiatrists typically recommend styles with plush cushioning and strong arch support — two areas where the Hoka Bondi 9 shines. In fact, it earned the title of best Hoka shoes for walking in our testing thanks to its supportive feel, shock absorption and breathable mesh upper.

“These are my personal favorites because of the EVA foam midsole, which is excellent for shock absorption,” says Dr. Hillary Brenner, DPM, a New York-based podiatrist and foot surgeon. “It’s an excellent shoe in regards to support.”

Yahoo Commerce Editor Saundra Latham became a devotee after logging 15,000 steps in the previous Bondi 8. “They’re ultra-cushioned, with a flexible upper that’s almost sock-like, so it molds to my foot,” she says. “I’ve dealt with plantar fasciitis in the past and would absolutely reach for these again because they’re so cushioned.”

Sizes available: 7 to 14 (men’s) and 5 to 11 (women’s) | Half-sizes available: Yes| Arch support: Neutral | Cushioning: Low | Widths: Regular

Dr. Mikel Daniels, podiatrist and president of WeTreatFeet Podiatry, says there’s a reason you’ve likely been spotting the Cloud 6 at airports and tourist destinations worldwide. “The Cloud 6 works well as a travel shoe if your priority is light, easy and stylish.” He points to the 8-millimeter heel drop and wider forefoot as key features that promote a smooth stride while accommodating the natural foot swelling that tends to build up over the course of a day.

He does caution, however, that the shoe offers less cushioning and support than some alternatives, making it a less ideal choice for days that involve extended time on your feet with few breaks.

Certified personal trainer and Yahoo contributor Rachel MacPherson tested the shoe for just over two weeks and was impressed by how comfortable it felt straight out of the box. The bouncy, spring-like feel — created by hollow rubber pods that compress on impact — took a little getting used to, but after logging more than 12,000 steps in a single day, she was pleasantly surprised to experience zero hot spots or arch fatigue. She also appreciated the slip-on convenience, which eliminates the need to bend down and retie laces — a small but welcome perk for airport travel.

Not every tester was won over, though. A second tester appreciated the shoe’s look and easy entry but found it lacking in comfort, citing insufficient padding under the toes and a toe box that felt too snug. He also raised questions about long-term durability based on the sole’s construction.

Sizes available: 7 to 16 (men’s) and 4 to 12 (women’s) | Half-sizes available: Yes| Arch support: Neutral | Cushioning: Mid | Widths: Regular, Wide

If your walks tend to take you off the beaten path — think hiking trails, gravel roads or uneven terrain — the Altra Lone Peak 9 is worth the upgrade from a standard walking shoe. Yahoo Commerce Editor Janelle Randazza is a self-proclaimed Altra fan and has been wearing various iterations of the Lone Peak line for years. Most recently, she tested the Lone Peak Hiker 3, which she called “without any reservation, the best boot I’ve ever worn.”

However, if you prefer more of a sneaker feel, the Lone Peak 9 offers the same roomy toe box and excellent stability. Its low profile, secure heel cup and wide base help keep your ankles from rolling, while the grippy outsole makes it a good pick whether you’re on a tame dirt path or a bit more technical route with rocks and tree roots to maneuver around.

One thing worth noting: if you haven’t worn a zero-drop shoe before, you’ll want to ease into the mileage to give your feet time to adjust.

Sizes available: 7 to 15 (men’s) and 5 to 12 (women’s) | Half-sizes available: Yes| Arch support: High | Cushioning: High | Widths: Medium, Wide, Extra Wide

While it’s generally recommended to have separate walking and running shoes, if you prefer a walking shoe that you can also pick up the pace in, the Brooks Glycerine GTS 23 is worth trying. After testing nine Brooks models, marathon runner and Yahoo contributor Sean Abrams named the Glycerine GTS 23 as the best overall Brooks running shoe thanks to its balance of cushioning and guided support. It also has a roomy toe box and three width options, making it a potentially great option if you have a wider foot.

Abrams said these have become his go-to shoe and the pair he keeps coming back to “when I want support, bounce and protection without feeling like I strapped bricks to my feet.”

Sizes available: 7 to 15 (men’s) and 5 to 13 (women’s) | Half-sizes available: Yes| Arch support: Neutral | Cushioning: High | Widths: Medium, Wide, Extra Wide

Our tester, who has dealt with bunions since childhood, said she’s always struggled to find shoes that fit comfortably — but the Ghost Max won her over, earning a 5 out of 5 for bunion pressure relief. The shoe features a flexible toe box and a broad base for added stability. It strikes the right balance of cushioning — supportive and comfortable without being so plush that it adds stress to already sensitive areas.

She praised its arch support and overall comfort, though she wished she’d sized up a half size and found the chunky silhouette less than ideal aesthetically.

While she tested the Max 3, another tester tried the newest model — the Ghost Max 4 — and was equally impressed by its cushioning and support. The newer model is lighter than the 3, but otherwise has a similar build.

If you want a more affordable option, the Dr. Scholl’s Feel Good Sneaker also performed well in our testing — just note it’s better suited for lighter use and may not hold up for long days on your feet.

Sizes available: 7 to 16 (men’s) and 4 to 12 (women’s) | Half-sizes available: Yes| Arch support: Neutral | Cushioning: High | Widths: Regular, Wide

Believe the hype: one of our testers has Achilles tendonitis, and said that the best shoe she’s found by far is the Hoka Clifton. “A lack of arch support seems to be the trigger for my flare-ups, and this shoe has arch support in spades. It also has an incredibly cushioned sole and is roomy enough for wide feet,” says Yahoo contributor Kristine Solomon.

And she’s not alone. Yahoo Deputy Editor Izabella Zaydenberg tested the “cloud-like” Clifton 9 and said it was the only shoe that didn’t exacerbate her plantar fasciitis — even after walking for hours at Disneyland. Another Yahoo tester said she wears her Clifton 9s daily and calls them “undoubtedly the most comfortable walking shoe I’ve ever tried.”

The most recent model, the Clifton 10, is just as supportive — if not more so — for Achilles tendonitis, which is why it’s replaced the 9 as our top pick in this category. The Clifton 10 has a higher 8mm drop (compared to 5mm in the 9), which helps reduce tension on the Achilles tendon, along with more stable cushioning, better heel cradling and a wider toe box.

A Yahoo tester who recently tested four Hoka walking shoes came away impressed by the Clifton 10. She noted zero break-in period, no issues with crowding despite having wider feet, excellent grip and a surprisingly lightweight feel with a bouncy stride — despite the chunkier style.

Sizes available: 7 to 14 (men’s) and 5.5 to 10 (women’s) | Half-sizes available: Yes| Arch support: High | Cushioning: Medium | Widths: Medium, Wide

Arch support is this pair’s middle name. In fact, its insole system is so good at its job that it’s podiatrist-certified. Skechers Go Walk Arch Fit made our tester’s exclusive list of the most comfortable walking shoes for women specifically because of their extra reinforcement in the arch. 

This pair of walking shoes has other comfort features like cushy, shock-absorbent insoles, a heel pillow and grippy rubber outsoles, just like the doctor ordered.

Podiatric Surgeon Dr. Dana Canuso is a fan of these Skechers and recommends them because “they are cute and offer great arch support — perfect for everyday wear!”

Sizes: Women’s 5-14; men’s 4-14 | Widths: Regular | Heel-to-toe drop: 11.9 mm | Weight: 9.47 oz. (women’s), 11.62 (men’s) | Materials: Polyester quick-dry straps, nylon shank, EVA topsole, rubber outsole | Adjustable straps: Yes | Support: Neutral with structural stability | APMA-approved: No

After testing 25 pairs, the Teva Hurricane XLT3 emerged as the best overall walking sandal. After wearing them 1-2 times a week for six weeks, Yahoo Commerce Initiatives Director Jeanine Edwards gave these sandals an overall score of 4.7 out of 5, thanks to their ample arch support and excellent stability.

“I walk my dog in these often, up to 3 miles a day, and have no issues whatsoever. I also wear them to run errands (grocery store, dry cleaners, etc.) and around the city, and they’re very comfortable,” Edwards says, adding, “I’ve also worn them in the rain (not on purpose!) and was pleasantly surprised with how they held up. Not only did I not slip and fall in them, but they dried pretty quickly and didn’t look any worse for wear.”

They also fit Daniels’ recommendations of what makes for a truly good walking sandal, vs. one you’d just wear on the beach or out to dinner: a secure fit, real arch support, a heel cup (not a flat plank) and a stable sole while walking.

The biggest downside, aside from the price, is the aesthetics. “It’s by no means an attractive sandal,” Edwards notes. “It’s big and bulky. But what it lacks in looks, it more than makes up for in comfort.”

Sizes: Women’s 5-12, with half sizes up to 9.5; men’s 8-13 | Widths: Medium, wide | Heel-to-toe drop: Not listed | Weight: 8.1 oz. | Materials: Faux leather upper, leather insole, cork footbed, EVA foam outsole | Adjustable straps: Yes | Support: Stability | APMA-approved: No

Love Birkenstocks but can’t justify the $100+ price tag? The Cushionaire Luna Cork Footbed is an excellent alternative. In fact, I’d argue they’re even better because they don’t require a break-in period and don’t get quite as slippery when wet. I’ve owned these sandals for two years, and while they’re finally starting to show some wear and tear, they’ve been my go-to shoe for everything from long days at the playground with my kids, to coffee walks with friends, to meandering around Costco.

The sandal has a nice amount of padding, light arch support and a deep heel cup, which together keep my feet from feeling overly tired by the end of the day and free from hot spots. I typically don’t love toe loops, but this one hasn’t caused a single blister. Instead, it further helps keep my feet secure, so I’m not gripping with my toes the way I have to with slides.

The downside? These aren’t water shoes, though I’ve gotten them wet at a splash pad with my kids and they dried out just fine. I also wouldn’t reach for them for a full day of sightseeing or any kind of hike, as the support and grip just aren’t as robust as some others on our list.