The Best Walking Shoes For Men, Based On Months Of Testing

Sizes: 7 to 14 | Widths: Medium | Weight: 8.81 ounces | Heel drop: 7mm | Upper material: Mesh

• What’s notable: Made of partially recycled materials, this shoe’s breathable mesh upper and removable cushioned arch insole make it a comfy, easy-to-wear style.
• What could be better: This style runs a bit small and narrow, and Picciurro says they may not have enough foot and ankle support for everyone.

Swiss running shoe brand On is known for its science-backed CloudTec foam, a forgiving material described as “running on clouds.” Designed to provide all-day comfort, the Cloud 5 has a removable cushioned arch insole, should you require additional support, plus a Speedboard that runs the length of the sneaker and promotes stability and propulsion when walking. The sneakers also feature airy mesh uppers, which our tester appreciates. “I really enjoy the breathability of the shoe. The mesh allows air flow that helps keep my feet cool after a long walk.”

Weighing just 223 grams, these shoes are super lightweight, sleek and eco-conscious—around 45% of the materials are recycled. “People often gravitate toward this shoe because it can be worn as a slip-on,” says Mel Siegel, shoe specialist and owner of Sportech. “It doesn’t necessarily look like an athletic shoe, but it has a nice and comfortable sneaker feel.” The company also includes a second pair of laces that offer a tighter fit than the elastic laces that come on the shoes. 

Thanks to the On’s plush cushioning, ample breathability and sturdy construction, our panelist continues to lace up his Ons on a regular basis after three months of testing. “I still wear these a few times a week when actively walking. The grip at the bottom of the shoe has worn only slightly, they still feel safe, even walking in this northeast treacherous weather,” he says. “I plan to wear them in an upcoming 5k race this spring!” 

Sizes: 7 to 16 | Widths: Narrow (1B), standard (1D), wide (2E), extra-wide (4E) | Weight: 9.52 ounces | Heel drop: 8mm | Upper material: Mesh

• What’s notable: The roomy toe box in this model allows toes room to spread out, and the breathable mesh upper allows for good air flow.
• What could be better: The tongue does not have a lot of padding, according to users, and it can slip to the side easily.

Ask foot experts which shoes are best for wide feet, and New Balances are frequently at the top of the list—this style has a Seal of Approval from the American Podiatric Medical Association. They’re also great at regulating heat. Our tester who laced up the New Balance Fresh Foam X 880v13 before its v14 update wore these sneakers on hot days. “The moisture-wicking properties keep my feet dry on both long walks and on jogs, no matter the temperature outside.” The multidirectional lugs enhance grip, and they exhibit strong traction on both wet and dry surfaces. 

The Fresh Foam X 880v14 comes in four width options, which is especially impressive for a sneaker style, and has a spacious toe box so your feet can spread out without feeling pinched or squished. Plus, the bio-based, sustainable foam midsole creates a pillowy walking cushion, no matter where you’re going. “Both runners and walkers love this shoe,” says Siegel. “They’ve added a bit of cushy foam to it, but you’re not going to feel unstable in it.” 

Our tester vouched for the versatility of this sneaker. “I use it for both walking and neighborhood runs,” he says, adding that it continues to be comfortable and multifunctional after three months of testing. “It’s maintained its supple cushioning and also been fairly easy to clean. I have the all-black colorways, and they’re a nice casual sneaker to throw when I’m wearing casual clothes like joggers.” 

Sizes: 7 to 16 | Widths: Narrow (1B), standard (1D), wide (2E), extra-wide (4E) | Weight: 9.5 ounces | Heel drop: 10mm | Upper material: Mesh

• What’s notable: This shoe has a durable outsole that’s great for walking, training or indoor running on a treadmill.
• What could be better: While the mesh upper offers some degree of breathability, it’s denser and therefore less breathable than true running shoes. 

Here’s the thing about walking shoes: You can go cheap, but you may end up with poor cushioning and minimal support—which is a waste of money. To get a great pair with quality materials that last, you typically have to invest $50 to $100. Under Armour’s best-selling Charged Assert 10 shoes hit the mark for an affordable pair that is outfitted with breathable mesh uppers, well-cushioned midsoles and durable outsoles for traction. 

According to our tester, the construction of these shoe was standout. “The outsole is quite hard and durable, with a grippy surface that let me hold traction on a variety of surfaces. But even so it’s not a rigid shoe, and the flexibility made for very comfortable walking,” he says. And after five months, our panelist still reaches for this pair: “Despite having more walking and running shoes in my closet than would seem reasonable for someone like me, I find myself wearing these shoes almost every day,” he says. “Because they’re not rigid, they slip on effortlessly and feel light on my feet, yet offer all the stability I need for workouts at the gym when I forget to pack my Brooks. They’re still going strong, which is great because I don’t want to replace them anytime soon.”

Sizes: 7 to 16 | Widths: Narrow (1B), standard (1D), wide (2E), extra-wide (4E) | Weight: 10.8 ounces | Heel drop: 6mm | Upper material: Knit

• What’s notable: This highly cushioned shoe has a rocker-style sole which can be good for those with limited ankle mobility.
• What could be better: The stack height makes it a poor choice for lateral or pivoting movements that call for stability.

The original Ghost Max came out of nowhere in 2023, surprising us with a thick bed of cushy foam and a rocker profile that made it great for walking, and the updated Ghost Max 2 builds on that platform. Featuring the latest nitrogen-infused DNA Loft v3 midsole foam, it’s soft, springy and incredibly comfortable, and our tester loved the improved comfort over the original Ghost Max. “I’ve never experienced as cushioned a footfall as I did with these shoes. They retain everything I appreciated about the [original] Ghost Max with a somehow even softer landing as well as a wider array of colors to choose from.”

Beyond the cushioning and support, Brooks built the upper with the same breathable mesh found in the original Ghost Max, but it fits just a little better this time around, and it’s perfect for long walks or runs, should you choose to pick up the pace. While the tester points out that you probably “wouldn’t wear these for any activity requiring lateral or pivoting movements, given the sheer height of the heel,” you can lace them up with confidence for less demanding activities. 

Though our official shoe testing ended several months ago, our panelist continues to reach for these shoes. “The Ghost Max 2s are in my regular rotation,” he says, adding that he takes them with him on vacations when he knows he’ll be spending a lot of time on his feet. These shoes are also favored by podiatrists; they hold a Seal of Acceptance from the American Podiatric Medical Association.

Sizes: 4.5 to 15 | Widths: Standard, wide (EE) | Weight: 12.3 ounces | Heel drop: Not listed | Upper material: Knit mesh

• What’s notable: If you’re affected by heel pain, the innovative springy heel of this shoe absorbs impact to improve comfort.
• What could be better: Some say that the slip-on design isn’t as supportive as they’d like. Again, it’s a tradeoff between convenience and stability.

Slip-on shoes usually wear out at the heel because your foot constantly smushes the back when you slide them on. Kizik solves this problem with the “cage”—a rubberized structure on the back of their Athens shoe that pops back into place after you step in. It keeps the heel sturdy, makes them easy to slip on without using your hands and helps the shoes last longer. Our tester notes that the heel remained in good shape after three months of testing. “I’m impressed that the heel mechanism is as springy as they were when I first wore them,” he says. And because it’s such a valuable feature, it makes the Athens easy to wear all day, for hours on end.

Our panelist also praised the comfortable fit: “Thanks to a well-cushioned insole and foam padding, the arch support is excellent and impact is absorbed efficiently,” he says. While the slip-on design is fuss-free, he does mention that it “limits airflow compared to traditional lace-up sneakers,” so look elsewhere if you need to manage hot, sweaty feet. He also called it “a bit of a ‘dad shoe’ in terms of fashion.” However, that works just fine for him in most scenarios. 

Sizes: 7 to 16 | Widths: Regular, wide and extra-wide | Weight: 9.8 ounces | Heel drop: 8mm | Upper material: Knit mesh

• What’s notable: These popular shoes are approved by the American Podiatric Medical Association and get high marks from our testers for their plushness and support. Not to mention, they come in a wide variety of appealing colors.
• What could be better: The shoe’s tall stack height, as a result of all the foam underfoot, might make it feel unstable if you’re accustomed to minimalist shoes.

If you struggle to find sneakers with arch support, the Hoka Clifton 10 is a podiatrist-recommended pick—it’s stamped with the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) Seal of Approval for foot health. As the newest rendition of the brand’s popular running shoe, it adds an additional 3mm of cushioning, making it more plush and forgiving for those long walks and repetitive impacts. The collar is also softer to reduce the likelihood of blisters or hotspots, and the new mesh upper prevents overheating. 

Although it’s available in a regular fit, the wide and extra-wide versions are a blissful option for broader feet that require a little more room. “For those with flat feet (including yours truly), the spacious midfoot and toe box provide plenty of room for your feet to relax, though the fit is still secure,” says our tester. “This one is a winner from top to bottom.” 

As for long-term durability, our panelist notes the Clifton can withstand daily use. “The Clifton has held up incredibly well while serving as my daily trainer for the past month,” he says, adding that “It’s my go-to walking and running shoe, so it gets constant use, but everything from the foam to the fabric upper feels great. Every pair of Cliftons I’ve worn in the past has lasted hundreds of miles—I’ve never replaced a pair due to durability issues.” And in classic Hoka fashion, the Clifton 10 comes in a plethora of fun, eye-catching colors, including Blue Spark, Galactic Grey and others.

Sizes: 8 to 14 | Widths: Medium | Weight: 9.19 ounces | Heel drop: 9.6mm | Upper material: Merino wool

• What’s notable: This pair has a moisture-wicking insole, and if your shoes ever get dirty or smelly, they’re also machine washable.
• What could be better: Allbirds are stylish but we don’t recommend them for anything more than low-effort activities, like walking and commuting.

Allbirds’ bestselling Merino Wool Runners is made from superfine ZQ merino wool, a fiber that’s soft, sustainable and boosts the shoe’s breathability while reducing unwanted odors. Our tester describes the fit as “extremely comfortable,” also noting, “The shoes needed minimal breaking in, leaving zero blisters as I got adjusted to wearing them.” And as our panelist tested these shoes overtime, he says they continued to be comfortable despite a ton of wear.

The sneakers feature a moisture-wicking insole derived from castor bean oil, and the laces are comprised of 100% post-consumer recycled polyester. Beyond that, these shoes are suited for everyday walking and are machine washable (on cold), should you scuff them up. Just keep in mind that this pair is geared more towards urban environments, so we don’t recommend them for hiking or even walking on rooted, rocky paths. Also, we recommend wearing socks with these shoes. Our testers says, “I wore these often without socks, and although you can clean the insoles, they’re a little pitted from stinky feet.”

Sizes: 7 to 15 | Widths: Narrow (1B), standard (1D), wide (2E), extra-wide (4E) | Weight: 10.1 ounces | Heel drop: 10mm | Upper material: Mesh

• What’s notable: The balanced feel of this shoe makes it comfortable when putting in lots of mileage.
• What could be better: The shoe’s 10mm drop is pretty extreme, and it’s bound to aggravate some knees that are accustomed to low-drop shoes.

The Ghost is Brooks’ bread-and-butter training shoe for easy runs, walks and long days on your feet. Now in its 17th iteration, these shoes are as versatile and easy to love as ever. Featuring more of the brand’s nitrogen-infused DNA Loft v3 foam, the Ghost 17 adds an extra dose of cushioning and springiness compared to the previous version of the shoe, the Ghost 16. While it isn’t quite as plush as some max-cushioned shoes like the Clifton 10 and Ghost Max 2, it still proved to be incredibly comfortable from the moment our tester put it on. “I like the Ghost 17 for long walks because it balances cushioning and responsiveness, so your feet are comfortable without feeling bogged down by weight or added foam,” says our tester. “It’s a shoe you can lace up to walk across town or travel in without so much as a second thought.” The new-and-improved Ghost sneakers also feature an upgraded upper, which our tester found to be more breathable and durable than the Ghost 16. In other words, your feet should stay cooler while logging the miles (and the shoe itself is less likely to rip).

Although we’re continuing to test the Ghost 17 to see how they hold up over time, our panelist noted that the previous version of the shoe wore down well. “Similar to the Hoka and New Balances, I’ll both run and walk in these shoes,” says our tester. “They’re a cult-favorite running shoe for a reason, offering springiness, cushion, support and they’re fairly lightweight. I walk in them more than running in them, though, and their sporty design is a great compliment to a performance hoodie and some joggers.”

Sizes: 7 to 13 | Widths: Medium | Weight: Not listed | Heel drop: Not listed | Upper material: Mesh

• What’s notable: These lightweight shoes work well if you have flat feet, and the removable Arch Fit insole can be replaced with your own orthotic if you wear them.
• What could be better: The soles don’t offer a lot of traction, so they may not work well on slick surfaces.

The Skechers Arch Fit 2.0 may offer relief if you have flat feet or are prone to joint and back aches due to its (removable) Arch Fit insole, a podiatrist-certified technology that molds to your feet for a custom fit. Our testing revealed that the insole raises the heel more than a conventional pair of sneakers—they added 1.5 inches of lift—which may take some getting used to. Designed to balance weight across your entire foot for enhanced support, the cushioning is firm and supportive, and it’s a solid choice for lifting, too. “Because the stiff midsole provides solid support, it prevents any sinking when squatting,” says our panelist, who has been using these shoes since December. He adds that he has been wearing them about two to three times a week “mostly when going to the gym since they’re my go-to for treadmill walking.”

It’s also worth noting the Arch Fit 2.0 runs a bit small—our tester sized down from a men’s 9 to an 8.5 to find the right fit, so consider going down a half size or trying them in-person to ensure you’ve got the right pair. We recommend keeping the color scheme and your everyday wardrobe in mind, as well. Our tester notes that some colorways are “hard to match with non-gym outfits.”