I spent over 50 miles testing the best walking shoes for women, from sturdy sneakers to lightweight loafers

Best overall: Adidas Ultraboost Light

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).

Read more in my full Adidas Ultraboost Light review.

Best budget: Rykä Devotion X

These Rykä 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.

Style editors from our Insider Reviews team are in agreement. "By far my favorite feature of these is the layers of foamy padding on the outsole," writes Samantha Crozier. "It actually feels like walking on pillows — and each step is so bouncy these are downright buoyant."

"My size 8 foot is narrow and I like to lace my sneakers loosely to keep my blood circulating, but they still slip on and stay on without much adjusting," adds Gabrielle Chase.

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.

Read more in our full Rykä shoes review.

Best arch support: Hoka Gaviota 5

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.

You can read about the best Hokas I've tested over the last decade for more of my favorite styles from the brand.

Best for travel: Allbirds Superlight Tree Runners

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.

Best loafer: Vionic Uptown Loafer

One of our favorite loafers for women is especially ideal if your commute involves a lot of walking. Halfway between a sneaker and a loafer, this shoe is backed by Heeluxe's rigorous assessment that tests for fit, stability, cushioning, and flexibility. It comes in suede or leather in both medium and wide sizes.

"When I first put these on, I was impressed by the sturdiness around my ankles from the deep heel cups. These help weak ankles feel much more supported.

The leather upper was very stiff to start with, but it softened after five or six wears. These are great if you have high arches, because the padding reaches all the way up the inner wall of the shoe. You can wear the Uptown Loafers just as you would walking sneakers — the lightweight, flexible soles can fold in half, and they have enough traction for stepping on uneven or slippery terrain.

The accordion design means I can flex my foot, and the shoe will flex with me. Still, they have enough structure to correct the position of my instep, meaning my arches are less sore at the end of a long day spent on foot." — Gabrielle Chase, associate style editor

Best waterproof: Hoka Transport GTX

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.

Best chunky: CAT Intruder

Timberland boots are a trendy shoe this winter, but they're ultimately too heavy to be comfortable walking shoes. That's why we suggest CAT Footwear instead.

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.

Best cushioned: Puma Magnify Nitro 2

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.

Best lightweight: Merrell Morphlite

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.

Best retro: Under Armour Essential Runner Shoes

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.

Best sandal: Teva Zymic Hiking Sandal

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.

Read about how Tevas compare to another popular sport sandal in our full Chacos vs. Tevas review.

How we tested the best women's walking shoes

To determine the best walking shoes for women, I tested 20 sneakers and five walking sandals total. I wore each shoe on three or more walks. Some shoes proved to be too stiff, not supportive enough, or otherwise uncomfortable after just a quarter mile and were immediately put in "no" category.

For the sandals and sneakers that made it through the initial assessment, I walked in each pair for at least 2 miles, both outdoors on pavement and indoor on a treadmill or my walking desk, and continued to wear them for an entire day around the house and running errands to determine how breathable, stiff, and cushioned they feel after multiple hours of wear.

That means the final selections have proven that they are comfortable not only for walking multiple miles, but also for wearing for multiple hours if you're, say, walking around a city on vacation.

How to pick the best walking shoes for women

What to avoid

Even though most of us walk in whatever sneakers we already have on hand, there are certain categories of shoes that, according to Daughtry, you shouldn't wear walking more than 10 minutes:

• Fashion sneakers: Most stylish sneakers are designed with a more narrow toe box and low to no cushioning or support for better aesthetics. But the trade-off is zero shock absorption and more strain on your foot when walking.
• Certain running sneakers: Rocker-design running shoes tend to have higher heel drops. This design gives better propulsion and bounce when running but disrupts the natural stride while walking. Daughtry explains that a good walking shoe is less bouncy and gives a more natural cadence to your stride during the gait cycle.

What to look for

• Cushioning: This is the most important aspect of a walking shoe, Daughtry says. Sufficient cushioning will absorb the shock from repetitive pounding that our feet undergo with every step. If you know you have tender heels, see our guide to the best shoes for plantar fasciitis.
• Arch support: If you have high arches, you'll want a shoe with extra arch support to maintain ideal biomechanics (and avoid achy arches at the end of the day). Technically, you can add inserts to any shoe, but that can change the way the shoe fits overall, so often it's best to just opt for a shoe with great arch support from the start.
• Shape: Walking shoes should have a wide base, particularly in the toe box, so your toes can spread naturally, and overall distribute your weight evenly to avoid any muscle strains in your foot.
• Your gait: The way your feet strike the ground, or "pronate," influences where you need extra support in a shoe, as the goal is to have even pressure across your foot with each step. See our FAQ section to learn what your shoes' wear pattern means.
• Support and stability: All shoes should feel supportive, but this is relative to whether you overpronate or remain neutral. If you overpronate, look for a stability shoe versus a neutral shoe.
• Weight: Look for a walking shoe that's between 8 and 12 ounces. Walking shoes usually feel a bit heavier than most trainers because they're well-cushioned, but the heavier the shoe, the more tired your feet will be on long days out walking.
• Traction: Most people are wearing a walking shoe on pavement, so any traction will work. If you're looking for a walking shoe to wear on trails, look for one with more tread.
• Breathability: A mesh upper is great in a walking shoe, as it offers more space and breathability compared to rigid leather.

FAQs

What is supination vs. overpronation?

Pronation is a bio-mechanical term that describes the way your feet roll and distribute impact as you step. There are three ways your foot may strike the ground: overpronation, supination, and neutral. Overpronators step with their heels rolled inward at a severe angle (putting them at a higher risk for twisted joints). Those who supinate, or underpronate, step without any significant inward roll of the heels, putting more pressure on the legs. People with neutral gaits hit the ground at a flat angle and should wear a stabilizing shoe that supports the midsoles.

How do I know if I supinate or overpronate?

Take a look at the soles of your most-worn shoes. Wherever they're the most faded, that's where you want extra cushioning in a walking shoe. If you overpronate, you'll see the tread is mostly rubbed off around the inner heels and edges. If you supinate, they'll be most worn down around the outer heels and perimeter of the soles. Neutral pronation shows the most wear at the ball of the foot and center of the heels.

Are Hokas worth it?

Yes, and our guide to the best Hokas lists the top styles from the last decade that we've found worth the spend. For example, the best Hokas for those who need extra stability are the Gaviota 5s. They're especially comfortable for overpronators with wide feet. Another top recommendation from this guide is the ultra-cushioned Bondi 8s, which we recommend for people who spend most of their day on their feet.