You’ll enjoy wearing these sneakers for casual wear almost as much as your go-to running shoes.

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Having a decent, comfy pair of shoes is essential for daily wear. Many running shoes offer the kind of cushioning and support that helps to keep you moving, whether you’re someone who usually spends the entire day on your feet or just goes for quick morning walks. The best walking shoes have good cushioning, breathability, and light weight. Our first choice when choosing running shoes for daily use are daily trainers, which are made to support you as you pound the pavement every day.

Best Walking Shoes

• Best Overall: Hoka Clifton 9
• Best Value: Asics GT-1000 12
• Best for All-Day Wear: lululemon Chargefeel 2
• Best Arch Support: Aetrex Chase
• Best Female-Specific Fit: Rykä Devotion X

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1. Hoka Clifton 9

Best Overall

SPECIFICATIONS

Weight	8.7 oz (M), 7.3 oz (W)
Drop	5mm

TODAY’S BEST DEALS

Finding a shoe that is both light on the foot and cushioned enough for walking is difficult, but the Hoka Clifton strikes the perfect balance. With a 3mm increase in stack height, the most recent model, the Clifton 9, has even more midsole foam than its predecessor, but it weighs less overall.

With its responsive tuning and excellent shock absorption at any speed, the compression-molded EVA midsole adds extra bounce to your stride. The Hoka Early Stage Meta-Rocker design, in which the sole curls upward beneath the balls of the feet, when paired with the Clifton 9, creates a lively stride that facilitates fluid running or walking.

The rubber locations on the outsole of the shoe increase its durability, so it should perform well on daily errands and high-mileage training. Additionally, it has the American Podiatric Medical Association’s Seal of Acceptance. The Clifton 9 is an extremely versatile walking shoe that is ideal for both casual use and early morning jogging during the workday. It is a comfortable and capable shoe that sets itself apart from other walking shoes.

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2. Asics GT-1000 12

Best Value

SPECIFICATIONS

Weight	9.4 oz (M), 8.3 oz (W)
Drop	9mm

TODAY’S BEST DEALS

A great running and walking shoe like the Asics GT-1000 12 for less than $100 feels like a real deal in an era of historic inflation. The most recent model reinstates the gel pod in the heel for added cushioning and the EVA foam midsole from the model that came before it. An Ortholite sockliner gives enough softness to the midsole—which isn’t the thickest or softest made by Asics—to keep it comfortable for a full day of walking, running, and sightseeing.
With the addition of a strong layer of foam to lessen torsional flexibility (twisting), Asics’ LiteTruss technology, a new midsole for the GT-1000 12, helps you with every step. If you walk neutrally, it supports overpronators through the midfoot without overwhelming their gait.

Additionally, it has an innovative mesh top with a more breathable weave elsewhere to ventilate your feet and a tighter weave in the midsole and toe box to keep your foot stable. Additionally, there is a shoe to match every walking attire among the 11 colorways that are offered.

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3. lululemon Chargefeel 2

Best for All-Day Wear

SPECIFICATIONS

Weight	9.1 oz
Drop	9.5 mm

TODAY’S BEST DEALS

Despite being most recognized for its yoga wear, lululemon has made a name for itself in the running world by supporting competitors like Colleen Quigley and Nikki Hiltz. Among its footwear is the daily trainer Blissfeel 2, which we’ve contrasted with the likes of the Brooks Ghost and Nike Pegasus.

Although the lululemon Chargefeel 2 is a running and cross-training shoe, we would really describe it as a triple threat because our testers have worn the shoe outside of the gym and have been moving more slowly throughout the day. It turns out that the dual-foam midsole of the Chargefeel 2 makes it a perfect walking shoe. The knit top features a cut heel collar that is tailored to fit like a second skin. The shoe is solely available in women’s sizing and was created especially for the foot of a lady.

(Image credit: dantheshoeman)

4. Aetrex Chase

Best Arch Support

SPECIFICATIONS

Weight	12 oz
Drop	15.3mm

TODAY’S BEST DEALS

Aetrex shoes are available in a range of styles for both men and women, and their purpose is to maximize arch support and encourage appropriate joint alignment. The Chase could be especially beneficial if you have problems with plantar fasciitis, pain in your heels or arches, or if you just want very supportive shoes.

It provides a substantial wedge of midsole foam for ample cushioning, but the footbed is the real standout feature: Compared to other companies’ footbed designs, Aetrex’s distinctive removable insole positions the arch support’s “peak” further back, in line with your ankle as opposed to the middle of your foot. Because it mimics the shape of the foot’s bones, you receive precise arch support where you need it.

Charboneau felt a little stiff walking in the Chases at first. Walking seemed blocky because of the flat outsole and beveled heel (perhaps because I land on my heels a lot). However, after just a few walks, the shoes softened and broke in, and the insoles provided a comforting, foot-cradling feel that significantly improved my arches. The upper was supple and flexible, and I liked how easy they were to style with their understated, minimalistic appearance. Women can have the same arch support from Aetrex’s strikingly identical Danika sneaker, but the Chase is exclusively available in men’s sizes.

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5. Rykä Devotion X

Best Female-Specific Fit

SPECIFICATIONS

Weight	8.7 oz
Drop	10mm

TODAY’S BEST DEALS

Unlike other companies, Rykä makes shoes especially for the feet of women. One of the company’s best models, the Devotion X, has been updated and is a fantastic option for active days and fitness walking.

For ample of energy return and dependable shock absorption, this APMA-certified shoe combines a standard EVA foam in the heel and forefoot with Rykä’s responsive Re-Zorb cushioning foam. Anatomically designed insoles support the arch and heel of your foot to maintain proper alignment of your joints and feet while you walk.

It is made to fit the shape of women’s bodies, unlike insoles found in other shoes. Women’s quadriceps muscles are slanted differently than men’s, so this causes differences in stance and foot landing pattern. (You can replace the insole with your own orthotics if you have them; it is also detachable).

In addition to providing stability, a broad toe box also allows your toes to spread apart, while a narrower heel is meant to fit female feet more snugly. Your feet won’t overheat thanks to the breathable mesh upper, and the outsole’s large rubber placements provide you with excellent durability and lots of grip on a variety of surfaces.

While other walking shoes provide supportive cushioning and soft insoles, the Devotion X stands out from the competition due to its exclusive attention on female biomechanics, making it an incredibly comfortable shoe for women.

Q+A With Running Shoe Expert Michael Charboneau

When should I wear walking shoes?

For many occasions, walking shoes are the perfect type of footwear. They make sturdy shoes for daily use in addition to being excellent for exercise. The padding can make you feel lighter on your feet if you must stand for the entire day at work, run errands, or travel. To put it another way, walking shoes can be used for everyday footwear as well as fitness equipment.

Do trail shoes make good walking shoes?

Although they are designed especially for walking on unpaved paths, trail shoes are excellent for strolling. You’ll have more traction on dirt and rocks if you wear trail shoes with lugged outsoles, which are tiny protrusions that sink into soft ground. Similar to this, a lot of trail shoes feature integrated rock plates to prevent dirt and roots from piercing your foot.

Even though I nearly always wear trail shoes when hiking, I wouldn’t get new shoes to replace my walking shoes. When walking on rough terrain like pavement, the lugs of the robust outsoles can occasionally rub up against your feet, adding to the weight of the shoe. You should wear walking or road running shoes if you go for a daily walk around the suburbs or the city.

What is shoe “drop?”

The term “drop” describes the space in a pair of shoes between the forefoot and heel heights. To cushion the heel when you land, shoe manufacturers raise it higher than the forefoot. Longer walks and less weariness are possible since a taller heel reduces the amount of energy and effort required for each stride. The majority of running and walking shoes have a drop that ranges from 6 to 10 millimeters.

However, shoes with a high drop might conceal strength and flexibility deficiencies that, if ignored, could result in injury since they place less strain on the foot than a fully flat shoe. Because of this, companies like Hoka and Altra produce specialized footwear with minimal to no drop to aid runners in strengthening their feet. If you decide to give it a shot, bear in mind that there is a slight learning curve involved in moving to zero-drop shoes. Keep your old shoes and give yourself some time to get used to the new ones.

Since you’ve probably spent your whole running career wearing shoes with an 8 to 12 mm drop, go slowly when switching to little or no drop.