Best Sneakers for Fast Walking on Track

10 Best Walking Shoes of 2020: Our Favorite Walking Shoes to Get You Moving

We've selected the best walking shoes for casual walkers, serious walkers, and those looking for everyday comfort. Get your pedometer ready and spike up your step count with these top picks.

Although running gets a large share of the spotlight when it comes to exercise, walking is a great way to stay healthy. Studies have suggested that walkers have a lower risk of health issues like low blood pressure, high cholesterol, and type 2 diabetes. Main takeaway? Less talkin' — more walkin'.

The best walking shoes will depend on your pace, body, preferences, and chosen terrain. Some running shoes can do the job just fine, but in other cases, they lack the critical cushion you need to get your step count done in comfort.

Below, we've split up the best walking shoes by category so that you can find the perfect pair for your lifestyle—and we were sure to choose options that allow you to pick up the pace and break into a run whenever the feeling calls. We've also added an FAQ section to help guide you to the right decision. Use the links to jump to a section you want to know more about or keep reading to get the full rundown (or walk down) of good walking shoes.

• How We Tested These Walking Shoes
• Best Walking Shoes of 2020

1. Best Cushioned Shoe for Walking – HOKA Arahi 4
2. Best Super Plush Shoe for Walking – Brooks Ghost 12
3. Best Recovery Day Shoe for Walking – New Balance 1080v10
4. Best Soft, Flexible Shoe for Walking – ASICS Cumulus 22
5. Best Smooth Feel Shoe for Walking – Mizuno Waver Rider 23
6. Best Run-to-Walk Shoe – Adidas Ultra Boost 20
7. Best Bouncy Shoe for Walking – ASICS NovaBlast
8. Best Stability Shoe for Walking – Brooks Adrenaline GTS
9. Best Shoe That Lets You Feel The Ground – On Cloud
10. Best Supportive Shoe for Walking – Nike React Miler

• Walking Shoes FAQ

How We Tested These Walking Shoes

The runners, walkers, and joggers at Road Runner Sports love to put new shoe models to the test. To find the best walking shoes for men and women, we took each of these pairs for a spin on our local sidewalks, trails, and roads. Below are our top picks.

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Best Walking Shoes of 2020

1. Best Cushioned Shoes for Walking – HOKA ONE ONE Arahi 4

WEIGHT: Men's 4 9.6 oz | Women's 8.0 oz

We get it. Comfort and style are both important, so we're not going to make you decide between them. The HOKA ONE ONE Arahi 4 gives walkers an easy way to slip on the shoes thanks to the convenient horizontal pull tab. Just slip on and get goin'.

The one-piece mesh upper means you'll benefit from both lightweight comfort and great airflow. There's also a roomy toe box so your feet can flex naturally when you walk.

Built with stability in mind, the Arahi 4 allows you to take each step with total peace-of-mind. Zonal rubber placement gives these shoes amazing durability, and the early stage Meta-Rocker tech delivers a natural transition from heel-to-toe as you walk.

The best walking sneakers for women and men depend on a few factors, but the HOKA ONE ONE Arahi 4 is a great all-around choice.

Shop Men's HOKA ONE ONE Arahi 4 | Shop Women's HOKA ONE ONE Arahi 4

2. Best Super Plush Shoe for Walking – Brooks Ghost 12

WEIGHT: Men's 10.4 oz | Women's 9.3 oz

When you're walking, the comfort you feel underfoot is pretty important. For an extra cushy feel, the Brooks Ghost 12 delivers. What's behind all that cushiony goodness? First, these shoes have engineered mesh with a 3D Fit Print upper for a soft but secure fit. Then, there's the BioMoGo DNA and DNA loft midsole that delivers responsive and durable cushioning underfoot as you take on sidewalks and roads.

Another major bonus of this shoe model is the addition of flex grooves. These little notches ensure that your forefoot can flex naturally as you walk. Whether you're just going for a stroll around the park or a 5-mile walking workout, the Brooks Ghost 12 is there to give you pillowy support.

Shop Men's Brooks Ghost 12 | Shop Women's Brooks Ghost 12

3. Best Recovery Day Shoe for Walking – New Balance 1080v10

WEIGHT: Men's 9.9 oz | Women's 8.4 oz

There's a reason why fitness experts are always saying, "Work hard, recover harder." You might already know that taking the time to stretch your muscles and loosen up your body after a hard workout is critical. But do you actually have the most comfortable shoes possible for recovery day? That's where the New Balance 1080v10s come in to save the day.

New Balance sets you up nicely with the Fresh Foam midsole for a cushioned, lightweight stride. After all, you don't want to be dragged down by extra weight when your legs are already tired. You'll also feel a snug, supportive fit thanks to the ultra heel design. All in all, the 1080v10 gives your legs and body a well-deserved break before you dive into another crazy workout the next day.

Shop Men's New Balance 1080v10 | Shop Women's New Balance 1080v10

4. Best Soft, Flexible Shoe for Walking – ASICS GEL-Cumulus 22

WEIGHT: Men's 9.3 oz | Women's 7.6 oz

If your feet don't roll outward or inward, it's a safe bet that a neutral shoe like ASICS Cumulus 22 will serve you just fine. The Cumulus 22 offers walkers insane comfort levels because of tech like the FLYTEFOAM midsole for a soft underfoot feel and the Rearfoot GEL that absorbs shock.

ASICS is known for its supportive shoes and the Cumulus 22 lives up to its famed cloud-like name. Walkers who prefer a mixture of comfort and bounce will be happy in a pair of these.

Shop Men's ASICS GEL-Cumulus 22 | Shop Women's ASICS GEL-Cumulus 22

5. Best Smooth-Feel Shoe for Walking – Mizuno Wave Rider 23

WEIGHT: Men's 9.6 oz | Women's 8.3 oz

For smooth, distraction-free running, you can't go wrong with the Mizuno Wave Rider 23. The tech in this shoe ensures that your walks can be summed up by one word: delightful. Blown carbon rubber on the outsole gives walkers the ultimate in durability and traction. And the famous Wave Plate tech means your transitions feel natural as you walk.

This is another great neutral shoe perfect for walkers who prefer a bouncy and lively underfoot feel. Tend to heat up as you walk? The engineered mesh upper has been redesigned from previous models to improve airflow and ventilation. That means cool feet for more comfortable long walks.

Shop Men's Mizuno Wave Rider 23 | Shop Women's Mizuno Wave Rider 23

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6. Best Run-to-Walk Shoe – Adidas Ultra Boost 20

WEIGHT: Men's 11.1 oz | Women's 9.3 oz

If you mix it up with running and walking intervals during your workouts, the Adidas Ultra Boost 20 is a good pick to match your pace. The optimized boost midsole has a springy platform, so you can accelerate into a run from walking effortlessly. And when your running interval is over, the midsole cradles your foot and helps you slow down.

On the upper part of the shoe, you'll enjoy Primeknit+ with TFP yarn material, which means three things: support where you need it, flexibility where you want it, and breathability all over. When you're looking for a shoe that can handle both running and walking, you'll want a model that gives you great energy return like the Adidas Ultra Boost 20s.

Shop Men's Adidas Ultra Boost 20 | Shop Women's Adidas Ultra Boost 20

7. Best Bouncy Shoe for Walking – ASICS NovaBlast

With a name like NovaBlast, you'd imagine there was some serious bounce to this shoe and ASICS made sure it stayed true to its name. This shoe was designed to give the wearer a "trampoline effect." So when your walk feels a little long and you're getting tired, the NovaBlast comes in to give you a much-needed energy boost.

Besides the trampoline tech, there's also a soft, lightweight mesh upper to give you that all-important airflow. To stay sure-footed no matter what, the AHARPLUS rubber outsole serves up both traction and durability. These are the best walking shoes for days when you know you're facing a long workout because when you're more comfortable, you can walk longer and stronger.

Shop Men's ASICS NovaBlast | Shop Women's ASICS NovaBlast

8. Best Stability Shoe for Walking – Brooks Adrenaline GTS

WEIGHT: Men's 10.6 oz | Women's 9.4 oz

Nobody wants a rolled ankle during a workout. Stability shoes help keep you steady and ready to face anything. The Brooks Adrenaline GTS has the answer in the form of the GuideRails Holistic Support System. It helps keep you moving forward while limiting excessive movement within the shoe. Brooks designed this shoe with an engineered mesh upper featuring a 3D Fit Print for extra comfort and security to hold your feet in place.

Comfort is always top-of-mind whether you're going for a short or long walk. The Brooks Adrenaline GTS has you covered with its BioMoGo DNA cushion and DNA loft found in the heel. With these two pieces of tech working together, you'll feel a bit of underfoot springiness and a soft, gentler landing.

Shop Men's Brooks Adrenaline GTS 20 | Shop Women's Brooks Adrenaline GTS 20

9. Best Shoe That Lets You Feel The Ground – On Cloud

WEIGHT: Men's 8.1 oz | Women's 6.4 oz

Want a tactile, responsive feeling when you walk or work out? Then the On Cloud is an excellent choice. The slip-on, slip-off lace system makes them a breeze to wear for a quick walk and easy to kick off when it's time to cool down and stretch.

Extremely breathable and lightweight, the On Cloud gives you a close-to-the-ground feeling, so you feel quick on your feet. Cloud Tec Pods found on the outsole might look like space-age technology, but they still give you that traditional running shoe feels you know and love. Zero gravity foam means that every step you take results in a cushioned landing. For quick-paced walks, these are the best walking shoes around.

Shop Men's On Cloud | Shop Women's On Cloud

10. Best Supportive Shoe for Walking – Nike React Miler

WEIGHT: Men's 10.7 oz | Women's 9.2 oz

Heel support is important when you're walking because those repeated impacts can really add up. But the Nike React Miler has the critical heel support to keep pushing you forward. This shoe also helps guide your foot through the entire gait cycle to prevent both supination and overpronation.

This is a stability shoe, so it offers up lots of features dedicated to keeping your feet locked down, like a midfoot cage, breathable mesh upper, and reinforced eyestays. If you're a runner who likes a little responsiveness to your step, the Nike React foam midsole delivers in spades.

Shop Men's Nike React Miler | Shop Women's Nike React Miler

Bottom line: The walking shoe models above are some of the best we have to offer. Road Runner Sports offers various men's walking shoes and women's walking shoes in-store and online to keep you moving. But if you still need help deciding which one is right for you, check out our FAQ section about the best walking shoes for women and men below.

Walking Shoes FAQ

Should I get walking shoes?

If your main fitness activity is walking, investing in a nice pair of walking sneakers that are comfortable and sturdy is a good idea. Some running shoes might work fine temporarily, but eventually, you'll need a shoe that supports your foot all day long instead of just support for quick runs.

What are the best shoes for walking and standing all day?

If you work on your feet all day, the right shoes can be lifesaving. The best shoes for being on your feet should – above all – have amazing cushioning. Minimal shoes are great for being speedy in a race but don't always provide adequate support when you're walking and standing for long periods of time. So, keep your eyes peeled for shoes with a plush underfoot feeling that supports your arch, cushions your heel, and gives your toes plenty of room.

How do I choose the right walking shoes?

To choose the best walking shoes, it's important to first identify why you want the shoes in the first place. Are you planning on going on a walking tour across the countryside? Then choose shoes with a durable blown rubber outsole for traction and durability. Need a pair of walking sneakers for women or men that can handle both running and walking intervals? Go for a lightweight pair that helps you make those quick transitions.

Another aspect to think about is your gender because the best walking shoes for women might not be the best walking shoes for men and vice versa. Men are typically built a bit heavier, so keep that in mind when evaluating a particular shoe. Try on your shoes before committing and jog in them to see how well the cushion bounces back after impact.

Here are a few other features to look for with your preferences in mind:

• Cushioning – The cushioning should feel comfortable and return to its original shape when after you push off the ground.

• Midsole – Look for midsole technology that gives you some energy return so that you can walk longer without muscle fatigue.

• Flexible but supportive structure – Stick to sturdier models that will help keep your feet guided during each phase of the gait cycle. But, make sure it can flex as well.

What's the difference between walking shoes and running shoes?

There are several key differences between walking shoes and running shoes:

• Heavier – Shoes for running are typically lightweight to allow for faster movements. While walking shoes can be lightweight, too, they're usually a bit heavier than their speedier cousins.
• Heel set-up – Running shoes feature a thicker heel wedge that provides an additional layer of cushion to absorb larger impact forces. Walking shoes tend to be "low drop" and have a more leveled-out heel.
• More flexibility – Running sneakers often have a stiffer feel, so your foot doesn't wobble as you run. Walking shoes are typically more flexible since you're moving at a slower pace.

Can I run in walking shoes?

Yes, but you probably shouldn't. Your walking shoes are designed for lower impact forces and can't give you the same support as running shoes. Consider investing in running shoes if you want to add running to your workout regimen for your best and most comfortable performance.

Should I use my walking shoes at the gym?

While it's true that you can use your walking shoes at the gym, it's best to have a pair that can handle activities outside of just walking on a treadmill. For more workout flexibility and better lateral movement abilities, we suggest picking up some cross-training shoes. Cross-training shoes have a lighter feel and work better for a variety of gym workouts.

If you're unsure which walking shoe is the right one for your lifestyle, Road Runner Sports Fit Experts are standing by to help you find your perfect fit. Whether you're looking for the best walking shoes for women and men, trail running shoes, or road running shoes, it's time to lace up and get moving.

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Best Sneakers for Fast Walking on Track

Source: https://www.roadrunnersports.com/blog/best-walking-shoes

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