15 Best Walking Shoes for Women 2025, Tested and Reviewed

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Securing one of the best walking shoes can help you reap so many great health benefits—even if it’s just for 15 minutes a day. The key to a quality pair will offer you enough support to log some miles, but will also look stylish with everything from your go-to straight leg jeans to your cutest spring dress. To help you find the most comfortable pairs, we tapped podiatrists to learn more about what to look for, and asked them for their personal faves. Plus, our writers, including a certified personal trainer, a UESCA-certified running coach, and an ultramarathon runner, tapped into their network of friends who love to walk. Whether it’s for travel, long-weekend walks, short jogs, or everyday city living, you can feel confident about lacing up in these pairs. And for more comfy shoe options, check out our list of favorite walking sandals.

The best walking shoes for women, at a glanceBest Overall: Hoka Bondi 9, $170Best for Travel: On Cloud 6 WP, $170Best for Plantar Fasciitis: Nike V2K, $110Best for Narrow Feet: Nike Pegasus 40, $130Best for Wide Feet: New Balance 993 Core, $200Best for Standing All Day: Brooks Ghost 16, $140What to look for in a walking shoe

To find the best walking shoes for women, start off by figuring out your foot type, beginning with your arches (the area between the ball of your foot and your heel). Picture stepping on wet paint: If you have a high arch, you would see paint on only a little of your foot; if you see paint on most of your foot, then you have a low arch (or flat feet); and if you see paint on about half of your foot, you have a neutral arch. “The height of the arch affects the direction of how your foot rolls—or pronates—when walking,” says Katrina Manos, DPM, podiatrist at Westside Podiatry Group in Rochester, New York. If you have flat feet, you may tend to roll your ankles inward, and you’ll want to pick a relatively rigid shoe to cradle the foot and keep it in place. People with neutral or high arches can get away with shoes that are a bit more flexible.

As for the sole, it should “have a curvature on the bottom to help propel the person forward,” says Nam Tran, DPM, podiatrist at Dallas Direct Podiatry. Then take a look at the heel: It should have a decent amount of cushion to absorb impact, since this part of your foot strikes the ground first. The Nike Motiva shoes are a great example of a maximum-cushion shoe.

Many people find that everyday running shoes can work for walking, says Dr. Tran, which is why a lot of our picks include jogging sneakers. You’ll also want to look for walking shoes made of the right material for the conditions: Mesh is breathable and great for summer, while leather is more durable and waterproof but will heat up quickly. Check for brands that have the American Podiatric Medical Association seal of approval, meaning they promote good foot health.