We Tested the Most Comfortable Walking Shoes for Women, These Are Our Top Picks (2024)

The comfortable and easy to throw on Cloudfoams lived up to their name during our testing process, practically sweeping us off our feet despite the fact that we never even wore socks with them. They held up on long, hilly city walks and park trails and even put a bounce in our step with zero rubbing or foot fatigue. The stretchy top creates a flexible, cradled feeling even on slightly wider feet. With regular wear, they haven’t shown any fading or developed any odor. We were especially impressed by their low price tag and noted they were more comfortable than other shoes three times the price. As a bonus, the Cloudfoams come in 14 different colors so you can get the perfect match for your travel outfits, and they’re made from at least 50 percent recycled materials.

The Details:

The eco-friendly plastic-free Plant Pacers only took one or two wears to feel like we had been wearing them forever. It’s a well-constructed shoe and you can feel good about wearing them because they're upcycled. Their thick sole provided good heel cushioning and support while walking around the city, and there were no rubbing spots along the way that couldn’t be corrected with a change of socks. They're sturdy but not rigid and they still look great after 10 wears, with no staining on the light-colored materials. The inside of the shoe feels roomy and well-padded. While they are more expensive than some of our other picks, we don't mind paying more for natural materials.

The Details: 5 to 11 | Plant leather upper, Tencel lyocell, and recycled polyester lining

The Cotu is very comfortable out of the box and perfect for a day of light travel, but it may not be best for a day of heavy walking. Despite the good cushioning on the soles, we felt minor foot soreness at the end of a long day. Still, we appreciated the very solid quality of the shoe, and are impressed that they didn’t become drenched like other canvas shoes after a walk in the rain. The sole feels thick and the stitching is sturdy, and the price is nicely affordable. Superga also offers these in a whopping 35 colors, with a wide range of neutrals and some poppy brighter shades.

The Details: 5 to 15.5 | Cotton upper and lining, rubber outsole

The Pehuea Lī ‘Ili may feel stiff out of the box, but that just shows how solid their construction is (unsurprising from this beloved brand); of all the shoes we tested, these got the highest score on our bend test, with hardly any bending. We loved the roomy, wide toe box and the great amount of arch support. Their construction feels really solid, with quality leather and a thick, supportive sole. We also liked their unique collapsible backing — the back of the shoe folds down, so you have the option to wear them as a slip-on and breeze through airport security. The footbed is removable and washable, and you can choose from white, black, tan, or dark brown to match your favorite neutrals.

The Details: 5 to 11 | Leather upper, rubber sole

These upscale retro shoes are so comfortable out of the box that we had no problem spending two hours of running errands on foot without any chafing or blistering whatsoever. We also love how versatile they are, looking great with leggings, jeans, or travel dresses, which will make them a good pair to pack when you're tight on space.

The soft perforated leather and suede design allow them to easily transition between outfits, without sparing any attention to detail. The seams are all double-stitched and the rubber sole is invisibly attached, without any noticeable threads or glue. They are on the expensive side, but they're so comfortable right out of the box that we highly recommend the splurge.

The Details: 6 to 13 | Leather upper with foam lining

If you’re in the market for a more sporty-looking, casual sneaker, these may be the best walking shoes for you. They’re so comfortable and light, you'll forget you're wearing these sneakers. They’re well-made, with solid construction, and the laces stay tied, perfect for easy, breezy walks in the park, through city blocks, and for exploring new places.

The style is one of New Balance’s classic looks. Though it may not be to everyone’s personal tastes, people looking for an easy, neutral sneaker that is well made and highly comfortable will love them. Note that available sizes may vary based on whether you choose a unisex or women-specific style (the main difference seems to be the colors). There are also wide options available in all sizes for those who need a little more space.

The Details: 5 to 12 | Suede and mesh upper, foam midsole

A good boot can take you almost anywhere, especially if it’s from Nisolo. The Everyday Chelsea boots start off feeling narrow, especially in the toes, but break in almost immediately. They have decent but not extensive traction and a little extra padding for arch support, along with extremely high-quality leather. These are a great option for someone looking for real, ethically sourced leather shoes, especially if your feet are on the narrower side. We love the high quality of the leather, and the fact that they're waterproof is a huge plus. While they are a little pricey, you’re getting a high level of quality and sustainability for your money.

The Details: 5 to 11 | Leather upper, foam insole, rubber sole

If you prioritize foot comfort, these are the sandals for you. They are not only incredibly supportive and sturdy, but truly have all-day comfort. Though the high level of arch support can take some getting used to, our feet felt comfortable all day and never tired; the sandals even alleviated our standing-desk-related foot pain at home. We noted some chafing from the toe loop, but it improved over the course of the break-in period.

Chaco is known for its adjustable strap system, which provides a great fit for thin feet, but achieving that perfect fit had the side effect of the straps dragging on the ground — though users with average or wide feet likely won’t encounter this. The quality felt superb, with a supportive and hardy sole and exceedingly comfortable arch and heel support. The sandals also come in a fun array of colors in addition to basic black, so you can wear these in multiple situations whether hiking, trekking through water, or exploring a city.

The Details: 5 to 12 | Polyester webbing, rubber sole

Tevas are popping up everywhere for a reason. These are lightweight, extremely comfortable, and won't make your feet tired. Even after long walks, you should have no blisters or areas of discomfort. There’s no break-in needed, and they feel sturdy enough to travel across terrains. The quality is high, and the adjustable toe and ankle straps make sure you get the perfect secure fit; these have some extra heft to their straps, making them sturdier than the classic Teva build. They're also easy to pack and travel with, and very durable. Note that there are no half sizes available, and they run small, so we recommended sizing up if you’re between sizes.

The Details: 5 to 11 | Recycled polyester upper, Vibram Megagrip rubber outsole

The Elle is understated, yet totally stylish. These shoes are extremely comfortable – they fit your foot and hold up for miles of walking wherever your travels take you. They run true to size with the perfect amount of room at the toe and heel, and the elastic straps are very secure. Elastic can be tricky, but these sandals tackle it with ease, offering a good amount of stretch, a feeling of security, and the ability to stay in place without being too restrictive or cutting off circulation.

We did experience some minor rubbing, but it went away quickly with wear; we felt a little bit of hip and knee pressure as well, which also lessened over time. The soles are slightly cushioned for comfort, but don’t provide a lot of arch support. There’s also a good range of colors available for multiple outfits, which is always a travel bonus. You can dress them up or down with any outfit and know that your feet will be comfortable wherever the day or night takes you. They’re stylish and durable, and they’re flat so they’re easy to pack for a trip or quick getaway.

The Details: 5 to 11 | Recycled PET stretch upper, EVA midsole and footbed, rubber outsole

We admit the Nike Motiva’s exaggerated rocker on the outsole felt a bit strange on first wear, but it quickly became the reason we love them so much. The rocker, or the curved sole, actually propels the wearer forward, which we found to be incredibly useful once we got used to it. We felt like we could literally walk in them forever thanks to a combination of the rocker, efficient cushioning, and reliable arch support. Our testers compared the soles’ springiness and bounceback to those of moon shoes, and although they run slightly heavy, they’re also quite flexible and bendable. The best part is you can currently choose between a muted blush color and an eye-catching hot pink.

The Details: 5 to 12

We can’t get over how comfy and lightweight these sneakers are. One of the things we found most surprising is their stretchiness — our feet slid right in and had plenty of space to move around without sliding back out. Have a habit of rolling your ankles? The extra-wide bottoms on these shoes make that pretty much impossible and kept us feeling planted firmly in place. After a full month of frequent wear, the shoes felt just as cushioned, supportive, breathable, and bouncy as on the first wear, and our testers even said they believe they’d remain comfy and blister-free even if they went sockless. They’re ideal for pretty much every activity, from travel days to gym days, and they come in 11 fun colorways.

The Details: 5 to 12 | Rubber, polyester, recycled ocean plastic

The first thing we noticed when sliding these on was the impressive support for people with high arches. The second thing we noticed was how much wiggle room we had. Our toes could move freely without feeling cramped, but the shoes are also snug enough to stay on during high-intensity activities. And the third thing we noticed? There’s virtually no break-in period — after a few days of wear, we still had no sores, blisters, or discomfort of any kind (which is a major selling point for people who often do have foot pain). Other features of these shoes we appreciate are the high-quality cushioning, shock absorption, ankle support, and breathability. Snag these in 19 hues ranging from solids to color block styles, and 13 sizes including half sizes.

The Details: 5 to 11

Not only were we impressed by this shoe’s ability to transform from a true laced sneaker to a slip-on style, but it also quickly molded to our foot’s shape and ended up fitting like a glove. Despite the memory foam-like footbed, the Cityscapes remained both lightweight and supportive, and we felt comfortable wearing them on long days of traveling. Something that left us particularly surprised was the sneakers’ resistance to chafing and rubbing on the back of our heels, even in hot weather, which kept us blister-free. They also shine when it comes to breathability, support, and traction.

The Details: 5 to 11

From the roomy toe box to the flexible knit upper, Fresh Foams are the perfect comfy shoes for all types of movement. The reason they bested the competition in the stability category, though, is because our feet felt especially secure in them. More specifically, our feet seemed to stay completely in place rather than sliding around inside the shoe. We believe that’s thanks in part to superior shock absorption, arch support, traction, and a super smooth transition from heel to toe with each step. Throughout our tests, we also felt comfortable, balanced, and sturdy in these sneakers. The sporty look of the Fresh Foams in every available color is just the icing on the cake.

The Details: 5 to 13

If your aim while traveling is simple comfort, the Orthofeet Kita Hands Free sneakers may be the choice for you. They strike the perfect balance between snug and spacious, and they actually come with multiple different inserts so you can customize your arch support and cushioning. Though they have a slightly larger appearance (likely to accommodate the inserts), we never felt like we were stumbling over them or were weighed down. They retain their bounce rather than feeling overly padded and squishy, and they’re comfy enough to wear on long walks without irritating the feet or skin. Interestingly, the reason they’re “hands free” is because once you tie the laces to your desired tightness, it's recommended you keep them tied permanently and just slide the shoes on and off your feet.

The Details: 5 to 12

We felt like these shoes were made for our feet. The interior is snug yet roomy and supportive without feeling too squishy or mattress-like, so they’re perfect for those who need a little extra arch support. We wore them everywhere from the gym to dance classes to neighborhood streets without ever getting a single blister. Perhaps best of all, we didn’t experience any signs of sweaty feet while wearing these despite walking around in 100-degree heat and exercising in a non-air-conditioned gym.

The Details: 5 to 12 | Rubber, mesh

Before we even tried the Asics Gel-nimbus 25 sneakers for ourselves, we’d heard about the shoes’ legendary cushioning. When we finally got to put them to the test, the sneakers more than lived up to the hype. In addition to providing serious comfort and padding around the foot, we also found the toe box to be very spacious, our heels never slipped out, and the curved soles helped propel us forward. The shoes also boast incredible shock absorption, so we felt every step and landing was a soft one, and we didn’t feel any pain at all over weeks of wear and walking over various terrains. We also love that they come in 20 unique colorways.

The Details: 5 to 13

As soon as these shoes were on our feet, the fit was perfect right away. They fit snugly (without feeling too tight) from the toe to the heel, and stay nicely in place during walking and other activities. Like with some of the other shoes on our list, the rounded bottoms helped propel us forward with each step, but we felt that feature was subtler with the WK400s. What shocked us most, however, is the shoes’ breathability. Despite thick inserts, our feet felt totally ventilated and barely sweat at all.

The Details: 5 to 12 | Rubber, nylon, TPU

While these fit so snugly we initially thought we’d need to size up by a half, once we got moving, we realized the Tree Dasher Relays stretch a bit and form to the foot, creating the perfect fit. The fact that these are slip-on shoes makes them ideal to wear on the plane. Being completely laceless may make some shoppers nervous, but we noticed that, despite not being able to tighten them, they did not cause any blistering, rubbing, or chafing. They felt sturdy on all terrain, including on concrete, dirt, and grass. The soles offer the perfect amount of spring, and we even noticed they took pressure off our lower back. Once these get dirty, simply throw them in the washing machine — both the shoes and the machine will come out of it in perfect condition.

The Details: 5 to 11 | Merino wool, EVA, rubber

Don’t let the price tag fool you — these Skechers sneakers are crazy comfortable. They’re also flexible, snug yet spacious, and ultra-stable over a variety of terrains. The insole is well-cushioned throughout the foot, and is able to absorb shock from every angle. Though the outsole isn’t rounded like some of the pricier shoes on our list, we still felt it gave us that propulsion we saw with other shoes. One of our testers said walking in these feels like “stepping on a dense memory foam mattress,” so if you’re looking for major comfort at a lower cost, the Go Walk Flex Alani may be the travel shoe for you.

The Details: 5 to 11 | Rubber

Frequently Asked Questions

• How should walking shoes fit?

  Short answer: comfortably. Your foot should feel supported but not stifled, and you should have room to comfortably wiggle your toes. “Women’s and men’s travel shoes should have a firm heel counter and shouldn’t bend in the middle,” Clement says. “Also check the toe box of the shoe. If it is too narrow, this can lead to discomfort and crowding leading to sore toes and corns.”

• How do you break in walking shoes?

  You can break in walking shoes by wearing them around the house for a week or two before your trip. The best travel shoes will be the ones that keep you most comfortable for the longest period of time.

• How can you tell if a shoe has good arch support?

  First, try Clement’s bend test. Once you’ve established that they don’t bend in the middle, check that the sole is made of a firm material that won’t wear out over time. You can also look for a physically upraised arch on the shoe, but this doesn’t necessarily guarantee support. If you’re shopping online, look for a seal of approval from the APMA and known supportive brands.

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