What Are the Most Comfortable Walking Shoes?

Even the most stylish walking shoes probably won’t see the light of day if they cause foot pain when you walk. Blisters, bunions, ingrown toenails, calluses, heel pain, and shin splints are often the result of poorly designed, unsupportive footwear. If you spend the majority of your day on your feet or like to walk for exercise, you need a proper walking sneaker.

So, what are the most comfortable walking shoes for women and men? The footwear experts at Vionic are here to answer this question and provide our best tips for finding the right pair. Let’s get started.

8 Comfortable Shoes for Walking

When you’re on the go, you shouldn’t be thinking about your feet—that is, unless you’re thinking about how incredibly good they feel. If you love fitness walking but experience frequent pain or discomfort, you should select your footwear carefully.¹

The eight most comfortable types of shoes for walking include:

1. Walking Sneakers

   Are sneakers good for walking? This might sound like a no-brainer, but walking shoes are the best shoes for walking. With a structured design and a firm heel counter, this type of sneaker is made to accommodate a low-impact heel-to-toe stride (AKA walking).²

   When you shop for a walking shoe, look for options with a molded EVA insole and durable rubber outsole, like the styles we carry at Vionic. Our podiatrist-designed men’s and women’s walking shoe options have built-in orthotics, a sturdy yet flexible rubber sole made for traction and shock absorption, and biomechanical support for your entire foot.

   The Vionic comfortable walking shoes for women and men received the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) seal of acceptance. They’re engineered to benefit foot health, no matter where you’re headed, how fast you walk, or how far you go.

   Removable insole options with 0.5-inch elevation help you achieve a smooth heel-to-toe strike. Also, the polyester mesh lining, padded tongue, and PU foam base minimize friction against your skin as you walk.

   But that’s not all—an anti-bacterial topcloth helps control odors and wick moisture. Our lightweight walking shoes come in various colors with a premium water-resistant leather upper and either action laces or adjustable hook-and-loop straps.

2. Athletic Sneakers

   Are active sneakers good for walking? As a matter of fact, they’re a close runner up to walking shoes. This type of footwear is typically lightweight with breathable uppers and performance outsoles. Though some trainers are designed to support side-to-side and vertical movements, running shoes can make good walking shoes.³

3. Casual Sneakers

   A casual tennis shoe is another great option for walking, though you should be mindful of styles without proper arch support and cushioning. With Vionic’s casual sneakers for women and men, you’ll get built-in orthotics without sacrificing fashion.

4. Leather Slip-On Shoes

   Up next on our list of comfortable walking shoe footwear is leather slip-on shoes. This versatile style can be dressed up or down, pairing effortlessly with work attire, streetwear, and semi-dressy ensembles.

5. Loafers

   If you’re looking for something on the dressier side, you might consider a pair of loafers. This is one of our favorite shoe styles for men and women because it’s incredibly comfortable but also polished and professional.

6. Supportive Boots

   What about when the weather gets cold, wet, or slippery? In that case, we recommend having a pair of supportive weather-resistant boots on hand. Vionic carries several styles for men and women, including heeled boots, sneaker booties, Chelsea-style boots, chukkas, and western-inspired styles.

7. Active Sandals

   Now that we’ve covered year-round footwear and winter walking shoes, let’s switch over to warm-weather styles. If sunny days are ahead or you have a tropical vacation on the calendar, we suggest getting a pair of active sandals.⁴

8. Contoured Toe-Post Sandals

   Toe-post sandals aren’t the number-one recommended shoe for walking, but the styles from Vionic are worth mentioning. Why? Unlike other flip-flops and thong-style sandals, the innovative footbeds hug the shape of your foot, which prevents flipping, flapping, and flopping as you walk.

Orthotic Insoles for Walking

Speaking of orthotics, if you need to walk in less-than-comfortable shoes, insoles are a great solution. Whether you have a cute pair you want to wear to a work event, a specific style you’ll be wearing to a wedding, or shoes you’d love to wear out on the town, Vionic’s orthotic inserts can make all the difference.

We carry options for walking, running, and other workouts, as well as insoles designed specifically to provide soothing relief. Vionic inserts are made with the same innovative technology we build into every pair of shoes. Whether you place them in sneakers, flats, pumps, or dress shoes, you’ll get all-day relief, optimal comfort, and walkability.

Comfy and Stylish Walking Shoes from Vionic

Research suggests our chic and sophisticated shoes can reduce overpronation and minimize other aches and pains associated with walking, like plantar fasciitis, Morton’s neuroma, tendonitis, knee pain, and lower back pain.

Are you ready to walk the walk in a pair of comfortable, stylish shoes? Vionic’s footwear designs never sacrifice support or fashion—you’ll get the best of both worlds every time. Shop our comfortable walking shoes for men and women today!

Sources:

1. Healthy Lifestyle
2. 14 Best Walking Shoes for Women, According to Podiatrists and Editor Testing
3. We Walked for 1,160+ Hours to Find the 15 Best Walking Shoes for All-Day Comfort
4. Fitness Exercise