Walking is one of the best forms of exercise. It improves cardiovascular health, strengthens muscles, helps with weight management, and more. Having a good pair of walking shoes is crucial to get the most out of your walks and avoid injuries. Here is a review of the 15 best walking shoes for women in 2023:
The Ryka Devotion Plus 3 is designed for walking and casual wear. It has a lightweight and breathable mesh upper to keep your feet cool. The precise-return insole provides great arch support. The dual-density midsole gives cushioning and rebound, while the rubber outsole offers traction. Reviewers love how comfortable these are right out of the box. They provide excellent shock absorption and energy return for walking. The fit is also roomier than typical athletic shoes.
This sneaker from Skechers has a comfortable slip-on design with a stretchable upper. It is very lightweight at under 7 oz. The high-rebound cushioning absorbs shock and returns energy with each step. The grippy rubber traction outsole provides stability during walks. These are praised for their extreme lightness and flexibility. The fit allows your feet to move naturally. The Goga Mat footbed offers great cushioning. The breathable mesh fabric upper keeps your feet cool during summer walks.
Dr. Scholl’s Time Off Sneaker features a memory foam cool fit insole that provides soft cushioning and relieves pressure on feet. The upper is a stretchable knit mesh that is very breathable. It has a padded collar and antimicrobial dri-lex lining to control odor. The flexible outsole has good traction for varied walking surfaces. Reviewers love the comfort this sneaker provides even when worn all day. The insole molds to your feet and provides great arch support. The stretchy upper moves with your foot without any pinching or chafing.
This walking sneaker from Skechers has a comfortable slip-on design. It is very lightweight and flexible thanks to the knit mesh upper. It has high-rebound cushioning to absorb shock during walks. The bamboo lined footbed prevents odor and moisture build-up. Testers found this sneaker extremely comfortable even for long walks. The arch support it provides helps avoid foot fatigue. The flexible sole allows your foot to move naturally. The knit upper stretches and flexes with your feet. The cushioning absorbs impact well without being too soft.
The Reebok Walk Ultra 7 uses lightweight DMX foam cushioning that adapts to your foot. This provides great shock absorption and energy return. The low-cut design offers a natural range of motion. The breathable mesh upper keeps feet cool and dry. The Memory Tech sockliner molds to your foot for a custom fit. Reviewers say these are the most comfortable walking shoes they have worn. The adaptive foam cushioning softens impacts and makes walks feel nearly effortless. The responsive sole gives just the right amount of bounce to propel you forward.
While designed as a lightweight running shoe, the Launch 9 from Brooks also works very well as a walking shoe. The streamlined design features a plush internal bootie for a smooth fit. The midsole provides soft cushioning and excellent shock absorption. Testers found the Launch 9 to be responsive yet stable for walking. The transition from heel to toe is very smooth. The upper is lightweight, flexible, and breathable. Reviewers praise the comfort and support these shoes provide for long neighborhood walks.
This walking sneaker from Skechers has a slip-on design with a stretchy knit mesh upper. It features high-rebound cushioning to absorb shock and provide energy return. The comfort insole has Skechers Air Cooled Goga Mat technology to keep your feet cool and fresh. The grippy rubber traction outsole ensures stability on varied surfaces. Reviewers love how ridiculously comfortable and lightweight these sneakers are. The knit upper moves with your foot without any pinching or chafing. The cushioning protects joints by absorbing impact.
Ryka’s Devotion Plus 2 is a lightweight walking shoe with great cushioning. It has a precise-return bouncy insole and compression molded midsole to absorb shock. The outsole has a stable grip pattern for traction on walking surfaces. The mesh upper provides breathability. Reviewers praise the comfort and arch support these shoes provide. The roomy toe box prevents pinching or blisters when walking. They provide good shock absorption without being overly soft or unstable. The cushioning springs back to propel you forward.
This casual sneaker from Skechers has a stretchy knit fabric upper for a flexible fit. The high-rebound cushioning absorbs shock during impact. The Air Cooled Memory Foam insole prevents overheating and provides comfort. The traction outsole grips well on varied terrain. Reviewers say these are perfect for walking and everyday wear. They are comfortable straight out of the box with no break-in required. The soft, stretchy upper moves with your foot. The cushioning protects joints by reducing shock during heel strike.
The Summits sneaker from Skechers is designed for trail walking and light hiking. It has a durable yet breathable leather and mesh upper. The high-traction rubber outsole provides grip on dirt trails and uneven terrain. It also features a stability shank for support and shock absorption on impact. Reviewers praise the traction and stability these shoes provide on rocky and rooty trails. The well-cushioned insole provides comfort even when hiking for hours. The protective toe rand prevents stubs on the trail.
The Ghost 14 from Brooks provides the cushioning needed for walking and running. It has a smooth and light upper that flexes with your foot. The DNA Loft midsole gives soft yet responsive cushioning. Testers found these shoes perfect for walking due to the plush comfort and flexibility. The rubber outsole pattern gives great traction on roads and light trails. The roomy forefoot allows toes to spread out naturally when walking. Reviewers praise how comfortable these are even when worn for hours.
This casual sneaker from adidas has a comfortable stretch knit fabric upper and Cloudfoam cushioning that adapts to your foot. The sock-like construction provides a snug yet non-restrictive fit. The rubber outsole offers durability and traction on city streets and sidewalks. Reviewers praise how comfortable these sneakers are for all-day wear and walking. The Cloudfoam insole provides plush cushioning that doesn’t flatten out over time. The knit upper moves naturally with your foot when walking without pinching or rubbing.
The Integrity Wlk 3 from Saucony is designed specifically for walking with features like a supportive fit, cushioning, and flexibility. It has a comfortable full-grain leather upper and EVA midsole to absorb shock. The rubber walking zone outsole provides excellent traction on varied surfaces. Reviewers love these shoes for long neighborhood walks and travel. The cushioning remains comfortable even for multi-mile days. The roomy toe box prevents blisters or rubbing. These provide support while still being flexible.
This walking shoe from Ryka has a breathable mesh upper with supportive synthetic overlays. The precise-return insole and dual-density midsole provide cushioning and rebound. The rubber outsole has a stable walking pattern. Reviewers love these shoes for daily walks and even light trails. The cushioning makes miles feel effortless by absorbing shock and returning energy. The roomy forefoot allows natural toe splay while walking. These are praised as being comfortable straight out of the box with no break-in.
Nike’s training shoes work very well for walking although designed for the gym. Options like the Nike Flex Trainer and Nike React Infinity Run Flyknit provide excellent cushioning, flexibility, and traction for neighborhood walks. The lightweight knit uppers move naturally with your foot. The React foam midsole absorbs shock and returns energy with each step. Testers found these Nike models extremely comfortable even for long walks. The snug stretchy upper also provides stability and support when needed.
Product | Cushioning | Traction |
---|---|---|
“Ryka Women’s, Devotion Plus 3 Walking Shoe” | Precise-return insole | Rubber outsole |
“Skechers Women’s Go Walk Joy Sneaker” | High-rebound cushioning | Rubber traction outsole |
“Dr. Scholl’s Shoes Women’s Time Off Sneaker” | Memory foam cool fit insole | Flexible outsole |
“Skechers Women’s Go Walk 5-True Sneaker” | High-rebound cushioning | Rubber outsole |
“Reebok Women’s Walk Ultra 7 DMX Max Shoe” | DMX Foam cushioning | Rubber outsole |
“Brooks Women’s Launch 9 Neutral Running Shoe” | Plush midsole cushioning | Rubber outsole |
“Skechers Women’s Go Walk Joy-15641 Sneaker” | High-rebound cushioning | Rubber traction outsole |
“Ryka Women’s Devotion Plus 2 Walking Shoe” | Precise-return insole | Rubber outsole |
“Skechers Women’s CONSISTENT Sneaker” | High-rebound cushioning | Traction outsole |
“Skechers Women’s Summits Sneaker” | Cushioned insole | High-traction rubber outsole |
“Brooks Women’s Ghost 14 Neutral Running Shoe” | DNA Loft Cushioning | Rubber outsole |
“adidas Women’s Cloudfoam Pure Sportswear Sneaker” | Cloudfoam cushioning | Rubber outsole |
“Saucony Women’s Integrity Wlk 3 Walking Shoes” | EVA midsole | Rubber walking zone outsole |
“Ryka Women’s Sky Walking Shoe” | Dual-density midsole | Rubber outsole |
“Nike Women’s Training Shoes” | React foam cushioning | Rubber outsole |
The best walking shoes for women provide a comfortable and supportive fit, cushioning to absorb impact, good flexibility, breathability, and traction. Top-rated options include Skechers Go Walk shoes, Ryka walking shoes, Brooks running shoes, and others featured in this review. The ideal walking shoe has a lightweight yet sturdy construction, an upper that moves naturally with your foot, and technologies like memory foam or high rebound cushioning.
There are many excellent walking shoes for women, but the Skechers Go Walk Joy stands out as the best overall. It has high-rebound cushioning to reduce shock, a breathable knit mesh upper, arch support, and excellent traction from the grippy rubber outsole. The slip-on stretch design provides a comfortable fit. It is also praised for its lightweight feel and flexibility to move naturally with your foot when walking.
When looking for the best walking shoes for women, focus on comfort, proper support, shock absorption, breathability, flexibility, traction and weight. Cushioning like memory foam or high-rebound foam reduces impact and joint strain. Supportive insoles prevent fatigue. Mesh uppers allow airflow to keep feet cool and dry while walking. Lightweight shoes around 9-11 oz prevent your feet from getting tired quickly.
For the best walking shoes for women, we recommend looking at options like the Ryka Devotion Plus 2, Skechers Go Walk Joy, Brooks Ghost 14, Saucony Integrity, and New Balance 840v4. These models all provide excellent cushioning and arch support to keep your feet comfortable mile after mile. They also have grippy traction, breathable uppers to keep your feet cool and dry, and lightweight designs perfect for walking.
The Skechers Go Walk line is considered the best for walking shoes for women. They are praised for their comfortable cushioning, flexible and natural fit, lightweight feel, and grippy traction on varied surfaces. Particular recommended Skechers models for women’s walking shoes include the Go Walk Joy, Go Walk Arch Fit, and Go Walk 5. These provide ample cushioning and arch support in a stretchy slip-on walking shoe perfect for daily fitness walking.
A. No, walking shoes should fit snugly without being too tight. Feet swell when walking long distances, so a half size larger will likely be too loose. Go with your normal shoe size for the best fit.
A. Memory foam does provide plush cushioning. However, other materials like EVA foam also give good shock absorption. The overall shoe design determines comfort more than any single material.
A. Moderate arch support helps avoid foot fatigue over miles. Both minimal and excessive arch support can cause discomfort while walking. Look for shoes with just the right amount of contouring in the insole to support your arch type.
A. No, thin moisture wicking socks are best for walking to prevent sweat, blisters, etc. The shoes themselves should provide cushioning. Thick socks take up too much interior space.
A. Start by wearing them for short walks of 15-30 minutes at a time. Allow 24 hours between sessions to let the materials stretch. Also, some shoes have no break-in needed and are comfortable immediately.
A. There are several clues like worn tread, decreased cushioning, creasing/wrinkling, and reduced stability or support. Replace them every 300-500 miles to avoid injury and get the benefits.
I hope this review of the best walking shoes for women helps you find the ideal pair to meet your needs! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Product prices and availability are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on merchant's site at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of these products. HappyLists is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program. As part of this program, we may earn commission from qualifying purchases made through the affiliate links provided on this website. We only promote products on Amazon that we genuinely believe are of high quality and value to our audience. The inclusion of affiliate links does not influence our editorial content or product recommendations. Our primary goal is to provide useful information and help you make informed purchasing decisions.
Certain portions of the text in this article might have been created using AI tools and subsequently edited by the author to improve the overall quality and clarity of the content for readers.