The best walking shoes for women in 2026 — editor tested and approved

The (almost) latest edition of the Fresh Foam X 1080 wows us with its inclusive sizing, with narrow, standard, wide, and extra-wide fits available to accommodate all feet.

'I have a hard time finding walking shoes that are both cushioned and supportive enough for my high arches and sensitive balls of the feet, but that are also narrow enough,' Andriakos says. 'These are absolutely perfect if you deal with any foot pain issues or struggle with trainers being a bit too wide — I have walked over 100 miles in these at this point and have never even had a sore or tender spot from rubbing or chafing (they also required zero break-in period).'

On the opposite end of the spectrum, I struggle with bunions and love wearing the wide version. My feet don’t rub against the sides of the toe box, which is especially important since toes spread apart when in motion, and feet can swell throughout the day. These feel sponge-like and cradle my heels, but still maintain semi-firmness to keep me balanced.

Andriakos also finds the laces are very secure and don’t come untied easily. The only downside she noticed? 'When I've worn them on rainy days, I notice my feet will feel damp and they take a bit to dry out.' To help combat that, she just throws them in the dryer, which hasn't damaged the silhouette!

Read more: Best New Balance trainers

Asics kicks are considered a classic, all-around great brand for walking, especially if you struggle with overpronation (ankles that roll inward) or have flat feet. Thick foam borders each side of the shoe to encourage proper alignment and walking gait. Deep heel cups also help keep arches supported — there's a reason this shoe made our best plantar fasciitis walking shoe guide!

I'm a huge fan of the firm, stiffer midsole that still maintains massive plushness with its signature gel cushioning system for superior shock absorption. My landings feel like I'm hovering above ground, which says a lot given I stomp on hard pavement daily. I actually find it more cushioned than the Hoka Mach 6.

The heel-to-toe drop is 10 millimeters, which is quite high for my liking, but ideal if you want to take all the pressure away from your arches.

These fantastic walking shoes have accompanied Hattie Parish, our senior health and fitness ecommerce editor, on hikes around the rocky deserts of Palm Springs, treks through the Costa Rican jungle and through the bush on a Kenyan safari — and they’ve handled every terrain without a wobble.

Designed with proper trail tech, the 4mm lugs bite confidently into loose gravel and slick paths alike, while the GORE-TEX membrane keeps feet dry when puddles (or full-on stream crossings) are involved. Despite sitting on the heavier end of the walking shoe spectrum, they don’t feel clunky underfoot. The padded collar and tongue hug the ankle for security, the arch support is present but not pushy, and the sole delivers that cloud-like bounce Merrell does so well.

Breathability is impressive, too. Even in humid conditions, feet stay cool thanks to the mesh upper — no swampy socks here. They’re available in both regular and wide fits, which is a major win if you prefer a little extra room in the toe box.

All that, plus they look good too. They walk that chunky Gorpcore/street style line (particularly in the black colourway) that means you can pair them jeans, leggings or cargo trousers, but they're still technical enough for proper off-road adventures.

However, if you're sticking purely to pavements, they may feel more shoe than you need. Because they’re built for technical terrain, the outsole and protective plate are naturally more structured than your average walking trainer. That’s brilliant for rocky trails and uneven ground, but if you’re clocking most of your steps on concrete, they can feel a touch firmer than max-cushioned road styles.

Read more: Best walking boots

Diana Rogers, a foot and ankle surgery specialist in Crystal Lake, Illinois, and Casey Pidich, a podiatrist and foot and ankle surgeon based in the Bronx, New York, both recommend Hoka's Clifton series to patients for arch support, so you know it's a good shout.

Pidich loves that the design encourages great form — the sole ensures that your feet rock off the ground rather than push off your toes. Rogers specifically recommends the shoe for her plantar fasciitis (a condition where you feel pain in the arch) patients for this exact reason. 'The lightweight feel on this shoe propels feet forward rather than making them do extra work,' she says.

After not loving the last iteration, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoy wearing these on my feet. My complaints with the previous model were excessive stiffness in the midsole, but the Clifton 10 was noticeably more flexible and didn’t require the dreaded break-in period.

Lined with mesh to make this an ultra-breathable sneaker, the Pegasus is a winner because it has a slim, low heel that Perkins says is awesome for maintaining a smooth walking cadence. (The newest version available is the Pegasus 41, but WH editors have worn multiple models over the years and stand by the shoe's consistency and reliability even with small engineering improvements and changes.)

Andriakos has worn countless versions of the Nike Pegasus for both running and walking and has logged hundreds of miles in them. 'I find the sole a bit on the firmer side, and the mesh upper really hugs and forms to your individual foot shape,' she says. 'The shoe feels perfectly snug and secure as you step, without being too constricting.'

She does flag that the tongue sometimes gets folded up and tucked under the laces in a slightly uncomfortable way. 'I fix this by being really diligent when I put the shoes on, making sure to pull the tongue taut and make sure it's lying flat before tying my shoes.'

Overall, this is a 'go-to walking shoe recommendation' that Andriakos gives friends and family when they ask — and so far she's only heard happy feedback from loved ones who have purchased a Pegasus shoe.

Read more: Best Nike walking shoes

If you want walking shoes that do more than just perform — and look amazing doing it — the Keen Jasper Zionic Sneaker is a winner. Bridging everyday style and outdoor tech, these have become a go-to for city steps, weekend jaunts and anything in between. That sleek suede-leather silhouette pairs effortlessly with trousers, leggings or skirts, while the contoured fit hugs feet in all the right places — especially around the heel and arch, which is something our flat-footed tester appreciated on long strolls.

'These are so comfortable,' they said. 'I feel well supported in the heel and there's good structure in the footbed. Arch support is really important to me, so I wear these when I know I’m doing a lot of steps and will often choose them over others. They also look great over a wider leg trouser.'

The resilient foam insole delivers lasting cushioning, and the 4mm lugs give just enough traction without feeling overly rugged underfoot — perfect for busy days on foot. Breathability is solid thanks to the mesh lining, and despite the structured build, we walked loads of steps in them with zero discomfort.

These shoes balance everyday style and performance brilliantly, especially if you want a shoe that looks as good as it feels.

For those who appreciate a good slip-on shoe, the Skechers Go Joy’s lightweight, breathable mesh is great for sweaty feet. The ultra-cushioned midsole offers great arch support, too.

'I consider these a no-frills walking shoe—perfect for errands, quick trips outside when you need to slip a shoe on fast, or for walking your dog if you're a pet owner,' Andriakos says. 'They are very convenient to keep next to your front door to slip on and go.'

Andriakos was sceptical about whether they would be supportive and secure enough without laces on top, but the breathable, stretchy mesh had a surprisingly effective amount of compression around her feet. 'They hold my feet in place and shockingly don't rub even without socks on,' she notes. 'I also never notice any plantar fasciitis flare-ups when I wear these' (her longest walk in the Go Joys was 4.3 miles).

However, she is critical of the style. 'I don't find them to be the most fashion-forward walking shoe,' she admits. 'But, the white pair looks pretty cute with jeans and dresses.'

Finally, Andriakos would be careful about wearing these without high socks in colder temperatures. 'The low ankle profile makes it a better fit for warm weather, for sure.'

Andriakos can't say enough positive things about the Reebok DMX Comfort + series. She is no stranger to foot problems and has dealt with plantar fasciitis, pain related to her high arches, as well as sesamoiditis (inflammation of the sesamoid bones in the ball of the foot) for years as a dancer and runner. After her most recent half-marathon training stint, her foot pain flared up again, causing her to drop out and instead lean into finding the best walking shoes for pain-free steps until she healed. The DMX Comfort + has become her "saviour walking sneaker" thanks to its unmatched cushion and downright orthotic feel.

'At first, I thought the shoes looked a bit bulky and I wasn't sure if they would be a fit for me, but my mind was immediately changed when I put them on. They feel slightly heavier on my feet than other walking shoes, but that helps me feel really grounded with each step. The thick sole and rocker make me feel supported with every step and propel me forward, so I don't have to overexert myself on long walks,' she says.

One of her favourite features? 'You don't have to untie these to get them on, or even bend over — they slip on hands-free and from a standing position with ease,' she says, adding that this has been a game-changer at 34 weeks pregnant. 'I love this walking shoe so much that I bought a second pair so I could use one pair as an indoor walking shoe on my walking pad, and the other as my outdoor walking shoe.'

One thing to note: 'Some friends have said they needed to return their pair for a half size up,' Andriakos says. 'This was not the case for me, and my usual size was fine, but you may want to order two sizes to try or shop in-store.'

Overall, for less than £70, the price can't be beaten for a cushioned walking shoe that provides pain-free steps. Plus, the pastel colours are gorgeous, she adds.

The New Balance 608 V5 Trainer has over 34,000 reviews on Amazon, and for good reason. The brand integrated its signature ABZORB midsole, which is designed to lessen the blow on joints when walking thanks to its cushion and compression resistance.

Although these are supremely comfy, they are not the best for flat feet — New Balance says these are designed for neutral to high arches. While that's a con, we have a pro to counter it: These come in narrow, standard, and wide sizing.

'When I laced up, the shoes were instantly comfortable,' says WH lifestyle director Lindsay Geller. 'I didn't have to break in these trainers at all, which is a huge plus in my book. I also like the curved ankle hook at the back of the shoe because it makes them easy to slip on and off, as well as not rub against my ankles even with low socks.'

Geller also appreciated how the sole of the sneaker is more stacked at the heel. It’s just over one inch, which is standard for walking shoes. 'I like a fair amount of cushioning with my running shoes, but since these are mainly for walking, the amount feels balanced — not too much and not too little.'

She adds they are feather-light at just under 200g, which makes them her go-to travel shoe since they add minimal weight to a suitcase or carry-on. As far as style goes, Geller probably wouldn’t wear them as a full replacement for more casual, lifestyle walking shoes, but they pair well with sporty outfits.