Whether you’re an avid power walker, stand all day on the job or always run after your kids, a sturdy, slip-resistant shoe that’s supportive and comfortable shoe is a must.
Experts tell us that if you have the time, it’s best to get fitted at a specialty running store, especially if you deal with foot pain or issues such as plantar fasciitis. Fortunately, many hottest-selling walking-shoe brands in these specialty stores — such as Brooks, ACICS, Saucony, Skechers, and New Balance — are also available on Amazon.
SKIP AHEAD Best budget-friendly walking shoes for women | Best mid-range walking shoes for women | Best splurge-worthy walking shoes for women
Best women’s walking shoes on Amazon
To help you shop for a great-quality walking shoe on Amazon, we’ve rounded up 20 of the best options in line with our expert guidance, as well as some highly rated brands that are breathable, lightweight, provide excellent arch support and more. We’ve also included options in every price range, from the most budget-friendly to the most splurge-worthy.
Best budget-friendly walking shoes for women
HKR Women’s Walking Shoes
4.0-star average rating from 41,343 reviews on Amazon
These slip-on walking sneakers have a flexible mesh insole and a soft upper that feels like a sock to provide comfort for women who suffer from plantar fasciitis, bunions and other foot pain, says HKR. They also have a durable rubber sole and a traction heel designed to grip surfaces indoors and out, says the brand. The insoles are memory foam for extra cushioning and arch support, and the fabric is breathable. Lightweight at just 1.46 pounds, these shoes are good for walking and for those who spend a lot of time standing, says HKR. They come in 18 colors, including taupe, dark grey, navy, grey black and purple.
ASICS Women’s Gel-Contend 7 Running Shoe
4.4-star average rating from 17,994 reviews on Amazon
This ASICS shoe contains a gel technology that provides extra cushioning for shock absorption, according to the brand. They are also made of mesh fabric to allow for proper airflow and ventilation and include an Ortholite Sockliner for moisture management, according to Asics. They come in 25 bold colorways, including French blue/barely rose, orchid/white, mist/blazing coral and black/hot pink.
Skechers Women’s Go Joy Walking Shoe Sneaker
4.5-star average rating from 73,929 reviews on Amazon
These mesh slip-on shoes are breathable and lightweight and include a sock liner that adapts to your foot while you walk, according to the brand. The insole is made of Skechers’ Gogo Max technology, which provides added cushioning and support, according to Skechers. The Go Joy comes in medium, narrow and wide sizes and 37 color options, including hot pink, red, charcoal, black and taupe.
Under Armour UA Essential Sportstyle Shoes
4.4-star average rating from 1,887 reviews on Amazon
Made of a breathable, lightweight mesh upper, this shoe has a minimal heel drop, a cushioned EVA midsole and a solid rubber outsole for good traction — all things our experts recommended keeping in mind while shopping for a walking shoe. It also has a sock liner that molds to your foot for extra comfort and extra cushioning in the heel to better absorb impact from when your heel strikes the ground, according to the brand.
Reebok Women’s Walk Ultra 7 DMX Max
4.3-star average rating from 2,201 reviews on Amazon
These sneakers have a leather upper and rubber soles to provide grip as you walk. They’re made with a memory foam sole for cushioning and the way they are constructed moves air from your heel to your forefoot and back to keep feet cool, according to the brand.
DOUSSPRT Womens Walking Shoes
4.2-star average rating from 38,246 reviews on Amazon
Another highly rated slip-on, the Doussprt is made of mesh fabric and has an elastic cuff for easy on and off. Its perforated arch is designed for extra ventilation and its air cushion technology provides a buffer between you and the ground to help protect you from injury, according to Doussprt. The footbed is made of mesh and EVA for added arch support. They also have a slip-resistant heel and a wide, round toe, which make these ideal for those who need to stand for long periods, according to the brand.
STQ Slip On Mesh Walking Shoes
4.1-star average rating from 71,142 reviews on Amazon
Like the Doussprt, this STQ walking shoe is made of breathable mesh fabric with a wide, round toe, so they are comfortable enough for all-day standing, according to the brand. Best for those requiring low arch support, these shoes have a thick sole with air cushioning to help absorb the impact as you walk. At just under 1 pound, the STQ is extremely lightweight. These mesh slip-ons are machine washable and come in 13 colors, including taupe, dark grey, navy and purple.
Best mid-range walking shoes for women
Brooks Revel 6
4.6-star average rating from 477 reviews on Amazon
Suitable for activities like walking and running, this sneaker — an NBC Select Wellness Award winner — offers a structured yet comfortable feel. “I felt sturdy and supported even though I almost forgot I was wearing sneakers at all,” says associate updates editor Zoe Malin. The Revel 6 has a cushioned heel and knit construction for breathability. It’s available in 11 colors including white/black and purple/pink.
Brooks Ghost 14 Neutral Running Shoe
4.7-star average rating from 33,456 reviews on Amazon
This number-one bestseller on Amazon is Brooks’ first carbon-neutral shoe. It is designed not only for stable walking on all terrain but for everyday runs, says the brand. The Ghost 14 offers neutral support and utilizes its DNA Loft technology for extra cushioning. It also has an integrated system of shock absorbers with a rubber outsole to offer traction on wet surfaces, says the brand. This shoe comes in 35 colorways.
Ryka Women’s Devotion Plus 2 Walking Shoe
4.3-star average rating from 17,482 reviews on Amazon
According to Shvets, these high-performance walking shoes from Ryka are a “newer shoe that people are loving” because of their substantial rubber sole that helps with impact. The Devotion Plus 2 has built-in foam cushioning, is made of breathable mesh and lightweight, according to the brand.
New Balance Women’s 860v12
4.5-star average rating from 1,831 reviews on Amazon
Considered a stability sneaker — meaning it’s best for those with normal arches and only mild control problems — the 860v12 provides more comfort than typical walking shoes due to the additional cushioning that helps absorb the impact and protects the joints, says Shvets. These shoes can also accommodate orthotics comfortably. “They are great for the elderly population,” says Shvets. In addition to being lightweight, the shoe has extra cushioning for comfort and support and is made with durable synthetic material for long-term use.
Saucony Integrity Walker 3
4.4-star average rating from 2,054 reviews on Amazon
Cunha highly recommends the Saucony brand for neutral- or low-arched people, he says, due to their good stability and extra padding for shock control. Shvets agrees: “This shoe is really great for an overpronator because it offers a lot of support,” she notes. The Integrity Walker 3 has the American Podiatric Medical Association seal of approval — the organization says that APMA-approved shoes have been “found to promote good foot health.”
NBC Select editorial director, Lauren Swanson, loves Saucony and has worn the brand for both of the marathons that she ran. “They’re incredibly comfortable and light, which has not been the case with other popular shoes that I’ve tried,” she says.
Saucony Guide 15
4.4-star average rating from 1,254 reviews on Amazon
Another Cunha favorite, the Guide 15 has been redesigned with thicker cushioning and higher sidewalls for better stability. They also have a thick sole from heel to toe to absorb impact. “I always recommend this shoe because it delivers a softer heel strike and takes some stress off the foot,” he says.
ASICS Women’s GEL-Excite 6 Running Shoes
4.6-star average rating from 11,218 reviews on Amazon
Shvets is a fan of this lightweight shoe (just 1.3 pounds) from ASICS because of its high arch, making it ideal for people with flat feet, she said. The heel is reinforced with the brand’s GEL technology for extra cushioning, and the shoe is made of mesh fabric for breathability. Its outsole is rubber, and it also contains an Ortholite sockliner to manage moisture. It comes in wide options as well as 20 bold colors.
Best splurge-worthy walking shoes for women
Brooks Levitate StealthFit 6
4.5-star average rating from 176 reviews on Amazon
These Brooks sneakers are a Select Wellness Award winner. They offer a springy feel, according to the brand, and Select editorial project manager Rebecca Rodriguez finds them to be lightweight. She also says the sneakers support her ankles and arch as she walks about 9,000 steps a day.
Hoka One One Clifton 8
4.3-star average rating from 1,997 reviews on Amazon
The Clifton 8 from NBC Select editor-favorite brand Hoka has recently been re-engineered with a midsole that offers one of the brand’s lightest, most energetic foams to date, said the company. It’s made of mesh fabric for extra breathability and has an extended heel crash pad to help protect against injury, according to Hoka. It comes in 16 fun colorways, including aquarelle/eggshell blue, grape wine/beautyberry and blue graphite/ibis rose.
New Balance FuelCell Propel V1
4.5-star average rating from 995 reviews on Amazon
According to the company, the FuelCell Propel is good for all foot types and comes in Normal, Wide and X-Wide. Cunha says he recommends this shoe to all his patients because of the carbon fiber plate embedded in its midsole that absorbs the impact of a heel strike. “It helps propel your foot by pushing that force back onto the ground, allowing you to run longer and faster,” he says, adding that it’s also lightweight, at just 9 ounces, and has a rubber outsole that makes it durable.
ON Women’s Cloud 5 Sneakers
4.4-star average rating from 4,742 reviews on Amazon
This hybrid lifestyle/running shoe from NBC Select favorite brand On is another favorite of Cunha’s, for its ability to absorb impact and provide a cushioned landing. The On Cloud 5 is super lightweight and has a textile and synthetic upper for maximum breathability, according to the brand. It also has a removable insole and rubber sole, along with reflective accents and a cushioned collar for extra comfort. ON’s Cloud 5 comes in 16 colors, including kelp/shadow, denim/white and rose/shell.
Brooks Women’s Adrenaline
4.5-star average rating from 16,403 reviews on Amazon
A good shoe for overpronators, the Adrenaline GTS uses a GuideRail system that balances the foot back into position by providing passive stability, according to the brand. “If you talk to any marathon runner, they are picking Brooks because there is a lot less injury,” says Shvets, adding that this sneaker has a good heel counter, which provides stability to the foot and gives the shoe longevity. “It’s really durable,” she says. The Adrenaline comes with an updated midsole made of its DNA Loft technology, which provides extra cushioning, along with the brand’s segmented crash pad for a softer impact, according to Brooks.
New Balance Fresh Foam X 880v13
4.5-star average rating from 326 reviews on Amazon
The v13 was designed for walkers and average runners who aren’t focused on speed, according to the brand. Shvets likes this shoe for the additional cushioning that helps absorb impact and protect the joints. These shoes can also accommodate orthotics comfortably and are great for the elderly population, says Shvets.
How to shop online for women’s walking shoes
In a previous guide on best women’s walking shoes, podiatrists Olga Shvets and Miguel Cunha said the first step to buying the right walking shoe is knowing what type of arch support you need — whether neutral, low or high. This depends on knowing whether your foot type is pronator (when your ankle or arch rolls or tips inward slightly), supinator (when your weight rolls onto the outer edges of your feet) or neutral (when your foot lands on your heel and rolls forward so that your impact is distributed evenly). If buying online, Shvets recommends looking at a well-worn pair of sneakers you already own to see where they are worn out.
Here are some of the other important factors to look for when shopping online for a quality walking shoe, according to our experts:
Good arch support, which comes from a footbed made of memory foam or an ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA) anti-compression insole.
A rubber outsole to help alleviate the impact of each step.
Smooth, solid uppers that are highly durable but also flexible.
A breathable fabric to allow for maximum ventilation so you avoid moisture that can cause Athlete’s foot or other complications from fungus.
A lightweight shoe to decrease fatigue and keep you comfortable and fast on your feet.
Meet our experts
At NBC Select, we work with experts with specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also ensure that all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and with no undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Miguel Cunha is a podiatrist and founder of Gotham Footcare in New York.
- Olga Shvets is a podiatrist at Bay Ridge Family Podiatry in Brooklyn and Central Park Podiatry in Yonkers.
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