The Best Walking Shoes of 2024: Staff Picks

There’s a reason Brooks fans have returned to the neutral-support Ghost year after year since 2008, and the latest Ghost 16 logs another set of improvements on the classic: They keep feet feeling comfy for miles thanks to cushy, nitrogen-infused EVA midsoles. Paved roads, trails and sidewalks are no match for the springy and absorbent 25 mm heel stack, which can reduce the impact on your knees. This updated, versatile Ghost comprises about seven single-use water bottles’ worth of recycled plastic and recycled silica in the rubber outsoles, reducing its carbon footprint while putting some bounce into every step. 

The Ghost 16 features a higher heel-to-toe drop (12 mm), which can help reduce stress on the Achilles tendon, and can make it more comfortable to meet your step goals. Air mesh uppers provide a secure yet breathable fit. Several customer-reviewers recommended sizing up a half-size to give your toes plenty of room, but others with bunions and wider feet reported that their Ghosts fit like a glove once they got the sizing dialed in. Buy women’s. Buy men’s.

Looking for a stylish, lightweight shoe that’s ready to hit the road, jet bridge or subway platform? Meet the HOKA Transport, commuter-friendly kicks that are light enough—less than 10 ounces—to stash in your backpack without adding to your burden. The Transport is packed with a luxe 35% sugarcane EVA midsole and 35 mm heel stack that offer premium cushioning, perfect for logging long miles exploring city streets near and far. “I bought these shoes for a trip to Japan in which we spent much of each day walking,” says one REI customer-reviewer who calls them “well-cushioned” and “comfortable.” The 5 mm heel-to-toe drop adds extra recoil for heel strikers. 

Abrasion-resistant textile uppers provide superior comfort and breathability, and durable, grippy Vibram® ECOSTEP outsoles include 30% recycled rubber. Quick-toggle laces make slipping them on and kicking them off a breeze, and a reflective band that runs around the entire shoe ensures after-dark visibility. The Transport is infused with nonfluorinated durable water repellent (DWR) moisture control so you can confidently tackle those puddles. Bonus: These shoes are free of any animal products and are vegan-friendly. The Transport is also available with GORE-TEX waterproofing (HOKA Transport GTX Shoes: women’s, men’s) and with 30% leather uppers (HOKA Transport Chukka GTX Shoes: women's, men's). Buy women’s. Buy men’s.

With the word "cloud" in the name, you know they'll be dreamy to walk in—and the On Cloud 5 delivers with their lightweight, springy and breathable design. These shoes are constructed with the brand's unique tubular outsole, a series of pods beneath the foam midsole that compress upon impact before popping back into place. "It's literally like walking on air," reports one reviewer. But the feel isn't sloppy or structureless. That's because On added a rigid plate into the midsole that propels you forward while adding needed stiffness. End result: a luxe fit without sacrificing the springboard-like performance you want from an active shoe. (However, like most running shoes, you'll want to replace them when they get up into high mileage.)

Reviewers say the Cloud 5 runs a bit tight in the toe, so if you're between sizes or you notice your feet swell considerably with activity, we recommend going up a half-size. Buy women's. Buy men's.

If you're ready for long walks without pinched feet, lace up a pair of Phantom 3 Road-Running Shoes from Topo Athletic, which deliver a responsive ride specifically designed with a wider fit. This versatile trainer is kitted out with the roomy toe box and low heel-to-toe drop (5 mm) that speedy Topo Athletic shoes are known for, allowing for toe splay (better balance!) and improved foot function (long-lasting comfort!). “The first moment I put these on my feet I instantly knew they were going to be my next pair,” says one REI customer-reviewer in Idaho, who was blown away by their comfort, keen responsiveness and balanced support. Another customer-reviewer says they found these after falling in love with zero-drop shoes but “needed slightly more cushion for walking on sidewalks/roads. … These are not zero, but still low drop, are very comfortable and still have the wide toe box.” Breathable mesh uppers contain 30% recycled materials and 33 mm of dual-density proprietary foam (comprising EVA plus thermal plastic) beneath the heel will please those who prefer a firmer cushion over a more marshmallowy feel. Machine-washable OrthoLite® insoles provide odor resistance and additional comfort, and support comes from a durable rubber outsole with strategic traction points. Buy women’s. Buy men’s.

If you scour thru-hiker website, blogs and YouTube reviews, you might notice that Altra Lone Peak trail-running shoes are especially popular on the Appalachian Trail these days: A roomy, foot-shaped toe box, grippy outsoles and zero-drop platform make them a trail angel for your toes. For the ALL-WTHR Low 2 version, Altra beefs up the beloved shoe with a water-resistant bootie to help shed muck and moisture on sploshy days.

The tradeoff: This weather protection makes the Lone Peaks warmer and less breathable than other shoes on the list. "I only use them in colder environments since it tends to warm my foot comfortably and keep my feet dry," says Mimi Alvarez, a retail sales specialist at the REI store in Albuquerque, New Mexico. "Hiked Whitney, Rim to Rim and all my high-altitude hikes in Altras and I never feel my feet tired." Altra loyalists will recognize the same dual-density EVA midsole and 25 millimeter stack height found in other versions of the shoe. And of course, you can't miss that extra-spacious toe box. Buy women's. Buy men's.

The Moab Speed 2 Hiking Shoes from Merrell give happy feet to anyone wanting a supportive walking shoe with the traction to handle slick pavement as well as any off-road scramble—and everything in between.
One customer-reviewer picked up a pair for a five-day, 75-mile trek on Spain’s Camino de Santiago, over trails that “consisted mostly of pavement, boardwalk, cobblestone, and some light to moderate rocks and tree roots.” They happily reported “zero issues” even after one 20-mile day. “They are not a stiff hiking boot style and for the Camino, the shoes were absolutely perfect. I could feel the cushion in every step and they provided the correct amount of support.” 

These ankle-height boots feature a lightweight proprietary foam midsole that offers structure and comfort for extended wear, while forefoot support comes courtesy of a strategically placed lightweight underfoot plate and stabilizing outsole pods. A combo of ripstop nylon mesh and TPU in the upper provides durability without sacrificing breathability. Debris-shedding, closely spaced 4 mm lugs on Vibram® TC5+ outsoles provide exceptional grip, whether taking on an urban trek or more challenging backcountry terrain. What could feel better? How about 100% recycled shoelaces, breathable mesh linings and footbed covers, and 50% recycled foam in the insoles?Some customer-reviewers found their foot sliding around in the wider toe box: To prevent that, consider an alternate lacing technique. Additional versions: Merrell Moab Speed 2 GORE-TEX Hiking Shoes - Women’s. Merrell Moab Speed 2 GORE-TEX Hiking Shoes - Men’s. Merrell Moab Speed 2 Low Waterproof Hiking Shoes - Kids’. Buy women’s. Buy men’s.

The Condor 3 by French footwear brand VEJA seamlessly blends style, performance and comfort—all without any animal-derived products, even in the adhesives. A walking-on-air 37 mm heel stack absorbs shock from impact and back-end TPU panels cradle your Achilles snugly in place, and clocks the Condor in as the cushiest shoe on our list. Durable yet flexible uppers are made entirely from recycled plastic bottles collected from Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. The mesh uppers also offer excellent ventilation, keeping your feet as cool as they look during extended outdoor excursions. While the Condor is the priciest on our list, much of that cost goes into bio-sourced materials: The bouncy (though slightly heavier) midsole combines 31% bio-based EVA (derived from sugar cane) and Amazonian and synthetic rubber. The gusseted tongue and integrated bootie provide step-in comfort while the sawtooth laces offer a race-day vibe even if the only running you’re doing is errands. Buy women’s. Buy men’s.

Kids need quality walking kicks too, and the Speedcross J is one of our favorites when it comes to fit and functionality. (And your kid won't mind the blazing-bright hues they come in, either.) Salomon uses the same adult-approved technology from its popular Speedcross line and shrinks it into big-kid sizes (1 and up). The brand's unique Sensifit™ system—the colorful zigzag overlays on the side of the upper—works with the laces for a secure fit that doesn't slip while kids are on the move. Thanks to that, along with quick-draw laces, even the youngest kiddos can cinch up and go. The proprietary rubber outsole and moderate-depth lugs stick to pavement and dirt, and the synthetic toe cap adds much-needed durability for kids who like to kick every stone in their path.

"Easy on, easy off. My kids no longer worry about tripping over untied shoe laces or trying to undo tangled double knots to take the shoes off," says one of our Expert Advice editors whose kids have gone through several pairs of the Speedcross over the years. "My boys are rough on sneakers but the Speedcross holds up to their nonstop scampering. They're also lightweight and comfortable enough for long day hikes." Buy here.