By Paul Freary
Spending more than an hour or two on your feet can be a test of comfort or pain for many people, as most of us will spend a large portion of our day on our feet going about our work and daily business.
For many, running shoes offer a great solution for comfort throughout the day, and now there are numerous excellent options that provide excellent cushioning and support for those who wish to use them for walking.
Let’s take a look at six of the best running shoes for walking.
My 6 Best Walking Shoes
1.New Balance – Fresh Foam X 880v15
Also Available at
Zappos ; REI ; New Balance
Recently updated, the 880v15 is the brand’s most popular and best value neutral cushioned running shoe. It offers a soft, smooth ride for both running and walking, making it a great choice.
The upper has a plush, neat and very well-constructed design. It’s relatively roomy in the toe box and allows for the right amount of ‘wiggle room’ in your regular size. The midfoot fits well, and the nicely padded heel holds the foot well within the shoe.
Why Choose this Model?
For the 880v15, the shoe sees the addition of an extra 3mm of foam in the heel and 5mm more in the forefoot. This makes the shoe now fall into the ‘max-cushioning ' category.
The resulting heel drop is now 6mm, down from 8mm in the previous model. For walking, this creates a very natural and smooth riding, cushioned experience. The shoe’s cushioning is soft, but stable without being overly cushioned. For all day on your feet, it’s a great balance and can handle walking every bit as easily as it can running.
2. Brooks – Glycerin Max 2
The Brooks Glycerin Max 2 is the brand’s most cushioned model. In fact, it is one of the most cushioned shoes on the market right now.
While simply having lots of cushioning doesn’t automatically make a great running OR walking shoe, here the cushioning comes in a very durable and stable package that makes it a great option for walking.
The fit of the Glycerin Max 2 is typical of Brooks walking shoes, high quality and true to size. The triple jacquard mesh construction of the upper lends this shoe a premium quality, and it holds the foot securely for all-day comfort.
The DNA Tuned midsole foam makes for a walking shoe that remains incredibly comfortable for the longest of walks and spending all day on your feet.
Why choose this model?
A rockered midsole shape gently rolls the foot forward when walking, and a much steeper rocker in the forefoot allows the foot to progress through the gait cycle effectively, efficiently and smoothly. Such a rocker helps take pressure off the metatarsal heads and can be helpful for those with arthritis and other foot conditions.
For being on your feet all day, the Glycerin Max 2 is an excellent choice and one which you would not regret.
3. Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25
The Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25 continues in the long tradition of a great, versatile shoe from the brand that offers a good combination of cushioning and general control.
The GuideRail Technology System and DNA Loft V3 nitrogen-infused foam midsole combine to make the Adrenaline a shoe that anyone will find comfortable for walking on a daily basis.
As with the Glycerin, the Adrenaline fits true to size in both length and width. Its neatly engineered mesh upper has good padding in the tongue, heel and Achilles area and holds the foot nicely in place.
Why choose this model?
The latest version of the Adrenline GTS may not be quite as supportive or controlling for runners as previous versions, but for walking, it proves to be an excellent option.
For running and walking or simply spending long periods of time on your feet, the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25 is an excellent choice. Thanks to multiple width and colour options too, there’s an Adrenaline GTS 25 for everyone.
4. Saucony Guide 19
When introduced, the Guide 17 became one of Saucony’s most popular running shoes. The introduction of a one-piece midsole provided both great cushioning and a dynamic level of support that could control over-pronation in both very mild and more moderate cases.
The Saucony Guide 19 fits true to size in terms of length, but in this company, it has the most generous width. Even in the standard width option, there’s both plenty of width and depth, making the shoe a good option for those with wider or higher volume feet.
Cushioning in the Guide 19 is a new version of the PWRRUN midsole. It’s the softest and most responsive yet from the brand, and it helps make this shoe great for walking all day.
Why choose this model?
As with other highly cushioned shoes, the rocker geometry works wonderfully for walking. The natural geometry of the shoe also works every bit as well for walking as it does for running.
The shoe’s lightweight, despite the deep stack of cushioning, also means spending all day in the shoe is a joy.
The Saucony Guide 19 is a great choice for walking and a good value proposition.
5. Mizuno Inspire 22
In my experience, the Mizuno Inspire has often been the choice for those suffering from Plantar Fasciitis.
The Mizuno Wave Inspire 22 features a higher, 10mm heel-to-toe drop as well as good support in the arch area. Its contoured underfoot structure is often described to me by customers as ‘fitting exactly where I feel I need the support’.
Inspired by nature, the Wave midsole technology contributes to both cushioning and stability in a dynamic manner that works effectively for many foot types without being overly controlling or intrusive.
Why choose this model?
The Mizuno Inspire 22 often goes under the radar by both runners and walkers when seeking out a shoe. But, for those who suffer from Plantar Fasciitis, it has been my number one selling shoe for several years.
Cushioning and control are excellent, but it’s the shoe’s shape, particularly under the arch of the foot, that makes it stand out. The gently contoured design meets the foot’s arch perfectly and provides subtle support that gives all-day comfort.
Not just a great running shoe, but a great walking shoe and one which provides comfort and support for those seeking relief from foot pain.
6. Karhu Mestari Run 2.0
Also Available at
Karhu
One of the best shoes you might never have heard of, Karhu has been around as a brand since 1916!
Now, benefiting from a recent resurgence, the shoe has a range of running models which feature technology that makes them just a great for walking and general use.
An AeroFoam Nitro midsole is a nitrogen-infused material and provides good cushioning and durability in a similar manner to that of the Brooks shoes featured here.
An amplified toe-spring further creates a more forward rolling movement and gently gives the foot a smooth toe-off as you walk.
Why choose this model?
First up, the shoe feels incredibly well-made. The upper construction is neat and fits very well and has a reassuringly snug, wraparound fit.
When walking, the Fulcrum rolls the foot forward like no other shoe and quickly becomes a smooth experience that makes daily walking a joy.
The Karhu is perhaps the one shoe you should experience if you’d like to venture away from the more well-known brands.
Injury Considerations?
Like running, the considerations when buying a running shoe for walking are similar. Fit, feel and comfort should be the deciding factors. More than anything else, the shoe should be comfortable from the moment you put it on.
If you have any injuries or aches and pains in your feet or lower legs, the causes of these should be considered when deciding on shoes.
If you have Plantar Fasciitis, then consider a shoe that offers a little more support in the arch of the shoe and take a look at our plantar fasciitis article here.
If your feet roll inwards towards each other when you stand, walk or run, this is commonly known as over-pronation and again, a shoe with a little more arch support may help.
We have an article on shoes for over-pronators here.
My Verdict
When choosing a shoe for walking, fit and feel are perhaps the most important considerations.
If you want maximum levels of comfort, the Brooks Glycerin Max 2 is a great option.
For a good combination of comfort and control, try the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25.
If suffering from Plantar Fasciitis, the Mizuno Inspire 22 has traditionally been a very popular choice.
A shoe which offers good value cushioning in a stable base is the NB 880v15.
For those requiring more stability and control for over-pronation, the Saucony Guide 19 is perfect.
And if you’d like to try something from perhaps a lesser known brand, the Karhu Mestari Run 2.0 is a surprisingly comfortable walking model.
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