9 Best ASICS Walking Shoes

While many of the ASICS shoes for walking are actually designed to be running shoes, training shoes, or other sports shoes, the ASICS WALKRIDE™ FF walking shoe is an actual walking shoe.

In general, you can wear running shoes for walking but you shouldn’t wear walking shoes for running.

While there is a lot of overlap in the structure, materials, and design of ASICS running shoes and walking shoes (or running shoes and walking shoes for any given brand), running shoes tend to be lighter and have a more flexible sole designed for a smooth heel-to-toe transition for a faster running stride and walking shoes tend to be a little stiffer, heavier, and less compliant yet they often have a lower price point.

If you need a little bit of extra stability and are on a budget, buying speciality ASICS walking shoes for walking workouts is the way to go because the shoes may last a bit longer and provide a little more support for walking. Plus, you may be able to save a little bit of money by not needing the more expensive lightweight cushioning materials for running shoes.

The WALKRIDE™ FF Walking shoe is my pick for the best ASICS walking shoe. It is breathable, comfortable, and surprisingly lightweight for a budget friendly walking shoe, thanks to the FLYTEFOAM™ cushioning.

This ASICS cushioning material absorbs shock yet it isn’t particularly heavy and the shoe itself feels less stiff yet still supportive compared to walking shoes from many other top running shoe brands.

One thing I love about ASICS shoes is that the brand offers high-quality shoes and a variety of price points to accommodate walkers in runners with differing budgets.

Although the premium running shoes are expensive, and I highly recommend spending the money on these shoes if you are going to be doing any running or if you need extra support or cushioning for various biomechanical needs (arch support, plantar fasciitis, joint pain, overpronation, etc.), if you want just a basic but still well designed running shoe for walking, there are quite a few choices that won’t cost too much money.

My pick for the best budget-friendly ASICS running shoe for walking is the ASICS GEL-EXCITE™ 10 shoe.

This is the tenth update of this neutral running shoe designed for casual fitness runners and walkers.

I like that the shoe is lightweight and breathable due to the engineered jacquard mesh upper, which increases airflow while creating a softer feel against your foot.

To aid shock absorption, whether you are just walking or doing a little bit of casual running, the ASICS GEL-EXCITE 10 running shoes use a combination of the brand’s proprietary GEL cushioning technology in the heel along with lightweight AMPLIFOAM in the midsole for more flexibility and compliance from the heel to toe transition.

To keep your feet cool and comfortable, this ASICS walking shoe has an Ortholite® Sockliner to wick away sweat and enhance airflow.

Overall, if you are looking for an inexpensive ASICS running shoe for jogging, walking, or basic cardio workouts, I think you will be impressed with the ASICS GEL-EXCITE 10 trainers.

Even if you aren’t necessarily a high-mileage runner, but you like to walk outdoors or on the treadmill, do some running or jogging workouts, use the elliptical machine, or generally stay fit, my pick for the best all-around ASICS sneaker is the Asics GEL-KAYANO® 31 running shoe.

This ASICS running shoe provides a moderate amount of stability while still being super lightweight and well cushioned. For this reason, I think it is a great ASICS shoe for anyone with flat feet, joint pain, plantar fasciitis, overpronation, or who spends a lot of time standing, walking, or otherwise being on your feet all day.

Even if you have a fairly normal arch and neutral stride, the added stability elements will help prevent overexertion and fatigue of the little muscles in your feet over the course of a long day.

This is particularly helpful for healthcare workers, food service industry workers, anyone with excess body weight, or again anyone with flat feet because it can help prevent foot pain and other issues up the kinetic chain of the leg by supporting your foot in the proper position.

The KAYANO 31 has FF BLAST™ PLUS ECO cushioning in the midsole along with ASIC’s beloved new PureGEL® technology for a smooth and cushioned stride.

I find this combination of cushioning materials to provide a great balance between absorbing shock without feeling heavy, and giving you good “rebound,“ or energy return when you walk or run.

Another reason I think these shoes are good for healthcare workers or anyone on their feet all day is the fact that GEL-KAYANO 31 features a lower-profile external heel counter and very breathable mesh upper.

The result is a shoe that provides support and stability without compromising comfort or mobility.

The ASICS TRABUCO MAX™ 2 trail running shoe is my goto ASICS shoe for hiking or walking on uneven terrain. This is also one of the best ASICS trail running shoes in general, and one of the best ASICS shoes for arthritis or joint pain.

Many trail runners and ultrarunners also like to have extra cushioning and a wider platform for more support and stability over long miles on the trails and uneven terrain.

The TRABUCO MAX™ 2 is a maximalist trail running shoe (hello cushioning!) that checks all of these boxes.

It has features to help provide energy return and reduce fatigue on your muscles and joints whether you are doing long runs or just standing on your feet all day.

For example, the midsole now has FF BLAST™ PLUS technology to provide super light yet responsive cushioning and energy return to absorb impact while helping you feel like you are being propelled forward as you run or walk.

Even though this is a neutral trail running shoe, there is GUIDESOLE® technology strategically positioned to create an easy forward roll. Essentially, rather than guide or control your pronation or your foot positioning from side to side, this ASICS shoe technology helps support the heel-to-toe transition to propel you forward to maximize the efficiency of your running stride or walking stride.

As a shoe for trail running, you will find great features like super grippy traction on the outsole to prevent slipping whether you are hiking or running on trails as well as a gaiter system in the upper to keep dirt and debris from getting inside the shoe while you enjoy the trails.

Lastly, I love that this running shoe has a relatively low heel drop. With a heel drop of only 5 mm, this is one of the top ASICS shoes for anyone with plantar fasciitis, tight calves, or knee pain because the lower heel keeps your foot in a more natural position and can support landing on your midfoot instead of heel striking.

If you are looking for a stylish, comfortable, casual shoe for everyday wear or walking workouts, my pick would be the the ASICS TIGER RUNNER™ II lifestyle shoe. This ASICS walking shoe has a nostalgic look because the design draws inspiration from the 1980s jogging movement.

However, while the aesthetics of this shoe are certainly retro, the materials and technology are modern, giving you the best of both worlds if fashion is your priority but you are still known to put in some long walks around your town, city, or even on the treadmill.

Overall, the TIGER RUNNER™ II shoe is one of the best ASICS walking shoes for anyone who wants a fashionable yet functional sneaker. The midsole is crafted from EVA cushioning foam to provide comfort and shock absorption and the EZFOAM™ sockliner is breathable to keep your feet cool all day long.

If you need extra support in your walking shoes,  the ASICS GT-4000™ 3 running shoe would be a top choce.

This is one of the best ASICS stability running shoes overall, with the most advanced and robust features to control overpronation.

One thing I like about this particular motion control running shoe is that it is more comfortable, flexible, and “aerodynamic,“ than many stability running shoes due to the fact that the upper mesh has been engineered with a 3D print that eliminates the need for traditional overlays.

Basically, it ends up being a lot more breathable, comfortable, and flexible rather than feeling like a stiff, heavy, confined stability running shoe for overpronation. The ASICS GT-4000 3 running shoe features a highly effective to control the positioning of your foot when you land as well as provide arch support as you transition for a push-off.

To further provide pronation control, there is full ground contact with the soul so that you have more stability and a wider base of support upon which to spread impact forces for walkers or runners who have joint pain or carry more body weight.

For cushioning and shock absorption, there is the ASICS GEL Technology cushioning system in both the heel and the forefoot and the FLYTEFOAM Propel Technology along the entire midsole.

This is an energetic foam that not only reduces impact forces but provides excellent energy return and bounce because of the elastomers used in the material.

The result is great joint impact reduction and cushioning throughout your entire running stride, making the GT-4000 3 one of the best running shoes for overweight or large-bodied runners.

If you have joint pain or want the most cushioned shoe, my recommendation is the ASICS GEL-NIMBUS® 25.

This shoe has been updated 25 times, with each iteration getting better and better.

The NIMBUS 25 running shoe provides maximal cushioning with the FF BLAST™ PLUS ECO cushioning and ASICS’ new PureGEL technology so that you get the plushness as if you are running on clouds (hence the name “GEL-NIMBUS).

See the ASICS Gel Nimbus 26 Review Here

There is great traction on the outsole far road running, and even if you do some walking or running on trails, you should feel pretty secure.

I love the soft knit upper, which is made of almost entirely recycled materials. It wraps around your foot all the way behind the ankle and feels seamless, providing a comfortable, breathable experience whether you are walking or running.

This is a neutral running shoe, but even if you just want to walk, I still think it is one of the best ASICS walking shoes for arthritis given the supreme cushioning and the lightweight design.