By Paul Freary
While running shoes are designed for high-impact activity, many people also choose them for walking because of their comfort and support. However, not every running shoe is equally suited for walking. If you are considering using running shoes as your everyday walking footwear, here are the key factors to look for.
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What to Look for
Cushioning
While walking generates less impact than running, it still places repeated stress on the feet, ankles, and joints. Look for shoes with balanced cushioning that absorbs shock without feeling overly soft. A stable, neutral cushioned shoe makes a good choice for walking.
Forefoot Flexibility
Walking requires a rolling motion through the gait cycle, so flexibility in the forefoot is essential. Some running shoes are designed with stiffer midsoles for propulsion during running, which can feel restrictive when walking. Avoid plated and carbon shoes for walking and look for shoes with a forefoot rocker.
Heel Drop
The ‘drop’ refers to the height difference between the heel and the forefoot cushioning. Running shoes often have a higher drop to accommodate forward propulsion. For walking, this is a little less important, so a drop between 4–12mm is generally more comfortable, as it encourages a natural walking gait and reduces strain on the Plantar Fascia tendon.
Fit and Width Options
A good fit is important for both comfort and foot health. Walking for long periods in shoes that are too narrow or too loose can cause blisters, hot spots, or discomfort. Some brands offer multiple width options, so ensure there’s enough room in the toe box for natural foot expansion while walking.
Most Comfortable Cushioned Walking Shoes
With these considerations in mind, here are my recommendations for walking shoes with good cushioning.
1. Brooks - Glycerin 22
With such a wide and varied range of footwear options available, Brooks always tend to make my lists of the best shoes in any particular category. It’s the same here with most comfortable walking shoes and the Brooks Glycerin 22 being one of my favourites.
Now in its 22nd generation, the Glycerin has always been the brand’s range-topping model. This latest version is the best yet, with a deep stack of neutral cushioning, 10mm heel drop and plush, luxurious upper.
The cushioning is Brooks’ DNA Tuned material, a nitrogen-injected foam using different densities in the heel and forefoot to create a smooth ride. The heel is soft and highly shock absorbing, while the forefoot is springier to give a nice toe-off. I both run and walk in the Glycerin 22 and find it a great option for both activities, thanks to the well-cushioned feel and nice heel-to-toe, gently rockered shape.
The 10mm heel drop works well for walking and promotes a natural and neutral foot strike and gait. The slightly broader forefoot fit of the upper allows the toes to splay a little, and this again promotes a natural gait.
The fit of the Glycerin is true to size, and as I mentioned, a little broader in the forefoot. The upper is a very plush, high-quality engineered mesh with soft padding in the tongue, ankle collar and around the Achilles.
The cushioning, heel-drop and overall fit of the Glycerin combine to make the shoe one of the best cushioned shoes for walking and day-to-day use.
Verdict
2. New Balance – Fresh Foam X 880v15
Also Available at
Zappos ; New Balance
The Fresh Foam X cushioning, which makes up the cushioning of the 880v15, is one of the most versatile around. It’s soft but stable, lightweight but durable and excellent value for money.
I particularly like the combination of deep cushioning and the rocker shape of the shoe. The whole of the midsole cushioning forms a gentle rocker and rolls the foot forward so smoothly that it makes the perfect walking and general use shoe.
A broad base to the 880v15 adds stability to the shoe and also helps promote a stable footing. An 8mm heel-to-toe drop works well for walking, and I’ve received great feedback from walkers and runners alike on the overall fit and feel of the shoe.
The engineered mesh upper is of a high quality and plush fitting construction with a slightly splayed forefoot, which helps the shoe accommodate a wide range of foot shapes. There’s neat padding in the tongue and ankle collar, which adds to the fit quality and makes this a very welcoming shoe.
The 880v15 fits true to size when compared to other models from New Balance, as well as being available in different width fittings.
Verdict
3. Saucony – Ride 18
This year has been a great year for Saucony, with a growing range of models that are suitable for a wide range of people. This shoe, the Ride 18, is now just a great running shoe, but thanks to its PWRRUN+ midsole cushioning, a great shoe for walking and general day-to-day use.
PWRRUN+ is the same material that Saucony use in many of their competition running shoes, so it has a credible background. Here, it makes a highly cushioned footbed that proves to be luxurious and lively for walking. The naturally springy feel certainly adds a little extra bounce to every stride, and when combined with the 8mm drop and forefoot rocker, it gives the foot a natural and smooth ride.
I have found many of Saucony’s shoes this year to be a little roomier in their upper. This adds to both the overall fit in the width and adds more volume. The additional volume and stretchy mesh upper can accommodate both wide feet and those with a higher instep. Otherwise, the shoe is true to size in length.
Light, well-cushioned and great value, the Saucony Ride 18 is an excellent option as a cushioned and comfortable shoe for walking.
Verdict
4. Mizuno – Wave Rider 29
I have always found the Mizuno Wave Rider to be a consistently good performer for both running and walking, thanks to a good degree of cushioning and its lightweight and stable platform. The Wave Rider 29 is no different and stays true to the brand’s original remit for the shoe, only in this, the 29th edition, I think it’s the best yet!
The Rider 29 features a new, nitrogen-injected midsole, ENERZY NXT, and it’s lighter, softer, more responsive and more durable than ever, with a balanced feel and stable ride thanks to the addition of the familiar Wave plate.
The Wave Rider was previously a 12mm heel-to-toe drop, but this version has been reduced a little to 10mm. I am okay with this and like the fact that it stays relatively high compared with many models. We need higher heel drop options, and I think the 10mm of the Rider helps promote a smooth and efficient gait, especially for walking.
I find the ENERZY NXT midsole one of the most comfortable around, thanks to its relatively lightweight given the amount of cushioning provided. It’s soft under the heel, rolls the foot forward smoothly and feels responsive under the forefoot, even after extended periods of time in the shoes, be it walking or general day-to-day use.
The Mizuno Wane Rider 29 is a good, versatile, and well-cushioned shoe for walking on a regular basis.
Verdict
5. HOKA – Clifton 10
.When HOKA entered the running scene around 10 years ago, along with its deep stack of cushioning, the brand promoted the shoe’s rocker shape. While this was nothing new, simply calling out this meant runners, walkers, and therapists had something new to talk about.
Of course, many shoes already had a rocker shape and still do but bringing it to popular attention highlighted its function: to help the foot roll forward easily when walking and running.
The Clifton 10 has been one of the brand’s most popular models and, of course, features the deep cushioning stack and the forefoot rocker. The heel-to-toe drop in the shoe has, interestingly, been increased this season to 8mm, and this increase is something that I feel makes the Clifton 10 an even better option for walking.
The higher drop and forefoot rocker allow the foot to roll forward with ease, and the maxed-out cushioning takes care of impact.
The quality of the upper in the Clifton 10 is an improvement over previous versions, but as with many of the brand’s models, the fit is a little narrow in the midfoot area. With this in mind, try the wide fit option, which many find more accommodating.
I like the Clifton 10 as a walking shoe and for day-to-day use because of its revised higher drop and natural rocker shape, and I feel it promotes a very smooth feeling ride.
Verdict
6. Puma – Velocity Nitro 4
Using the brand’s latest generation nitro foam, the Velocity Nitro 4 provides exceptional cushioning at an exceptional value for money price point. The light, soft, well-cushioning and comfortable midsole foam is one of the best around and defies the price.
I’ve been both surprised and impressed by the shoe since its launch and so have many people I have recommended it to. It might be a no-nonsense model, but it really doesn’t need the bells and whistles, as it does all the basics really well. Good cushioning, stable support and great fit.
The shoe features the PUMAGRIP outsole rubber, a material which has become somewhat synonymous with good grip, traction and durability in recent years, so here it provides a great ground contact and proves very durable.
The Velocity Nitro fits true to size in terms of length, and I found it quite a slim, neat fit around the midfoot. I do have a relatively slim foot, so it was fine, but I think some people might find the shoe to be a little snug, so try it and see.
The Velocity Nitro remains a great value for money choice for those seeking a lightweight and well-cushioned shoe for general day-to-day use and walking.
Verdict
looking for a good shoe to help me. I stand on concrete floors for 12 hours a night.. I have memory foam skechers. my feet still hurt
Hi, please do have a look at some of the options in the post about shoes for concrete floors here- findmyfootwear.com/best-work-shoes-for-standing-on-concrete-floors/
i had that problem too working on a standing all night job til I bought the HOKA shoes, the soles are thicker for those hard concrete and wood floors like at the post office and dock when we unload mail trucks and tracktor-trailers and hundreds of mail sacks on cement docks onto conveyor belts all night….but these HOKA’s with the the thcker soles and cushiony insoles are like standing all day on balloon-pillows, massaging my feet all night. Try em, and you’re sold for life. (costs more and are worth it)