Thursday, November 7, 2024

Fitness Editors Tested More Than 100 Walking Shoes—These Are The Absolute Best

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7 Best Walking Shoes For Women Of 2024, Tested By Editors

If you’ve logged even a couple of miles, you know that the wrong footwear can make each step uncomfortable, or worse, downright painful. (We’re talking blisters, achy arches, plantar fasciitis, and more.) The right walking shoes, on the other hand, can make you walk further, feel happier, and gush to friends about your sneakers. And, they can help you enjoy every step and even prevent injury or overpronation, says podiatrist Chanel Perkins, DPM.

What to consider when buying a walking shoe

Support and stability

Walking shoes should be more stable than running shoes. Ideally, it will assist with the pattern of your walk rather than the impact. Your shoe should also have limited flexibility—the more it bends, the less stability.

To test the flexibility, hold the shoe at the toe box and heel counter and try to fold the shoe in half by pushing on its ends to see how sturdy it is. If it folds in half or twists with ease, it’s too flexible, says podiatrist Elizabeth Daughtry, MD.

Material

The material of your shoes should be decided based on where you live or where you tend to walk most often. Still, breathability is essential. If you’re in a cold or wet environment, try opting for something that’s leather or has a weatherproof upper.

“Overall, look for a shoe that has a more rocker bottom or rigid midsole with a firm heel counter to assist with control of excessive turning inwards or outwards while heel striking,” says Daughtry.

Flexible uppers

In general, a flexible shoe is a no-no. For uppers, however, having that flexibility can help avoid irritation to the top of the foot and allow for any swelling that may occur during activities, says Daughtry. The flex point should also match the bending point of the foot.

How we selected

Women’s Health editors, including executive health and fitness director Jacqueline Andriakos and commerce editors Jasmine Gomez and Lily Wohlner, researched the bestselling, most popular, and top-rated walking shoes for women. They’ve collectively logged more than 500 thousand (!!!) steps, and consulted with podiatrists and certified trainers on their favorite picks. We prioritized sneaks that kept our feet pain-free even after walking for miles in them. Another very important feature: style. After all, we want chic-looking kicks that play well with our activewear fits.

See below for a curated list of editor-tested and expert-recommended walking shoes that perform and keep your feet comfortable for miles on end. We spell out exactly what we love (and don’t!) about each pair and exactly who they’re best for.

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