The most comfortable shoes in the world? It has to be our slippers. But walking shoes are running a close second. The best walking shoes for women are designed to be comfortable all day and look stylish.
The best women’s walking shoes are created with an understanding that when we say functional footwear, chunky orthopedic horrors are the last thing we want. We’re seeking trendy kicks that also happen to be recommended by podiatrists.
Perhaps you’re a fitness obsessive looking for a shoe to help you rack up the miles. Or maybe your idea of walking is the kind that happens in between stores in the shopping mall.
Whether you’re a Fitbit fanatic trying to boost your step count or just want shoes for running errands, these are the best functional, fashionable, and most comfortable walking shoes for women you’ll never want to take off.
In short, walking shoes that walk the walk.
For a dressier option that’s still kind to your feet, see our guide to the best ballet flats.
The best walking shoes for women
| # | Model | Category |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | M.Gemi The Cerchio | Overall best |
| 2 | Axel Arigato Clean 90 | Best minimalist |
| 3 | Quince Leather Everyday Sneaker | Best affordable luxury |
| 4 | New Balance 9060 | Best cushioned |
| 5 | Golden Goose Superstar | Most stylish |
| 6 | On Cloud 6 | Best performance |
| 7 | Gucci White Ace | Best for the office |
| 8 | Nike Tanjun | Best value |
All the shoes featured on our list of the best women’s walking shoes are independently selected by our team. If you buy something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you.
Check below our listing to see exactly what to look for when shopping for your next pair of women’s walking shoes and tips on how to wear them in different situations.
M.Gemi The Cerchio: Overall best walking shoes
You step in, you walk out the door. The Cerchio is M.Gemi’s slip-on sneaker, and its upper is nubuck woven by hand. It looks as considered at a gallery opening as it does on the long walk home.
M.Gemi makes its shoes in artisanal, family-owned workshops across Italy, and the weave is where you see it. Up close, the leather has texture. From across the room, the line is clean. Wear M.Gemi’s Cerchio with wide-leg trousers, a slip dress or your Saturday denim.
The one catch with any slip-on is that there are no laces to adjust, so the fit has to be right from the first wear. Try them on in the evening, when your feet are at their largest.
Axel Arigato Clean 90: Best minimalist walking shoes
Some sneakers shout. The Axel Arigato Clean 90 barely clears its throat. It is Scandinavian minimalism you can walk in: a plain white low-top with a small logo on the side, and nothing to fight with the rest of your outfit.
Reviewers keep coming back to two details underfoot. The cushioned footbed is removable, so you can swap in your own insole if you use one. The grippy rubber sole makes a wet pedestrian crossing a little less of a gamble.
Quince 100% Leather Everyday Sneaker: Best affordable luxury walking shoes
Can a leather sneaker under $100 earn a place next to Gucci? We think this one can. Quince’s 100% Leather Everyday Sneaker was $84 when we checked in September 2026.
The upper is full-grain calfskin and the shape is a simple low-top, so it goes with almost everything you own. Inside is an Ortholite insole, and Quince says the shoe is designed for all-day comfort.
Buy it if you want a leather sneaker from Quince that you can wear hard on city days without wincing at every scuff.
New Balance 9060: Best cushioned walking shoes
If you like a lot of shoe between you and the pavement, the New Balance 9060 is your pair. Its sculpted, chunky sole gives it a retro look and a soft landing on every step.
It is also easier to style than it looks. Wear it with a midi skirt, cargo trousers or a long wool coat, and let the sole be the statement. We like the New Balance 9060 at Anthropologie.
Golden Goose Superstar: Most stylish walking shoes
If fashion appeal is your priority and prime concern, then you’ll want to take a close look at these Superstar Sneakers.
These Golden Goose sneakers, some of the best women’s walking sneakers out there, were inspired by professional skate shoes. Because let’s be honest, no one does urban cool quite like skateboarders.
Right from the get-go, the Superstar sneaker offers wearers a high-impact style statement. Chunky sole? Check. Low-rise and laid-back? check. Gold heel and suede appliqué star? Check and check again.
Form, color, texture—Golden Goose nails all three. And no, your eyes are not deceiving you. Those really are scuffs and scratches, and they’re deliberate. The Superstars are intentionally distressed so you can look like you just got home from popping tricks in the skatepark.
On Cloud 6: Best performance walking shoes
Want the comfort of a running shoe without looking like you are about to run a 10K? The On Cloud 6 is built to run, and in all-white it looks sharp enough for a day of museums and long lunches.
A good running shoe is designed to cushion impact, and a day on city pavement is one small impact after another. The honest caveat: as our buyers guide below explains, walking shoes usually give more arch support than running shoes. If your arches need that support, try the On Cloud 6 at Mytheresa at home before you commit.
Gucci White Ace Sneakers: Best walking shoes for the office
With the Ace, Gucci has taken your classic white tennis shoe and cranked up the luxury. We’re talking soft and smooth Italian calf leather, lightweight rubber soles, and the iconic GG logo, all in a blinding and impeccable white.
Worried that women’s walking shoes can look a little too casual and scruffy? Gucci will allay your fears. Striking the perfect balance between athleisure and a sleek contemporary cool, these white sneakers are best teamed with a KAAI handbag for ultimate effortless elegance.
Created for the brand’s ultra-modern Resort collection, these highly-coveted Gucci Ace sneakers are the ideal walking shoes to wear to the office. With their low-top silhouette, they capture a rather retro vibe. Team with frayed jeans and a jacket or a classic pantsuit, and you’ll have a fashion-set-worthy outfit ready to go.
One thing’s for sure. Suddenly those 7-inch heels are looking a lot less appealing.
Nike Tanjun: Best value walking shoes
For footwear that you plan to wear every day, from dusk until dawn, and in all situations—running for the bus, taking the kids to school, meeting friends for lunch—then you want something budget-friendly.
These Nike Tanjuns are low-key and trendy walking shoes. Tanjun means simplicity in Japanese, and these shoes are perfect examples of relaxed contemporary cool.
The Nike Tanjun is definitely a more athletic walking shoe, but with that eye for practicality comes exceptional comfort. You’ve got a mesh upper to allow your feet to breathe, so your feet will stay cool and fresh. The chunky midsole provides plenty of cushioning underfoot.
These are some of the most comfortable walking shoes for women and have received a ton of positive reviews, including one from a medical assistant. In our eyes, if they survive dashing around hospitals and dealing with emergencies, then they’ll do perfectly for grocery shopping and weekend hangouts.
Buyers guide: What to look for when buying women’s walking shoes
When buying women’s walking shoes, there are a few things to consider. There are different options on the market, and the pair you go for will depend on your unique needs.
Walking shoes vs. walking boots
Walking boots have a collar around the ankle for added support and for walking through rain and mud. They are made for serious trekking, not just pottering about. Walking shoes take the functionality and comfort of walking boots but are less clunky and chunky and usually more aesthetically pleasing.
Walking shoes vs. running shoes
What makes walking shoes different from running shoes is that they have more arch support. This is because your arch is where the greatest impact is when you’re walking, whereas with running, the impact is in the heel, so that’s where you want the cushioning. Walking shoes also have more flexibility, so they can bend to fit the natural motion of your foot.
Finding the walking shoe that’s right for you
There are different types of walking shoes. Firstly, consider where you’re most likely to be wearing your walking shoes. Are these shoes for running errands at the weekend, popping into the supermarket, or playing with the kids in the park? Or are they for hitting the trail with your partner and getting the adrenaline pumping?
A good walking shoe is flexible. Otherwise, your foot will fight against the movement of your step, and this could lead to shin splints. To test flexibility, you can grip the shoe and try and twist it.
You also want supportive cushioning in both the arches and heels to absorb impact. Soles should be durable and hard-wearing, and you need plenty of space in the toe area to stop any blisters or bunions from forming.
If you suffer from plantar fasciitis, a common orthopedic complaint that involves pain in the heel of the foot, you need shoes that are supportive in the arch and heel. You should also seek elevated rigidity in the sole and cushioning in the midsole.
Try on different styles to see which feels best. Each time, wiggle your toes to make sure they’re not too cramped or tight. Walk a few laps around the shop. You don’t want any pinching or squeezing.
Pro tip: shop for shoes at the end of the day when you’ve been on your feet for a while. This is when they’re at their largest.
Other features to pay attention to include:
- Material - suede and mesh is a great combo for walking shoes. These materials are breathable and lightweight.
- Insole - you want something that provides lots of cushioning to absorb impact when your foot hits the ground.
- Midsole - this sits between the outsole and the inner sole, and also provides shock absorption and durability. Midsoles are usually either gel, foam, or air.
- Outsole - many walking shoes are made with rubber outsoles for traction and durability.
- Toe box - this is where your toes go. It should be round and spacious to prevent blisters.
- Heel and toe bumpers - these protect your feet when walking on rocky terrain and protect the shoe from too much wear and tear.
Women’s walking shoes: Frequently asked questions
What are the best shoes for walking all day?
What are the best support walking shoes?
What walking shoes do podiatrists recommend?
What is the most comfortable walking shoe for women?
Products featured here are independently selected by our editors. If you buy through our retail links we may earn an affiliate commission — it never changes the price you pay, and it never decides our verdicts. Read our earnings disclaimer.
