The 9 Best Walking Shoes For Men in 2023

Although walking shoes may be overlooked, they are an important pair of footwear to have in your lineup of sole protectors. Whether you speed-walk for cardio while you’re recovering from an injury or want a comfortable pair of footwear to sport when you travel, you’ll need an exceptional pair in which to invest.

Going for a walk on your off days will allow you to break a sweat without exacerbating your injury, but it does require the proper shoes. An exceptional pair of walking footwear will lessen the impact on your joints, heart, and muscles, allowing you to recover properly. And if you suffer from wanderlust, you’ll be covering plenty of ground, so choosing the right footwear is critical to enjoying your adventure. Scouring the web for quality shoes can be a pain, which is why we’ve researched for you, creating a list of the best walking shoes for men that are currently available.

What to Look for In Walking Shoes

Fit/Feel: Comfort is king, so when you’re considering a pair of walking shoes, critique the footwear based on how they feel. They could have all the latest technology, but if their design makes your feet hurt, you shouldn’t snatch them.

If you can, try the shoes on first before committing, and walk around to test them out. However, the most likely scenario is that you’re online shopping and won’t be able to try them on before buying them. In that case, do your best to find shoes with cushy midsoles, reliable outsoles, and ample room based on your feet. When they arrive, try them on and determine whether or not they’re a Cinderella fit. Do not hesitate to return them if they don’t fit well.

Stability: For those who do a lot of walking, one misstep can make or break the rest of your day, or even your week. Make sure your new walking shoe is as stable as it is supportive. Whether you prefer low tops or high tops, make sure your foot is locked in. If you have ankle issues, it may be wise to avoid lower silhouettes.

Breathability: Breathability will come from the upper material. On walking shoes, the uppers will typically be made of some sort of mesh. Brands will surely let you know if they’ve made their silhouettes to be breathable or not.

Weight: Again, if you’re going to be wearing these sneakers all day, make sure that they’re not too heavy. This is why many options below come from the running space, which favors lightweight silhouettes.

Cushion: A big reason why many of us need tailor-made walking shoes is because our everyday sneakers just aren’t cutting it, especially if we’re on our feet all day. After a while, we may experience foot burn with non-walking shoes. To combat this, make sure that your new pair has ample cushioning, especially in the midsole. However, certain models may extend this comfort to the outsole and collar.

Nike Air Pegasus 83

Best Budget Walking Shoes: These days, good walking shoes aren’t cheap. However, Nike’s Air Pegasus 83 is proof that you can still find remarkable options from highly-respected brands. This retro-styled version of Nike’s flagship runner is not the 83rd iteration but a nod to the year the shoe debuted. In 1983, the Pegasus became tailor-made for every runner during a time when running shoes were becoming ultra-specialized. This throwback sports a comfortable foam midsole, an Air pocket in the heel, and a rubber waffle sole for solid traction.

HOKA Bondi 8

Best Overall: Few brands have been more synonymous in recent years with all-day comfort like HOKA. Last year, the popular footwear brand updated its flagship road runners, which also transition perfectly for everyday activities. Available in a myriad of colorways, these sneakers benefit from neutral stability, an OrthoLite sockliner, and cloud-like comfort. Weighing just under 11oz each, the updated version comes with a memory foam collar, extended heel geometry for better balance, and a rear crash pad for smoother transitions. Also, the upgraded foam cushion is even lighter than the previous version. If you don’t want to take our word for it, the American Podiatric Medical Association has even given the shoes its Seal of Acceptance, meaning the Bondi 8 is beneficial to your foot’s health.

KEEN WK400 Walking Shoe

Runner-Up: Since debuting its iconic Newport hybrid sandal in 2003, KEEN has been living on the cutting edge, always looking forward when it comes to making products that our feet can benefit from. While most of its items are made for running or hiking, the WK400 Walking Shoe aims to perfect our most important activity. Constructed with a breathable mesh upper with TPU overlays for durability, the WK400 sits atop a high-traction rubber compound and multi-directional lugs for ultimate grip. Meanwhile, the full-length nylon plate bolsters your gait with stability and protection. All of this is enhanced by the brand’s patented KEEN.CURVE technology consistently propels you throughout the day, even when your feet may feel like giving up.

Allbirds Tree Dasher Relay

Best Eco-Friendly: Allbirds are one of the most comfortable shoes on the planet, which is in part thanks to their single-piece uppers that are made from responsibly grown and sustainably harvested eucalyptus pulp for a silk-like feel. However, the brand’s calling card is its sustainability. With an overall carbon footprint of 6kg CO2e, the Tree Dasher Relay utilizes the brand’s SweetFoam tech in the midsole and the outsole. Made from sugarcane, the supportive and comfortable material is also the first-ever carbon-negative EVA. To further prove the point, the padded insoles are made with castor beans which cut carbon output and provide a flexible fit and anatomical support. Other features include an updated outsole geometry for better traction, a ZQ Merino wool lining for comfort and support, and an easy on-off for a slip-on feel.

New Balance Fresh Foam X More v4

Best Hybrids for Walking/Running: If you need a pair of all-star walking shoes, the New Balance Fresh Foam X More is perfect for the job. Designed for road running first and foremost, these sneakers will serve you perfectly fine on the day-to-day journey. Just by looking at the silhouette, you can tell that these 4th-gen versions use more of the brand’s Fresh Foam than any shoe it’s ever released and runs the entire length of the silhouette. The chunky 34mm stack height provides a super soft feel on your feet, while the mapped cushion zones and flex zones give your gait its best chance. To help your feet ventilate, the mesh upper is firm yet breathable. Grab the Fresh Foam X More today and your feet will thank you.

Arc’Teryx Norvan SL 3

Best Hybrid for Walking/Trail Running: You may be tempted to go for a spontaneous trail run after a long day of running errands. To aid you with technical performance and durability, Arc’teryx has made the Norvan SL 3, a lightweight sneaker that can do a whole lot. At just 6oz per shoe, the minimalist Norvan SL cuts weight thanks to its abrasion-resistant and breathable Matryx Micro upper, which is a polyester-wrapped nylon fabric, and Vibram LiteBase on the MegaGrip outsole. Protecting your feet from the elements are a knit collar to preclude any debris that might sneak inside and an EVA-polyolefin midsole to absorb shocks. There are even carabiner attachment points to make these things way more versatile for your next adventure.

Salomon Acs Pro

Best Streetwear Walking Shoes: Crossing over to the streetwear scene in a big way, Salomon has plenty of performance footwear options that are fantastic for walking, but its Acs Pro takes the cake. Supporting your foot with its striking Kurim upper structure, the everyday “sportstyle” sneaker features strategically-placed openings for airflow and a quick lace system for convenience. This silhouette takes one of Salomon’s models from the mid-2000s and gives it some modern upgrades, most notably the Agile Chassis System for more stability. A bit pricier than other options, the shoes are worth the extra cash if you can afford it. Not to mention, there are several different color schemes to pick from.

Asics GEL-KAYANO 14

Best Retro Revival: Once nearly out of the industry entirely, Asics has since come back in a big way thanks to the way it’s overhauled its range. However, with this latest iteration of the flagship GEL-KAYANO sportstyle performance sneakers, the brand looks to its past, reimagining the style as it appeared in 2008. Although it brings back the midsole tooling and layered synthetic leather and mesh construction from the late 2000s, this new silhouette gets some updates in the form of its upper fit. Featuring some of the space’s best proprietary tech, the shoes also benefit from the GEL impact cushioning and TRUSSTIC midsole support.

On Cloud 5 Waterproof

Best for Treadmill Walking: Although On is a relatively young company, its prowess in the footwear community is undeniable. The latest version of its flagship Cloud silhouette is not only waterproof but extremely comfortable. Perfect for long jaunts at the gym, the shoe’s performance level will make them perfect if you do decide to go for a spontaneous jog or sprint every once in a while. Extremely lightweight at just under 10oz per shoe, the Clouds are made from an updated CloudTec midsole and outsole for softer landings and reduced fatigue. Likewise, the 8mm heel drop gives you a real rocker to keep you on your feet. Not only that but the waterproof membrane is breathable and made with 100% recycled materials.

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