In this product guide:
- 1. Our top pick: Brooks Ghost Max 2
- 2. Lightweight walking shoe: Asics Cumulus 26
- 3. Walking shoe with a soft ride: New Balance 1080 V13
- 4. Walking shoe with a soft ride: Asics Nimbus 26
- 5. Walking shoe with a soft ride: adidas Ultraboost 5X
- 6. Walking shoe with the softest ride: Nike Invincible 3
- 7. Walking shoe with a supportive ride: Hoka Bondi 8
- 8. Walking shoe with a supportive ride: Brooks Glycerin 21
- How we selected
If you ask us, Brooks should introduce different variants of the Ghost Max 2 with a leather upper. A soft suede upper would be perfect for a shoe like this. And while they’re at it, a waterproof version would also be nice to have.
But for now, the regular mesh version will have to do. As far as running shoes go, this is one of the best running shoes for walking and low-intensity activities. And what exactly makes it so?
The midsole is a good place to start. For this year, the midsole uses a similar design as last year but employs new materials. The softer and bouncier DNA Loft V3 foam changes the Ghost Max 2’s cushioning character. The original model was soft but felt bland.
The redesigned model delivers an engaging experience while offering a high level of comfort. For a running shoe, the midsole is very wide and creates a stable base during walks.
The outsole design also supports the motion path during walking. A deep transition channel maintains straightline tracking, and the flat geometry allows the shoe to make full-contact with the ground during the gait cycle.
- Brooks’s marketing pitch: Max-cushion. Max protection. Max comfort.
- Upper: Engineered mesh, no sleeve.
- Midsole: Full-length DNA Loft V3 supercritical foam. 6 mm heel drop.
- Outsole: Soft blown rubber under forefoot, firmer rubber under the heel.
- Weight: 306 gms/ 10.8 Oz for a half pair of Men’s US 9/UK 8/EUR 42.5/CM 27.
- Stack heights: 39 mm (heel), 33 mm (forefoot).
- Available widths: D – regular (reviewed), 2E – wide, 4E – extra wide.
- Previous model: Brooks Ghost Max V1.
- Country of origin: Vietnam.
- Recommended use: Recovery run trainer, half-marathons, marathons at slow speeds.
- Footstrike orientation: Heel, midfoot/forefoot (full contact).
- Median lifespan: 450 miles.
- Recommended paces: Slower than 5:00 min/km (8:00 min/mile).
- Recommended temperature range: Warmer than -5° C/23° F.
Pros
- Long-distance comfort
- Plush upper
- Roomy forefoot and toe box
- Optional widths
- Outsole grip
Cons
- Heavier than Ghost Max 1
- Low versatility
- Lower stability than Ghost Max 1
- Scarce reflectivity
- Mild tongue slide
What makes the Cumulus 26 a good walking shoe is its soft cushioning and lightweight build. Also, the softness is concentrated closer to the foot – thanks to the Ortholite insole and the cushy Flytefoam midsole.
The Asics Cumulus's midsole is soft but not mushy.
The wide midsole of the Cumulus 26 produces a neutral and supportive ride .
Unlike the Cumulus 25, the outsole doesn’t use rubber. The ‘outsole’ is now a part of the midsole. Unlike the top half, the lower midsole is made of firm EVA foam. This firm base creates a cushioned platform for walking while making the shoe lighter.
At slow walking speeds, the Cumulus delivers a softer ride experience than the Nimbus or Glycerin.
The upper has more room than comparable neutral trainers (Brooks Ghost, Nike Pegasus et. al), and that helps with the interior comfort.
The outsole grip is average on smooth floors and slushy sidewalks, as the rubber outsole has been replaced with the exposed midsole foam.
If your idea of a walk involves superior midsole plushness, then the New Balance Fresh Foam 1080 V13 is a great pick. The 1080V12 was already a great walking shoe, but the 1080V13 is a lot plusher.
The 1080 V13’s ride is soft as well as deeply cushioned, and those are good things to have in a walking shoe.
It’s not mushy though, and it’s not as bouncy as the Nike Invincible Run 3. Purely from a walking use-case viewpoint, the 1080V13 is a noticeable upgrade from the 1080v12.
The outsole geometry and material also help enhance the overall cushioning. The blown rubber forefoot is both soft and grooved for gentle transitions during the walking gait cycle.
The traction isn’t bad either, so the wide forefoot and heel create a planted feel over roads and sidewalks.
The knit upper has a just-right fit with a near-seamless interior and an accommodating toe-box. Though the 1080V13 no longer uses an elastic mesh like the 1080V12, the soft mesh adds plenty of interior comfort.
The Nimbus 26 is a great trainer for leisurely daily runs, and also a comfortable walking shoe.
The walking comfort comes from the tall and wide Flytefoam midsole. The 42 mm heel and 34 mm forefoot make it a very soft shoe, and the rocker-like forefoot adds a helpful ‘roll forward’ effect.
The Nimbus 26 is also a great pick as a cushioned marathon shoe.
The soft cushioning makes long walks easy on the feet; a cushy insole and lasting provide that first layer of step-in comfort. Asics has updated the outsole with Hybrid Asicsgrip rubber, so the traction is better than the Nimbus 25.
The Nimbus 26’s upper is secure and true-to-size, but runs hot – just like the previous version. The upper has an elastic tongue with a gusset for a secure midfoot fit. The heel collar is very plush and delivers a secure grip.
If you find the standard fit narrow, just know that this shoe is also sold in wider sizes.
- Asics’s marketing pitch: Add comfort to every step.
- Upper: Engineered mesh, inner gusset.
- Midsole: Flytefoam Blast+ foam, heel Gel unit. 8 mm heel drop.
- Outsole: Hybrid Asicsgrip rubber.
- Weight: 305 gms/ 10.7 Oz for a half pair of Men’s US 9/UK 8/EUR 42.5/CM 27.
- Stack heights: 42 mm (heel), 34 mm (forefoot).
- Available widths: D – regular (reviewed), 2E (wide), 4E (extra-wide).
- Previous model: Asics Nimbus 26
- Country of origin: Indonesia.
- Median lifespan: 400 miles.
- Recommended temperature range: Warmer than -5° C/23° F.
Pros
- Ride comfort
- Supportive and neutral cushioning
- Smooth transitions
- Optional wide, extra-wide sizes
Cons
- Upper is not breathable
- Low versatility
- Low reflectivity
- Printed heel loop may irritate
- Outsole grip needs further improvement
This year’s Ultraboost 5X is unlike any version that came before it. It’s got a much thicker forefoot midsole, better outsole coverage, and a reflective upper that leaves the stiff midfoot panels in the past.
These changes make the 5X a better walking shoe than the previous model, the Ultraboost Light. The reflectivity is available on both sides, keeping the walker visible during dawn or dusk.
The increased Boost volume adds more comfort when walking, and the durable Continental rubber outsole provides dependable grip. If you’re not used to stretchy uppers, the Primeknit shell might feel tight at first, but it does a good job of shaping around the foot.
At the time of writing this guide, the Nike Invincible 3 is the cushiest and bounciest shoe that money can buy.
The bouncy ZoomX midsole makes walking enjoyable, as the loading process happens over the deep reservoir of foam.
The wide flare and plastic heel clip add support to what is an exceptionally soft and springy midsole. The Invincible 3 also has a lasting fabric under the insole, whereas the Invincible 2 did not. The midsole sidewalls get a ‘scooped’ design, so the Invincible 3 is firmer and more stable than the Invincible 2.
There is SO MUCH foam under the foot. Naturally, walking becomes very comfortable.
The upper has a broad toe-box and is fully sleeved on the inside; this makes the fit smooth and true to size. The padded and plush heel collar cups the foot in softness.
Here’s the catch. The Bondi 7 is a better walking shoe than the Bondi 8, so if you can snag the 7 for cheap – go for it. We recommend trying the new Hoka Skyflow as well.
That being said, the Bondi 8 is still a great shoe for walking.
What we love about the Bondi 8 is its wide and supportive midsole that’s also deeply cushioned. The EVA foam midsole is neither too soft nor too firm, and the outsole has a full-contact design. These features make it an excellent walking shoe.
The true-to-size upper has a plush and secure fit. The Hoka Bondi 8 fits narrower than the 7 because of the slimmer midsole base, so that’s something to keep in mind.
The Brooks Glycerin 21 is softer than the Glycerin 20, so it now has greater comfort for walking.
At the heart of the cushioned midsole is the Nitrogen-infused ‘DNA Loft V3’ foam that’s neither too soft nor too firm.
Pictured here is the cushioned and neutral DNA Loft midsole of the Brooks Glycerin 21.
The added padding pushes the foot forward by a few mm.
The Brooks Glycerin 21's insole is thick enough to be replaced by a stability Orthotic.
The balanced cushioning produces a supportive yet comfortable platform for walking. The outsole has decent traction and is generously grooved for connected transitions.
The padded heel and tongue create a plush feel; the upper fits true to size but slightly shorter than the Glycerin 21. Just know that the Glycerin 21 also sells in ‘GTS’ and ‘Stealthfit’ versions. The Stealthfit upper should have more room than the standard Glycerin.
- Brooks’s marketing pitch: Super softness with every step.
- Upper: Engineered mesh, no gusset.
- Midsole: DNA Loft V3 foam. 10 mm heel drop.
- Outsole: Softer rubber (forefoot), firm rubber (heel).
- Weight: 278 gms/ 9.8 Oz for a half pair of Men’s US 9/UK 8/EUR 42.5/CM 27.
- Stack heights: 38 mm (heel), 28 mm (forefoot).
- Available widths: D – regular (reviewed), 2E – Wide.
- Previous model: Brooks Glycerin 20.
- Country of origin: Vietnam.
- Median lifespan: 350 miles.
- Recommended temperature range: Warmer than -5° C/23° F.
Pros
- Ride comfort
- Plush interiors
- Smooth transitions
- Outsole traction
- Optional widths
Cons
- Lower outsole durability
- Not as stable as the Glycerin 20
- Lack of reflective elements
- Tongue slide
How we selected: What to look for
Walking involves fundamentally different gait mechanics than running.
Can running shoes be worn for walking? Sure, but not all of them. But first, it is important to understand the fundamental difference between walking and running, and how that affects the choice of footwear.
Shortly after the push-off phase of running, both of the feet are momentarily up in the air. Contrast this with walking, where both feet can be simultaneously in contact with the ground. One foot is flat on the ground while the tip of the other foot is still in contact with the road.
Hence, the transitions occur more slowly during walking as the weight loading progresses gradually from the heel to toe.
If you’re familiar with Solereview’s shoe guides, you know the drill. We first lay out the selection criteria followed by the list of recommended shoes. Here goes:
A beveled heel edge is walking-friendly.
The shoe should have a beveled (angled) heel: Unlike running where people either forefoot strike or heel strike, walking involves 100% heel striking – and this isn’t optional. So an angled heel helps with smoother heel landings.
The outsole should have as much ground contact as possible: Since the weight loading happens in a very gradual way along the length of the shoe, a wide midfoot gap is undesirable. The midfoot should be bridged with rubber to provide continuous outsole coverage.
The forefoot should be flexible or have a rocker: Another aspect of walking is that the foot flexes more gradually than running. Hence, a stiff midsole is likely to tire the foot faster than a flexible kind – unless the midsole has a rocker shape that allows quick roll-offs.
The shoe should have ample cushioning: If you’re going to spend long hours on your feet, the midsole needs to be comfortable.
Now, ‘cushioning’ isn’t to be conflated with softness. A shoe can be cushioned without being mushy; an overly soft shoe creates more work for your muscles and could result in tiredness.
A cushioned running shoe is usually a good walking shoe. Pictured here is the cushioned and supportive Nike Invincible 3.
The Nike Invincible 3 features on this guide because it is very soft without being mushy – the inherent responsiveness is the antidote to the ultra-soft ride.
The upper should fit and breathe well: This one’s a non-negotiable. A shoe that is either too tight or too loose is not suitable for walking. Just like running, the foot swells during long-distance walking, so there needs to be enough room for the toes to splay. Conversely, a loose upper may cause blisters if the foot slides inside the shoe.
The choice of socks is important for long walks. Avoid thick and loose-fitting socks that can gather under the foot and cause blisters. Invest in a pair of moisture-wicking socks that fit well. Most running socks match this description.