Our top pick: Brooks Ghost Max 2

Brooks Ghost Max 2

The roomy fit, supportive midsole, soft cushioning, and the full-contact outsole makes the Brooks Ghost Max 2 ideal for slow runs and walks.

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1. Read our detailed review of the Brooks Ghost Max 2 here.

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?

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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.

Walking shoe with a bouncy rocker

Nike Vomero 18

The bouncy ride, deep cushioning, and midsole rocker makes long walks easy.

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1. Read our detailed review of the Nike Vomero 18 here.

We’ve been doing quite a bit of walking in the new Vomero 18 lately, so you can have it on good authority that it is a great walking shoe. The set of features that make the Vomero a versatile running shoe also help when walking.

Let’s begin with the midsole stack. The cushioning is powered by a 44 mm thick heel and a 34 mm tall forefoot.

The high heel-to-toe offset of 10 mm also helps with walking. Unlike running, walking always involves heel-first contact.

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It’s not just about how tall the midsole is, but how it behaves under the foot. Nike uses a rubbery and supportive ReactX foam base with a softer ZoomX on top.

The ReactX part of the midsole acts as a frame to guide the transitions, while the ZoomX layer and foam footbed provide step-in comfort.

The Vomero has a noticeably bouncy ride. The React-ZoomX blend is springy, with some help from the deep groove under the heel. It acts as a trampoline when loaded, resulting in a sense of springiness. This cavity also helps center the weight during walking.

The bouncy heel is paired with a rocker-shaped forefoot. Roll-offs come naturally, courtesy of the rocker midsole. That way, the foot doesn’t have to work hard to push through the forefoot; the stiffness complements the rocker.

The Vomero 18 is generously cushioned for walks, long and short. The plush and accommodating upper pairs well with the comfortable ride. We wish the Vomero 18 is soon available in a leather upper (like the Ghost Max) or at least an all-black color.

Additional widths were unavailable at the time of publishing.

Lightweight walking shoe

Asics Cumulus 27

The lightweight Cumulus 27 offers a cushioned and supportive ride experience during walks.

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1. Read our detailed review of the Asics Cumulus 27 here.

The supportive and lightweight cushioning makes the Cumulus a good walking shoe. The supportive and lightweight cushioning makes it a good walking shoe. To add, step-in comfort is available closer to the foot, thanks to the OrthoLite insole and cushy FlyteFoam midsole.

Last year, the Cumulus switched to a rubber-free outsole. Since the Cumulus 26, 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 than prior models.

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At walking speeds, the Cumulus offers better stability than the Asics Nimbus 27 and Brooks Glycerin 22. On the flip side, the rubber-free outsole doesn’t grip as well as the Nimbus and Glycerin do.

he upper has more room than comparable neutral trainers like the Brooks Ghost and Nike Pegasus, which helps with the interior comfort.

Max cushioning for walking

New Balance 1080V14

If you’re looking for a soft walking shoe, it’s hard to go wrong with the plush 1080.

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1. Read our detailed review of the New Balance 1080v14 here.

If your idea of a walk involves superior midsole plushness, then you’ll probably take to the Fresh Foam 1080 V14.

The 1080V14’s midsole is deeply cushioned with decent levels of stability – these are good things to have in a walking shoe.

It’s not mushy though, and it’s bouncier than the last time. Purely from a walking use-case viewpoint, the 1080V14 is a noticeable upgrade from the 1080V13. The snugger (and slightly elastic) upper locks the foot for a better rocker motion.

The v14's 'heel spring' or bevel is higher than the norm, so there's not enough real estate available during heel landings.

The 1080v14 has a stronger 'rocker' effect.

The larger and stiffer outsole lugs alter the 1080's ride dynamics.

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The outsole geometry also enhances the overall cushioning. The blown rubber forefoot is both soft and grooved for gentle transitions during the walking gait cycle.

The outsole has an excellent grip, and the wide forefoot and heel create a planted feel during walks.

The upper fits narrower than the 1080V13, so if you want more room, consider getting the 2E (wide) or 4E (extra-wide) version.

The tighter fit makes the 1080V14 more engaging by establishing a stronger connection between the foot and the midsole. It also improves the rocker effect through better fit security.

Soft cushioning for walking

adidas Ultraboost 5X

The thick Boost midsole, full-contact Continental outsole, and reflective stretch upper make the Ultraboost 5X a comfortable walking shoe.

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1. Read our detailed review of the adidas Ultraboost 5X here.

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.

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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.

Supportive cushioning for walking

Hoka Bondi 9

The Hoka Bondi 9’s rocker midsole and cushioned ride makes it an ideal walking shoe.

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The Bondi 9 has a few updates, so we’ll quickly bring you up to speed. The midsole is softer and bouncier than the Bondi 7 and 8, and the upper fit is an improvement. The softer midsole also eliminates the pressure hot spot we experienced on the Bondi 8.

The softer mesh enhances comfort, and there’s a generous amount of padding in the tongue and heel.

It’s worth mentioning that the new Bondi lacks a tongue gusset, but adds more reflectivity over the heel. This update boosts the Bondi 9’s low-light visibility.

The Hoka Bondi 9 has a cushioned yet supportive midsole.

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What makes the Bondi 9 excellent for walking 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.

Unlike the Brooks Ghost Max 2, the Bondi 9 doesn’t use a high-performance foam material. Except for the added softness, the foam is similar to last year’s model.

The true-to-size upper has a plush and secure fit. The standard model has a narrow fit, so consider the optional wide and extra-wide sizes if you need more space for your toes.

Supportive cushioning for walking

Brooks Glycerin 22

The cushioned ride and full-contact outsole makes the Glycerin ideal for walking.

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Brooks sells a slip-on version of the Glycerin 22 with a ‘SE’ suffix. The casual SE upper looks better on a walking shoe, but the SE version isn’t widely available.

Both versions (lace-up and slip-on) use an identical midsole, so there’s no difference in the on-road performance.

New for the Glycerin 22 is the ‘DNA-Tuned’ midsole with a firmer forefoot. The rest of the midsole uses a softer DNA foam that makes walking comfortable. There’s a lot of it too; the heel and forefoot are 38 mm and 28 mm thick.

The plush footbed adds step-in comfort during walks. The wide base and raised midsole walls support the foot during the walking motion.

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The outsole isn’t one piece, but articulated for a smoother ride. At slow walking speeds, the independent rubber lugs enhance the cushioning experience. The outsole provides plenty of coverage and grip.

Unlike some running shoes, the Glycerin 22 lacks a rocker effect. If it’s any consolation, the firmer forefoot makes the roll-offs easier.

The upper fit is standard Brooks fare. The interiors have a roomier fit than the Glycerin 21 and has the plushness that walkers expect from a Brooks shoe. The new heel loop makes it easier to slip the shoe on.

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.