How we test running shoes
There are a lot of things we consider before we choose the best running shoes for walking. And to make sure we end up with the finest, we put them through a series of tests in our own RunRepeat testing lab. Here we do the following:
- Cut the shoes into several pieces to measure them via 30+ parameters, including flexibility, strength, cushion, and more
- Log 30-50 miles of running in various terrain and conditions
Take note that for all the shoes we test, we buy with our own money to avoid brand bias.
Best running shoes for walking overall
Adidas Ultraboost Light
89
Great!
What makes it the best?
The Adidas Ultraboost Light provides the ultimate overall walking experience from a running shoe. That’s because of its cloud-like comfort and cushioning, sock-like fit, and terrific durability, which set it apart from other running shoes when it comes to walking.
As great as the Ultraboost Light's boost midsole is for running, it might be even better for walking. With a softness of 15.5 HA, which is 36.7% softer than the average road running shoe, the Ultraboost Light delivered serious comfort during our casual strolls, not to mention a good amount of responsiveness. Moreover, the midsole is sufficiently cushioned in the heel. We measured its heel stack height at 30.1 mm, and it kept our feet well-protected with each step.
Meanwhile, the sock-like upper held our feet perfectly in place for the duration of our walks. And that upper can also withstand the wear and tear from miles of walking. It did brilliantly in our toebox and heel padding durability tests, scoring 4 and 5 out of 5, respectively, with 5 being the most durable.
However, the Ultraboost Light's traction is suspect on wet surfaces. We found the grip to be lacking on a damp patch of cobblestone, so be cautious while walking on wet spots.
Pros
- Cushy and responsive ride
- Good for easy runs and long distances
- Ideal for heel strikers
- Suitable for wide feet
- Effective stability elements for mild pronation
- Snug and secure lockdown
- Durable toebox and heel
- Outsole built to last
- Ready for winter runs
- Works as a comfy walking shoe
- Sustainably designed upper
Cons
- Thin forefoot cushioning
- Could be lighter
- Slippery on wet surfaces
- Not for speedwork
- Average at best breathability
Full review of Adidas Ultraboost Light
Best stability running shoes for walking
Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23
87
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What makes it the best?
The Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23 is our clear top pick for the best stability shoe for walking. It has an impressive level of cushioning, comfort, and breathability, which other stability shoes just can't compete with.
Rock-solid stability is the Adrenaline GTS 23’s big claim to fame, and with good reason. Its guide rails on both sides of the shoe did a fantastic job of helping prevent our feet from making excess movements. And the wide landing platform provided additional stability and gives us more confidence on each step. We measured the forefoot midsole's forefoot and heel width to be 4.5 mm and 7 mm wider than average.
The Adrenaline GTS 23 shoe doesn't sacrifice stability for comfort, though. We felt the shoe had a good blend of softness and stability during extended walks. And our durometer confirmed the midsole foam was indeed nicely balanced with a softness of 19.5 HA, which is 20% softer than the average running shoe.
But perhaps the Adrenaline GTS 23’s standout feature is its exceptional breathability. We gave it a perfect 5 out of 5 in our breathability test as the smoke we pumped in almost instantly escaped through the large ventilation holes in the upper. And our feet were kept capably cool on our walks thanks to that breathable upper.
Unfortunately, that upper lacks durability, particularly in the toebox. The mesh material was significantly damaged we put a Dremel to it, which is why it scored a lowly 1 out of 5. So for those looking for a walking shoe that has more durability, look elsewhere.
Pros
- Excellent stability without being intrusive
- Ideal for easy miles
- Specifically designed for heel strikers
- Outstanding breathability
- Comfortable and cushioned
- Availability in narrow and wide sizes
- Capable of handling tempo paces
- Not expensive at all
Cons
- The engineered mesh upper lacks durability
- Lacks cushion for forefoot strikers
Full review of Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23
Running shoes for walking with the best cushioning
ASICS Gel Nimbus 26
83
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What makes it the best?
The ASICS Nimbus 26 is a testament to the Japanese kaizen philosophy, building on the solid foundation of its predecessor to enhance almost every aspect that needed improvement. In our lab tests, we were delighted to find a more breathable upper and an expanded toebox, ensuring comfort during our runs. The shoe also maintains its signature plush cushioning and premium feel throughout. However, we still noted its heft and the slim tongue—areas we hope will see enhancements in future iterations.
Pros
- Premium all-around comfort
- Enhanced toebox design
- Exceptional durability
- Best-in-series outsole
- Ideal for long distances
- Superb knit upper
- Surprisingly stable
- A dream for heel strikers
Cons
- Increased weight
- Limited energy return
- Tongue lacks padding
Full review of ASICS Gel Nimbus 26
Best trail running shoes for walking
Nike Pegasus Trail 4
88
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What makes it the best?
The Nike React Pegasus Trail 4 is the perfect trail shoe to use for walking thanks to its impressive lightness, outstanding comfort, and great grip for both roads and trails.
The Pegasus Trail 4 is feather-light on feet. It weighs just 9.59 oz (272g), which is 0.8 oz (23g) lighter than the typical trail shoe. That significantly reduced weight makes it significantly easier to pick up our feet on our trail walks.
Meanwhile, the cushioned and responsive React midsole makes it a real treat to walk on, not only on trails but also on roads. There is 12% more stack height in the heel, while the midsole, which is 24% firmer than average, has the right amount of responsiveness on hard surfaces.
We also found the grip to be great for a road-to-trail shoe. Its updated tread pattern, which features three different types of lugs, works especially well while walking on hard-packed and gravely trails.
However, the Pegasus Trail 4 lacks the traction for the most challenging terrain. With its average 3.4 mm lugs, we do not recommend this shoe for walking on soggy or muddy trails.
Pros
- Efficient road-to-trail
- Well-cushioned
- Stable ride
- Excellent, secure fit
- Very breathable
- Great traction
- Unexpectedly light
- Reasonably priced
Cons
- Not for muddy areas
- Not for wide feet
- Could be more stylish
Full review of Nike Pegasus Trail 4
Best lightweight running shoes for walking
Hoka Clifton 9
86
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What makes it the best?
Among all the daily trainers out there, the Hoka Clifton 9 is clearly the best choice for walking. That’s because of its light weight, soft and energetic midsole cushioning, and great fit, which other daily trainers just can’t compete with.
The Clifton 9 is among the lighter daily trainers around at just 8.78 oz (249g). That's a good 1.3 oz (38g) lighter than the average daily trainer, and it sure felt that way as we hardly had to exert much effort lifting our feet while walking.
And the overall walking experience is made all the more enjoyable by its fantastic midsole foam. Not only is it 16.7% softer than the average road running shoe, but it is also more responsive. There is also a good amount of cushioning, especially in the forefoot, which has 2.4 mm more stack height.
The fit of the upper is excellent, with the semi-gusseted tongue providing a secure lockdown. The tongue, which we measured to be 0.8 mm thicker, and the heel collar are also generously padded and add to the comfortably snug fit.
But the Clifton 9 is not quite wide-foot friendly as its toebox width at the widest part and at the big toe are 2.1 mm and 1.8 mm narrower than average, respectively. However, Hoka does offer a wider option of the shoe.
Pros
- Thicker and more energetic midsole cushioning
- Lighter than the v8
- Easy on the knees
- Durable upper
- Available in wide
- Good traction on roads and mild trails
- Mild, unobtrusive stability elements
- Can handle faster paces better than previous editions
- Best for easy days and long runs
Cons
- Narrow fit
- Upper needs some time to break in
- Average breathability
Full review of Hoka Clifton 9
Best budget running shoes for walking
Adidas Duramo 10
84
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What makes it the best?
Among the many budget running shoes out there, we found the Adidas Duramo 10 to be the best of the bunch for walking. As our lab and run tests showed, the Duramo 10 has impressive cushioning, as well as a soft and breathable upper, making it an absolute delight to walk in.
At $65, the Duramo is the definition of a budget shoe. It's twice as cheap as the average road running shoe, which costs $132. But this cheap shoe certainly doesn't skimp on comfort. Its midsole is 11% softer than average, which provides a lot of underfoot comfort even after long hours of wearing the shoe.
The upper also plays a big part in making this budget shoe so comfortable to wear. We found the upper to be very soft on the skin and didn't cause any irritation. Moreover, the upper was quite light and breathable. Plenty of light passed through the material in our breathability test, and it did a fine job of keeping our feet cool even as we walked in the heat.
The Duramo 10's big drawback is that it does get significantly stiff in the cold. Its stiffness on our 90 degree bend test changed by 85% after 20 minutes in the freezer, which made it become 39.6% stiffer than the average road running shoe in the cold.
Pros
- Comfy for all-day wear
- Lightweight for its kind
- Stable even during sharp turns
- Breezy on warm days
- Perfect for beginners
- Can handle gym training
- Durable for the price
- Soft upper
- Affordable
- Eco-friendly upper
Cons
- Break-in period for wide feet
- Lacks spring for fast runs
Full review of Adidas Duramo 10
Running shoes for walking with the best comfort
Brooks Ghost 15
89
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What makes it the best?
Slipping our feet in the Ghost 15 has a similar homey feeling to tucking ourselves under a blanket and lying on our soft pillow and bed. It’s all about exceptional comfort, freedom of movement and a protective outsole — making it our most comfortable walking-running pair.
Our durometer confirms its velvety touch, measuring 33.5% softer than average. Its heel measures 36.3 mm, 2.9 mm higher than average. This makes it more suitable for walking since most naturally land heel-first. Its forefoot falls slightly below average, resulting in a heel-to-toe drop of 13.2 mm (vs. the 8.8 mm average). The top of our foot is hugged by a tongue that’s 96.6% thicker than average.
Our movements feel natural with the unopposing midsole. Our flex test shows it's 40.3% more flexible than average, explaining why it’s easy for us to move. This makes us feel more relaxed when taking our strolls.
Its outsole feels tough, looking new even after our test walks. Our durometer confirms the 84.4 HC rubber is harder — and therefore more durable — than the 80.0 HC average.
Its focus on padding tipped the scales. At 9.8 oz (279g), it’s heavier than the 9.5 oz (268g) average.
Pros
- Supreme comfort
- Plush, stable ride that's a delight
- Optimized for heel strikers
- No heel slippage
- Great grip in wet conditions
- Built to endure countless miles
- Impressive value for $140
- Great for both running and walking
- Available in up to four different widths
Cons
- Slightly heavier than its predecessor
- Could use some improvements in breathability
- Not a good one for forefoot strikers
Full review of Brooks Ghost 15
Unsurprisingly, the best running shoes are also excellent walking shoes. Many essential shoe features remain unchanged, no matter your speed.
However, that doesn’t mean all running shoes are suitable for more pedestrian pursuits. And running shoes are increasingly designed around performance-oriented features, sometimes at the expense of their walking versatility.
Here is how to identify and choose among the best running shoes that are still fit for walking.
What makes a running shoe good for walking?
Whether you’re walking or running, the best shoes do the same things well: they are comfortable, durable, supportive, and (hopefully) stylish enough to be more versatile than your typical pair of running shoes.
Comfort
Adequate midsole cushioning, flexible and breathable upper construction, and ergonomic footbed design are nearly universal qualities of every great running shoe. These qualities make for the best walking shoes, too.
The most comfortable running shoes for walking tend to have average-to-high stack heights (midsole thickness). Low-stack (minimally cushioned) shoes provide ground contact and feel light and nimble, but are not very comfortable for walking or working on your feet.
The optimal heel stack height for a comfortable walking shoe ranges from 30 to 40 mm.
Durability
Durable running shoes are often even more durable when used as walking shoes. This is because walking creates significantly smaller impact forces than running, so it takes longer to compromise the material integrity of a shoe’s midsole foam. Compressed midsoles are what typically spell the end of a running shoe’s useful lifespan, as they will no longer absorb and distribute shocks effectively.
High-quality and durable running shoes last for at least 500 miles. If you use them mostly for walking, it is possible to double that mileage.
We also test the durability of each shoe's toebox and heel padding as well as the rubber outsole. Using a Dremel allows us to see how wear-resistant each of these shoe parts are.
Support
The support features you need depends on personal preferences and your unique biomechanics. Fortunately, the shape of your foot remains the same—whether you’re running or walking. If you need extra arch support or stability features to correct overpronation, you will benefit from wearing those supportive shoes for both running and walking.
Some of our favorite running shoes with arch support are Brooks with "GTS" in their names. GTS stands for "Go-To-Support." Another all-time favorite is the ASICS Gel Kayano series.
Style
Neon green and orange running shoes look slick if they’re paired with split shorts and a race bib. But they’re a little more conspicuous than desired for a casual weekend stroll through town. The best running shoes for walking tend to reign in the bright colorways in favor of more versatile styles.
The best running shoes for walking shoes to consider
In testing dozens of running shoes for comfort, support, style, and more, we identified the running shoes that best moonlight as reliable walking shoes. Here is a quick summary of what makes them exceptional.
Adidas Ultraboost | Cushioned Comfort Well-cushioned yet super responsive, the Ultraboosts are simply a joy to walk in. It is also supportive, stable, and built with durable outsoles and upper components. |
Brooks Adrenaline GTS | Stability Stand Out Brooks’ GTS guide rails arm the Adrenaline with outstanding stability characteristics. Further, its comfort, cushioning, and breathability outmatches most other running stability shoes. |
Asics Gel Nimbus | Plush Cushioned Cruiser The Gel Nimbus was designed to eat up easy miles and protect tired feet on recovery runs. It is also a maximum cushion, endlessly comfortable walking shoe. |
Nike React Pegasus Trail | Off Road Versatility The Pegasus Trail is a lightweight and comfortable trail running shoe. Smaller lugs make it perfect for hiking and trail running on dirt trails, but it is not too overbuilt for casual wear around town. |
Hoka Clifton | Do-it-all Daily Trainer Big on cushioning and comfort for long days on your feet, the Clifton is a classic daily training or work shoe. |
Adidas Duramo | Low-budget, High Performing The Adidas Duramo is comfortable, breathable, and provides impressive cushioning. It’s more than you’d expect for a shoe and an entry-level price point. |
Brooks Ghost | Lightweight All-Rounder The Ghost is Brooks’ eternally popular daily trainer. It is lightweight yet comfy and durable—a perfect all-round running and walking shoe for anyone who regularly does both. |
Running shoes for walking: features to avoid
Although similar in many ways, the biomechanics of a walking and running stride still have some remarkable differences. With innovations in shoe technology, designers are increasingly targeting the biomechanics of running specifically. As a result, many modern running shoes do have features that make them super-optimized for running but not ideal for walking.
Some features to avoid when choosing running shoes for walking include:
Carbon plates: High-end performance-oriented running shoes feature a thin carbon plate above the midsole. These ultralight plates maximize stride efficiency and encourage a quick heel-to-toe-off. It makes them a game-changing innovation for uptempo running, but the propulsive effects are actually a bad thing for walking due to the biomechanical movement changes they encourage.
The black piece inside the white foam is the carbon plate
Aggressive rocker designs: Running shoe insoles have a rockered shape to encourage an efficient and propulsive stride. Rockered insoles that are particularly stiff and aggressive may feel awkward while walking.
Advanced PEBA-based foams: PEBA (polyether block amide)-based foams are used in many running shoes marketed for race day or uptempo training sessions. They are light, stiff, and bouncy to encourage optimal running efficiency. While helpful for chasing a marathon PR, this efficiency is unnecessary for walking. Stiff foam midsoles like this create greater instability and are less suitable for slower paces and walking gaits.
FAQs
What are the best running shoes for walking?
The best walking shoes for running are comfortable and breathable, with moderate midsole thickness and excellent durability. The Adidas Ultraboost Light is our overall favorite walking shoe for running.
Can I use trail running shoes for walking?
Trail running shoes can make for excellent walking shoes, especially if you are walking primarily on natural surfaces. Indeed, many hikers and backpackers now prefer the comfort, breathability, and traction of trail running shoes over heavy and clumsy hiking boots.
Are low-drop running shoes appropriate for walking?
Low-drop running shoes can be good for walking, but like most things, it depends on your stride and personal preferences. Higher drop (10-12mm) shoes encourage heel striking, which puts more strain on the knees and hips, but less on the calves and feet muscles. Low-drop (0-6mm) shoes do the opposite.