The Best Walking Shoes for Men: What’s Right for Your Feet?

There’s no better way to look after your health than by taking regular walks. Unfortunately, your feet might disagree, as there’s a whole bunch of things that can go wrong with those sweaty leg-hands of yours. To take care of them, make sure you’re wearing the right shoes when you head outside. (Surprisingly, your favorite running shoes or tennis shoes may not be the best fit for this activity.) Not sure where to start? Take a stroll through our picks for the best walking shoes for men to find the right pair for you.

Our top picks for the best walking shoes for men

What to consider when buying walking shoes for men

“There are several things to keep in mind when buying walking shoes, the most important being fit,” says Dr. Mauricio Garcia, orthopedic surgeon and senior project manager for Hyper Arch Motion. “Walking shoes should have a snug fit in the heel and midfoot for stability, and a wider toe box to allow toes to spread naturally. This keeps feet from rubbing and/or slipping and helps prevent painful problems like sores or blisters, as well as potential injuries. Adequate arch support and cushioning are also important components of walking shoes that buyers should consider.”

“One of the biggest considerations that many people forget about is the terrain you’re going to be walking on,” says Armstrong. “Not just whether it’s rock, sand, gravel, or concrete, but also the incline, decline, and general evenness of the walking surface. This can greatly influence which shoes you choose to buy and wear on a particular day. In my running days I had eight to ten pairs of different runners, but now I have four or five different walking shoes, each for specific terrain and duration/distance.”

Another interesting tip comes from Blake Dircksen PT, DPT, CSCS, owner of Blake Dircksen Physical Therapy. “Aim to buy shoes at the end of the day,” he says. “Over the course of the day, our feet will swell and actually grow in size compared to the beginning of the day. So to ensure a proper fit, make sure you've got some steps on your feet first.” In terms of the fit, he suggests that you should, “Make sure the shoe is wide enough and long enough. You should have about a thumb’s width of space between the longest toe and the front of the shoe. As for width, take the insole of the shoe out and step on it. If your foot is spilling over the insole, you may want to consider a wider width.”

If you’re not shopping solo, know that the same advice applies for finding the best walking shoes for women—and comes in handy for finding the best running shoes fit-wise.

How we chose the best walking shoes for men

We made our selections through a combination of expert advice, thorough research, and ensuring that all our picks had majority positive customer reviews.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Which footwear is best for walking?

“My best answer is, not running shoes!” says Armstrong. “A normal, decent pair of running shoes puts your body at a slightly forward tilt from the heel, which is ideal for a fast running gait but not ideal for walking or hiking. Walking shoes should be ‘WTF’—wide, thin, and flat. The thin part of the equation is negotiable if you’re on very rocky terrain or hiking very long distances, but I would still choose wide and flat.”

“It shouldn’t be a surprise that the best footwear for walking is walking shoes,” says Garcia. “They’re specifically designed to provide the necessary support for walking through flexible soles, cushioned insoles, and sufficient arch support. Also, look for walking shoes made from a breathable material, like mesh, knit, or perforated leather, that promotes airflow to keep feet dry and comfortable.”

Are cushioned shoes better for walking?

“Cushioned shoes are good for walking, because cushioning plays an integral role in shock absorption and comfort, particularly over longer distances,” says Garcia. “It helps reduce strain on your joints when your foot comes into contact with the ground and works in tandem with the arch support in a shoe to keep feet, ankles, knees, and hips in the proper alignment. There is such a thing as too much cushioning, though, particularly in the heels: Shoes with more cushioning in the heels have a higher stack height (also known as a heel-to-toe drop) which changes where the force of the foot strike is felt and absorbed, and can lead to overuse injuries like shin splints and other foot problems.”

Regarding this last point, Dr. Pamela Mehta, MD, sports medicine and orthopedic doctor and medical advisor to The Good Feet Store, adds that, “There are studies that show highly cushioned shoes come with a higher vertical average load rate and vertical instantaneous loading rate—things that can cause overuse injuries like stress fractures and plantar fasciitis. Walking shoes should provide good arch support and have a moderate level of cushion.”

What type of shoes are best for walking on concrete all day?

“Concrete is unforgiving and can have a significant impact on your health, including sore feet, swollen legs, and back pain,” says Garcia. “If you’re walking on concrete all day, look for shoes with memory foam or gel insoles to provide some extra comfort. Because concrete has no give, your joints end up absorbing more of the impact than they would on other surfaces, so choose shoes with good arch support to help keep feet, ankles, knees, hips, and back in the best alignment possible.”

Does it matter what shoes you walk in?

“The simple answer is yes, it does matter what shoes you walk in, because things like distance, terrain, and purpose should all factor into the decision of what shoes to wear,” advises Garcia. “You want to pick shoes that will remain comfortable for the duration of your walk while also providing stability and support. The tread of your shoe should match the terrain and is particularly important when walking on trails or soft and/or wet surfaces, as incorrect footwear could lead to slips, falls, or serious injury.”

What is the difference between sneakers and walking shoes?

“Sneakers, or running shoes, are specifically engineered to withstand the impact and stress placed on the feet and legs during the running motion,” reiterates Garcia. “They have stiffer soles than walking shoes, which allows them to absorb more of the impact, and a thicker heel for more cushion. Sneakers also tend to be more lightweight, so as not to place additional strain on the feet and legs, and have extra support in the midsole and arch for stability.”