Best Walking Shoes for Women 2022

So it’s 2022 and you want to start walking to get in better shape, lose weight or eventually start running. Welcome to the team! If you’re reading this, chances are you’re looking for the best pair of walking shoes to get on your way.

Walking is one of the simplest things you can do to improve your overall health and well being. It can reduce cardiac risk factors such as high cholesterol, blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, vascular stiffness, inflammation and mental stress. It’s also easy to do from anywhere and fun to do with friends and loved ones—including the dog. Who doesn’t love a good stroll through the park?

If your goal is to eventually start running as well, using a hybrid walking routine like the run-walk method is a great way to safely build your stamina and endurance.

So where do you start?

Learning how to start walking for exercise begins with finding the right pair of shoes to slip into and lace up. You want to choose a pair that are comfortable, stable, and fit securely on your foot and heel with about a thumb’s width of space between the end of your longest toe and the end of the shoe.

Don’t worry if you can’t find walking-specific shoes that work for you—you can also use running shoes for walking.

If you want help with your walking journey, or even just some walking buddies, there are many Fleet Feet stores around the country that have walking or walk-to-run programs. Find a training program near you.

To help you take your first steps, literally, and build a lasting habit around walking, we’ve put together a list of the 10 best women’s walking shoes of 2022 (so far):

• HOKA ONE ONE Bondi SR
• New Balance 840 v5
• ASICS GEL-Kayano 29
• On Cloud 5
• Saucony Triumph 19
• Karhu Ikoni
• Mizuno Wave Rider 25
• Altra Torin 6
• Diadora Mythos Blushield Vortice 7

[This article is part of the Fleet Feet Buyer's Guide for The Best Running Shoes 2022. Find all the best running shoes from the top brands for all situations.]

Whether you're walking or working, the HOKA ONE ONE Bondi SR is one of the most comfortable shoes around.

The women’s Bondi SR sits atop a plush EVA foam midsole that provides a ton of soft cushioning for long walks or long shifts on your feet. HOKA’s oversized midsole ensures you’ll be comfortable from the first step of your walk to the last.

Designers draped the Bondi in a full-grain leather upper for a premium look and feel, and they only used one color so it blends in at work. Plus, HOKA included a slip-resistant (and non-marking) outsole and tread to make it safer for slick surfaces, like in restaurant kitchens or hospitals.

Want a sportier look? The standard women's HOKA Bondi 7 gives you the same cushioning without the slip-resistant outsole.

The women’s New Balance 840 v5 is one of the best women’s walking shoes because it delivers confident footing and comfortable performance.

New Balance used its Abzorb cushioning to soften the feel, which makes a well-cushioned underfoot experience, even when traversing over hard surfaces. The outsole of the shoe has a full blown rubber outsole, which makes it more durable and increases the traction.

With a stylish engineered mesh upper, the breathable New Balance 840 v5 shoes will keep you moving forward.

The ASICS GEL-Kayano 29 is one of the best stability shoes that can handle endless evening strolls and long walks on the weekend.

Squishy GEL pads positioned underneath your heel and forefoot absorb the shock from the pavement while ASICS FF BLAST PLUS foam keeps the shoe lightweight for an easy and smooth ride.

We like the GEL-Kayano for walking because of its high cushioning and medial posting underneath the arch that helps overpronators and low-arched feet stay on the straight and narrow during your walks.

The Cloud 5 is one of On’s best-selling shoes because it’s cushioned, comfortable and stylish, making it a great shoe for exercise or walking around town.

On built the Cloud with its signature CloudTec technology that uses geometry to help cushion the ride. The pods that create the Cloud’s midsole are called Cloud elements; each element collapses when your foot lands and springs back into shape when you take off to give you a responsive feel. On re-configured the latest version of the Cloud to feel even better underfoot and improve the fit.

The minimalist aesthetic and meticulous details look as good on your morning walk as they do when you’re out for dinner.

Read more: On Cloud 5 review.

Stylish and comfy, the Saucony Triumph 19 is one of our top picks for long walks and days spent on our feet.

The Triumph 19’s PWRRUN+ midsole foam is super soft and bouncy giving you a classic pep in your step that Saucony has become known for. Built to withstand heavy mileage from running, this shoe also has a durable rubber outsole that will hold up to your walks on gravel and pavement.

The upper mesh and laces feel plush and premium when you slip the shoe on, and Saucony revamped the upper using lightweight and breathable recycled materials, so you can be light on your feet and light on the planet.

The Karhu Ikoni shines as one of the best women’s walking shoes because of its incredible fit and smooth ride.

Super-lightweight Aerofoam cushioning helps absorb the impact of walking on hard pavement and gives you a plush ride on long walks. Plus, a Fulcrum unit positioned underneath your midfoot gives a sensation of light arch support and propels your foot forward effortlessly.

Shaped using millions of 3D foot scans taken during Fleet Feet’s fit id® outfitting process, the Ikoni practically feels custom made and fits a wide variety of foot shapes making it one of the best women’s walking shoes.

The Mizuno Wave Rider 25 enjoys long walks down country roads and afternoon strolls in the park.

In our review of the Wave Rider 25, Fleet Feet testers liked its stable and energizing feel during their walks and runs.

Mizuno’s classic Wave Plate compresses as your heel strikes the road and rolls your foot forward for a smooth stride. This combined with pillowy-soft Enerzy foam gives you cushioned protection from the pavement and a responsive ride.

You can walk endless miles in the Wave Rider thanks to a durable X10 rubber outsole and a breathable mesh upper that doesn’t rub the outer edges of your foot.

Comfortable and supportive enough to handle your daily walks or long hours on your feet, the Mizuno Wave Rider 25 will keep you out on the road.

Pillowy and light, the Altra Torin 6 is a great shoe for daily walking and can easily transition into your running shoe if you begin to use a run/walk method.

For walks on hard pavement or even during a quick gym session, the Torin 6’s plush cushion and confident grip feel energetic and responsive. The 0 mm heel-to-toe drop helps the shoe feel natural with each step, and a gloriously wide FootShaped toe box keeps your feet comfortable all day long.

The perfect blend of cushion and extra toe space makes the Altra Torin 6 popular, not just with walkers and runners but with those who work on their feet for long hours. If you have a wider forefoot or like to wear thicker socks, the Altra Torin 6 is an excellent pick for your neighborhood strolls and long walks with friends.

We love walking in the Diadora Mythos Blushield Vortice 7 because of its unique fit and cushioned ride.

The midsole uses a super-soft lightweight EVA foam that feels bouncy and soft while a medial stabilizer on the inside of the shoe gives you premium arch support, stability and shock absorption.

An updated air mesh upper is breathable and wraps around your foot, but is also stylish to wear while touring your favorite city. Plus, the Vortice uses Diadora’s Blushield technology to help minimize asymmetrical foot placement and encourage a more dynamic, balanced gait. So your stride will feel smooth and easy.

How We Picked the Best Women’s Walking Shoes

We used data from our fit id® outfitting process, interviews with designers and real-life wear testing to determine the best women’s walking shoes for most people.

Standing Behind Our Picks

You can shop with confidence at Fleet Feet: We offer free shipping on all orders over $99, and our return policy means you have 60 days to return any gear if you don’t like the way it looks, fits or feels. Plus, with our price-match guarantee, you can make sure you never pay too much for a new pair of running shoes.