How to choose walking shoes

February 19, 2026 | 4 min. read By Brooks Staff

Whether you’re commuting to work or going on a walking city trip, walking outside gives you a breath of fresh air, a mental health boost, and an easy way to get your steps in.

However, the right shoes can make or break your walk. Shoes that don’t fit well could leave you feeling in pain, experiencing injuries, with blisters that could impact your foot health.

Here, we’ll go through everything you need to consider when choosing your ideal pair of walking shoes.

What shoes are best for walking?

When choosing walking shoes, fit, stability and comfort are key factors to consider. An ideal pair of shoes should offer good support, be stable when you walk, and well-cushioned to support your foot.

The right shoes also depend on what kind walking you’ll be doing. For example, shorter, more casual walking may require a more flexible shoe that offers you comfort over anything else. Meanwhile, you may find that more supportive shoes with extra cushioning are ideal for longer, more intense walks.

Why does shoe choice matter?

Whether you’re taking 2,000 steps a day or 10,000, shoe choice can make a huge difference in your overall comfort. The best walking shoes provide plush cushioning and support, which is especially important when navigating city terrain that can vary from smooth sidewalks to uneven pavement or cobblestone streets. Shoes can affect posture and overall walking mechanics, influencing long-term joint health. Style can also be a factor, as certain events and outfits call for specific footwear to complete the look.

Ultimately, selecting the best shoes for walking ensures a pleasant, pain-free experience and allows you to focus on enjoying your journey, whether it’s part of your commute, a dedicated workout, or a casual evening stroll.

What should you look for in a walking shoe?

Depending on your overall health and posture, there are a few things to consider when choosing your walking shoes.

Supination gait

If you show signs of supination, you’ll notice that your feet lean outwards and away from each other. This can add unnecessary strain on your knees as well as on the outside edges of the feet. If you’re a supinator, you should look for shoes that fit properly, add cushioning (but not too much) and provide sufficient ankle support. Running shoes for supination can make ideal walking shoes if you need them.

Pronation gait

The opposite of supination, pronation is where your feet lean inwards and towards each other. If left untreated, you could cause unnecessary damage to your muscles and posture, even when walking. Overpronation running shoes can be best, offering support and cushioning where you need it most.

Neutral gait

If you have a neutral gait, this means that your ankles roll neither inwards nor outwards, instead landing straight with even pressure all around your foot. Most walking shoes are ideal for a neutral gait, which means you’re in luck. Just find the style that you find most comfortable with – and the pair you like the look of the most.

Arch support

Shoes with a good arch support are best, regardless of your gait. Having solid arch support provides you with stability, shock absorption and helps prevent pain, which can help with your overall posture.

Having proper alignment with your feet is ideal for how your weight is distributed throughout the rest of your body, including your knees, hips, and spine. And having the right shoes affects your alignment, which is why it’s so important to have good support even with your walking shoes.

Heel drop

Your heel drop is the height difference between your shoes heel and forefoot. This has an impact on the position of your foot, and your overall posture. If you typically strike the floor with your heel, a higher drop (more than 10mm) can reduce any strain put on your calf. Meanwhile, a lower drop (less than 8mm) can encourage you to strike the floor in the middle of your foot.

While you can wear your running shoes for walking shoes, you may want to buy a dedicated pair to avoid wearing out your running trainers as quickly. If you want to buy the best pair for your feet, you can take our shoe finder quiz, or pop into store for a consultation with a gait specialist.

Disclaimer: Our writer's advice is intended for informational or general educational purposes only. We always encourage you to speak with your physician or healthcare provider before making any adjustments to your running, nutrition, or fitness routines.