Nat Geo Staff Ranks Top 8 BEST Walking Shoes for Men and Women | National Geographic

Heyo! I’m Starlight Williams, a digital editor at National Geographic and your go-to gal for information you didn’t know you needed. Today I’m teaming up with my fellow walking aficionado, Ruben Rodriguez Perez, to talk to you about our picks for the best walking shoes for both men and women. And I love an excuse to deep dive, and I got to learn a lot about walking shoes for this. I’ll cover the glows (what I love) and the grows (things that weren’t bad but just didn’t quite work for me). And I’ll share my pros and cons, so take what you need and leave what you don’t. Let’s lace up and dive in.

First up, our pick for best overall walking shoe for women: the Brooks Ghost 15.

Glows
These bad boys are like walking on clouds, with enough bounce to make Tigger jealous. With widths ranging from narrow to extra wide, it’s a match made in shoe heaven for every foot size and shape. It’s certified carbon-neutral through the Climate Impact Partners, and it has the American Podiatric Medical Association’s Seal of Acceptance, making it a guilt-free choice for both your feet and the planet. It provides neutral support while offering you some stability for those who overpronate. So it should be a comfortable walking experience for various foot types.

Grows
Some may find the large heel drop noticeable, though it’s not significant for most walkers. While it may feel like walking on a cloud, it’s definitely not light like one, at a whopping 9.1 ounces. That’s half a pound.

Our pick for the best overall walking shoe for men is the On Cloudaway, and it hits a lot of the things I’m looking for in a walking shoe. I want something I can take easily on and off and that’s also snug and presentable. It looks like a futuristic dad shoe. Yeah, you’re not wrong. That’s pretty good.

Pros
So something I really liked about the On Cloudaway was the double loop. You can easily pull on both ends and pull your shoe in. They definitely feel versatile enough to be taken on a long day of travel or going on a quick run. And its CloudTec technology helps adapt to where you move. But my favorite part is actually at the bottom of the shoe. Not only does it provide great traction but it’s actually a topographical map of Engadine Valley in Switzerland, where the company is based. That’s wild. Pretty nerdy Nat Geo moment.

Cons
And although I did really like the single-toggle elastic laces, they don’t go all the way down, so I wasn’t able to get as tight of a fit as I wanted.

Next, our pick for the best women’s walking shoe for arch support is the Hoka Bondi 8. Y’all, I love these shoes. It’s like having a personal foot massage with every step.

Glows
I felt like they had great shock absorption, reducing impact and minimizing fatigue during extended walks. And like the Ghost 15, the Bondi 8 has the American Podiatric Medical Association Seal of Acceptance.

Grows
Some might find the shoe bulkier compared to other walking shoes, which can affect the overall aesthetic and feel. And if you have wider feet like me, the toe box might be a little bit too tight. And if you’re frugal like me, these might not be the shoes for you. $160 for shoes hurts me.

Our pick for the men’s best walking shoes for arch support is the Hoka Arahi 7. And my review is very similar to Starlight’s.

Pros
They really supported my arches as I walked. I definitely felt an upward bounce in the middle of the shoe, right here. I also really like how the heel counter feels solid and makes it easier to slip on the shoe, but it also doesn’t push into your Achilles.

Cons
So just like the Hoka Bondi 8s, these shoes felt a bit narrow, but they do have wider options available. They also felt pretty tall, more so than the average walking shoe I’ve ever experienced. I think that would work well in a scenario where you’re mostly moving in straight lines, but it wouldn’t feel super comfortable doing activities that require lateral movements.

Ruben: What kind of lateral movements are you doing?

Starlight: Oh. That’s a good question. So, for example, if you're trying to dodge a person or a dog, because of the height maybe it wasn’t best for that.

Ruben: Got it. OK.

Our pick for the best slip-on shoe for women is the On Cloud 5.

Glows
Weighing at only 7 ounces, these shoes are incredibly light, perfect for travelers and those on the go. And if you’re in your hot-girl walk era like me, these shoes feature a breathable mesh that’s antimicrobial and odor-reducing, ideal for long summer strolls. The rocker sole design helps reduce energy needed for each step, providing a smooth walking experience. Not saying that I can’t, but if tying shoes happened to be the bane of my existence—and something I still struggle with in my late 20s—I would say that the On Cloud 5’s convenient speed-lacing system is perf, since it allows for quick and easy on and off. There are traditional laces for those of you who graduated beyond the bunny ear method.

Ruben: What method do you use to tie your shoes?

Starlight: I don’t know. I learned it in Spanish, so...

Ruben: Fair. Fair, fair, fair.

Grows
The Cloud 5 tends to have a narrow fit, which is a no-go for me and my friends with wider feet. And just like the men’s, I feel like these look like a futuristic mom shoe.

Our pick for the best slip-on walking shoes for men: the Kizik Athens Slip-On Sneakers. So when I’m looking for a slip-on shoe, I’m typically looking for something that’s going to be very easy to put on while I’m at the door, trying to wrangle my dogs to go out for a walk. If it also looks slightly more fashionable, even better.

Ruben: What are the dogs’ names?

Starlight: Tzatziki and Yuca.

Ruben: Ahh! OK.

Pros
So this is what they call the cage. You can tell that this part is pretty hardy, and whenever you push your foot in, it bends. And as soon as your heel is past this point, it’ll pop back into place. That’s really cool, actually. Some of their designs only have laces for aesthetic purposes, but some models, like this one, you can actually tighten your fit a bit more.

Cons
They’re still slip-on shoes, so even when I tightened the laces as much as I could, they still didn’t feel very snug. I wouldn’t plan on using them for anything more than a fast walk.

Our pick for the best women’s shoes for plantar fasciitis are the OOFOS OOmg Sport. Y’all, I’m from the you-need-a-car-to-get-around south. So when I moved to the walking city of D.C., my toe beans suffered from the worst case of plantar fasciitis. These shoes could have been my hero if I knew about them back then.

Glows
According to the manufacturer, its OOfoam technology absorbs 37 percent more impact than traditional foam, reducing strain on your body. The lace-free design is a dream for anyone with mobility issues or for those who aren’t thrilled with the concept of shoe tying. We love a shoe that’s machine washable and easy to clean, ensuring they stay fresh and hygienic, even after rigorous use.

Grows
Some reviewers have noted that these soles wear out faster than expected, suggesting they could be more durable. And I wouldn’t say these are the cutest shoes on the block, more practical than fashionable.

Our pick for the best waterproof walking shoes for men: the Teva Omnium 2 Hybrid Hiking Water Shoe. So I’ve been used to wearing cheap Velcro sandals when I go to the beach with my family. They’re great for getting in and out of the water, avoiding hot sand, walking over rocks. But also in case you step on a sea urchin.

Ruben: Ouch! Yes.

Pros
The Tevas definitely felt different. They feel like a sturdy, durable shoe rather than a sandal. Which is great if you’re hoping to get a pair that will grant you a bit more protection and might last you more than a handful of outdoor adventures. I liked all the different Velcro options. On the top, on the back, and that you can also tug on the elastic laces to make it even more snug. It also has a nice buckle you can easily clip on and off while keeping your preferred fit. I really like their Rugged Spider Rubber outsole, which offers a bit more traction and stability.

Cons
I did feel like the fit was a bit wide and loose. I adjusted the Velcros and elastic laces, but they still didn’t feel quite snug enough, which would be more of a problem if I was hiking or walking in the water.

That’s all for today. Don’t forget to check out the full article and find all the links to the gear featured in this video in the description. And, hey, if you got a favorite pair that didn’t make the list, drop us a comment below. We love to hear about your favorite walking shoe.

These shoes feature a breathable mesh, which blah blah blah dah gop badoop bup bah. Is a Hoka Harahi 7 Hoka! Hot-girl walk. It’s a hot-girl walk. It’s a hot-girl summer. It’s hot girl.

Ruben: OK. You want me to just go squish? Or you want to go squish?

Starlight: Yeah, he did a little spin thing. If you could master that...

Ruben: Oh no. I was just—

Starlight: Oh! Going to ask, like, which direction do you want me to like—

Ruben: It looked like it was a little twirl. That’s why I was like oh.

Starlight: Yes! Own that! That was cool!