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Top 13 Amazon Walking Shoes For Women in 2023
Well-regarded brands such as OOFOS, Hoka, New Balance, and Asics are known for providing women with a blend of fashion, durability, and utility in walking and hiking shoes. These brands also address issues like pronation and plantar fasciitis.
Many individuals prioritize aesthetics over fit when purchasing walking shoes. Dr. Kenneth Cornell, a Texas-based podiatrist from Austin Regional Clinic, emphasizes the importance of high-quality footwear for women. These are crucial for comfort and preventing injuries during prolonged walking periods.
Cornell observes that women often choose various shoe styles that may lack support, including high or medium-heeled shoes, ballet flats, thin flip-flops, pointy footwear, and overly flexible shoes. These can lead to discomfort in the foot, leg, and back.
Therefore, incorporating a dependable walking shoe is essential.
According to Cornell, male shoes generally offer greater stability, arch support, and forefoot cushioning. Conversely, women's walking shoes are usually narrower and sleeker, with less motion control and forefoot padding.
Given these considerations, Cornell and other podiatrists shared their recommendations for the best walking shoes for women.
Our shoe recommendations were based on the following:
- Podiatrist Recommendations: We gathered advice from podiatrists regarding ideal walking shoes and their favored brands and models.
- Comfort and Durability: The shoes listed have received primarily positive customer feedback on comfort and durability.
- Purpose: We considered shoes suitable for a range of activities, from hiking to recovery footwear.
- Price: The selected shoes offer good value for money.
We also field-tested one pair of shoes (more on this later).
Here are the 14 top women's walking shoes, as recommended by podiatrists.
Best All-Rounder: Saucony Women's Triumph 19
Available in colors ranging from solid black and gray to vibrant pinks, oranges, and greens, these shoes ensure comfort during walks or runs, courtesy of their cushioned midsole and flexible, durable, and springy blown-rubber foam outsole.
Cornell recommends the Saucony Triumph 19 for its supportive design and comprehensive foot support and stability.
Best Walking Sandal: PowerStep Archwear Women's Sandals
Available in black, plum, brown, khaki, and teal, these sandals come with adequate arch support and forefoot cushioning. Unlike many sandals, these have built-in arch support and a cushioned midsole to help absorb impact. The lightweight treaded outsole offers superior traction, and the comfortable straps won't rub against your feet.
Best Slip-On: OOFOS Women's OOahh Luxe Recovery Sandal
These sandals are reputed for their cloud-like comfort, making them a popular choice among runners for post-marathon recovery. Dr. Daniel Pledger, a podiatrist and the founder of ePodiatrists, says these sandals are excellent for reducing foot and leg fatigue during walking due to their special shock-absorbing foam.
Best Lightweight: Brooks Women’s Adrenaline GTS 22
These versatile shoes can be used for walking and running. They feature a DNA Loft Crash Pad for cushioning with every step and the brand’s GuideRails holistic support system for comfort and reducing excess shin and heel rotation. According to Cornell, these shoes help maintain adequate foot motion control.
Best Budget: Ryka Women’s Devotion Plus 4
These affordable walking shoes feature a lightweight molded EVA foam midsole and a shock-absorbing platform. They are designed specifically for women's feet and come highly recommended by Dr. Pledger for their support and comfort.
Best Cushioned: New Balance Women’s 928 V3
For those seeking cushioning and stability, this model from New Balance offers an ABZORB midsole for shock absorption and a ROLLBAR stability post system to control rear-foot movement. These are great for people who are on their feet all day or who need a shoe for casual walking or hiking.
Best for Plantar Fasciitis: Hoka One One Women’s Bondi 7
The Hoka One One Bondi 7 features maximalist cushioning that can help those with plantar fasciitis, a condition that causes heel pain. Dr. Pledger finds this shoe beneficial in mitigating the impact on the heel and providing adequate arch support.
Best for Flat Feet: Brooks Women’s Addiction Walker 2
Brooks’ Addiction Walker 2 is designed with flat-footed women in mind. It provides support, cushioning, and a slip-resistant outsole. It is also designed to control overpronation, a common issue for those with flat feet. Dr. Cornell attests to its quality.
Best Orthopedic: Propet Women’s Tour Walker Strap Shoe
These orthopedic shoes by Propet feature adjustable straps for a personalized fit. They are designed with an EVA midsole and padded collar and tongue for extra cushioning and comfort. Cornell recommends these for patients who need extra support due to foot-related issues.
Best for Hiking: Salomon Women’s X Ultra 3 GTX Hiking Shoes
For those looking for walking shoes suitable for trails, the Salomon X Ultra 3 GTX stands out. It has excellent traction and stability features. Cornell appreciates its well-built structure and comfortable design.
Best for Overpronation: Asics Women’s GT-2000 10
This shoe has Asics' DuoMax Support System, a dual-density midsole system to enhance support and stability for overpronators. It also includes a Heel Clutching System for improved support and heel fitting.
Best for High Arches: Saucony Women’s Echelon 9
With an orthotic-friendly design and ample cushioning, this model is ideal for women with high arches. It features a FORMFIT design that adapts to the foot's shape for personalized comfort.
Best for Recovery: OOFOS Women’s OOmg Low Shoe
This shoe is perfect for post-workout recovery or for those with tired feet. Its OOfoam technology absorbs impact, reduces stress on feet, knees, and back, and aids natural foot movement. Dr. Pledger vouches for its effectiveness.
Key Considerations When Choosing Walking Shoes
It is always best to try on shoes in person and walk around to ensure a good fit. It may also be worthwhile to visit a professional for a foot analysis and shoe recommendation if you have specific foot problems.
Remember that everyone's feet are unique, and what works best for one person may not work as well for another. Good luck finding your perfect walking shoe!
The best time to try on walking shoes is at the end of the day. Your feet tend to be at their largest or most swollen at this time, allowing for a more accurate fit.
No, you should focus more on the fit of the shoe than the listed size. Shoes sizes can vary significantly among different brands and lines of shoes. Moreover, the size of your feet can change over time.
There should be about a finger's width of space between your longest toe and the front of the shoe. This ensures a comfortable fit and prevents your toes from rubbing against the front of the shoe.
Your intended use of the shoes, your foot and ankle structure, and specific needs, such as extra cushioning for long-distance walking or motion control for overpronation, should guide your selection. It's crucial to choose shoes that are flexible and properly fitted to your feet.
If you're unsure about how to identify a good fit, consider visiting a local athletic or running store. The employees there are likely to understand foot sizing and can help you find the right shoe for your foot.
If you have chronic foot pain that you can't seem to resolve, it may be beneficial to talk with a podiatrist about considering orthotics. These custom foot supports can help alleviate pain and correct any imbalances in your feet.
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