The 7 Best Walking Shoes For Women [2024 Reviews]

Enjoy your walks in these walking shoes, we break down this year's top models for women

Our Editors independently research, test, and rate what we feel are the best products. We use affiliate links and may receive a small commission on purchases.

Do your feet hurt? Perhaps your work requires you to stand for hours or walk long distances. Maybe you enjoy walking for leisure.

For whatever reason, you spend a lot of time on your feet and they are suffering. This buying guide will help you choose a top pair of women’s walking shoes on Amazon.

Best Walking Shoes For Women

Easy Spirit Women's Romy SneakersKEEN Women's Presidio Walking ShoesReebok Women's Work N Cushion 4.0 Walking Shoe
editorschoice
KEEN Women's Presidio Walking Shoe
Upper:LeatherLeatherLeather
Sole:RubberRubberRubber
Features:Padded collar with cushioned foam sock-linerWaterproof with supportive cushioned footbed and collarMemoryfoam cushion, slip-resistant soles


Quick Answer: The 7 Best Rated Women’s Walking Shoes

  1. Easy Spirit Women’s Romy Sneakers
  2. KEEN Women’s Presidio Walking Shoes
  3. Reebok Women’s Cloudride DMX Walking Shoes
  4. Ryka Women’s Sky Walking Shoe
  5. ASICS Women’s MetroLyte Walking Shoes
  6. Ryka Women’s Devo Plus 2 Walking Shoes
  7. Skechers Performance Women’s Go Walk 4 Shoe

The following top rated women’s walking shoes are ideal for anybody who has to be on their feet for long periods of time. They are also perfect for taking a walk around the park or sightseeing.


 Women’s Walking Shoe Reviews

Easy Spirit Women’s Romy Sneakers

Easy Spirit Women’s Romy Sneakers at a Glance:

  • Upper: Leather & Textile
  • Sole: Rubber
  • Sizes: 5 – 12 Wide, Narrow, Avg
  • Colors: 14

Easy Spirit is a manufacturer that focus exclusively on women’s shoes and women’s needs. When designing their Easy Spirit Women’s Romy Sneakers, they emphasized the importance of comfort for working women who are on their feet all day.

They are suitable for use at home or the gym for moderate athletic pursuits. Easy Spirit Women’s Romy Sneakers feature leather uppers for durability and easy maintenance.

These shoes can endure years of regular wear. Their lacing is designed to achieve a snug fit when tied, and they have a fashionable, casual appearance.

The cushioned foam sockliner inside Easy Spirit Women’s Romy Sneakers provides both support and comfort for your feet. Even larger than average ladies will find adequate support inside these shoes.

The flexible rubber sole of Easy Spirit Women’s Romy Sneakers affords them good traction on any floor surface. They are ideal wear for when you take long walks through the country or around town.

Overall, I would say the Easy Spirit’s are the best walking shoes for Women.


KEEN Women's Presidio Walking Shoe

KEEN Women’s Presidio Walking Shoes at a Glance:

  • Upper: Full-grain & Nubuck leather
  • Sole: Rubber
  • Sizes: 5 – 12
  • Colors: 6

KEEN Women’s Presidio Shoes are a modern version of the classic Oxford shoe but designed specifically to fit women.

They have a casual yet sporty look and are available in a range of tones so that you’ll easily find a pair that complement your wardrobe.

Their nubuck leather upper is especially durable and has the added advantage of being water resistant. The front lacing with metal eyelets allows a very snug fit to be achieved.

The removable EVA Metatomical footbed is designed to hug the actual shape of your foot to provide optimal arch support. Inside the KEEN Women’s Presidio Shoes, the cushioning of the footbed and collar protects your feet from the impacts endured in each stride, and the lining is moisture-wicking.

For extra safety when you’re so busy or distracted that you walk into things, KEEN Women’s Presidio Shoes include a patented toe guard called KEEN Protect. The entire toe bed is reinforced to keep your little piggies protected.

The durable rubber outsole of KEEN Women’s Presidio shoes is designed to give great traction on a variety of floor surfaces without leaving behind any unsightly marks. Who wants black marks on their shiny white kitchen floor tiles?

If you work in a demanding environment where your shoes could get wet, KEEN Women’s Presidio Shoes would be a great choice for you.


Reebok Women’s Work N Cushion Walking Shoes at a Glance:

  • Upper: Leather & Synthetic
  • Sole: Foam
  • Sizes: 5 – 11
  • Colors: 2

Reebok Women’s Work N Cushion 4.0 Walking Shoes are designed to look sporty and make you feel like you’re walking on a cloud.

If you’re forced to stay on your feet all day, you will appreciate a breathable, supportive and well-cushioned pair of shoes like these.

Featuring a foam midsole which will support your stride from heel to forefoot, and a MemoryTech sockliner for extra cushion, they are designed with your comfort as top priority. 

Safety is also one of the key features of these shoes. With a slip-resistant outsole,  they offer a confident grip that will serve you well on wet workshop floors or slippery hallways.

Better yet, you will never have to sacrifice style for comfort and durability! This is one of the best pairs of walking shoes for women because of the chic, minimal aesthetic.

Coming in 2 timeless colors – black and white – these can be paired with literally any outfit or color combo. Their low profile silhouette is suitable for a wide variety of occasions as well.

Versatile, long-lasting and comfortable, you won’t regret buying the Reebok Work N Cushion walking shoes.


Ryka Women's Sky Walking Shoe

Ryka Women’s Sky Walking Shoe at a Glance:

  • Upper: Leather & Mesh
  • Sole: Rubber
  • Sizes: 5-11
  • Colors: 8

Ryka Women’s Sky Walking Shoes provide an affordable foot wear solution for the busy woman who needs durable yet comfortable walking shoes.

Ryka have been making shoes for decades, so they know what they are doing. These walking shoes offer a surprising number of beneficial features for such reasonably priced shoes.

With a breathable mesh upper, the Sky Walking Shoes allow your feet to stay cool and they’re comfortably lightweight.

Their EVA midsole effectively cushions your feet from each impact as you walk around. These shoes are designed to reinforce natural foot movements while you walk.

Laces provide a snug fit so that your feet don’t slip around inside. The durable rubber soles of the Sky Walking sneakers for women help you to avoid sliding on those slippery surfaces.

These are probably the best Women’s walking shoes for the money that will keep you comfortable while at work.


ASICS Women’s MetroLyte Walking Shoes at a Glance:

  • Upper: Synthetic Textile
  • Sole: Synthetic
  • Sizes: 5.5 – 11.5
  • Colors: 3

ASICS was originally founded with the goal of helping its customers to achieve a healthy mind and a healthy body. These shoes reflect that aim.

ASICS Women’s MetroLyte Walking Shoes get their name from the fact that they are the lightest women’s walking shoes in ASICS’ range.

If your work forces you to walk around a lot, you’ll really appreciate this. Their mesh upper makes ASICS Women’s MetroLyte Walking Shoes breathable and lightweight.

They weigh a mere 4.8 oz. Laces help ensure a snug fit so that they don’t slip around when you’re wearing them. A convenient heel tab makes it easier to put them on and take them off.

Underfoot comfort is enhanced by the full length memory foam sockliner inside ASICS Women’s MetroLyte Walking Shoes. This is designed to contour to your foot.

The COMFORDRY removable sockliner provides cushioning and moisture wicking for a healthier, dry, and cool environment. A contoured arch also contributes to support and comfort.

ASICS Women’s MetroLyte Walking Shoes have an OrthoLite insole and a Wet Grip outsole manufactured from a unique mix of non-organic and organic materials to optimize traction on wet surfaces.

That’s handy if you have to work in any environment where you might come across slippery floor tiles. Overall an excellent pair of lightweight Women’s walking shoes.


Ryka Women’s Devo Plus 2 Walking Shoes at a Glance:

  • Upper: Mesh & Synthetic
  • Sole: Synthetic
  • Sizes: 6-11 Wide, Narrow, Avg
  • Colors: 8

Ryka employs only women to design sporty footwear only for women. They believe that the shape and movements of the female foot are different to those of a man, and so create shoes specially to suit ladies’ feet.

The Ryka Women’s Devo Plus 2 Walking Shoes are a great addition to their product line. They are suitable for any woman who needs to look good and stay comfortable on her feet all day.

A mesh upper makes Ryka Women’s Devo Plus 2 Walking Shoes both breathable and light. This is great if you have to be on your feet all day in an environment where your feet will get hot and may sweat.

Seamless, supporting synthetic overlays create a practical walking shoe style with a rounded toe. The lace-up front makes them snug and comfortable to wear.

Inside Ryka Women’s Devo Plus 2 Walking Shoes you will find a smooth lining and an insole using Anatomical Precise-Return footbed for great cushioning. The internal insert is full length. The technology utilized in this design is aimed to support you each step you take.

The re-zorb® active foam midsole in combination with the eight-piece radiused skeletal rubber outsole provide lightweight cushioned support. There is also an external-pod network between midsole and outsole.

The durable rubber outsole provides great traction, something you’ll be glad of if you must cross slippery surfaces. Added to this the cobblestone engineering, Ryka Women’s Devo Plus 2 Walking Shoes are one of the most comfortable pair of shoes you will ever wear.


Skechers Performance Women’s Go Walk 4 Shoe at a Glance:

  • Upper: Synthetic Textile
  • Sole: Rubber
  • Sizes: 5-13
  • Colors: 16

Skechers Performance Women’s Go Walk 4 Shoe are affordable footwear for anybody who requires comfortable and durable walking shoes.

Skechers are a well-established manufacturer of ladies walking shoes with decades of experience under their belt. You will be pleasantly surprised to discover how many great features these shoes boast for their price.

Their heathered jersey knit fabric means that the Skechers Performance Women’s Go Walk are super lightweight and also help your feet to keep cool.

The lacing allows you to obtain a snug fit. Inside, their featherweight sockliner insert molds to your feet while providing cushioning for your feet and protecting them from impact.

Go Walk 4 bamboo lined footbed that resists bacterial growth keeping them oder free and feature durable rubber soles to prevent sliding on those slippery surfaces.

If you work long hours and are always on your feet, these are great, affordable shoes.


Women’s Walking Shoes Comparison Table

Walking ShoesUpperSoleColorsSizesRating
Easy Spirit Women's Romy SneakersLeather & TextileRubber145-12 Wide, Narrow, Avg4.6 / 5.0
KEEN Presidio Walking ShoesFull-grain & Nubuck leatherRubber65-124.4 / 5.0
Reebok Women's Work N Cushion 4.0 Walking ShoeLeather & SyntheticRubber25-114.4 / 5.0
Ryka Women's Sky Walking ShoeLeather & MeshRubber85-114.0 / 5.0
ASICS MetroLyte Walking ShoesSynthetic TextileSynthetic35.5-124.0 / 5.0
Ryka Devo Plus 2 Walking ShoesMesh & SyntheticSynthetic86-11 Wide, Narrow, Avg4.4 / 5.0
Skechers Performance Go Walk 4 ShoeSynthetic TextileRubber165-134.6 / 5.0

How to Choose the Best Walking Shoes for Women

Best Womens Walking Shoes

Why Wear Specific Walking Shoes?

If your work, your leisure activities, or your day to day life mean that you have to spend hours standing up or walking around, then a pair of good walking shoes will benefit you. These are many shoes designed specifically to provide your feet with the maximum protection and comfort level possible while walking.

Men and women have different foot shapes, a different ratio of height to foot size, and a different walking gait. Responsible shoe manufacturers make walking shoes with different designs for men and women. Y

ou need to ensure that what you buy for your feet was designed specifically for you, and not for a man then scaled down to your foot size.

The benefit of wearing women’s walking shoes that perfectly fit your feet and are comfortable to boot is that they may help prevent you incurring injuries, such as blisters and calluses.

Good quality women’s walking shoes will provide a good level of shock absorption and also be lightweight so that you don’t feel like you have bricks tied to your feet all day.

Considerations For Women’s Walking Shoes

There are four parts of women’s walking shoes that you need to pay particular attention to when choosing a new pair:

  • The Upper
  • The Insole
  • The Midsole
  • The Outsole

The upper may be leather or synthetic, which is usually mesh in women’s walking shoes. The emphasis of the design will often be on making your shoes as lightweight and breathable as possible.

Uppers

Uppers that are made of leather may be more durable than those made from mesh. They also tend to be more water resistant. If you work in a harsh environment or somewhere where your women’s walking shoes are likely to get wet, then leather uppers would probably be best for you. Leather uppers may also make the shoes longer lasting.

Mesh

Lighter than leather, so you may find them less tiring to wear. Additionally, mesh is more breathable than leather, which means feet are better ventilated so they stay cooler and sweat less than in leather. Working long hours, feet can get hot and sweaty. If you are working long hours and have to walk around a lot, you may find women’s walking shoes with mesh uppers more comfortable.

Fastening Mechanism

There are usually two options for women’s walking shoes; laces and velcro. It’s mainly a matter of personal preference and laces are still the most common fastener and course work well. You need the shoes to have a snug fit for comfort, and lacing achieves this.

Sockliners

Adds padding to the inside of women’s walking shoes, making them more comfortable to wear and more snug. A snug fit is especially important to prevent blisters, calluses, and even falls when you misstep.

Insole

A very important part of women’s walking shoes. Good insoles will provide adequate support throughout the whole movement of your foot in each stride. But they should also provide cushioning to protect your feet from the impact of each step. Many manufacturers have developed proprietary footbeds designed to provide maximum benefits for your feet.

Some insoles are removable, allowing you to replace them with an orthopedic insole. However, some are not. If your chiropodist or physician has recommended that you use a specific orthopedic insole inside your walking shoe, then ensure that the manufacturer supplied insole is removable so that you may use your prescribed insole. Another benefit of removable insoles is that they may be dried and cleaned easier than those fixed inside shoes.

Midsole

This part of your women’s walking shoes provides most of the protection from impact when your foot hits the ground. Each step you take while walking sends a shock impact through your feet. Over a period of time on your feet, this will build up and become painful.

In recent years, many sports shoe manufacturers have focused on the midsole during marketing campaigns, highlighting increased in technology in this area.

Cushioning

Most of the time it’s provided by gel, foam, air, or a mixture of these. Proprietary mechanisms are often designed to somehow transform impact force into take-off force, so that your feet literally bounce off the floor with each step.

The insole and midsole together must provide adequate arch support in a good pair of women’s walking shoes. This is of particularly importance to women who suffer from medical problems like over-pronation or flat feet. The combination of a good quality insole with a well-designed midsole should be that you feel like you’re walking on air.

Outsole

The outsole is the part of your women’s walking shoes that makes contact with the floor surface. Rubber provides good grip on slippery surfaces, and groves molded into the base usually aid better grip and traction when walking.

You need outsoles that are flexible enough to follow the natural movements of your feet yet durable enough to endure the wear and tear of your busy lifestyle.

FAQ’s For Women’s Walking Shoes

Women’s walking shoes are widely available, and come in a range of prices. It can be hard to know what the best choice is.

To assist you in choosing the best women’s walking shoe for your needs, we will share some frequently asked questions and answers, as well as some general tips on choosing the best walking shoe for you.

Q: Is there a difference between walking shoes and regular sneakers?

A: Yes, there is. There is also a difference in quality between name brand manufacturers and generic, or lesser known walking shoe designers.

Quality women’s walking shoes are a must for the avid walker, and for those who work a job where they spend a lot of time on their feet.

Look for a durable, yet flexible sole that can flex with your foot, yet offers adequate support to the arch, and good cushioning for the heel, to help prevent or lessen foot pain.

Q: Are walking shoes helpful for people who are on their feet most of the day at work?

A: Absolutely! Be sure to choose a pair that off the proper arch support based on your foot structure.

Additionally, be sure to check out the included comparison chart to see the other features each of our reviewed walking shoes offer. This will help you find the shoes that best suit your needs.

Q: Aren’t all walking shoes basically the same?

A: While many people tend to think so, no. Different styles offer different benefits. While there will be some similarities, no two are quite the same.

Different people have a different set of needs, uses and foot structures. Therefore, there are a variety of features available in walking shoes.

If you read over our reviews of women’s walking shoes, you will see how different they really can be.

Q: Does it matter if I buy a well-known name-brand walking shoe?

A: You betcha! The shoe designers and manufacturers that are well-known and have been around for years have a lot more to offer you.

Trusted brands have spent a lot of time and money studying…well…feet! This allows them to offer a quality women’s walking shoe that will far surpass the knock-off brands.

While the cheap imitations may look similar, they are typically only similar on an at-a-glance level. The materials and designs are usually of very poor quality. This can result in more harm than good when it comes to your feet.

Q: Does the material the upper is made from make a difference?

A: Yes, it sure does. Let’s say you work indoors, where it is always warm and dry but you are on your feet all day. You would likely do better with lightweight, breathable, synthetic uppers.

Not only will they offer you cooler feet, but they will also be a lightweight choice, as compared to their leather counterparts.

However, if you are wearing them in damp or cooler conditions, the leather uppers will offer the water resistance and additional warmth you will need to stay comfortable and protected.

Tips for Buying Women’s Walking Shoes

When you are investing in a pair of women’s walking shoes, you are making an investment in the health and comfort of your feet.

Because your feet need to last you a lifetime, it’s important that you choose a shoe that is a good match for your foot structure. It is also important that you choose a style that offers good support in all of the right places, including the arch.

Another consideration when choosing your women’s walking shoes, is safety. We have shared some great tips below, to help assure that you get a good pair of women’s walking shoes for your investment.

Tip #1: Choose Women’s Specific Walking Shoes

Never choose a “downsized” men’s walking shoe. Men and women have very different foot structure, so the shoes designed for each gender is designed around that structure difference.

This provides for a proper fit, and the support and cushioning features being in the correct alignment for your female foot structure. Protect your feet by purchasing women’s walking shoes made especially for you.

Tip #2: Consider Your Environment

Prior to deciding on your new women’s walking shoes, take a moment to consider the environment you will be wearing them in.

If you will be in wet or cool conditions, be sure to opt for a walking shoe designed with a leather upper. These will provide water resistance and more warmth.

Alternately, if you will be wearing your walking shoes in a warm and dry environment, choosing a lightweight, breathable synthetic upper will allow for your foot to stay cooler and not have to carry around the extra weight of the leather upper.

Also, keep in mind what the surface conditions are, and choose a shoe with the appropriate outer sole to provide you with the traction you need to help prevent slipping, sliding, or falling. Refer to the information provided in our thorough reviews and comparison chart to help you decide.

Tip #3: Getting The Correct Fit

Choose the correct size for your foot. Proper fit is important for both safety and comfort. You need a shoe that fits snug, but not overly tight. This helps prevent blisters, foot pain/cramping, and foot conditions that can occur with overly tight footwear.

Avoid wearing walking shoes that are loose on your feet. This will keep your feet from sliding around inside the shoe. This could result in possible blistering, twisting of the ankle, and improper alignment of support and cushioning features; just to name some risks.

Tip #4: Dedicated Women’s Walking Shoes

We highly recommend that you own more than one pair of walking shoes. By doing so, you can dedicate each pair to specific uses, such as: work shoes, outdoor walking regimens, and casual wear.

By dedicating your walking shoes, your investment will last longer by avoiding undue wear or damage that might occur during other uses. Not to mention providing the proper protection and traction needed in the varying environments they will be worn in.

Tip #5: Don’t Settle For Less

Proper foot protection, cushioning, and support is essential to helping prevent foot pain, injury, and painful medical conditions that can develop over the course of time.

Never settle for a generic knock-off. Not only will they not provide all of the necessary components to maintaining healthy, happy feet, but they will also wear out much faster, costing you much more in the long run. (Both physically and financially!)

The women’s walking shoes we have reviewed here offer you several high-quality selections, at an amazing price. You are sure to find the ones that are a perfect fit for your particular needs and will pass the test of time.

Final Thoughts

There is an ideal pair of women’s walking shoes for every woman. Only you know what your feet feel like and what the environment is like where you must walk or stand for long hours.

You must decide what you actually need from your shoes and then choose the pair best suited to your requirements. Shoes are an important investment, and you want to ensure that you get value for your money.

Read through the section above about what you should find in good women’s walking shoes, and make a list as you go. Think about how long you want your shoes to last.

Think about whether you’ll be using them somewhere wet or somewhere dry. Will there be slippery surfaces? Do you need to use a special orthopedic insole? Do your feet get hot when you work? Do they sweat a lot?

Once you have a clear list of what your needs are, then run through the section reviewing specific women’s walking shoes.

Within that selection, you should be able to find at least one pair that would suit your needs. If not, at least you will have a clearer idea of what you really need. You need a pair of women’s walking shoes that keep your feet feeling comfortable all day long.

How We Researched

To come up with the top walking shoes for women, we researched a variety of sources for reviews such as REI, Walmart, Target and Dick’s Sporting Goods along with our own personal experience.

The authors consulted sources such as online magazines for research and reviews unbiased information.

By using Fakespot.com we tried to eliminate fake reviews and use only genuine ones.

With so many options available, the authors narrowed down the selections by using products they felt were the best value for the money.

The staff authors have a wide and varied background as fitness trainers, yoga instructors and runners. The authors have decades of experience and are eager to share their knowledge with readers.

In order to narrow down the options, we used personal experiences plus recommendations from other trainers and instructors.

Sources


I hope this guide was helpful for finding a good pair of women’s walking shoes to fit your needs. If you want to comment or recommend a pair of shoes I didn’t include, please use my contact form to get in touch.

Notice:

BestWomensWorkouts is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program. BestWomensWorkouts earns fees from products sold through qualifying purchases by linking to Amazon.com. Amazon offers a commission on products sold through their affiliate links.

Ericka Parker

Ericka started her career as a personal trainer over 20 years ago and her goal was to help people become healthy, happy and fit. To do this she would find out their goals and provide the tools and routines to help them reach them. As her career progressed, she added yoga training to her skills to help her clients achieve mindfulness and help with clients mobility. To help more people she started bestwomensworkouts.com to help other people achieve their fitness goals with advice, tips and fitness equipment reviews.
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