The Best Walking Shoes and How to Save on Your Next Pair

Raise your hand if shopping for walking shoes typically involves some combination of looking for your favorite brand name, the latest trending styles and a reasonable price.

This unscientific approach is not necessarily the best way to identify the most suitable walking shoe for your needs and comfort preferences. To achieve that goal, experts say you should be considering factors like the shoe's fit, stability, and toe box space. Cushioning and weight are also important considerations. Each of these elements matter far more than the brand name or the hype surrounding the latest shoe styles and trends.

As for the price of walking shoes, the good news is you may be able to use money from your Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) to cover the purchase if the shoe is being used to treat or manage a diagnosed medical condition. If that sounds a little confusing, read on. This guide will help you sort through all of these questions, from identifying the most suitable fit to whether you can tap into HSA and FSA funds for your next walking shoe purchase.

Asics, New Balance, and Hoka are some of the top names in the walking shoe space. And it can be tempting to simply head to the store and make a beeline for brands you're most familiar with when shopping for a new walking shoe. But before you think about brand, there are some other factors that you'll want to prioritize first.

"When searching for the 'best' walking shoes, what actually matters most is how well the shoe matches your foot shape and the activities you do most often," says Dr. Mikel Daniels, president and chief medical officer at WeTreatFeet Podiatry.

"Too many people shop by the logo on the side of the shoe, or a top 10 list found at a style magazine," Daniels adds. "I tell patients…stop chasing a magic 'best shoe' and instead think, 'best for my foot and what I actually do all day.' For real-world walking, things like commuting, errands, travel, work, I care most about fit, stability, and toe box space."

Cushioning is another especially important consideration, particularly for walking shoes. Some experts suggest that the best type of walking shoe has only minimal cushioning.

"This does sound surprising, but think about it this way: If you’re standing on a giant pillow, you actually have to contact the ground harder in order to feel what you’re standing on. So anyone with back pain, knee pain or hip pain should wear a less cushioned shoe, which does sound very surprising to most individual individuals," says Dr. Milica McDowell, a doctor of physical therapy and author of the best-selling book Walk: Rediscover the Most Natural Way to Boost Your Health and Longevity One Step at a Time. "

Additional factors to consider include a shoe's outsole grip (traction) and breathability for daily use. These two factors are often overlooked, but can significantly affect comfort and safety.

"A durable rubber outsole with good grip helps reduce slipping on wet pavement, smooth floors, and uneven sidewalks," says Dr. Natasha Trentacosta, board-certified orthopedic surgeon at Cedars-Sinai. "Breathable mesh [in the shoe] uppers improve airflow, helping reduce heat, moisture buildup, and blister formation, especially in warm climates or during longer walks."

Finally, where you will be doing the most walking also matters. Whether that's pavement, work floors, treadmill, travel, mixed terrain or some combination, it's important to consider the surfaces you'll use most often. Pavement and sidewalks require durable shoes with moderate cushioning to absorb repetitive impact, says Trentacosta. Treadmills already provide some cushioning, so a lighter, more flexible shoe can be a better choice. And if you regularly walk on gravel, trails, or uneven terrain, look for a shoe with a more aggressive tread pattern and additional stability.

Now that we've covered a few of the basics, let's look at some of the most common use cases for walking shoes, how they impact purchase considerations and what the experts recommend for each situation.

• Daily errands: If you plan to use your walking shoes primarily for daily errands, it's a good idea to find a lightweight shoe that will be comfortable for everyday use. For “errand shoes,” Daniels recommends a shoe "that's light enough that you don’t notice them, but not so flimsy that the heel collapses." A slip-on shoe may also be beneficial when you're on the go running errands. Just be sure not to sacrifice basic structure if you opt for this style of shoe, advises Daniels. "Slip-on styles or laced sneakers that loosen easily are fine, but the heel still needs to hold your foot," he says.

And one more bit of advice when shopping for daily errand shoes: support still matters. "While you don’t need a motion-control brick for quick grocery runs, it's best to avoid super flat, unsupportive fashion sneakers, unless your feet are very forgiving," Daniels advises. "I tell patients, 'If the shoe feels like a sock with rubber glued on, that’s probably not your all-day walking shoe.'"

• Long walks: When it comes to long walks, you'll want to find shoes that have slightly different features then your errand shoes. "Choose a shoe with balanced cushioning and a smooth heel-to-toe transition for long walks or fitness walking," says Trentacosta. "This combination helps absorb repetitive impact while allowing each stride to feel more efficient and reducing fatigue over longer distances."
• Standing all day: On your feet all day? A shoe with a stable platform and durable underfoot comfort is essential. "If you spend long hours on your feet, prioritize stability and durability over maximum softness," says Trentacosta. "A stable platform helps control excessive foot motion, while a resilient midsole maintains its support throughout the day. Extremely soft foams may feel comfortable initially but can compress over time, reducing both support and comfort."
• Wide feet or toe-splay preference: If you have wide feet or a preference for more natural toe movement, experts recommend paying particular attention to the shoe's toe box. "People with wide feet or who like toe-splay should look for shoes that are truly wider in the forefoot, and have a deeper toe box, not just 'stretchy,'" says Daniels, who suggests seeking out brands that offer multiple widths (such as widths from 2E to 4E).

Similar to understanding what you should look for in a walking shoe, it's also important to be familiar with some of the common mistakes buyers make when shoe shopping, so that you can avoid these pitfalls. Here's a closer look.

• Buying for style before fit and support: Selecting a shoe based on its style rather than its fit and support is one of the most common mistakes people make. "Fashion sneakers and sleek lifestyle shoes often look great but are built for short wear, not long walks," says Daniels. "I’ve had patients swear 'This brand always works for me' while standing in a model that clearly doesn’t fit their current foot shape."
• Choosing overly soft foam that feels unstable over time: Another common mistake is assuming that softer is always better when it comes to a walking shoe. "While cushioning is important, an overly soft midsole can become unstable during longer walks or prolonged standing," says Trentacosta.
• Ignoring toe-box space on longer walks: Tingling toes and forefoot burning during a long walk are often signs of a too-tight toe box. "Toe box room is one of the most overlooked features and one of the most important," explains Daniels. "Your toes should be able to spread a bit as you walk. If your toes hit the front or squeeze together, you’re inviting bunion pain, hammertoes, nerve irritation in the forefoot, and calluses."
• Wearing the wrong socks during try-on: If you walk daily in thick or cushioned socks but try shoes on in thin dress socks when you're shoe shopping, you’ll underestimate how tight the shoe will feel. "Patients underestimate how important socks are. A fantastic shoe that fits perfectly and is designed for the activity you are doing will fail if you are in the wrong socks," says Daniels.
• Replacing shoes too late after comfort declines: Finally, don't wait too long to replace your shoes. Like car tires, walking shoes gradually wear out. "Even if the outsole still looks good, the cushioning and support inside the shoe may have compressed, making them less comfortable and less protective," says Trentacosta.

Here's a closer look at some of the walking shoes available through Truemed that may fit the use cases and features we've talked about.

Best for: A good choice for walkers who want roomy toe space and soft comfort for road use

Features: Altra's Running Torin 8 is a comfort-first walking sneaker with cushioned everyday mileage potential

Best for: For smooth transitions and daily walking versatility, Altra's Running Experience Flow 3 is a solid candidate that provides a comfortable shoe with all-purpose appeal

Features: Altra's Running Experience Flow 3 offers a balanced option for walking, commuting, and general movement

Best for: Kane's Revive shoe is a smart pick for those seeking post-walk or all-day recovery footwear

Features: The Revive shoe provides a recovery-focused option for buyers seeking an add-on pair of shoes for managing foot fatigue after long days

Best for: Ghost 17 offers a familiar cushioned trainer feel that can be a solid choice for walking

Features: This supportive everyday walking sneaker emphasizes comfort-focused cushioning, providing a noteworthy option for buyers seeking a shoe that can handle longer pavement use

Best for: A slip-on option, the Might Run Slip-On Shoe provides convenience, accessibility, and easy daily wear.

Features: Simple on-off functionality is a key benefit of this shoe, which can be useful for readers prioritizing ease, routine wear, and comfort.

If you're looking for ways to curb your out of pocket expense when purchasing walking shoes, your HSA or FSA savings may be an option. To be clear, walking shoes are not automatically eligible for HSA or FSA coverage. That's because items that are considered general fitness or personal wellness expenses do not meet IRS criteria for allowable use of HSA and FSA funds.

But in cases where the shoe is needed to treat or manage a diagnosed medical condition and you have a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) from a licensed provider, you may be able to tap into HSA or FSA savings to cover the cost of a shoe purchase. Scenarios in which the purchase may be covered include musculoskeletal or foot-related issues like plantar fasciitis, achilles or tendon problems, gait abnormalities and bone issues like heel spurs or bunions.

If you're curious about whether a walking shoe purchase might be covered by your HSA or FSA, a great place to start is by checking out potentially HSA/FSA-eligible footwear on Truemed.com.

Truemed can guide you through this purchase process. Here's what it entails:

• When you click on walking shoes on the Truemed marketplace that you're interested in, you’ll be redirected to view the shoes on the merchant’s site. At that point, be sure you select "pay with HSA/FSA funds at checkout."
• Next, you’ll complete an intake survey that will be reviewed by an independent licensed healthcare provider. If the purchase is deemed medically necessary to prevent or treat disease, you’ll be able to obtain an LMN and pay with your HSA or FSA funds.
• You can purchase the item using your HSA/FSA card at checkout, or pay out of pocket and submit for reimbursement later. If you pay out of pocket, save the transaction receipts to submit to your HSA administrator for reimbursement,

Truemed also offers support in the event you get a denial of reimbursement and need to provide substantiation documentation.

*Truemed is for qualified customers. HSA/FSA tax savings vary. Learn more at truemed.com/disclosures