Walking Shoes designed for all-day standing do more than just protect your feet, they provide essential support for your entire body. The right footwear ensures comfort, stability, and relief from discomfort.
Looking for durable walking shoes for men for city strolls? Need a slip-resistant sole for kitchen work? Prefer ultra-cushioned comfort or an affordable yet supportive option?
Our top recommendations cover multiple categories, backed by insights from both real-world wear tests and in-depth lab evaluations. National Park Shops team will help you find the best Walking Shoes for Men. So, follow now!
Contents
- 1 Best Overall: WateLves Barefoot Walking Shoes ($36.88 on Amazon)
- 2 Best Budget: Vooncosir Men’s Fashion Sneakers Breathable Mesh Running Shoes ($39.99 on Amazon)
- 3 Best Walking Shoe for Men: Altra Experience Flow ($138.99 – $139.95 on Amazon)
- 4 Best All-Day Use: On Cloud 5 ($138.99 – $139.95 on Amazon)
- 5 Best For Men With Wide Feet: New Balance Fresh Foam X 880v14 ($90.19 – $129.95 on Amazon)
- 6 Best Affordable: Under Armour Charged Assert 10 ($53.39 – $59.99 on Amazon)
- 7 Best Lightweight: Brooks Ghost 16 ($116.87 – $139.95 on Amazon)
- 8 Best Slip-resistant: Hoka Bondi SR ($204.02 – $221.02 on Amazon)
- 9 How we test best walking shoes for men
- 10 FAQs
Best Overall: WateLves Barefoot Walking Shoes ($36.88 on Amazon)
- Material: Soft stretch material, breathable upper, and quick-drying properties.
- Design: Lightweight, flexible, and easy to carry.
- Fit: Adjustable elastic laces for a secure fit.
- Sole: Some models feature anti-slip rubber soles with drainage holes for quick drying.
WateLves Barefoot Walking Shoes are minimalist footwear designed to provide a natural walking experience while offering protection from sharp objects. These walking shoes for men are marketed as water shoes, although they are not specifically designed for water activities. They feature a wide toe box, zero-drop design, and a flexible sole, which are typical characteristics of barefoot shoes. The shoes are available in both sporty and casual models, with prices starting at around $25, making them one of the most affordable options in the barefoot shoe market.
The sporty model includes more mesh and a slightly more rigid construction compared to the casual version, which is softer and more flexible. Both models offer good ground feel, making them suitable for activities like walking and lifting. However, they lack the grip of more specialized shoes, such as those designed for deadlifting. Despite their low price, WateLves shoes have been praised for their aesthetic appeal and barefoot qualities, including a wide toe box and minimal stack height. While they may not match the durability of higher-end brands, they offer excellent value for those seeking an affordable introduction to barefoot walking.
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Best Budget: Vooncosir Men’s Fashion Sneakers Breathable Mesh Running Shoes ($39.99 on Amazon)
- Material: Breathable mesh upper for lightweight support and cooling.
- Sole: Blade soles made from ultra-light natural rubber, offering anti-slip and abrasion-resistant performance.
- Insole: Cushioned with memory foam for comfort, though some users find it thin.
- Design: Non-slip outsole with a soft sole for flexibility.
The Vooncosir Men’s Fashion Sneakers stand out as a stylish and breathable option, making them a great choice for those seeking the best walking shoes for men. Designed with a lightweight mesh upper, these sneakers promote airflow to keep feet cool during extended wear. The ultra-light natural rubber outsole enhances comfort with impact cushioning, anti-twist support, abrasion resistance, and an anti-slip grip, ensuring stability on various surfaces.
Customers appreciate the easy slip-on design and overall coziness of these sneakers. However, some suggest adding extra insoles for prolonged use. Frequently compared to higher-end brands like Reebok, these walking shoes for men offer a similar aesthetic at a more budget-friendly price. While marketed as running shoes, they are better suited for casual activities and everyday wear. For those in search of lightweight, breathable, and affordable footwear, the Vooncosir Men’s Fashion Sneakers are a solid choice.
Best Walking Shoe for Men: Altra Experience Flow ($138.99 – $139.95 on Amazon)
- Measured Heel-to-Toe Drop: 4 mm
- Measured Weight: 259 g | 9.12 oz
- Measured Heel Stack: 31 mm
- Closure Type: Lace
- Upper Material: Mesh, knit
The Altra Experience Flow stands out as one of the best walking shoes for men, thanks to its balance of cushioning, support, and a natural toe box. Its flexible mesh upper provides a snug but breathable fit, ensuring comfort during long walks. Lead tester shared that he wore them for hours without discomfort, appreciating the secure heel cup and spacious toe box. A padded tongue prevents lace bite, while extra heel padding enhances fit.
The midsole, made of compression-molded EVA foam, absorbs shock while remaining responsive. With a four-millimeter drop and subtle rocker, the walking shoes for men promote smooth transitions from heel to toe. Its rubber outsole offers reliable traction on various surfaces, even wet floors. High-wear areas also feature extra rubber for durability. Despite its high price, the Experience Flow justifies the cost with exceptional comfort and quality.
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Best All-Day Use: On Cloud 5 ($138.99 – $139.95 on Amazon)
- Measured Heel-to-Toe Drop: 8 mm
- Measured Weight: 262 g | 9.23 oz
- Measured Heel Stack: 30 mm
- Closure Type: Elastic lacing
- Upper Material: Mesh, polyester
Swiss brand On is renowned for its CloudTec foam, designed to deliver a cushioned, cloud-like feel. The Cloud 5, one of the best walking shoes for men, offers all-day comfort with a removable cushioned arch insole for added support and a full-length Speedboard for stability and propulsion. Its airy mesh upper enhances breathability, which testers found effective in keeping feet cool after long walks.
Weighing just 223 grams, these walking shoes for men are lightweight, stylish, and made with 45% recycled materials. Shoe expert Mel Siegel notes that its slip-on design appeals to many, offering a sleek look with the comfort of a sneaker. On also includes an extra set of laces for those preferring a snugger fit, adding to the shoe’s versatility.
Best For Men With Wide Feet: New Balance Fresh Foam X 880v14 ($90.19 – $129.95 on Amazon)
- Sizes: 7 to 16
- Widths: Narrow (1B), standard (1D), wide (2E), extra-wide (4E)
- Colors: 6 total, including Arctic Grey and Blue Oasis
- Lacing: Pull-tight laces
- Upper material: Synthetic mesh
Foot experts often recommend New Balance for wide feet, and the Fresh Foam X 880v14 is no exception. Recognized by the American Podiatric Medical Association, this model stands out among the best walking shoes for men. It offers excellent heat regulation, with moisture-wicking properties that testers found effective in keeping feet dry during long walks and jogs.
Designed for stability and comfort, these walking shoes for men feature a spacious toe box and a bio-based foam midsole for a cushioned stride. Available in four width options, it provides a secure yet comfortable fit.
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Best Affordable: Under Armour Charged Assert 10 ($53.39 – $59.99 on Amazon)
- Sizes: 7 to 15
- Widths: Medium
- Colors: 14 total, including Blue Mirage and Black
- Lacing: Pull-tight laces
- Upper material: Mesh
When choosing the best walking shoes for men, affordability shouldn’t mean sacrificing comfort and support. While cheaper options often lack durability, investing between $50 to $100 ensures quality materials that last. The Under Armour Charged Assert 10 strikes the perfect balance, featuring breathable mesh uppers, cushioned midsoles, and durable outsoles for reliable traction.
Testers praised its sturdy yet flexible construction, noting that the grippy outsole provided stability on various surfaces. One tester found the shoe versatile enough for both walking and gym workouts, highlighting its solid support and comfort, even on the treadmill.
Best Lightweight: Brooks Ghost 16 ($116.87 – $139.95 on Amazon)
- Widths: Narrow (1B), medium (1D), wide (2E), extra-wide (4E)
- Colors: 14 total, including Cloud Grey and Black
- Lacing: Tie laces
- Upper material: Engineered air mesh
Now in its 16th version, the Brooks Ghost remains a top choice among the best walking shoes for men, offering versatility, comfort, and a well-balanced fit. With a refined upper, it provides flexibility, breathability, and structure for all-day wear.
A tester who compared the Ghost 15 and 16 noted minimal differences but found the newer model slightly lighter – an advantage for long walks or extended time on foot. Featuring nitrogen-infused DNA Loft v3 foam, the Ghost 16 delivers a smooth, supportive ride, excelling as both a running and walking shoe. Its durability ensures lasting comfort for those who log serious miles.
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Best Slip-resistant: Hoka Bondi SR ($204.02 – $221.02 on Amazon)
- Sole material: Rubber
- Outer material: Synthetic
- Closure type: Lace-Up
- Water resistance level: Water Resistant
For all-day wear, the Hoka Bondi SR stands out as one of the best walking shoes for men, offering exceptional comfort and reliable traction. This shoe excelled in preventing slips while providing long-lasting support during extended periods of walking and standing.
Its plush cushioning creates a comfortable, home-like feel for the feet. Measurements reveal a heel stack height of 39.4 mm and forefoot height of 31.2 mm, surpassing typical walking shoe standards by 25.9% and 48.6%, respectively. The tongue thickness of 11.1 mm further enhances comfort, significantly exceeding the 3.9 mm average.
The outsole, measured at 73.1 HC, is slightly firmer than average but still offers secure traction on wet and smooth surfaces. However, at 14.25 oz (404 g), the Bondi SR is 57.8% heavier than standard walking shoes, making it less ideal for those prioritizing lightweight footwear.
How we test best walking shoes for men
At the lab, spending up to 8 hours walking and standing provides a real-world test of each walking shoe’s comfort for all-day wear. However, this is just one aspect of the evaluation process.
Each shoe undergoes rigorous lab testing, where its flexibility, durability, and breathability are objectively measured. To obtain precise data, we even cut the shoes open to analyze their stack height, drop, and midsole softness.
To maintain complete impartiality, every pair is purchased independently, ensuring that no brand influences our reviews.
FAQs
Can you wear running shoes for walking and standing?
Yes, as long as the brand designates them for daily wear. However, carbon-plated race shoes are not ideal for walking.
How to choose the right walking shoes?
The perfect walking shoe needs to offer side-to-side stability, ample cushioning, and promote a smooth walking motion. Many running shoes meet these requirements and are suitable for most walking routines. However, specialty walking shoes are also available and may be a better fit for certain individuals.
Should walking shoes be heavy or light?
Walking shoes, a relatively new category that emerged in 1986, don’t necessarily have to be as light and breathable as running shoes, but they must offer strong arch support. If you have high arches, your feet may naturally absorb less shock, so it’s important to choose walking shoes with more cushioning rather than less.
