We tested more than 50 pairs of walking shoes to find the best ones for every occasion.
Rena Behar is a freelance journalist and editor focusing on tech, travel, and gender. She has contributed to Travel + Leisure, TripSavvy, and more. Approach Shoes
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The quest for a cute yet comfortable shoe that can magically take you from museums to a Michelin-starred restaurant can feel never-ending. But your perfect pair is out there, and the Travel + Leisure team is putting their feet to work to help you find them.
It’s hard to tell if shoes are comfortable off the rack, and the worst way to find out is when you’re ready to put them through the paces on vacation, only to end up with blisters and aching feet. That’s why our editors have tested more than 100 pairs of shoes to find the most comfortable ones for walking long distances. We wore each pair across a span of multiple months, as we dutifully analyzed factors like their comfort levels, fit, support, breathability, durability, and more. Check out our favorite pairs below.
These insanely comfortable shoes make you feel like you’re walking on a cloud.
The sneaker construction may be hard to dress up at night.
The comfortable and easy to throw on Cloudfoams lived up to their name during our testing process, practically sweeping us off our feet despite the fact that we never even wore socks with them. They held up on long, hilly city walks and park trails, and even put a bounce in our step with zero rubbing or foot fatigue. The stretchy top creates a flexible, cradled feeling even on slightly wider feet. With regular wear, they haven’t shown any fading or developed any odor. We were especially impressed by their low price tag and noted they were more comfortable than other shoes three times the price. As a bonus, the Cloudfoams come in more than 20 different colors/styles, so you can get the perfect match for your travel outfits, and they’re made from at least 50 percent recycled materials. The Details: Running sneaker | Sizes 5 to 11 | Synthetic recycled materials
These are extremely cushioned and comfortable, propelling you forward while you walk.
The propulsion takes some getting used to, and they’re a little heavy.
We admit the Nike Motiva’s exaggerated rocker on the outsole felt a bit strange on first wear, but it quickly became the reason we love them so much. The rocker, or the curved sole, actually propels the wearer forward, which we found to be incredibly useful once we got used to it. We felt like we could literally walk in them forever thanks to a combination of the rocker, efficient cushioning, and reliable arch support. During testing, we compared the soles’ springiness and bounce-back to those of moon shoes, and although they run slightly heavy, they’re also quite flexible and bendable. The best part is that there are so many colors to choose from, including bright crimson, muted blush, classic black or white, and more.
The Details: Walking sneakers | Sizes 5 to 12
A solid leather construction and good support are paired with a versatile look and foldable back for extra style opportunities.
The back tab is a little stiff at first and may rub against the heel, but should soften with time.
The Pehuea Lī ‘Ili may feel stiff out of the box, but that just shows how solid their construction is. We tried to bend them in half, and they hardly bent at all, showing that they will stay durable with quality leather and a thick, supportive sole. We loved the roomy, wide toe box and the great amount of arch support. They also have a unique collapsible backing — the back of the shoe folds down so you have the option to wear them as a slip-on and breeze through airport security without having to stop and tie your shoes. The footbed is removable and washable, and you can choose from white, black, tan, or dark brown to match your favorite neutrals. Plus, the leather makes it easy to take them from day to night without having to go back to your hotel to do a complete change.
The Details: Collapsible heel sneaker | Sizes 5 to 11 | Leather upper, rubber sole
The 574s have a sporty vibe and are so comfortable you may forget you have them on.
Make sure you check your sizing based on New Balance’s chart, as we found they weren’t in line with usual sneaker sizes.
If you’re in the market for a more sporty-looking, casual sneaker, these may be the best walking shoes for you. They’re so comfortable and light, you'll forget you're wearing these sneakers. They’re well-made, with solid construction, and the laces stay tied — perfect for easy, breezy walks in the park, through city blocks, and for exploring new places.
The style is one of New Balance’s classic looks. Though it may not be to everyone’s personal tastes, people looking for an easy, neutral sneaker that is well made and highly comfortable will love them. Note that available sizes may vary based on whether you choose a unisex or women-specific style (the main difference seems to be the colors). There are also wide options available in all sizes for those who need a little more space.
The Details: Running sneaker | Sizes 5 to 12 | Suede and mesh upper, foam midsole
This easy-to-wear style boasts comfortable elastic with just the right combination of stretch and security.
They don’t offer very much arch support.
The Elle is understated yet totally stylish. These shoes are extremely comfortable, and we found that they held up for miles of walking wherever your travels take you. They run true to size with the perfect amount of room at the toe and heel, and the elastic straps are very secure. Elastic can be tricky, but these sandals tackle it with ease, offering a good amount of stretch, a feeling of security, and the ability to stay in place without being too restrictive or cutting off circulation.
We did experience some minor rubbing, but it went away quickly with wear; we felt a little bit of hip and knee pressure as well, which also lessened over time. The soles are slightly cushioned for comfort, but don’t provide a lot of arch support. There’s also a good range of colors available for multiple outfits, which is always a travel bonus. You can dress them up or down with any outfit and know that your feet will be comfortable wherever the day or night takes you. They’re stylish and durable, and they’re flat, so they’re easy to pack for a trip or quick getaway.
The Details: Sandals | Sizes 5 to 11 | Recycled PET stretch upper, EVA midsole and footbed, rubber outsole
They’re extremely supportive through the soles and ankles, helping alleviate foot pain during testing.
They won’t keep your feet warm on cold days.
The first thing we noticed when sliding these on was the impressive support for people with high arches. The second thing we noticed was how much wiggle room we had. Our toes could move freely without feeling cramped, but the shoes are also snug enough to stay on during high-intensity activities. And the third thing we noticed? There’s virtually no break-in period — after a few days of wear, we still had no sores, blisters, or discomfort of any kind (which is a major selling point for people who often do have foot pain or plantar fasciitis). Other features of these shoes we appreciate are the high-quality cushioning, shock absorption, ankle support, and breathability. Snag these in more than 40 hues ranging from solids to color block styles.
The Details: Running sneaker | Sizes 5 to 11 | Rubber, recycled polyester, and zero-gravity foam
Every single step feels light and soft thanks to the cushioning.
Because of the thick cushioning, they don’t feel as stable as other styles.
Before we even tried the Asics Gel-nimbus 25 sneakers for ourselves, we’d heard about the shoes’ legendary cushioning. When we finally got to put them to the test, the sneakers more than lived up to the hype. In addition to providing serious comfort and padding around the foot, we also found the toe box to be very spacious, our heels never slipped out, and the curved soles helped propel us forward. The shoes also boast incredible shock absorption, so we felt that every step and landing was a soft one, and we didn’t feel any pain at all over weeks of wear and walking over various terrains. We also love that they come in more than two dozen unique colorways.
The Details: Running sneaker | Sizes 5 to 13 | Knit upper, AHAR outsole rubber
These boots tackled everything we threw at them, including standing ankle-deep in a lake.
If you’re looking for something lightweight, these feel heavier than sneakers.
If you want a solid, waterproof, reasonably attractive do-it-all boot, the Holly is your best pick. We did find that they started out fairly stiff, so you may want to break them in before you travel, but they softened up during our testing period. They also aren’t very breathable (which makes sense given their waterproof construction), so you may want to reserve these for cooler weather, though we didn’t feel sweaty when wearing them. The footbeds are very cushioned and provide great arch support, and the material of the upper didn’t look scratched or dinged at all after testing. The dense rubber soles make them a little on the heavier side (though they were still comfortable to walk long periods in), but also provide grip across rougher terrain or wet conditions. They also impressively kept our feet dry even when standing ankle-deep in a lake. These practical lace-up boots make a great alternative to sneakers if that’s not your style.
The Details: Lace-up boot | Sizes 6 to 11 | Leather upper, recycled PET lining, EVA footbed | Waterproof
Chaco combines a funky, strappy design with a super-thick and supportive sole.
The strap adjustment system can be a little fussy, and if you have narrow feet, the straps may drag on the ground.
If you prioritize foot comfort, these are the sandals for you. They are not only incredibly supportive and sturdy, but truly have all-day comfort. Though the high level of arch support can take some getting used to, our feet felt comfortable all day and never tired; the sandals even alleviated our standing-desk-related foot pain at home. We noted some chafing from the toe loop, but it improved over the course of the break-in period.
Chaco is known for its adjustable strap system, which provides a great fit for thin feet, but achieving that perfect fit had the side effect of the straps dragging on the ground — though if you have average or wide feet, you likely won’t encounter this. We thought the quality felt superb, with a supportive, hardy sole and exceedingly comfortable arch and heel support. The sandals also come in a fun array of colors in addition to basic black, so you can wear these in multiple situations whether hiking, trekking through water, or exploring a city.
The Details: Sandals | Sizes 5 to 12 | Polyester webbing, rubber sole
These slip-ons will keep you light on your feet with all-day sturdiness and support.
Some online reviews note that they’re not so easy to slip on hands-free.
Kizik’s Limas fit perfectly from the first wear, with nary a problem popping up even during two straight weeks of daily wear. Though their sturdiness makes them look heavy, they feel light while still being supportive. They’re also super breathable and airy, which is great for long, sweaty travel days. We thought they felt true to size, with a nicely spacious toe box. After wearing them for hours, we noted they had consistent arch support throughout the day, as well as excellent traction across various weather conditions and types of terrain. As an extra travel bonus, they’re also designed to easily slip on and off without having to use your hands, though some online reviews note that they’re not always easy for everyone to slip on.
The Details: Slip-on sneaker | Sizes 5 to 13 | Recycled-textile upper, textile lining, rubber sole
These comfortable hikers are light and breezy, and will give you great support and traction.
They have a sportier appearance and not a lot of ankle support for heavy hiking.
When you’re hitting tougher terrain, you need shoes with a little more grip. Opt for the Merrell Speed Eco if you’re going out on the trail or spending the day walking on dirt rather than concrete. They were super comfortable straight out of the box, even paired with thin, everyday socks, and our feet felt supported the entire time. The material feels durable and high-end, as well as extremely breathable, and they offer good arch support no matter where you’re walking. While they’ve gathered a little dust, they stayed in great condition during our hikes and still look almost brand-new even after five months of testing. Do note that if you’re doing more hardcore hiking, though, that they don’t have a lot of ankle support.
The Details: Hiking shoe | Sizes 5 to 11 | Rubber outsole, EVA midsole, jacquard upper
These boots combine style and protection from the elements.
It takes a few wears to break them in against stiffness.
It’s always nice to have a rain boot that isn’t just a piece of plastic. Sam Edelman’s Lagunas are sturdy, stylish, and extremely supportive, making an excellent option when you want to walk around in something other than a sneaker. They do take a while to break in, but they feel stiff, not painful at all during that break-in period. They offer a lot of traction and water-repelling ability — we felt no wetness seeping through even when standing in a puddle that covered the entire top of the shoe. We stayed dry after tramping through city puddles, and the boots still managed to look nice afterward, too.
The Details: Chelsea boot | Sizes 5 to 12 | Leather, synthetic, and fabric | Waterproof
We tested upwards of 50 pairs of shoes in our search for the most comfortable women’s walking shoes. The process started straight from the unboxing, when we picked up each shoe and tried to bend it in the middle to evaluate its level of arch support. We then assessed each pair for flexibility, material and construction quality, and weight.
Each shoe then got a minimum of three test wears of different durations: 30 minutes, three hours, and eight hours. During the 30-minute test, we noted ease of wear, fit, and any rubbing, redness, or feelings of restriction. After three hours, we also added an evaluation of whether the shoes seemed to be forming to our feet and how they fared on various surfaces. Then during the eight-hour test, we checked again if they were starting to feel more comfortable and whether the shoes felt flimsy over the course of the day. We continued to wear the shoes as often as possible during the rest of the testing period, discontinuing if they became painful.
We’ve also integrated the results of three other shoe tests: our tests for the best slip-ons, waterproof boots, and hiking shoes. Slip-ons were subjected to the bend test and then worn at least five to seven times for a minimum of five hours on different types of terrain. In our waterproof boot tests, we wore each pair of boots around for an hour to break them in. Then, we wore them on at least two outings of one to two hours in duration, ideally in wet conditions, focusing on fit and comfort, traction, and breathability. If the weather simply didn’t cooperate, we stuffed a boot with paper towels and ran it under a steady stream of water, then examined the paper filling to assess its water-repelling capabilities. Hiking shoes received similar tests — minus the shower — with an examination, a one-hour break-in, and at least two hikes.
We wore each pair of shoes out and about for six months to see how they held up long-term, and we will continue to update this article as we test even more comfortable walking shoes.
Here are a few more pairs of shoes that we liked, though they didn't make our main list due to some issues found during testing.
Allbirds Wool Runners: These Allbirds regularly top most comfortable shoe lists, but we found a few flaws that kept them from making it into our top picks. They’re very comfortable and good for long periods of walking. The sole is thick and provides good arch support, but it was still thin enough that the heel warped easily due to lack of lining and wouldn’t stand up to regular slipping on and off. We felt that the shoes were quite delicate and shouldn't be worn in any type of moisture or in very warm weather.
Vessi Women’s Everyday Classics: These shoes were also comfortable out of the box but did have some friction under the laces at the end of long wears. The sole is lightweight but sturdy and adequately supportive, but we didn’t like that they aren’t available in half sizes and looked extremely wide when on. They’re also not particularly versatile style-wise: they lean slightly orthopedic-looking because of the cloud-like sole design, and we don’t think these are stylish enough to dress up.
Kizik Roamers: These kicks were stylish and extremely shock absorbent — plus, they fit us great. However, we weren’t fans of how heavy they are. The laces also kept coming untied no matter how tight we tied them, which made us feel like we’d rarely reach for these if they were in our closet.
We know looking cute is important, but don’t let vanity ruin your vacation! Your travel shoes should be comfortable above all else.
“Rule of thumb is that if you can take a shoe and bend it in the middle very easily without much force, then the shoe is too flimsy and not supportive enough,” says podiatrist Cory Clement. "This can lead to conditions like heel and arch pain, aka plantar fasciitis, due to the decrease in support and lessened shock absorption.”
You only have so much luggage space, especially if you’re committed to the carry-on lifestyle. Ideally, you only want to bring three, maybe four, pairs of shoes total, so make sure they can go everywhere you want, especially if you’re going to be out and about from breakfast to dinner without a chance to change. If you look for versatile pairs of shoes that you can wear during the day but also while going out at night, you won't have to pack as many.
What are you planning to do during your trip? Are you lounging on the beach most of the day (look for sandals), or will you be pounding the cobblestone pavement (you'll want something supportive)? What’s the climate like where you’re going? You may want something more lightweight and breathable for warm weather or something with grippy soles for rainy climates. Do you tend to visit five-star fine dining establishments or prefer a pick-up window? A stylish pair of sneakers can take you a lot of places, but not quite everywhere.
Short answer: comfortably. Your foot should feel supported but not stifled, and you should have room to comfortably wiggle your toes.
“Women’s and men’s travel shoes should have a firm heel counter and shouldn’t bend in the middle,” Clement says. “Also check the toe box of the shoe. If it is too narrow, this can lead to discomfort and crowding leading to sore toes and corns.”
You can break in walking shoes by wearing them around the house for a week or two before your trip. The best travel shoes will be the ones that keep you most comfortable for the longest period of time.
First, try Clement’s bend test. Once you’ve established that they don’t bend in the middle, check that the sole is made of a firm material that won’t wear out over time. You can also look for a physically upraised arch on the shoe, but this doesn’t necessarily guarantee support. If you’re shopping online, look for a seal of approval from the APMA and known supportive brands.
If your shoes aren’t very technical, yes, but keep in mind that different categories of shoes are designed to maximize different features. Hiking shoes with extra-grippy lugs for dirt, for example, won’t be as good for walking on pavement and will likely also feel much heavier than a pair of walking shoes. More highly engineered running shoes, meanwhile, encourage your feet to move in a way that’s more conducive to speed and a runner’s gait (less stability, more springiness), so they won't always provide the right padding if you’re moving at a slower pace.
For this story, Rena Behar summarized the testing notes and data from multiple T+L editors, who conducted extensive feet-on testing of the shoes. They also utilized their own experience as professional gear reviewers, frequent travelers, and compulsive hunters of both cute and comfortable shoes. While researching walking shoes for women, we spoke with podiatrist Cory Clement to get expert feedback.
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