Best walking shoes in 2026: comfort, support and wet-weather picks

The Bondi is HOKA's most cushioned road shoe, and it has long been popular with people who walk a lot or stand all day for work: nurses, retail staff and anyone who spends hours on concrete. The Bondi 9 uses a new supercritical EVA foam, which HOKA positions as more responsive than the Bondi 8's.

HOKA UK lists a 5 mm drop and a weight of 297 g for the men's shoe, and offers Regular, Wide and X-Wide fittings. HOKA's stack is 43 mm at the heel and 38 mm at the forefoot. That is a lot of foam between you and the ground.

The design suits walking well. A gentle rocker shape helps you roll through each step, the heel collar is padded, and the wide base and raised foam sidewalls make it more stable than its height suggests. The upper is engineered mesh with 55% recycled content.

The downsides are practical. It looks and feels bulky, and wider feet should go straight for the Wide or X-Wide versions rather than the standard fit. The mesh upper is not waterproof, so it is a shoe for pavements and dry days rather than wet fields.

The Ghost Max is Brooks's high-cushion shoe, and unlike most running shoes, Brooks lists walking and all-day wear as intended uses. The Ghost Max 4 launched in August 2026 with the nitrogen-infused DNA Loft v3 foam, a 40 mm heel and 34 mm forefoot, a 6 mm drop and a men's weight of 292 g, according to Brooks.

Brooks says the rocker is more pronounced than on the Ghost Max 3, the stack is slightly higher and the shoe is lighter, with the drop unchanged. The base is broad, which should help stability, and the toe box is described as roomy enough for orthotics.

On fit, it comes in Medium, Wide and Extra Wide. If the standard width feels narrow across the toes, Brooks itself suggests trying a wider width rather than a bigger size.

It is not designed to be soft and bouncy. DNA Loft v3 gives a cushioned feel rather than a sinking one, and the shoe is not waterproof. For long days on your feet in dry weather, though, it is one of the most comfortable options here at a mid-range price.

If your feet roll inwards (overpronate) or you have flat feet, a stability shoe can make long walks more comfortable. The ASICS GT-2000 15 is a good choice because its support is designed to be gentle. Instead of a firm wedge under the arch, ASICS uses its 3D Guidance System to guide the foot along the whole length of the shoe.

ASICS lists a 38 mm heel, 30 mm forefoot and an 8 mm drop. At a stated 252 g for men, it is light for a supportive shoe, and ASICS lists walking and all-day wear among its intended uses.

The FF Blast Max midsole is a softer, springier foam than the GT-2000 14 used, and ASICS has used AHARPLUS rubber in the heel and AHAR LO elsewhere for durability. The upper is an engineered woven material with reflective details for winter evenings.

The design is not as plush as a max-cushion shoe like the Bondi 9. If your feet are wide or you have bunions, go for the Wide (2E) or X-Wide (4E) versions, although some widths are only offered in selected colours.

The Transport 2 is HOKA's commuting and everyday walking shoe, designed to move from city pavements to gravel paths. HOKA lists it as best for walking, hiking and everyday wear, and it looks more like a smart outdoor trainer than a running shoe.

The outsole is Vibram EcoStep Recycle rubber, the kind of grippy, hard-wearing sole you normally find on hiking footwear. The upper is recycled polyester mesh with a Cordura tongue and a PFAS-free water-repellent treatment. That will keep a passing shower out, but HOKA does not call it waterproof, so it is not the shoe for long walks through wet grass.

HOKA lists a 5 mm drop, 320 g for the men's version and 275 g for the women's. The midsole is a sugarcane-based EVA, and while HOKA says the stack is higher than the original Transport, it does not give exact figures. It comes in Regular and Wide fittings, and the quick-toggle stretch laces make it easy to slip on and off, with standard laces in the box.

One caution: HOKA's page describes the support in two different ways, mentioning a J-Frame to limit inward roll but also calling it a shoe for neutral feet. If you need firm support, the ASICS GT-2000 15 is the clearer choice.

For walking in genuinely wet conditions, a waterproof membrane matters more than extra foam, and the Merrell Moab 3 GTX is one of the most familiar options. The upper is leather and mesh with a GORE-TEX lining and a bellows tongue, which stops water and debris sneaking in around the laces. The Vibram TC5+ outsole has 5 mm lugs designed for mud, roots and wet rock.

It is also built to be supportive. A nylon shank in the midsole and a stiff heel counter steady the foot on uneven ground, and the toe area is protected against knocks.

The trade-offs come from that protection. At about 460 g for a men's shoe, according to Merrell, it is far heavier than the other shoes here, and a waterproof membrane inevitably breathes less, so it will be warm in summer. The midsole is firm, so there is limited shock absorption on hard pavements, and Merrell's 11.5 mm drop is higher than most road shoes here. It is clearly more at home on day hikes than on urban pavements.

It comes in a Wide fitting. For forest trails, coastal paths and muddy fields, it is the pick of this group.

Skechers' Slip-ins have become hugely popular because you can step straight into them without bending down. A firm Heel Pillow at the back holds your heel in place, so the shoe stays on like a laced trainer. That makes the Arch Fit Glide-Step Pro a great choice for older walkers, people with back or hip problems, and anyone who is tired of tying laces.

The key feature is the Arch Fit insole, which Skechers describes as podiatrist-certified arch support. It is removable, so you can swap in your own orthotics if needed. The midsole uses Skechers' Glide-Step geometric cushioning, and the heel is 1.75 inches high. Skechers does not publish a drop or weight.

Skechers UK lists the shoe in Medium and Wide widths, and the whole shoe is machine washable, which is handy after a muddy park walk. This style number (233110) is the men's version; Skechers also sells women's Arch Fit Glide-Step styles.

It is not a performance shoe. Cushioning is moderate rather than deep, and there is no waterproofing. For everyday walking, shopping and errands, though, it is the most convenient and usually the most affordable shoe in this guide.