IT’S ONE OF THE most basic forms of exercise, but walking remains an underrated and effective way to burn calories. In the age of fitness tracker ubiquity, hitting daily step targets has become second nature for many, and for good reason. An average step count above 7,000 has consistently been linked to improved health outcomes, increased longevity and better ageing. Truly, if you’re not actively trying to get your steps in, what are you doing?
But while the benefits of walking are well known, hitting your daily target is easier said than done. Often, there just aren’t enough hours in the day to get it done, with work and other commitments getting in the way. It doesn’t help that the task can get tiresome, especially when your shoes simply aren’t up for it. That’s where we can help.
Having the right pair of walking shoes can make your strolls a lot easier. At some point, it’ll be time to move on from the beat-up old sneakers that have been giving you blisters for years. Why not replace them with some of the best walking shoes available? To help you find them, we’ve rounded up our picks for the best walking shoes of 2025.
What are the best walking shoes of 2025?
10. ASICS Gel-Contend 9
It’s hard to ask for much more from a shoe that retails for only $100 than what you’ll get from the Gel-Contend 9. It has almost everything you’ll find in a pricier ASICS shoe, including a Gel midsole, Amplifoam+ cushioning, a Trusstic support unit and a wrap-up outsole to improve stability while allowing your feet to move freely.
9. On Cloud 6
Some shoes simply look high-tech. On’s Cloud 6 are one such pair, with holes cut into the midsole for weight reduction. Zero-Gravity CloudTec still provides that cushioned feel, while a Speedboard is used for all-day performance and support. The Cloud 6 also boasts a new sockliner for easier step-in and a wider opening for a broader fit.
8. Nike Motiva
Designed to provide the ultimate comfort during walking, the Motiva boasts Nike’s highest level of cushioning. Combining a tall foam stack with Nike’s Comfortgroove innovation on the outsole, the Motiva absorbs bumps and delivers sure-footed stability. On top of that, its exaggerated rocker propels you forward by optimising momentum.
7. Brooks Ghost Max 3
Designed with providing supreme support and protection in mind, the Ghost Max 3 uses a GlideRoll rocker and high-stacked, nitrogen-infused DNA LOFT v3 cushioning, to help you flow from one step to the next with ease.
6. ASICS Gel-Kayano 32
There isn’t a shoe that can rival the Kayano 32’s stability, thanks to an advanced 4D guidance system that keeps your feet where they should be while in motion. The Kayano 32 adds more FF BLAST PLUS foam in the midsole than predecessors, making it more comfortable and cushioned, but it doesn’t add any weight thanks to using a lighter material. A reinforced tongue wing along the arch also provides additional support. All in all, the Gel-Kayano 32 is one of the most stable and comfortable shoes on the market.
5. Hoka Bondi 9
The Bondi 9 is Hoka’s most cushioned shoe, and like other max-cushioned shoes, it’s designed to provide superior comfort to keep you walking for longer and without pain. Extra cushioning usually means heavier, unresponsive shoes that start to feel like you’re dragging cinderblocks after a few kilometres. That’s not an issue with the Bondi 9, which has a new midsole with supercritical EVA foam. This takes the line’s famously plush feel to another level with a midsole that is more resilient for a bouncier yet softer underfoot feeling.
4. Adidas Supernova Rise 2
The Supernova Rise features Adidas’ re-engineered super foam, Dreamstrike+, and manages to strike the ideal balance between support and comfort. The Rise’s sole is also filled with an intricate system of support rods which are bottom loaded to ensure neutral support – meaning it has more support in the heel than the forefoot and an upper that conforms to your foot shape.
3. New Balance 1080 V14
Coming from a line known for premium cushioning and comfort, the 1080 V14 uses renowned Fresh Foam technology in the midsole to provide a super-smooth ride and seamless heel-to-toe transition. It excels in support, cushioning and comfort and has very few points of weakness.
2. ASICS Gel-Nimbus 27
The Gel-Nimbus 27 combines ultra-supportive PureGel cushioning with a plush collar, offering unbelievably soft landings and a luxurious experience for your feet. This is Asics’ most cushioned and most comfortable shoe, hence the name Nimbus. The cloud-like feeling of walking in them needs to be experienced first-hand to be believed.
1. Hoka Clifton 10
The next-gen update to the Clifton 10 delivers a revitalised underfoot experience, with an additional 3mm heel-to-toe drop, but it maintains the ultra plush cushioning that made the Clifton 9 so popular. The fit has been fine-tuned to include an improved breathable jacquard upper with double-lace lock to mitigate tongue migration. For slugging out your daily steps, the Clifton 10 is one of the best shoes you can get.
