Walking shoes are essential if you like going walking or hiking. These shoes are specifically designed to put up with most terrains you’ll come across on a walk. They come in all shapes and sizes and should be considered a vital part of your walking attire.
In this article, we’ll be covering all the main points you’ll need to consider when choosing a new pair of women’s walking shoes. In addition, we’ll be recommending some of our favorite products on the market and breaking down their pros and cons.
So, if you’d like to know more about the top walking shoes for women in 2025, scroll on down for our favorite brands and purchase a pair of shoes you can rely on when you venture onto your next trail or footpath.
This Keen Women’s Presidio Shoe kicks off our list of walking shoe recommendations and is our pick for a quality piece of footwear suitable for various occasions. These shoes are made from 100% leather (so you are guaranteed quality). In addition, they also have a sturdy, rubber sole. These particular shoes are lace-up and come with a cushioned collar and footbed for added comfortability. The supportive sole means you’ll last longer on your walks and suffer from less foot fatigue.
The tread offers plenty of grip (perfect for various terrains) and stains can be treated with a simple gum eraser. Finally, the shoe is also made with Cleansport NXT to control any odors.
Next up on our recommendations list is the Ryka Women’s Devotion Plus 2 Walking Shoe – a versatile and visually appealing shoe for any woman who wants to look good on their next walking adventure.
Made in the USA, these shoes are available in multiple colors and designs (our personal favorites are navy blue and plum red). The four-way gradient print is stylish and attractive, meaning you’ll always look fantastic, even when you’re 10 miles into a hike. These shoes come with laces and a lycra-lined tongue and collar with built-in cushioning for added comfort.
In addition, an anatomically precise insole offers fantastic heel support and extra arch to keep your fit in tip-top shape.
If you are looking for a women’s sneaker that can handle the rigors of long walks and leisurely hikes, look no further than the New Balance Women’s FuelCore Nergize V1 Sneaker. New Balance is known for its quality activewear, and this sneaker is no exception to the rule.
Enjoy the benefits of New Balance’s REVlite midsole, delivering lightweight cushioning and responsive ride for comfortable wear over long periods of time. These sneakers hug your foot for a snug and supportive fit. New Balance also utilizes synthetic and mesh materials to allow your feet to breathe. As such, these shoes are also very lightweight, perfect for zipping around on daily errands.
With so many designs available, you’re bound to find a sneaker that suits your walking needs.
Like New Balance, Skechers is another well-known brand in the realms of quality footwear. As such, it’s no surprise to see these Skechers Women’s Go Walk Joy Walking Shoes grace our recommendations list.
These shoes are made with a synthetic sole and lightweight fabrics to keep you light on your feet. They are built with responsive 5Gen cushioning to keep you comfortable at all times and the brand’s Goga Max high rebound insole, so you can enjoy longer walks without much fatigue or discomfort. Choose from one of many available designs and color schemes – you’ll find a pair to suit your personal taste with little effort.
Basically, if you are looking for a stylish, everyday pair of walking shoes, this is the pair for you!
Rounding out our list of quality walking shoes for women are these Doussprt shoes, a must for anybody looking for a budget pair of walking shoes that’ll provide maximum support for walks, hikes, work, or everyday errands.
These shoes are made with mesh fabric and an air-cushion sole, so they’ll keep you comfortable. In addition, the slip-on design and elastic cuff offer added convenience: simply slide your feet in and go!
These shoes have a perforated arch for added breathability and ventilation, making them perfect for people who need a reliable shoe when they are always on the go.
If you’d like to know more about choosing the right walking shoes for your hiking needs, check out the rest of our buying guide below. We’ll be covering everything you need to know about walking shoes for women. This includes:
Read on for more information.
Walking shoes are ideal for several situations. These include:
If you are only going for a leisurely stroll or want to set a decent pace on a hike, choose walking shoes over walking boots. These shoes are lighter in general and designed to help you navigate your trail quickly with maximum comfort.
Unlike some walking boots, most walking shoes are not intended for harsh conditions. If you enjoy walking on spring or summer days and need a shoe that’ll let your feet breathe and support your gait, choose one of our walking shoe recommendations.
While heavy-duty walking boots are perfect for difficult terrain and strenuous hikes, if you are planning to follow footpaths and relatively flat terrain on your walks, a set of walking shoes should serve you well.
There are many factors to consider when buying the perfect pair of walking shoes. These include:
Walking shoes are typically made for mild weather conditions. As such, they are constructed with a synthetic fabric upper. This material keeps them light and breathable compared to heavy-duty walking boots (which are often made of leather). Synthetic fabric is also more comfortable. However, this means walking shoes may not offer the same level as walking boots. If you’re going to be crossing streams or walking through heavy rain or deep puddles, you may need different footwear.
If you live in a rainy climate, look for walking shoes with a waterproof liner. Most walking shoes will have this type of liner unless they are specifically made for dry and hot weather. Many walking shoes will use a comfortable liner with a waterproof membrane. However, these shoes probably won’t withstand torrential conditions. Also, consider that ankle height will mean more water will get into the shoe via the top of the cuff.
We also recommend buying walking shoes with a supportive midsole. Ideally, this part of the shoe should offer plenty of comfort and impact absorption. Longitudinal and torsional flex is often found in walking shoe midsoles to help them support your steps.
Walking shoes should have an outsole that can cope with a wide variety of terrains but without the robustness of walking boots. Outsoles will usually have a fine-patterned tread that is deep enough to give you the required traction when the trail gets slippy. As such, walking shoes are versatile footwear for a variety of activities.
While the design and color may only be an aesthetic choice, walking shoes come in so many different styles that you may as well pick one that fits in with the rest of your walking gear. Look for a design that matches your personal taste, but don’t sacrifice comfortability and support for fashion’s sake.
Of course, it’s always a good idea to consult customer reviews before buying a pair of walking shoes. This is the best way to get information about the product and judge whether the shoes are good enough to purchase in the first place.
If you want the best choices when choosing walking shoes, we suggest buying them online. When you shop online, you get access to a wider selection of shoes. You can make specific searches for various materials, shapes, and brands. Plus, you get the added bonus of having your new walking shoes delivered straight to your door.Alternatively, if you prefer to try your shoes before you buy them, head to your nearest shoe specialty store and try them on.
It’s always a good idea to know your shoe size before buying walking shoes. If your shoes are too tight, they’re going to hurt your toes. If they are too large, they’re going to rub on your heel and potentially fall off when walking. The best footwear is a pair that fits just right.
We consider many things before recommending any walking shoes for women. This includes:
We also trust our gut instinct, only recommending shoes that are worth your hard-earned money.
Walking shoes generally cost anywhere from $10 to $250. You can find some for less and others for more.We recommend spending upwards of $60 if you want a pair that will truly last. However, you can find some great bargains in our recommendations list above.
Training shoes are suitable for many activities, including running, weight lifting, and athletics events. However, walking shoes are designed specifically for longer walks and hikes. We do not recommend wearing training shoes for walking, as you could suffer an injury or foot fatigue that will cut your hike short.
Running shoes have a much stiffer sole compared to the flexible sole of most walking shoes. In addition, running shoes have thicker heel wedges to provide more cushion for the back of your foot. If you use running shoes for walking, the thick heel can cause shin splints or tendonitis. Keep this in mind when choosing your next pair of shoes.
Yes. Many brands make walking shoes designed specifically for children. These shoes will be shaped to suit your child’s feet so they can enjoy walking and hiking alongside you.
Yes. You can buy certain walking shoes for women that are made from entirely synthetic materials (no leather/suede). Alternatively, you can find walking shoes that are made from entirely natural and plant-based materials that are better for the environment. Do some research and find a pair that matches your morals.
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