The best walking shoes for men combine design, quality materials and comfort. A quality walking shoe will not only be comfortable for extended periods, but will also reduce the risk of injury by providing suitable support and traction.
It can be difficult to find a pair of shoes that ticks all the boxes, especially when shopping online.
To help you in your search, we’ve rounded up the best walking shoes for men on the market. These shoes have all received excellent reviews and are comfortable and durable enough for daily walks.
Our top pick: Asics Gel-Kayano
Pros: Durable, stable, updated model,
Cons: Can be tight around the midfoot for people with wide feet
The Asics Kayano is a popular shoe with a great legacy. In fact, this is one of the longest-running shoe series with this being the 28th version of the Kayano.
The new Gel-Kayano has seen a few big changes from previous versions including a new Flytefoam Blast midsole foam that is lighter, bouncier and more comfortable than the previous foam.
Another noticeable difference is the upper which now features an improved memory-foam lined external heel clutch. The gel midsole gives a layer of cushioning and shock absorption, reducing the impact felt with each stride.
This shoe looks great making it suitable for everyday wear and the features make it ideal for running and walking. These shoes are well balanced and comfortable with a tailored fit.
Nike Men’s Pegasus Trail 3
Pros: Stylish, responsive cushioning, breathable upper mesh
Cons: Bulky, not as durable as some options
The Pegasus Trail 3 are walking shoes that are great for everything from trails to city streets. They offer more support and traction than the classic Nike Pegasus shoes but remain in line with that classic Pegasus style.
Our favourite features on the Pegasus Trail 3 walking shoe include the midfoot support and the responsive cushioning. They make sure you feel comfortable when walking over challenging terrain and hard surfaces.
The upper mesh keeps your feet cool and the soles are designed to mimic mountain bike tyres providing plenty of grip. For easily tackling hills, these shoes also have more grip at the toe and the heel.
The Pegasus Trail 3 men’s walking shoe are a perfect blend of style and stability. They also come in 4 colours so you can choose a colour-way that suits your style.
Saucony Men’s Echelon Walker 3
Pros: Slip-resistant outsole, wide toe box, natural feel
Cons: Not as breathable as other options
The Echelon Walker 3 walking shoes are ideal if you need some extra room around the toes. They offer a generous fit with plenty of cushioning and a wide fit toe box. These shoes offer plenty of shock absorption so you can walk for longer without feeling foot pain or fatigue.
These walking shoes come in a wide range of sizes (including half sizes) and they are lightweight making them comfortable to wear all day.
The arch support helps to soothe foot pain. These walking shoes accommodate a range of needs and can be worn for most occasions thanks to their durability and style.
All Birds Men’s Tree Dashers
Pros: Sustainable, great arch support, well-cushioned
Cons: Heavier than other similar options
The All Birds Tree Dashers are a sustainable and comfortable men’s walking shoe for everyday use. They are stylish with a knitted outer material and an integrated tongue. The lace eyelets are unique and look great but they do mean you can’t tie the shoes too tight as there is flexibility and stretch in the material.
The midsole of these shoes is made from sugarcane which is supportive but flexible. The shape of the sole is also unique as it is angled slightly away from the shoe offering more stability for walking and running.
The arch support in this shoe is also excellent so if you need supportive running shoes or you have flatter feet then these are a great choice (along with the Echelon Walker 3).
Although supportive and comfortable, the Tree Dashers are quite heavy so they aren’t the best choice if you are looking for a lightweight walking shoe – the Gowalk Max or X Ultra 4 are going to be better options if weight is a key consideration.
New Balance 857 Mens Cross Training Shoes
Pros: Suitable for people with orthotics or wide feet, moisture-wicking
Cons: Motion control technology makes shoe stiffer
The 857 cross-training shoe designed by New Balance is a great walking shoe suitable for people with a wider foot. In fact, you can select a range of widths which is also great for people with orthotics.
This shoe is also very durable as it is made of leather. Breathability is not compromised even with the leather material as the DRI-EX lining of this shoe has moisture-wicking properties.
The sole also has a great grip which would make this shoe suitable for city walking as well as trail exploring. This shoe is also equipped with motion control technology which might give a more stiff sensation when starting out and take a bit longer to break in.
Rockport Total Motion Active
Pros: Breathable, lightweight, extremely comfortable
Cons: Higher price
The Total Motion Active walking shoe from Rockport is one of the most comfortable everyday shoes on the market. They have been designed with a synthetic/ leather upper, a removable footbed and an EVA outsole.
The overall style of these shoes are casual and clean so you can wear them just about anywhere. This versatility is something that makes these shoes so popular. You can wear them as running shoes or for general day to day wear and they won’t look out of place.
Another great thing about these shoes is how lightweight they are, this is mostly thanks to the use of light but strong textile/leather upper material. These shoes also feature truTECH shock absorption to help protect your feet and knees as you walk or run.
Merrell Moab 2 Men’s Gore-Tex Hiking Shoes
Pros: Excellent traction, waterproof, supportive, versatile
Cons: Heavy
The Merrell Moab 2 leather walking shoes are durable, supportive and high-performance. Merrell have taken the best of the best of their products and put them together to create a versatile shoe.
The Moab 2 model uses a Gore-Tex shell that is breathable, comfortable and waterproof and combines this with a slip-resistant Vibram sole so you can handle any terrain with confidence. These are great hiking shoes thanks to their stability and durability.
These shoes also have a leather and mesh upper, a protective rubber toe cap and a closed-cell foam tongue to keep moisture and debris out as you walk. These hiking shoes also use M-Fresh to help get rid of sweat and bacteria to keep them fresh use after use.
Skechers GOwalk Max Men’s Walking Shoes
Pros: Lightweight, cushioned, rubber outsole, flexible, added padded heel for extra comfort
Cons: Mesh material is less durable for rain and uneven terrains
The GOWalk Max walking shoes by Skechers are perfect for a comfortable everyday walk. They only weigh 215 g in a men’s size 9 which mean you will almost feel like you’re wearing slippers.
They also have a lot of cushioning with extra padding at the heel which is perfect for people with a more sensitive arch or with plantar fasciitis.
These shoes are extra breathable being as the top part of the shoe is made of mesh fabric. This may be one of the downsides of this footwear if you are more of a trail walker as this mesh upper decreases the stability of the shoe.
Mizuno Wave Rider Men’s Walking Shoes
Pros: Soft heel cushioning, responsive midsole, deep flex grooves
Cons: May not be as durable as other options
The Wave Rider 24 is one of the newest offerings from Mizuno and is the first to feature the new generation of midsole foam, Enerzy. The Enerzy midfoam is more responsive and lighter in weight than the previous U4ic midsole and this shoe uses a blend of Enerzy and U4ic. The blend of the two materials results in a softer and more responsive feel.
The Air Mesh upper is dense but breathable thanks to the slits in the top layer. The fit has also been upgraded so it is wider and less pointed to provide more comfort. These running shoes also feature a foam and firm heel counter combination to make these shoes fit snugly and reduce blisters when on the go.
Wave Rider is one of the most popular Mizuno shoes and it continues to be smooth and responsive. The updates seen on the 24th edition focus on bringing new technology in to improve the overall feel, something that has certainly been achieved.
Salomon X Ultra 4 GTX Men’s Shoe
Pros: Water-resistant, shock-absorbing, rubber outsole
Cons: Not as protective as some walking shoes
The X Ultra 4 GTX are great shoes for hiking and walking, particularly on trails and uneven terrain. These shoes are lightweight yet durable and have lots of features to ensure you are comfortable.
These walking shoes have a protective mudguard as well as toe caps. Although not fully waterproof, they use water-resistant materials to keep your feet drier for longer.
The EVA midsole absorbs shock and the Ortholite insole provides cushioning for your feet. The X Ultra 4s also use a Contragrip MA rubber outsole which provides grip on uneven and slippery terrain making these shoes ideal for trails.
One of the key features of the X Ultra 4 hiking shoes is the protection it provides the outer foot which helps to prevent injuries. We also love the quick lace system that makes these shoes a breeze to get on and off.
Asics Gel-Trigger 12 Men’s Walking Shoes
Pros: Stable, lots of traction, versatile, great for trail running
Cons: Better suited to sports
The Gel-Trigger 12 is designed with an aggressive outsole perfect for cross-training and turf-based sports such as touch football. While the outsole provides plenty of traction, the internal gel offers great support.
The midsole construction has seen an upgrade so now the forefront and rearfoot have gel cushioning making the shoe more efficient at handling impacts. Another update on this footwear is the upper which now offers a better fit.
Although well suited to sports, these shoes are also ideal for walking. They offer plenty of sole support and are comfortable straight out of the box.
Men’s Walking Shoe Buying Guide
With so much choice, it can be tough to figure out which shoes are right for you. This guide will help you narrow down your search and pick the best pair of walking shoes for your needs.
1. Comfort
The more comfortable your shoes are, the more you will feel motivated to walk in them. This is why it’s important to try on different pairs of shoes and walk around the store to see how they feel.
Some stores will offer to measure your foot length and width to make sure you get the right size for your foot.
If your shoe is too tight, this can lead to blisters, calluses and even toe deformities.
On the other hand, if the shoe is too loose you will have a lot less support and risk more injuries.
You may also want to consider a shoe that has some cushioning inside that can mould to the shape of your foot and keep you feeling at ease for the entire length of your walks.
RELATED: The Best Women’s Walking Shoes
2. Foot Anatomy
One size doesn’t fit all when it comes to selecting a pair of walking shoes. Different shoes will cater to different needs. Whether you have flat feet vs a high arch or a wide foot vs a narrow foot can definitely be the deciding factor in which shoe you will want to pick.
3. Flexibility
Another aspect you should be looking for is a shoe that allows natural movement of the foot while you walk.
What you can do is gently twist the shoe on itself or try to fold it in half to see how flexible it is. Also, when you try them on, make sure you feel like you can do a proper heel-to-toe movement without feeling too restricted.
4. Walking Surface
The shoe you choose will vary according to the type of walking surface. Do you tend to walk on asphalt around the city, on forest trails, or both?
If you are venturing off the beaten path you will need a more durable sole as well as additional grip. This may not be as important if you’re just walking around the city on even surfaces.
5. Ankle Support
This last point goes hand in hand with the previous one. If you’re sticking to even surfaces around the city, ankle support is not as important.
However, if you’re doing lots of trail walking, a shoe with good ankle support becomes relevant as it will keep you feeling supported and you’ll avoid the risk of ankle sprains.
With all this being said, it’s important to try on the shoe and purchase the one that feels the best on your foot. Comfort is probably the most important aspect and is what will make you keep going back for more walks.
