Sorry guys, but we hate to break it to you, one pair of shoes isn’t going to do it all. It’s time to give your closet a little variety with two (maybe even three!) reliable pairs. Not sure where to start? We’ve rounded up some of the best men’s walking shoes to help you find the perfect fit for your daily steps.
Yep, there are real differences between men’s and women’s shoes. Things like width, length, heel toe drop, overall shape, and thanks to the different shoe last (or mold) that’s used. And of course there are fit variations across brands.
Men’s shoes tend to have a wider fit, a slightly less narrow heel and may weigh more due to the cushion distribution. They’re also built with biomechanics in mind, like a smaller Q Angle, so they don’t need the same type of support many women’s shoes provide.
That said, you can wear whatever shoes feel best, no matter the label. But it’s good to know these differences, since the wrong fit or support could lead to discomfort or even injury over time.
7 Best Men’s Walking Shoes
Our team of male testers has put A LOT of walking and running shoes through some miles. You’ll notice most of these are also running shoes and that’s because they are more durable and last longer than the cheaper shoes you’ll often find a department store!!
These are the walking shoes we keep coming back to and we’ll keep updating the list as more shoes are released.
Bonus points for everything on this list because they’ll work just as well if you decide to mix in a little run walk or even kick things up with some power walking.
Great Casual Style, Max Comfort Pick- On Cloudsurfer 2
If you’re looking for a light, cushioned, and comfortable daily trainer that can also easily translate to street wear, here it is.
The midsole features On’s CloudTec Phase cushioning technology and Helion superfoam. This combo makes for a smooth, energetic walk and a soft landing with each stride.
The Cloudsurfer 2 is lightweight but feels supportive enough to protect you through super long hours on your feet. It balances performance with weight in a way that makes this a reliable, smooth trainer.
Our tester can tell you firsthand that these were supportive and comfortable enough to get through a 30K step day at Disneyland. Their feet felt good enough to get out for a run the next morning!
- Weight: 9.2 oz Men’s
- Heel drop: 9mm
- 4 colors
- Not available in wide
- Available at On.com for $160
- Read our full review of the On Cloudsurfer 2 here >>
Best Men’s Walking Shoes for Wide Feet – Hoka Clifton
This is going to be a shoe that does it all. If you need 1 shoe for both walking workouts, standing or your feet or even a run, then this is the pick. This is the shoe you’ve likely seen EVERYWHERE in public because it is a go to that we recommend to a lot of folks.
It has plenty of cushion to be on your feet, along with the support to keep you in good alignment while standing.
The shoe also has a lightweight design, which makes it ideal for those who are looking for a shoe that won’t feel too heavy (most walking shoes are heavier). Truly not always easy to find a combination of cushion and low weight!
- Heel Drop: 8 mm
- Weight: 9.8 oz men’s
- Available in Wide and extra wide
- Available in 7 Colors
- Find it on Hoka.com for $150
- Read our detailed Hoka Clifton 10 review >>
Best Everyday Shoes – KURU Atom 2
We get it, you want a pair of shoes that can be worn for everything, so we want to introduce you to the KURU Atom 2. It’s a solid pick for everyday wear, just promise us you won’t take them out for a run!
This is a sleek and sporty shoe, meaning you’ll actually want to wear it. This is the perfect shoe whether you’re running errands, hitting your daily steps, or just tackling a long day on your feet.
If you’re someone who spends a lot of time on their feet and deals with plantar fasciitis, this might just be the shoe you’ve been looking for!
KURU is a brand that designs heel-first footwear to match your foot’s natural biomechanics. Instead of adding a bunch of extra inserts to your shoes, it’s already built in for you!
The curved, heel-cupping design gives your heel pad a little extra support and forms to your foot. If you’re someone who deals with plantar fasciitis, this is exactly the kind of structure that can make a big difference.
Shoes with deep heel cups offer walkers and runners with plantar fasciitis not only protection for the heel bone but also a reduction in pronation, which can help manage that all too familiar heel pain.
- Weight: 13.1 oz Men’s
- Heel drop: 10 mm
- 4 colors
- Available in wide
- Available from kurufootwear.com for $165
- Check out our full review of the KURU Atom 2 here >>
Best for Flat Feet – Skechers Max Cushioning Arch Fit
Skechers teamed up with podiatrists to create the Arch Fit insole system, using 20 years of data and over 120,000 foot scans to build a shoe that supports natural alignment, disperses weight evenly, and reduces pressure points.
This shoe was designed to contour to your arch and distribute weight across the foot. It’s going to feel good whether you’re walking for exercise, standing all day or just moving through your daily routine.
We wouldn’t recommend lacing these up for running, but if you get stuck in a pinch, they wouldn’t be the worst option.
This shoe was designed to deliver all-day comfort and support, especially for people who need a little extra help from their shoes. That includes walkers with flat feet, overpronators, or anyone on their feet for long hours.
- Weight: 12 oz Men’s
- Heel Drop: 8.6 mm
- Available in 5 colors
- Available in medium. wide and extra wide
- Available on Zappos.com for around $100 depending on features
Best For Walking Workouts – On Cloudmonster 3
Technically at 35mm we no longer consider this a max cushioned running shoe. And that’s where the confusion comes in for some runners, this really falls in the moderate cushioned category now and thus is right on in terms of not being too soft or plush.
The Cloudmonster 3 also retains the rocker shape and propulsive Speedboard to help keep you rolling forward. Neither of these feels as dramatic as you’d find in a race day carbon plated shoe, but they nonetheless keep the shoe feeling responsive rather than flat.
The additional layer of Cloudtec foam adds just a little more weight as compared to previous Cloudmonsters, but the extra 5mm of cushioning seems to be worth it. And at the general easy run pace or even marathon pace, the slight change in weight is unlikely to be noticed.
- Weight: 10.8 oz Men’s, 8.5 oz Women’s
- Stack Height: 35 mm
- Heel Drop: 6 mm
- Available in 10 Colors
- Available in regular and wide widths
- Available on.com for $190
- Read our full review of the Cloudmonster 3 here >>
Best Walking Shoes for Stability: New Balance 860v14
New Balance continues to be a brand that we recommend for walkers and runners, especially if you’re someone who typically struggles with finding the right fit. With the majority of their models available in multiple widths, it’s a whole lot easier to find a shoe that’s going to work for different foot shapes.
This stability shoe is great for anyone needing just that light support, especially if you’re going to be walking lots of miles.
The Fresh Foam X midsole absorbs impact without making you feel like you’re sinking in quicksand, it’s just the right mix of cushion and support. 
The heel-to-toe drop of the 860v14 is 8mm compared to previous models, giving a slightly flatter, more stable base that feels great for longer walks.
Another big change is the full-length medial wedge, which is just a fancier way of describing the extra layer of firmer foam along the inner part or arch of the shoe.
You’ll be able to feel your foot subtly tilting outward, making it a game changer if you overpronate!
- Weight: 10.8 oz Men’s
- Heel Drop: 8 mm
- Available in core and seasonal colors
- Available in narrow, wide and extra wide (in limited colors)
- Available on Newbalance.com for $140
- Check out our full review of the New Balance 869v14 here >>
Best Wide Toe Box Men’s Walking Shoes – Altra Experience Flow 3
The Altra Experience Flow 3 feels fabulous as a walking shoe and for spending long hours on your feet. And no, it’s not a zero drop shoe!!
We’d describe the feel underfoot as a nice blend of comfort and protection. It’s not firm like most Altra shoes, but not super plush like a pair of New Balance or Hokas.
As you’re walking, the rocker shape gives you that subtle forward roll with every step. That’s not something you usually expect from an Altra, but with the 4 mm drop paired with the EGO P35 foam, the ride feels smoother and more efficient than what you’d get from their typical zero-drop setup.
Altra updated the midsole with the all-new EGO P35 foam. It’s super lightweight with just the right amount of cushion so that your feet feel just as good at the end of the day as they do at the beginning.
The Flow 3 now sits at 32mm in the heel and 28mm in the forefoot, which means there’s less cushioning up front compared to the previous model.
That subtle shift changes how the shoe feels during toe off and likely explains why the ride doesn’t have quite the same rolling feeling as the Flow 2.
- Weight: 7.5 oz women’s, 9 oz men’s
- Stack: 32mm
- Heel toe drop: 4 mm
- Available in 6 colors
- Not Available in Wide
- Available from Altra.com for $145
- Read our full review of the Altra Experience Flow 3 here >>
Can I Wear the Same Shoes for Running and Walking?
You should have a different pair of shoes for walking and a different pair of running.
Running has a different footstrike than walking. While walking, your heel will undoubtedly strike first, followed by a roll into the forefoot to lift off the ground.
In running, your heel may strike first, but it is extremely quick before rolling forward. Plus, the way your foot rolls most likely differs between a fast-paced run and a walk.
These different movements put different stresses on your feet and legs, so you need shoes that have a different focus for each of these.
Many great running shoes are also great for walking, it’s just important that you have different pairs for each activity at all times.
Running shoes typically have more cushioning and support in the heel and forefoot to absorb the impact of running, which puts more pressure on these areas.
They also often have a lower heel-to-toe drop (the difference in height between the heel and toe) to encourage a more natural stride.
Walking shoes, on the other hand, are designed to provide more support in the midsole to help with shock absorption, as well as a more flexible sole to accommodate the rolling motion of the foot during walking.
They also typically have a higher heel-to-toe drop to accommodate the heel-first striking pattern of walking.
You also don’t want to wear out your running shoe faster than necessary or develop a foot pattern that could cause your foot to pronate.
How Long Do Walking Shoes Last?
Usually, you can walk around 500 miles in a pair of shoes before the support, cushioning, and shock absorption wear out. Weight or wear patterns from footstrike can reduce this, but we’ve seen many get more than than out of running shoes used for walking.
If you wear them every day, they should last you roughly six to eight months. Even though the shoes might look fine, they will need to be replaced by then.
Okay, there you have it, our list of the best men’s walking shoes. We hope that you’ll find the perfect pair for your walking needs.
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