Whether you’re lacing up your sneakers for a walk or run, you need the right footwear. Without the proper support and cushioning, every step you take has the potential to lead to discomfort and even injury. The best walking shoes for men are lightweight, offer superior foot support and cushioning, and, above all, are comfortable during extended wear.
1
Best Overall
ASICS Men’s Gel-Cumulus 26 Running Shoe
Pros
- Gel-infused foam for improved shock absorption
- Sleek appearance
- Cushioned back tab helps provide ankle stability
Cons
- Not designed for overpronators
In our walking shoe tests, ASICS sneakers continue to be top performers. The Gel-Cumulus line offers neutral support with ample cushioning that’s still sleek, making for an attractive sneaker that’s comfortable to wear on walks and runs. The foam cushioning is gel-infused for improved shock absorption. Designed for added comfort and ankle stability, this pair features a padded back tab by the heel. This shoe is designed for those who underpronate (foot rolls outward) or have neutral feet; if you overpronate, this isn’t the best shoe for you.
| Size range | 7–15 with wide and extra wide sizing |
|---|---|
| Weight per shoe | 9.0 oz. |
| Heel drop | 8 mm |
| Colors | 12 |
2
Best Value
Under Armour Men’s Charged Assert 10
Pros
- Versatile design
- Cushioning in the collar and midfoot
- Great for standing all day
Cons
- Firmer foam than other shoes we tested
While most walking shoes cost over $100, this pair costs about half that. This pair from Under Armour has a classic design with a soft, sock liner and a breathable upper for a comfortable, airy fit. Available in 23 colors, including red, blue and gray, this pick has an impressive size range with standard, X-wide and XX-wide widths.
| Size range | 7–15 with X-wide and XX-wide sizing |
|---|---|
| Weight per shoe | 9.5 oz. |
| Heel drop | 10 mm |
| Colors | 23 |
3
Best for Wide Feet
New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam X 1080 V13 Running Shoe
Pros
- Ample cushioning
- Stretchy knit upper accommodates wider feet and bunions
- Testers loved the appearance of these sneakers
Cons
- Some sizes are only available in limited colors
Shoes need to fit properly not only from heel to toe but also from side to side. Opting for wide sizing can help ensure you have enough room in the toebox to prevent pinching or rubbing. These New Balance shoes have wide and extra-wide sizing options for a comfortable fit. Testers with wide feet applauded these shoes for their excellent fit with a stretchy knit upper to accommodate bunions too.
| Size range | 7–14 with narrow, wide and extra wide sizing |
|---|---|
| Weight per shoe | 9.2 oz. |
| Heel drop | 6 mm |
| Colors | 15 |
4
Best for Plantar Fasciitis
Brooks Men’s Glycerin 21 Neutral Running Shoe
Pros
- Plush cushioning
- Excellent arch support
- One tester with plantar fasciitis found them comfortable to wear after walking several miles
Cons
- Lower appearance scores from testers
If you suffer from plantar fasciitis, you know how difficult it can be to find shoes that properly support your arches and prevent heel pain. Brooks shoes continue to be top performers in our tests for their unparalleled arch support and stability. This pair has super soft cushioning for walkers who prefer a pillowy feel. With neutral support and maximal cushioning, this pair is designed to be lightweight and responsive for smooth heel-to-toe transitions.
| Size range | 7–15 with wide sizing |
|---|---|
| Weight per shoe | 9.8 oz. |
| Heel drop | 10 mm |
| Colors | 9 |
5
Best for Hiking
Merrell Agility Peak 5
Pros
- Ample cushioning
- Great for hiking and everyday wear, according to testers
- Rugged, high traciton outsole
Cons
- No wide sizing
When walking on trails, you need a pair of shoes that offer sufficient traction without feeling too heavy or bulky. These Merrell hiking sneakers have a rugged outsole with a toe cap that helps provide enough traction on all types of trails, wet or dry, while protecting you from debris. With thicker cushioning in the midsole and a padded collar, these shoes are designed to feel comfortable mile after mile. The brand also offers a GORE-TEX waterproof version.
| Size range | 7–15 |
|---|---|
| Weight per shoe | 10.6 oz. |
| Heel drop | 6 mm |
| Colors | 7 |
6
Best for Long Distances
Saucony Endorphin Pro 4
Pros
- Full carbon plate
- Responsive foam
- Stretchy, full integrated tongue for comfortable on/off
Cons
- Limited color options
These Saucony sneakers are designed to feel cushiony and light on your feet even after 10+ miles. This is the only style included in this round-up with a carbon plate, which helps return energy back to your feet for a more comfortable feel when covering longer distances. The shoe is designed to help propel you forward with responsive foam. Some testers even reported that they felt like they could run faster in these shoes. We like the sleek sock liner and stretchy, integrated tongue for immediate comfort as soon as you put the shoes on. Note that these shoes are only available in limited colors and sizes with no wide widths.
| Size range | 8–12 |
|---|---|
| Weight per shoe | 7.5 oz. |
| Heel drop | 8 mm |
| Colors | 3 |
7
Best Cushioned
Hoka Clifton 9
Pros
- Early stage meta-rocker for smoother heel-to-toe transitions
- Plush, lightweight cushioning
- Padded collar and tongue
Cons
- Water easily soaked through the knit fabric, according to testers
When we asked testers which brand of sneakers they were currently wearing, Hoka was the most popular answer. The thick cushioning on this pair may seem intimidating initially, but the foam midsole creates a responsive feel, ideal for anyone with joint pain. The early stage meta-rocker helps propel you forward for smoother heel-to-toe transitions. “They felt immediately comfortable from the first wear,” said one tester. He added that they “don’t flare up my plantar fasciitis and my feet feel actively supported during long periods of exercise.”
Designed with comfort top of mind, this pair has a padded collar and tongue to prevent painful rubbing or blisters. The stretchy knit upper allows excellent airflow, but testers did note that water easily soaked through in rainy weather.
| Size range | 7–16 with wide sizing |
|---|---|
| Weight per shoe | 8.7 oz. |
| Heel drop | 5 mm |
| Colors | 20 |
8
Best Slip-On
Kizik Athens Hands Free Mens or Womens Sneakers
Pros
- Innovative slip-on design
- Great for anyone with mobility concerns
- Breathable knit upper
Cons
- Not supportive enough for high-impact exercise
Kizik designs slip-on shoes that don’t sacrifice style, like these sneakers with a classic, athletic design. This sneaker features the brand’s signature flexible cage at the heel of the shoe that springs back into place when you step in, ideal for anyone with mobility concerns. We appreciate that this hands-free, gender-neutral sneaker is sold in a wide range of sizes from a men’s 4.5 (women’s 6) to a men’s 15 (women’s 16.5).
| Size range | 4.5–15 with wide sizing |
|---|---|
| Weight per shoe | Not listed |
| Heel drop | Not listed |
| Colors | 5 |
9
Best Cross Trainer
Reebok Unisex Nano X4 Sneaker
Pros
- Stable, flat outsole
- Supportive fit
- Breathable upper
Cons
- Testers found them too stiff and firm for longer walks or runs
If you love walking as a warm-up to gym workouts, a cross-trainer sneaker is ideal. Our testers were impressed by how comfortable these Reebok cross-trainers were when lifting weights and jogging on a treadmill. “These shoes are incredibly supportive through the midsole and heel. You almost feel locked in,” said one tester who wore this pair on brisk walks and during gym workouts. He added, “I really enjoyed how breathable they were — my feet tend to run pretty hot and I didn’t run into any moisture or stink issues.” He reported that the toebox felt wide and comfortable without any pinching. The flat bottom helps provide stability when weightlifting but may be too stiff for longer walks or runs.
| Size range | 4–14 |
|---|---|
| Weight per shoe | Not listed |
| Heel drop | 7 mm |
| Colors | 17 |
10
Best Lightweight
On Running Men’s Cloud 5 Sneakers
Pros
- Easy to put on and take off
- Sleek appearance
- Waterproof option
Cons
- Not stable enough for someone with foot or joint sensitivities
Avoid lugging around heavy shoes with these lightweight sneakers from On Running. This pair comes with either traditional or stretchy laces, so you can easily slip them on. The brand’s CloudTec cushioning is popular for soft landings without a bulky foam midsole. Because they lack stability features and thicker cushioning, they are less suited to someone with foot or joint sensitivities. There is also a waterproof version of this shoe.
| Size range | 7–14 |
|---|---|
| Weight per shoe | 8.8 oz. |
| Heel drop | 7 mm |
| Colors | 18 |
11
Best Waterproof
Columbia Men’s Konos TRS OutDry Shoes
Pros
- OutDry waterproof technology
- Thicker cushioning for a comfortable feel
- High traction outsole to prevent slips
Cons
- Clunky appearance, according to testers
Avoid uncomfortable wet socks with a waterproof shoe that doesn’t feel stuffy. This pair of hiking sneakers from Columbia features OutDry technology with bonded construction between the waterproof membrane and the outer shell to keep water out of the shoe. This technology allows these sneakers to be both waterproof and breathable.
| Size range | 7–15 (on Columbia’s site) |
|---|---|
| Weight per shoe | Not listed |
| Heel drop | 8 mm |
| Colors | 4 (on Columbia’s site) |
