8 Best Walking Shoes for Men, According to Experts

Many walking shoes tend to compromise on style for comfort, but not so with the futuristic, fashionable look of these sneakers from ASICS. In our past walking shoe test, the predecessor to this shoe, the ASICS Gel-Quantum 180s, was the top performer with consumer testers raving about their comfort and style. One hundred percent of consumer testers who tried the sneakers said they favored them over their current shoe, so it’s in good faith that we recommend the latest edition. The upper of this shoe has been reworked from the previous version, with a new mesh system that’s meant to have improved ventilation and better comfort. One tester of the older version shared, “[It’s] not a major problem, but [I] did find the sneakers a bit slippery,” so if your walks include slippery terrain, you may want to consider an option with more traction.

At this price, it’s tough to find a shoe that provides as much comfort as these from TIOSEBON. Although our testing of the women’s counterpart showed these shoes to offer less support than other picks, testers were keen to highlight the cushioning effect, saying, “They felt as if they were padded with 4 inches of memory foam.” More than 2,500 five-star reviews on Amazon rave about these shoes, from the style to the comfort to the price, making them a top pick for walkers on a budget.

These waterproof trail shoes from Columbia have the robust construction necessary to tackle even your longest walks. Coming in at 396 grams per shoe, they’re heavier than some of our other picks, but without compromising on comfort. One consumer tester who tried a pair said, “They move with my feet. I’ve walked in them for hours without feeling weighed down. They’re heavier than my other shoes but feel just as comfortable.” They also noted that the top of the shoe comes up higher than others, offering improved ankle support. And for trekking in the great outdoors, you’ll appreciate the high-traction outsole to keep you from slipping.

In conversations about the best walking and running shoes, the name “Hoka” came up ad nauseam, and for good reason. The Hoka Bondi 8 was a top performer in our recent test for walking shoes for women, so it only makes sense that the men’s counterpart appears on our list. Despite being among the more costly on the list, the thick cushioned soles and breathable mesh upper strike a balance between stability and flexibility that really pleased our Textiles Lab. They also come in wide sizing and a whopping 15 colorways, so there’s a pair for everyone.

A whopping 91% of our testers gave Allbirds Tree Runners a perfect score for comfort. Our Textiles Lab experts were impressed by the machine washability of these shoes, noting that they did not deform or change in appearance after being washed. We also appreciate the variety of perennial color options, with the addition of limited edition colors that cycle in and out. It’s worth noting, however, that they don’t have as robust of a size selection as some of our other picks, not having half sizes or wide options.

These New Balance running shoes give a whole new meaning to the perfect fit. Available in sizes 4 to 16 including half sizes and in narrow, wide and extra-wide options, you’re bound to find a shoe that fits your foot comfortably. In recent running shoe tests conducted by the Textiles Lab, testers gave it a perfect score in terms of cushioning, fit and comfort. Seymour also pointed out that the construction of these shoes is smartly designed, having extra cushioning in the widest points of the shoe while maintaining flexibility where needed. It’s worth noting that the manufacturer claims these shoes run slightly large, but given their plethora of size options, it shouldn’t be too hard to find a good fit.

The very design of these sneakers from Adidas screams ruggedness and durability. With a Gore-Tex lining, they’ll keep your feet perfectly dry even as you wade through damp trails or city puddles. Though we haven’t tested these shoes in Lab, we appreciate the deep lugs on the soles for added traction, as well as the impressive size range, going all the way down to a men’s size six. Only having two color options, however, leaves a bit to be desired from the aesthetic perspective.

We love these Brooks shoes for the stability they offer walkers and runners alike. The heel is fitted with a “Segmented Crash Pad” that helps to absorb shock to the back of the foot. They also come in a bevy of colors so finding a style that suits you won’t be a problem. It’s worth noting however that these shoes are designed for those with overpronation (inward rolling of the ankle), so those with underpronation are best off looking for a pair more suited to their foot.