You’ll Be Walking on Air in These Stylish Walking Shoes

Hiking shoes are a seriously underrated option for regular walks. Commerce editor Katie P. wears these shoes year round to stroll with her dog, but she’s also worn them to climb for miles in the Pacific Northwest, taken them through trails in Sedona, and worn them for hurried commutes through Port Authority in NYC. She appreciates the rugged outsole — which offers grip on slippy and wet surfaces — and the padded upper keeps her feet in place even when they’re sweaty, or wet from accidentally falling into a creek mid-trek (an incident which was unfortunately captured on video).

If you need a shoe for your everyday run or walk, Hoka’s podiatrist-approved Clifton 9 might be your new favorite sneaker. Made of engineered mesh, this is a light, breathable pair that’ll easily slip into a suitcase when you travel. The shoe boasts optimal cushioning and a carefully designed “crash pad,” to ensures a pretty cozy feel. Katie Couric Media editor Maggie has been running in Cliftons for years and swears they cured her shin splints. (She even wrote an ode to Hokas here). While the chunkiness definitely makes Hokas look more high-tech than most walking shoes, she likes the solid shades for an everyday walker that goes with any outfit. 

You probably recognize the brand On — it’s a go-to for Katie and John, who live in the original On Cloud sneaker. This shoe, is designed with major cushioning in mind; the eye-catching midsole moves naturally with your foot to give you a boost as you move forward. Reviewers say that these are especially comfortable for long days spent on your feet, and the fact that they slip on and off (due to the elastic laces) is another plus. 

Let’s face it: There are times when you don’t want to bother with shoelaces. These slip-ons allow you to step into them without bending over and messing with laces, thanks to a reinforced heel that doesn’t fold down the second you place your foot in. The sock-like upper holds your soles in place while you walk, and the cushy insole offers arch support with each step.

These are the most popular running shoes from Brooks, mainly because they suit a ton of different walking and running styles. The soft and slightly curved sole allows you to gently rock with each step (following your foot’s natural movement), while also absorbing excess shock. Reviewers say these are especially excellent if you have wide feet, but they also come in narrow, regular, and extra-wide widths.

Part-workout shoe, part-streetwear sneaker, these stylish kicks are as cool as they are functional. Specifically designed for walking, the rocker insole allows your foot to naturally flex with each step, taking pressure off your toe joints and minimizing that annoying smushed-toe feeling you can get with flats. (Reviewers do mention that these run about a half-size small, so consider that when ordering.)

Affiliate manager Justine Carreon swears by these New Balances to keep her feet happy while she traverses hilly San Francisco. Despite being mostly suede, the mesh panels allow for breathability and add a sporty touch. Reviewers say that this style can be worn straight out the box without any breaking in, and they have a grippy outsole that keeps you stable on multiple surfaces.

Retro-style sneakers are back and better than ever, and you get bonus points if they’re statement-makers like these metallic babies. Expertly crafted in Spain and inspired by classic soccer shoes, these have a padded tongue and heel to keep your foot comfortable, while the rubber outsole provides grip and stability with each step.

The brand Salomon has gone from hiking staple to everyday sneaker in hip locales like NYC and San Francisco, and while they’re made to traverse rocky and grassy terrain, they’re just as practical in concrete jungles. Elastic laces make these easy to slip on and off, and the rugged traction allows for stable footing no matter where you are. The insoles are removable if you have custom ones you want to insert, and reviewers say they don’t feel heavy or clunky like traditional hiking shoes.

Yes, these are technically boots, but sometimes you need more coverage than a sneaker can offer. Waterproof and stylish, these lug sole booties can easily go from office to park stroll, no matter what you wear them with. Reviewers affirm they are truly 100-percent waterproof, and despite the chunky sole, they’re also lightweight and easy to wear for hours on end without any pain or rubbing.