11 best walking shoes for men in 2024, according to a podiatric surgeon | Expert picks for pain, age & weather
An expert weighs in on what to look for in a walking shoe, plus mistakes to avoid.
If you are anything like me, taking in two full weeks of Olympic competition from the comfort of your couch may have left you wanting to up your own athletic game by maybe picking up tennis, sprinting or pole vaulting. Luckily, one does not have to cover 100 metres in nine seconds or leap over a six-metre bar à la Mondo Duplantis to improve their fitness: Research actually shows that walking is one of the best physical activities to stay in shape well beyond one’s 20s or 30s. Even going for a 30-minute stroll every day can improve endurance, cut fat, and boost muscle power.
3 things to look for in a walking shoe, according to a podiatric surgeon
Adopting a daily walking practice requires good gear: sneakers that lack support, chafe the feet, or disrupt your regular gait can expose you to injury. And then, you’re back where you started: on the couch. Daniel Geller, a podiatric surgeon at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City and Chief Medical Officer at Kane Footwear, says that when buying walking shoes, he primarily looks for three things: Fit, to account for one’s specific foot shape or challenges such as flat feet, bunions or hammer toes; cushioning to absorb the ground’s forces and ease the load on the joints; and a propulsive midsole and profile that steers wearers forward while wasting minimal energy. And bonus points if the shoe feels lightweight and sturdy.
“Stability should be a hallmark of walking shoes. Every stride should feel confident and meaningful,” he explains.
Shopping for new shoes? Avoid these mistakes
While there are many good sneaker options on the market, choosing a pair that works for you is not as easy as it sounds; Dr. Geller says shoppers make a handful of common mistakes that could be avoided. People often buy shoes that are so plush that they feel unstable on the feet, choose sneakers that are too big or too small, or opt for a pair that does not suit one's type of activity (city shoes, for example, don't do so well in the mountains). The wrong pair can lead to injuries to the feet, knees, hips and more.
Luckily, the market for shoes has become ultra-specialized. There are high-traction sneakers for technical mountain treks, lighter loafers for city walking, and even waterproof shoes for wet walks that help avoid blisters and chafing. So, no matter your hobby, there is a right shoe for you somewhere. His favourite pair is the Revive by Kane: a snug walking shoe with dual-density cushioning and unusual tiny nodes on the footbed that deliver a micro-foot massage with every step.
These expert-recommended shoes are available in 15 colourways.
Geller tends to swap his sneakers for new ones after walking in them for 800 kilometres; after that, he says, the support wears off, making him more prone to aches and pains. His last piece of advice: do not be afraid to alternate between two or more pairs.
“Switching up the shoe can keep the foot engaged and create adaptability, and helps prevent early breakdown," he says.
Best walking shoes for men in 2024
The Cloudtilt is built like a running shoe, has the look of a casual sneaker, and is conceived for long walks on unforgiving terrain like pavement and cement.
Think: the footwear you want when you spend a full day on your feet strolling through a city. It has a cushioned midsole for soft landings, Helion foam for high energy return, and flexible laces that ensure a secure, comfy fit.
The Arahi 7 makes stability feel sleek. With a frame that prevents excessive inward and outward rotation of the foot, this lightweight shoe ensures upright walking and can help prevent overuse or misalignment injuries.
As a bonus, the shoes come in both regular and wide versions and have a new, soft tongue that is quite comfortable on the forefoot.
New Balance is a dyed-in-the-wool running shoe brand, and they’ve borrowed the bouncy and responsive foam from their fastest sneakers to create a high-performance walking shoe.
The Walker Elite also has a stability plane underfoot and a form-fitting outsole that’s made to guide your feet forward on walks: use it all to inject some pace in your morning jaunts.
ASICS has a reputation for making comfy, cushioned shoes, and the GEL-Excite 10 is no exception. Its high-stack heel, lightweight foam and breathable upper mesh makes you forget that you are wearing shoes at all. Comfortable at all walking speeds, the GEL-Excite can also double as a running shoe.
These thoughtfully designed, reasonably priced shoes come with a built-in arch support meant to reduce stress on the feet and joints. It’s also moulded to limit common problems: it has a wide toe box to limit squishing, deep support cups for the heel, and even an optional metatarsal pad to reduce pressure on the small bones of the foot.
Yes, these trendy trekking boots are on the pricey side, but they back it up by being waterproof, lightweight, and thoroughly grippy. They are also furnaces for feet that keep you toasty even in cold temperatures, and their thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) midsole ensures proper support from heel to toe for long winter walks.
Aside from winning considerable style points for its elegant upper made of recycled eucalyptus trees, the Tree Dasher by Allbirds fits comfortably. Its one-piece upper offers minimal restriction while adequately locking in the ankle, and the lower offers a bit of bounce no matter the surface.
For the experienced hiker. The Sylan comes equipped with a rocker profile meant to propel you forward, a bouncy and shock-absorbing midsole, and a Vibram tread that prevents slippage. It’s overkill for walking around your neighbourhood or strolling through the city, but it will be your best friend in the mountains.
These kicks are more suited for casual walks than the most technical of trails, but priced at $56, they are well worth their cost. They have a bouncy EVA sole that offers high-level support, an upper made to adapt to the wearer’s foot shape, and they exude the timeless style of an Oxford shoe.
These easy-on, easy-off sneakers are not as simply made as they look: Their vegan-made upper mesh is breathable and light, their outsole has traction pods for max grip, and they have a bendable heel that pops back up for an easy step-in. It’s convenience meets style.
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