Expert consulted: 
Now that the weather is mostly cooperating, it’s a good time to plan some regular walks. Besides physical benefits, "a regular walking practice can even improve a person's cognition, help decrease symptoms of anxiety and improve mood,” says Stefani Sassos, GH Institute's Nutrition and Fitness Lab director.
Of course, a quality pair of walking shoes is a must, which is why we reviewed more than 50 pairs (and put over 300 hours of wear and tear on them) to find the best ones.
All that said, good walking shoes can be pricey, which is why we’re always keeping an eye open for discounts on the ones we recommend — especially with Memorial Day sales happening this month. Here are some of our favorites on sale right now:
Brooks The Ghost 16
- We named Brooks The Ghost 16 the best overall walking shoe for women in recent tests. Our analysts and consumer testers agreed across the board that it's a very supportive shoe, and many users raved about the comfort and stable fit. It's a shoe that has kept testers comfortable after running and walking a few miles or even standing for long hours.
New Balance Fuel Core
- New Balance Fuel Core is one of the lightest shoes we tested. Everyone found the mesh upper to be a comfort, especially testers with bunions. Additionally, the New Balance Fresh Foam model was popular with testers with wide feet, thanks to its roomy toe box.
Rykä Devotion Plus 3
- We found Rykä Devotion Plus 3 best for studio classes because our podiatrist experts liked its flexibility, which is good for a variety of workouts. These are also designed specifically for women, with a narrower heel and a softer foot bed.
Tiosebon Casual Walking Shoe
- Tiosebon Casual Walking Shoe is not officially on sale, but they have a standing low price, are super lightweight and were named our best value slip-on shoe.
Chaco Women's Z/1 Classic Sandal
- If you need a good walking sandal, we love Chaco Women's Z/1 Classic Sandal. "When wearing these sandals, my high arches felt completely supported,"
Emma Seymour, Textiles Lab associate director, says.
Shop our picks:
How to find the best walking shoe for you
Seymour says, “If your toes feel cramped or your heels are rubbing on the backs while you're testing the shoes, ditch them. It'll only get worse the more you walk in them.”
It's also best to ignore brand promises and be "as objective as you can for support and comfort," says, Jordan Metzl, M.D., a sports medicine physician at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City. You’ll know what’s most comfortable for you when you feel it. As always, if you’re having foot pain, consulting with your podiatrist or an orthopedist about the best shoes for you is a good idea.
Jessica is a commerce editor at Hearst Magazines, where she writes for Oprah Daily, Popular Mechanics, Best Products, Women's Health, Men's Health, Bicycling, and Runner's World. With more than 15 years of experience, she tests and reports on useful, unique, and trending products—everything from baby gear to home decor to power tools—and tracks the best sales in the lifestyle and tech spaces.
Emma Seymour (she/her) is the associate director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Textiles, Paper and Apparel Lab, where she has led testing for luggage, pillows, towels, tampons and more since 2018. She graduated from Cornell University with a bachelor of science in fiber science and apparel design and a minor in gerontology, completing research in the Body Scanner Lab on optimizing activewear for athletic performance.
