What Are The Best Walking Shoes for Men?
It’s that time of year again.
There’s no better way to get out and enjoy this beautiful weather than to get out and go for a walk.
Going for a walk will allow you to soak in the sun, smell the flowers, and most importantly get some much-needed exercise. Read on to find the best walking shoes for men.
Walking is a great way to explore your town or city, meet new people (or get away from them).
It’s an experience of complete freedom. You can put on your headphones, listen to your favorite tunes, and walk away from all of the stresses and responsibilities on your plate.
If you want to make it a productive time, then you can listen to an audiobook or catch up on a few phone calls.
10 Best Walking Shoes for Men
As great as Amazon is, there are quite literally thousands of options to choose from. This can be confusing for many shoppers, and if you’re an indecisive person, it can be an absolute nightmare.
Thankfully you have us.
We’ve spent a long time going through the thousands of shoes and picked out the cream of the crop.
We’ve picked out our top five favorite picks depending on what you’re looking for in a shoe and even included some good alternatives if you’re looking for something a little different.
Let’s take a look!
1. Brooks Men’s Adrenaline GTS 20 Supportive Running Shoe
Features:
- Made out of durable 100% synthetic materials
- 15 colors to choose from
- Rubberized sole
- Imported
- Moderate arch support
- Advanced Cushioning
Overview:
If you’re looking for a great all-around athletic shoe, then the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 20 is a great fit. Not only does it look great, but it’s well made, and built to support runners and walkers alike. Let’s look at a couple of its best features
Energized Cushioning
This sole is built for comfort and is made to handle the open road. While you’re walking on hard pavement, there can often be quite a bit of impact when compared to walking on a rubber track or on the grass. You’ll want a shoe that can absorb the shock and give you a comfortable, confident stride.
Breathable Mesh Material
The Brooks Adrenaline GTS 20 is made from a fully synthetic breathable mesh material. It is guaranteed to give your feet all of the fresh air that you need. When you’re walking outside during the hot summers, it’s common for your feet to sweat a lot which can make you uncomfortable and make your shoes smell awful.
Plush Shoe Lining
Once you put these shoes on, you may not want to take them off. The plush inner lining will cradle your foot every step of the way, giving you a truly relaxing walking experience.
2. Best Stylish Walking Shoe: TAIGEL Mens Slip-On Loafers
Features:
- Made with genuine leather
- Hand-stitched design
- Gel-infused memory foam sole
- Slip-on design
- Excellent arch support
- Superior traction
Overview:
If you’re looking for one of the most stylish walking shoes around, then TAIGEL has an excellent pair of loafers for you. These aren’t the loafers that you’re used to. These shoes are durable, and handmade, and provide excellent support and traction for whatever environment you’ll be walking in. Here’s what we like most about them.
Genuine Leather
With so much synthetic material on the market, it’s rare to find a pair of shoes that’s made with genuine leather. There’s a certain smell, feel, and comfort that only leather can provide. Not to mention it’s far more durable and easy to maintain than fake leather. These shoes are made from 80% hand-stitched leather. The remaining 20% consists of rubber soles and memory sole.
Great Arch Support
If you have flat feet or weak arches, then these will provide you with all of the support that you need. The TAIGEL loafers will allow you to walk around for hours without having that familiar painful ache on the bottom of your foot.
Gel-Infused Memory Sole
This is one of the best features of this shoe. The inside of the sole is engineered with a gel-infused memory layer. It will conform to the natural curvature of your foot and give you a great walking experience. Over time, this memory layer will grow to fit your foot like a glove.
3. Best Slipper Style Shoe: Skechers Performance Men’s
Features:
- Patented Goga Pillars sole
- Multiple colors and shades
- Easy, slip-on design
- Memory foam padding around the heel
Overview:
Sometimes you just want to get out of bed in the morning, slip on your shoes, and sneak out for a morning walk before anybody else has a chance to wake up. With the Skechers Go Walk 3, now you can. These slip-on shoes will take you less than 5 seconds to put on, and you’ll be out of the house in a jiffy.
Unlike most other slip-on shoes which will leave your foot falling out, these have a great fit and will remain firmly on your foot while your walking. Here are a few of the other great features.
Extra Heel Padding
When you’re walking, most of the impact goes directly to into the heel of your foot. Many people who walk in cheap shoes complain of having sore ankles and heels. This is the result of inadequate padding. Skechers designed these slip-ons specifically for walkers and added extra padding around the heel to absorb the maximum amount of shock.
Multiple Shades and Colors
What man doesn’t want to have a few options? The Skechers Go Walk 3 comes in six different varieties. All are different variations on neutral grey, black, and white shades, and some even come with colored soles.
Whether you’re just trying to find the perfect pair, or you want to have a closet full to go with different outfits, the choice is yours.
4. Best Outdoor Walking Shoe: Skechers Sport Men’s Afterburn
Features:
- Durable design
- 6 colors to choose from
- Waterproof lower half
- Breathable mesh upper
- Memory foam insole
- Great Traction
Overview:
If you like to walk in the woods or go on hikes in your local park, then the Skechers Afterburn is a great pair of sneakers. Their durable design is a mix of both leather and synthetic materials, and it can take a beating. These shoes have great traction and come in nine different variations featuring neutral and earth tones. Here’s what makes them special.
Waterproof Lower and Mesh Upper
If you’re going to be walking outdoors a lot, then you’ll likely tread through a puddle or two. These shoes have got you covered. They have a waterproof lower which means that you won’t have to worry about getting your socks soaking wet every time that you accidentally step in a wet spot.
However, unlike most waterproof shoes that will leave you hot and sweaty, these have a breathable mesh upper which will give you plenty of ventilation and keep your feet dry all day.
Outdoor Traction
The Skechers Afterburn sneakers have great traction. If you like to walk up mountain trails, then you’ll likely run across some mud, wet rocks, and other less-than-sturdy terrain. With these shoes, you can walk across any terrain with confidence.
You won’t have to worry about slipping, falling, and embarrassing yourself.
5. Best Orthopedic Walking Shoe: Orthofeet Sprint Comfort
Features:
-
- Excellent for those who suffer from foot pain
- 3 colors to choose from
- Easy tie-less design
- Superior arch support
- Patented Ortho-Cushion
- Ultra-comfortable inner
- Non-binding upper
Overview:
If you suffer from any type of serious foot or ankle pain, then the Orthofeet Sprint is the shoe for you. They are designed to cradle and support your foot every step that you take. Many people who have diabetes, hammer toe, arthritis, or other foot diseases can experience extreme pain while they are walking and find normal shoes to be too painful.
These shoes are made especially with these in mind. Here’s what’s so good about them.
Non-Binding Upper
Many walking and athletic shoes have a tight, binding fit which can constrict blood flow and cause ankles to swell and become very painful. These shoes feature a non-binding upper with a tie-less design that you can easily slip your foot into. They fit well and will not slip, but will won’t be overly tight.
Patented Ortho-Cushion
Orhtofeet designed their shoes, especially for those suffering from foot pain. Their patented Ortho-Cushion is the main reason behind this. This incredibly comfortable padding will make you feel like you’re walking on a cloud all while providing all of the extra support that you need.
Alternatives
If none of these matches quite what you’re looking for, then take a look at these great alternatives. They still provide exceptional quality and comfort, but couldn’t quite make our top 5 list.
6. Skechers Men’s Gowalk 6-Stretch Fit Slip-on
Features:
- Lightweight design
- Stretch Fit Slip-on Athletic Performance
- Breathable mesh construction
- The expandable design fits your foot like a glove
- Comes in 9 different shades
Overview:
If you want a shoe that serves as more of an extension of your foot than a traditional shoe, then the Stretch Fit Slip-on Athletic Performance is perfect for you. It’s designed to fit your foot like a second skin. If you like options, then they provide you with eight different colors and shades that are guaranteed to impress your friends. It features a breathable mesh upper that is guaranteed to keep you cool and relaxed no matter how long you’re walking. Let’s look at the best features.
Adaptable Rubber Sole
This is arguably one of the most interesting features of this shoe. The shoe is made from a highly adaptable rubber material that will conform to whatever surface that you happen to be walking on. Whenever your foot hits the ground, the rubber sole will expand and “feel” the ground and adapt to give you the maximum amount of traction and spring.
Ultra Lightweight
These are the perfect shoe to take to the gym or on your next trip. They are very lightweight, and the pair weighs less than 12 ounces in total. Not only is this good for your knees while you’re walking, but it makes them super easy to transport and carry around in your gym bag.
7. Adidas Men’s Lite Racer Adapt 3.0 Running Shoe
Features:
- Quick-dry capability
- comes 15 shades
- Environmentally friendly
- Breathable mesh upper
- Slip-resistant
- Sweat absorbent material
- Sturdy heel technology
Overview:
If you’re looking for a walking shoe that’s totally different from what you’re used to, then the Adidas Men’s Lite Racer Adapt 3.0 Running Shoe certainly fits the bill. They were made by athletes for athletes and are a great all-around walking shoe. These shoes have a lightweight design that molds to the shape of your foot and are made with the wearer in mind.
They also have a really needed knit design which gives them a truly unique look. Here are some of the features that stand out.
Sweat Absorbent Material
If it’s a hot, sunny day out, you’re likely going to find yourself sweating quite a bit. With most walking shoes, you would have to leave them outside to air out when you get home to prevent your whole house from smelling foul. However, the Adidas shoe is built with a moisture-wicking fabric that absorbs and wicks away all of the sweat leaving your feet feeling dry and your shoes smelling like new.
Quick-Dry Technology
Every so often you’ll get caught in the rain while you’re out on a walk. Thankfully, these shoes are engineered with quick-dry technology that allows them to dry out in record time. This means you won’t have to deal with musty shoes for two weeks after a rainstorm and you won’t have to listen to them banging around in your dryer.
8. PUMA Men’s Pacer Future Slip-on Sneaker
Features:
- Stylish design
- Available in 8 shades
- Wide sizes available
- Rubber sole for extra grip
- Easy, slip-on design
Overview:
If you want to feel like an old-school crime boss while walking around, then these are the shoes for you. They have a traditional Italian design to them and are made with genuine cowhide leather trim that comes in four classic colors; blue, brown, black, and green. These loafers offer superior comfort, and they also have a durable sole designed for the walking man.
Let’s check out the notable features.
Rubber Sole
The soles of these shoes are made from a special gum rubber. This rubber is 100% slip and skid-resistant, and you will never have to worry about falling while you’re wearing these. You could walk through puddles of pure oil and still maintain excellent traction and grip.
Slip-On Convenience
These shoes are incredibly easy to slip on in seconds. You’ll be able to slip these on and off with ease, making them the perfect shoe for those who spend a lot of time walking in and out of the house.
Extra Wide Sizes Available
If you have wider feet, then Puma caters to you. All shoe sizes offer the option for wide or extra-wide foot compatibility.
9. Skechers Men’s Max Cushioning Elite Lucid-Premium Leather Walking & Running Shoe Sneaker
Features:
- Ultra-flexible
- Available in 4 shades
- Leather design
- Rubber sole
- Stylish traditional look
Overview:
If you want a walking shoe that’s traditionally stylish and that you can wear around the neighborhood. The Skechers Men’s Max Cushioning Elite is for you. They are extremely comfortable and are made from 100% leather.
These shoes are guaranteed to impress anybody and provide all of the support that you need for your daily walking activities. Let’s look at their notable features.
Two Ways To Wear Them
If you look at the back of the shoe, you can bend the back down and wear these shoes as slippers instead. This means that they are as good for walking around the neighborhood as they are for walking around the house in the early morning. This is a really unique feature that’s never been done by any other shoemaker before.
Flexible Design
The flexible rubber sole and the leather uppers are made to be incredibly flexible which means that you won’t have to spend days breaking in a pair of stiff shoes. It also prevents the shoe from developing unsightly creases.
10. Rockport Men’s Eureka Walking Shoe
Features:
- 100% San Crispino
- Available in 7 shades
- San Crispino construction for heel stability
- Flexible, lightweight upper
- Low-key design
- Strobel provides forefoot flexibility
- Latex foam footbed
Overview:
If you’re looking for a simple, low-key walking shoe that’s not going to attract unwanted attention, then these are great shoes for you. Rockport has been innovating shoes for walking and running for years and has grown to become one of the most well-respected brands in the industry. Let’s take a look at the notable features of this shoe.
Rockport uses its patented cushioning technology in these walking shoes. It is rated for moderate impact absorption and will give you a comfortable, foamy walking experience. Along with the good arch support that this shoe offers, you’re in for a comfortable walking experience.
Best Walking Shoes for Men
However, unless you’re an experienced barefoot walker, it’s important to choose the right pair of shoes before you start your daily walking routine.
Many people are turned off from walking because they say it hurts their knees, back, and ankles. We assure you, it’s not the walking. It’s the shoes.
With so many options on the market, it can be hard to choose the right pair of shoes.
However, we’re here to help. In this buying guide, we’ll start by discussing some of the benefits of daily walking, then we’ll get into some special features that you need to look out for in a shoe, and we’ll wrap up by giving you a list of some of the best men’s walking shoes on the market.
Let’s dig in!
What Are The Benefits Of Daily Walking
Walking is an activity that’s as old as time. It’s one of the first things that children learn to do and is usually a landmark that’s captured on video, photo, or recorded in our mother’s baby books. Why is this simple act so important?
The answer is that it defines who we are as humans. Other than our ability to think and use our hands, the ability to walk is what has allowed humans to spread across the entire surface of the planet.
If we were a crawling or swimming species, our options would be very limited.
We are humans, walking is in our nature and has been since we first came into existence. Nobody teaches a baby how to walk.
They learn all by themselves from complete instinct. Once we start walking, we don’t stop unless we fall victim to an accident or serious illness.
So besides being in our very nature, what are some of the other benefits of daily walking?
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A Healthier Heart
Cardiovascular activity is any exercise that gets the heart pumping and the blood flowing. The American Heart Association recommends that every person, young or old, gets 30 minutes of cardio every day. When you use your heart, it will thank you by lasting longer.
Your 90-year-old neighbor who still mows his own lawn didn’t get that way because he sat around all day. When you take time to do your daily exercise, you are protecting yourself from future heart attacks, blood clotting, and strokes.
Walking is one of the easiest ways that you can get your cardio in. You can do it no matter how old you get.
It doesn’t put extra strain on your joints like high-impact running and sports can, and you aren’t making quick twists and turns that can result in pulled muscles. If you walk for 30 minutes a day, you’re well on your way to living a long, happy, and healthy life.
Better Posture
As we stated above. Humans were meant to be upright. Homo Erectus, the upright man. Unfortunately, manner people have devolved into “Homo Situs.”
People spend their days slouched over a computer screen, lounging in their armchairs, and sitting at their desks.
It’s no wonder that our generation has some of the highest reported incidences of neck and back pain that the world has ever seen.
Our posture is horrible. When your body is constantly crouched or hunched over, your spine develops an unnatural curvature, your disks become compressed, and your core becomes weak.
One of the best ways to fix this is through daily walking. When you’re walking, your back is upright, your neck is raised, and your core is tight.
You’re training your muscles to properly support you. Walking for just 30 minutes a day will help to offset all of the bad postures that you have during the rest of the day.
Stronger Legs
You don’t want to become one of those elderly folks who are too weak to even stand. One of the best reasons to walk is so that you can continue walking.
When you go on daily walks, you’re engaging your legs and training them to keep on doing what they were made for.
This will keep the muscle fibers tight and strong and will prevent you from having any potential blowouts or strains in your later life.
A Slimmer Waist
The best way to stay in shape isn’t to go on a crazy no-carb diet that tells you that you’re not allowed to eat bread or drink your evening pint; it’s to exercise every day.
Besides being good for your heart, daily exercise does wonders for your metabolism.
Not only will you burn calories off for every mile that you walk (an average of 100 calories per mile), but you’ll also be engaging what’s called the “afterburn effect.”
The afterburn effect will continue to keep your metabolism raised and burn off fat for several hours after you finish exercising.
A pound of fat is 3,600 calories. If you were to start walking 2 miles a day and burning 200 calories a day, then you could stand to lose almost 2 pounds a month.
This is a healthy level of weight loss and will allow you to fit back into your favorite clothes, look your best, and give you more energy.
Increased Lung Capacity
A problem that many people run into when they get older is that their lungs stop working as well as they used to.
They lose the ability to take deep breaths and eventually find that doing simple daily chores can be exhausting.
You can prevent this by daily walking. When you’re walking, you’re breathing in plenty of oxygen and letting your lungs expand and work the way they were meant to.
As long as you have strong lungs, then you’ll be able to keep on breathing strongly for your entire life.
Fresh Air and Sunshine
Last, but certainly not least, you should walk to get fresh air and sunshine. Fresh air is good for your lungs and your immune system.
It will leave you feeling refreshed and revitalized. You need to make sure that you’re getting some sunshine as well. Sunlight is essential for many of your bodily functions and helps it produce Vitamin D.
Fresh air and sunshine can go a long way towards making you feel happy and healthy. In fact, one of the leading causes of depression is that people don’t get outside as much.
Fresh air and sun is clinically proven to reduce instances of depression and anxiety in almost all individuals.
Why Choosing The Right Shoe Is Important
So now that we’ve convinced you to start walking let’s take a look at the most important part of the process; your walking shoes.
The people who don’t like to walk are the people who’ve never walked with a good pair of shoes.
They experience back pain, stiff muscles, and swollen ankles. In some cases, this is because they have a pre-existing medical problem.
However, it’s usually caused by wearing improper shoes.
You need to choose a shoe that fits you well, matches the type of walking that you’re doing, and provides good support to your soles.
Choosing the right pair of walking shoes will ensure that every walking experience is a breeze.
Don’t keep wearing the same old pair of shoes. The soles become worn down and uneven, and the arch support eventually weakens, giving you a flat-footed walking style.
This is a recipe for pain and discomfort.
Walking should be a fun and easy experience, and if it’s not, then you need to invest in some new shoes.
Features To Look For In A Pair Of Walking Shoes
The best pair of shoes is the one that you’re most comfortable in.
When you can wake up in the morning, put on your shoes look down with a smile, and be comfortable on your morning walk, then you’ll know that you’ve picked the perfect pair.
Let’s take a couple of minutes to look at some of the most important features to look for in a new pair of shoes.
Comfort
It may go without saying, but having a shoe that you’re comfortable with is one of the most important things.
You’ll know after you spend a few minutes walking around in a shoe whether it’s right for you or not. If it’s not comfortable, then it’s probably a combination of factors.
The arch may be too high, the fit might be too tight, or the sole may be too hard.
Every shoe may take a couple of days to break in fully, so keep this in mind. New shoes may be a little bit stiff when you first buy them.
However, if your shoe feels too uncomfortable when you first try it on, then that’s a sign that you should probably look at something else.
Style
Of course, you want to look good while you’re walking.
So that means you’ll want to choose a style that you like, and that goes well with the clothes you’ll be wearing while you walk.
However, never choose a shoe just for looks. Sometimes the fanciest-looking shoes can be the least comfortable.
They’ll be stiff, and painful, give you blisters, and provide little to no support. You need to opt for a shoe that has a good balance between style and comfort.
Arch Support
When talking about comfort, this is one of the important considerations.
A shoe with good arch support will support the natural curve of your foot and allow you to walk in a lightweight, springing manner.
Depending on the arch of your foot, you may need to choose a shoe with more or less support.
Flat-footed individuals will need more advanced arch support to prevent them from developing leg and back pain. People who already have a good arch will require a little bit less support.
Sole
The sole of your shoe matters for a few reasons:
- Durability
- General comfort
- Shock absorption
- Environmental protection
If you want your shoes to last for a long time and you’re going to be walking on rough asphalt or sand, then you’ll want to choose a shoe with a harder sole.
These will keep their form and shape over time and won’t wear down as quickly. A softer sole, while sometimes more comfortable, will wear down faster
If you want a softer, more cushioned walking experience, then you will want to choose a sole that’s softer, or that has a layer of air or gel inserts.
These will help to absorb the shock of your shoe hitting the ground and will transfer less energy into your legs and spine.
Both of these can affect the overall comfort of your shoe.
In addition to the general design, some shoes may have special orthopedic inserts and additional cushioning to give you a more luxurious walking experience.
A final thing to consider about your soles is what environment they’re made for. Some shoes are slip-resistant or have improved traction on sand and gravel.
You need to consider what type of surface you’ll be walking on the most.
For example, if you’re in a city that has a lot of oil spills, standing water, and stairs, then you may want to consider a slip-resistant shoe.
Lace-Up or Slip-On?
While this isn’t a dealbreaker, some people simply hate tying their shoes or others have back pains when they have to bend over and tie them.
Luckily there are options for you. While the majority of shoes are lace-up, slip-on shoes have been growing in popularity over the past few years.
They look stylish, are easy to take on and off, and don’t require you to fiddle around with your shoestrings.
Size
It is vital that you get the right shoe size, especially when shopping online. You should visit a shoe store and have your foot sized by both length and width.
This will tell you the exact dimensions of your foot, and what size shoe you need.
As a general rule of thumb, you will want your shoe to fit snugly around the sides with a thumbs-width of space between your big toe and the tip of the shoe.
This extra bit of space will prevent blistering and over-compression.
Where You Should Buy Your Walking Shoes From
Traditionally, people have always gone into a physical shoe store to buy their shoes. While this is sometimes a good way to try what you like before you buy it, it’s still an inconvenience.
You have to get in your car, drive all the way into town, and sort through all of the boxes to find out which shoes are in which box.
Your favorite shoe may not even be available in your size, meaning you just wasted the entire trip.
In addition to this, there will most likely be a pushy salesman standing over your shoulder trying to recommend the most expensive shoes in the store to you so he can make a commission.
Shoes in physical stores are also way more expensive than they should be. Shop owners must be able to afford their overhead rent and employee pay, and as a result, they have to tack on an additional charge.
One of the best ways for you to do your shopping is to buy online! Specifically from Amazon.
They have a huge selection and carry almost every major brand name that you could ever want.
Your size shoe will almost always be in stock, and you can read all of the great customer reviews about the product before you buy it instead of taking a salesman’s word for it.
The best part about purchasing your shoes from Amazon is that they’ll be far cheaper than your traditional shoe store.
They have close relationships with the manufacturers and can ship your new pair of shoes directly to your door in just a few short days.
With Amazon, you don’t have to worry about paying too much for your shoe or being scammed with counterfeit shoes (which is a possibility with other online sites).
You can do all of your shopping from the comfort of your own home. If you don’t like how the shoe fits, then you can return it free of charge and request another.
Conclusion
Well, that concludes our all-inclusive buyer’s guide! We tried to showcase a wide variety of shoes that are bound to appeal to almost anybody regardless of their individual needs. All of these shoes are made with quality in mind and are very well-reviewed on Amazon. One of these shoes is guaranteed to be your next favorite pair.
If you haven’t already started a daily walking routine, then now is the perfect time to start. Walking for 30 minutes a day is scientifically proven to give you several health benefits. You’ll have a stronger heart, and better posture, and most importantly, you’ll be happier and healthier than ever before. So pick yourself up a pair of great walking shoes and get yourself some fresh air!
