An alarm must be sounded! As warmer months beckon, we’re all going to be outside on our feet even more, but today’s trending footwear styles are not particularly catered to surpassing 10,000 steps. Tiny dress shoes, Samba alternatives, all of these styles look great—but they’re pavement slappers. And that just won’t do for hours traversing urban concrete. To put it simply: Everyone needs at least one walking shoe.

Which begs the question: What exactly is a walking shoe? Technically, any shoe you enjoy walking in can be one, but to figure out what makes the great ones great, we turned to the experts. (We’re many things, but podiatrists are not one of them, so we called a few of those.) We also asked editors across the GQ office for their trustiest stomping shoes, and then looked back through the GQ Fitness Awards to make sure we were truly surfacing the cream of the crop.

The result of this work is below: Fourteen standout styles, and below that, a treasure trove of expert advice on what to look for in terms of fit, firmness, and foot widths.

Best Overall Walking Shoe: Hoka Bondi 9

Hoka wins multiple GQ Fitness Awards year after year, but the brand is as loved by fashion heads as it is runners. The main reason? No-one is engineering cushioning like them. And while most Hoka shoes fall into the max-cushion category, the Bondi’s always been a real behemoth. Compared to the 8, the new 9 has lighter, more-responsive foam, and increased cushioning that paradoxically makes the Bondi feel nimbler and stabler than it looks like it should be. The result? A smooth, luxurious walking experience—no matter the distance or terrain involved. And while yes, the shoe is engineered with the brand’s thick, cloudlike sole, it’s also—dare we say it?—downright good-looking, which is a rarity in a market largely dominated by sneakers that place function high above form.

Best Walking Shoe for Wide Feet: Asics Gel-Nimbus 28

The Asics Gel-Nimbus has been one of the most supportive, stable walking (and running) shoes for years. Now on its 28th iteration, it’s pretty clear that the shoe has a devout following. The chunky max-cushioned midsole is certainly plush, but not so mushy that it lacks support on long walks. The Gel Nimbus also has an 8-millimeter heel-to-toe drop—the upper-tier of the optimal range for walking shoes—which promotes a smooth, efficient stride. And it comes in wide and extra wide lengths, making it ideal for any size foot.

GQ contributor Will Porter told us he normally wouldn’t want to recommend a max-cushioned running shoe for walking, but after spending some time with the Asics, says their stable feeling makes it a no-brainer. And Steven Thomas, a podiatrist on London’s renowned Harley Street who you’ll hear more from below, also likes to wear his Asics around town.

Best (Non-Running) Walking Shoe: New Balance 1906R

Truth be told, most New Balance shoes are great for walking—and we have a full guide to all of its top styles here. Really, the clue’s in the brand name: the tech is modern, but New Balance has never wavered in its dedication to stability and comfort. Long before they were fashionable, New Balance had the comfort shoe market cornered, but in the last decade, the Boston-based brand has been churning out not just some of the chunkiest, most daddy (in a good way!) sneakers around, but also plenty of head-turning contemporary styles that have seduced the sneakerheads. Every shoe in its 990 series has rightfully achieved icon status, and almost any pair of NBs will treat your feet with the dignity they deserve, but this one—with 360 mesh uppers and a specialized sole to maximize shock absorption—is particularly suited for long days on the move.

Best Dressy Walking Shoe: Mephisto Cap Vert

So you’ve got a swankier-than-usual event to attend and would rather walk than take the train (because it’s a beautiful day and/or you’d like to keep your blood pressure stable). Doesn’t mean you have to turn up looking any less the part! Mephisto’s slick Cap Vert loafers will keep you looking dapper, while the buttery smooth full-grain leather—set on top of a shock-absorbent sole—will make sure your arches feel just as good as they look.

GQ’s Associate Commerce Director Michael Nolledo recently wore his throughout a two-week long, walking-intensive Vietnam trip, and felt as good as he looked. And while you may not think of loafers when you think of comfortable shoes, Nolledo says the Cap Vert’s arch support feels unmatched, and that the soft leather looks understated, but also feels great around the foot right out of the box. In short, long gone are the days when beauty equaled pain.

Best Stylish Walking Shoe: Satisfy TheROCKER

Yes, Salomon has in recent years been the fashion shoe du jour, but Satisfy (another French make) has put a few dents in that crown ever since the running brand launched its first trail-minded sneaker, TheRocker, in 2025. As its name suggests, the shoe is designed to guide you forward with every step, and its firm grip and plush comfort has made it as popular on the streets of Paris as it may ever be out on the trails of Bois-le-Roi.

Best Hiking Shoe for Walking: ROA Sella Trail Sneakers

It stands to reason that a shoe designed for true hikers will easily serve the needs of regular old walkers like you and I. This design, from Italian hiking shoe brand ROA, has all the good looks that have made the brand so popular with the fashion set, but doesn’t scrimp on the technical details. There’s a water-repellent but breathable Jacquard upper, Vibram Megagrip outsoles, a cushioned EVA midsole, and some added rubber reinforcement in all the right places, for that extra stability and durability. The heel loop, which makes them easier to get off and on, is a nice little detail too.

Best Everyday Walking Shoe: SAS Journey

SAS makes slept-on footwear gems with an orthotic bent and a beautifully basic design sense, and you’ll see them in only two places: old folks homes and low-key style circles. While the brand’s Journey model looks like a kids drawing of a sneaker in the best way possible, it’s the top-tier craftsmanship that’ll hook you: A breathable mesh upper that’s been reinforced with leather so it molds to your feet without losing the shoe’s natural footshape. A D-ring lace-up system for quick lacing. A heel stabilizer to make sure you’re hitting your stride correctly. And widths from slim to triple-wide, so your feet feel right whether you’re strolling the sidewalk or sprinting to catch the train.