A good pair of walking shoes don’t just have to fit well.
It should also have enough cushioning for comfort and protection.
If you’re the kind of person who persists in everything, especially daily walks, you need to check out our list of the best cushioned walking shoes.
We’ve scoured the web for the top-rated walking shoes and tested them to see which stands true to the hype.
Let’s look at each of their performance, advantages, and drawbacks to help you choose the right shoe for your daily walking needs.
Best Cushioned Walking Shoes for Women
STQ Women’s Slip On Walking Shoes
Skechers Women’s Go Joy Walking Shoes
Reebok Women’s Princess Aerobics Shoes
1. STQ Slip On Breathe Mesh Walking Shoes for Women
This stylish women’s sneaker is super lightweight and flexible.
The thick midsole with air cushion helps absorb shock, while the rebound sole design offers an efficient push-off.
Review
The STQ is an everyday shoe that banks on a slip-on silhouette for easy on and off.
It’s great for any occasion and outfit, from casual to athletic types.
What makes the STQ shoe special?
First, the shoe is made with a lightweight, smooth and flexible upper that fits like socks and feels comfortable all to your toes.
An advantage of lightweight shoes is that they help you move faster and more precisely, so you don’t spend so much energy with every stride.
In addition, the upper is highly breathable, which makes it a perfect fit for the summer season.
These ultra-lightweight slip-on sneakers are also touted for their fantastic support and comfort.
There’s a padded collar that offers lots of ankle and heel support. Its design also supports gait and balance.
The shoe features an air-cushion sole designed for maximum comfort and shock absorption.
This feature helps prevent your feet from feeling hurt during long hours of walking or standing.
In addition to the cushioned sole, the STQ shoe has a memory foam insole that makes you feel like you’re stepping on soft pillows.
The shoe is comfortable right out of the box, and there is no breaking-in required. It has a nice fit, like you’re wearing a sock.
What’s more, this shoe is so flexible. It flexes extremely well, allowing for natural movement of the foot, so there’s no hitting your toes on the front of the shoe.
You can wear them without socks as they don’t rub or blister your feet.
For these reasons, the STQ sneakers make a wonderful choice for women with plantar fasciitis.
As soon as you put them on, they feel like slippers. The soft upper and thick cushioning make it feel like you’re just bouncing.
PROS
- checkExtremely comfortable
- checkStylish design
- checkSlip-resistant
- Available in many colorways
CONS
- You might find your feet sliding
- Arch support is minimal
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2. Skechers Women’s Go Walk Joy
The Go Walk Joy is best for working, walking, running errands, running on a treadmill, and standing all day.
It features the 5Gen cushioned midsole that provides superior cushioning so your feet don’t get tired even during long hours of walking.
Anyone wanting versatility and something easy to wear on daily walks and travels will find this shoe a wonderful choice.
Review
The Go Walk Joy is another slip-on shoe from Skechers. It’s very flexible and lightweight with a low-top design.
The mesh upper feels comfortable to the skin and allows your feet to breathe.
Inside the upper is a featherweight sockliner that adds comfort by adapting to your feet while you walk.
Moreover, this shoe comes with the Gogo Max insole that offers plenty of cushion and support.
What we like most about the Go Walk Joy is its emphasis on walking comfort.
Thanks to the bouncy 5GEN midsole, thick insole, and lightweight, breathable upper.
The cushioning technology is engineered to be highly responsive to prevent foot fatigue and absorb impact.
Also, because this shoe has lots of cushioning, they are likely to fit comfortably for people with all types of arches.
Since it’s super comfortable, the Go Walk Joy walking shoe is ideal for women with various foot problems, ranging from bunions to hammertoes, arthritis, and more.
It’s also worth mentioning that the Skechers Women’s Go Walk Joy is available in a broad option.
PROS
- checkSuper lightweight
- checkBreathable
- checkVersatile design
- Durable
CONS
- Not true to size
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3. Reebok Women’s Princess Sneaker
If you’re looking for a pair of comfortable sneakers for your daily walks or workouts, the Reebok Princess Sneaker fits the bill.
It features a lightweight midsole that provides supportive cushioning and excellent shock-absorbing quality.
Review
Thanks to its minimalist design and high comfort level, the Reebok Princess has been a crowd’s favorite since the 1980s.
What makes it a standout? First of all, these sneakers feature lightweight construction.
The original Princess sneaker was made of quality leather, while the latest version is made with synthetic leather that is more lightweight and breathes better.
Further enhancing the Reebok Women’s Princess Sneaker’s breathability are the perforations on the toe box.
They allow the air to move in and out of the shoe, keeping your feet dry and cool, especially during the summer.
The synthetic upper gently wraps the feet, and the lace-up closure lets you achieve a customized fit.
Inside the upper is a soft lining that absorbs moisture really well.
The in-shoe comfort is achieved through the soft foam sockliner that doesn’t only add cushioning but also delivers support.
The Reebok Women’s Princess Sneaker features a standard lace-up closure for easy fit adjustment.
In terms of comfort, Princess Sneaker performs like a rockstar.
Thanks to the lightweight EVA foam midsole that keeps your feet well-cushioned.
EVA has excellent shock-absorbing qualities, so your feet feel comfortable throughout.
That said, the Princess Sneaker also makes fantastic footwear for running, jogging, or working out.
In addition, the shoe has a flexible outsole that allows the feet to move naturally without restrictions.
The outsole is made of durable rubber that is resistant to abrasion.
It has flex grooves that enhance grip and traction on varying terrain, from concrete floor trails to grass and other surfaces.
The Reebok Women’s Princess Sneaker comes in base colors, making it a versatile option for any outfit.
PROS
- checkAffordable
- checkSuper comfortable
- checkStylish design
CONS
- Minimal arch support
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Best Cushioned Walking Shoes for Men
Skechers Men’s GO Walk Evolution Ultra-Impeccable Sneakers
Skechers Men’s Go Walk Max Sneakers
WHITIN Men’s Casual Slip on Loafers
1. Skechers GOwalk Evolution Ultra-Impeccable Men’s Shoes
The GOwalk Evolution Ultra-Impeccable is a popular option from the Skechers’ GOwalk collection.
It’s packed with the brand’s high-rebound midsole and outsole cushioning that offers comfort and protection.
Review
Right outside the box, the Skechers GOwalk Evolution Ultra-Impeccable Shoes feels amazing.
The uppers hug your feet like socks, and the underfoot experience is fantastic.
Whether you’re going out for a long walk or standing all day, the GOWalk Ultra-Impeccable will keep your feet comfortable.
When it comes to cushioning, the Ultra-Impeccable shoe has a lot to boast.
One is the responsive underfoot protection found in the outsole.
Aside from this, the outsole features button-like structures called Ultra Pillars that enhance the shoe’s ability to absorb impact.
The Ultra Pillars are crystalized rubber pods donning the underside of the sole.
They also help enhance your traction and the durability of the shoes.
Thus, even if you’re traversing rough terrains, your feet will still feel comfortable.
Inside the footwear is the Air Cooled Goga Mat, a cushioning insole that is more resistant to memory foam and is still softer than regular insoles.
According to Skechers, it’s meant to hold up under stress during high-intensity exercise.
That said, it’s suitable not just for casual walking but also for running and sports.
The upper of the shoe is made of soft woven fabric for seamless comfort and breathability.
It’s designed to be lightweight yet strong enough to protect your feet against the elements.
The toe and heel panel overlays are made of synthetic material for added durability.
In addition, the dual side elastic panels give the shoe structure and provide more comfort.
The elastic gussets secure the instep section and allow you to open the upper wider when needed, so you can easily slide your foot into it.
Lastly, the padded collar keeps your foot in place and prevents your foot from accidentally slipping out while walking.
PROS
- checkWide and true to size
- checkExtremely comfortable
- checkEasy to wear
- Light and flexible
CONS
- Few colorways to choose from
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2. Skechers Men’s Go Walk Max
This men’s walking shoe from Skechers is radically lightweight and breathable.
It features the Goga Max high rebound footbed that puts a little spring in your step, absorbing impact and providing your feet with enough cushioning.
Review
The Go Walk 4 Pursuit is a slip-on walking shoe for women. It is made of breathable mesh fabric upper that is extremely lightweight and comes with stabilizing heel fabric overlay panels.
The upper has a virtually seamless construction for a comfortable fit.
It’s made of lightweight mesh fabric that is soft and breezy.
The toe box and heel areas are constructed with solid weave mesh for added stability.
The shoe features a slip-on design with a padded heel for walking comfort.
For the midsole, it uses the highly responsive 5GEN midsole cushioning: a full-length foam material that is super soft, springy, and durable.
In addition, it has a proprietary SQUISH component for added comfort.
Inside the shoe is the Goga Max insole with high-rebound cushioning suitable for athletic walking.
Meanwhile, the shoe outsole is made of high-quality rubber that provides fantastic grip and traction on varying terrain.
What makes this walking shoe a standout is its casual design.
You can wear the Skechers Men’s Go Walk Max for work or going out of town.
PROS
- checkSuper lightweight
- checkVery comfortable
- checkCute design
CONS
- Runs a little small
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3. WHITIN Men’s Laid-Back Slip-On Loafer for Men
This beautiful slip-on sneaker’s upper is made of a bi-component stretched woven, promoting a flexible fit.
It also has an ultralight, flexible sole that gives you freedom of movement.
Review
The Within Loafers make a wonderful option for men looking for a well-cushioned and supportive shoe that they can wear for work and daily activities.
It’s one of the most comfortable and flexible offerings from Within.
It’s designed with a soft memory EVA sole that flexes and folds, giving you the impression of walking on soft pillows.
At the same time, it gives the shoe a unique shape and promotes superior comfort and foot control.
EVA is a material softer than rubber, which means it has more flexibility. It is also much lighter.
What we love most about the Within walking shoe is it provides a lot of support and cushioning without being bulky.
For the upper, the WHITIN Men’s Laid-Back Slip-On Loafer features a soft woven fabric that feels soft and comfy on the skin.
Even so, it still provides structure to the shoe, so you can put it on or off easily.
The oblate elastic laces with knotted ends let you achieve a secure fit.
Moreover, this slip-on loafer has a wider than average toe box, providing your toes with extra space to move comfortably.
If you are wide-footed, you’re going to love the WHITIN Men’s Laid-Back Slip-On Loafer.
It also comes with a breathable anatomical insole that provides maximum comfort while keeping your feet fresh all day.
Another thing to love about this shoe is its lightweight performance.
Each shoe only weighs a little over five ounces. That said, you’re less likely to feel tired during long walks.
By the way, this shoe is machine-washable. Toss it in the machine on a gentle cycle and hang to air dry.
PROS
- checkStylish design
- checkBreathable
- checkLightweight
- Amazingly comfortable
CONS
- Laces could be longer
- Minimal arch support
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Which Shoes Should You Opt For?
The GOwalk Evolution Ultra-Impeccable from Skechers is the best cushioned walking shoe fro men because it offers the most amount of protection and comfort.
The high-rebound midsole makes you feel like you’re walking on clouds while the breathable mesh uppers hug your feet like socks.
Whether you’re walking or standing all day, this shoe will make your every stride a lot more bearable.
If you’re fine with the few colorways to choose from, you’ll never be disappointed with the GOWalk Evolution Ultra-Impeccable.
For women, our top pick is the STQ Slip walking shoes.
These super stylish kicks are very lightweight, highly cushioned, and supportive.
It’s comfortable out of the box and requires no breaking in.
Your article has been really helpful and I am currently shopping around for a new pair of walking shoes. It’s good to see the comparisons and the pros and cons. I will consider the GOwalk Evolution Ultra-Impeccable from Skechers since you mentioned that it combines both protection and comfort. I will also recommend the STQ Slip walking shoes to a friend as she has a challenge finding walking shoes that she likes.
Hi, Joseph Stasaitis, and thank you.
Thank you for your kind words.
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I like the stylish design of the WHITIN loafer. It looks like house shoe comfort, comfort that you can wear anywhere.
But I am a lady, so when I need a new pair of shoes, my choice would be the STQ. It has an attractive style for any occasion. Plus, it is flexible and lightweight. Slip-ons are the way to go.
Hi, Lolita, and thank you.
Thank you for your kind words.
Great to hear about your benefit of the article too.
Don’t hesitate to contact me to help you with anything else or if you have any questions.