The best women's walking shoes will are a very versatile footwear choice. They're great for daily dog walks and casual countryside strolls, but also a top option for any situation that sees you on your feet for a long time – whether that's a day of sightseeing or pounding the pavement on your daily commute. We've reviewed a wide range of options to bring you this definitive guide to the best ladies walking shoes to buy now.
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This guide includes shoes that are great for walking on pavement as well as options for tackling tricky trails, inexpensive walking shoes and tech-packed pricier options, as well as walking shoes for wide feet. Big brands to look out for include Merrell, Adidas, Salomon and Arc’Teryx.
Hiking or walking shoes are a great and versatile choice for walking, particularly if you’re looking for something lightweight that allows freedom, flexibility and doesn’t look out of place going for a coffee. If you are taking on a tougher walk or heading up any mountains, you should consider opting for a pair of the best women’s hiking boots, or even some tougher approach shoes.
We think the best women's walking shoes right now are the Salomon Women’s X Ultra 4. They're a great all-rounder, offering a whole load of comfort and support that will keep your feet feeling fresh on long walks, plenty of grip thanks to chunky sole lugs, and waterproof protection thanks to a Gore-Tex lining. Although all the shoes in our roundup are designed to be comfy straight out of the box, we'd always recommend pairing them with some of the best walking socks to help prevent blisters.
Whatever your needs are, we’ve got plenty of great choices to choose from. Pop on some shoes, don a good waterproof jacket or some hiking leggings, and get out there exploring!
The best women's walking shoes 2021
The best women's walking shoes right now are the Salomon X Ultra 4. We like them so much, we gave them a 2021 T3 Award. They're the softer ankle and heel cuff is super-comfortable to wear, rugged despite being impressively lightweight, and waterproof too. The firm rubber sole provides incredible grip on a range of tricky surfaces, and an additional mesh layer prevents stones and other debris getting in. We found the quicklace system nice and easy to use, although depending on foot shape you might find the tongue shifts around a bit in wear. If you're looking for a reliable and comfortable shoe that'll see you through walks in any season, you'll have a tough time beating these. Head to our Salomon Women's X Ultra 4 walking shoe review for more info.
Inov-8's popular Roclite 315 shoes have had a GORE-TEX upgrade, making them an even better choice. While these are marketed at trail runners, they're also a great choice for walkers after something lightweight, flexible and with plenty of grip. The GORE-TEX membrane is a welcome addition. This will stop water from getting in the sides of the shoe, although you'll still want to avoid submerging them completely. The inner incorporates a Powerflow midsole, designed to deliver 10 per cent better shock absorption than standard midsole units to give a smoother walking experience overall. There's also padding to cushions and hold the heel in place and help the shoe move with the foot to reduce the chance of rubbing.
A seriously chunky tread give these superior traction, making these perfect for anyone who feels nervous walking over trickier terrain. The large toothed lugs are spaced out enough that they won't get choked up with mud. One niggle is that the laces are finer than on other walking shoes we tested, but overall we were seriously impressed with these women's walking shoes. They offer a great balance of comfort, support and flexibility, and will help you tackle varied and unpredictable terrain with ease. Head to our Inov-8 Roclite 315 review for more info.
Comfortable, practical, supportive and stylish, the Merrell MQM Flex 2 GTX is an excellent lightweight shoe provides just the right blend of stiffness and support for long hikes combined with flexibility where you need it and plenty of off-road grip. The GORE-TEX waterproof membrane combined with a waterproof mesh upper and a bellows tongue keeps the foot as dry as possible and helps prevent grit, stones and other debris getting inside. The shoes feature a protective toe cap that buffers against hard knocks protecting the shoe and your toes, and has a noticeably grippy sole that combines Merrell’s own ‘Quantum Grip’ rubber with chunky 5mm lugs. This means you can scramble over boulders or stay confident that you’re not going to slip over in wet conditions.
This shoe takes inspiration from trail running shoes, and Merrell has used a bonding system to integrate the Gore-Tex membrane inside, as well as TPU overlays on the outside, to remove bulk and streamline the design. As a result, they're fairly minimalist, and you do sacrifice a little in terms of support and ankle protection.
That said, they're impressively comfortable over distance. The stiffness towards the rear of the foot helps provide support with more flexibility towards the toe area. The laces allow you to tighten the shoe nice and snug around the midfoot but leave a little wiggle room for the toes. The Kinetic Fit BASE contoured insole is very comfortable and gives good instep support, and it’s handy that it’s easily removable for washing or should you want to substitute it for bespoke orthotics. However, it comes out almost too easily when you take the shoes off, and we found ourselves having to poke it back into place almost every time we put the shoes on.
That small niggle aside, these shoes are the ones we found ourselves reaching for most out of all of those tested. Comfortable, versatile, and (if you manage to keep them mud-free) nice looking enough for urban bimbles as well as off-road adventures. Head to our Merrell MQM Flex 2 GTX review to find out more.
The Adidas Terrex Skychaser XT shoes offer comfort all day and plenty of grip, plus waterproofing for walks on all terrain and all conditions. The Gore-Tex lining means no wet feet when out walking through morning dew, rain or the occasional stream crossing, while remaining breathable enough to keep feet cool in hot weather. Continental Rubber sole with chunky, directional chevron lugs provides plenty of confidence-inspiring traction on a variety of surfaces from rocks to mud to wet grass.
User-friendly features like a wide opening tongue and quick-lace system make getting the shoes on and off nice and easy, which is particularly handy if you struggle with laces or fiddly dials. There’s even a little strap to keep the laces from flapping about and getting caught. Comfortable for long walks, we almost forgot we were wearing them (in a good way) leaving us to focus on the wonderful landscape we were walking through. Head to our full Adidas Terrex Skychaser XT hiking shoes review to find out more.
A feature-packed waterproof women’s walking shoe at a reasonable price, the Columbia Trailstorm is suited to hikes and walks in transitional seasons, offering protection from the elements plus a chunky lugged sole for grip in the wet. The Techlite midsole offers an impressive blend of cushioning, stability and comfort and the upper is supportive without adding pressure-hot spots. The ghillie-style laces and Columbia’s Navic Fit system keeps the foot snugly in place, with shoe and foot moving together and therefore avoiding any blister-causing friction. The only real downside is that they’re pretty well padded and not very breathable, which makes for hot feet when the temperatures rise. You'll find more on the results of our testing in our Columbia Trailstorm walking shoe review (this shoe has a higher cut sibling, too, which you can find out about in our Columbia Trailstorm mid hiking boot review).
The Targhee III is a popular walking shoe and with good reason. It's a shoe version of a boot that's an iconic part of the Keen lineup and combines durability with great performance in a wide range of conditions. The fit is quite wide and deep, which is excellent news for anyone with broad feet or who use insoles or orthotics though if your ankles sit quite low you might fit the shoes rub. Speed hook lacing allows you to secure the upper nicely around the midsection of the foot while a wide toe box gives toes a nice amount of wiggle room. The rubber outsole has a decent tread which offers good grip in wet conditions, and a dual-density EVA foam footbed takes the force out of foot strikes keeping feet feeling fresh and warding off fatigue.
The Moraine GTX is a traditionally-styled trail walking shoe, combining a rugged nubuck leather upper with a relatively stiff vibration-absorbing sole. Ideal for long walks or hikes, tackling long-distance walking routes or for general travel, these shoes offer much in the way of comfort and support. The sole has a stiffness more akin to walking boots which has multiple benefits for hikes that take you either long distances, over very rough ground, or both. The stiffness provides support for the foot, and when combined with the VIBRAM Dynatech 3 compound in the sole and the EVA midsole, you get a shoe that will keep your feet protected from repeated hard ground strikes, both by dissipating and absorbing the forces and by cushioning the foot itself.
A GORE-TEX membrane provides a breathable, waterproof layer that helps keep feet dry both in terms of water getting in from puddles and rain, and from the inside out: in warm weather, sweat wicks away well. This is good, because the support and padding means that these shoes do feel hot in warm weather. Having a nubuck outer means it's worth taking the time to give these shoes a protective treatment before taking them out in the mud, as this means it'll be easier to get the crud off them afterwards. It's a bit of extra work at the start but it'll keep these shoes going for a good long time. While the Moraine GTX might not have the modern looks and materials of other trail walking shoes on the market, the quality of construction and materials used means these will last and last and last, with the right level of TLC.
If you're looking for an inexpensive women's walking shoe, the Peter Storm Grizedale offer excellent value for money. The naturally waterproof leather outer wouldn't look out of place about town, but is perfectly suited to dog walks in the park or rain-soaked winter rambles. Natural leather is already an excellent water barrier, particularly when it's given a little TLC, and the Grizedale shoes are belt and braces in their approach to waterproofing as they also have a breathable waterproof membrane. A rubber outsole with Vibram combined with a shock-absorbing PU midsole and comfy insole make these both comfortable for long walks and short in a range of conditions, with excellent traction.
Not only are the Merrell Moab Speed GTX a good all-round hiking and walking shoe for women, but we’re also glad to see Merrell has worked to lessen its environmental impact by including a significant portion of recycled materials. The shoe combines light weight, a waterproof and breathable Gore-Tex lining, plenty of out-sole grip thanks to rubber and a chunky lug design, and a fit that keeps feeling fresh on long walks and rough terrain, though they’re equally comfortable for the daily dog walk. One big downside is the amount of heel-lift we experienced, despite other elements of the shoe fitting brilliantly, which is a shame, and the shoes size up slightly big so you may wish to go down a half size. Head to our Merrell Moab Speed GTX walking shoe review to find out more.
The Gore-Tex-infused Arc'teryx Aerios FL GTX Shoe will help you tackle a mountain trail as well as handling your morning dog walk in style and comfort. They're waterproof to keep the rain out, and use a mix of breathable materials to encourage good airflow and minimise yucky moisture build-up. They’ll keep wind chill off your feet too. Arc'teryx took some cues from long-distance trail running shoes when designing these beauties and you can feel it as soon as you slip them on. They’re built to reduce foot fatigue and boost energy return, so you’ll feel like you can go harder for longer on the trail.
There's a Vibram Megagrip outsole to help you dig into uneven terrain, and we felt secure and sure-footed through a range of outdoors walking scenarios. We had zero break-in time, and found the shoes to be super-comfy during longer day hikes. They also look great with jeans and chinos, so could easily slip into your day-to-day wardrobe when off-duty.
A versatile walking shoe with smart looks that makes it a great choice for urban walks as well as hilltop rambles. The GORE-TEX lining keeps feet dry, and the blend of suede and cordura in the upper offers plenty of support as well as great temperature regulation - warm in cold conditions and not too hot in warm weather. Lowa's ‘Monowrap' construction in the upper is designed to cradle the foot and add protection where it's needed which, in combination with the PU foam sole insert makes for a very comfy shoe. The ‘cross II' rubber sole with a decent depth of lug makes this shoe suitable for a wide range of rambling activities.
The On Cloudventure Waterproof shoes are officially trail running shoes, but there are plenty of features that make make these a great choice for hiking, too. First up, the lugs are well cushioned, to provide comfort and absorb impact on rough terrain. There's also a reinforced core to support the foot, which makes these stiffer than many running shoes, and should help stop your feet from fatiguing quickly on longer hikes.
A combination of chunky and finer tread ensures excellent grip, even on slick surfaces, and the ON waterproof membrane will keep your feet nice and dry when it's damp underfoot. ON Running says they're good in the snow, and although we couldn't test that, we'd say these are particularly well suited to colder conditions, because they do keep your feet warmer than other walking shoes on this list. One final thing to note is that we found these sized up a little small – we had to go up a half size for the perfect fit. Head to our On Cloudventure Waterproof shoe review for more info.
Taking performance cues from trail running shoes, the Merrell Choprock Sieve dish out impressive grip via a Vibram Megagrip sole, high levels of support and welcome breathability. They're the perfect walking shoes for those days on the trail where you need to move fast and light. We've worn them on rocky trails slick with rain water and moss and the Choprock held their ground, keeping us upright without any issue. Sling them on and you'll be able to customise the fit a little via Merrell's integrated webbing loops. Toes are protected too, courtesy of a rubber toe bumper.
They're not waterproof, but instead are designed with channels to direct water out of the shoe quickly and 'water-friendly' materials that dry fast. These women's walking shoes are a bargain price and regularly on sale, so definitely ones to pick up for year-round walking and hiking comfort.
How to choose the best women's walking shoes
When it comes to walking footwear, you can find everything from trail-ready trainers to shandals – perfect for hot weather hikes – to waterproof shoes that will get you across rain-soaked moors in comfort and safety. The deciding factors should be what type of terrain are you going to be using these shoes for predominantly, and what type of hiking or walking you want to do. For longer distances, rough ground, mountainous terrain and if you need good support for your feet, then choose a more traditional approach or hiking shoe. These will typically have a stiffer sole, a supportive upper made from leather or synthetic material, and insulation and cushioning to keep the foot comfortable and warm.
If you prefer something more akin to an off-road trainer, want something that can grip well in slick conditions, is light and breathable and/or allows a more flexible foot movement, a trail shoe with flexible sole, lightweight synthetic and quick drying upper and technical features should be your port of call. These are best suited to shorter and/or faster walks, scrambles and even trail runs, and don’t offer a lot of impact protection on rough ground. There is usually a compromise to be made depending on your priorities, but we’ve tested shoes that cover the spectrum of products on offer and bring you the best choices with the best all-round performance.
What features should I look for in walking shoes?
There is so much choice when it comes to walking shoes, and the avid rambler will be able to find something perfectly suited to their needs, whether you prefer lightweight, trainer-style shoes for scrambling, walking and running or wants something more traditional with a sturdy upper and stiff, supportive sole.
The key features to look for when you’re deciding what shoe to go for are:
Sole
Look for a sole that suits the type of walking and terrain you prefer. At one end of the spectrum you have shoes with flexible soles that allow you to move quickly across trails, though these can cause fatigue to the feet as there’s not a lot of support. For longer walks or hikes on rougher terrain, choose a shoe that has a stiffer, more supportive sole but a degree of flex at the forefoot.
Upper
Walking shoes have uppers designed to suit all conditions, from water-resistant and supportive leather through to quick-drying and super-light technical synthetic material. Look for waterproof membranes such as GORE-TEX which help keep your feet dry no matter the season
Tread
If you’ll be doing a lot of walking on grassy, muddy or boggy terrain and are concerned about traction and grip, then choose a pair of walking shoes that have deep, chunky lugs. These will dig into the ground and provide plenty of grip so you can be confident you won’t slip over. If you’re planning routes that are more based around rocky or paved paths, opt for something with a shallower tread.
Tongue and collar construction
There are few things worse than getting your shoes nice and comfy only to have to take them off to remove assorted pebbles and grit that has worked its way inside. If you’ll be walking where there will be loose material, opt for a shoe that has a ‘bellows’ tongue, which means it’s joined to the rest of the upper shoe with additional fabric as this stops debris ingress while you’re walking.
Do I need walking shoes or something more robust?
Technology, materials and innovation have developed so much that walking shoes are a viable option for everything from urban rambles to mountain missions. While the design means they don’t have the same level of ankle support as a boot, they are no less feature-packed, with premium waterproof membranes, quality construction, soles that are suited to rough mountain terrain or moving fast and confidently over wet ground and any other type of use you can think of. If you’re not sure whether to go for walking shoes or hiking boots, check out our walking boots vs walking shoes guide, which runs you through the key differences between these types of footwear, to help you decide.
