The 6 Best Walking Shoes of 2026: Tested

There’s a good reason the Ghost has been one of (if not the) best-selling running shoe for Brooks since its launch in 2008, and its latest trail-running version tops our list for fitness walkers and hikers, too. “They're just the Goldilocks of shoes in terms of support, stability, cushion and durability,” says Ever Meister, the hike editor for REI Co-op Expert Advice. Versatile, lightweight and capable, this trail-focused update has a nitrogen-infused midsole for a cushier ride; 3D-printed, protective toe cap and mudguard layers for extra protection; higher-traction outsoles; and breathable mesh uppers and a vegan-friendly construction—all designed to perform both on-and gently off-road.

The Ghost trail runners are so comfortable, our testers modified the Brooks catchphrase to “Walk happy.” “It feels like I'm wearing a little cloud on each foot,” says Grothjan, who wore them throughout her pregnancy’s second trimester—including long hours at her standing desk. That said, she notes that those with very high arches may not find quite as much support as they crave. Meister, meanwhile, chases distance more than speed or incline, and loves the energy-conserving, nitrogen-infused midsoles that absorb every footstrike. “When I go for a walk, I like to go for a walk, and anything under 5 miles doesn’t cut it. The Ghost Trail left me feeling like I still had gas in the tank even after a couple hours on pavement, walking the Minneapolis Chain of Lakes loop.”

Brooks updated this Ghost’s traction for all-terrain use on wet and dry surfaces, keeping testers secure and upright whether they meandered down city sidewalks or gravel hills thanks to its 3 mm multidirectional lugs. “My home is surrounded by steep hills, and I had no problem maintaining traction walking up or down these hills,” said Sarah Grothjan, REI camp and backpack editor. That said, REI marketing campaign strategist Kristina Vateva found that they couldn’t always keep up with her on rougher trails: Shoes with this much cushion and torsional flexibility don’t always perform on rooty, jagged or uneven routes.

Multiple testers noted that even after a month or longer of daily or regular wear, the shoes still looked fresh out of the box with no fraying, discoloration or wear. Overall, the Ghost Trails float to the top with high marks: Their excellent fit, comfortable support, versatile tread and durability make them a great choice for park or groomed trails, around town or the gym. Other versions: The Brooks Ghost is also available as a road-running shoe, and with leather uppers. Shop the Ghost collection here.

The updated Transport 2 from HOKA is an instant hit with REI Co-op gear testers who regularly explore city streets and sidecountry trails—including Boston-based urban trail builder and writer, Miles H. These walkers logged over 100 miles in their Transport 2s, including on park trails, along the Washington coastline, up and down boardwalks, and on city streets and sidewalks. Despite some hesitation about a slightly narrow fit, the Transport 2 came out near the top of our walking shoes list.

The shoes were surprisingly comfortable through it all and offered solid traction when scrambling over wet or muddy roads or trail, says REI managing editor Phuong Le. Even on wet, forested trails in Pinnacles National Park, Le’s Transport 2s held their own—and kept a firm grip underfoot. “I felt confident hiking along slippery boardwalk sections; rocky, wet trails; as well as crossing small streams,” she says. Even mud didn’t seem to slow her down.

Miles noted he was initially nervous about the narrow toe box, but the shoes softened and conformed to his foot after just a few minutes of wear. And Le immediately noticed (and loved) the shoes’ updated, extra-cushioned midsole with 30% sugarcane EVA. “Putting on these HOKAs for the first time felt like sliding into slippers,” she says.

That said, Miles notes the Transport 2 made for occasionally wobbly footsteps when stepping on uneven surfaces—common for shoes with a supremely soft and squishy midfoot—but he didn’t consider it a dealbreaker. On flatter surfaces, he felt the moderate stack height balanced the cushion and created a solid platform underfoot. A quick-lacing system makes the shoes easy to slip on and off, but Miles preferred to add the included traditional laces for more precise tension and a more locked-in fit. The Transport 2s are durable, too, with one tester noting that even after a few trips and scrapes, the shoes haven’t shown many signs of wear.

Overall, they’re lightweight, comfortable, and designed for both paved paths around town and groomed trails, and a great option for traveling. Other versions: The HOKA Transport line features both waterproof and nonwaterproof versions, mid-height hiking boots for men and women, and kids’ versions. Shop the Transport collection here.

Elizabeth Nguyen, a senior retail specialist at the Atlanta REI store, trusts the Moab 3 Hiking Shoes from Merrell so much it’s often the first shoe she recommends, for walkers, beginner hikers and those going long distances off-road. (And she should know: She wore them throughout her Appalachian Trail trek.) "It's the shoe that does everything," she says. "No breaking-in is needed at all. You wear it and it's comfortable. That's it. You're good to go."

Many aspects of the Moab 3 are drawn from the brand's 40-plus-year bootmaking history, translated into an easy-wearing package that walks just as well as it hikes. The shoe's no-slip grip comes from its versatile, Merrell-exclusive Vibram® TC5+ nonmarking outsoles, designed for reliable traction on a wide range of surfaces, including everyday indoor wear. Molded nylon arch shanks keep feet steady, and removable, contoured insoles with reinforced heel cushioning offer additional support. Shock-absorbing midsoles keep you pounding the pavement even longer, and stabilizing Merrell Air Cushion provide heels with a super smooth ride. Together, these features result in a shoe that testers describe as supportive, comfortable and trail-ready right out of the box.

The shoe's top-shelf materials—including dual leather/mesh uppers—contribute to its impressive durability. All that, and this updated Moab features recycled materials in the mesh lining, laces and webbing. Other versions: Merrell Moab hiking shoes and boots come in a variety of styles to match your hiking needs, including waterproof and non-waterproof low and mid versions, with leather uppers, GORE-TEX membranes, and even kids’ sizes. Shop the Moab collection here.

If you scour thru-hiker websites, blogs and YouTube reviews, you might notice that Altra Lone Peak trail-running shoes are especially popular on the Appalachian Trail nowadays. Thankfully, you don’t have to be a thru-hiker to appreciate their roomy, foot-shaped toe box; grippy outsoles; and a zero-drop platform that lets you walk with a more natural gait with more ground contact. Many fitness walkers appreciate the wide forefoot fit because it allows their feet to spread naturally, and can accommodate the swelling that comes from long walking days. For the Waterproof Low version, Altra beefs up the beloved shoe with a water-resistant bootie to help shed muck and moisture on sploshy days.

The tradeoff: This weather protection makes the Lone Peaks warmer and less breathable than some other shoes on the list. "I only use them in colder environments since it tends to warm my foot comfortably and keep my feet dry," says Mimi Alvarez, a retail sales specialist at the REI store in Albuquerque, New Mexico. After relying on the waterproof version of Lone Peaks for many long hikes, she’s become a loyal fan. "Hiked Whitney, Rim to Rim and all my high-altitude hikes in Altras and I never feel my feet tired."

Altra loyalists will recognize the same dual-density EVA midsole and 25-millimeter stack height found in other versions of the shoe. Durable, recycled polyester mesh uppers with protective overlays withstand whatever town or trail can throw at you. Other versions: Altra Lone Peak 9 and 9+ shoes are available in a wide range of versions, including trail-running shoes, GORE-TEX waterproof shoes, and mid-height hiking boots. Shop the Lone Peak collection here.

IIf it looks like a climbing shoe but walks like a sneaker it might be the KEEN Jasper Zionic Sneakers, with its lightweight construction, contoured fit, trail-ready traction and athletic aesthetic.

Florida tester and outdoor adventure guide Brooke B. appreciated these responsive, lightweight kicks on several challenging, faster, longer outings, and found them to be surprisingly cozy. “These are some of the most comfortable walking or hiking shoes I've ever worn,” she says after initially dismissing their unconventional look. “They just cupped my heel perfectly with the right amount of cushion. It had great arch support, and my toes had plenty of room even after long distances in hot conditions.” The tongue-to-toe lacing system lets you dial in a more precise fit.

Breathable mesh lining adds all-day wearability to the stylish, brushed suede uppers, though Brooke says the textured material was a magnet for dirt, grime and (bane of a hiker’s existence) burs. She also noticed some interior wear near her big toe after nearly 30 miles, but she admits she was probably pushing them on more demanding terrain than they’re designed to go.

High-traction rubber tread with 4 mm lugs keeps you secure and upright on surfaces from rocks to roots, packed dirt to city sidewalks, and a stability shank adds extra support. “They felt firm enough on the bottom to keep me from ‘feeling’ too much of the trail underneath my feet, but  light enough to help me fly through miles without a lot of foot fatigue or excessive tiredness that I sometimes get from heavier boots,” says Brooke, who says these are exactly the Florida trail shoe she’s been looking for.

The newest Cloudhorizon from On are a walker’s best friend, thanks in large part to an updated hiking-specific CloudTech Phase™ cushioning structure: angled “Cloud” pass-throughs in the sole that compress sequentially as you step for a smooth toe-to-heel stride. The result: pillowy comfort that can keep you moving all day long.

Wide-spaced, multidirectional but relatively shallow lugs and Missiongrip™ rubber soles are ready for wet and dry strolls, particularly on pavement or lighter, groomed terrain, though testers also took them off-road a bit to see how they held up. After several longer outings, they applauded the the Cloudhorizon 2s’ durability, thanks to hardworking TPU uppers and protective toe guards. “These shoes held up great and had great traction,” said Washington-based mountaineer and Indigenous cultural advisor Rachel H., whose Cloudhorizons took her on a long lowland amble with several creek crossings and rocky terrain in addition to around town.

Those who prefer ankle support on longer or more technical walks or hikes may not find these shoes as stable (blame that plush midsole), but our Expert Advice gear testers unanimously agree: The Cloudhorizon 2s are plenty comfortable. After suffering a broken foot some years ago, Rachel requires a roomier forefoot area and more arch support for longer outings, and it’s safe to say that the Cloudhorizons delivered both. “They have stayed comfortable day after day and even on the longest days,” she says.

REI Co-op Member and gear tester Kate R. in Tennessee agrees: She wore them for 15 miles on asphalt and concrete and was impressed by the Cloudhorizons’ ability to balance trail capability with everyday style. “I felt great arch support during a long day exploring and standing. I could stand in these all day,” she says. “These are super light and walking in the city was a breeze. Everyone complimented me on these shoes,” she says. Other versions: Available in waterproof versions in women's and men's.