Whether you log miles for fitness, travel or just part of your regular day, the best Hoka shoes for walking give you a noticeable boost—in comfort, stability, support and cushioning. All that makes it easier to power through long days, tough workouts and hard surfaces underfoot. While Hokas are extremely versatile, each pair has its own unique features that lend it to a specific type of walking. After interviewing experts—including a podiatrist, walking fitness pro and more—we picked the Clifton 9’s as the best Hoka shoes for walking overall since they’re lightweight, breathable and responsive to most types of strides. For more customized needs, the Ahari 7 is great for enhanced stability and the Mach 6 is the most comfortable for wide feet. Here’s what else scored highest in our analysis of the best Hoka walking shoes.
Hoka sneakers have the cushioning and support to keep you comfortable for miles.
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- This story was written by Forbes Vetted contributing writer Lesley Rotchford, who is a former executive editor at Women’s Health. She has been covering health, fitness and fashion for 25 years. She is also a competitive runner who has tested out dozens of sneakers throughout her running career.
- Before recommending any product, we always ask leading health and fitness experts to weigh in on the gear that they use personally and recommend to their clients. We also firsthand test and consider independent user reviews as part of our evaluation process.
How We Chose The Best Hoka Shoes For Walking
Our team relied on independent testing, expert advice and online reviews when selecting the best Hoka shoes for walking.
- We consulted board-certified foot surgeon and podiatrist Dr. Brad Schaeffer at Central Park Sole, about Hoka walking shoe features and what to consider when shopping for walking shoes.
- We also spoke to walking expert Joyce Shulman, co-founder and CEO of 99 Walks & Jetti Fitness author of Why Walk, to find out her favorite Hokas, and which are best for each type of walker.
- Finally, we cross-referenced our testers’ experiences with online reviews to ensure each pick comes highly rated by customers.
What To Consider About Hoka Walking Shoes
Material
The most important thing to look for in walking shoes is breathability, which prevents your feet from overheating (and smelling). Hokas are made from airy, flexible, lightweight fabrics like mesh, creel jacquard and flat-knit. You can’t go wrong with any of those materials, but Dr. Schaeffer especially likes mesh for breathability.
Fit
Walking shoes should gently hug your feet, without feel tight or restrictive. “If anything rubs, hurts or is uncomfortable when you are trying them on, keep looking—those things will only get worse when you hit the trail or the road,” says Shulman. Wiggle your toes around to ensure they have plenty of room (“avoid any shoe in which the toe box squeezes your toes together,” says Shulman), and make sure there is a thumbnail’s worth of space between the top of your big toe and the end of the toe box. One more thing to keep in mind: “When you walk, your heel should remain ‘grounded’ in the shoe and the shoe counter (the very back of the shoe) should rest comfortably against the back of your foot. If it digs into your achilles tendon, this is not the shoe for you,” says Shulman.
Tread
Generally speaking, if you are walking outside, you’ll need a sturdy tread to prevent you from slipping and tripping. But it’s important to choose a tread that’s specifically built for the type of activity that you have planned. “This might very well mean that you need more than one walking shoe if you walk on more than one terrain,” says Shulman. “Just last weekend I was traveling and ended up hiking in shoes without sufficient tread. It was not comfortable and, frankly, not safe.”
Heel Stack
This is a buzzy term these days, and it refers to the amount of material between the bottom of your foot and the ground, and it can range from barefoot to maximal. (Basically, it’s a number that describes how high the sole of a shoe is.) A shoe with more cushioning will usually have a higher stack height, while a shoe with less cushioning will have a lower stack height. But this can differ depending on the type of foam used (EVA foam is more conspicuous than PEBA foam, which is denser), and if anything else (like a carbon plate) is being placed in the sole.
Heel-To-Toe Drop
This is another trendy term in the sneaker world. You don’t need to be too concerned about it, but it’s the precise measurement between the height of a shoe’s heel and the height for the forefoot. Most people are heel strikers, which means they hit the ground heel-first. A higher heel-t0-toe drop (which indicates more cushioning) can be good for heel-strikers. A lower heel-to-toe drop is often a better choice for people who land on their midfoot or forefoot first.
Stability
Stability shoes prevent your feet from rolling inward or outward as you strike the ground. Overpronation occurs when your feet roll inward, and it’s often associated with flat fleet. When your feet roll outward, it’s referred to a supination. You can tell which camp you fall into by looking at the bottom of your shoe. If your shoes are more worn down in the top right, you over-pronate. If shoes have more wear on the outside, you supinate. These foot strike conditions can put a lot of stress on your body, and lead to back pain, knee pain, shin splints, plantar fasciitis and other injuries. “When selecting a shoe, I usually recommend finding one that has a good mix of comfort and stability,” says Dr. Schaeffer.
Cushioning
Cushioning, especially in the midsole, is essential for keeping feet comfortable while you walk. “Hokas have a lot of cushioning—it is one of their distinct features, which can be great for shock absorption as you rack up the miles,” says Shulman. Those who walk long distances, and are prone to injury (or just have bad knees or achy hips) often prefer the extra padding, while speed walkers sometimes prefer more “responsive” shoes that feel less bulky.
Laces
You’ll notice some walking shoes have elastic laces, lace-lock systems and other elaborate lacing systems, but both of our experts say to stick to regular old shoelaces, which are more dependable and offer a more customized fit. “[Traditional lacing] allows you to loosen and tighten in the right areas, depending on your foot type,” says Dr. Schaeffer.
Are Running Shoes Good For Walking?
Yes, most running shoes are a good choice for walking. But avoid choosing running shoes that are designed for racing, as they likely won’t have enough cushioning for people who are on their feet for long periods of time.
How Often Should You Replace Walking Shoes?
You should retire your walking shoes and buy new ones after approximately 300 to 500 miles. If you walk three miles every day, that means you should start checking for signs of wear after about four months. To determine wear, flip your shoe over and analyze the wear pattern on the bottom. If certain areas are worn down, it’s time to spring for a new pair.
What’s The Best Way To Dry Walking Shoes After They’ve Gotten Wet?
If you were caught in the rain and your sneakers got soaked, resist the urge to throw them in the dryer which can cause damage. The most common method for drying sneakers is to stuff them with newspaper, which will draw out the moisture. Remove the sockliners and loosen the laces. Then ball up newspaper and stuff it into your shoes, ensuring you reach the toe area. Place the sneakers in a dry, well-ventilated area for approximately 12 hours. (You may need to replace the newspaper if you find it’s getting really soggy.) If your shoes are just damp but not soaking wet, you can place them in front of a fan to speed up drying.
What Walking Shoes Are Good For Plantar Faciatiis?
Look for walking shoes that have ample cushioning in the forefoot and heel, plus excellent arch support, which will take pressure of the sore plantar fascia. Heel cups are another feature to consider, as they can help relieve discomfort. The Hoka Bondi 8, with it’s layers of comfortable cushioning, is a popular choice for those suffering from this chronic foot issue.
What Kind Of Socks Should Be Worn With Walking Shoes?
Materials like polyester or nylon will keep feet cool and sweat-free, and spandex is important too, as it stretches for a customized fit and helps prevent bunching that can lead to blisters. Some socks offer extra cushioning and compression to keep feet comfortable, but the additional padding may feel too hot if you’re exercising in a warm climate. The length of the socks is purely a matter of preference, but low, no-shoe socks tend to be most flattering.