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Welcome to PEOPLE Watching, where we ask real people for their top product recommendations. Today, we’re shopping for walking shoes — let’s see what we can add to our cart.
Want to know what shoes are actually made for walking? Well, we found out.
In an effort to discover which walking shoes work best for everyday life, we talked to real people to learn about the styles they reach for while logging “25,000” steps a day, teaching on their feet for “8+ hours,” and running around New York City for “72 hours” straight. Below, shop picks vetted by educators, realtors, mothers-of-four, and N.Y.C. residents from brands like Brooks, Adidas, New Balance, and more. Prices start at $61.
Walking Shoes Recommended by Real PEOPLE
- Jennifer Garner “Loves” Them, Too: Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25 Walking Shoes, $155; Amazon
- Jessica Alba’s Exact Shoes: Adidas VL Court 3.0 Sneakers, $61 (orig. $75); Amazon
- Great for “20,000-Step Days”: On The Roger Advantage Tennis Sneaker, $160; Nordstrom
- Comfy from “8 A.M. to 10 P.M.”: Dr. Martens 1460 Pascal Max Leather Platform Boots, $207 (orig. $230); Zappos
- Converted a Former Hoka-Lover: On Cloudmonster Hyper PAF, $280; On
- Accommodates Wide, Flat Feet: New Balance 327 Sneaker, $105; Amazon
- A Smart Option for Workouts: Nike Vomero 18 Road Running Shoes, $140 (orig. $155); Nike
- You’ll Want to Buy Multiples: Dolce Vita Auggie Boots, $70 with code SUMMER (orig. $250); Dolce Vita
- Stopped “Knees and Ankles” from “Aching”: Brooks Ghost 18 Neutral Walking Shoe, $150; Amazon
Related: A Podiatrist Told Me What to Look for in Wedding Guest Shoes — and Shared 4 Pairs That Provide 'Stability'
Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25 Walking Shoes
$155 at Amazon
One shopper we talked to is no stranger to uncomfortable footwear. As someone who once had to stop a workout early because her new shoes were “hurting [her] heels so badly,” her stamp of approval on these Brooks sneakers (a Jennifer Garner-loved brand) is all the more valuable.
“I get 20,000 steps a day, and these shoes show their worth in never giving me blisters or any type of discomfort — and I’m picky about being comfortable!” she shared, explaining that she especially loves their lightweight feel. “I wore these shoes on a trip to Maine and hiked around Acadia National Park in them. They were comfortable for the whole day while walking around and climbing.”
Adidas VL Court 3.0 Sneakers
$75 $61 at Amazon
As a fifth-grade teacher who’s on her feet for “8+ hours a day,” a shopper we talked to called these Adidas sneakers a “true staple” that offer “good support while also being stylish and versatile.” She added, “I love that I can dress them up with a dress and jean jacket or throw them on with leggings for a comfy day. They’re typically the first pair I gravitate towards when I’m running out the door each morning.” Bonus: Jessica Alba has been spotted in the exact same shoes.
Dolce Vita Auggie Boots, $70 with code SUMMER
$250 $70 at Dolcevita.com
“I often like to walk longer to a more convenient train vs. take multiple transfers, so comfortable shoes are key for me,” shared one 27-year-old shopper, who values shoes that work for “both the office and a night out.” Her top pick for long days in New York City? Dolce Vita’s Auggie Boots, which are currently on sale (and selling fast) with the code SUMMER.
During one particular weekend packed with “brunches, sightseeing, and nights out dancing”, the shopper convinced her visiting college friends to pick up a pair of the same boots. “They matched every ’fit and every occasion, and [my friends] left N.Y.C. with no blisters or foot pain, even after 72 hours on our feet.” She added, “We have all since bought them in multiple colors.”
New Balance 327 Sneaker
$105 at Amazon
One realtor and mother-of-four that we talked to prioritizes “cushion and style” when shopping for shoes to accommodate her wide, flat feet. While she doesn’t log her steps, she notes that she “rarely sits” during the day, and highlights these New Balance sneakers (a PEOPLE Tested-approved style) as a comfortable option for “casual days out and about.” Pick them up in this sleek black-and-white color scheme, or choose from a handful of additional shades.
On Cloudmonster Hyper PAF
$280 at On.com
Those who log serious steps will want to check out these On sneakers, which one 62-year-old shopper called “very comfortable” for walking “8 to 10 miles” a day. “If a shoe isn’t comfortable from the start, it’s a no from me,” she said, calling out Hoka Bondis as her previous favorite. “I 1779326506 wear these shoes every single day, all day and night. [On] my first day in N.Y.C this May, my dog and I were so happy to be here that we walked 12 miles in Central Park.”
Nike Vomero 18 Road Running Shoes
$155 $140 at Nike.com
“I usually wear these shoes while working out, doing yard work, or if I’m cleaning around the house,” shared one shopper, who tried many major brands before landing on this pick. “I love how they fit, and the cushion support in the heel is key. They feel lightweight, and I also love the look.”
The shopper isn’t the only one who relies on Nike Vomeros for daily wear: Eva Longoria wears them, too. “My favorite workout shoe right now is Nike,” she previously told PEOPLE. “Because I’ve been directing, I’ve been on my feet nonstop — like 15-hour days — and the Nike Zoom [line] is amazing.”
Dr. Martens 1460 Pascal Max Leather Platform Boots
$230 $207 at Zappos
For one shopper who lives in Brooklyn but works in Manhattan, comfort is key. “I’m usually out the door at 8 a.m. and get home around 10 p.m.,” she explained. “I need my feet to survive the day.” As such, she cites these Dr. Martens boots as an easy-to-style staple that works for a wide range of occasions, though she does note that it took a few wears to fully break them in.
“I always wear them to music festivals where I’m stomping around for 12+ hours each day and logging at least 25,000 steps,” she shared. “I love that these shoes have molded to my feet over the years — they’re like an extension of me now.”
On The Roger Advantage Tennis Sneaker
$160 at Nordstrom
If you really want to put a pair of sneakers to the test, take them on a trip to Europe — just like one buyer we talked to did with these On tennis shoes. “They are so comfortable,” the shopper, who occasionally deals with plantar fasciitis, told us. “I wore them every day for a 2-week trip to Europe, where we averaged like 20,000 steps a day and had no issues. I also think their narrower, lower profile makes them easier to dress up for work.”
Brooks Ghost 18 Neutral Walking Shoe
$150 at Amazon
A final 49-year-old shopper, who deals with bunions, looks for “lots of support plus good tread and a wide toe box” when shopping for shoes. This search brought her to Brooks Ghost 18 Walking Shoes, which she says “seem to last longer” than other brands. “I work out in them every day and walk about three miles a day or more,” she explained. “When I switched to these, my knees and ankles stopped aching.”
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