In Stride: The Best Men’s Walking Shoes in 2022

I ventured into the land of memory foam insoles, not knowing what to expect. Now, I’m happy I’ve been there, but I won’t be going back.

The sturdy Skechers Afterburn Men’s Walking Shoes tested as heavily supportive, built for lasting comfort. A robust midsole is the shoe’s foundation — I was tall while wearing the Afterburn, and I’m not a tall person. Moderately aggressive treads, a durable but relatively lightweight synthetic upper, and memory foam insole round out the shoe.

The Afterburn’s tread performed well on various terrain. It gripped smooth rock respectably and delivered traction on loose gravel. Despite the shoe’s hefty overall build, it didn’t feel heavy or cumbersome — I didn’t unexpectedly kick anything or feel clumsy in it like I expected on my first impression.

It also shook off abuse pretty well, refusing to fray or rip when snagged by low-lying branches during hikes.

Too bad the Afterburner’s featured asset, its memory foam insole, is actually its liability. To me, the material always just felt squishy. I don’t know what else I expected, but the effect was awkward and consistently irritating. The insole was also impossible to break in — by nature, memory foam always bounces back to its original shape until it collapses.

Memory foam insoles may work for some folks, but to me, it doesn’t make sense. I tried to replace the Afterburn’s insole but found it glued down.

One final note: the shoe’s collar felt high and stiff, which was uncomfortable on my ankles.

If you’re interested in a memory foam insole, the Skechers Afterburn is a solid buy with its other highly functional features. Read the in-depth review here.

New Balance builds the 877 with a breathable suede-and-mesh upper and an impact-resistant sole well-equipped with proprietary technology. As tested, the shoe had a generous toe box and a broad foundation. I felt the New Balance 877 Men’s Walking Shoes was a good smooth-surface walking shoe for people with wide feet. Its reputation as one of the top-rated men’s walking shoes is well-founded.

New Balance uses grey suede to give the 877 a classic appeal and adds mesh lining and panels for breathability. I found the shoe kept my feet from sweating uncomfortably on strenuous hikes up to five miles in 90-degree-plus heat. With its low weight, I also felt energetic and dextrous even when the miles started to pile up.

That said, the 877 isn’t a hiking shoe, and it didn’t perform like one. The outsole’s smooth tread works a lot better on pavement than it does on sandy or uneven surfaces, and it tested better on the sidewalk. The 877’s broad, flat foundation translates better to smooth surfaces, and New Balance’s proprietary strike path technology is designed for consistent strides and footstrikes — not the more random pattern you take on a trail.

New Balance constructs 877’s midsole with its ABZORB technology, limiting impact with cushioning and compression resistance. This property struck me as a good idea for a shoe designed to pound the pavement, and I never noticed any unusual impact during testing.

Finally, the wide toe box and base make the 877 a great choice for folks with wide feet (if you have narrow feet, like I do, consider yourself warned). I did find the shoe comfortable over long periods due to its breathability and high-performance cushioning. Its go-anywhere style will appeal to those looking for an everyday wearer. Read the in-depth review here.

The Saucony Switchback 2 Men’s Walking Shoes are Saucony’s development on the original Switchback Iso walking shoe, featuring BOA lacing and a mudguard on the upper. A full-length midsole offers cushioning and energy return for long hauls, and rugged lugs secure the shoe on rough terrain. Saucony fits the Switchback 2 with its proprietary PWRTRAC outsole, which it deploys for wet, uneven surfaces. It adds trail-specific cushioning and midsole features, including a rock plate.

The Switchback 2 differentiates itself from the BOA lacing system. In my experience, BOA systems offer three distinct advantages: 1) they make it easy to dial in your shoe’s tightness, 2) they can’t come untied, and 3) they’re quick to put on and take off. That being said, they’re either impossible or complicated to repair if they break. The precision adjustment of BOA lacing can add a dimension to a comfortable walking shoe. With a grippy, aggressive outsole and advanced trail features, the Saucony Switchback 2 looks like a high-performance walking shoe that can handle any terrain, similar to some of the best trail running shoes on our list.

The Gel-Venture 7 is ASICS’ running — or walking — shoe for everyone, with solid cushioning and heel construction, plus high rebound and a moderate MSRP. ASICS has this to say about its well-established GEL technology: “ [it] attenuates shock during impact phase and allows for a smooth transition to midstance.” Whatever this means, the tech has been perennially successful for ASICS. The ASICS Gel-Venture 7 Men’s Walking Shoes features gel technology in the rearfoot.

ASICS adds an internal heel counter to help retain foot position in the shoe, designed to shape the foot over time. An EVA midsole increases cushioning. Reversed lugs provide uphill and downhill traction on an outsole that features proprietary abrasion-resistant rubber and synthetic leather on the support of the upper bolster. ASICS also includes a sock liner that aids rebound absorbs moisture, and increases breathability. If you decide you don’t like it, it’s removable.

All-day wearability anchors the New Balance 608 V5 Men’s Walking Shoes. A highly cushioned midsole and flex grooves in the outsole make it one of the most comfortable walking shoes for men. It’s an inexpensive shoe with a leather upper at MSRP $70. New Balance offers the 608v5 in three widths to accommodate your foot shape. In fact, almost all the shoe’s design strokes reflect its prioritization of comfort. The outsole’s flex grooves, molded into the forefoot area, limit crinkling and abrasive break-in. An EVA midsole adds firm but flexible support. An internal shank protects the foot from surface inconsistencies. A polyurethane insole and dual-layer collar cushioning deliver a final layer of comfort.

Take one look at this New Balance shoe (especially the tread), and you’ll know it doesn’t belong anywhere near the trail. But that’s not the point — it’s a straightforward shoe geared toward comfort and wearability at a moderate-to-low price, and it checks each box.

More than any other shoe we’ve ever known, this Nike sneaker embodies the essence of dad-ness. As if by magic, a mere glance at the stock photo can fill the air with the aromas of fresh-cut grass and burgers on the grill. Cosmopolites scratch their heads, and Suburbans bow to the almighty ensemble that is a t-shirt, jean shorts with a braided brown leather belt, white crew socks, and a pair of Monarchs.

Oh yeah — this legend is also a shoe, not just a legend. Did I mention it’s a legend? Actually, it’s a shoe with a leather upper that provides durability “for workouts,” according to Nike. A full-length encapsulated Air-Sole unit adds cushioning and support. The outsole grips “any surface,” but the treads are pretty toothless — let’s be honest, these beauties are for piloting the rider or handling the tongs, not walking around in the woods like some hippie. Grilling season is here. Purchase greatness. The Nike Air Monarch IV (in the white-on-white colorway, of course) is available in regular or “extra-wide.”

The KEEN Targhee Vent is all about breathable trail proficiency. The rugged shoe features high stability and grip, plus vented panels to keep wearers comfortable during long-distance treks. It’s a great walking shoe for anyone who loves nature: the water-resistant nubuck leather in its upper even achieves “environmentally-preferred” status. Multi-directional lugs on the shoe’s outsole keep you planted on any terrain. The shoe’s next layer houses an internal shank to protect your foot from trail hazards. A dual-density midsole and footbed complete the foundation.

KEEN’s injected TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) heel-capture system helps keep your foot where it belongs in the shoe and adds stability. The leather-and-mesh upper, fitted with metal eyelets, offers a balance of durability, water resistance, and breathability. There’s not much this KEEN shoe isn’t prepared for (except maybe casual use — it’s kind of a beast). Pick up a pair to take on your most exploratory walks.

Adidas’ Terrex Skychaser 2.0 is a trainer-styled take on the hiking shoe, with a Continental rubber outsole, speed lacing, and an abrasion-resistant upper containing recycled content. Adidas created its Terrex line to appeal to adventure athletes from its base in traditional stick and ball sports. The line adds helpful outdoor features to Adidas’ clean aesthetics. The brand fits the Skychaser 2.0 with a Continental rubber outsole that delivers both wet and dry grip, adding multi-directional lugs and a midfoot shank. Aggressive heel support keeps wearers’ feet from slipping around inside the shoe.

Adidas says the Skychaser 2.0’s upper hugs the wearer’s feet for precise footwork, and it includes recycled content as part of Adidas’ “ambition to end plastic waste.” On a closer look, Skychaser 2.0’s contribution to sustainability is not that impressive: 20% of materials in the upper use a minimum of 50% recycled content. Abrasion-resistant overlays protect this Adidas shoe from common trail hazards. Speed laces add quick adjustability. If you’re after a trail-ready walking shoe from an established brand with an in-vogue recycled content profile, the Terrex Skychaser 2.0 might be for you.

Trail shoe master Merrell strikes again with the waterproof Chameleon 8 leather hiking shoe. Nubuck leather and a proprietary dry layer combine to keep moisture out, Vibram rubber anchors the outsole, and a highly supportive midsole completes the package. The Chameleon is loaded with technology and capability. Merrell’s M Select DRY BARRIER is an impermeable membrane that holds water at bay. An air-cushioned heel with a molded TPU insert adds comfort and stability. Merrell’s FlexPlate technology improves the Chameleon’s torsional rigidity, and best-in-class Vibram rubber grounds the shoe.

Merrell covers the non-techy details too. The tongue is bellows-style to keep debris out. The eyelets are metal for ease of tightening and durability. An aggressive toe cap limits damage from objects you might kick on the trail. It’s not cheap, but you get what you pay for with the Merrell Men’s Chameleon 8. Considering its intensive, high-performance technology, it also wouldn’t look totally out of place worn casually with a pair of stretch jeans. Either way, the stout shoe will get you where you’re going.

The Reebok Ever Road DMX has a low-key, casual style and a name that invokes a legendary ‘90s rapper. The go-anywhere shoe is one of the best walking sneakers for men, at a budget price point. At first glance, the Ever Road DMX scans as a casual shoe — pair it with joggers and novelty socks, and you’re good to go (to a concert, the coffee shop, or elsewhere). And it comes in four colors, including an understated “brave blue” and a dapper khaki color called (somewhat curiously) “boulder grey.”

Adaptive cushioning in the shoe’s footbed complements the breathable mesh upper to maximize ventilation. Dual-pull loops facilitate pulling the shoe on and off and add cool points, depending on your taste. This Reebok shoe does not burst with features or technology — instead, it seeks capability and balance as a trainer/lifestyle crossover. At $70 MSRP, it was typically available around $40-60 (multiple sizes checked) at the time of writing. The stylish walking shoe for men promises easy comfort at a budget price point.