10 Best Walking Shoes For Men (Review) in 2021

Our pick for the overall best walking shoes for men are the sweetly named Skechers After Burn Memory Foam Lace Ups, which come with a supportive mesh upper and cushioned mesh tongue for almost-unrivaled comfort during hikes both short and long. There’s more to it than that, though, and the memory foam insole molds to the contours of your feet, adding stability while also making the shoes feel more like yours.

The Articu-Lyte rubber sole is also an awesome feature and guarantees this pair of shoes will last longer than any other shoes you’ve had in the past – probably, anyway. They fit as expected, offer decent lace length to keep your feet secure all while combining comfort with style. This ensures your feet won’t ache, nor will you look out of place if you stumble across a party along with your hike. If you love hiking, make sure you check out our guide to the best hiking sandals. 

The New Balance Mx608v4 may not have the snappy name of other walking shoes, but they’re still a great option to consider when looking for a new pair to hit the trails with. The EVA footbed complements the breathable lining, ensuring comfort from heel to toe, while the dual-density collar and padded mesh tongue ease the pressure of scaling steeper inclines than your average trek.

For tackling uneven terrain, these shoes come with increased forefoot flexibility, and the tough, durable leather exterior helps them last through hundreds – if not thousands – of adventures. If you like to find variety in your shoe collection, the myriad color options may make this decision a little more challenging than usual, but that’s likely to be the biggest struggle you’ll encounter with these.

A solidly designed and constructed product, the Rockport Eureka Walking Shoes more than live up to their name, both at the beginning and the end of your hike. The San Crispino construction provides excellent heel support and stability, and the padded tongue and collar supply necessary comfort. The latex foam footbed is removable, which is perfect for those with larger-than-average feet. As for the toe, its Strobel design ensures remarkable flexibility that might surprise you.

This flexibility eliminates potentially awkward maneuverability, which is excellent for tackling treacherous tracks, and the moisture wicking lining contribute to refreshing breathability, keeping your feet as cool as a cucumber even in the driest, most desolate and baking-hot places. Their design also allows them to double as (relatively) smart-casual shoes, giving you a bit of style versatility and a reliable little bonus to show off. Our handy guide to the best CrossFit shoes features more great products like this.

The sleek and comfortable New Balance MW877 use ABZORB midsole cushioning to ensure you don’t encounter any problems along your walk, at least not where it matters most – that is: on the feet, of course. The Walking Strike Path Technology is an excellent addition that serious walkers will absolutely adore while the padded tongue and collar is something that’s appreciated by both novices and tread-heads.

They also come with a low heel which increases support and adds even more comfort. This is sure to be appreciated, especially when your feet feel as good as new at the end of full-day treks (or longer), but it runs the risk of being too comfortable, if there is such a thing. The breathable construction only adds to this, and the accurate sizing – something you don’t get in every pair of walking trainers – keeps your feet feeling great no matter where you step next.

A rugged, manly-as-heck, and remarkably tough option, the KEEN Oakridge Shoe is a durable addition to any walkers’ inventory capable of lasting throughout all seasons, all terrains, and all environments with the greatest ease. The mesh upper comes with leather overlays, protecting your foot from external threats while also keeping it stable and secure inside. The protective toe cap is also useful for navigating tricky terrain which could best lesser shoes and their owners.

They’re not the most lightweight walking shoes available, but that’s fine. Lightweight isn’t really what they’re all about. Instead, you get a massively reliable, no-nonsense walking shoe that’s ready for whatever you throw at it while still being breathable enough to remain comfortable. Its hydrophobic mesh lining protects your feet from rain, but it doesn’t make them entirely waterproof, so don’t go thinking you can trudge through rivers and come out bone-dry.

If you’re looking for walking shoes for men that out all others to shame, then look no further than our premium choice: the Mephisto Match Walking Shoe. The padded collar is, by now, expected, as is the durable construction, which with the Match is a smart but also versatile leather design suitable for a variety of purposes. This is accentuated further with the low-profile style, making them ideal for ambitious wilderness adventures but also casual, relaxed outings when summer rolls around.

With the Soft-Air technology, you’re also given comfort and support, and the rubber sole is ideal for easing late-day foot ache, especially if you’ve gotten just a little ahead of yourself. However, it’s a premium choice for a reason, and while they’ll definitely introduce you to a brand new level of walking shoe, they’ll also cost you a premium price. If you’re not yet super-serious about walking, there are better options out there, but if you know you could conquer all your local trails blindfolded (not that we recommend it), then you may as well invest in the best.

At the other end of the spectrum, the Skechers Go Walk Max Sneakers are a quality option at a massively affordable price. Like all good walking shoes, they provide superb cushioning along with that essential lightweight design that keeps them cool and comfortable all day long. These Skechers appear to go a step or two further, with responsive 5Gen technology and a Goga-Max high-rebound insole.

These features further provide greater comfort, which for such a bargain may surprise some of you. The breathable mesh upper makes them perfect for summer treks while the overall design – both stylish and athletic – means they suit a variety of occasions. At this price, they’re perfect for beginners or anybody who loves to walk but rarely has the time to get out to their favorite trails, but will always make you feel like you’re walking on air whenever you get the chance.

The Merrell Versent Kavari Lace Leather Sneaker magically balances both functionality and style to bring you a shoe you’ll be proud to wear pretty much anywhere shoes need to be worn. The breathable mesh lining means you won’t dread pulling them on for the day, while the Kinetic Base footbed – aside from sounding super scientific and, therefore, definitely a good thing – eases the pressure on the soles meaning you can keep going long after everybody else is thoroughly fed up with this whole walking thing.

The M Bound injected EVA outsole provides excellent traction on a variety of surfaces and terrains, and will even feel you’re walking barefoot with the surprising amount of flexibility you get with this. They don’t offer as much support as other shoes, but this takes nothing away from an excellent hybrid walking shoe that does just enough. 

The ultra-lightweight Reebok Ever Road DMX are perhaps the most comfortable walking shoes you’ll find today. The rubber sole means you won’t feel you’re walking, but instead gliding gracefully towards your destination. Whether that is a mountaintop or friendly pub at the end of the trail, you’ll get there with energy to spare, ready to head back home after a quick pit stop.

It’s more than just a comfortable shoe, though. With a good-looking design, they also win many points as stylish walking shoes, too, maybe the most stylish we’ve selected for you. At a great price, it’s in the running for a great value pick, but it, unfortunately, lacks the support of other shoes. If you’re more of a casual walker, though, it’s still a top pick that’ll look as good with a pair of cargo hiking shorts as it would with a pair of smart straight fit jeans.

Our final pick is the Rockport Prowalker Catalyst 3 Walking Sneakers which are perhaps the truest walking trainers for walking we’ve found for you based on appearance alone. It’s a little more than just a sensible and effective looking product, though. The leather uppers ensure durability while the lace-up closure gives you confidence with a snug and secure fit.

As for comfort (so you won’t wear them once and then never again), there’s a moisture-wicking fabric lining which absorbs sweat and keeps your feet dry even on the most intense treks. The cushioned footbed also offers excellent support, meaning you can enjoy scaling steep slopes just as easily as you would peacefully flat surfaces. It’s tough, it’s rugged, but it’s also elegant. For long walks, there are few options you’d rather have.