Podiatrists say this cult-favourite brand makes legitimately comfy walking shoes
I got my first pair of Skechers in middle school and proudly paired them with nearly everything. Skechers were perfect for my needs back then, with a crucial mix of comfort, style, and affordability to get me through long days at school on my feet.
The brand has changed a lot since then. While Skechers are still affordable, the company now has a huge collection of walking shoes with attention-grabbing, brand-specific features designed to keep you comfortable all day. Skechers is the brand where you’ll find things like a cooling Goga Mat insole for responsive cushioning (providing a ground feel) and extra bounce in the outsole for pep in your step. Most are also machine-washable, making these truly the people’s shoes.
'Skechers can be a really affordable option for patients looking for arch support, but not necessarily needing any customisation with respect to a high or low arch foot,' says Melissa Lockwood, DPM, a podiatrist at Heartland Foot and Ankle Associates in Bloomington, IL. 'Skechers offer a nice middle ground and are a neutral shoe at a price point most patients and consumers can pay for.'
Best Skechers For Walking
To help find the best Skechers for walking, we consulted with Lockwood, as well as Richard H. Graves, DPM, a podiatrist at Sol Foot & Ankle Centers in Longwood, California, for advice on what to look for in these shoes. We also put six pairs of Skechers to the test by wearing them during daily walks, workouts, and leisure to see how well they held up.
What To Consider
Because Skechers offers so many walking shoes, you can really find specifically what you need in a sneaker. Keep these factors in mind as you shop.
Weight
The weight of Skechers shoes ranges from six to 12 ounces, and all the sneakers on this list have a breezy, lightweight feel. That’s a helpful feature in walking shoes when you’re constantly raising and lowering your feet, says Lockwood.
Stability
Walking shoes should have a strong level of stability, and Lockwood says 'the more the better' with this feature. She recommends giving sneakers the 'twist test,' where you hold the ends of the front and back of the shoe and try to bend it. 'The more resistance, the better,' she says. Meaning, you shouldn’t be able to fold your walking shoe like a taco.
Heel-To-Toe Drop
Heel-to-toe drop is the difference in height between the heel and forefoot. Having a drop of at least three millimetres can help accommodate tight Achilles tendons, prevent injury, and keep you comfortable as you stride, says Lockwood and Graves. 'Most people function better in a shoe with a mild to moderate heel rise,' he says. 'It’s what we’re used to and it’s what prevents injuries.'
Cushioning
Cushioning and stability don’t always go hand-in-hand. 'More stability—a stiffer shoe with a firmer midsole—usually means less cushioning,' Graves says. 'You want to have the best combination of both, but what’s "best" varies from person to person.' If you have flat feet foot is flat or on the flatter side, you usually need a more stable shoe, Graves explains. But, most people enjoy at least some level of cushioning, which gives your shoe that soft, slightly springy feel. Ultimately, you want a good balance.
Arch Support
Everyone’s arches are slightly different, and some people need more arch support than others. If you have high arches, you’ll likely enjoy having more cushioning or arch support under them to lower the risk of pain and discomfort in your feet, Graves says. If your arches are lower, your arch support should also be lower.
How We Chose
The shopping team is experienced in testing sneakers for every need and purpose, so we know what to look for. For this story, we put six pairs of Skechers to the test by wearing them during daily walks, workouts, and leisure to see how they held up. We consulted two podiatrists for important features to consider, as well as potential pain points to look out for. Each shoe was evaluated based on cushioning, comfort, stability, and overall style. Let’s stroll.
GO WALK 7 - Clear Path
Of all the Skechers walking shoes we tested, the Go Walk 7s have the most comfortable, cushiony feel and provide all-day support. While some of the sneakers we tested feature designs targeting specific foot needs like higher arches, the Go Walk 7s balance cushioning and stability to suit almost anyone. Plus, they’re a favourite of Lockwood.
'I love the Go Walk 7—it’s the "high-end" Skecher and what I recommend to patients who want a lightweight, supportive walking shoe,' says Lockwood. 'It does run at a higher price point, so I explain to patients that this shoe is similar to a New Balance, and the less costly options do not provide the same support and will wear down more quickly.'
We can’t get enough of its slight, airy feel with each step. It features an insanely comfy innovation called Hyper Pillars, which are large foam cylinders visible on the outsole. These, combined with a Goga Mat insole, create a breathable and cushiony sensation without the feeling of sinking into the shoe.
The Go Walk 7s are slip-ons with stretchy laces, although their snug fit means you’ll likely need a hand or two to get your foot into them. Still, we experienced no issues with our feet slipping around during testing—they felt as secure as lace-ups. Like most Skechers, these sneakers are also machine washable, keeping them looking and feeling fresh. We love durability!
GO WALK Joy - Aurora
While Skechers are affordable overall, some of the brand's walking shoes can go up to £120 (gasp!). If you’re looking for a shoe you can wear anywhere without blowing your budget, the Go Walk Joy is a fantastic option. These trainers retail for £60 (and they’re often marked down) and feature lightweight, breathable material to reduce the risk of sweaty feet during walks.
The extra-cushiony midsole provides excellent arch support. While these aren’t the shoes to reach for on a marathon walk, they’re perfect for everyday needs or when you need to slip into something quickly. The stretchy mesh offers compression without rubbing, keeping the shoe snugly in place.
The slip-on style makes these shoes versatile enough to pair with anything from jeans to dresses. However, the low ankle profile may leave you feeling chilly in winter if you skip socks.
Ultra Flex 3.0 - Daily Choice
There are plenty of situations where you want to feel locked into your walking shoe, like when logging some serious miles. However, a looser fit can be more comfortable when on your feet all day. The Ultra Flex 3.0 has a less constrictive feel around the ankle than the shoes we tested, making these feel like slippers with extra support on the bottom.
These shoes have laces, but they're for show. The specialised memory foam insole delivers pressure relief throughout the day, while the outsole has a slightly squishy feel for extra bounce as you step. It comes in three neutral shades, which makes these shoes perfect for pairing with anything.
Go Walk Anyway - Vivi
Pretty much any sneaker with treads on the outsole will help you get a good grip as you walk. The Go Walk Anywhere kicks things up a notch with an anti-slip Goodyear (like the tyre) outsole you can feel as you walk. These treads, which are arranged all over the bottom, make these shoes a great choice for slippery conditions, uneven ground, or when you need next-level grip. Just be aware they're a little squeaky at first, but that stops after you break them in.
The shoes have a lot of padding around the ankle for extra comfort, while there’s a removable insole for extra arch support. The support may feel like too much if you're not used to high arch support or have low arches, but removing the insole relieves this issue. While plenty of Skechers are slip-ons, these sneakers use the brand's 'slip-in' technology, which means you can put them on hands-free (I found them easy to slide into).
Go Walk Glide-Step 2.0
All of the Skechers we tested are designed for walking, but the Go Walk Glide Step 2.0 is the best athletic shoe since it has extra thick cushioning for impeccable bounce-back in each stride. The sensation creates the feeling of being propelled forward, which is great when racking up steps.
The shoes have a noticeable molded exterior for added support and structure around the heel, creating a solid locked-in feeling. The combination of a padded tongue and tight laces also helps keep feet secure without feeling too tight. Just keep in mind that while Skechers advertises these shoes as being hands-free slip-ins, we found you really need to use a hand or two to get them on comfortably.
On-the-Go Flex - Palmilla
Most walking shoes have an athletic look, but the On the Go Flex hides all the cushioning and comfort with a boat shoe design. These shoes pair well with dresses and can even be worn to the office. They are slip-ons, allowing you to get them on hands-free. While some slip-ons can feel loose, the On the Go Flexes are surprisingly secure and don’t slide around. There's also an extra padding around the heel that mimics a pillow to avoid rubbing and blisters. Plus, it can be tossed in the wash just like the other Skechers we tested.
Meet the experts
Melissa Lockwood, DPM, is a podiatrist at Heartland Foot and Ankle Associates in Bloomington, IL
Richard H. Graves, DPM, is a podiatrist at Sol Foot & Ankle Centers in Longwood, CA
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