Best Walking Shoes for Women Over 50 (2026 Update)
A few years ago, I didn’t think much about my sneakers. If they fit and didn’t rub, that was good enough. Now, I pay very close attention. The wrong shoes leave my feet tired faster, and once that happens, I notice it everywhere. In my energy, my posture, and frankly, my mood.
I walk a lot. Running errands, traveling, walking through stores to try new collections, and simply living my life. I’m not willing to tolerate shoes that look nice but make me count the minutes until I can take them off. Comfortable sneakers and supportive walking shoes have become essential, not optional.
This post includes the best sneakers and walking shoes for women over 50 that I personally own and wear regularly. These aren’t theoretical recommendations or shoes I tried on briefly in a store. I’ve worn them on long travel days, on pavement, on uneven streets, and during full days on my feet. They’ve proven themselves over time.
You may also enjoy reading How to Make Your Shoes More Comfortable
Updated for 2026: I’ve reviewed and refined this list to reflect what I’m still wearing and what continues to work. Shoe design has improved in recent years, especially when it comes to cushioning, stability, and fit options. I’m also more aware now of how much proper support matters. The right sneakers allow me to stay active comfortably, without thinking about my feet at all.
Sneakers and Walking Shoes I Personally Own and Swear By
Ecco Soft 7 Lace-Up Sneakers
I wore these leather Ecco Soft 7 lace-up sneakers all over Japan years ago. They’re super comfy, and the removable insole makes a noticeable difference because it gives you room to adjust the fit or add support without the shoe feeling tight. These Ecco lace-ups come in 8 colors here, and colors with color-coordinated soles here. They also have lace-up options with a side-zipper closure.
Ecco Soft 7 Slip-On Sneakers
This slip-on version comes in many colors with the same comfort as the lace-up version. Sometimes, not having to bend down and tie shoes is reason enough to choose them.
I also own the non-woven slip-on version in both black and taupe, and they’ve proven to be just as reliable. They stay securely on my feet and are one of the easiest shoes to reach for when I know I’ll be on my feet most of the day.
Hoka Clifton 9, Clifton 10, and Bondi Sneakers
Hokas are known for their thick cushioning, which absorbs impact and makes walking on hard surfaces much easier on your feet.
They were a slower conversion for me, but once I found the right pair, I understood why so many women rely on them for serious walking comfort. These Hoka Clifton 9s were my first introduction to the brand, and I didn’t stop at these!
My Hoka Bondis are what I reach for when I know I’ll be walking all day and comfort matters most. I went up a size so my toes have plenty of room, especially with thicker socks. The extra cushioning absorbs impact in a way most sneakers don’t.
My newest pair is the Hoka Clifton 10, which feels slightly lighter but still provides the cushioning Hokas are known for. If my feet are miserable, I am miserable, and that’s no way to motivate myself to keep moving.
Retro Runner Sneakers ( New Balance 327, Vince, Rag & Bone)
Retro runners feel like a modern sneaker without the gym vibe. They have a lighter, more modern look that pairs well with everyday clothes. This is the style I reach for most often because they work so well with my casual outfits.
The New Balance 327 sneakers are my most recent find, and they’re incredibly comfortable. The retro design feels current without looking like a gym shoe, so they work especially well with casual outfits. They also have a wide toebox, which I find especially helpful for my bunion.
I am on my second pair of these Rag & Bone runners, because I wore the first pair right out!
My Vince Oasis runners are just as comfortable and come in several neutral colors, which makes them easy to pair with everything from denim to casual trousers.
Paul Green Sneakers
I’ve worn my Paul Green sneakers for everything from sightseeing to long days on my feet, and they’ve held up beautifully. They’re expensive, but they’ve proven their value through how often I wear them.
The leather is soft but supportive, and they never needed a break-in period. I wore my metallic Bixby sneakers so often that I eventually added the white version as well, which is currently marked down. I also own this Hadley style, which has a lower profile and goes with everything.
Isle Jacobsen Tulip Slip-On Flats
These Isle Jacobsen slip-on perforated sneakers are simply magical. I now own them in 3 colors. They have a suede upper that’s whipstitched to a flexible rubber sole, which feels like nothing on your foot. They stretch to mold to your feet and are cool in hot weather. I remove the insole and run mine through the washer when they get dusty. They come in over 30 colors here!
AllBirds Tree Runners
I love my AllBirds Tree Runners. They’re lightweight, flexible, and very comfortable for everyday wear. The eucalyptus fiber upper breathes well and stretches to move with your foot, and the cushioned sole provides support without feeling bulky. They come in a wide range of colors and widths, and I appreciate that they’re machine-washable when they need freshening up.
On Cloud
My On Cloud sneakers slip on easily and are very comfortable for walking. They’re lightweight, supportive, and offer good cushioning without feeling bulky, which makes them easy to wear all day.
Easy Spirit Traveltime Clog
This Traveltime Clog is one of Easy Spirits’ all-time best-selling shoes, with over 12 million pairs sold and 7,500 5-star reviews on Amazon. Like all Easy Spirit Walking Shoes, they’re available in sizes 5-12, in M, N, W, and WW widths. This easy-on, easy-off backless sneaker is also orthotic-friendly, with a removable footbed that provides hours of support for walking and standing. They come high enough on my foot that I don’t have to grip my toes to keep them on. That means no foot fatigue, no matter how long you’re on your feet.
Tame Slip-On Sneakers
These Tame knit slip-on sneakers are designed for everyday wear. The stretch knit top gives them a comfortable, secure fit, and the stretchy bungee elastic makes them easy to slip on and off without bending over. The cushioned insoles keep your feet comfy all day.
Ryka Devotion X Walking Shoe
I’ve found these Ryka Devotion X walking shoes to be extremely comfortable and supportive, especially for longer walks. Ryka designs its shoes specifically for women’s feet, which helps explain why they fit so well. They offer a wide range of styles and widths, and when I first shared these, many AWSL readers told me they’d been wearing Ryka for years.
Budget Friendly (Under $100):
- Skechers Women’s Go Walk Joy Sneaker
- Cole Haan Women’s Grand CrossCourt II Sneaker…I have them in white
- Skechers Sport Empire Walk Around Sneaker
- Sperry Crest Vibe Sneaker
What are your favorite sporty sneakers you can wear with casual slacks for busy days on your feet? What are your favorite tennis shoes? I’d love to know what you’re reaching for.
Thanks for reading, and be sure to wear what makes you feel confident.
Hello all! Has anyone tried Vivaia? The ads look so tempting but I would welcome real-world comments! I appreciate the additional suggestions in the comments.
I haven’t but I see ads everywhere!
I love my Hokas too! They are the most cushioning. My podiatrist told me I had NO cushioning left on the bottom of my feet so only wear well cushioned shoes. I agree if my feet hurt I am a miserable person.
I think my cushioning is gone as well
It’s too bad that sneakers don’t have the same colour sole as the rest of the shoe. They’d be dressier and the companies would probably sell more.
I’ve been wearing Kurus and Vionics ever since developing plantar fascitis two years ago. They are both wonderful for support, standing, and walking for long periods. I started small and now wear them almost exclusively!
Thank you Jennifer. This is very helpful info as I’m in need of new daily walking and “living” shoes. Plus I was happy to see what you wear with them. You gave me some good ideas.
You look lovely in all of the photos.
Thanks Brenda
I love slip on sneakers. I have some of the ones you mentioned. Others I have not heard of but will be looking for them. I buy Skechers Go Walk sandals to wear as slippers around the house. I find them more comfortable than any “slippers” I’ve ever had. I also love Bob’s slip ons.
I want every sneaker and every outfit you’re featuring here! I’ve already spent almost an hour reading this post and checking everything out! You do casual chic so well. I love that you’re talking about comfortable, “all day wearing” shoes.
That’s just what I need; shoes that are comfortable and supportive. (Just want to mention that the link for the fleece lined sneakers takes you to the wide leg jeans).
I have a pair of Hoka’s as recommended by one of my doctors, for support. They’re great! Also, I love Brooks Ghost 13. Don’t know if you have ever tried Brooks, but they may be my favorite. Skechers have always been a favorite, but don’t give as much support as these others, but they are sooo comfortable.
I have the leather Ecco 7 slip-ons in my cart! They are one thing that my shoe wardrobe is missing. Disappointed that the lace-up Ecco’s in black are sold out in my size.
Thanks for a great thorough post! Good to know that all of these are road tested!
Thanks Nancy. I’m so glad ypu enjoyed this! I’ll update the link
Thanks for this rundown, Jennifer. I am also a fan of Cole Haan’s GrandPrø Topspin Sneakers for non-athletic activities. My go to is ivory/black and I make sure I always have a fresh pair in my inventory in case they are discontinued. This winter they came out with a waterproof version with more tread. It’s great too. I am a long 11, slightly narrow, and they suit my feet well.
This is a great list of tennis shoes – and I’m interested in trying the Treerunners and the Tame shoes you mentioned. I discovered the Ilse slip-on this year and I love them. I also love the On slip-ons, which I found to be great for traveling Japan and very easy to step in and out of when needed. The only thing I have to add to your list is the Vionic Beach tennis shoe. I like that it is slip-on, is low cut, and I think it is cute and casual for warm weather.
Thanks for mentioning them
My house shoes are Easy Spirit Travelfurr clogs over wool/ cotton socks that you found on Amazon. I have my black pair on right now. They feel like slippers! I have four pairs in different colors. I have several Skechers Go Walk Joy pairs and they also very comfortable. For long walks on sidewalks, I wear one of my three pairs of Brooks. I have them in white, black and grey. I always wear socks. I find bare feet in shoes very uncomfortable. I need size 7W so some shoe brands limit colors and styles. Easy Spirit has lots of choices in all colors. Skechers can be more limiting for fun colors.
I am new to “Silver Sneakers” and Zumba exercise so could use some “dancing” exercise shoes. Any suggestions for those? Also, what do you wear for exercise classes (not necessarily Yoga)? Love your blog!
My feet are narrow but my doctor’s recommendation is Altra for the zero to low heel drop and wide toe box. Has anyone with narrow feet tried this brand? As I understand it, the shoes are not wide width, just the toe box, so the big toes have room.
I think I may need some metallic sneakers!
One of my favorite tips I learned from you is using shoe stretch spray and then wearing the shoes with thick socks. This trick made a couple of different pairs I loved wearable so thanks!
So glad that helped! I also invested in some shoe stretchers and they work very very well.
Love this list of shoes. We walk everyday so we got fitted for a good pair of walking shoes. My husband loves his Hokas and I love Karhu. They have a wider toe box and are just perfect for me.
I love all your shoes. After I partially dislocated a toe I am now never wearing shoes that are not comfortable! My husband and I walk everyday so we went and got fitted for a good walking shoe. He loves Hoka but they just seem too wide for so I tried Karhu and that is all I will ever wear for walking. I think I’m on my fourth pair now. I always like Ryka, Sketchers and I just bought a lower profile pair of Converse that are surprisingly comfortable. Now I just need to find dress shoes and boots that are supportive. Thanks for the great list.
I haven’t seen anyone mention comfortable shoes for Morton’s neuroma. I think I’ve bought every shoe (and insert) that says it helps neuromas but the shoemakers seem to think metatarsal pain is neuroma pain. I had a very expensive orthotic made several years ago but it fit only my Naturalizer sneakers that have since worn out. I have had some comfort from Clarks Cloudsteppers, Vince, a 12 year old pair of Brooks that is no longer produced and FitFlops (sloppy for my narrow foot but the flip flops stay on my feet most summers.)
I have some Fitflop sandals that are amazingly comfy
I bought Clark’s Cloud Steppers for a girls trip to Savannah and I wore them every day, they are so comfortable and cute too! I love that they have some extra padding on the inside of the heel so you don’t get that annoying slipping or rubbing.
I love the Ecco woven slip on. There are 3 pairs in my closet: black, bronze, and silver. They are comfortable and easy to wear.
Hoka Bondi and Cliftons have been my go-to sneakers for several years. Also, some Vionics work well for me, with some needing orthotics or arch support added. I have a new pair of Vionic Walk Max Skyline sneakers on the way. I did get my first pair of Walk Max and found they were way to short. Ordered a size 8 W, my usual size. Awaiting an exchange for a 9 W and will see if they work for me. For a bit dressier, I go with my black smooth leather Clarks loafer-type slip-ons. My current pair has a thicker, higher, sole, with a little bit of cheetah print (subtle) over the top of the foot. They look nice with my black dress pants and also when I want to dress up my jeans. I add some stick-on arch supports as I have a high instep that requires some extra arch support. I have a B or C width foot, but with foot surgery in my past, as well as bunions and osteo-arthritis, these are about the best I can do for shoes to stand or walk in for prolonged periods. I also love Dansko and Birkenstocks and some Taos sandals. Oh, mandatory for summer casual and around the house, I wear Fitbit Walkstar flip flops. I can walk an unlimited amount in them. Most of the styles (that I’ve tried) are too loose for me, but the Walkstar style is just right. I live in a rural area so order all shoes online. I’d say my shoes require the majority of my seasonal clothing budget. Some of my Vionics, Birkenstocks, and Clarks come from QVC or HSN. I love their easy exchanges and better prices, mostly. At 74, it’s a challenge to find well fitting, long wearing, shoes that go with various outfits! I appreciate your posts so much! Thanks for putting all the effort into helping us find clothing and shoes that work!
I’m always so grateful to find shoes that come in widths
PS…………for those who have been frustrated with Mr Clean erasers for cleaning try Miss Messy’s sneaker cleaner. It is wonderful!
They also have a stain remover for clothing and everything else, too.
Good Morning Jennifer. Great line-up of shoes. My favorite sneakers are my blue suede Paul Greens. Love the look, the cozy feel and the comfort. I own many colors of Vionic and am very pleased. And my Hoka Clifton are my athletic walking shoes. I’d dearly love to order that lace up black Ecco but a pair of Eccos I bought years ago, I hardly wear. A zip up style. I wear 8.5, so purchased a size 8. At that time I don’t think they indicated 8-8.5 sizes. Only 8. I hardly wear them and they were expensive. For the tennis shoe you’re showing, I’m afraid the 9 – 9.5 will be too big. Maybe that insert will help with that.
How do you find the new sizing?
I have several fadded insole options (from Amazon and drug stores) which I layer as needed for sizing
I think Kiziks are my hidden secret! I love the style Prague 2 and the new Siena for a lower profile. I ordered my regular size and love them. They are my ‘go to’ shoe and my best, travel shoe.
I also like to Joseph Siebel leather tennis shoe tie ups.
I wore my white pair everyday for international travel.
I, too cannot be thinking about my feet at any time I am out and about.
TY for the beautiful recommendations and happy walking is something we all should be able to enjoy.
Warmly and with love.
Melissa
PS……..I used to be an Ecco 2 girl but I guess my feet have changed, too in this season of life.
Agree 100% re comfort. Broken record, my wide footed/narrow heeled feet love NB 327, 574 and Saucony Ride. I pulled out my Adidas Gazelle bolds yesterday and they were cushy and comfy with a tall sock. (They have a longer tongue). I just added some silver and white 327s for summer. Additional color sources besides New Balance for 327: Nordstrom, Anthro, Free People, Figs (the scrubs site). I like the chunkier sneakers with the wider pants/jeans.
Figs has some amazing options!!
Thank you for such a thorough review of so many alternatives. Have been thinking of sneaker options now that we’re coming out of heavy winter. Brooks Dyad have been my go-to with my custom orthotics for 10 years. Unfortunately, Brooks stopped making the Dyad model. Understand the Glycerin model has replaced them as a neutral, orthotic-friendly model, but I haven’t tried them. Also, Finn Comfort shoes offer great support.
I have wide feet. Additionally, the more I walk they get swollen on the top and around the ankles (aka cankles lol). Is there a shoe that allows for stretching at the top (non-tying)? Skechers slip off the backs of my heels so I already know that brand isn’t for me. Thank you so much for this forum, I’m 58 and found your link via what to wear on a cruise lol!
Welcome, Patti!
I love my On Cloud 5. I can walk in them all day with my pain.
I developed plantar fasiasitis (sp) from walking my dog 10 miles a week. The podiatrist told me to get Hoka One on One Running shoes. If I could swing it 3 pairs…change off…to a different pair every other week. They are fabulous…Chapter 9 has replaced Chapter 8…while pricey…..I highly recommend these shoes..
I love my Hokas! Not pretty, but very comfy.
I have narrow feet and find it very hard to get a good fit. In fact, many stores simply do not carry any narrows at all. SAS works quite well but Munro is the best brand for me. I am surprised that they were not mentioned as they have a quite good size range. Enjoyed your article.
I have narrow also but require a straighter big toe alignment instead of bending the big toe… Even harder to find shoes!!
I have very narrow feet and liked Munro also but they ceased operations last year. I pretty much wear Vaneli all the time now. Fortunately there is a Marmi in Dallas where I live and they carry the whole Vaneli line. They also sell online.
Munro went out of business early 2025. Bought by Vida Shoes.
Munro closed up its business early last year.
I wore Munro shoes exclusively for decades. They were well made so continue to work hard in my closet. Recently, I have turned to the Hartjes brand for walking shoes. I replace their insoles to accommodate high arches and because they are lace up’s I can make them work for my narrowish feet.
I just bought 2 pair of Skechers slip ons is light grey and one in silver. I had a gift card from my son so what a great way to enjoy everyday! Skechers 7 wide fit me with fluffy socks perfectly! Love them in my terrible 79 year old feet.
This is a great post for me as I’m searching for a pair to replace my Hokas, which I’ve had for a while and started to wear out! I’ve just ordered two pair of Orthofeet, the Francis no-tie, and Stroll. I’ll see how those feel, as I’ve got bunions. I may have to buy another pair of Hokas, I love those shoes, very comfortable on my fussy feet!
I like my Hokas too but I never wear them with casual clothes because they’re so huge. My hunt continues.
Try KLAW 528 sneakers. I have tried many sneakers and these are amazing. I have had 3 fractures on my feet, bone grafts hammer toes and RA.
Thanks for the suggestion! I just read an article about them and they sounds fabulous!
I love the ECCO Soft 7s (so does my hubby). My only problem with ECCOs is their inconsistent sizing. I have a question for you and the other readers: how do you keep the white trim around the shoes clean and white? Do you clean them as soon as you take them off? Thank you!
I use the Mr Clean erasers. They work great.
I’ve always worn comfortable supportive shoes. Regardless, I developed osteoarthritis in both big toes—corrected with surgery 3 years ago. Since then, I only wear Altra trainers. They have a wide toe box and zero drop. I just adore them and highly recommend them to anyone with touchy feet. When I am forced to wear “dress” shoes, I wear Campers. They feature many lovely styles that have a wide toe box and are nearly zero drop. Wishing happy feet to everyone!
Thanks for sharing those Terry
Hi Jennifer,
I love that sneakers are now such a common shoe for us to wear all the time! So very nice for our feet. I realized today that I have not been getting your emails for about a week. Are you able to add me back or should I sign up again?
I have added you back! Sorry for the mix up.
Love your posts but I’m not receiving them in my email anymore. I thought you were taking a break until I saw that you were having problems with your email provider. I’ve signed up again to receive them so I hope that fixes the issue.
Please check your spam filter. Your email is subscribed.
I love my allbirds.
Me too
I just replaced my years old, white on white Stan Smith’s. I found them so easy to wear with just about anything. I also liked that I could slip in my own insoles during a bout with Plantar Fasciitis. I really tried to find new Stan Smith’s, but they are no longer easily available in leather. They have a new synthetic upper.
I looked at every other possibility, and ended up with these
https://www.colehaan.com/womens-grandpro-topspin-sneaker/W24775.html
They are very light, very cushioned, and I can picture wearing them with just about anything.
For something a little bit funky, I like retro New Balance. I have a cream pair, and a maroon pair.
For exercise, I wear Saucony’s, after trying Hoka’s for a while. My local running store is the best place to get serious running/exercise fitting for shoes. They helped me for almost an hour! I’m on my second pair of Saucony’s.
Those look very similar to the Grand Pros I have
I too own many of the brands you mention. Unfortunately IMO (and many others, judging from the reviews) ECCO has apparently changed their Soft sneaker, my old favorite, and it’s no longer the same shoe: larger footbed, stiff leather, not at all soft or comfortable (and I own at least 6 pairs of the old model). So disappointing! I have also found that Ilse Jacobsen shoes can vary widely in sizing, which makes them tricky to order online, and while cute and comfy offer zero support. My orthopedist recommended HOKA and Brooks running shoes to me before a recent extended European trip and I found Brooks to be extremely comfortable (I just couldn’t get on board with the HOKAs! My feet looked ginormous).
I’m trying to brace myself to shell out for metallic Paul Green sneakers next. Such great reviews but so expensive!
They are expensive, I agree, but they are incredibly comfortable and a bit mnore low profile than many of the other sneakers.
How many pairs of sneakers do you own?😀
My feet would like me to live in sneakers 🙂 I own just what I’ve shown, nothing more.
How and where do you store your shoes? 😊 Would love for you to share your wardrobe space and how you organize it.
I store many in orginal boxes so I can stack at the top of my closet off season.
I am going to try the Kuru for my trip to Japan this year.
I’m ordering them too!
Kuru are my new favorite shoes. I’ had Plantar Facitis (spelling) and bone spurs for almost 30 years. I also have very high arches. I am always on the search for good shoes. I also need about an inch heel to wear regular shoes. I will check out some of the shoes your suggested.
Thanks,
Linda
Kurus are the best! I’ve never found a shoe with ankle support like theirs, as well as good arch support.
I love the fact that sporty shoes are in style right now. Since walking everyday I realize how important it is to have good shoes. My husband swears by Hoka too but I found they just weren’t for my narrow feet. I’ve been wearing Karhu trail shoes this winter and am so pleased I haven’t had any problems. I just bought a pair of Rykas so will see how I like them. Thanks for really covering so many different brands!👍
The Karhu look very interesting.
Thank you for making me feel less guilty for owning so many pairs of sneakers and walking shoes! At this point in my life, even if the trends change, I will continue to wear this type of shoe on a daily basis. I own Allbirds, Eccos, Isle Jacobsen, and Hokas, and I can second your endorsements. I find Eccos to be similar to Isle Jacobsen–good for errands but not a long walk. On the other hand, I can wear my Allbirds all day without noticing any pain. This year, I may invest in a pair of Paul Green sneakers! I can also recommend Traq athletic shoes (they have a chip in them to “track” your movements although I don’t really use it)–comfortable slip on style that looks more like an athletic shoe than a walking shoe. I also purchased a pair of Ara slip-on walking shoes for a recent trip and wow, did they work well for traveling and long days of walking. Thanks so much for your recommendations!
I love slip on sneakers! They’re quick easy and comfy.
Good morning and happy new year….could you please add me back on your mailing list (I’ll try not to be annoying in opinions) lol as you know to take your readers with a grain of salt. Thank you.
I added you back! You are never annoying!! Just a glitch in my system which is hopefully resolved now.
Very helpful and comprehensive post! Wow, you have a lot of comfortable shoes, and many great colors. So how do you decide which pair to wear? Color? Style? Sneaker types with joggers? Slip-ons with jeans? White/off-white sneakers with anything?
lol! I always start with the color unless I don’t have an option, then it’s function and activity level.
Love my Brooks – Ghost shoes for walking. Also, Paul Green and Sketchers for just running around. A new pair I bought while in Newport Beach last year are “Zee Alexis”. They are reasonably priced, washable woven look in a number of color choices. Almost feel slipper like. Have received many compliments when wearing them. So many wonderful shoe choices. ❤️
I have those on order to try
I used to swear by the Hoka One One….until a friend convinced me to try her Kuru Quantums. Oh my!!
Total support for my 74 yo badly mangled (bunion surgery gone wrong) feet. AND best of all, they make my feet look way smaller than those Hokas! I usually wear between a 8.5 and 9 in normal footwear, but the Kurus is a 9.5 Wide. Wore them literally around the world last year….some days walked 10 miles on excursions. My feet felt terrific even at the end of along day of sightseeing. I try to walk 3 miles every morning and the Kuru carries me in style and comfort. Only downside is few color schemes but the gray/gray goes with all my jeans and travel slacks. Price comparable to Hokas
I will look into the Kurus. Thanks. My feet look like canoes in my Hokas.
Thank you for this great post! I am always looking for comfortable, stylish walking shoes. I want to recommend the Thursday Boot Company sneakers – they are my go-with-everything favorites. They are high quality and have great support.
I will look into them. That’s a new brand for me. Thanks for the recommnedation.