Would you walk 500 miles? Recent trends indicate you probably would – with or without The Proclaimers song blaring in your earbuds.

Walking for fitness is booming across the country. In 2021, 115.8 million Americans reported that they walked for fitness at least once, according to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association.

This walking trend may seem obvious given the pandemic. We were all desperate for any excuse to get out into the fresh air and gyms were closed. But even now, with offices reopening and routines “normalizing,” a survey of 1,700 adults by the Rockport Group showed that well over 60% of professionals still plan a few walk breaks into each workday.

 

Could it be that we have finally gotten wise to the incredible, highly accessible health benefits of spending just a few extra minutes on our feet?

“Studies have shown that walking around 2.5 hours per week can lower the risk of heart disease by 30%,” says certified trainer, Todd Allen. “It can also decrease risk of diabetes and cancer, lower cholesterol and blood pressure and keep you mentally sharp.”

You don’t have to be a Wall Street analyst to recognize that’s a pretty high return on investment. 2.5 hours a week translates to just 20 minutes a day. And that is pretty doable even for the busiest of schedules.

But if you’re looking to commit to a real walking fitness regimen, you’ll want to pay special attention to what treads you are trodding on and how often you should be replacing them – ironically, every 500 miles, according to Dr. Emily Splichal.

Nancy Sinatra may have sang that her “boots were made for walkin’,” but were they really? If you’ve ever taken a step too far in the wrong pair of shoes, you know the difference a well-fitting, comfortable walking shoe can make.

Top Walking Shoes for Men 2022

• Best for Low Arches: New Balance 577 V1 Hook and Look Men’s Shoes
• Best Slip-On Shoes: Skechers Go Walk Max Athletic Air Mesh Men’s Shoes
• Best Lightweight Slip-Ons: Skechers Go Walk Evolution Ultra Men’s Shoes
• Best Leather Shoes: Rockport Eureka Walking Men’s Shoes
• Best Barefoot-Style Shoes: Xero Shoes Prio Running and Fitness Men’s Shoes
• Best Shoes with an Extra-Wide Toe Box: Xero Hana Canvas Men’s Shoes
• Best Budget Shoes: Wonesion Breathable Slip On Men’s Shoes
• Best for High Arches: Hoka Challenger ATR 6 Men’s Shoes
• Best for Long Distance on Concrete: Skechers Go Walk Arch Fit Workout Walker Men’s Shoes
• Best for Foot Pain: Orthofeet Orthopedic Lava Walking Men’s Shoes
• Best Budget Shoes for Shock Absorption: Aprilspring Walking Men’s Shoes
• Best Modern Men’s Walking Shoes: On Cloud 5 Men’s Shoes
• Best for Flat Feet: Asics Gel Kayano 28 Men’s Shoes
• Best  for Metatarsal (Ball of Foot) Pain: Brooks Ghost 14 Men’s Shoes
• Best Shoes for Diabetes: Yibobay Diabetic Men’s Shoes
• Best Men’s Running Shoes: Allbirds Tree Flyer Men’s Shoes
• Best Lightweight Running Shoes: Adidas Swift Run Men’s Shoes
• Best for Style: Cole Haan GrandPro Rally Men’s Shoes
• Best Trendy Shoes: Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 38 Men’s Shoes
• Best Sustainable Shoes: Rothy’s RS01 Men’s Shoes
• Best for Summer: Cariuma Oca Low Men’s Shoes
• Best for Trail Walking: Asics Trabuco Max Running Men’s Shoes
• Best for Rugged Terrain: New Balance 669 v2 Trail Walking Men’s Shoes
• Best for Light Hiking: Free Soldier Hiking Men’s Shoes
• Best for Long Hikes: Scarpa Zodiac Plus GTX Hiking Men’s Shoes

Now that you are thinking more about how you use your feet, ahead are 25 pairs of the best walking shoes for men that will suit a range of needs and lifestyles.

New Balance 577 V1 Hook and Look Shoes for Men

Best Men’s Walking Shoes for Low Arches 

• Sizes: 7-15, Wide and Extra Wide
• Colors: Black, Bone, and White

The New Balance 577 V1 is easy to slip on thanks to hook and loop closures. Reviewers provide near constant endorsements for their suitability for walkers with low arches, making this purchase a pretty easy one for those with low arches. Add the hundred year heritage of Boston-based manufacturer New Balance and a reasonable price point into the equation and we’re pretty sure you’ll be adding these to your closet in no time.

 

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Skechers Go Walk Max Athletic Air Mesh Shoes for Men

Best Slip-On Walking Shoes for Men

• Sizes: 7-16, Narrow and Extra Wide
• Colors:  16 Available

These easy slip-ons are the number one best-selling walking shoes for men on Amazon. The 28,000 reviews for the Skechers Go Walk Max garner a near perfect five-star average, and reviewers rave that the shoes pretty much speak for themselves. “I honestly don’t know where to begin with how truly comfortable these shoes are,” declares one reviewer. “They are a godsend. I don’t have enough good things to say about these shoes.” But if they did, they might mention that they are extremely lightweight, thanks to a breathable mesh upper, while still delivering extreme comfort underfoot due to Skechers’ proprietary Goga Max technology and 5Gen sole.

 

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Skechers Go Walk Evolution Ultra Men’s Shoes

Best Lightweight Slip-On Walking Shoes

• Sizes: 7-16, X-Wide
• Colors: 12 Available

Sometimes you just need to get up and go. And for those moments, a trusty slip-on, like the Skechers Go Walk Evolution Ultra, will be your best friend. These featherweight slip-ons weigh in at a mere 7.2 ounces, but still provide sufficient cushioning without the bulk. One Amazon reviewer shares that they are “absolutely the best-fitting and most comfortable shoes,” they’ve ever worn. An added bonus? They’re machine washable.

 

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Rockport Eureka Walking Men’s Shoes

Best Leather Walking Shoes for Men

• Sizes: 6.5-14, Wide and Extra-Wide
• Colors: Black, Brown, and Chocolate Nubuck

For a walking shoe that can perform double duty either at the office or out on the town, look no further than the Rockport Eureka Walking Shoe. The genuine leather uppers provide a versatile look that belies the foot fatigue fighting technology within the shoe’s latex foam footbed and impact-absorbing EVA midsole. With over 13,000 reviews and an average 4.5-star rating on Amazon, one reviewer exclaims, “They’ve exceeded all expectations! Like the reviews, these shoes are solid!” The reputation of Rockport is equally solid. The company is largely credited with inventing (and perfecting) the category of walking shoes back in 1973 with the introduction of the iconic Country Walker.

 

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Xero Shoes Prio Running and Fitness Men’s Shoes

Best Barefoot-Style Walking Shoes for Men

• Sizes: 6.5-15
• Colors: 7 Available

If a barefoot, minimal style is your priority, the Prio from Xero Shoes come highly recommended by podiatrist Dr. Emily Splichal. “The difference and benefit with minimal shoes is that they don’t have the structure and cushion to break down,” she says. Fewer materials mean you won’t have to replace your shoes quite as often. And reviewers on Zappos agree, stating that the shoes, “have been super sturdy, and handle wear and tear well.”

 

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Xero Hana Canvas Men’s Shoes

Best Walking Shoes with an Extra-Wide Toe Box

• Sizes: 6.5-14
• Colors: Black, Charcoal, and Hemp Black Rust

With an extra-wide toe box and a slipper-like fit, the Hana Canvas Shoe from Xero offers casual comfort and style for those who would rather feel like they aren’t wearing shoes at all, or maybe just one of the best men’s sandal slides. This style offers the same barefoot fit Xero is known for, but eschews the athletic-look of most of their other styles. And reviewers on Zappos love them: “I have never had a pair of shoes that made such a difference for my feet and legs.”