Best running shoes for walking and being on your feet
A lot of running shoes never see a run. They get bought for dog walks, for nursing shifts, for standing on a shop floor or for city breaks where you cover fifteen thousand steps a day, and they are usually a better answer than something sold as a walking shoe.
The reason is cushioning and weight. Running shoes are engineered for repeated impact, which means more foam and less material than a walking shoe or a trainer built for the look of it. If you are on your feet for eight hours, that combination is exactly what you want.
The choices change slightly though. Walking loads the heel more and for longer, so a softer, taller heel is worth more than it would be for running, and outright weight matters less. Durability matters more, because walking mileage adds up quietly and the outsole wears in a different pattern. A shoe with a hard wearing outsole and plenty of foam will outlast a light, fast one by a long way.
The shortlist
These are the shoes the Shoe Finder quiz returns when you answer it as someone in this situation. Same database, same scoring, nothing added by hand. Answer it yourself and you will get a list shaped around your own feet, weight and budget rather than an average.
Nike Vomero 18
£134.99 · Max cushion · 298g · 10mm drop · 46mm stack · 4E available
Thick, soft and forgiving underfoot. Great value if you want maximum comfort on easy runs.
- Matches the soft feel you asked for
- Comfortable for walking and gentle jogging
- Forgiving enough for someone new to running
Saucony Triumph 24
£170 · Max cushion · 264g · 10mm drop · 40mm stack · wide fitting
Deep, soft cushioning that stays surprisingly light. One of the best long run shoes.
- Matches the soft feel you asked for
- Comfortable for walking and gentle jogging
- Forgiving enough for someone new to running
Brooks Glycerin 23
£165 · Max cushion · 297g · 8mm drop · 38mm stack · wide fitting
Brooks at its softest. A pricey but very comfortable shoe for steady miles.
- Matches the soft feel you asked for
- Comfortable for walking and gentle jogging
- Forgiving enough for someone new to running
Asics Gel-Nimbus 28
£179.99 · Max cushion · 278g · 8mm drop · 43mm stack · 4E available
Soft, protective and forgiving. The default choice for comfortable everyday miles.
- Matches the soft feel you asked for
- Comfortable for walking and gentle jogging
- Forgiving enough for someone new to running
New Balance Fresh Foam X More v6
£150 · Max cushion · 306g · 4mm drop · 44mm stack · wide fitting
A huge slab of soft foam. Made for slow, comfortable miles and recovery days.
- Matches the soft feel you asked for
- Comfortable for walking and gentle jogging
- Forgiving enough for someone new to running
Hoka Bondi 9
£160 · Max cushion · 297g · 5mm drop · 43mm stack · wide fitting
About as much cushioning as you can buy. Great if your legs and joints ache.
- Matches the soft feel you asked for
- Comfortable for walking and gentle jogging
- Forgiving enough for someone new to running
Mizuno Wave Sky 9
£165 · Max cushion · 295g · 6mm drop · 44mm stack
Thick, soft and protective, a comfy pick for recovery runs and long days.
- Matches the soft feel you asked for
- Comfortable for walking and gentle jogging
- Forgiving enough for someone new to running
Nike Vomero Plus
£154.99 · Max cushion · 289g · 10mm drop · 45mm stack · 4E available
Nike's softest everyday shoe. Bouncy foam that makes long, slow miles feel much easier.
- Matches the soft feel you asked for
- Comfortable for walking and gentle jogging
- Forgiving enough for someone new to running
How this list was put together
Every shoe in our database is scored against a set of rules, and this page shows the top eight for this particular need. The rules are written down in full on the how it works page, including which ones rule a shoe out completely. Nothing on this page is ordered by commission, and the prices are RRP, so shop around because they are very often discounted.
This is a starting point rather than a fitting. Where you can, try shoes on, and if you are running through pain see a physio rather than buying your way out of it.
Common questions
Are running shoes good for walking?
Generally yes, and often better than dedicated walking shoes. They are lighter and better cushioned. The main exception is proper hiking on rough ground, where you want the ankle support and stiffer sole of a walking boot.
What running shoes are best for standing all day?
Something with a soft, thick heel and a wide, stable base. Weight matters much less than for running, so a max cushioned shoe that would feel heavy on a run is often ideal on a shop floor or a ward.
How long do running shoes last for walking?
Longer than for running, often considerably. Walking loads the shoe less violently, so the foam survives more miles. Watch the outsole rather than the calendar, and replace them when the tread under the heel is worn smooth.
Get a list for your feet, not an average one
The shortlist above assumes a fairly typical runner. The shoe finder asks about your width, how your ankles roll, your weight, where you run, your budget and any recurring niggles, then gives you three shoes and tells you why each one made it. It takes about a minute and there is no email or sign up.