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Comfortable shoes are an essential for every sneaker rotation, no matter your foot type, the distance you walk, or the terrain you trek. Nike‘s walking shoes are widely trusted and beloved for their sleek designs, soft feel, and innovative technology that’s specially designed to support your feet throughout the day.
A longtime footwear authority at the forefront of sneaker innovation, Nike is constantly updating best-selling models with increased support and reimagined cushioning systems. Upgraded sneakers like the Nike Pegasus 40 shoes incorporate Zoom Air units that stabilize for soft landings, while ZoomX foam — the Swoosh’s softest cushioning — in Nike Invincible 3 and Vomero 17 shoes bring a bouncy boost to your natural stride. Unique Flyknit uppers, available in several of Nike’s top walking shoes like the React Phantom Run Flyknit 2 and renowned Vaporfly 3, support flexibility and allow for super smooth transitions, especially when teamed with buoyant React Foam that absorbs shock and propels every next step.
It’s important to keep in mind your foot type and environment when you’re shopping for the best Nike walking shoes. Mark Mendeszoon, a podiatrist and owner of Achilles Running Shop in Pennsylvania, recommends a running shoe for walking, especially for those without any foot issues or chronic pains. “Traditional walking shoes are made with leather or a leather-like material,” Mendeszoon explains. “Sometimes, those materials don’t breathe well, and that can cause sweat and moisture to build up. This can lead to blisters and bacterial growth.” Nike running shoes, on the other hand, are made with breathable and moisture-wicking materials, and made to expand without stretching out. This not only makes them initially more comfortable, but prevents a constricted feel or built-up sweat.
An everyday shoe to wear for errands will perform differently than one made for walking on a treadmill incline, and walking shoes designed for roads will provide different traction than those made for rugged trail terrain. Luckily, Nike offers all of the above, with an abundance of versatile walking shoe options.
Before you place an order for a new pair of walking shoes from Nike.com, be sure to pay attention to key sneaker features in order to ensure you’re investing in the right model. Variations in a shoe’s cushioning, outsole, arch support, and fit will be game-changing in terms of proper foot support, comfort, and injury prevention. You’ll also want to consider your foot type as you browse Nike’s walking shoes, as there are options to shop for flat feet, wide feet, high arches, and plantar fasciitis.
Nike is known for its style-forward silhouettes that pair well with casual and athletic ensembles. Some Nike walking shoes such as the Wildhorse 8 shoes or the Motiva shoes feature bold, grippy outsoles that stack tall, playing into the celebrity-loved Gorpore trend that fuses optimal function and high fashion. Others are minimalistic in design, so you can team with anything in your workout wardrobe.
We curated the top 13 walking shoes from Nike based on expert insight and comprehensive market research. Keep reading to shop your next go-to walking sneaker below.
Colorways: Silver and green; orange and white; black and white
Special features: Comfortgroove outsole; 1/2-inner sleeve; waterfall collar
Top Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.6/5 stars
Editor testing and review notes: “This sneaker’s exaggerated rocker and Comfortgroove technology can feel strange at first as the shoe propels you forward, but once you trust it, you’ll be delighted by the plush comfort and ease of movement — it begins to feel natural, and you’ll miss it when you switch to other shoe styles. Nike Motiva walking shoes feel like the equivalent of a spa day for my typically tired, aching feet; the not-so-guilty pleasure of a step in the right direction towards the proper foot care this city guy truly needed.”
What reviewers say: “I’ve owned what feels like hundreds of Nike shoes and these by far are the best for overall design and maximum comfort! In my opinion everyone should try out these incredible shoes. Whoever designed these shoes deserves an award.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $110
Colorways: Orange; white and coral; black and gold; gray and white; and more
Special features: Nike ZoomX foam, Flyknit, padded tongue, waffle outsole
Top Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.6/5 stars
What testers say: “Wow. I absolutely love these shoes. I ran a mile on them indoors and they felt great, so I took them outdoors yesterday and it was the easiest, most comfortable 7 miles I’ve ever run. I comfortably ran about 20-30 seconds faster than my typical distance pace. I easily beat my PB for a 10k. In the past I’ve had some plantar fasciitis after long runs, but so far I have had zero pain. They are worth every penny in my opinion. They fit snug around the mid foot but not too tight, I went with my typical size in running shoes (1/2 size up from my regular shoe size) and I had no issues with heel slippage or too much/too late space around the toes. They are extremely light weight and very bouncy.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $260
Colorways: Black and white; black and pink; white and silver; beige and off-white
Special features: Dynamic Air unit system, multilayered mesh uppers, rubber outsoles
Top Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.6/5 stars
What testers say: “From the moment I slid my feet into these beauties, I knew the Women’s Nike Air Max DN and I were going to have some adventures together. The White/Pure Platinum/Summit White/Metallic Silver combo is just chef’s kiss. They’re like that one piece of jewelry that goes with everything, but for my feet!”
Price upon publish date of this article: $160
Colorways: White and navy; all black; black and red; and more
Special features: Nike Air cushioning, Air-Sole unit runs, rubber sole
Top Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.6/5 stars
What testers say: “I bought my first pair of these over 20 years ago loved them so much I have been buying them ever since. I even bought them as gifts for a couple other people they loved them too. I won’t buy anything else — it’s the only sneaker I can wear.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $80
Colorways: White and black, all black, black with red, black with orange, and more
Special features: Renew foam; cushioned collar
Top Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.6/5 stars
What testers say: “I just purchased a pair for my eighty year old friend for his birthday. He was so impressed by the fit of the shoe that it actually improved his back problem. Now he is bragging to everyone that the shoe has improved his lifestyle! Great shoe.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $63.97
Colorways: Black and white, all-black, orange, gray, navy, and more
Special features: Traction rubber outsole; cooling mesh zones; recycled material
Top Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.6/5 stars
What testers say: “These are extremely comfortable and fit true to size. These are my 3rd pair in the last 5 years. I wear them as almost a daily sneaker and they last about a year and a half which is very reasonable.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $75
Colorways: Black and white, white, black and pink, and more
Special features: Nike React technology; Flyknit technology; laceless Flywire
Top Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.6/5 stars
What testers say: “These shoes are great. They fit just right, don’t cause blisters, and take seconds to put on.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $150
Colorways: Red and navy, blue and cream, navy, black and white, and more
Special features: ZoomX foam; Flyknit upper; rocker heel
Top Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.6/5 stars
What testers say: “These shoes are an absolute game changer. They are incredibly comfortable and supportive, the sole is so spongey it feels like I’m being propelled with every step. Recovery is so much faster as a lot of the impact is taken up by the shoe rather than your legs. I cannot recommend enough.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $180
Colorways: White and silver, black, black and white, pink and white, multi-color, and more
Special features: Nike Zoom Air; Nike React technology
Top Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.6/5 stars
What testers say: “Pegasus stays at the top of my rotation. The Pegasus 40 is my go to shoe. It has Zoom Air for all day comfort and the thing I like best is the new updated upper that is more mesh like that allows the shoe to breath better. The design is sleek and low to the ground. They look so good! I wear them even when I’m not working out. Pegasus 40 fits great and has good traction.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $91.97
Colorways: Army green, yellow, purple and orange, light blue, and more
Special features: Flywire cables
Top Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.6/5 stars
What testers say: “I bought these and and have used them in all weathers and various terrain, from grass, sand, gravel and road. They’re very comfy and light. They look amazing too!”
Price upon publish date of this article: $97.97
Colorways: Navy and gray, crimson, black and white, light pink, and more
Special features: Nike ZoomX foam; Zoom Air cushioning
Top Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.6/5 stars
What testers say: “The perfect sneaker. It’s light, smooth, fits perfectly and feels like walking on marshmallows. The cushioning, shock absorption ,and energy return is out of this world. I’ll be buying more pairs to stock up.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $160
Colorways: Black and gray, red, navy, green, all black, and more
Special features: Nike React technology; rock plate forefoot; midfoot saddle
Top Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.6/5 stars
What testers say: “The fit and feel of these shoes is phenomenal. My favorite part is how breathable they are! I like how it keeps my feet from overheating or getting too sweaty. They’re great for activity like trail running, but also comfortable enough for being on your feet all day.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $111.97
Colorways: Black and white, navy and white, white and blue, lilac, and more
Special features: Zoom Air
Top Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.6/5 stars
What testers say: “I’ve owned many generations of this shoe. It’s the best ‘stability’ shoe by far. These have been my go-to for running errands, walking my dog, and daily activities. When you wear this shoe you immediately feel the Zoom unit that helps you through each stride. Very lightweight and very comfortable.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $140
The Best Nike Walking Shoes for Different Foot Conditions and Foot Types
- Best Nike walking shoes for flat feet: If you have flat feet or generally need more support, look for a walking shoe that has a more expansive midsole and wider fit. “A flat foot does better with more cushioning that stops the foot from rolling in,” says Mendeszoon.
- Best Nike walking shoes for wide feet: Those with wide feet should seek a walking shoe that fits snug, but not tight. Look for Nike shoes with a stable shank, cushioned midsole, and stable heel counter.
- Best Nike walking shoes for high arches: Walking shoes for high arches should be supportive and well-cushioned to prevent pain from occurring while you’re spending your day on your feet. Also seek out shoes with a significant heel-to drop and wider toe box.
- Best Nike walking shoes for plantar fasciitis: Those with plantar fasciitis should pay attention to walking shoes with a thick arch, forefoot rocker, and sizable heel-toe drop. Check out Nike’s Motiva shoes or Invincible 3 shoes that feature stiff insoles and ample cushioning to support the foot and avoid added irritation.
What to Look for in the Best Nike Walking Shoes
- Cushioning: “Make sure there’s a good, solid foot bed that’s comfortable for your feet,” says Mendeszoon. Nike’s responsive React, Zoom Air, and ZoomX cushioning provides a lightweight and bouncy feel as you place one foot in front of the other. Dr. Dan Geller, sports podiatrist and Kane Footwear advisor, says cushioning is essential for shorter walks on even terrain. He adds, “they should also be light and have an easy transfer of weight from heel to toe.”
- Outsole: When it comes to everyday walking shoes, you’ll want a sneaker that has versatile function and durable traction. Mendeszoon says to look for a “solid footbed that’s comfortable for your feet, a supportive midsole, and a good solid outer that has the ability to go on different surfaces, like trails or cement.”
- Arch support: You’ll find arch support in walking shoes that include an indented heel bed, a shock-absorbing foot bed, and elevated cushioning.
- Fit: If you’ll be on your feet for an extended period of time, a secure fit is essential for comfort, stability, and irritation prevention. Nike’s elastic Flywire technology is specially engineered to hold your foot snug within the shoe, which can be found in the Nike React Phantom Run Flyknit 2 or the Nike Invincible 3 shoes.
How We Chose the Best Nike Walking Shoes
For more than 75 years, Footwear News has been the shoe authority. Our coverage spans top industry news, retail trends, head-to-toe fashion, athletic and outdoor analysis and more. Footwear News’ global network of editors has carefully curated all product selections featured using our expansive brand knowledge and thorough research to find quality, long-lasting items.
We curated this shopping guide of the best Nike walking shoes with expert insight from podiatrist Mark Mendeszoon. Additionally, these selections reflect thorough research by the Footwear News team across Nike’s walking and running shoe selections, based in Nike sneaker technology, specialized fit, and special features that align with a variety of needs and foot types. We also compared customer reviews across Nike’s selections to determine the most beloved Nike walking shoes. Learn more about us here.
Meet the Experts
Mark Mendeszoon is a podiatrist and foot and ankle surgeon. He extended medical insight in this article to determine the most supportive Nike sneakers for various foot types and conditions. He is currently based in Ohio.
Dr. Dan Geller is a board-certified foot and ankle surgeon and advisor for Kane Footwear.
Meet the Author
Olivia Cigliano is a Commerce Writer & Producer at Footwear News and WWD where she writes shopping content on the best-rated footwear, TikTok style trends, and more. Olivia received her bachelor’s degree in journalism from Emerson College, and her byline can be found in publications including Elite Daily and CR Fashion Book. She updated this guide for the best Nike walking shoes in 2024 with editor testing reviews and new releases to shop from the Swoosh.
