Amazon walking shoe picks stress fit, cushioning and arch support
NBC Select’s latest women’s walking shoe guide highlights supportive sneakers from Ryka, Skechers, Saucony, Brooks and other brands.
By Tom Brennan · Health & Medicine Correspondent
3 min read
NBC Select has published a new guide to women’s walking shoes sold on Amazon, with recommendations centered on support, cushioning, breathability and weight. The list is aimed at shoppers who want everyday shoes for walking, standing at work or other routine activity.
The site said it independently chooses what to cover and may earn a commission when readers buy through its links. NBC Select based its picks on advice from podiatrists Olga Shvets and Miguel Cunha, as well as prior staff testing and highly rated products from brands it has covered before.
Fit remains the first recommendation
NBC Select said shoppers who can visit a specialty shoe store should consider doing so, especially if they have foot pain or conditions such as plantar fasciitis. The guide also noted that foot size can change during pregnancy and menopause, making a proper fitting useful for some buyers.
Shvets and Cunha told NBC Select that arch support is a key factor in choosing a walking shoe. According to the guide, people may need neutral, low-arch or high-arch support depending on whether their feet pronate, supinate or land more evenly.
The podiatrists also pointed NBC Select readers toward cushioned footbeds, including memory foam or EVA anti-compression insoles. NBC Select said durable, flexible uppers and breathable fabrics can help with ventilation, while lighter shoes may reduce fatigue during long wear.
Top Amazon picks
NBC Select named the Ryka Women’s Devotion X Walking Shoe its overall pick. The guide said NBC Select staff members who tested the shoe liked its cushioning, wide toe box and deep heel cup; associate SEO reporter Ashley Morris, who has flat feet, said the shoes were comfortable enough for full-day wear.
For a lower-priced option, NBC Select highlighted the Nortiv 8 ActiveFloat Walking Shoes, listed in the guide at $53.99 on Amazon and $59.99 from Nortiv 8. NBC Select reporter Zoe Malin said the pair delivered a cushioned feel comparable to more expensive maximum-cushion models she has tested, and the guide noted the shoes have a foam midsole, rubber outsole, breathable upper and wide sizing.
The Skechers Women’s Go Joy Walking Shoe Sneaker was selected as the slip-on option. According to Skechers, the shoe has a breathable mesh upper, a sock liner that adapts to the foot and a Gogo Max insole for cushioning and support; NBC Select said it comes in narrow, medium and wide sizes and more than 30 colors.
NBC Select chose the Allbirds Women’s Tree Dasher 2 as its machine-washable pick. The guide listed it at $70 on Amazon, down from $135.
Other models in the guide
The Saucony Guide 18 was included after Cunha recommended it to NBC Select for its cushioning, sidewalls, stability and impact absorption. NBC Select also identified it as a Wellness Award winner.
Other shoes featured in the guide include the Hoka Women’s Rincon 4, Reebok Women’s Walk Ultra 7 DMX Max and Brooks Ghost Max 3. NBC Select said the Brooks model is among the brand’s most cushioned shoes and cited Malin’s experience using it for long walks and errands.
This story draws on original reporting from NBC News.