Skechers: The best Skechers for walking, according to podiatrists and tested by editors

I got my first pair of Skechers in middle school and proudly paired them with nearly everything. Skechers were perfect for my needs back then, with a crucial mix of comfort, style, and affordability to get me through long days at school when on my feet. The brand has changed a lot since then. While Skechers are still affordable, the company now has a huge collection of walking shoes , with attention-grabbing, brand-specific features designed to keep you comfortable all day. Skechers is the brand where you'll find things like a cooling Gogo Mat insole for responsive cushioning (provides a ground feel) and extra bounce in the outsole for pep in your step. Most are also machine-washable, too, making these truly the people's shoes. "Skechers can be a really affordable option for patients looking for arch support, but not necessarily needing any customization with respect to a high or low arch foot," says Melissa Lockwood , DPM, a podiatrist at Heartland Foot and Ankle Associates in Bloomington, Illinois. "Skechers offer a nice middle ground and are a neutral shoe at a price point most patients and consumers can pay for." Best Skechers For Walking To help find the best Skechers for walking, we consulted with Lockwood, as well as Richard H. Graves , DPM, a podiatrist at Sol Foot & Ankle Centers in Longwood, California, for advice on what to look for in these shoes. We also put six pairs of Skechers to the test by wearing them during daily walks, workouts, and leisure to see how well they held up. What To Consider Because Skechers offers so many walking shoes, you can really find specifically what you need in a sneaker. Keep these factors in mind as you shop. Weight The weight of Skechers shoes ranges from six to 12 ounces, and all the sneakers on this list have a breezy, lightweight feel. That's a helpful feature in walking shoes when you're constantly raising and lowering your feet, says Lockwood. Stability Walking shoes should have a strong level of stability, and Lockwood says "the more the better" with this feature. She recommends giving sneakers the "twist test," where you hold the ends of the front and back of the shoe and try to bend it. "The more resistance, the better," she says. Meaning, you shouldn't be able to fold your walking shoe like a taco. Heel-To-Toe Drop Heel-to-toe drop is the difference in height between the heel and forefoot. Having a drop of at least three millimeters can help accommodate tight Achilles tendons, prevent injury, and keep you comfortable as you stride, says Lockwood and Graves. "Most people function better in a shoe with a mild to moderate heel rise," he says. "It's what we're used to and it's what prevents injuries." Cushioning Cushioning and stability don't always go hand-in-hand. "More stability-a stiffer shoe with a firmer midsole-usually means less cushioning," Graves says. "You want to have the best combination of both, but what's 'best' varies from person to person." If you have flat feet or are on the flatter side, you usually need a more stable shoe, Graves explains. But, most people enjoy at least some level of cushioning, which gives your shoe that soft, slightly springy feel. Ultimately, you want a good balance. Arch Support Everyone's arches are slightly different, and some people need more arch support than others. If you have high arches, you'll likely enjoy having more cushioning or arch support under them to lower the risk of pain and discomfort in your feet, Graves says. If your arches are lower, your arch support should also be lower. How We Chose The shopping team is experienced in testing sneakers for every need and purpose, so we know what to look for. For this story, we put six pairs of Skechers to the test by wearing them during daily walks, workouts, and leisure to see how they held up. We consulted two podiatrists for important features to consider, as well as potential pain points to look out for. Each shoe was evaluated based on cushioning, comfort, stability, and overall style. Let's stroll. Pros Impressive level of cushioning Shoes are still comfortable after long days of use Elastic laces make the shoe easy to get on and off Cons Pebbles and small rocks can get into the outsole's cushioning Shoes run a little wide if you have narrow feet Of all the Skechers walking shoes we tested, the Go Walk 7s has the most comfortable, cushiony feel and provides all-day support. While some of the sneakers we tested have features that target specific foot needs like higher arches, the Go Walk 7s have a design that balances cushioning and stability that works for anyone. Plus, it's a favorite of Lockwood. "I love the Go Walk 7-it's the 'high end' Skechers and what I recommend to patients who want a lightweight, supportive walking shoe," says Lockwood. "It does run at a higher price point, so I explain to patients that this shoe is similar to a New Balance and the less costly options do not provide the same support and will wear down more quickly." We can't get enough of its slight, airy feel with each step. It features an insanely comfy innovation called Hyper Pillars, which are big foam cylinders you can see on the outsole. These also have a Goga Mat insole, creating a breathable and cushiony sensation without feeling like sinking into the shoe. The Go Walk 7s are slip-ons with stretchy laces, although the snug fit means you're probably going to have to use a hand or two to get your foot into them. Still, we had no issue with our feet slipping around during testing-they felt like lace-ups. Like most Skechers, these sneakers are also machine washable to keep them looking and feeling fresh. We love durability! Read more: Best Walking Shoes for Women Pros Slip-on style is hands-free Secure, but not tight Good arch support Cons Upper is too airy for cold weather Design isn't fashion-forward While Skechers are affordable overall, some of the brand's walking shoes go up to $120 (gasp!). If you're looking for a shoe you can wear anywhere that won't blow your budget, the Go Walk Joy is a great option. These sneakers retail for $50 (and they're usually marked down) and have lightweight, breathable material that lowers the risk of your feet getting sweaty during walks. The extra-cushiony midsole offers great arch support. While they're not the shoes you want to reach for when you're heading out on a marathon walk, they're perfect for everyday needs and when you quickly want to slip your feet into something. The stretchy mesh provides compression without rubbing, keeping the shoe firmly in place. While the slip-on style makes these shoes great for pairing with everything from jeans to dresses, the low ankle profile may make you cold in the winter if you don't wear socks. Pros Simple style matches with nearly everything Loose feel is comfortable during long wear Stretchy fit works for a variety of foot types Cons May not feel secure enough for narrow feet Rocks can get caught in the outsole's big groove There are plenty of situations where you want to feel locked into your walking shoe, like when logging some serious miles. However, a looser fit can be more comfortable when on your feet all day. The Ultra Flex 3.0 has a less constrictive feel around the ankle than the shoes we tested, making these feel like slippers with extra support on the bottom. These shoes have laces, but they're for show. The specialized memory foam insole delivers pressure relief throughout the day, while the outsole has a slightly squishy feel for extra bounce as you step. It comes in three neutral shades, which makes these shoes perfect for pairing with anything. Pros Outsole has extra grippy features for solid footing Easy to slide your feet into Lots of padding around the ankle for comfort Cons Arch support may feel too intense to some (but it's removable) Outsoles are squeaky at first Pretty much any sneaker with treads on the outsole will help you get a good grip as you walk. The Go Walk Anywhere kicks things up a notch with an anti-slip Goodyear (like the tire) outsole you can feel as you walk. These treads, which are arranged all over the bottom, make these shoes a great choice for slippery conditions, uneven ground, or when you need next-level grip. Just be aware they're a little squeaky at first, but that stops after you break them in. The shoes have a lot of padding around the ankle for extra comfort, while there's a removable insole for extra arch support. The support may feel like too much if you're not used to high arch support or have low arches, but removing the insole relieves this issue. While plenty of Skechers are slip-ons, these sneakers use the brand's "slip-in" technology, which means you can put them on hands-free (I found them easy to slide into). Pros Thick outsole creates a bouncy feel Lots of cushioning all over the shoe Breathable material is ideal for sweaty workouts Cons Shoe's secure fit makes it hard to put these on hands-free Center tread can collect pebbles All of the Skechers we tested are designed for walking, but the Go Walk Glide Step 2.0 is the best athletic shoe since it has extra thick cushioning for impeccable bounce-back in each stride. The sensation creates the feeling of being propelled forward, which is great when racking up steps. The shoes have a noticeable molded exterior for added support and structure around the heel, creating a solid locked-in feeling. The combination of a padded tongue and tight laces also helps keep feet secure without feeling too tight. Just keep in mind that while Skechers advertises these shoes as being hands-free slip-ins, we found you really need to use a hand or two to get them on comfortably. Pros Classic style can be paired with dresses and pants Impressively secure fit, despite the wide ankle opening Easy to put on hands-free Cons Boat shoe style isn't for everyone Not ideal for workouts Most walking shoes have an athletic look, but the On the Go Flex hides all the cushioning and comfort with a boat shoe design. These s