We’ve all worn a pair of shoes that we’ve regretted at the end of the day because our feet are screaming. If you’re spending hours on your feet, you need a shoe that feels just as good after 12 hours as it does the moment you put it on. That’s why we’ve rounded up our top picks for the best Asics shoes for walking.
Our team has tested each of these shoes to ensure that they’re comfy, supportive and built for all day wear.
Whether it’s a quick walk on the treadmill between meetings, strolling through your neighborhood or exploring the local trails, how a pair of shoes fit and feels matters. Bonus points if it comes in a fun colorway or looks cool.
Why are ASICS Shoes Good for Walking?
You may have noticed that when picking up a pair of walking shoes they felt a little heavier because they focus on arch support and aren’t as focused on creating a breathable shoe as you might find in running.
Sure, Asics is usually known as a running shoe brand but that doesn’t mean they can’t also be used as walking shoes. What it comes down to is that the shoe has a comfortable fit, good cushioning, and stability!
Here’s a quick rundown of the features that are unique to Asics. You’ll see that so many of their shoes are up to versions in the 30s, which means they’re doing something right!!
Fit
ASICS shoes have a more snug fit, particularly in the heel and midfoot. An external heel clutch delivers targeted fit and support, while the Gel technology allows for foot movement in various directions as the foot transitions, reducing heel strike.
ASICS also features a shoe fit guide, it takes a little sleuthing to find but we did that for you!
Cushioning
ASICS uses Flytefoam technology that provides bounceback and responsiveness with each step. It gives a bit less energy return than say Brooks shoes, but the two technologies are fairly similar.
The company has been using its famous Gel technology for more than 30 years. It works well to absorb the shock with each step.
Stability
ASICS shoes provide stability through a dual density midsole system called Duomax, which enhances support and stability. That, along with the external heel clutch allow the foot to continue its natural movement while running.
7 Best Asics Shoes for Walking
You can never have enough pairs of shoes especially if you’ve set some big goals like hitting 10k steps a day. Do you know how many steps are in a mile??
These are not our recommendations for hiking rugged trails that require a lot of traction. These recommendations are for walking around the neighborhood, the track or a non-technical gravel path and of course long days at work.
Know that our team of testers has truly put time into walking lots of miles in all of these shoes. Just like Coach Amanda we all enjoy going for walks and will always give our honest feedback on a shoe
Ok, enough chatter let’s see if we can find you the best Asics shoes for walking that checks all your boxes.
Best for Walking Workouts: Asics Gel Cumulus
Any time a shoe has made it up to version 27 I say something good is happening. That’s a sign that people are coming back again and again for that model, which should give you some comfort.
The outsole of the Gel Cumulus 27 is made with FF Blast PLUS cushion and Reafoot PureGEL helping to provide a smooth ride. If you’re looking for something that isn’t following the max cushioned trend but still feels good, this is going to be a great option.
Think of the Cumulus as the sibling of the Novablast but just not as much pop. We think that it’ll be great for long walks and heading out for some errands.
An added bonus is it comes in numerous color combinations and Asics recently updated the upper mesh for an even more comfortable feel and fit.
This is going to be perfect for those looking for a daily trainer to use for long walks.
- Weight: 9 oz Men’s, 7.8 oz Women’s
- Heel drop: 8mm
- Stack height: 38.5 mm
- 12 colors
- Not available in wide
- Available from Asics.com for $110
- Check out our full review of the Asics Gel Cumulus here >>
Best Max Cushioned Shoe for Long Walks: Asics Gel Nimbus 27
My first thought in putting on the shoe was a little Sir Mix-A-Lot “I like big butts and I cannot lie”. I know that this looks like a lot of shoe but I promise you thought your feet are going to feel fresh at the end of the day.
If you spend a lot of hours on your feet whether walking or standing at work, this max cushion shoe is going to help your legs feel fresh!
Even with being a max cushion shoe, you’re not going to feel like your feet sink in a lot like with some shoes. Major plus for your lower back and knees at the end of the day!!
The midsole is still FF BLAST™ PLUS ECO cushioning, made from 24% bio-based materials to keep moving toward a goal of sustainability. I love that they are putting a carbon footprint number inside the shoe too. This is great focus to see among the brands.
- Weight: 10.7 oz Mens, 9.2 oz Women’s
- Heel Drop: 8 mm
- Stack height: 45 mm
- 4 colors
- Not available in wide
- Available at Asics.com for $160
- See our full Asics Gel Nimbus 27 review >>
Best for Standing All Day: Asics GT-1000
The Asics GT series is a classic daily trainer, which boasts Asics’s GEL technology teamed with FLYTEFOAM cushioning. To help runners through the gait cycle, the shoe has LITETRUSS Technology that helps reduce pronation and has firmer foam in the arch.
A firmer arch will help those with high arches and those with flat feet get more support and prevent the ankle from falling in while walking.
Any time a shoe has made it up to version 13, I say something good is happening. That’s a sign that people are coming back again and again for that model, which should give you some comfort.
An added bonus is it comes in numerous color combinations.
Stay tuned to hear what our tester team has to as about the new version that is launching soon.
- Weight: 9.5 oz Men’s, 8.3 oz Women’s
- Heel drop: 8 mm
- Stack height: 36 mm
- 2 colors
- Available in wide
- See different colors on Asics.com and Zappos.com for $100
Best For Long Days Walking Around: Asics Gel Contend
This lower cushioned shoe is going to be perfect if you’re spending your days walking around whether at work or maybe on travel.
Like the other shoes on this list, the Gel Contend does not have all of the fancy Asics technology materials. But this doesn’t mean it’s not a good shoe!
The sol of the shoe is going to have a little less cushion, but more pep in each step. If you’re someone that doesn’t like a lot of cushion underfoot, this is going to be a shoe for you.
Even better is the price of this shoe, it’s well under $100 making it a great deal! Plus it comes in 11 different colorways, wooohoooo!
- Weight: 9.7 oz Men’s, 8.3 oz Women’s
- Heel toe drop: 8 mm
- Stack Height: 33 mm
- 11 colors
- Available in wide and extra wide
- Available at asics.com for $60
Best Walking Shoe for Flat Feet: ASICS Gel-Kayano
If you have flat feet or tend to overpronate, we introduce to you the Asics Gel Kayano. This shoe is going to feel a bit firmer but is going to provide that support on the inside of your foot to keep it from collapsing inward.
These shoes offer superior support to reduce fatigue, as well as a secure fit that won’t slip or slide while in motion. The heel-locking system helps keep your foot in place providing even more stability and comfort on those longer walks.
The old hard medial post that made shoes so firm has been replaced with their new 4D Guidance system, which combined with their new Flytefoam Blast Plus Eco foam results in a much softer and more comfortable stability shoe.
Trust me, these are incredibly walking shoes that are especially ideal for anyone with flat feet.
- Weight: 11 oz Men’s, 9.3 oz Women’s
- Heel toe drop: 10 mm
- Stack Height: 40 mm
- 9 colors
- Available in wide and Extra wide
- Available at Asics.com for $165
Best for Trail Walks: ASICS Gel Trabuco 13
We’ll be super honest and say that Asics hasn’t traditionally been a go to for us when it comes to trail shoes. But that doesn’t mean they aren’t in the space and figuring something out with the cushion that we already love.
If you’re looking to head out for a walk or hike on the trails, this is going to be a great option. Asics used it’s FF BLAST PLUS ECO cushioning in the midsole to help absorb impact underfoot.
There’s also a rock protection plate at the front of the shoe to help protect your toes if you kick a rock or two while adventuring!
The outsole is designed with the ASICSGRIP rubber to keep you steady on uneven ground and slippery conditions, which is perfect for slippery, more technical trails!
- Weight: 10 oz Men’s, 8.8 oz Women’s
- Heel drop: 8 mm
- Stack height: 43 mm
- 4 colors
- Not available in wide
- Available at Asics.com for $140
Best for Your Budget: ASICS Gel Venture 9
When you think of a budget shoe, don’t assume we are giving you something from the clearance bin (although, who doesn’t love a good clearance bargain?).
Built to tackle various terrains, this shoe is designed to provide ankle support and stability while navigating uneven surfaces from roads to light hiking trails.
Plus, it features ASICS’ signature Gel cushioning system strategically placed in the rearfoot to absorb shock upon impact. This means a smooth transition through each step, which is helpful for ankle support by reducing the jarring forces that can affect ankle stability on rough trails.
This definitely isn’t ASICS’s most cushioned shoe, but it’s specifically designed with neutral and underpronators in mind to reduce injury. Just remember that often their budget shoes aren’t using the newer foams and may not have as long of a lifespan.
- Weight: 10.5 oz Men’s, 8.8 oz Women’s
- Heel drop: 10 mm
- Stack height: 23 mm
- Available in lots of colors
- Available in Wide
- Available from Asics.com and Zappos for $60 (my favorite for easy returns)
Why You Need a Good Walking Shoe
If you’ve had that aching feet feeling after a day of standing around or a long day of walking on vacation, it’s time to make sure you have the right walking shoes.
Choosing the right walking shoe is important to keeping your feet, legs, and back healthy and comfortable.
If you don’t have a good walking shoe, you can experience a number of discomforts and even injuries. Here are some potential issues that can arise:
- Foot Pain: Walking in shoes that don’t fit properly or lack adequate support can cause foot pain, especially in the arches or heels. This can make it difficult to continue walking and can even cause pain when you’re not walking.
- Blisters: Poorly fitting shoes can cause blisters to develop on your feet. Blisters are painful and can make it difficult to continue walking until they heal.
- Knee Pain: When you walk, your knees absorb a lot of shock. If your shoes don’t provide enough cushioning, your knees can become sore and painful. This can be particularly problematic if you walk long distances or on hard surfaces.
- Back Pain: Wearing shoes that don’t provide enough support can also lead to back pain. This is because your feet and back are connected, and if your feet aren’t properly supported, your back can compensate and become strained.
- Injuries: Over time, wearing shoes that don’t fit properly or provide enough support can lead to injuries like plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, or even stress fractures. These injuries can be painful and can take a long time to heal.
The best pair of walking shoes is ultimately going to come down to what feels good on your feet.
Get a pair or two and test them out to see how they feel in your environment. If they are not a good fit, don’t just deal with it. A lot of places have great return policies so that you’re not stuck with a shoe that you hate.
Just because you’re walking doesn’t mean you don’t deserve a good pair of shoes!!
We hope that our list of best Asics shoes for walking has helped narrow down all of the possible options.
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