Best Shoes for Walking

Interactive tool

Compare walking shoes

Line up two to four shoes and read the differences that matter — with plain-language hints for what each spec means when you walk.

Comparing Hoka Bondi 9 New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 v15 Brooks Ghost Max 3

Compare 2–4 shoes at a time.

Side-by-side specification comparison
Compare
Hoka Bondi 9 (illustrative image)

Hoka

Bondi 9

Women & Men

Specs pending verification
New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 v15 (illustrative image)

New Balance

Fresh Foam X 1080 v15

Women & Men

Specs verified · 2026-08-15
Brooks Ghost Max 3 (illustrative image)

Brooks

Ghost Max 3

Women & Men

Specs verified · 2026-08-15
List price Approximate US retail, before discounts ≈ $165 $170 $120 best
Weight Manufacturer-reported; varies by size 10.8 oz 10.3 oz 9.7 oz best
Heel-to-toe drop 4 mm 6 mm 6 mm
Stack height (heel) Midsole thickness under the heel 43 mm 40 mm 39 mm
Cushioning Max High High
Midsole foam Compression-molded EVA Supercritical EVA (Fresh Foam X) DNA Loft v3 (EVA blend)
Stability Neutral Neutral Neutral
Widths Standard, Wide Narrow, Standard, Wide, X-Wide Standard, Wide, X-Wide
Waterproof No No No
Upper Engineered mesh Engineered mesh Engineered mesh
Outsole Durabrasion rubber Rubber Rubber
Rocker sole Curved sole that rolls you forward Yes No Yes
Breathability Medium High High
Flexibility Low Medium Medium
APMA seal American Podiatric Medical Association acceptance
Slip-resistant

Specs are manufacturer/retailer-reported and may be pending verification (see each shoe page and our methodology). Highlighted cells mark the lightest and least expensive option only — not a quality judgment.

Not sure which specs to care about? Start with the shoe finder or read what cushioning, drop and stability actually mean.