According to my phone's Health app, last year I logged an average of 12k steps per day. Which, if I were to do the math, would work out to be around 2,200 miles that I clocked last year (there are about 2,000 steps in a mile). Simply put, I spent a lot of time on my feet.
A large chunk of that was spent running, as I trained for a full marathon as well as multiple half marathons, but I also spent a lot of time walking, running errands around my neighborhood, exploring new cities and much more. And if I learned anything from all those steps, it's that having comfortable shoes is key.
Thankfully, a big part of my job is covering the latest and greatest sneaker news. And over the past year, I've gotten to try so many pairs that I love. These range from supportive walking shoes to sneakers that are made for running long, fast miles. Because I have a history of arthritis and foot pain caused by previous injuries, the experts I've consulted with have recommended that I wear heavily cushioned shoes, so the sneakers on this list fall into that category. However, if you need something different, like zero-drop sneakers or shoes for flat feet, you can check out our recommendations by clicking those links. Read on to see the best sneakers that I tried last year.
Best walking shoes
While there was no question in my mind about whether I would be including these shoes on the list, I had a hard time deciding whether to include them as a running or a walking shoe, because I love them for both activities. The New Balance 1080s are my go-to everyday athletic sneaker, and I’ve worn them for practically every activity, from six-plus mile runs to strength training sessions at the gym.
While I’ve been a huge fan of previous models of the shoe, this one was my favorite, as it is a little firmer than earlier versions, to help give you some extra support under your feet — but that doesn’t mean that the plush cushioning is lacking! My feet feel so comfortable with every step and they provide a little bit of bounce to help propel me forward on walks or runs.
This is another great all-around shoe that works just as well for long walks and grocery store trips as it does for runs. Similarly, I've tried multiple iterations of the Cliftons, but this one, which was released early in 2025, is the best. The brand took everything that people loved about the previous versions — plush feel and reliable support — and added even more cushioning and a widened toe box to make them feel roomier and even more comfortable. I love how good the cushioning feels for tired joints and overworked feet.
While I prefer them for walks because of their heavier weight, I've also jogged plenty of comfortable miles in them and even know some people who have run entire marathons wearing the shoes.
Hoka's Bondi sneaker is one of the most cushioned shoes in the brand's lineup (and it's also one of its bestsellers). I keep a pair right next to my door, so I can slip them on while running errands or heading out for a casual hang with friends.
The plush feel that you get with each step comes from the EVA cushioning, which is bouncy and soft, so it absorbs impact, whether you're walking or standing on hard ground. While it has a metarocker, it's more mellow than others you'll see in Hoka's sneakers, which I think makes it better suited for walks and long days on your feet (though that doesn't mean it can't be worn for casual runs as well). I love that it also features a rear-focused foot frame that helps your heel and ankle feel more secure in the shoe.
AXV Vibration Plate Fitness Platform
This vibration plate features a nonslip grip and acupressure buttons for your feet.
$99.99
$129.99
Amazon
Chirp Wheel XR Foot Roller
We Love It for: The avid runner or walker who needs some TLC.
$17.99
$19.99
Chirp
Stanley The Quencher H2.0 Flow State Tumbler
This colorful tumbler is strong and stylish.
$45.00
Stanley
$45.00
Dick's Sporting Goods
Gaiam Restore Mini Band Kit (Set of 3)
This pack of bands has light, medium and heavy resistance levels.
$9.99
Amazon
OOFOS OOahh Recovery Slide
These recovery sandals are well-loved by editors on the team who are avid runners.
$59.95
Amazon
$49.90
$59.95
Zappos
$59.95
Oofos
Charmking Compression Socks (3 Pairs)
Winner: Best value compression socks
$9.99
$11.99
Amazon
$13.99
Charmking
Best running shoes
I'm going to be honest, I've tried a handful of On's running sneakers and they haven't always delivered on the bounce and cushioning I need. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the Cloudmonsters really do.
They have maximum cushioning to help absorb impact with each step, plus the soft upper and liner add to the comfort factor. Both the rocker design and the bouncy speedboard provide propulsion to help add to your forward momentum. Another thing that I appreciate is that On's unique cutout sole design also helps to make these sneakers lighter than other options in this category.
While the New Balance 1080s are my favorite everyday running shoe from the brand, the Rebels are a close second. They have basically everything you could want from your go-to shoe, including comfortable and bouncy PEBA and EVA foam, a breathable mesh upper and a super lightweight feel overall.
Brooks' Ghost Max sneakers have been my favorite shoes from the brand since they first started making them. It's not surprising, considering their name comes from the fact that they offer maximum cushioning. With some heavily cushioned shoes, you feel like your feet are fully sinking into the shoe. I actually don't mind that feeling so much when I'm walking, but when running, I like the cushioning to have a little bit more structure, and these do.
Another great thing about these is that they have some added stability features (even though they're not a stability shoe). The GlideRoll Rocker helps offer some protection to your ankle joint, and the wider base and slightly wider sole create a more stable foundation, the brand says.
I was a die-hard Nike fan in the past. In fact, I almost exclusively wore their sneakers for workouts throughout the 2010s, but after some recurring pains and injuries, I switched to brands that offered shoes with more cushioning. But in 2025, for the first time in over five years, I laced up a couple of pairs of the brand's shoes and I'm so happy I did, because I found two that I absolutely love.
When it comes to my absolute favorite running shoes of the year, the Vomero Plus sneakers rank pretty high on my list. The sneakers are made with Nike’s ZoomX, the same foam used in Nike’s racing shoes that its professional athletes wear. Those have additional speed-boosting features, but the foam used here adds bounce and joint protection for your runs.
It has the highest heel-to-toe drop of the shoes on this list (that's the difference between the height of the heel and the forefoot of the shoe's sole), which tends to be easier on your lower leg (foot, ankle and calf) so if those are problem areas for you like they are for me, this shoe may be a good choice.
Plus, the pink version that I have really stands out (it's no longer available, but there are plenty of other exciting colors), and it's become, by far, my most complimented pair of running shoes.
Best plated running shoes
When I went into the footwear store Fleet Feet and went through their Fit ID foot scanning process, the specialist there helped me identify some of the best shoes for my specific foot type. I tried about a dozen options, running up and down the aisles of the store, and while I liked many of them, these were the ones I ended up going home with.
They have a carbon plate, a feature that's included in many speed and racing shoes to help boost efficiency and responsiveness. Even with the plate, they're pretty lightweight, which helps you feel quicker and lighter on your feet overall. I wore them during a handful of long (10+ mile) runs during my marathon training and loved how they felt cushioned and bouncy, and that they were grippy enough on the bottom that I could run through all kinds of weather.
Out of all the plated shoes I tried this year, the Hoka Mach X 3 got by far the most use this year. Throughout long marathon training runs and the marathon itself, I logged more than 150 miles in them and still love them as much as when I first tried them.
The previous version, the Mach X 2, was a favorite sneaker of mine in 2024, but my main qualm was that it had a thin back that would sometimes bend and rub on my heel in an uncomfortable way. With these, the brand fixed that and added a padded collar, so my heels stay blister-free.
These shoes actually have a Pebax plate, which is said to be a bouncier and more responsive alternative to carbon. They have excellent rebound and soft cushioning that propels you forward and keeps your feet comfortable as you move. Essentially, it feels like you're getting more from each stride, without having to exert more energy. And when you're running for miles on end, that's a huge win.
The thing about plated shoes is that many of them are geared toward faster runners. And there’s even been some debate in the running world about whether carbon-plated shoes can actually be helpful for slower runners. (Though research shows that they actually can be for those who run 4+ hour races, the results just might not be drastic.) But when I heard that On was releasing a first-of-its-kind training shoe specifically for runners like me, in the 4+ hour category, I couldn't wait to try it.
What sets it apart from other racing and training shoes is that it has more comfort features, like more cushioning and padding in places like the heel and upper, which helps prevent some of that inevitable foot pain you might experience from spending 4+ hours moving around on your feet. They don't quite have the same bounce as other shoes in this category, but they do feel more supportive overall. Plus, instead of carbon, the sneakers have a glass fiber-infused Speedboard, which is designed to help propel you forward, but also, again, offers more support than other options.
If long, speedy miles are what you're after, Hoka's Rocket X 3 racing shoes are a great choice. They're built for racing and beating personal bests (and I achieved a handful of those while wearing these shoes). They're snappy, speedy and, put simply, super fun to run in.
Much like the Machs, they have plenty of features that are designed to help you keep moving forward more efficiently. They have a pretty significant rocker to help your steps feel smooth as you transition from heel to toe, they're made with a dual-density, bouncy PEBA foam material and, of course, they have a propulsive carbon plate. Another great thing about the shoes is that they have an active foot frame from the rear to the middle, which helps you feel more supported, which isn't always the case in shoes like these.
More of the best sneakers on sale
The Hoka Rincon sneakers are great all-around shoe for daily walks and runs. It's more budget-friendly than other sneakers in the brand's lineup and has plenty of comfortable cushioning and a pretty lightweight feel.
These are the versatile shoes that your wardrobe desperately need. I wear them everywhere, from the office to out to a bar and I can just as easily pair them with trousers as I can with a long skirt or jeans. They're not just stylish and on-trend, they're really comfortable too. I've walked miles in these shoes without any pain or issues.
How we chose
Based on my average steps per day in 2025, I logged thousands of miles last year. Nearly 700 of those miles were spent running while training for multiple races, including the Chicago Marathon, United Airlines NYC Half Marathon and the Santa Barbara Half Marathon. And the rest was spent either on long walks through the park or strolling from place to place. Given all of that, I had plenty of opportunities to test sneakers. Last year, I tried dozens of pairs of sneakers that were geared toward walks, runs and everyday use. Some I really liked, some I hated, but the ones on this list were my absolute favorites. They are the pairs I routinely came back to (and still do), logging at least 30 miles in them, often much more. Because we can't resist a good deal, I also added some of my favorite shoes that I've tried this year, and in previous years, that are on sale.
