Whether you’re lacing up to run, walk or clock in for a day on your feet, having a comfortable pair of sneakers is key.
As Shop TODAY’s resident sneaker writer and wellness obsessive, I spend most of the year testing some of the newest releases and most beloved bestsellers from the top sneaker brands on the market, including New Balance, Hoka, Brooks and plenty more to see how they hold up for everything from long runs to travel days.
For anyone who is debating which pair to buy, I’ve rounded up some of my favorite new sneakers of 2026. I also polled some of my fellow editors who are avid runners and walkers about their favorite new launches from this year. Keep reading for all of our picks.
Best walking shoes of 2026
If you haven’t heard of Kizik, let this be your introduction to the brand. Kizik is known for making hands-free shoes that you can easily slip on without compromising the functionality or design of the shoe. Earlier this year, the brand released its first running sneaker, the Freedom Run. And while I have found it to be pretty comfortable for shorter runs, I actually really enjoy it as a walking shoe.
They’re a great basic option, especially for those who like some cushioning from their athletic shoes but not the high stack that so many popular options today have.
The shoes have a good mix of softness and structure. They also have a heel pocket that locks your heel firmly into place, which is great for security and stability, especially while running, but you can feel it a bit in the back, and while it isn’t really noticeable during shorter distances, I could see it getting uncomfortable if you’re running more than a few miles at a time.
But, of course, the best part is the ability to simply slip them on right before you head out the door — no need to bend over or crouch down to tie your shoes. And even after slipping them on numerous times, the heel always snaps right back into place and shows no signs of wear and tear.
“I can’t explain how much I love these,” writer Danielle Murphy says. “They’re super comfortable, hands-free, slip-on-and-off design and very flexible. I wear these for workouts but will easily choose them for any other occasion. The blue colorway is also super cute.”
I often refer to the Hoka Cliftons as the “old reliable” of sneakers. You know exactly what you’re going to get every time you slip them on: Cushioned comfort and an effortless feel with each step.
They feature a base of compression-molded foam that absorbs shock and keeps your feet feeling super comfortable as you walk. They’re not necessarily the best choice if you’re looking for ample support, but I do find the base has enough structure that you don’t feel totally wobbly or like you’re sinking into the cushioning, which I’ve found to be the case with some other shoes.
I love walking in them, and keep them right next to my door so I can slip them on for running errands or for my long walks around the park. They’re a great option if you stand all day, too.
If you’ve happened to read any of my other sneaker content, first of all, thank you. But secondly, that means that you know how much I love the New Balance 1080s. To me, they are the gold standard of what an everyday sneaker should be: Comfortable, supportive and long-lasting.
For its most recent model, New Balance totally redesigned its cushioning, switching from the Fresh Foam X to a brand new Infinion tech, which feels both lighter and bouncier. I love how energetic they feel. With each step you take, you get a propulsive bounce but then they snap back immediately, so they keep their shape and feel, even through countless runs and walks. While I’m a huge fan of them for everyday runs, they are a great choice for walks. So much so that they were named the best walking shoes during our 2026 Travel Awards.
When associate market editor Audrey Ekman tried them during the awards testing process, she said she finally got “the hype Emma’s been spreading about New Balance running shoes,” which I took as a personal win. She added, “I feel like I’m bounding with every step in these springy sneakers.”
Best running shoes of 2026
Hoka recently announced an extension to its bestselling Clifton line with the Hoka Clifton Pros. These sneakers take everything people love about the hero model and add a little extra oomph. They feature a more aggressive rocker profile, which helps your feet roll forward naturally and makes your steps feel seamless. With this model, the brand also swaps the compression-molded foam for supercritical EVA, which is both lightweight and responsive.
While you could definitely wear the shoe on walks, those features make it a great pick for running. I’ve run many a mile in these shoes at this point and during each run, my feet feel just as good at the end of the workout as they did at the beginning.
While I’ve been writing about sneakers for years, I actually hadn’t tried a pair from Saucony until this year. But I was pretty immediately blown away by the brand’s new Paramount Max sneakers.
They have a high level of cushioning, thanks to the brand’s incrediRun foam platform that absorbs shock and provides a little bounce to propel you forward with every step. When people talk about shoes that feel like running on clouds, they are talking about these. They feel so incredibly soft under your foot. But even given all that cushioning, they feel pretty lightweight and still provide a good amount of support.
Aside from the comfort level, one of my favorite things about these shoes is how stable they feel — even though they are a neutral sneaker. They have a wide base that helps prevent your feet from feeling squeezed within the shoe and adds some additional stability.
These aren’t necessarily the shoes that you want to wear when you’re trying to PR a race or log an interval-heavy speed session. However, they are great for easy runs and recovery miles when your legs and feet aren’t feeling their best.
Fellow writer Jannely Espinal is also a fan. “While the shoe is designed for neutral runners, it does help neutralize my overpronation. I appreciate the wide toe box, which helps me spread out my toes and step more comfortably. I was a bit hesitant about the extra cushioning, but it’s what I loved the most. I still run with them and it’s one of my preferred running shoes for easy miles.”
More of the best sneakers of 2026, according to editors
“I’ve been a dedicated fan of Brooks Ghost sneakers for years, and the Ghost 18s do not disappoint,” says senior social media editor Kate McCarthy. “They’re the Goldilocks of shoes when it comes to cushioning and support, not too bouncy and not too stiff, right in the middle. I’ve found them great for both long runs and shorter workouts. But if you aren’t a runner, these are great for walking, providing ample support for logging miles and standing for hours.”
“I heard great things about this brand so I was so excited to try them for myself,” editorial operations manager Jill Ortiz shares. “They’re known for their wide toe box and designed to not encourage heel striking while running. I never wore them for a run, but they have quickly become my favorite walking shoes. From the second I put them on, I felt my lower back pain dissolve. I wore them for long walks around the neighborhood, grocery store runs and everything in between. They’re not cushioned enough for me to run in, personally, but I could see people who don’t like a lot of cushion liking them for runs.”
“Anything Brooks Glycerin gets me excited, and I was so delighted to receive these because they had been on my wishlist for the longest time,” says Ortiz. “They are so responsive, and I have worn them for long runs, track workouts and even to work when I needed some extra support. I love the colorways and the feel of the shoe and think they’ll make a great running shoe for winter since the knit upper keeps in some heat.”
How we chose
So far in 2026, I’ve tried over a dozen new sneakers, wearing them for a mix of walks, runs and other workouts. While not all of them were a hit for me personally, the options on this list have become a staple in my routine, thanks to their comfort levels, support and more.
