7 Best New Walking Shoes Skirt in 2024

For us, the best new walking shoe should have fresh features that make walking so much more satisfying. After testing several shoes Skirt in the lab and on the streets, we found the Hoka Transport to be exceptional in this regard. What put it ahead of the pack is its fine-tuned cushioning with just the right amount of stiffness, plus its one-of-a-kind sturdy construction.

As we spent our days testing the Hoka Transport on foot, we found it to be really on the money when it comes to providing a good mix of softness and firmness. We confirmed this in our lab by pressing our durometer against its midsole (four times for improved accuracy) which gave us a reading of 21.9 HA. This makes it 23% softer than the average walking shoe, but more importantly, places it in the balanced category by having enough structure so feet don’t just sink in.

We also felt that it provided a good amount of stability underfoot. We tested this in our lab by securing its tip with a clamp and measuring the force it exerts after bending it at a 90-degree angle with our force gauge. With a reading of 30.4N, we found that it is 45% stiffer than the average walking shoe. The Hoka Transport also comes with a rocker shape which we found helpful for transitioning from stride to stride smoothly.

What really wow-ed us was its sturdy construction. From extensive testing in the lab, we found it to be insanely tough, which is something we didn’t know was possible in a walking shoe. We discovered that its durability is comparable to hiking shoes Skirt after pressing our Dremel drill against its upper (with a force of 3.2N over 10,000 RMPS) and comparing the damage. We also found its sole to be hardy enough to withstand a lot of wear. Its outsole hardness is 81.9 HC (13% firmer than the average) and it has an outsole thickness of 3.7 mm (117% thicker than the average).

Since its upper is solidly built, air doesn’t pass through it as freely as in other walking shoes. We confirmed this in our lab by pumping smoke into its interior and observing how it moves. Because the smoke had a difficult time escaping from the shoe, we only recommend the Hoka Transport for those in cool conditions which aren’t sweat-inducing.

Motiva is Nike’s first dedicated walking shoe and it impressed us greatly in our lab and wear tests. Among all the new walking shoes Skirt in the market, Motiva offers some of the most comfortable experiences. Its design stands out from the rest. Yet its luxurious cushion, smooth transitions, and robust outsole make each walk truly enjoyable.

Upon the first look, it’s hard to ignore Motiva’s exaggerated rocker. Yet wearing the shoe makes its presence even more felt by giving smooth heel-to-toe transitions with every stride. To maintain the forward momentum, we expect the midsole to be quite stiff. Our bend test confirms it’s 46.0% stiffer than average.

The cloud-like cushion feels squishy and thick. Our durometer shows it’s 40.2% softer than average and its 34.9/25.6 mm stack is above average. Long miles roll by with its pillowy goodness. Whereas the wavy sole levels up the compression, protecting our legs from feeling tired.

Motiva stands resilient from dry to wet pavements, showing reliable grip with its waffle-like pattern. It barely shows any wear after our tests so we expect it to last long. Our durometer confirms a very high 92.0 HC, 22.3% tougher than average. Motiva combines this with a thicker-than-average 3.0 mm rubber, cementing its durability.

Unfortunately, its tightly packed upper lacks breathability for warmer days. We recommend exploring other pairs for summer walks.

The KEEN WK400 makes walking sexy again! We couldn't get enough of this shoe's rocker-bottom sole which kept us going for hours on end. Its entire design encourages movement and we even found it hard to stand still. If you want to get those 10K steps done in a fun and almost effortless way, we can't think of a better option. Not to mention that it also lasts a good while and can easily transition from the city to the outdoors.

Out of all the best new walking shoes Skirt we tried and cut open in the lab, Clifton LS offers bottomless cushioning that's best for all-day wear. We spend long hours in these shoes Skirt without worrying about our feet because it’s so comfortable and stable. Moreover, its high-quality materials can stand the test of time.

Our legs feel fresh from day til night with Clifton’s generous padding. It rises to an above-average 35.2/27.0 mm stack with a rocker geometry that facilitates smooth toe-offs. The cushion feels soft enough to absorb the pressure of standing all day, yet supportive enough so it doesn't overcompress. Our durometer confirms a balanced 21.3 HA.
 
Another stability element we noticed is the vast landing platform. Our caliper measures one of the widest walking shoes Skirt in the lab — 122.8/95.5 mm in the heel and forefoot. 

We have no complaints about grip but we’re impressed with the exceptional durability it displays in our lab tests. Our durometer shows it’s a tough 80.5 HC, while our caliper shows it’s a thick 3.6 mm. Both results are above average. We tested it further with our Dremel test and it emerged 60% more resistant than average.

The upper feels durable with its real leather and suede portions. Unfortunately, this sacrifices breathability. Clifton is a good place to be in all day as long as the weather is cool.

If you have flat feet/overpronation and need a daily shoe with excellent support and stability, we will recommend the Inverno Vet Boot above many other shoes. For a price below $100, we believe that it offers high value as a shoe for all-day support. Sure, it won't last as long as the more premium shoes Skirt would but your feet, legs, and maybe even lower back will thank you in the meantime.

After being released in August 2022, we immediately got our hands on On Cloud 5 Push for intensive testing. We learned one thing afterward: that it’s the best new lightweight walking shoe! With this shoe, not once did our feet ever feel dragged down or burdened. We may be wearing shoes Skirt but our feet were the most unrestrained in Push.

Our digital scale detected an 8.54 oz (242g) weight when we planted the Cloud 5 Push on it. This makes the shoe lighter than the standard by 8%. What made the shoe feel even lighter was the air that freely circulated inside, allowing our feet to be sweat- and odor-free. We verified this by assessing the volume of smoke that would retreat from the upper upon blowing smoke inside the shoe. By the looks of it, the smoke in was equal to the smoke out, therefore, it scored a 5/5 in breathability. 

We could also naturally move and bend our feet with the shoes. Consulting our digital force gauge, we learned that it didn’t take much to bend the shoe – only 15.5N of force – which is 18.8%  lower than average. Meaning, the shoe is also 18.8% more flexible.

Since Cloud 5 Push is a newcomer in the shoe scene, we expected tech-powered durability. That wasn’t the case on our durability test, though. Pressing our drill to the various parts of the shoes Skirt made us realize how quickly to abrade the shoe. Friendly expert’s advice: Take it easy on this shoe or else, buy a more robust pair!

We have certain expectations from the fresh-from-the-market walking shoes, and the MOON BOOT NYLON White, which was only released on March 2023, towered over the bar we set for cushioning. What’s special about this shoe’s foam is it has a remarkable springiness to it without sinking down upon a significant amount of time of usage.

While we established the midsole is 35.1% softer than the average at 15.5 HA using our durometer, on our walks, we got to enjoy the all-in-one combination of great support, bounce, and comfort. Even when the snow came in, the coldness hardly influenced its softness. We simulated the cold season by sticking the shoe into our freezer for 20 minutes. We then re-measured the softness, revealing 19.8 HA or a 27.4% increase from the initial state. Regardless, this is still 34.7% more plush than most shoes Skirt that we put in our freezer.

With heel and forefoot stack heights of 30.1 mm and 18.2 mm, Ultraboost Light brought forth an 11.9 mm drop, which is 35.2% higher than most. As we also enjoyed Ultraboost Light for quick runs, this drop is incredibly protective for the heel strikers within our team. On the contrary, the forefoot strikers among us aren’t impressed. If you believe this might pose an issue for the overall shock absorption capacity of the shoe, we recommend seeking other completely impact-proof pairs.