The 6 Best On Shoes for Walking of 2026, Tested By Fitness Editors and Podiatrists

ProsLightweight without slacking on supportWell-cushioned without feeling too bouncyDoes not cause chafing or blistersConsHeaviest shoe on this listAfter testing several pairs of On shoes, the Cloudrunner 3—a cushier, more supportive upgrade from the Cloudrunner 2—takes the top spot for a few key reasons. Andriakos has tested more than a dozen On shoes and says the Cloudrunner 3 has become a go-to in her sneaker collection lately. That’s because the shoe has a relatively lightweight feel with tons of stability.That balance comes from the sole, which is made with On’s Helion Superfoam. This material, made from thermoplastic polyurethane, blends firm and flexible foam components to create a lightweight, responsive, and well-cushioned feel. The mix of stiffer and softer sections absorbs impact from every step and actually helps propel you forward. The Cloudrunner 3 is actually a touch heavier than its predecessor (by only .7 ounces), but we chalk it up to the upgraded plush heel collar and wider base that offer a bit more comfort and stability. I’ve noticed this shoe is super durable, holding up to months of wear and tear on city sidewalks. During my walks in this shoe, I appreciate that I don’t feel overly bouncy, but the cushioning is still noticeable and light enough to help me feel grounded.“At nine months pregnant, I need to prioritize stability and comfort over everything else in a sneaker right now, and the On Cloudrunner 3s delivered for me,” Andriakos says. “It feels firm and supportive (and not overly cushioned), which has noticeably reduced my pelvic and low back pain when I’m on my feet all day and walking a lot.” She’s also been wearing it for hybrid strength-and-cardio workouts, and while it’s not a super-flat traditional lifting shoe, the fairly neutral sole and structured shape and feel make it surprisingly versatile. “Plus, the toe box is on the wider side and roomy enough for my swollen feet, so my toes can actually breathe,” Andriakos adds.Read more: Best Walking ShoesWeight8.8 ozHeel-To-Toe Drop8 mmCushioning MediumStabilityMaxColors8ProsGreat for walkers who like a soft underfoot feelSuper stylish and great for everyday wearEasy to slip on and offConsLayered mesh upper may be difficult to keep cleanAfter about four months of testing an alarming amount of shoes, the On Cloudtilt Remix is my everyday go-to. That’s because this sneaker teakes everything we love about the original Cloudtilt and gives it a fashion-forward upgrade with a techy upper designed with “X-ray layers,” or semi-transparent mesh overlays that look super sleek.This shoe is basically built for walking, too, thanks to the CloudTec Phase midsole, a walking-focused cushioning system designed so each “cloud” compresses in sequence, delivering a smooth, plush ride. The result is an exceptionally smooth heel-to-toe transition that feels natural and effortless during long days on your feet. It also has a moderate 7 mm heel-to-toe drop, meaning it distributes weight evenly throughout the lower body and helps keep the foot in a neutral walking position, making it a pretty universal pick.Underfoot, the cushioning lands squarely in the Goldilocks zone. The Helion superfoam provides plenty of impact absorption, but the ride never feels overly soft or marshmallow-like. Instead, it delivers a lightly responsive, cushioned feel that keeps your feet comfortable during long walks, travel days, and hours of sightseeing without sacrificing ground feel or stability. Lightweight, stylish, and genuinely built for all-day movement, the Cloudtilt Remix is the On sneaker I reach for when I want my shoes to work as hard as the rest of my outfit. The sleek, streamlined look is super easy to style with everything from tennis skirts to joggers to track pants. If you ask me, it’s kinda the perfect shoe that combines everything on this list into one sleek kick.My one note is that I worry about the layered mesh upper being difficult to clean if the shoe gets too dirty. Luckily, I’ve managed to keep it pretty clean, but I avoid wearing this shoe in wet weather or otherwise messy conditions.Read More: On Cloudtilt Remix ReviewWeight8.1 ozHeel-To-Toe Drop7 mmCushioning MediumStabilityMediumColors6Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsEasily slides on and off Feels grounded and not bouncyBreathable materials for air circulationHate tying your shoes? The Cloudnova Form 2 might be your new favorite—thanks to its easy slip-on, slip-off design, which Andriakos swears by. That said, it still has laces if you want to tighten things up for a more secure fit. This is my everyday shoe when I’m heading out the door to run errands or pop out for a walk but don’t feel like wearing anything bulky or something that needs a full lace adjustment (just lazy girl things!). It looks super cute with sweatpants and leggings, and a boxy t-shirt on top.Comfort-wise, the Cloudnova Form is a win right out of the box. During my testing, I found that there was no break-in period needed (big ups). The moderately cushioned sole is super balanced, which makes it ideal for long walks and power strolls, and Andriakos especially likes that it doesn’t have the super-prominent “bubble” look that many On shoes are known for. Instead, it has a lower-cut silhouette that feels a bit more grounded and less bouncy.Another plus: It’s made with a breathable mesh upper and a soft microfiber tongue, so your feet stay cool and comfortable even on warm days. On the downside, it runs small, so it’s a good idea to size it up by half. Also worth noting: it has a high heel-to-toe drop (14 mm), which can put extra stress on the knees and hips. If you deal with pain in those areas, you might want to skip this one.Weight8.7 ozHeel-To-Toe Drop14 mmCushioningMaxStabilityMediumColors5ProsSpacious toe box despite no wide sizing Breathable materials to help combat sweat Supremely cushionedConsLow heel-to-toe drop not the best for heel-strikersOn only offers wide sizing for certain models, but this shoe has a spacious toe box for a roomy fit. Accardi has bunions and never experiences pain when wearing it. “Most sneakers that don’t come in wide sizing tend to irritate and rub against my bunions, which makes them throb, but not the Cloudmonster,” she says. “The toe box is surprisingly a perfect fit and lets me walk around for hours pain-free.”This new version of the shoe delivers a cradling sensation while the foam slightly compresses to conform to your feet. The sensation is pillow-like under the foot while also offering a stable feel. Appleton notes that it's her all-time fave On walking shoe for its high-stack cushion, meaning it has a very thick foam between your foot and the ground. The 3 gets back to the Cloudmonster’s roots and becomes a good running shoe for intermediate to advanced runners again. That’s thanks to a speedboard that promotes a forward rolling motion, along with the aforementioned maxed cushioning. This has added a little weight from the last model (6.6 ounces to 8.5), so you don’t have to worry about this shoe holding you back during long walks or runs."Whenever I want to feel super comfortable in my shoes but don't want that tight, locked-in feeling like I do when I'm running, the Cloudmonster is my go-to," Appleton says. She wore the shoe while moving into her fourth-floor Brooklyn walk-up, and notes it kept her feet comfortable all day. And while it’s great for getting your steps in, this shoe has that chunky look that’s super on trend right now. I love pairing it with tailored pants and a boxy t-shirt on top for that upgraded activewear vibe.The heel-to-toe drop is also on the smaller side at six millimeters, which Accardi says distributes impact evenly on the knees, hips, and ankles. “As someone with knee issues, taking the load off my knees is essential, especially post-run,” she says. If you’re a heel striker and don’t struggle with pain in these areas, the Cloudrunner 2 could be a better fit.Read More: On Cloudmonster 3 ReviewFeatures at a GlanceWeight8.5 ozHeel-To-Toe Drop6 mmCushioning MediumStabilityNeutralColors13Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsCan handle long walks and cross-training workoutsSecure and supportiveMesh upper keeps feet dryCons7 mm heel drop not ideal for lifting, but works well for walking workoutsIf your workouts don’t fit neatly into one category, the On Cloud X 4 is the sneaker you’ll want on standby. Designed specifically for mixed training, it’s comfortable, responsive, and stable, making it equally suited for walking, HIIT training, and gym sessions. Unlike some of On’s chunkier models, the Cloud X 4 has a slightly lower-profile silhouette that looks and feels sleeker on foot, pairing easily with everyday outfits and activewear.The shoe features On’s signature CloudTex cushioning, which delivers a comfortable, impact-absorbing ride without feeling overly squishy. Andriakos, who logs a high daily step count, says it’s become one of her favorite shoes for long walks because the cushioning feels nice and plush while maintaining a grounded feel. “The mesh upper is super breathable, so my feet don’t feel overheated and sweaty after long walks, and small design details (like the cool X lace pattern from above!) make it feel really polished,” she says.The supportive lacing system creates a secure, locked-in feel that feels stable during lateral movements and dynamic workouts. “I’ve worn it to HIIT classes, and it feels super supportive, though I’d still opt for a flatter, more structured shoe for traditional lifting,” Andriakos says. The mesh upper is a nice touch, too, keeping things super breathable so your feet don’t get overheated or sweaty on long walks.Weight7. 9 ozHeel-To-Toe Drop7 mmCushioning MediumStabilityHighColors8ProsBreathable and ventilatedFeatherlight comfortGreat for packing and travelConsDoesn't provide much ankle or arch supportThe On Cloud 6 Coast is a refreshed take on the brand’s classic On Cloud—but this ultra-lightweight version takes it even further. It keeps all the upgrades of the latest model, including the original slip-on, no-lace design and On’s signature CloudTec cushioning system. The big win here? It weighs in at just 6.5 ounces. That means your ultra-cushioned shoe is now perfect for traveling, long days on your feet, or hot, humid commutes. It’s built with an updated mesh that’s super breathable and ventilated—you can even wear this shoe barefoot!It also features a wider opening for a more inclusive, easy-on fit. I really appreciated this feature as a wide-footed girly. It also has a moderate heel-to-toe drop of 8 mm, making it a great universal walking shoe. Bottom line: this shoe is made to handle just about anything, which makes it a must-have in your rotation.This shoe has a medium cushion level for that sweet spot that’s comfortable and light on your feet without being overly plush. The CloudTex midsole does a great job absorbing impact, making it a solid choice for everything from sightseeing and airport sprints to casual daily walks. The lightweight build almost disappears on your foot, which is exactly what you want when you’re packing light or spending hours exploring.The tradeoff for all that packability and featherlight comfort is support. The flexible upper and minimalist construction can feel a bit flimsy compared to more structured walking shoes, especially if you need extra arch support or stability.Weight6.5 ozHeel-To-Toe Drop8 mmCushioning LowStabilityLowColors3Shannen Zitz is the Associate Style & Reviews Editor at Women's Health, where she covers all-things sneakers and activewear. Previously, she was an assistant editor at Prevention. Shannen graduated from the State University of New York at Cortland with a bachelor's degree in English. If she’s not reading or writing, you can probably find her frequenting the skincare and makeup forums on Reddit or hogging the squat rack at the gym.Christian is the Style and Reviews Director at Men's Health and Women’s Health, where he oversees shopping and style content for both brands. He started his magazine career as an accessories assistant at Vogue, and has since held editorial roles at Tatler Asia and The Manual. When he’s not online shopping, you can find him on long walks with his two corgis.Bradley Schaeffer, DPM, is a board-certified podiatrist and foot surgeon specializing in sports medicine, foot and ankle reconstructive surgery, regenerative medicine, and aesthetic procedures.