Tour Guides Reveal the 10 Most Comfortable Walking Shoes of All Time — Starting at $62 (2024)

At 21,500 square feet, the spa at Kulm Hotel in St. Moritz is one of the largest in Switzerland. But at the moment, I only care about my two feet, which I’m treating to a reflexology treatment. The 50-minute foot massage costs more than a pair of new shoes, but it will be worth it. I spent yesterday pounding the pavement (and cobblestones) in this posh resort town before hiking in the surrounding mountains, so to simply put it: my feet are beat. When I complained to a tour guide, she merely laughed and said, “Welcome to my life.”

With a job that requires logging at least 10,000 steps per day, tour guides can’t afford to have foot pain. That’s why I always sneak a peek at their shoes. Much like how flight attendants know which carry-on luggage is the best, tour guides, by default, are experts in smart footwear. So if you need travel-friendly sneakers that are comfortable, durable, and cute to wear after the sightseeing tour is over, look no further because I polled several tour guides to get their top picks for the 10 best walking shoes. Luckily for us (and our wallets), they also shop at Amazon and Zappos and love brands like New Balance, Allbirds, and Merrell. Keep scrolling to refresh your closet before your next walking tour — after all, the last person a tour guide wants on one of is someone complaining about blisters.

Asics Men's GT-1000 11 Running Shoes

From a doughnut discovery tour to a true crime tour, you have dozens of choices when it comes to Brisbane tours. But for Guy Watson, who leads Urban Tours, highlighting the River City’s hidden gems, there’s only one choice when it comes to shoes: the Asics GT-1000s. “They’re well-cushioned, which helps me keep up with an energetic pace,” said Watson, whose two-hour tours require walking 8.6 miles. Over at Amazon, where they're on sale, the shoes have earned rave reviews from travelers. One said that "they're the most comfortable shoes I've ever owned" and "hold up great" when they walk "30,000 to 40,000 steps" at theme parks.

Merrell Men's Moab 3 Hiking Shoes

During Brisbane’s wet season, or when he’s in the bush, Watson is also a fan of the Merrell Moab 3s. “They provide the support and grip to navigate safely, and I don’t have to worry about slipping on tricky surfaces,” he told me. I personally wear the Merrell Moab 3 Mid Waterproof Hiking Shoes, and I love them so much that I don’t even switch into sandals when I’m done with the hike for the drive home. I’ve also tried $400 hiking boots, but these are by far the most comfortable.

Oboz Women's Sawtooth X Low Hiking Shoes

As fate would have it, my 8th-grade social studies teacher, Mary Kynett, who is now an EF tour guide, recently logged 68,000 steps in one day on a tour of Washington, D.C. Her footwear of choice is the Sawtooth X Low Hiking Shoes from Oboz, a company based in our home state of Montana. While I don’t own a pair of Oboz shoes, a travel editor friend of mine did ask me to test them for a "Best of 2024" gear guide recently, and they passed with flying colors. In fact, the brand's hikers — praised within the industry for their above-average traction and durability — were the only pair of shoes featured.

New Balance Women's 327 Sneakers

When Karolina Bolek, Shore Excursions Manager for Riverside Luxury Cruises, wakes up for her 9 to 5 job, she has to be prepared to walk at least 7 miles. Still, she wants to wear something chic. “I love the New Balance 327s because the trendy design adds a touch of flair to my uniform,” she shared, noting that she looks good and feels good when she wears them and she appreciates their versatility. “They are incredibly soft and comfortable, making them ideal for every activity from taking guests on culinary walks to hiking to find the best views and even exploring by bike.”

New Balance Women's 608 V5 Cross Trainer Shoes

Ivan Vuković has been giving walking tours of Croatia's Dubrovnik for nearly 20 years, and he told me he also relies on New Balance, calling all of its shoes “very light and comfy.” While his favorite pick might not be the brand’s most fashionable style, this particular cross trainer is a tried-and-true pair (it has more than 26,000 five-star ratings) among travelers for its foam insert and substantial arch support. In a shopper review, an Amazon customer said, “[They're] worth every penny and I plan to get another pair,” adding that their physical therapist recommended them.

New Balance Women's 574 Core Sneakers

I promise there are other brands besides New Balance on this list. But, when I asked Zvonimir Medvidovic, a shore excursions tour guide for Riverside Luxury Cruises, what he wears on his 10-mile days, he started singing the praises of the 574 Core Sneakers: “They’re the perfect balance between comfort and style, making them a great choice for both casual wear and active use.” Over at Zappos, a reviewer commented that "you'll notice the airiness in the sole as soon as you put them on," adding that "you can walk tens of thousands of steps in these shoes without experiencing soreness in your feet."

Merrell Women’s Moab 2 Vent Hiking Shoes

Jaime Purinton loves her job leading hikes for the Anza-Borrego Foundation, the nonprofit partner of California’s largest state park. While her tours don’t span all 600,000 acres of the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, she does cover a lot of uneven terrain, which means she needs a reliable shoe with lots of traction. “The Merrell Moab Ventilators are ideal for these conditions due to their excellent ventilation, which keeps feet cool and dry, and their sturdy construction, providing stability and protection on rough trails,” she explained. With more than 10,000 five-star ratings at Amazon, these shoes definitely earned their spot in the top 10 of the retailer's list of Best-selling Women’s Hiking Shoes.

Hoka Women's Clifton 9 Running Shoes

Jim Wahler, who leads “NYC in a Day” tours, walks so much has to replace his shoes every three months. “I typically walk 35 to 50 miles each week and will only do it in my Hoka Clifton 9s,” he declared. “Before I was introduced to the Hoka brand, my feet were sore and I tended to have blisters.” These days, his feet are ready to run the New York City Marathon. He even wears his Hokas year-round in extreme temperatures ranging from 12 degrees to 98 degrees Fahrenheit. Still on the fence? On Zappos, this podiatrist-approved pair of shoes has more than 2,000 five-star ratings. Plus, it comes in 27 colors, so it’s easy to find a look you love.

Allbirds Men's Tree Runner Sneakers

Five years ago, David Braha found his solemate: the Allbirds Tree Runners. “They are versatile for athleisure-wear and cross over very well for business casual,” the New York City-based architecture tour guide told me. Then he cautioned me against getting caught up in semantics: “While these shoes are named ‘runners,’ they’re still perfect for walking.” He loves that they feel like slippers and can be worn without socks in the summer. At Allbirds, this popular model has more than 7,500 five-star ratings and is available in 12 colors.

Kuru Women's Stride Slip-on Shoes

Enocha Edenfield may lead ghost tours in Savannah, Georgia, but she isn’t haunted by foot pain. Her secret? The Kuru Strides. “They offer quality support, and they’re breathable which is perfect for our hot summers," she began. "Plus, they’re closed-toe to protect my toes from our uneven sidewalks.” Not familiar with Kuru? The brand's shoes feature a unique curved “heel-cupping” design, which further protects one of the most vulnerable parts of the foot.

If $135 is more than you want to pay for slip-on shoes, try the Skechers Go Walk Joy Sneakers, which are just $51 at Amazon. They’re similar in style and boast more than 67,000 five-star ratings.

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