Women's Health September 29, 2025 0 Comments

Unlock Unbeatable Comfort: These Walking Shoe Deals Before Prime Day Will Change Your Stride Forever

Ever wonder if your shoes could actually fight off foot pain while making you feel like you’re walking on clouds? Yeah, sounds like some kind of fantasy – but the Gel-Kayano 31 just might be the real deal for anyone battling overpronation or tired, flat feet. This kick isn’t just another flashy sneaker; it’s engineered with thick foam borders to lock your feet into a perfect, neutral alignment and deep heel cups that cradle your arches like a champ. If plantar fasciitis has been your nemesis, trying on these might just change your entire walking game. Personally, I’ve stomped hard on every pavement I could find, and the Gel-Kayano 31 cushions each step with a gel-soaked plushness that’s honestly better than the Hoka Mach 6. Sure, the heel-to-toe drop is a bit steep at 10mm, but that’s exactly what your arches crave when under siege. Our WH 2025 Sneaker Awards crowned it the best overall running shoe—talk about versatility—whether you’re pounding pavement or pumping iron in a cross-training session. Jacqueline Andriakos, our very own fitness director, swears by ’em so much she’d buy them repeatedly, praising their unmatched stability when lifting weights without switching shoes. Curious to see why this shoe might be the missing piece in your fitness puzzle? LEARN MORE

The Gel-Kayano 31 kick is considered a classic walking shoe, especially if you struggle with overpronation (ankles that roll inward) or have flat feet. It has thick foam borders on each side of the shoe to keep your feet locked in a neutral alignment. Deep heel cups provide ample arch support, making it especially great for walkers with plantar fasciitis (pain under the arch). That’s why our fitness team dubbed it one of the best plantar fasciitis walking shoes!

I’m a huge fan of the firm, stiffer midsole that still maintains plushness with its signature gel cushioning. I stomp hard on pavement daily, but the Gel-Kayano 31 makes it feel like I’m hovering above the ground. I actually find it more cushioned than the Hoka Mach 6. The heel-to-toe drop is 10 millimeters, which is quite high for my liking, but ideal if you want to take all the pressure away from your arches.

Our WH 2025 Sneaker Awards named it the best overall running shoe, making it a great multipurpose pick—even for cross-training. WH executive health and fitness director Jacqueline Andriakos loves it so much she’d buy them over and over again and says “the soles are stable enough that I can ground myself properly if I’m doing a cross-training workout that also involves lifting weights—without having to change my sneakers.”