Supportive Sneakers for Women 40+ Who Like to Walk

I don’t drive, so after years of walking four to five miles a day in New York, I’ve kept up nearly the same pace in Los Angeles. As my mileage stays high the concrete stays hard, and I’ve had to get smarter about support and stability. These seven sneaker brands have kept me moving through errands, long walks, and the occasional “why did I pick this route?” moment or full on map glitch. I’ve been experimenting with lesser known brands as well as the big names and am finding some outstanding shoes for walking.

1. Aetrex Express Runner 2 

I found this brand when I searched for orthotics as a way to give older sneakers a second life. I ended up falling for their shoes instead. I tried the Xpress Runner 2 and have my eye on the Elise. All of their shoes have the orthotic technology built in, with great arch support, heel support, and stabilization. They’re less foamy than many brands, which makes them feel a little closer to the ground but I didn’t find that a disadvantage. My joints stay happy even on long treks, and the companies frequent sales make the price point especially appealing.

2. Asics Gel Kayano Series

The first time I tried the Asics Gel Kayano line, I was hooked. It’s got a lot cushioning and fits my foot well. I can usually get about six months out of these shoes which, in recent years, is better than my experience with other name brands. Asics has a nice selection of colors to choose from, so I can find something that I like to wear and I can walk long distances or do a ton of errands, and never worry about my feet, knees, or hips. As prices keep going up, I did try a few more affordable options from this brand that unfortunately did not compare to Gel Kayano Series.

3. Under Armour Charged Assert 10

I fell hard for this brand after loving their masks during the pandemic. These Charged Assert 10 sneakers lasted about nine months of wear, from miles on concrete to gentle mountain hikes near my home and I’m now looking to buy a new pair. The built-in stability gives me that solid, “I know exactly where the ground is” feeling. They’re well-constructed, decent looking, and reliable.

4. Brooks Ghost Series

Brooks has also been one of my longtime favorite brands. They have a handy online questionnaire to help you narrow down the best match for your gait and needs and I always feel their shoes offer stability and support. Admittingly, that makes them a tad stiff. The Ghost series was one of my annual go-to’s for the comfort and value. The shoes last longer than most, feel good right out of the box, and come in plenty of colors.

5. Nortiv 8 slip-on walking shoe

This was the biggest surprise hit. I wanted an inexpensive pair to rotate in, and after a few failed tries, I found these slip-ons, priced about the same as a restaurant lunch. They are shockingly good. They have arch support and enough cushion for a comfortable four-mile walk. They’re not as stable as the other shoes on this list, but they’re the only slip-ons that have ever worked for my feet because they do have laces you can adjust to get the right width for your foot.

6. Nike Revolution 8 

Nike offers three types of cushioning in their running shoes: Maximum, Responsive, and Supportive. While supportive is obviously the most supportive, the responsive gives the best of both worlds: cushion and support. The Revolution 8 is fair priced shoe that works well for long walks. I’m sure there are plenty of others that would work as well. Easy to find in stores, this is one brand you can go try on before you buy and see what feels the best to you.

7. Adidas Run Falcon 5 

Adidas running shoes are snug, light, and work beautifully for walking, like most running shoes. They also have a wide range of price points on their shoes and were one of the first to incorporate foam cushioning for comfort. One of their most popular running/walking shoes for women, The Run Falcon 5, is also one of the most economical choices. It has some stability and some cushion. Just like Nike, the big name advantage here is this brand is also easy to find and try before you buy. (Can you tell, I’m not a fan of returns?)