You've probably heard the phrase sitting kills, and that's because the more sedentary your lifestyle, the higher your chances for some serious negative health consequences. Those include *** higher chance of cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, and even *** shorter life expectancy. Now scientists say they have the first longitudinal data for how many steps you really need to counteract all your time sitting. They track the health and activity data for more. 72,000 volunteers since 2006. Finding that walking 9000 to 10,000 steps every day, or the equivalent of around 5 miles would effectively counteract *** sedentary lifestyle. *** sedentary lifestyle was defined by sitting on average 10.6 hours every day. 10,000 steps was found to significantly reduce the negative health effects associated with inactivity, with the study finding that those who achieved those. Steps per day, had *** 21% lower chance of being diagnosed with cardiovascular disease and 39% lower risk of mortality. However, if you can't make the full 10,000, even *** portion of those steps can help counteract the effects of sitting with the researchers finding that 50% of the health benefits could be achieved when participants reach just 4000 to 4500 steps per day.
The most comfortable shoes of 2025, tested by editors
Our editors recommend shoes from Brooks and Birkenstock.
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Updated: 1:34 PM CDT Jul 25, 2025
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As a New York City fitness enthusiast, I walk about 20,000 steps a day, so trust me when I say: not all shoes can keep up. Over the past year, I’ve tested more than 70 pairs to figure out which ones I can actually stand and walk in for hours. But I didn’t stop there. I also tapped our wider Women's Health team for their deep testing knowledge. Just in the past year alone, they’ve tested more than 100 shoes for our 2025 Sneaker Awards. We also consulted with our go-to stylists to find out which comfortable shoes they’re seeing rise to the top right now. We considered new releases, beloved classics, and everything in between. The criteria? We looked for stylish kicks that offered proper support and cushioning to help prevent blisters, calluses, and foot pain.Whether you're running errands, heading to the office, catching a flight, or strolling through your neighborhood, these are the shoes that’ll keep you moving comfortably and looking good while doing it.Most Comfortable ShoesWhat To ConsiderFit and Sizing“Generally, the rule of thumb is that there’s a thumb involved in this,” says podiatrist Brad Schaeffer, DPM. You need to put your thumb in between your big toe (which is called a hallux) and the front of the shoe. If it’s a little too tight, you’re going to get jamming, which means you’re going to get black and blue toes or blood under the toenails (ouch!). What’s more, shoes that are too tight can cause blisters and pain, while those that are too loose can lead to scratches and major discomfort.The width of your shoe is also important. “As far as fit and sizing go, you don’t want anything too narrow as it’s going to hug the sides of your feet and create a ton of pain because there are nerves that go in between our toes,” says Schaeffer. If the nerves are pinched, you can get numbness or a pesky condition called neuroma, he says. Essentially, it’s an abnormal growth of nerve tissue that’s super painful.Pro tip: Try on a shoe at the end of the day when your feet are slightly swollen to get the best fit.MaterialRubber: It's naturally flexible and cushy, which helps absorb shock and reduce joint impact. It's often used in insoles for its ability to move with your foot and support it through long wear.Mesh: It's ultra-breathable, lightweight, and perfect for warmer temps. It allows air to circulate, keeping your feet cool, dry, and blister-free.Elastic: Stretchy uppers or elastic panels give the shoe a custom, secure fit without pressure points. Bonus: they're easy to slip on and off and work well for all foot shapes.Foam: It provides soft, even cushioning that absorbs shock and eases pressure on joints. Memory foam goes a step further by molding to your foot for personalized comfort.Leather: It's breathable, softens over time, and naturally molds to your foot. It also helps reduce moisture buildup and adds structure without stiffness.How We SelectedAt Women’s Health, we’re constantly testing the best shoes. For this story, I combed through our year’s worth of testing notes, spanning the best sneakers, running shoes, walking shoes, and comfortable flats. I re-tested them to see if they really lived up to the hype. Only the best of the best made it onto this list. Here, you’ll find shoes you can wear all day, walk for miles in, hit the gym in, take on vacation, and so much more.Shop More of Our Favorite ShoesMost Comfortable Wedding Shoes | Best Shoes For Standing | Best Tennis Shoes | Best White Sneakers | Most Comfortable Ankle Boots | Most Comfortable Dress Shoes | Best Walking Shoes For Plantar Fasciitis | Best On Cloud Walking Shoes
As a New York City fitness enthusiast, I walk about 20,000 steps a day, so trust me when I say: not all shoes can keep up.
Over the past year, I’ve tested more than 70 pairs to figure out which ones I can actually stand and walk in for hours. But I didn’t stop there. I also tapped our wider Women's Health team for their deep testing knowledge. Just in the past year alone, they’ve tested more than 100 shoes for our .
We also consulted with our go-to stylists to find out which comfortable shoes they’re seeing rise to the top right now. We considered new releases, beloved classics, and everything in between.
The criteria? We looked for stylish kicks that offered proper support and cushioning to help prevent blisters, calluses, and foot pain.
Whether you're running errands, heading to the office, catching a flight, or strolling through your neighborhood, these are the shoes that’ll keep you moving comfortably and looking good while doing it.
Most Comfortable Shoes
APL Women's TechLoom Zipline
Athletic Propulsion Labs
athleticpropulsionlabs.com
$350.00
Dr. Martens Zebzag Suede Slingback
Dr. Martens
amazon.com
$129.95
Brooks Glycerin Max
brooksrunning.com
$200.00
What To Consider
Fit and Sizing
“Generally, the rule of thumb is that there’s a thumb involved in this,” says podiatrist , DPM. You need to put your thumb in between your big toe (which is called a hallux) and the front of the shoe. If it’s a little too tight, you’re going to get jamming, which means you’re going to get black and blue toes or blood under the toenails (ouch!). What’s more, shoes that are too tight can cause blisters and pain, while those that are too loose can lead to scratches and major discomfort.
The width of your shoe is also important. “As far as fit and sizing go, you don’t want anything too narrow as it’s going to hug the sides of your feet and create a ton of pain because there are nerves that go in between our toes,” says Schaeffer. If the nerves are pinched, you can get numbness or a pesky condition called neuroma, he says. Essentially, it’s an abnormal growth of nerve tissue that’s super painful.
Pro tip: Try on a shoe at the end of the day when your feet are slightly swollen to get the best fit.
Material
- Rubber: It's naturally flexible and cushy, which helps absorb shock and reduce joint impact. It's often used in insoles for its ability to move with your foot and support it through long wear.
- Mesh: It's ultra-breathable, lightweight, and perfect for warmer temps. It allows air to circulate, keeping your feet cool, dry, and blister-free.
- Elastic: Stretchy uppers or elastic panels give the shoe a custom, secure fit without pressure points. Bonus: they're easy to slip on and off and work well for all foot shapes.
- Foam: It provides soft, even cushioning that absorbs shock and eases pressure on joints. Memory foam goes a step further by molding to your foot for personalized comfort.
- Leather: It's breathable, softens over time, and naturally molds to your foot. It also helps reduce moisture buildup and adds structure without stiffness.
How We Selected
At Women’s Health, we’re constantly testing the best shoes. For this story, I combed through our year’s worth of testing notes, spanning the best sneakers, , walking shoes, and . I re-tested them to see if they really lived up to the hype. Only the best of the best made it onto this list. Here, you’ll find shoes you can wear all day, walk for miles in, hit the gym in, take on vacation, and so much more.
Best Overall
APL Women's TechLoom Zipline
athleticpropulsionlabs.com
$350.00
If you’re looking for the most comfortable sneaker you can buy—one that you’ll actually want to wear all day, every day—this is it. The APL TechLoom Zipline is insanely comfortable, super lightweight, and just supportive enough to carry you long walks, travel days, or nonstop errands.
The upper is made with APL’s signature TechLoom knit, a synthetic blend that’s flexible and breathable. But this version also has cool little “ziplines,” which are thin, supportive bands woven into the shoe that give it extra structure without making it stiff or bulky. The result? A stretchy, sock-like fit that feels secure but never too tight. It molds to your foot and moves with you, which is major if you’re used to sneakers that rub or need a break-in period. I will say, the knit doesn’t always feel as supportive as a mesh does, so keep that in mind.
But the real star here is the cushioning. The midsole is made with APL’s iconic springy foam, which I’m sort of addicted to. It gives you that perfect balance of softness and bounce, so your feet feel supported without adding too much bulk. The heel and collar are padded for that extra locked-in feel, and the outsole has great grip without being clunky. I’ve worn this during my hours-long hot girl walks and found I barely had any foot pain afterwards.
It also has tons of little details like a roomy toe box, a stretchy tongue that makes it super easy to slip on and off, and a sleek design that works with everything from leggings to trousers. You won’t feel like you’re wearing a gym shoe, even if you’re just styling it for everyday life.
This is the sneaker you'll end up reaching for constantly. It’s comfortable right out of the box, cute enough to wear anywhere, and built to keep your feet comfy for hours on end.
Best Slingbacks
Dr. Martens Zebzag Suede Slingback
amazon.com
$129.95
I’ve paired this mule with a slouchy tee and jeans for an effortlessly cool vibe. The slingback is so cute and comfortable, and locks my feet in place during my summer commutes. And, speaking of comfort, the Zebzag mule is one of the brand’s smartest innovations yet. It's built on a polymer blend sole and a lightweight foam, meaning it’s cushy and tough at the same time. The suede upper is super soft with that silky texture that’s perfect for summer but looks good well beyond it. I’ve paired this with my office fits, and I haven’t had any foot pain even when standing in it for hours at work.
This kick is durable in the way only Docs can be. It features construction that’s heat-sealed and reinforced with the brand’s iconic yellow stitching, so you know it’s made to last. The 1-inch platform and thick heel are on-trend and grippy. Bottom line: it’s the kind of shoe that’s cool, comfortable, and has become my unexpected favorite of the season. Note: it does take a wear or two to break in, but gets super comfortable with a bit of wear.
Best For Running
Brooks Glycerin Max
brooksrunning.com
$200.00
This is Brooks’ most cushioned running shoe, built for those who want max comfort, softness, and support. What sets it apart from the rest of the brand’s lineup? It’s all about the stacked midsole, which is Brooks’ softest, bounciest foam yet. It’s plush without feeling too squishy, and somehow still responsive, so you get that nice roll-through with every step. The widened platform under the foot keeps feet locked in, which is a total game-changer if you’ve ever felt wobbly or unsupported in softer shoes. Plus, the redesigned mesh upper feels secure but never constricting.
Our editors have used these for half marathons and long days on their feet, and all of them say that the Glycerin Max delivers. Yeah, it’s chunky looking because of its thick cushioning, but it is incredibly lightweight when you’re running.
Best Gore-Tex
Salomon XT-Pathway Gore-Tex
salomon.com
If you’re the type to spend weekends wandering trails or city parks, the Salomon XT-Pathway Gore-Tex is about to become your new best friend. Let’s talk about the Gore-Tex, the real MVP of the shoe. This waterproof, breathable layer keeps your feet dry through rain, muddy trails, wet grass, and puddles. And unlike other water-resistant shoes that make your feet feel trapped, this one actually breathes thanks to the mesh construction, so you stay dry and comfortable.
Comfort-wise, it’s super lightweight and has cloud-like cushioning underfoot, with a soft yet supportive midsole that absorbs impact. I’ve worn this while rock climbing and running errands, and found that it kept my feet supported and pain-free. The padded collar and snug fit make it feel secure without being stiff, and the lugged sole gives you traction without looking bulky. Basically, it’s built for the outdoors, but doesn’t scream "I live in the woods." It's my favorite ready-for-anything sneaker.
Best Flats
Vivaia Almond-toe Mary-Jane
vivaia.com
$139.00
To be honest, most flats I’ve used make my feet sore, given how little cushioning they have. But this pair has been a total game-changer for my feet. Vivaia’s Almond-Toe Mary Jane has three layers of soles that are super soft and flexible, and feel like I’m barefoot. The upper is made from a breathable, stretchy knit that gently hugs my feet without any pinching or breaking in required. The cushioned insole adds real support (yes, actual arch support in a flat!) and the strap keeps everything feeling secure and put-together, even when I’m walking for miles in them.
I’ve used them for commuting and traveling, and found that they’ve done the best job at keeping my feet pain-free compared to other flats I’ve tested.
Best Mule
Birkenstock Boston Soft Footbed
zappos.com
$169.95
The Birkenstock Boston is great. I’ve added it to my shoe rotation and found that it’s as trendy as it is comfortable. It takes the OG Boston’s soft footbed and upgrades it with an extra layer of cushioning that feels comfortable to stand in for hours. After wearing it for a month straight, I found that it’s cozy enough for long errands, travel days, or as house slippers.
The cork-latex footbed is orthopedic, with a deep heel cup that keeps my feet in neutral alignment. That means my body weight is more evenly distributed, and my joints absorb less impact with each step. The raised toe bar encourages my foot’s natural gripping motion to help prevent slippage.
Style-wise, the Boston can dress up slouchy sweatpants and tailored trousers. Socks or no socks, errands or dinner, once you break this shoe in, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it.
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