Walking Shoe Showdown
The search for the second pair
I went from being someone who only cared if sneakers were “cute”, to someone who REALLY cares how comfortable they are when I started walking 4+ miles a day. Having two pair of shoes to rotate is ideal when you walk as many miles as we do, so over the last week I have been on a journey to find a second pair to replace my worn out Hoka Cliftons. I thought I would share how four of the most highly recommended shoes compared (plus my tried and true Nikes).
Lace up your walking shoes as I pit the Nike Pegasus, Asics Gel Kayano, Asics Gel Nimbus, New Balance 880, and Brooks Ghost Max against each other in a highly unscientific race to determine the true champion of comfort and style.
A little about my feet & test methodology - I have very high arches, pronate a little, and have had plantar fasciitis and don’t want to ever experience that again! I ordered all shoes from Amazon and tested them out by walking up and down our long hardwood floor hallway repeatedly.
I have included amazon affiliate links, so if you use a link to make a purchase I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
1. Nike Pegasus: My "All Occasion” Sneakers
$105 for Nike Pegasus 39 on Amazon
Pros: The Pegasus line has been around forever. You know what you’re getting—a well-made, reliable sneaker. It’s a sleeker profile than most high-cushion models, so it doesn’t look like a clunky athletic shoe. This is what I take when we travel.
Cons: While I think it’s a perfectly good walking shoe, the cushioning is just average. If you are looking for a really cushy shoe this may not be the one for you.
My experience: I have worn Nike Pegasus for the last 5 years and my feet never hurt in these shoes. When we increased our mileage last year, I did add insoles since Nike does not have the best support for high arches.
2. Asics Gel Kayano 31: Walking on Marshmallows
$165 for ASICS Gel-Kayano 31 on Amazon
Pros: This shoe is so cushioned, it feels like you’re walking on fluffy clouds. I think the cushioning is even better than Hokas. The loop at the back makes them easy to get on. The upper seems very breathable.
Cons: It may be a tad TOO squishy. I worry that my crazy high arches would suffer with this much cushion. How can something be TOO good?!
Verdict: Returned.
3. New Balance Fresh Foam x 880 V14: No Bounce
$110 for New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam x 880 V14 on Amazon
Pros: This shoe is less cushioned than the ASICS Kayano by half, so my arches felt well supported. It’s a lower profile shoe, so it would probably be ok for athleisure wear/travel as well.
Cons: There is virtually no “rebound”. I felt like I had to work harder to move my feet, if that makes sense.
Verdict: Returned.
4. Brooks Ghost Max 2: Very Cushioned, Except Where They’re Not
$150 for Brooks Women’s Ghost Max 2 Neutral on Amazon
Pros: Brooks are known for being supportive and well-made, and I did find the cushioning delightful. I also liked the colorway on this one the best.
Cons: There's a little too much support. I definitely felt the stability features fighting against me while I was walking just up and down the hallway. If you pronate a lot though, this could be a great shoe for you.
Verdict: Returned.
3. Asics Gel Nimbus 27: Just Right
$110 for ASICS Women’s Gel-Nimbus 26 on Amazon
Pros: The Nimbus has all the good features of the Kayano, but without the overly cushioned sole. The cushioning felt great, just squishy enough without being too squishy. This is a neutral shoe, meaning it only helps a little with pronation, so my feet felt like they were held in the correct position, but without quite as much correction as the Brooks Ghost Max.
Cons: This shoe is a CHONK. Similar in vibes to Hokas, although not quite as monstrous, I would definitely not wear this in Europe. But that’s why I keep my Nikes.
Verdict: Welcome to the rotation!