I Thought I Needed the “Best” Walking Shoe. Europe Taught Me Otherwise

Before my trip to France, I spent hours researching walking shoes. I've been struggling to find a walking sneaker that's comfortable, reliable, and presentable ever since my go-to shoe failed me last year.

Every article promised to reveal “the best walking shoe.” Every travel forum had passionate opinions. HOKA. Brooks. New Balance. On. ASICS. Everyone seemed convinced their favorite was the only choice.

The problem? I hate trying on shoes in stores. The stores near me rarely have my size, and there usually isn't enough variety for me to try different styles and really compare them.

But with this trip, I finally forced myself to get off the couch and go to Macy's, where I could actually try on a few different pairs in person.

I ended up trying the Brooks Glycerin 23 and the New Balance 530 and my reactions to them were completely different from what I expected.

Then I took the shoes to France and put them to the real test.

After nearly two weeks of walking through Provence and Paris, I came home with a much better understanding of what actually makes a walking shoe work for me.

My Walking Shoe Journey

For years, my go-to everyday / travel shoe was the On Cloud 5.

It was lightweight, comfortable, and easy to wear all day. It was stylish enough to wear anywhere, but understated enough that it never felt like it was trying too hard.

I never really thought about my feet - which, I’ve learned, is probably the highest compliment you can give a pair of shoes.

When the Cloud 6 came out, I assumed I’d simply replace my old pair.

Instead, I walked out of the store disappointed.

The shape had changed. The toe box felt different, reminding me of the current Nike shape, which has never been particularly comfortable for my feet.

For your reference, my feet are somewhere between types #3, #5 and #6 in the diagram below. (So if your feet are similar to mine, this post may be especially helpful to you.)

Different toe shapes can affect how a shoe's toe box feels. My feet are somewhere between #3, #5 or #6.

It wasn’t necessarily a worse shoe - it just wasn’t the same shoe anymore and didn't fit like they used to.

That experience taught me my first lesson.

Never assume the newest version of your favorite shoe will fit exactly the same.

Even small design changes can completely change how a shoe feels.

***

And here's a happy discovery: I found that the On Cloud 5 is still available online. If you've been looking for the original version, you can see it here:

→ Check the On Cloud 5 on Amazon

Then Came the Brooks Glycerin 23

Next, I bought the Brooks Glycerin 23.

When I tried them on in the store, I was immediately impressed.

It felt like I was standing on tiny inflatable tubes, but surprisingly, they still felt stable and firm beneath my feet.

→ Check the Brooks Glycerin 23 on Amazon

I’ve never experienced that much cushioning before.

For a few minutes, I was convinced I’d found the perfect walking shoe.

But after spending more time walking in them, I realized something interesting.

The softness that felt incredible while standing still didn’t always translate into effortless walking.

On uphill streets, I felt like I had to push through the cushioning with every step. It wasn’t painful. It wasn’t uncomfortable. But going uphill, I felt like I had to work a little harder with every step.

It just wasn’t as efficient as I expected.

That’s when I realized that maximum cushioning and maximum comfort aren’t always the same thing.

The Shoe That Ended Up Going Everywhere With Me

For my trip, I packed my New Balance 530.

Even I was aware of the “ugly shoe” trend—and that New Balance was at the forefront of it. I was curious about it for a while, but for some reason, I never thought it would work for my feet. They looked a little heavy and rugged to me. Visually a lot going on for my taste... Definitely not the sleekest shoes out there.

But I'm glad I gave them a try.

→ Check the New Balance 530 on Amazon

It was supportive enough for my feet without being heavy.

Flexible uppers that allow my feet to move naturally without constricting my toes, especially as my feet swell throughout the day.

Ultimately, bringing them along was probably the best packing decision I made.

Those shoes walked with me through:

the lavender fields of Provence (dirt and uneven paths)
winding village streets (constant turns and changes in direction)
uneven cobblestones (hard, uneven surfaces)
train stations and airports (long distances and hard floors)
museums (hours of walking and standing)
hours of shopping in Paris (walking, standing, and looking presentable)
long days that easily stretched to 18,000 steps (without a chance to change shoes)

And what I liked most was how little I thought about them while walking.

I could spend hours walking without feeling like I needed to change shoes or give my feet a break. I didn’t need any break-in time. No blisters. No aching arches. No moments when I wished I’d packed another pair.

When I think back on the trip, I remember beautiful villages, incredible meals, and getting wonderfully lost in Paris.

I don’t remember my shoes.

And that’s exactly what great walking shoes should do.

What I Now Look For in a Walking Shoe

Before this trip, I thought I wanted the softest shoe.

Now I think I want the most balanced shoe—one that feels comfortable, stable, and easy to walk in for hours.

For me, that means looking for five things.

1. A toe box that works for my feet

Shoes with a more tapered toe box tend to feel uncomfortable to me. The On Cloud 5 worked for my feet, but the newer Cloud 6 didn't, even though they were from the same brand.

Your toes shouldn't feel squeezed together or pushed against the sides of the shoe.

2. Enough room for your toes

Feet can swell after hours of walking, especially in warm weather. A shoe that feels perfect first thing in the morning may feel quite different by the end of the day.

That's why I wouldn't judge a walking shoe after simply standing in it for two minutes.

Walk around in it. If possible, try it later in the day when your feet have had a chance to expand.

3. Cushioning that doesn't get in the way of walking

The Brooks Glycerin 23 felt fantastic when I first tried it. The cushioning was impressive, and it felt comfortable walking on a flat surface.

But when I walked uphill, I felt like I had to work a little harder with every step.

That experience reminded me that softness and walking comfort aren't necessarily the same thing.

4. Stability

European streets aren't one long, smooth sidewalk.

You may find yourself walking over cobblestones, uneven pavement, gravel paths, stairs, and hills—all in the same day.

When trying on a shoe, don't just walk in a straight line. Try:

Walking around corners
Going uphill and downhill
Walking on a harder surface
Taking a few quicker steps

Notice whether the shoe feels stable and predictable as you move.

5. A weight and style you'll actually want to live with

After a full day of sightseeing, I appreciate a shoe that doesn't feel unnecessarily heavy. The difference may not seem important in the store, but it can become more noticeable after hours of walking.

And, honestly, I also want a shoe that works with my clothes.

For this trip, I wanted one pair that could work with linen pants, jeans, casual dresses, and shorts. Packing one versatile pair instead of several shoes saves luggage space and makes getting dressed much easier.

My 60-Second Walking Shoe Test

The next time you try on a walking shoe, don't just stand there.

Walk.

Ask yourself:

Can I wiggle my toes?
Does anything press against my toes?
Does my heel stay secure?
Does the shoe feel stable when I turn?
How does it feel going uphill?
Does the cushioning help me move, or make each step feel harder?
Could I imagine wearing this for six or eight hours?

That last question may be the most important one.

A shoe can have thousands of great reviews and still not be the right shoe for your feet.

What I’m Testing Next

This isn’t meant to be a definitive ranking of every walking shoe on the market.

I’d rather recommend products I’ve genuinely lived with than pretend I’ve tested dozens of pairs.

These are next on my list:

HOKA Clifton
Brooks Ghost
ASICS Gel Nimbus
New Balance Fresh Foam 1080

As I spend real miles in each of them, I’ll keep updating this guide.

Would I Buy Them Again?

Absolutely.

If I were leaving for another European adventure tomorrow and could only bring one pair of walking shoes, I’d pack my New Balance 530 again without hesitation.

Not because they're the “best” walking shoes, but because they check so many of the boxes that matter to me: they're lightweight, stable, not overly cushioned, have good traction, and are versatile enough to wear with pants or a casual dress.

Above: My New Balance 530 came with me to France - and after a month of putting them through their paces, they’re still going strong!
→ Check current price on Amazon

Because they quietly did their job so well that they let me focus on everything else.

For me, that's what makes a walking shoe worth bringing halfway around the world.

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