Best Shoes for Urban Walking

Walking in the countryside with fresh air and nature is fun and exhilarating. However, walking around the city where you live in an urban area can be more interesting and vital to understanding how your city works and is put together.

Choosing the right shoes for urban walking is not just about fashion but your comfort and safety. These shoes are the most crucial part of your walking gear, ensuring a comfortable and safe walking experience in the urban jungle.



Walking Shoes in a Nutshell

Walking shoes, especially those designed for urban walking, are meticulously crafted to prioritize your comfort and safety. They are engineered to provide the best support and shock absorbency, which is crucial when navigating the hard concrete or gravel roads and pavements of urban areas. With a durable outsole and excellent shock absorbency, these shoes ensure your walking experience is comfortable and safe, giving you the peace of mind you need while exploring your city.

Some Essential Walking Shoe Qualities

  • Flexibility – A good walking shoe needs to be flexible, so it must be able to bend and twist the shoes.
  • Heel – Always look for walking shoes with a heel drop of less than 8 mm. A flatter shoe for walking offers better stability and comfort. Most walkers strike with the heel first, so you want a slightly undercut heel rather than a large flared heel. Your flared heel is better for trail surfaces and if you require extra stability in your walking shoes.
  • Shock Absorbency – As with a running shoe, walking shoes’ most important protection and comfort features are also shocked absorbency. Shock absorbency can be attained from a cushioned insole, Gel or cushioned forefoot and heel pads, an EVA midsole, and a thicker rubber outsole or air-blown rubber-designed midsole and outsole.

Types of Walking Shoes

The walking shoe you will wear will depend largely on the comfort features you require and your arch type; your arch type can be either high, low, or neutral, requiring different features.

When it comes to versatility, the recommended walking shoes are unbeatable. They strike the perfect balance between shock absorbency and grip for trails while being stylish and appealing for urban walks. Whether you’re exploring the great outdoors or strolling through your city, these shoes are a smart investment.

Besides this, here are a few features to look for in good walking shoes for your different arch types;

Skechers Urban Walking Shoe

  • Motion Control Shoes – Motion-control shoes are not flexible as they are designed to control motion to prevent Overpronation, which is the inward rolling of your feet. Overpronation is more likely in individuals with a flat foot or shallow arch. Motion-control shoes are designed straight last and have a dual-density sole, denser in the middle to control pronation. The problem with most Overpronation Motion Control shoes is that they have quite a thick heel, giving you the feeling of walking uphill the whole time.
  • Lightweight Performance Shoes – This shoe type is lightweight, flexible, and has little cushioning. Though ideal for neutral arch types, they wear out quickly and offer little protection from regular walking. Neutral arch types, they wear out quite fast and do not offer much protection from
  • Cushioned Shoes – These have a soft midsole, are flexible, and thick heels. Although they offer little support, they are perfect for people who do not overpronate and have a neutral or high arch.
  • Stability Shoes – Stability shoes are similar to Motion Control shoes, although much more flexible and still;l offering ample support. This shoe type also has a thick sole, less thick than the motion control shoe, and a dense midsole. Stability shoes are ideal for neutral and low arch types in midweight individuals who do not over or under-pronate severely.
  • Lightweight Hiking and Trail Shoes – They offer the same flexible and lightweight comfort features as your Lightweight Performance walking shoe, the only difference being the outsole. Trail and hiking shoes have a tread on the outsole designed to walk on outdoor terrain that tends to be uneven and slippery. These are perfect for walking on loose gravel and uneven areas in the Urban area. These shoes likewise offer good stability on uneven terrain.
  • Walking Sandals – This is just an open-design shoe or sandal with similar features in the sole and footbed as walking shoes, which can be either stable, cushioned, motion control, or lightweight, just like your other athletic-style walking shoes.

Walking in an Urban Area

We have concluded that walking in an urban area requires shoes similar to those on a road or track, including walking and running shoes. In addition, the terrain may consist of Gravel, tar or cement, and pavement, with the dangers of loose stones, glass, wetness, oil, and other urban hazards. Therefore, a trail-specific or durable rubber sole offers good support, cushioning, and shock-absorbing technology.

Walking in an urban area can provide just as much exercise as any other, offer many more interesting sights, and be much more sociable. It’s a unique way to get to know the area and people quickly and in a fun way. So, lace up your walking shoes and start exploring your city today, feeling motivated and excited about the new experiences that await you.

You can get to know the area and people quickly and in a fun way by taking regular walks through your city.


Features of a Good Shoes for Urban Walking

Outsole of Urban Walking Shoe

  • Support – Stability features such as a heel cup and roll bar for motion control. Arch support that is contoured for your arch type.
  • Cushioning – Forefoot and rearfoot Gel or foam Cushioning.Shock absorbency such as an EVA midsole and rubber outsole or cushioned pads. Cushioned and comfortable insole.
  • Uppers – Smooth and moisture-wicking interior lining. Breathable, flexible synthetic, leather, or mesh uppers with Velcro or lace-up closure.
  • Outsole – A durable, high-traction rubber outsole with a tread designed for outdoor, pavement, or tar gravel walking.
  • design – Stylish design that is still fashionable and acceptable for outdoor walking in Urban areas.

Reviews: The Best Shoes for Urban Walking

Below are the best options in shoes for walking in Urban areas;


1

Formal Shoes for Urban Walking

These are two lovely, fashionable walking shoes from Rockport. They can be worn for walking and any other occasion in urban areas. I have been using these shoes for my urban walks; they have been incredibly comfortable and durable.
  • Genuine leather uppers with a smooth Microsuede lining, absorb moisture effectively.
  • A nylon shank is needed for added stability, and a Strobel construction is needed for forefoot flexibility.
  • Cushioned and comfortable insole.
  • The TPR outsole offers exceptional traction and durability.

2

Shoes for Urban Walking

With some of your best walking shoe options, New Balance, a trusted and popular brand in athletic shoes known for their quality and comfort, is a great choice. I have chosen two shock-absorbing and durable models for both men and women.
  • Breathable and durable suede leather and mesh uppers.
  • High traction and shock-absorbing rubber outsole.
  • ABZORB midsole cushioning technology.
  • Additional superior walking strike path technology.
  • The tongue and collar are padded for comfort.
  • This shoe is available in wider width options. If you want to purchase these shoes or explore more options, click here [link to product page].

3

Memory Foam Shoes for Urban Walking

A comfortable and stylish walking shoe with a soft and cushioned memory foam insole from Skechers.
  • Leather and synthetic uppers for breathability and comfort.
  • A comfortable cushioned memory foam insole.
  • The mesh tongue is cushioned for a more comfortable fit.
  • Metal top eyelets on the lace-up closure.
  • A durable rubber outsole.
  • This shoe is available in many colorful designs.

4

Urban Trail Walking Shoe

The Gel Kahana is an outdoor trail-walking shoe with gel cushioning and a trail-specific outsole, ideal for uneven and slippery surfaces.
  • Durable and highly breathable synthetic and textile upper construction.
  • A thick and shock-absorbing, high-traction rubber outsole.
  • Strong>rearfoot gel cushioning to attenuate shock.
  • A Duomax support system with dual-density midsole support and stability.
  • It is made for a neutral arch type and is ideal for walking or running.
  • The outsole has a trail-specific tread for walking outdoors on uneven surfaces.

5

Sandals for Urban Walking

  • Made with durable and mixed materials in the upper area.
  • An open-toe sports sandal with three adjustable hook and loop straps and a rear pull-on loop.
  • A Nylon shank for stability and a Shock Pad heel for shock absorbency.
  • A compression Molded EVA midsole, for further support and comfort.
  • The high traction outsole has water channeling lugs and a cushioned sponge EVA top sole.

6

Shoes for Walking in Urban Areas

  • The shoes are classy and lightweight, with a breathable upper.
  • They are available in plenty of colors from which you can choose.
  • Memory foam, a 5Gen cushioning system, and Goga Max High rebound cushioning insole for comfort.
  • They are lined to control moisture, and the sole is a durable rubber.

7

Urban Area Walking Shoes

  • The uppers are flexible, lightweight, and breathable.
  • An ACTEVA Midsole and ABZORB are cushioning for shock absorbency.
  • Inside is an Nb cushioning insole and a moisture-wicking lining.
  • Many colors are likewise available.

8

Urban Area Walking Shoes

  • Comfortable and athletic design sneakers.
  • They have a sleek and classic design.
  • There are a comfortable cushioned insole and supportive midsole,
  • The uppers are fabric and synthetic.,
  • More color optiosn are liekwis evaialble.

9

Urban Area Walking Shoes

  • The shoes have leather uppers and Velcro closure straps.
  • They are available in whites and black color options.
  • There is a removable orthotic insole for comfort and a supportive midsole.
  • They also have a durable rubber outsole.

Index Table: Top Rated Shoes for Urban Walking

No.ShoeMen ♂Women ♀FeaturesBrandScore
1Rockport® - Formal Shoes for Urban Walking We are Rockin Daisey
  • TPR Outsole
  • Breathable
  • Durable
Rockport96
2New Balance® - Shoes for Urban Walking MW877 WW411V2
  • Sude and Mesh uppers
  • ABZORB Midsole
  • Rubber Outsole
New Balance98
3Skechers® - Memory Foam Shoes for Urban Walking Afterbburn Bright Blossoms
  • Memory Foam
  • Cushioned Tongue
  • Breathable
Skechers97
4Asics® - Urban Trail Walking Shoe Gel Kahana Gel Kahana
  • DuoMax Support
  • Trail Outsole
  • Gel Cushioning
Asics98
5Teva® - Sandals for Urban Walking Katavi Tirra
  • Rubber Sole
  • Nylon Shank
Teva98
6Skechers® - Shoes for Walking in Urban Areas Go Walk Equalizer Go Walk Joy
  • Memory Foam Cushioning
  • Breathable
  • Lined
Skechers97.3
7New Balance® - Urban Area Walking Shoes 680V6 680V6
  • Breathable
  • Cushioned
  • ABZORB Technology
New Balance97
8Skechers® - Urban Area Walking Shoes Go Walk 5 Qualify Go Walk 5 True
  • Cushioned
  • Supportive
  • Lightweight
Skechers97.6
9Propet® - Urban Area Walking Shoes LifeWalker TourWalker
  • Velcro Closure
  • Leather
  • Cushioned
  • Orthotic
Propet97.6


About the Author

David Alegeta

David is a long-distance hiker, a writer and an editor whose favorite topics include backpacking and trail running. He is an adventure athlete who covered over 20,000 miles. He frequently speaks to groups about the benefits of proper footwear and has written numerous articles on this subject. He lives in Dallas, Texas with his family.