Our topmost choices for the best shoes for treadmill walking:
- Neutral: New Balance 577 — a comfortable diabetic footwear known to relieve foot fatigue and reduce joint pain.
- Support: Brooks Addiction Walker 2 — the walking shoe that offers maximum support and stability.
Treadmill walking is one of the most convenient indoor workouts when the weather outside is less ideal for a stroll. But walking indoors doesn’t need an expensive treadmill to burn excess body fat. And the health benefits can be tremendous if you do it right.
Walking faster makes you cover more distance and burn more calories, and the goal is to reach the point where you can start burning body fat. To do this, you need to have a consistent pace that is not too fast and not too slow.
Your weight will play an important role in how many calories you will burn per mile. And to continue burning fat even when you’re at rest, add a little weight-lifting session to your walking exercise.
RELATED: Best Treadmill Running Shoes
What are the best shoes for walking on a treadmill?
The best shoes for walking on a treadmill are athletic shoes that can support whether you will use the treadmill for a simple walk or a power walk. There are several stages before you can start burning body fat. And you can only do this if you exert more effort in your workout. To help you succeed in treadmill walking, you need a versatile shoe that can help you push at a greater distance.
Can training shoes be used for walking?
Yes, but depending on the training shoe. However, you might need a more flexible shoe for power walks. Training shoes are useful for a variety of workouts to improve strength, speed, and flexibility. They can give you more convenience should you decide to proceed with other workouts after your walking session with the treadmill.
Your training shoes will have more functionality for other gym workouts than your walking shoes. But if your training shoes will slow you down as you walk faster, replace them with a more capable pair of walking shoes.
The Best Shoes for Treadmill Walking (Neutral Cushioning)
Here’s a list of the best shoes for treadmill walking (in no particular order):
Ryka Devotion Plus 3
Ryka Devotion Plus 3 is arguably the most famous Ryka walking shoe that can take on any strength you apply when walking on a treadmill. It has technologies that are specifically designed for women.
This walking shoe has an anatomical insole with extra arch and heel support designed to conform to the shape of your foot for cushioning that is unique to you. It has a two-layer RE-ZORB foam cushioning technology in its EVA midsole, designed for shock protection and cushioning from heel strike through toe-off. This shoe has a breathable mesh upper and a durable skeletal rubber outsole.
Shop On ZapposAnother excellent option for treadmill walking is the Ryka Myriad walking shoe.
Hoka Bondi 8
Hoka Bondi 8 is the shoe that can do it all on the road and on the treadmill when walking and running. You can use it for long distances at whatever pace you want. This shoe offers a haven for those who have wider feet.
It is an APMA-accepted running shoe, which has plush cushioning with stabilizing features that will be there when you need it as well as a soft interior. It also has a 4 mm heel-to-toe drop, which is very gentle on your knee and hip.
The Bondi 8 has a breathable engineered two-layer mesh upper, compression-molded EVA midsole, an internal heel counter for a locked-in fit in the midfoot area, and an improved early-stage Meta-Rocker, which offers a smooth transition from heel strike through toe-off.
Shop On ZapposNike React Infinity Run Flyknit 3
You might not memorize the name of this shoe easily, but it’s one of the Nike shoes built with excellent cushioning and shock absorption. Not only that, Nike React Infinity Run Flyknit 3 comes with a mission to reduce running-related injuries. And its innovations can also help you walk more efficiently.
Embedded in its name is the word “React,” which means it has Nike’s legendary Reach technology, a foam cushioning designed to be more lightweight and deliver better cushioning, energy, and durability. This running shoe has more Flyknit on the upper than its predecessor. And it is one of the best breathable upper materials you can have.
Shop On ZapposNew Balance 577
New Balance 577 (WW577 or MW577) is a diabetic footwear known to relieve foot fatigue and limit joint pain. It has a Walking Strike Path outsole, which offers stability by aligning your foot through every step.
This APMA-accepted shoe uses ABZORB technology, a blend of foam cushioning and compression rubber designed to absorb shock and redirect the pressure away from your body. It has a walking-specific shoe insert, which offers better comfort and impact protection.
Shop On ZapposNew Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v12
This running shoe is one of the top recommended shoes for walking. Designed for long distances, this latest model of 1080 offers luxurious comfort and plush cushioning. It uses a Fresh Foam X midsole technology, a foam cushioning invented from the athletes’ demand for ultra support and lightweight ride. It also has an Ortholite sock liner designed to improve comfort, as well as a breathable performance mesh upper that can keep your foot cool and dry through long workouts.
Saucony Integrity Walker 3
The Integrity Walker 3 is Saucony’s responsive neutral walking shoe. It has a PWRRUN midsole, an award-winning cushioning technology found in running shoes, which is more lightweight, offers softer landings, and absorbs more impact. Saucony Integrity Walker 3 has a premium full-grain leather upper and a slip-resistant rubber outsole.
Shop On ZapposASICS GEL-Contend 5 Walker
If you have heel problems or foot issues caused by over-supination and high arches, this is the shoe for you. ASICS GEL-Contend 5 Walker has a 10 mm heel-to-toe drop, which is very gentle on your foot, ankle, Achilles, and calf because it moves your body forward, redirecting stress away from your lower limb.
This walking shoe has the famous Rearfoot GEL cushioning system, which reduces strain during an impact and prepares your foot for a smooth transition through toe-off. It has an AmpliFoam midsole designed to deliver better flexibility, comfort, and long-lasting stability. ASICS GEL-Contend 5 Walker has a breathable mesh upper material.
The Best Shoes For Treadmill Walking (Stability)
New Balance 990v5
This running shoe has New Balance’s timeless style and looks. And it is one of the most recommended shoes for walking as well. New Balance 990v5 has a breathable mesh and pigskin leather upper and a blown rubber outsole.
This running shoe has an ENCAP PU ring with an EVA core, which wraps the lateral mid-foot through the heel and around the medial midfoot for enhanced stability. It uses a long-lasting Ortholite premium footbed, which provides cushioning and arch support. The Ortholite footbed is lightweight yet compresses only less than 5% over its lifetime to ensure you get the optimum cushioning, fit, comfort, and performance you need.
Shop On ZapposAnother excellent stability shoe for walking is the New Balance Fresh Foam 860v11.
Brooks Addiction Walker 2
Brooks Addiction Walker 2 is one of your best options in walking shoes if you crave maximum support and stability. As the name suggests, this shoe can give you all-day comfort, which means you can walk for as long as you want on a treadmill.
Brooks Addiction Walker 2 has a refreshed leather upper and a certified slip-resistant rubber outsole that can give you an ensured grip. It has the favorite Rollbar technology designed to secure the foot and prevent over-flattening of the arch.
This technology is essential in aligning your body so you won’t suffer any muscle pains when walking. The Addiction Walker 2 has BioMoGo DNA cushioning technology, which adapts to your speed and provides long-lasting comfort.
Shop On ZapposSaucony Omni Walker 3
The Omni Walker 3 is Saucony’s best stability walking shoe. It offers plush cushioning for the moderate overpronator.
This Walking shoe has a PWRRUN midsole, an award-winning cushioning technology found in running shoes, which is more lightweight, offers softer landings, and absorbs more impact. It has a Walk-Trac outsole designed for better traction and smooth transitions. And it has a leather upper, which provides better comfort and a locked-in fit.
Shop On ZapposFinal Thoughts
Walking and running have the same basic heel-to-toe movement, and sometimes you’ll find that running shoes will have the upper hand when you walk faster. But not all running shoes are excellent for walking.
To make treadmill walking similar to walking outdoors, where there is wind resistance, increase the treadmill’s incline to the desired angle to make your workout more difficult.
Best Shoes for Walking on Treadmill: Frequently Asked Questions
Is walking outdoors better than a treadmill?
Yes. According to experts, you’ll be 20 percent happier by just going out for a walk or run. Although the physical benefits of walking outdoors will be similar to treadmill walking.
What are the disadvantages of treadmill?
Treadmill walking or running is often done indoors, so you won’t get to enjoy the natural scenery of the outdoors. But if you have a strategy to beat any boredom, your treadmill workout can be fun. While you may not suffer body pains because the treadmill belt will soften the impact of your step/stride, you won’t also experience the hardening process needed to improve physical fitness that only the ground or pavement can give.
Do treadmill shoes last longer?
Yes, they may last longer, but depending on how often you use them for the treadmill workout. Good athletic shoes can last up to 500 miles on a treadmill because the surface is softer and more forgiving.
Can I use running shoes for treadmill?
Yes. You can use running shoes for treadmill walking, although not all running shoes are excellent for walking. But running shoes may be the most suitable footwear for any treadmill workout.
Can walking on a treadmill cause foot pain?
If you have a problem gait and you are wearing the wrong shoes, you can experience foot pain even while walking on a treadmill, especially when you perform long walks.
Will a treadmill burn belly fat?
Yes, walking or running on a treadmill can burn overall fat in the body, including belly fat, if you reach that point where your body can start burning fat. A consistent pace is needed, but you have to exert more effort in your workout.
Is it OK to walk on the treadmill barefoot?
Yes, it is OK to walk on the treadmill barefoot as long as you won’t experience pain. But you may not enjoy your workout because, after a short while, you will surely experience foot pain. Without cushioned shoes to protect your feet, the shock and jarring from the treadmill surface will go directly from your feet to different parts of your body.
What should I wear on my feet on a treadmill?
If you walk on a treadmill and do not run, you can use walking or running shoes. If you run less than 5 miles on a treadmill and proceed to other gym workouts, you can use a versatile cross-trainer. However, if you run more than 5 miles in one session, use only a pair of serious running shoes.
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