We’ve put hundreds of sneakers to the test, and On is at the top of my list.
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At this point, I’m pretty sure I qualify as the woman who lived in her shoes. Not in a glamorous Carrie Bradshaw kind of way, but in a professional-sneaker-tester kind of way. I probs have at least 30 pairs crowding my closet and entryways right now, and that’s not even counting the pairs I’ve run into the ground or given away to friends and family (you’re welcome). My top priority is always comfort, and while you might find that a given when it comes to sneakers, I’ve tested my fair share of options that make my feet feel stiff and achy.
So, I present to you the pairs of comfortable shoes—think walking shoes and cross-training shoes—that actually keep me feeling comfortable and supported without slacking on cuteness. From memory foam insoles that mold to your foot's unique shape to running shoes with responsive soles that absorb your stride’s shock, these are the most comfortable sneakers for women, tested by myself and other sneaker enthusiasts at Women’s Health.
When it comes to comfortable sneakers, cushioning should be your top priority—whether you’re walking, running, hitting the gym, or just running errands. Here are the cushioning levels you can expect to see in the shoes below:
As Women’s Health editors, we practically live in sneakers, so we know what it takes for a shoe to feel super comfortable. When I originally put together this list of the most comfortable sneakers in 2025, I spent over two years testing more than 50 pairs in every possible scenario—long and short walks, runs, HIIT workouts, full days out in NYC, travel days, and more. For this 2026 update, myself and other WH editors re-tested newer iterations of our favorite pairs to make sure they still meet our standards. I also sought advice from fitness contributors Nicolette Accardi and Talene Appleton, as well as style contributor Lily Wohlner. We looked at everything from cushioning and stability to sizing, traction, and color options. And if a pair left our feet aching or uncomfortable, it didn’t make the cut. So you can trust that every sneaker on this list kept our feet happy all day long—even through our toughest workouts.
Shannen Zitz is the Associate Style & Reviews Editor at Women's Health, where she covers all-things sneakers and activewear. Previously, she was an assistant editor at Prevention. Shannen graduated from the State University of New York at Cortland with a bachelor's degree in English. If she’s not reading or writing, you can probably find her frequenting the skincare and makeup forums on Reddit or hogging the squat rack at the gym.
Christian is the Style and Reviews Director at Men's Health and Women’s Health, where he oversees shopping and style content for both brands. He started his magazine career as an accessories assistant at Vogue, and has since held editorial roles at Tatler Asia and The Manual. When he’s not online shopping, you can find him on long walks with his two corgis.
